Daredevil Chapter 4

This was day four of Shain's stay at the compound. She'd been given an empty trailer so she would have her own space. No way would I have let her be put in the clubhouse, although the club wouldn't have done it. It was for partying and the prospects. I wished she was staying with me but it wasn't possible. I was taking my time to get to know her and her to know me. After my disastrous fuck up at the party which sent her fleeing, I was taking things slow. Our conversations over these last few days had been long and good ones, however time was almost up. Moose was to arrive today to take her home on Monday after she completed her last round of medication.

I would never wish for her to be sick or to relapse but I secretly wished for another reason to crop up to make her stay. The idea of her returning to Nebraska and not seeing her for weeks or months was gutting me. I'd been bitten by the same bug most of my brothers had and I was inpatient to seal the deal so to speak.

I knew I had my work cut out for me. Besides Shain, I had to win over Moose and the rest of the Regulators. He might've left her here for a short period of time based on my assurance I wasn't out to just sleep with her, but I knew he would never want her to stay permanently. I understood his desire even if I knew I had to change his mind. On top of all that, I had to make sure she wanted the same future as I did.

I was experienced enough with women to know she found me attractive, and she responded sexually to me even if she tried to hide it. I wasn't sure how experienced she was, but the kisses we shared rocked me. I wanted more, and it took everything I had not to kiss her constantly.

To ensure there would be no problem like what happened with Bella, I took Ashes, Vicious, and Dragon aside before she ever left the hospital and made them aware of my intentions. I think they were still smarting from Bella and didn't want anything similar to happen again, so they quickly agreed to stay away from her. The prospects were less forthcoming when I warned them. They just shrugged and said they weren't interested in an old lady.

At the moment, I found myself outside the clubhouse trying to appear unconcerned and as if I wasn't waiting for Moose to arrive. He was due any time according to what Shain said. She was inside with some of the ladies and kids. She was laughing when I left. Her bruises and cuts were healing nicely. It was one of the deeper ones they thought had caused the infection. Thank God it wasn't more serious.

The rumble of pipes caught my ear. I straightened and leisurely made my way further down the parking lot. The gate was opened by Cullen and in swept four bikes followed by a car. I recognized Moose in the lead. I stood back as they rode up and found spots to park. As they did and their helmets came off, I took note of who came with him. There was Fender as expected. Moose and he were best friends. Besides him there was Flint and X-Ray. X-Ray was their doc so no surprise there either. Flint must be bored or something. The car door opened and out stepped a tall, built man. I didn't recognize him. I went on alert. Who the hell had they brought? I hurried over to the ones I knew. I held out my hand to Moose first.

He gave me a probing look before he shook it. His grip was harder than usual. I squeezed back just as hard. If he wanted to play who was tougher, we could. When he finally let go I shook the other three's hands and greeted them. By then the stranger had made his way to us. I turned to study him.

"Who's this?" I rumbled. He was weighing me up like I was him. I recalled seeing him at the hospital, but I wanted to be a dick and act like he never registered.

"This is Laz. He volunteered to take Shain back with him. It'll be more comfortable for her than riding a bike. Where is she?" Moose explained.

Instantly, my distrust changed to dislike. I hadn't bothered to acknowledge him in the hospital since I was only able to think about her condition at first. He was the one who took her away and let her get hurt. He didn't appear to be in bad shape. "If she needs a ride, we'll take her. No need for him to hang around. I would've thought you went home. You weren't hurt much I heard. Shouldn't you be back to work?"

He gave me a slight smirk which I wanted to punch off his face. "I'd taken more than a few days off to visit my family down this way. It works out perfectly for me to take her home. No need for you to bother. She'll be in excellent hands as always with me."

"Like she was the night she got hurt?" I slammed back.

His smirk changed to a frown. "The accident was unfortunate but there was nothing I could do to stop it. I tried. The drunk driver is having charges brought against him. Hopefully, he'll learn a valuable lesson before he kills someone."

"You should've tried harder. You seem to have escaped barely scathed and she's beat up and has an infection. Her in a car with you isn't the way to go."

He was opening his mouth to say more but we were interrupted by the arrival of Shain. She came rushing up to us and threw herself in Moose's arms. He gently hugged her. She was quickly passed from Regulator to Regulator. When they were done, she stopped and eyed Laz. He was smiling at her. Thankfully, she refrained from hugging him.

"What're you doing here, Laz?"

"I'm helping to get you home. Aren't you ready to go?"

Her gaze darted to me then back. "I-I'm always happy to see home. Are we leaving today? I thought you'd stay a day or two. It's a long ride. You have to be tired. Why don't you come inside and relax? The ladies and I cooked a ton of food and it'll be ready soon. You have to be starved." She said to the group as a whole. I noticed she didn't actually answer Laz's home question.

"I can always eat, you know me," Flint said as he rubbed his stomach. She laughed.

I knew I'd look like a fool if I kept them outside, even Laz, so I moved back and gestured for them to go ahead of me. As they passed me, I positioned myself beside her before Laz could. He gave me a dirty look. I returned it.

Greetings rang out as we entered the common room. My brothers moved closer to welcome our guests even if it had been less than a week since they last saw them. I watched as Laz was introduced. My club welcomed him but I caught how my brothers regarded him then me. I shook my head slightly and narrowed my eyes. Chins were lifted in acknowledgment. They knew I didn't trust or want him here and they'd keep a close eye on him. He was a stranger. Caution was needed even if he hadn't been trying to take Shain away.

Yeah, I admit I was jealous. He was an attractive guy and he not only lived where she did but he worked with her. When she went back, he'd be in her face all the time. I hated the thought. How could I win her if I never saw her? What if in my absence he pressed his suit? I had no idea if he'd ever asked her out or not, but the way he watched her told me he was interested in more than being friends.

They all got a drink of their choice then sat down. I made sure I was at the table with them and Shain. A few of the others joined us. The longer we sat there and she updated her cousin on how she was doing and they talked, the angrier I got. Laz kept trying his best to monopolize her time. As he did, he kept throwing probing looks my way.

Before long I had to get Moose alone. I got his attention by rapping my knuckles loudly on the table. He gave me a questioning look. "Do you have a couple of minutes? I need to talk to you. Alone. It's important."

I noticed my brothers and their ladies trying not to smile. The others plus Moose appeared puzzled but he did agree. "Sure. Where do you wanna talk?"

"Let's go to my place. It's just out back if you recall. I'll have him back as soon as possible." This I said to her. She was giving me a searching look. I smiled so she would think it wasn't anything big. If only she knew. I might have a fight on my hands and if it happened I didn't want it to be where she would see it. Sometimes men settled things this way.

I felt the gazes burning into my back as we left down the back hall. It was a short walk from there to the trailers. I indicated for him to go ahead of me after I opened the door to mine. He walked in and went straight to my living room. He knew his way around from his first visit. He sat down and gave me his full attention. He crossed his arms over his chest. Shit, he was gonna be difficult. Surprise.

"Spit it out. You've been antsy ever since we got here. What's on your mind?"

"I need to talk to you about Shain."

"I figured as much. What about her?"

"First, let me say this. I have absolutely honorable intentions. I would never disrespect her or you with anything less. I know you were initially concerned I was only looking for a bed partner when you all came for the party. I hope I convinced you I'm not. We've been talking a lot since she got out of the hospital and we're friends now, I think. However, friendship isn't all I desire. I want a relationship with her. As her cousin I want your blessing to pursue this with her."

I paused to let him respond. He did so right away. "Exactly what does a relationship represent to you? And if I agree with you having one, how would it work? She lives in Nebraska in case you forgot," he uttered slightly sarcastically.

"A relationship for me is the same as it is with my other brothers. I dedicate myself to Shain and make her my old lady."

He interrupted before I had a chance to answer the other question. "She'd be your old lady and would you marry her? What about other women? Is it a case of what happens when she's not around or you're on a run isn't her business? Bunnies and other women don't count?"

His assumption I'd ever deem cheating acceptable pissed me off.

"Cheating of any kind isn't a part of what we Infidels do. When we claim a woman we're faithful, period. Do you think my brothers cheat? Did you see them doing any when we visited you or you came here and we partied without the women? No. And yes, I'd want to make her my wife as well. As for how I see it working when we live states apart, that's where we need to come up with a plan."

"We? I don't see that I have a part in it. If I were to agree and I haven't said I will." He emphasized the if part.

"I don't want her to go back with you on Monday but," I held up my hand to head off the objection I could see forming on his lips. "I understand she has a job and a life there. I need to get her to realize we should be together. It'll require work and me spending time in Nebraska and her here. This is what I need your help with. I require an excuse or a reason to come with you and stay a while. And I don't want to wait weeks or months to do it."

"How the hell can you leave for weeks at a time? Will Sin allow it? What about work and your obligations to the club?"

"Sin knows what it's like when you find the one meant for you. He'll agree and help me however he can. Work can be covered by someone else. We have lots of employees. I'm not the only machinist we have. Rampage will understand my need to do this too. Am I gonna have to battle you for the right? If so, let's get it out of the way. We just need to do it so she won't be too upset with us."

His arms relaxed a tiny bit. His deep frown was easing. I fought not to get hopeful. "I've gotta talk to Shain to see if she is even interested in you and in pursuing anything. If she says no, then you'll back the fuck off. I won't have her harassed."

"If she doesn't want anything more than friendship, I'll leave her alone." I'd ponder my ability to comply with the promise later. Right now, all my efforts were put toward praying she'd say she wanted more, too.

"Let me talk to her and then we'll talk about my decision and how you need to win my approval, again assuming I decide to give it."

I knew arguments would do me no good so I merely nodded. He stood up and we left to rejoin the others. My heart was pounding and my stomach was churning with anxiety. Please God, let her agree.

When we got back to the common room, her apprehension was noticeable. I wanted to go to her, take her in my arms and tell her everything was fine. Instead, I sat down and watched as he spoke to her.

"Shain, I need to talk to you. Mind taking me to where you've been staying?"

"O-okay. Sure. Is everything alright?" she glanced at me then back to him as she asked.

He smiled at her. "It is. Come on. We'll be back soon," he said to the others.

His brothers were full of curiosity. Laz was half scowling but he wiped it off his face when she scanned everyone's faces. I made sure I had a smile on mine. It was hard to watch them walk off and not know what would be said or what they would decide. My future was in the balance.