Chapter Eleven

NYCTO

I try to control myself by inhaling, but it stutters.

My cock is hard as steel while I stand at my door, listening to the moans and whimpers coming from inside my room. I can’t be certain, but it sounds like Eva is having one hell of a party without me. The fact she’s comfortable enough to take care of herself in my room says something. Maybe she doesn’t hate me as much as she lets on.

My cock strains against my jeans, and I hear her let out a loud moan like she’s climaxing.

“Fuck, Nycto…”

Did she…

Did she just say my name when she came?

Or did I wish so much that I imagined it?

Clenching my eyes tight, I lean my head against the door, trying to calm my raging thoughts and boner. Going in there now would only freak her out. I need to give her some time to get herself in order before I go in to see her. But fuck, it’s going to be difficult, being able to smell her desire throughout my room and not take advantage.

Thud.

Something bangs behind the door, making me open my eyes in concern.

“Holy shit,” I hear Eva say, muffled through the wall. “What the fuck was that?”

The best orgasm of your life while thinking about me?

After another few calming breaths, I rattle the handle unnecessarily, giving her plenty of warning that I’m coming in, and then unlock the door.

“Shit,” she murmurs, but her frantic movements on the bed, like she’s trying to hide evidence, are clear for me to hear.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door and walk in, closing it behind me. Preparing myself for the sight, I steady my shoulders and turn. She’s propped up on the bed in an overly exaggerated way, tussling with her hair. Her cheeks are bright with color, her eyes sparkling with life, and her breathing is still quick.

She’s trying too hard to compensate.

Guilty as hell.

“Doing some light reading?” I ask while keeping my distance from her, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.

Her eyes widen. “What? No… I mean, yes. But it’s nothing you’d care about.”

I smirk, knowing where this is headed. Trixie was bringing in some of her books. She probably brought in her mommy porn.

I get it now.

“I hope the books will help keep you entertained.”

Eva’s cheeks flush again as she wraps her arms around herself. I have to admit, this bashful side of her is cute as hell.

“They’ll get me by. Trixie said you weren’t coming around for a while. Is something happening?”

I cock my head. “It’s been nearly four hours since I was here, Eva. I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m good. Great.” Her voice comes out high-pitched, then she clears her throat. “I’m good. Maybe a little hungry,” she says, lowering her voice back to normal.

I walk over to the bed. The sheets are tangled. I wish I had been there when she made this mess . Her eyes follow my line of sight, and her hands quickly move, straightening the bed sheets.

Inwardly, I grin as I sit, wanting nothing more than to bring up what she was just doing in here, even though it’s written all over her face. Instead, I try to reassure her. “Eva, I know you don’t want to stay cooped up in here forever. I don’t want that for you either. The only way we’re going to be able to let you come out into the clubroom to eat is if I’m sure you’re not going to run or make some kind of attempt to find Ivy.”

Her shoulders slump. “I can’t give you that promise, Nycto. I have no idea if you know what it’s like to have a bond with someone… someone who’s like another part of you, but if you do, then you know I can’t give up on her.”

I clench my eyes shut.

I’m a fucking asshole.

I should tell her.

I should tell her now.

But we’re not in the right place yet.

She will turn on me in a heartbeat. I need her to trust me and to want to stay before I give her a reason to leave.

“I understand,” I assure her. “So you must understand why the longer I consider you a threat to your own and my club’s safety, I have to keep you in here.”

She sinks in on herself. “Do you think you can try to find Ivy for me? Get her back?”

My eyes widen.

Well, fuck me.

Maybe this could be my out.

Maybe I can tell Eva I found Ivy. Then, she will perceive me as the hero, not the villain in this story.

Who am I kidding? That will never work.

“I’ll do what I can, Eva.”

Fucking asshole.

“I hope so. I can’t stand to imagine her being hurt.”

“How ’bout this? I’ll put Void on the case, see if he can track her down, and get him to give me daily updates. He’s my VP. If anyone can find her, he can.” Because he’s with her in the basement. “If we find anything, I’ll let you know.” She slides in against me, cuddling into my side. At the scent of her arousal, the closer she gets, the more my cock presses against the seam of my jeans. Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I pull her closer, wishing I could slide my head between her thighs to taste what I smell because it’s driving me fucking insane.

“Thank you, Nycto. Thank you. I don’t understand why you took me, but maybe I’m a little bit thankful you did.”

Progress.

“I’m thankful I did, too, chiquita . I wish I could let you roam the clubhouse, I really do. You’d fit in so well out there. But until I can trust you…”

“I’m in lockdown.”

“Yeah. It’s for your own good.”

“I get it. I do, and I want to be able to say you can trust me, but the second I see a phone or an open door, I’m gone. I won’t be able to help it. I miss Ivy so much. It’s my job to protect her, and I failed her.”

I am a Grade-A son of a bitch.

How will I forgive myself after this?

“At least you’re being honest with me. Though even if you weren’t and you tried to run, there’s no way out. You’re stuck on the grounds of this compound.”

She swallows a nervous lump down her throat. “Good to know. In that case, I think it’s time we had a heart-to-heart. You need to tell me some things about you.”

“You want to have a deep and meaningful… with me?”

She crosses her legs, pulls back from me, and sits taller on the bed. “C’mon. I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”

Wish I could show you mine and you show me yours.

Rolling my shoulders, I exhale, but inside, I chuckle at my own joke. “How about you tell me yours first.”

She groans. “Man, you’re locked up tighter than a chastity belt.”

I smirk as I slide up the bed next to her, and we get comfortable. “In Cuba, it was just you and your sister?”

The cheekiness on her face falls. “ Sí. ” A somber expression crosses her face. “My parents were killed in a car wreck when I was eighteen. Ivy was sixteen. Legally, I became her guardian. We were in the rear of the car when it crashed. A truck came out of nowhere, and Papá didn’t have time to brake…” She sighs. “Our car slammed right into the rear of the truck.”

Eva sniffles, so I pull her closer to me.

“Mamá and Papá were killed on impact. Ivy and I were taken to the hospital with injuries. I’d broken my leg and dislocated my shoulder, but my leg was an open fracture, so I needed surgery. Ivy had internal injuries and needed her spleen removed. She also had a broken arm. We were in the hospital for ages. Then, when we were finally discharged, it was to a whole new life. We didn’t have parents… so I had to take care of everything.”

She softens, sinking further into me. “Ivy was so young, but she held herself together well. Sometimes, she had to pull me together. We kept each other strong and made it through. I don’t know how she’ll be coping without me.”

I had no idea they had been through so much and relied on each other so much.

For Eva to offer that information so freely means I’m earning her trust. God only knows how. Maybe Trixie convinced her the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t. Either way, understanding this part of the sisters’ story only makes me more inspired by them.

“You’re both strong women. You’re holding it together well here, Eva. I’m sure Ivy’s holding on just as strong… wherever she is. You guys will be together again. I’m positive she’s fighting as hard to be back with you as you are for her.”

She sniffles again, then scrubs at her face. “So, now you’re familiar with my backstory, there’s got to be one hell of a story coming my way from you?”

I tense. Only a few people have heard the story of why I am the way I am. I’m sure she’ll view me differently. I’m not ready for that. I need her to see me as a strong alpha male she thinks about while finger-fucking herself. The moment she hears the fucked-up mess I am, it will change her perception of me—the way she sees me and talks to me. I don’t want that. I like the way we are now.

I press my lips to her temple, and a tingle shoots all the way down my spine as I embrace her. She cuddles into me further, but I clench my eyes shut and slowly pull away toward the side of the bed.

Eva’s brow furrows. “You’re leaving?”

Standing, I turn to see her confused expression. “I think it’s best.”

Hurt crosses her features, and her eyes droop. “Did I say—”

“You did nothing wrong, chiquita . I’m not good at this stuff.”

Her puppy-dog eyes quickly morph into anger. “Talking?”

“Emotions. I’m sorry about your parents, I really am. I just—”

“Don’t want to open up to me.” She grunts.

I rub the back of my neck. Hole in one.

“I’ll, ah… come back later.”

“Fine. Let me spill my heart out to you, then take off like it doesn’t matter,” she snaps. “Bastardo estúpido.” I don’t speak Spanish, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out she’s calling me a stupid bastard. And I am.

“It matters. Of course it matters. You’re stronger than I ever could have thought you would be. I’m the weak one here, Eva. It’s why I need to go.”

“Wait, what?”

“I’ll find somewhere else to sleep. Have a good night.” I turn, walking for the door.

“You’re leaving me alone in here? When will you be back?” Her desperation is only making this harder. “ Nycto ...”

I get to the door, and something hard slams into my back. I turn around and see a book at my feet.

Eva stands, her arms folded, glaring at me. “You’re going to walk out on me because you’re fucking scared? I’m scared too!”

“I’m putting distance between us because it’s needed.”

“ Tú co?o ,” she yells. I know enough to know what that means. You pussy.

Gritting my teeth, I glare at her. “Call me a pussy all you like, Eva. It doesn’t change the fact we need some space.”

Her top lip curls. “Says you.”

“Yes, says me. I’m the motherfucking President of Tampa Defiance MC, so what I say goes. You got that, chiquita?”

“Idiota! Get out. Out !”

I throw my hands up in frustration. “I’m fucking trying to. Jesus, woman.” I yank open the door and go to walk through when another book flies toward me, only to hit the wall beside my head. I slam the door just in time for another paperback to pelt against it where I had been standing. The bang resonates through the other side of the woodgrain as I thrust the key into the lock.

“Fucking stubborn, beautiful, obnoxious angel.”

Her audible groan echoes from inside, and I imagine Eva throwing herself onto the mattress in a huff. A slow smirk crosses my face as I turn to walk down to Ivy’s cell. More to catch up with my VP but also to check in on the mental state of Eva’s sister.

I bet she’s doing better than Eva, and I know I’m the cause of all Eva’s problems.

Good going, asshole.