Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Vault

TODAY IS THE fucking day. Bell, my sweet Angel, is arriving here at the clubhouse today. I've been trying to prepare myself since Slim called me back and told me she agreed to come down and help us out. I'd love to talk to Valor about things, but we're still not there yet. We talk about club business and general things going on here, but our relationship has been destroyed. It kills me and I have to find a way to fix it before any further damage is done. Anyway, I've cleaned up one of the rooms in the clubhouse for Annabell and made sure it's close to mine so I can keep an eye on her. Her room is actually between Valor and me because she really doesn't know the Nomads who are here with us. George and Martin are complete unknowns to her because they're from Pine View and just filling in until we can find other guys who want to Prospect for the club. Neither man really has a desire to join us and are literally just helping out the new guys in town as we help clean a few things up for them. I've also gone ahead and gotten all of the foods I know Annabell used to love stocked in the kitchen and her room. I want her to be comfortable here.

Slim told me he's promised her that she can return home whenever she's ready to go. Even if she's not done with the job. That's more than okay with me because I honestly wasn't expecting her to show up at all. But, that wouldn't be the Annabell I fell in love with so long ago. She's always willing to lend a hand and show up for whoever needs her. Slim won't be making the trip with her, but she'll have an entourage of men riding down to make sure nothing happens to her. Annabell is one of the princesses of the Phantom Bastards and she'll be treated as such by Slim and her brother. Most of the guys have been calling her princess for years because it annoys the hell out of her and they simply laugh in return.

"How long before Annabell shows up?" Valor asks me, taking a seat at the table with me holding out a bottle of water for me as he drinks his beer.

"They should be here in about a half hour or so. It all depended on if they needed to stop again," I answer my brother and look at him for what feels like the first time in a very long time. "Are you okay, Valor?"

"No, I'm not. Can't get someone out of my head and it's killin' me because I know she's with someone and I'll never have her the way I want. Plus, I left Savannah alone in Benton Falls with her sisters after we had a fallin' out," he tells me, opening himself up to me for the first time in five years. "I'm goin' crazy and don't know what the fuck to do, Vault. I finally get why you acted the way you did after we lost Dad. I might not have lost anyone like that this time, but I still feel as if I'm makin' a horrible decision no matter what I do."

"Damn. I'm gonna guess that I know the woman in question who's with someone. A certain girl from the Wild Kings, I suspect. You're definitely right about her bein' with someone. From what I've been told, they're actually expectin' their first baby. Valor, I know all about unrequited love and it fuckin' sucks. However, you have to figure out what you want with Savannah because we both know that it's never gonna happen with the other girl. Even if she were to leave him, you're still not gonna have a chance with her. As much as it kills me to say that shit to you, it's the truth. Her dad would gut you before he let you be with her," I tell my twin as he stares at his beer bottle like it has all the answers he needs.

"I know he would. I've even tried talkin' to him about the shit and he blew me the fuck off. I don't know what the hell I did to piss him off, but I had to do somethin'. Now Savannah won't talk to me. I call the girls almost every day and we talk for a while, but when they ask Van if she wants to talk to me, she always makes up some excuse and leaves the room," he informs me as I sit forward and give all my attention to my brother because it's what he deserves.

"Valor, I love ya. You're my brother and have been my best friend most of my life until I fucked everythin' up. That's on me and I'll figure out how to repair our relationship one way or another. I fuckin' miss you and it kills me to know you've been holdin' this shit in because of me and the way I treated everyone after we lost Dad. There's no excuse for my actions and words. I've hurt so many people and I know my apologies don't mean shit at the end of the day. But, I promise you right now, Valor, that I am always here for you and that I will do everythin' in my power to show you just how much I love you and want to fix our bond and what was broken by me," I state emphatically, needing him to know that from today on I will do everything in my power to fix us and our bond.

"You're good, Vault. I know you were lashin' out because you were lost. It doesn't mean it's right, but I get where you were comin' from. One day we'll get back to where we were before. It's gonna take some time, but we'll both work on it. I'll be okay. I just need to reset my mind and focus on the shit we've got goin' on around here," Valor answers as the rumble of multiple bikes pulling up sound from outside the clubhouse.

Valor and I don't move as we wait for the group to enter the clubhouse. Chrome makes his way over to our table and takes a seat next to me leaving the one between Valor and I open. Ever since we got to Pine View, Chrome has become my best friend. We work together at the garage and he's been my rock when I wanted to fall back into old patterns because the stress of running this club is getting to me. Chrome always pulls me back when I need it and he'll never know what it means to have him as my best friend.

Not everyone feels that way though. Chrome is another tall fucker. He's over six feet tall and has a shaved head. I swear he polishes it daily with the way it always shines. Chrome has a neat beard he keeps trimmed close to his face that's a dark brown. His eyes are so brown that they almost appear black in certain lights. Chrome's entire body is covered in tattoos and I've never seen as many piercings on one man as what he has. It's insane. His entire reason for all the piercings is that he likes pain and hasn't found a place on his body yet that is painful to get tattooed or pierced. Anyway, Chrome almost never smiles. When he does, it looks like straight up evil intentions are flowing through his mind. I've never seen anything like it before in my life. For some reason, his looks make the men cower and run away while the women run toward him in groups. He eats up all the attention like the man whore he is too.

"You ready for this?" Chrome questions me, knowing what Annabell means to me.

"No, I don't think I am," I answer him honestly as the door opens and I'm blinded by the light shining in the clubhouse until Playboy steps through the door and blocks a small portion of it.

"You better get fuckin' ready," he whispers as I stand from my seat and head over to greet Playboy and the rest of the guys here with Annabell.

Walking over to the small group of men I grew up around, so many emotions fill me. These men know everything about me and saw me at my fucking lowest. All of them tried to be there for me and I did nothing but treat them like pieces of shit I stepped in and pushed them away. I acted as if they didn't lose my dad right along with Valor and me. Hell, I acted as if my brother didn't lose his dad. I was a selfish fucker and I hope to never act that way again. Playboy stops in front of me and pauses for a minute. He doesn't say a word to me, just looks me over from head to toe.

"You look real fuckin' good, Vault. Been hittin' the gym, I see. It's a good look on ya," he finally says, pulling me in for a hug as I return it and push down the emotions flooding me.

"Thanks. Haven't had a drink since I quit in Benton Falls. I've been busy every day of the week and only go to bed when I can no longer keep my eyes open. Haven't been fuckin' the Fallen girls or anythin' since I've been here. When the guys go out, I stay here and try to get some work done. I've tried so hard not to have to call for help, but it's too much right now," I tell him, pulling back as Killer steps up and pulls me in for a hug.

"We're fuckin' proud of ya, Vault. You turned your shit around and are keepin' it that way. Don't fuckin' hurt her," Killer whispers so only I can hear him as he releases me and joins Playboy in greeting the rest of the men who now fill our common room.

Stryker, Fox, and Boy Scout all enter the clubhouse and greet me as if nothing happened in the past before I left to come here. They all give me words of encouragement before going to greet everyone else. Finally, I turn back to the door as Annabell, my sweet Angel, enters the clubhouse with Hunter following behind her. They're laughing as he wraps his arm around her shoulders and my heart stutters in my chest. I know I told her to let me go and move on, but I didn't realize she was going to move on with Hunter. It really doesn't matter who the guy is, I won't be happy seeing her with anyone at all. No one's me and I want to be the one she confides in and shares every single thing about her life with. I don't want to be kept on the outskirts as nothing more than a spectator. Unfortunately, I ruined it all and now I have to suffer the consequences of my actions.

"Annabell. Thank you for comin' down to help us out," I tell her, making her pause next to me as Hunter removes his arm from her shoulders.

"Vault, it's good to see you. It's been a long time," she responds, her soft voice shooting straight to my cock as the walls I built around my heart shatter into a million pieces.

Annabell is so fucking sexy. Her normally tan skin is so pale I can make out her veins mixed in with the tattoos that now cover her left arm from her wrist up to her shoulder. I want to explore the ink up close and trace every fucking line with my tongue. Annabell's black hair has the same golden highlights she's always had as the ends reach just above her ass. Her body has filled out. She's still skinny, but Bell now has curves and she is doing nothing to hide them from everyone around her. There's a confidence that radiates from her and it's something I didn't get to see in the past. I'm happy as fuck to know she finally found herself and doesn't give a fuck what anyone thinks of her. Annabell has always been my dream girl and now it's only going to be worse because she's what every man wants to have at his side. A woman who knows her worth and is sexy as fuck. Her heart is huge and she'll treat her man like a fucking king.

"Pretty Girl!" my brother calls out, making Annabell turn her attention from me as she spots Valor a few feet behind us.

Without hesitation, she runs away from Hunter and me and jumps in my brother's arms. He holds her close and whispers something to her that makes her laugh out loud. Fuck! I've missed the sound of her laugh. It's soft and sweet, but there's a deep husky quality to it. The sound fills every inch of my broken heart in places I didn't even know was missing anything. I've been so numb for the longest time and now everything is rushing back at me full force. I almost drop to my knees with the weight of my feelings for Annabell. The only reason I don't is because Hunter puts his hand on my shoulder and grounds me. Looking up at him, I nod my appreciation and pull him in for a man hug.

"It's good to see you, Hunter. I hope things have been goin' good for you and Annabell," I tell him, forcing my voice to be steady and strong even though I want to break down.

"Annabell's my best friend, Vault. We've never gone past a close friendship. I honestly see her as my sister and nothin' more. Yeah, we spend every day together, but we were never meant to be more than friends. Not like the two of you," he states while keeping his voice low so no one else hears him as he shocks me. "I'm not sayin' she didn't date while she was in college, because she did. That's her story to tell though. The only thing I'm gonna say is either man the fuck up and claim your girl after you work shit out. Or give her the closure she needs to finally move on from lovin' your ass."

I nod my head in response as I turn to watch him walk further in the clubhouse and greet the others he's only met once or twice. Valor and Annabell have their heads bent close to one another and for the first time in a long time, my brother is lighter and free of everything that's been weighing him down. Part of my walls go back up because she's not like that with me any longer. Annabell is going to keep me at arm's length so I don't get the chance to hurt her again. I can't blame her because there's no reason for her to do anything more than get the closure Hunter just mentioned to me. She doesn't owe me anything and I owe her the fucking world for how I treated her.

"Annabell, I can show you to your room if you'd like to get settled in," I say, walking closer to where she stands with Valor.

"Okay. Um, thank you," she says, several emotions shuttering through her eyes too quickly for me to figure out what they are before a mask drops in place.

Annabell waits for me as Hunter runs out to get her bags from her trunk. The familiarity between the two of them feels like a knife twisting in my gut and I know I don't have the right to feel that way. There's nothing I can do to stop it though. Annabell follows behind me so I can't put my hand on her lower back like I want to. I can't even see her from where she's walking. Shaking my head, I lead her up the stairs and down the hallway towards the end where my room is.

"Right here is Valor's room," I inform her, pointing to his door before pointing toward mine. "This is my room. Every other room on this floor is full of the guys and two Prospects we have. There are currently three Fallen girls and they sleep in rooms on the first floor. The hallway for their rooms is off the left of the common room. The offices, church, and the room our tech guy will eventually set up in is in the hallway right next to the stairs we just came up. There's also a bathroom there. Past the bar on the right is the kitchen. It's fully stocked and you can help yourself to anythin' you find in there. If somethin' has a name on it, leave it alone. That's the only rule we have for food."

"Okay. Will I have an area to work here?" she asks me as I open her door and step aside so she can enter while I remain in the hallway behind her.

"Yeah. I've got an office next to mine set up for you. There's a desk, laptop, chair, and fan in there for ya. If ya need anythin' else, just let me know and I'll make sure you get it. Fox already sent me the files for you to download on the computer. I guess it's the same programs you've been usin' for your dad. Fox said to call him or Kingston and one of them will walk you through what you need to do," I tell her, not making a move to get any closer to her or enter her room. "I personally cleaned the room for you and made the bed. Everythin' has been washed. If you need anythin' else in here, let me know. Uh, the mini fridge over there has all the drinks I remember you used to love. There's also some chocolate and stuff in there too."

"Thank you, Vault. I'll get settled and come find you. If you don't mind showing me the office where I'll be working, I can check out the programs and see if I'm going to need Fox and Kingston to help me. I'd like to get started early tomorrow morning. When do you want me to start at Hound's?" she asks me as I step back away from her doorway.

"If you want to take the day tomorrow to get the computer system up and ready for you, I can take you to Hound's the day after. I'll be gone from early in the mornin' until whenever we close up shop tomorrow night. Valor is plannin' on stickin' around in case you need him. George and Martin are the Prospects here. They usually leave in the mornin' after we do to help out at the various businesses. I think Red and Crab will be here too. They work at the bar and it doesn't open until the early evenin'. When you come find me later, I'll grab a bunch of files for you to start with. Please, take your time with them," I tell her, my voice low as even more emotion fills me.

Annabell is standing in the middle of her room and the sunlight is hitting just right through her window. It hits her hair and makes it shine and appear as a halo is above her head. Exactly like the picture I took of her before everything turned to shit. With one last nod in her direction, I leave her behind and head back down to the common room. If I don't leave her now, I'll make the biggest mistake of my life and blurt out things I'm not ready to share with her just yet. I pass Hunter in the hallway and watch as he enters her room and the door gets closed behind him. Yeah, that's really fucking with my head.

Sitting down at a table with the guys, we all spend the rest of the night talking and laughing. It's been so long since I've cut loose and just sat down with the guys here in the clubhouse. I've been so busy making sure this chapter doesn't fail that I haven't allowed myself to have time for anything else. That's something that I'll be changing as of now. We fill the guys in on what's been going on here in Pine View and they share stories of what's going on back home. When the Phantom girls enter the common room, I watch as their eyes light up.

"Back the fuck off. These men are all untouchable and their ol' ladies will gut you with smiles on their faces. None of them are single. You know the rules and if you break one, you're fuckin' done and out on your ass," I state, letting my voice fill the common room as the girls drop their gazes and shoulders. Yeah, they thought they were gonna fuck the new arrivals and it's not gonna happen.

"You already got rules in place for the girls?" Killer asks me, pride filling his face.

"Yeah. The second they walk in the door, they're explained. There is no second chance or probation period here. I'm not gonna deal with their shit. The main rule is that none of them touch me. If I want them, I'll let them know. I won't be touchin' them for any reason. If a guy shows up here and isn't single, he's off limits no questions asked. They're to clean, cook, and do anythin' that's asked of them. If that's not how they wanna be, then they can get the fuck out," I say as Annabell hovers behind me at the table and listens. I don't miss the slight gasp she releases when I say that none of them are to touch me and that I've never been with them.

Getting up, I lead Annabell to the office next to mine. She goes through everything as I leave her and head to my office to grab the first group of files I want her to work on. The stack is thicker than I thought it would be, but I know she'll work through them as she can. Before leaving my office, I pause to adjust my hard cock in my jeans. It hasn't gone down since the second I laid eyes on my Angel. It's gonna be a long night as I drop the files off and rejoin the men in the common room. I'm not going to force my presence onto her. She'll let me know when she's ready to talk or spend any kind of time with me.