Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Annabell

BEING IN PINE View with Vault and Valor is surreal. It's been so long since I've seen either one of them and I definitely wasn't ready for it. So many emotions hit me all at once the second I saw Vault. He's changed so much over the years since he's been gone. Vault is so much bigger than he was when he left. He's been working out and the muscles now covering his body are enough to make my mouth water. The man was sexy as hell before and now he's walking sex on a stick as well. Vault's got tattoos covering his golden tanned skin and he's shaved his head. It honestly makes him appear a little menacing if you didn't know him. Even knowing him the little that I do, I'm honestly afraid of him and how he looks now. But, when he turned his chocolate brown eyes on me, the same feeling of him looking straight into my soul filled me as usual. Vault is the only man who ever makes me feel as if he can see deep down to the depths of my soul and find all the secrets I want to keep hidden.

The one thing that hasn't changed about Vault is his voice. It's deep and graveled from him smoking. Depending on the time of day, it has that raspy quality I find sexy. When he was talking to Killer about the Phantom girls, his voice was so commanding and filled with a dominance I haven't heard from him before. He might have been talking to Killer, but he was also talking to those girls and making sure they remember their place here at the clubhouse or he'll kick them out on their asses. I'm honestly impressed that he had the forethought to put those rules in place because these women will walk all over everyone in their way to get what they want. Most of them want to become an ol' lady to these guys and they don't give a fuck who they've hurt. I've seen it too many times over the years. Hopefully these girls are smarter than the ones who have been at my dad's clubhouse in the past.

It surprised me to learn that he hasn't fucked any of these women since being here in Pine View. Vault was one of the men who was constantly fucking someone. Yes, he tried to hide it from me, but women talk and I heard more than I wanted to about his sex life over the years. Especially once he left Benton Falls because the girls missed him and what he did to them. I figured if he wasn't fucking these girls then he was surely finding women when he went out to fuck no matter where he was. But, he implied that's not the case either. I don't know what to even think about that because it's a complete shock and not what I was expecting to hear from the man I always thought would be my first. However, I'm trying to force those thoughts aside and keep them out of my mind because I don't need to be thinking about Vault's sex life and who he is, or isn't, fucking.

No, I've never gotten over Vault and hearing all these small details about him is just making my mind race with all kinds of possibilities about why he's been the way he has and what it means for us. I can't let those thoughts take root because it doesn't mean anything for us. There is no us any longer. Vault crushed those dreams when he treated me the way he did and then left. If at any time over the last five years he had reached out and tried to get in contact with me, I might not feel this way. He didn't though. Vault chose to cut me out of his life and live the way he wants. So, I'm going to respect that and pretend there were never any thoughts of the two of us together at all. Not in the past, and certainly not now.

Yesterday, I spent all day at the clubhouse avoiding everyone. The only time I left my room was when Hunter stopped by to let me know that the guys were heading out to go back home. I walked out with my best friend and gave him the longest hug ever. Hunter has been there for me so much over the last few years and I'm going to miss him so much while I'm here. I made him promise me that he'll keep me updated on the situation with his girl and I better be the first to know when they finally get together. It's not if they get together, it's definitely when. Hunter is a great guy and deserves nothing but the best and I have a feeling that's exactly what this girl will be for him. I told the rest of the men goodbye and shed a few tears as they all rode away from Pine View. It honestly felt as if a part of my heart was leaving with them and the door of a huge part of my life was slammed closed. Feeling this way is the last thing I expected.

Valor wrapped an arm around my shoulders and let me cry for as long as I needed to. I gave myself a few minutes to cry and feel horrible before I sucked in a deep breath, wiped my tears away, and then made my way back in the clubhouse to do what I had to do. My day was spent unpacking everything I brought with me and then in the office Vault gave me to complete the work I had to get done to help him and this chapter of the club out. I locked myself away and forget to eat or drink as I went through all the paperwork and got it put into the computer program Fox sent over for me to install.

I didn't have any problems installing the software so I could get to work immediately. Last night Hunter sat with me as he often did when we were at my apartment and he would just sit and keep me company. When he heard my stomach growl, he'd go find me something to eat and make sure I had a drink. Now, I just remain working and don't worry about eating or anything else. I want to get this job done so I can move on with my life. Plus, it doesn't allow me to think about anything else when I allow myself to get lost in the work in front of me. Especially not a certain conversation I need to have with Vault so I can finally get the closure I need to move on with my life. If that's even a possibility after so many years. I'm honestly not sure if I can at this point in my life because in my mind and heart, it's always been him that I saw myself settling down and building a life with.

Every single night I dream of Vault and the life we could have. None of that has changed. I wake up most mornings with tears in my eyes because I know that Vault and I will never have a relationship and that it's nothing more than a dream I keep reliving and extending so I don't ever move on from him. My heart shatters with the thought of ever moving on and not having him in my life.

This morning after taking a long, hot shower, I get ready to head to the garage with Vault. I'm intrigued to see what he's done with the place because I know it was built in memory of Hound. He wanted to do the one thing his dad never got to do in his life—open a garage of his own. There was no point in doing so when he worked at the one the Phantom Bastards had. So, Vault opened the garage so his dad had a place with his name on it even if he'll never see it. I cried when I overheard Slim talking about Hound's and how Vault spent so much time going over every single detail of the garage and making sure each detail was completed to his demands. Including the sign that he sent a picture to Slim of. The design is simple but at the same time, it's perfectly fitting for his dad. There's a picture of his dad's face and Hound's arches over his head. The sign is done in red and black and it lights up when the day gets dark and the garage is still open.

I honestly can't wait to get to the garage and see everything in person. To take in all the details and see my own parts of Hound in. Even if I didn't know him all that well, he was a great man and his legacy and memories will always live on. Vault will make sure they do because he can't stand to do anything less. Hound meant so much to his sons and I know they both want to make him proud and live their lives the way he'd want them to. It's one of the reasons everyone was so completely hurt by the actions and words from Vault after he lost his dad. Now, I hope he's truly living his life the way his dad would want him to. That he's happy and found the sense of peace and calm I know he's been searching for since the loss he suffered through.

After getting dressed in a pair of jeans and one of my Phantom Bastards tank tops, I braid my hair and skip putting any make-up on. I've spent so many years wearing it for other people and the cheerleading I've done that I don't wear it anymore unless I have to. Or want to. Now, I prefer to keep my face free of the shit and if someone doesn't like it, they can kiss my ass. I don't live my life for others and it's pointless to worry about what anyone else thinks about me. No one else lives my life or has walked in my shoes. If I try to make everyone else happy, I'll do nothing but lose myself and I worked so hard to find who I am and what I'm meant to be after that fateful night so long ago.

Leaving my room, I make sure to lock the door so no one can get in there while I'm gone. I don't trust the Phantom girls and never will. They're vicious bitches and will do whatever they can to get a leg up in the clubhouse. Even if it means they get kicked the fuck out for their actions or words.

Walking down to the common room, I find the three girls sitting on their asses doing nothing as they sit and gossip like high school girls. All three haven't been to bed yet as I take in their ragged appearance. Their clothes are wrinkled to hell, hair is a rat's nest, and their make-up is almost completely rubbed from their face. They all look like a hot mess and I can't help but laugh silently because they still think it's sexy and that the guys will fuck them looking as they do now. Shaking my head, I go into the kitchen and find what I need to get a pot of coffee started before I make breakfast for the guys and myself. These bitches can figure shit out for themselves. Pulling out my phone, I pull up a playlist and start it so I have something to listen to as I work. It doesn't take long for me to find the coffee and filters to start a pot. I know how Vault and Valor like their coffee so the rest of the guys will have to either drink it the way I make it or go without until they head to work.

"It seems the new girl finally learned her position in the club and is doing what she needs to be doing," one of the girls says as they all make their way into the kitchen.

I don't acknowledge the bitch as I keep my back to them while I get started on the eggs, bacon, and toast for the guys. It's not the biggest breakfast, but it's quick and easy.

"Are you fucking listening to me?" the same bitch whines as she moves closer to me with her cohorts backing her up.

"I hear you, but you have no clue who the fuck I am. I don't need to listen to a damn word you say," I tell her, still giving her my back to show that I don't worry about the group of women who want to start shit because the men aren't around.

"You're nothing more than a piece of pussy the guys from another chapter brought in. It's no secret you're here to fuck and suck while cooking and cleaning for everyone," the second skank states as I start laughing my ass off.

"If that's truly what you think, I'm not gonna argue with you," I state, concentrating on breakfast and nothing else.

"You're nothing special," the first girl says, a sneer in her voice as I finally turn to look at her while the eggs continue to cook on the stove in front of me.

Looking over the shoulders of the girls in front of me, I find Valor and Chrome standing there waiting to see what I'll do. I'm not some weak flower who will shrink back because this skank thinks she can push me around any longer. When I first got to the Phantom Bastards clubhouse, I would've ran and hid until I stopped crying. I've grown up since then. With a smile on my face, I place my hands on my hips and truly look at the women in front of me. They're desperate and trying to stake a claim where they have none.

"First of all, if you're gonna talk shit about me, it's better if you know who I am. I'm the daughter of Slim and Shy. Slim is the National President of the Phantom Bastards. I've known Vault and Valor for several years now and am here to help the club. The same thing you're supposed to be doing when you're not on your back or knees. Instead you're sitting in the common room on your fat asses waiting to confront me and stake a claim on men who only want to fuck you or have you suck their dick. As far as you're concerned, I'm this club's fucking princess and have the power to get you banned from here quicker than you can strip out of your nasty clothes. I suggest you take your bullshit somewhere else and talk to someone who might give a fuck what you have to say. I don't," I state as the women look at me.

The woman closest to me is stupid as fuck as she steps even closer and tries to find what she wants to say.

"Just make our fucking breakfast. You ain't no club princess and the guys will prove it before too long when you're on your back and knees," she says, anger filling her voice because she knows I'm right and she's trying to save face.

"I'm not cooking for you. It's one of your jobs to cook around here. This food is for the guys and myself. You can figure out your own food because I'm not your fucking maid. Get the fuck outta the kitchen before I make sure Vault knows about this little encounter. And I'm not a snitch so that should tell you how fucking serious I am right now," I state calmly as the skank's face turns even redder than it already was.

"Breakfast smells good," Valor says, a smirk on his face as he finally makes his presence known. "How are ya doin', Pretty Girl?"

Valor walks over to me and places a kiss on the top of my head as Chrome follows him into the kitchen and over next to me. Both men stand on either side and turn to face the Phantom girls who are now trying to figure out how much of this little conversation was heard.

"I've been better. But, years in Benton Falls has taught me to stand my ground against these skanks and they don't mean shit to me. Grab me some plates?" I return, turning back to the stove so I don't burn anything.

Chrome and Valor move around the kitchen and help me get everything ready for the guys to have breakfast before they leave for the day. When we go to take our seats after filling our plates, the girls try to actually grab some of the food.

"I believe Annabell told you this food wasn't for you," Valor states, his voice echoing in the kitchen and making the girls jump in surprise. "She's not lyin'. This girl is Slim's daughter and knows every man with the exception of the Prospects who are members of this chapter. One fuckin' call is all it will take to seal your fate. Shy don't fuck around when it comes to her kids. She'll be here quick as fuck and take you all out. No one will ever find your fuckin' bodies. That's if Annabell doesn't deal with you herself. Don't. Fuck. With. Annabell."

The girls rush from the kitchen and almost take out Vault as he enters. This morning he looks even better than he has since I got here. The jeans he's wearing mold to his thick as fuck thighs and his tee-shirt is stretched tight over his muscular chest. Vault's holding his cut over his arm and I take in the muscles bunching and flexing as he moves to the table I'm sitting at with Valor and Chrome.

"What's goin' on in here?" Vault asks as I look up at Valor because I don't know how to answer Vault.

"Watchin' our girl here handle some sluts who think she was beneath them. Proud of you, Pretty Girl. You've grown up and handled your shit like you should," Valor praises me as Vault looks down from where he stands next to the table.

"They're givin' you a hard time, Bell?" he questions, anger filling his voice as a warmth spreads through my body from the nickname only he's ever called me.

"Just trying to stake a claim on you guys, thinking I'm here to take their spots in the guys' beds. It's not a big deal and I don't want them to get in trouble. If it continues, that's a different story. They've all been warned and now if they step out of line, I'll take it up a notch," I answer him, keeping my voice neutral despite the nerves and butterflies filling me.

"You made breakfast and coffee?" he questions me, looking at the island where all the food is laid out as more men enter the kitchen.

"Yeah. It wasn't being done, and I wanted to eat before we head to the garage," I answer him, keeping my eyes on my food as I take another bite so I don't have to answer any more questions.

Vault and the rest of the guys grab plates piled high with food. By the time everyone has a plate, there's nothing left. I'm done eating so I stand from the table and start to clean up the kitchen. Chrome actually speaks up and tells me to leave it for the girls since they couldn't be bothered to cook this morning. So, I shrug my shoulders and leave the kitchen. With my keys in hand, I head out to my car and climb inside to wait for Vault and Chrome. I know they work at Hound's but I'm not sure if they have anyone else there helping them. If not, I'll make sure that all they have to worry about is fixing the vehicles while I handle everything else. It's second nature to me by now and I know what I'm doing around a garage.