CHAPTER EIGHT

Sadie

While I was tutoring Clover, Alpha sent the clubhouse into a tailspin, announcing that Ingrid had gone into labor at South's sister's home. Everyone was rushing around the clubhouse. It was a little chaotic as I stood back, not really knowing what to do. The club wanted to get to the hospital as fast as possible. I've honestly never seen such devotion to other people, to their family, before.

So I stepped back out of the way in awe, watching the MC band together for the newest little member of their club. I had every intention to leave once they were setting off for the hospital, but Haven asked as they were about to leave if I could come with them to look after the girls, and she would pay me extra. Even though being associated with the club out in public is not high on my agenda, I can do with the extra cash. It's a significant amount they're paying me—way above the normal asking price of a tutor—so I couldn't say no.

Currently, I am in the car, Clover in the front passenger seat, Poppy in the back with Rhyan, and the girls are all discussing how it will be weird having a baby at the club.

"Yeah, the last baby was me. That was seven years ago, so the club isn't going to know what hit them," Poppy states.

I can't help but smile, still finding it crazy how mature Poppy is for her age. It's unbelievable how well she talks, understands, and comprehends absolutely everything. For a seven-year-old, she acts more like a teenager.

"It certainly will be fun to watch all those burly men going gaga over a tiny baby," I chime into the conversation.

Rhyan snorts out a laugh. "They will probably act all macho like they don't care about the baby, then in secret be dying for baby snuggles. Or they will make Noah take care of the little guy. I can just imagine him trying to take care of a baby." She giggles. "He will be so out of his depth."

Clover bursts out laughing. "Knowing Noah, he'd probably try to put a baby capsule on his bike and take him for a ride."

Rhyan giggles. "Wouldn't put it past him. Though I think Ingrid might have something to say about that."

I glance in the rearview at Rhyan, seeing the bright smile lighting her face when she talks about Noah. It's cute how her eyes brighten when she says his name.

"So, Rhy, what are you studying outside of the club?" I ask.

"Oh, it's so much fun, I love it. I'm studying forensic and trauma cleaning. It's fascinating how you can decontaminate and sanitize a crime scene. What materials are needed, and how to bring it back to the pristine condition it was in before the crime occurred."

Raising my brow, I smirk. "And are you studying this purely for the benefit of the club?"

Rhyan snorts out a laugh. "No. I mean, it might come in handy, but this is for me. I hope to help law enforcement when there's a homicide, which will be super interesting. I mean, it is awful for the families involved, of course."

I still find it incredibly strange how the people in this club are so totally fine with death. Like it's just so natural to them. And the fact that death is something that comes for everyone is part of the reason they're all willing to stand and fight for each other without even blinking.

It astounds me.

I am terrified of it.

Death haunts me.

I will do anything to stay alive.

I guess that is why I have been running from it. Fighting to keep death from finding me all this time.

"You're all open and honest about how this club works. That death is a natural thing for you guys. Like how Rhy is learning about crime scene cleaning, which can also help the club. Do you all do things that will help the club in some way?" I ask.

Clover turns to me and smiles. "When you're in the club, you're in. And the thing is, we're not forced to do anything to help the club. We naturally want to. Because this club is our life, our home, our family. We help it, and the people flourish."

Poppy sits forward, resting her hand on my shoulder. "You can't say anything, to anyone, about the things you learn about the club or the people in it."

I look into her eyes briefly, seeing concern in them. "Don't worry, I'm not going to say shit. I can tell how this all works."

Rhyan sticks her head through the seats. "You're in this now, Sadie, becoming a part of the club."

I snort out an obnoxious laugh. "Club life is not for me. I want to get my culinary degree and start my own bakery. I don't need all this drama and chaos. I want to bake. That's all."

Clover glances at me with an exhale. "Then you have to make sure you don't tell anyone the stuff you see or hear at the club."

"I feel perhaps Maverick or Alpha told you girls to give me this little chat."

"No, but we know after being at the hospital, it will probably be coming from them. We're just forewarning you," Rhyan adds.

I don't reply as I continue to drive behind the mass of bikes now pulling into the hospital parking lot.

I must admit—I feel all kinds of weird being associated with Defiance.

This is not me.

I've made a portrait of myself, one I share with everyone. I am a good girl. A valedictorian. I help where I can. People call me charming and sweet. And now I am going to be seen, in public, with the thugs of Los Angeles. This does not sit well with me. But right now, my job is to look after these three girls—well, Clover and Poppy—Rhyan is only a year younger than me, so she can care for herself.

After parking the car, we walk into the hospital behind the bikers.

Everyone, and I mean everyone, instantly looks in our direction.

I can't help but feel self-conscious when I suddenly spot Maverick sitting in a chair, head in his hands, taking a breather. There's blood covering his jeans and shirt, and I let out a small gasp, taking in his state.

Clover follows my line of sight. "Shit," she murmurs, then takes off running for her brother.

My steps are fast behind her to ensure he's okay as Clover skids to a halt in front of him, gathering his attention. His head snaps up, and he smiles at her. "Before you start, I'm fine. I delivered the baby. It's blood from that, nothing else."

Clover bursts into tears, slamming into him, holding him tight as his club moves in, surrounding him. He stands, Clover still wrapped around him while his brothers begin to backslap and celebrate. I stand back, letting them all congratulate and praise him, but once they spread out around the waiting room, I slowly make my way to him with a genuine smile. He spots me approaching, his shoulders slumping, like he doesn't want me to start shit with him right now.

But honestly, I couldn't if I tried.

He did a great thing.

I must admit, and it shocks me to say it, but I am proud of him.

However, I can't help but tease him for the way he looks. "Why is it that almost every time I see you, you're covered in blood?"

He glances down at the blood-stained clothes and chuckles. The corner of his lips turns up in a tempting smirk. "Trying to scare you off. And yet, here you are… fawning all over me again."

Rolling my eyes, I sit in the chair beside him. "You really delivered the baby?"

"Every excruciating second of it."

My heart hammers in my chest. I thought I had Maverick completely pegged into this one neat little package—an arrogant, egotistical jerk. But maybe, just maybe, there's this side to him where he does care about others—one where he wants to help those around him. Am I seeing a glimpse of that softer side of him I didn't think existed right now? It shocks me a little.

My body reacts without thinking, and I lean in, arms wrapping around his torso, embracing him. He tenses at first but then leans into the hug. His arms slide up and hold onto me, really hold onto me, like he needs this hug more than the oxygen he's breathing.

"You did a good thing, Mav."

He lets out a stuttered breath, pulling back from me, his intense brown eyes catching mine as he swallows heavily.

Something shifts inside me. The air around us begins to electrify like the room is sparking with flickers of energy.

I have no fucking clue what this means.

He appears vulnerable for the first time since I met him in the principal's office.

His breathing is fast. "They're like family. I had to help."

My eyes stay on his as I nod. "I'm beginning to see that now."

He furrows his brows a little. "See what?"

"That you're all like a giant family."

Maverick leans in a little closer, completely invading my space. Even with the metallic tang of blood, his aftershave, and the smell of leather, he is intoxicating.

He raises one brow and smirks. "Not as heartless and heathenistic as you thought, huh?"

I let out a small laugh, playfully shoving him in the chest, putting some much-needed space between us. "That's a big word for you. You learn that by being someone's bitch in prison?"

A bright smile lights his face when he sits back, getting comfortable in the hospital chair. "Fuck you, Sadie."

I smile right back at him. "Fuck you, too, Maverick."

A comfortable silence falls over us as I make myself comfortable beside him, the rest of the club sitting around us. Poppy jumps up next to me, and I turn to face her, giving her my undivided attention while Maverick talks to Clover.

Alpha takes off to find South and Ingrid while we sit and wait.

The club is all together, chatting, talking, laughing, and as I glance around and watch the unity and the undeniable bond of everyone here, I can't help but think that maybe my first impressions of this club are all wrong. The way they come together when one is in need is unlike anything I have ever witnessed before.

Ingrid had her baby, and the entire club came to the hospital to celebrate. Honestly, it is astounding to think these people support each other that much, considering the violence they clearly go through. Because I wasn't lying when I said all I have ever witnessed is Maverick with blood all over him.

Time passes, and the club remains in good spirits when Alpha eventually comes back out into the main waiting room with a pretty nurse. The club all turn to her as if they know her.

The guy whose name I learned is Loki is the first to speak, "Hey, Livvy!"

She smiles back at him. "Hey, guys, it's good to see you all could make it. Haven't seen a group of you in here like this since it was me in there you were all waiting to see seven years ago."

Everyone laughs, but I furrow my brows in confusion. They know the hospital staff well enough to come and visit them when they're in the hospital? Weird! Then suddenly, Poppy takes off, slamming into Livvy's arms. "Mommy!" she chimes.

And I let out an audible small gasp. This just keeps getting weirder and weirder!

"I pulled some strings so you can all go in and see Ingrid and South. But, I swear to God, Alpha, if you guys get rowdy, I will call security on your asses!" Livvy warns.

Obviously, she's a take-no-shit kind of girl.

I like her instantly.

Alpha smirks and shrugs. "When are we ever rowdy?"

Livvy swears under her breath, and Haven pats Livvy on the shoulder. "I'll keep them under control, I promise. Thanks, Livvy."

"If anyone can control these idiots, I know you can, Haven. Okay, this way," Livvy orders.

Everyone takes off, but I stay seated because this is a club thing, and I am definitely not a club member.

As they all walk off, Maverick turns back and waves. "C'mon, Sadie. You're in this now."

I let out a laugh. "Why do people keep telling me that?"

He throws his hands to the sides and huffs. "You're gonna have to choose, cupcake. And don't give me any shit about the club and your opinion of it. You have a choice right now, Sadie." My spine straightens at his words. My breath catches in my throat as instantly I am catapulted straight back there.

My knees ached as they grazed along the cement. His hand in my hair, gripping so tight that the tendrils of my locks were ripped out, the warmth of blood trickling down my temple. "I told you, you have a choice right now, Sadie. Do it, or I'll remind you exactly what pain I can bring you."

My overflowing eyes looked up at him through my lashes, the eyes of a madman staring back down at me, and I nodded, my gag reflex instantly hitting the back of my throat.

My stomach lurches a little as I'm forced back into the here and now as Maverick continues his speech, "You can either get over yourself and come share this moment with us… or not. That's entirely up to you."

My mouth opens. I want to say something, but nothing comes out as the flashback is still reeling in my mind.

He cuts my thought process off by putting up his hand. "You're here for a reason. You could have said no to driving to the hospital if you wanted to." He sighs hard. "Look… you and me, we're not friends, and that's fine. I have enough loyal people who wouldn't think twice about welcoming a blessing, but Clover adores you. The other people in this club seem to want you here too. Why? I'm not sure because, from day one, you have kept one foot firmly planted outside the club. If they asked you to be here, then don't look a gift horse in the mouth. But again, no one isforcing you to be a part of this club. Not that you would fit anyway. You're Clover's tutor. If you wanna keep it professional, that's up to you. But we like the people in our house to be more like family. I'm gonna go see the newest member of our family now... it's your move, Sadie," he offers deadpan, spins, then walks down the hall after the rest of the club.

My heart hammers in my chest so hard that tears well in my eyes. My bottom lip trembles, then the anxiety I knew was coming ripples through me so intensely.

His words.

The memories.

The intensity of being involved with the club.

Maybe I should walk away.

Drive far from this hospital and stop being Clover's tutor.

From the moment I walked into the principal's office and saw the club cuts, I knew this would be difficult for me, considering my family history. The lengths I had to go to hide myself from the underworld I wanted no part of.

I have fought so damn hard to become the woman I am today.

To strive for perfection.

To be a model citizen.

To get the best grades.

And to be above average at everything I do—despite my family.

Being here, with Defiance, is taking gigantic steps back. It threatens everything I've worked at avoiding.

Sniffling, I make the only choice I can—I turn and walk out of the hospital.

Tears prick at my eyes, knowing I am letting Clover down. She is a great kid.

But right now, I have to look after myself.

Her brother Maverick is a problem.

We clearly clash.

And even though I can see the club's family atmosphere, I have also seen the brutality, and I can't be a part of that.

I can't.

No. I won't.

With quick steps, I make my way to the car.

I need to head home and forget about LA Defiance.

I need to forget about Maverick and his crazy behavior.

I need to try to forget about Clover.

That will be the hardest job of all because even in this short time together, I feel like we bonded. Like I was really teaching her and getting through.

I hate that I didn't say goodbye, but a clean break is needed.

For everyone.

Mrs. Bedford will easily find another tutor for Clover.

This is for the best.

I just have to keep telling myself that.