Chapter Fifteen

Daisy carried a basket of swim goggles and weighted dive toys across the pool office. Dio knocked on the counter, gaining her attention.

"Oh, hey." Daisy set the basket down. "Are you looking for Skye?"

"Yeah."

"Go on in. She's the only one in the pool. We're between swimming lessons, and Rec Swim starts in an hour." Daisy pointed behind her. "That girl, she impresses me. She's been hitting the water hard this week. Everything she does, she sticks with it. Such dedication."

He was the reason she was swimming a lot. She'd do that when troubled.

He planned on staying away from her until his black eye faded and the swelling went down. But that wasn't a problem because she hadn't come over, called, or swung by the clubhouse in two weeks.

Since he had the upcoming weekend off and the clubhouse was open tonight for a party, he sought out Skye. He wasn't sure what he could do to make things right, but he needed to know if she was okay.

In all the time he'd known her, she hadn't gone out of her way to avoid him.

"Thanks, Daisy." He walked through the men's locker room.

His back felt better than it had in days. Staying off his Harley, except to go to the clubhouse and go home, had helped. He looked forward to going back to running security on Monday at the pot shops along Highway 101.

He stepped through the doorway to the pool enclosure, scanning the water. The pool lights were on, and he caught the small hand-over-hand movement as Skye glided through the water like a fish.

Inhaling deeply, it felt right being here with her, seeing her. The humidity, the scent of chlorine, and the splashes echoing around him were sweet memories of all the times he'd watch her swim meets, cheering her on.

He walked to the far side of the pool and stood in front of the lane. Skye swam straight toward him. He squatted, making sure she would see him.

Arm over arm, she touched the side, flipped, and prepared to kick off the wall for another lap. He caught her ankle, keeping her at the end of the pool.

She raised her head, mysteriously quiet. He took in the way her breasts rose and fell from her exertion. She hadn't braided her hair. It hung wet and wild past her shoulders. He recognized the raw energy coming off her. She always grew quieter when troubled, but she always ran to him, not away from him.

This time, he was her problem.

"Missed you," he said.

She looked toward the pool house. "I've been busy."

He pulled his beard. "I didn't give you a good reason to see me. Not with the way I was acting. "

She turned to him. He'd fought his feelings toward her and was tired. Even the Havlin members bitched about his bad mood every day. He had bruises covering his body, and he was exhausted.

"I'm sorry, princess."

She frowned. "About what?"

"Everything." He exhaled. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

She grabbed onto the side of the pool and, in one smooth move, pulled herself out and stood in front of him, dripping wet. "You didn't."

He watched her control her expression and frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." She stretched to her tiptoes, kissed his whiskered cheek like she'd done a hundred times before, and walked away from him. "I'll see you later."

Skye waved over her shoulder and walked around the corner of the pool toward the locker room. He remained behind, wondering what the hell had happened. Was she lying, or had nothing that had happened between themmade her question their existence?

With nothing more that he could do and not wanting to press the issue if she was going to pretend nothing was wrong, he left the pool and went back to the clubhouse. Inside, the party had already started. The Havlin members celebrated for the sake of partying. Most of them were just damn glad they were alive another day.

Jagger smacked Dio on the shoulder. "No fighting tonight."

"No, Prez." He took the offered bottle of whiskey. "I'm getting too old to get my ass handed to me."

"Maverick's not someone you want to mess around with." Jagger looked over the room. "Either is Ruger. The rest of the guys, you might stand a chance against." He chuckled. "Are you still good to ride out with Crew Two next week?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

Jagger hitched his chin toward the door. "I'm heading out. Baller is spending the night over at Ruger and Cora's house. I finally get time alone with my old lady."

"Enjoy your night."

He walked over to the makeshift bar at the side of the room and found a can of Coke. Pouring the contents into a Solo cup, he added a few fingers of whiskey. He wasn't in the mood to get shitfaced. All he needed was something to take the edge off before he headed home.

He leaned against the wall. Denise used that moment to come over and rub herself against the front of him.

"Hey, baby. I haven't seen you around lately." She cupped his ass, keeping him pressed against her.

"Not in the mood, Denise. You'll have to find someone else."

"Dawn." She pouted. "My name's Dawn."

Her name wasn't important. She was one of the bitches that showed up every Friday night that the club opened its doors, looking for dick.

Movement behind her caught his attention. He narrowed his gaze, trying to see through the men coming into the clubhouse. In the middle of the crowd, he recognized the beautiful face, smiling at something Tino said.

Skye must've showered at the pool house. Her hair was wet and hung past her shoulders. Her flushed cheeks made her even more beautiful. Her eyes were alive, and she looked hot in a summer dress that showed her arms and shoulders.

Before he could move, Skye's gaze connected with him. She instantly looked at Denise or Dawn or whatever her fucking name was and then turned around.

He moved the bitch from him and sent her away. Whether Skye was upset with him or not, he wouldn't do anything to disappoint her tonight.

Brett and Mariah led Skye and Tino to the pool table. He had only seen Mariah coming to the parties if she was with Skye, who usually dropped in looking for her dad. Taking in the way Brett held Mariah's hand, he'd missed a lot of what was happening around the clubhouse.

Tino leaned in and whispered to Skye, putting his hand on her back as if he had the right to touch her. He couldn't take his gaze off her long enough to look around for Maverick. His MC brother should be here, protecting Skye from members like Tino who would more than likely hop from Skye to some bitch the moment she left.

Another woman from the regular pack that hung out at the parties headed toward him, cutting off his view of Skye. Someone, besides him, had to have the authority to get Skye out of here.

"Hey, baby." The bitch wound her arms around his neck. "You look lonely over here by yourself."

"Get someone else." He extracted her arms from around him and looked across the room.

Skye watched him. Though she smiled and nodded at the conversation going on around her, he could see the pain in her gaze.

He shook his head, hoping she'd understand the party wasn't the place for her to be tonight. It wasn't because he was here and wanted her gone so he could enjoy himself. She was too good for Tino. Hell, she was too good for him. He'd never want her around the guys drinking and fucking around.

While every one of the members knew the bylaws by heart, it only took one mistake to fuck up. Tino might think he was having an innocent conversation with Skye, but men were stupid. They did a lot of dumb shit because they thought with their dick. Maverick would kill anyone who touched his baby.

Bane approached the bar and looked through the bottles lining the counter. Dio walked over to the vice president.

"Hey." He stopped beside Bane. "Have you seen Maverick?"

"I talked to him earlier after we came in from the ride." Bane walked around the counter, opened the fridge, and pulled out a beer can. "He mentioned staying home tonight."

"Skye's here."

Bane turned around and scanned the room. "So, she is."

"She's too young to party with the Havlin members. "

"Tell that to half the bitches that are in here." Bane took a drink. "Skye's safe. Everyone knows who her daddy is."

"Maybe someone better tell Tino to keep his hands to himself," he muttered.

Bane chuckled. "Go for it."

He hung back, knowing he'd take her home if he pulled Skye away. He'd also have to explain why having her here and seeing her with someone else pissed him off.

"I need to make new rosters, so I'll be in the parts shop if anyone needs me." Bane grabbed another beer can and carried both through the clubhouse.

His attention was drawn back across the clubhouse to Skye, and he found Rush and Link in the group surrounding Skye. Someone had handed her a beer.

It was only a beer. How much damage could it do?

Dio put his drink down on a nearby table. Cord dropped his duffle on the table before he could move away.

"Everyone started without me." Cord picked up Dio's drink and shot it back. "Fucking long day."

Skye laughed. Even with the blaring music, the raised voices, and the pool balls clanking, he could feel her laughter. The hair on his arms stood up.

It was the carefree way she opened her mouth, and her head went back without any shyness. She was vulnerable but confident.

That's what was different.

She was no longer a quiet girl, wise beyond her years, or a curious teenager who pushed the boundaries. She'd matured into a wise, beautiful, and successful young woman with the right to find happiness.

Two weeks ago, he would've sworn Skye was making a play for him.

Tonight, he felt like he'd lost her.

He fisted his hands. She had him losing his fucking head.

Needing some fresh air, he headed toward the door. Skye's laughter floated behind him. Once outside, he kept walking to his motorcycle. He wouldn't stick around and watch another man enjoy Skye's company.