Chapter Twenty-One

Fallon

As much as Compass and I would have loved to stay in our little bubble forever, reality had a way of creeping in. My stomach growled loudly as I carefully opened the bedroom door and slipped into the hallway. I needed food, and Compass had fallen into a deep sleep. I didn’t want to wake him when a quick trip to the kitchen would solve my hunger.

I closed the door with a soft click, and I turned toward the kitchen—only to find myself face-to-face with Clay.

That man was like a dark cloud on a sunny day, sure to ruin everything. I should have just turned back into the room, but I didn’t. I regretted that choice the moment his smirk spread across his face.

“Well, well,” Clay called, and his voice dripped with mockery. “Look who’s showing her slutty face.”

I stopped dead in my tracks. The venom in his words hit me like a slap.

“I always knew you had a bit of a wild side to you, Fallon, but I never thought you’d end up being a biker slut.”

Shock rendered me speechless. I knew Clay was an asshole, but I never expected him to be so openly cruel. His words cut deep and left me frozen and unsure of what to say.

My appetite vanished, and I took a shaky step back, planning to retreat to the safety of my room.

But Clay grabbed my arm. His grip was hard and painful. “You’re not going anywhere,” he snarled as he twisted my arm.

Before I could scream or react, I turned and ran straight into Compass. Shirtless, his presence filled the hallway like a storm cloud about to break.

“Get in our room, Fallon,” he growled, his voice like steel.

“I was just going to—”

He cut me off sharply. “Get. In. Our. Room. Now.” Each word was precise and dangerous.

I didn’t argue. Compass was furious, and the tension in the air was palpable. I hurried into the bedroom but left the door slightly ajar.

I peeked out just in time to see Compass lunge at Clay, grab him by the throat, and slam him against the wall. His face was inches from Clay’s, and his voice was a low, terrifying growl. “What the fuck did you just call Fallon?”

Clay sputtered, and his eyes were wide with panic.

“What the fuck is going on?” Yarder’s voice cut through the chaos. He approached with Poppy, Smoke, and Dice following close behind.

“This asshole called Fallon a slut and grabbed her arm,” Compass snarled and slammed Clay into the wall again. “He fucking touched her.”

“Why the fuck would you do something that stupid?” Dice asked and shook his head in disbelief.

Yarder stepped closer. “You’re fucking fired, douchebag. Get your shit and get the fuck out of here before Compass kills you.”

Clay’s panic escalated. “Okay, okay! Just let me go. Tell him to let me go!”

Compass didn’t release him. His eyes locked on Clay’s with pure rage. “If you even think about Fallon again, I will find you, and I will fucking kill you. You got that?”

Clay nodded frantically. “I got it! I’ll never think about her again. I’m sorry. Please, just let me go,” he pleaded.

Compass yanked him away from the wall and tossed him onto the floor at Yarder’s feet. Clay scrambled onto all fours, coughing and moaning in pain.

“Get the fuck up,” Yarder ordered and punctuated his command with a kick to Clay’s stomach. Clay staggered to his feet and stumbled down the hallway while clutching his side.

“Dice, make sure he’s gone,” Yarder said.

“With pleasure,” Dice replied and followed Clay down the hallway.

“You okay?” Yarder asked, his tone softer as he turned to me.

I nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. He didn’t hurt me.”

Yarder gave a curt nod before guiding Poppy back toward the common room.

I turned my attention to Compass, who was still standing in the hallway with his chest heaving with barely contained rage.

“Compass,” I called softly.

He didn’t answer. His fists were clenching and unclenching at his sides.

“Compass, I’m okay,” I repeated, stepping closer. “I promise.” I wasn’t afraid of him.

He turned to me slowly, his expression raw.

I didn’t wait. I ran to him and threw myself into his arms. He caught me immediately and held me so tightly I could hardly breathe.

“I’m okay,” I whispered against his chest and felt the steady beat of his heart beneath my cheek.

He swept me into his arms without a word and carried me back into the bedroom. Kicking the door shut behind him, he laid me gently on the bed and climbed in beside me, wrapping himself around me as though he could shield me from the world.

“I’m okay,” I murmured again and ran my fingers through his hair. He pressed a kiss to the side of my head. “I know you’re okay, babe, but I’m not. When I saw that asshole’s hands on you, I was ready to rip his fucking head off.”

“I could tell,” I said and tried to lighten the mood with a small laugh.

He didn’t smile. “I’m serious, Fallon.”

I cupped his cheek and forced him to meet my gaze. “I’ve never had anyone in my life who would do what you just did, Compass. It was scary, yes, but also... beautiful.”

He shook his head, his jaw tight. “Ain’t nothing beautiful about ripping someone’s head off.”

“It is when you do it for me,” I whispered and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

He sighed, his arms tightening around me. “I’m sorry, babe.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for,” I assured him. “You protected me. And that means everything.”

Compass held me closer, and his lips brushed against my temple.

As long as I was with Compass, I knew I would always be safe.