Chapter Eighteen

Alana

I ’VE DECIDED THAT I’m going to move forward with my photography business. I want to do that more than anything in the world. Ghost, Geek, and my family support me completely and are willing to do anything to help me get my business off the ground here in Pine View. After making a flyer to promote my business, Kian, Deegan, and myself take off to post the flyers all over the city. Ghost heads to the shop with a flyer in hand while Geek and my parents go out to put up flyers as well. The only one who doesn’t leave the clubhouse is my mom. She wants to stay on the compound to make a huge lunch for us when we get back. We head out and it takes everything in me not to have a panic attack as Deegan leaves the safety of the compound. The second we’re through the gate, my heart starts to race and sweat covers my body. My breaths come out in sharp pants as the Prospects look at me with worry filling their eyes. Neither one of them know what to do to help me as I fight against the attack threatening to overwhelm me.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Alana?” Kian asks me, his voice soft and gentle.

“Yeah. I can’t let Terrence take any more from me. He’s ruled my life for so long and if I allow him to get the better of me to the point I can’t leave the compound, then he continues to win. This is something I need to do,” I answer him, slowly starting to slow my heart and breathing down with every mile we get away from the compound.

“I can call Geek and have him come over here,” Deegan says, already having his phone in hand as he looks over at me for a second before turning his attention back to the road in front of us.

“No. He wants to help me put these flyers up and I don’t want him to know this is happening again. The guys know what I’m like when I leave the compound,” I tell him, my voice not as strong as I’d like it to be.

Deegan makes his way to the opposite side of the city from the tattoo shop and everywhere I’ve ever really been since arriving in Pine View. He parks the SUV along the curb where a string of shops line the road and we all get out of the vehicle. With the flyers in hand, we start to put up the paper on the light posts while Kian goes in and out of the stores to ask the owners or employees if we can put the flyers up for their customers to see. Thankfully, none of them turn down his request as they ask him questions he can’t answer. Kian told me he pointed out my phone number on the paper for them to call and ask all the questions they have about my pricing, what I do, and everything else they can think of.

We spend several hours out putting up flyers and making our way through the city. Geek and Ghost message me a few times to make sure I’m okay and I appreciate the gesture because they’ve shown me more effort and attention than Terrence ever thought of doing. These two men get me and know what I need even when I’m not anywhere near them. It really shouldn’t surprise me but it does because I’m not used to anyone besides my family members showing me any kind of concern or love. With Ghost and Geek, I have it without hesitation or question. It’s definitely taking some time to get used to how my men treat me. Honestly, while I love the guys and understand that this is who they are and the small ways they show me they love me, I can’t help but worry that it’s all going to end the second this situation with Terrence is over. It’s a thought that’s in the back of my mind and no matter what I do, I can’t stop those nasty thoughts from taking over when I’m at my very lowest. Those are the times Ghost and Geek pull me into their arms and hold me close, reassuring me with their words and actions that they’re at my side and love me.

“Are you ready to head back?” Kian asks me, my body freezing with the drop in temperature as I realize we’ve been out later than I ever thought we’d be out.

“Yeah. I’m sorry to keep you out so long. I didn’t realize the day had flown by,” I tell them, my voice soft as a blush covers my face.

“Don’t worry about that, Alana. You are tryin’ to launch your business and that’s important. If you want to stay out all night, that’s what we’ll do,” Deegan assures me, his voice warm as he opens the door for me to get in the passenger seat of the SUV.

“Thank you both for being with me today,” I say just before the door is shut and both men get in the SUV with me.

Deegan turns and heads back to the compound. With every mile closer to the place that’s easily become my home, I feel as if I can breathe easier and the anxiety I’ve felt all day long falls from my shoulders as if it was never there. By the time we pull back into the compound, I can see the parking lot full of even more bikes and vehicles. I know the rest of my family have shown up and that my brothers are finally here. Brandon and Kyle made the last minute decision to come down with the rest of the club. Haley, Viking, and Bull are even showing up. Jameson and Reagan have called to let me know they'll be here if I need them too. I assured them there are more than enough people here to deal with the situation.

We make our way in the clubhouse and I see the common room filled to capacity as I look around the room. Ghost is sitting at the bar with a beer in hand as I watch Liz saunter over to him and try to run her hand down his chest as everyone looks on. Ghost recoils from her touch as he glares in her direction.

“What are you doin’ here?” Ghost growls at her as he gets off the stool he was sitting on a few minutes ago.

“I’m here for you, baby,” she says, her voice grating on my nerves as I hand my things to Kian before practically running to where the bitch stands in front of my man.

I don’t see my dads and Pops standing from their chairs, my mom exiting the kitchen, or anything else. My vision is tinged with red as I reach out and yank a handful of Liz’s hair in my hand. Her head falls back at an odd angle as fear fills her eyes. Geek rushes in the clubhouse to stand next to Ghost as they both watch me.

“How many fucking times do I have to tell you to leave my man alone? He doesn’t want you and you’re not even supposed to be in the clubhouse right now. I know for a fact no one would call you here. This tells me you’ve gone against the rules you were given by Annabell and Vault in your pathetic attempt to once again get close to Ghost. Are you truly fucking stupid or do you just not know what the word no means?” I ask her, my voice low and lethal as I look her in the eyes.

“He’s not your man!” Liz yells, her voice echoing in the silent room. “Ghost will never truly be your man because he belongs to me. We’ve been together for years and you’re messing up everything.”

Liz pulls out the fake tears as they roll down her face and she looks around the room for any kind of sympathy or someone to step up and defend her. No one comes to her aid. This tells me how fucking delusional this girl is. She doesn’t know how to listen and has made up an entire fake relationship with Ghost in her mind. I’ve seen a lot of things from the club girls over the years, but this is honestly the lowest I’ve witnessed one of them sink.

“For the last damn time, Ghost will never be with you because you will never accept his best friend. Geek and him share their girls and it’s rare for them to have one-on-one time with a female. Maybe if one of them is out with the other guys or something, but that’s it. You think you’re enough to come in and make Ghost change his mind about how he’s viewed his future for most of his life? You’re not. So, this is the last time I’m about to say this shit to you. Leave. Ghost. Alone. He. Doesn’t. Want. You,” I growl out, enunciating each word before proceeding to beat the fuck out of Liz once again.

I land one punch after another to her face and body as she tries to cover herself from my hits. No matter what she does, Liz can’t protect herself from me. Everything has built up inside to the point I have no clue what the fuck I’m doing until I feel strong arms wrap around my torso and hold me close. Without looking over my shoulder, I know it’s Ghost who’s pulled me off the skank. Geek steps up and rests his large hand on my cheek, his skin rough and calloused as he gains my attention.

“Liz, this is your last fuckin’ time doin’ this shit. Ever since Alana got here, you’ve been nothin’ but trouble and we’re all sick of it. Now, when you were all told you weren’t welcome here, somehow you manage to enter the clubhouse in a pathetic attempt to stake a claim on a man who doesn’t want you. The last thing Alana needs to deal with is your bullshit and yet here you are once again bein’ a piece of shit. Deegan, Kian, lock her the fuck up in the cells until we can figure out what to do with her,” Vault says as Liz’s entire body goes rigid.

“I’m telling you all right now, I want to get my hands on her,” Bailey speaks up as she walks over to us with my mom. “This bitch needs to be taught a lesson once and for all. You don’t fuck with my niece for any fucking reason. This is a pattern with you from what I understand and before you get put out bad, I will beat the fuck out of you. I’m sure all of my nieces want to do the same. If you didn’t know, Alana’s twin sister is here and her sister-in-law as well. Every man and woman in this fucking room considers this girl family and you will soon learn what loyalty and family mean.”

“Fuck yeah she will,” Haley says, making her way over to stand with our aunt and mom. “I might not look like much, but when it comes to my family, you have no fucking clue what lengths I’ll go in order to ensure she’s safe, protected, and happy as hell. You’re trying to ruin her happiness with your petty bullshit and no one wants you here any longer. You’ve outstayed your welcome and the guys are fed up with your bullshit.”

The guys take Liz down to the cells in the basement as she shrieks and tries to plead her case with anyone who will help her. No one steps forward and comes to her rescue. Liz looks around the room just before she disappears, a look of fear and something else fills her eyes. It’s almost as if she can’t believe her actions have led her to this situation. That no one is coming to her defense. I want to laugh at how fucking ridiculous the situation is, but the day is finally catching up to me and exhaustion fills every inch of my body.

“Are you okay, Tink?” Ghost asks me, turning me so my face is buried in his chest as he holds me close to his body while Geek steps up behind me and I’m surrounded by the men I’ve fallen in love with.

“I’m okay. Just tired of the bullshit with her. I love you guys and no one's gonna take you away from me,” I answer, Geek and Ghost going still as I look up at them to find them looking around the room at our family and friends.

“I love you, Tink. So fuckin’ much that words can’t even begin to tell you how much,” Ghost tells me, his voice breaking with the emotion filling him.

“I love you, too, Sweet Angel. I’ve loved you for the longest time and I don’t give a fuck who knows it,” Geek adds in, his warm breath fanning across my neck causing goosebumps to cover my skin as he nuzzles his face even closer.

The common room erupts in cheers as my men lead me to the table my parents, Pops, Haley, and her men have taken for themselves. Kaden sits down in a chair as Colton pulls out the one next to him. I’m handed over to Colton as he pulls me into his lap. Instead of looking out at my family, I bury my head in his chest and wrap my arms around him because I need the safety and comfort of him and Kaden right now.

“Are you okay after today?” Colton finally asks me, his voice almost a whisper as he lowers his head to my ear so I can hear him without everyone else knowing.

“No. It was a lot. I had to fight against a panic attack the second we left the compound. Deegan knew and didn’t leave my side. Kian went into all the stores for me so I didn’t have to deal with people. I wasn’t expecting to be gone for so long,” I answer him honestly, my voice showing how close to tears I am as I snuggle deeper into him as Kaden starts rubbing his hand up and down my back while maintaining the conversation he’s having with Pops and my brother Kyle.

“We’ll eat dinner and then take you to bed. You can have a hot bath to relax and then we’ll give you a massage. Tomorrow you can take the day off from Phantom Ink and spend the day with your family. Mom wants to spend time with you and I think Natalia will be here by the late mornin’,” Kaden tells me, his voice rumbling against my back as he leans into me.

“That sounds so good,” I respond, turning in Colton’s arms to pay attention to my family as they talk.

When I look at Pops, I find his eyes already on me as worry fills his face. He doesn’t take his eyes off me as he looks me over as he’s done repeatedly over the years. If anyone knows how shattered I am and how much this situation is actually putting me through, it’s him. Pops seems to always know when one of us needs him and I know tomorrow he’ll pull me aside to talk to me without everyone around.

We eat dinner with everyone in the common room and I try to participate in the conversation going on around me, but it doesn’t work. My mind is a jumbled mess with the anxiety still trying to consume me. I hate that I feel this way and there’s nothing I can do to combat it. Debbie and I have been working on ways to fight these attacks as they come up and some of the techniques she’s taught me, work to a certain extent. At the end of the day, nothing ever truly takes them away. I don’t think they’ll go away until Terrence is caught and I know he can’t ever touch me again.

By the time Kaden and Colton take me home, I’m done. I don’t want a hot bath, the massage, or anything else. All I want is to climb into bed and pull the covers over my head while I’m surrounded by the men I love. Instead, I let Colton and Kaden take care of me in the way they want. They fill the tub for me with hot water and one of the bath bombs I picked out. Neither one of them leave my side as I let the water cover me to my neck and keep my eyes closed as I calm down after the long, trying day. When they get me out of the bath, I’m dried off by Kaden as Colton disappears into our bedroom. By the time I get out of the bathroom, there’s a beach towel laying in the center of the bed and the night stand is filled with various lotions and massage oils. I’m laid out on the towel as my men get to work massaging my entire body from my feet all the way up to my head. I don’t even know how long they take care of me because I fall asleep in the middle of the massage, dreaming of our future and the love I have for the men next to me.