Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Helena

Maddox left me with a lot to think about. I hadn't expected that he would want me to stay. Then there was how he acted—concerned, protective …, and attracted to me. That was making me confused. He said to go with it, but that wasn't logical. I'd never lived my life without considering all the angles before.

Staying here now was dangerous, but Maddox wasn't a long-term option. Rightnow, though, it was hard to say no to those eyes. I liked the idea of having a chance of getting laid like he promised. A delicious shiver ran through me at the thought of Maddox over me, driving into me, owning me. Trying to ignore the ache between my thighs, I moved towards the kitchen instead and breakfast. To say I was starving was an understatement.

The kitchen was hustling and bustling during the morning. Pancake batterpoured in velvet puddles onto the griddle as I turned into the industrial space.Chores in the Open Roadwere dividedamong the brothers and the bunnies with an equal hand. Everyonewas expectedto pull their weight. I had signed up on the sheet the night before for kitchen duty, knowingthat itwas expectedof anyone who lived on club premises.

"Hey Amber, how are things?" I asked as I grabbed a plate from the bar. Amber was Whitney's old lady, still cheery like I remembered.Hercopper hair piled high in one of those beehive hairdos that looked like it had come from a '70s rock album.

"Hi-ya pumpkin," her voice was all sunshine, and it was easy to see why Whitney had fallen for her. She exuded happiness, dolingout smiles and greetings to everyone nearby. Amber was smooth sailing all the time—thatwas always what Whitney said, something he had needed when things got rocky. "How'd you sleep? Is your bed still just as comfy?"

"Yeah, it's amazing, andI'm sure I have you to thank for keeping my room just as it was," I said, giving her a swift hug. "Thank you for that. It was nice to have all my things and pictures still there. To see the photos of Dad."

"Ah,baby, you're welcome. He would have wanted it that way. There's no reason to change it anyway." She gave a careless shrug. "Eat your pancakes."

Laughing, I dug into my breakfast, enjoying the movement of the kitchen and themorning camaraderie. There was always something sleepy about that time of day. A lot of club business was held late into the night, so breakfastwas alwayscasual. Itwas alwaysmy favorite meal of the day. I shoved the sticky pancakes into my mouth, enjoying the familiar golden deliciousness.

"I missed these, Amber. They're the best I've had anywhere," I said sincerely. "I've been looking forward to them since I woke up this morning." Ducking my head, I tried not to blush at the memory of Maddox kneeling between my thighs. That was a surprise.

"Don't give her a big head, Helena," Jillian chided from the other side of the kitchen where she scrambled eggs.

Typically, the Brotherhood had three or four women who lived at the club, helping out around the Open Road in exchange for a place to stay. I wasn't sure how long Jillian had been at the MC, but she was friendly and welcoming. Already, I could tell that we'd get along well together.

"Ah, Jills, come on now. Amber's pancakes are the best, but your eggs, sweetheart,now they'redivine." One of the club brothers that I'd never met before palmed Jillian's ass and nuzzled her neck as she squealed with delight at his easy affection. It was the sort of display I'd grown up with. The MC members loved the women as much as the excitement and the bikes. Jillian was enjoying the attention, too. She had a grin, andher eyes twinkled as she blushed.

"Helena, right?" The man said as he slid around Jillian, scooping pancakes and eggs onto his plate. He lookedpleasantenough, on the slim side, a patched member. He had thosegoodlooks of film stars, eyes like lipid onyx, and hair that was dark as the night sky, the kind of guy that made you look twice.

"Yeah, that's right," I confirmed, smilingat him. He wasn't exactly my type, but I could see what Jillian saw in him.When my dad was alive, I knew where Istoodandwhat the rules were, but now I felt like I was standing on sand.Maddox's rules might be different for guys at the club, but I doubted it. Still, it didn't hurt to be cautious.

"Hey, beautiful. I'm Javi," he purred, comingforwardwith hiseyes full of promise. Just as I was about to respond that I wasn'tinterested, I was cut off.

"Cut it the fuck out. Leave her alone. A voice growled from the corner. I didn't need to look, but my head turned of its own accord anyway. It was Dimitri, his angry eyes pinned on me from the corner where he was lurking. I wasn't sure if the wordswere directedat me or Javi, but Javi immediately straightened.

Dimitri had bulked up andacquired a lot moretattoos, including some that came up his neck.Intimidating wasn't a word that did him justice.The guy was a monster now, nothing like the sweet, approachableguy he was more than a decade ago.

"Sure, brother, sure. Take it easy." Taking his plate, Javi headed to one of the tables without another glance. Thesilence in the kitchen was thick and uncomfortable, which made me feel even more of an outsider than I already did.

Stuffing the rest of the pancakes into mymouth, I finished my food and headed to the sink. Mymoodwas completelyruined. Even Amber wouldn't meet my eyes, which was a first, and Jillian acted like she was busy.

I'd go over to talk to him, but he had a vibe that he didn't used to have. The before-Dimitri was approachable and laughed at my jokes. He used to have an easy smile and light in his eyes when I'd tell him about kids at school or catching my teacher picking their noses. This Dimitri, withhis neck tats and darkeyes, looked like he ate people and then spit on their graves. He didn't look like he wanted to talk to me about anything.

Feelingproperlychastised, Imoved to head out of the kitchen, givingAmber a small wave goodbye. Dimitri's attitude brought the thought forward again about what I was going to do about my cluster-fuck of a situation. I wasn'tsurethe MC would be on board with Maddox's plan to take on the Bratva for me. Dimitri looked like he'd turn me over for free, not standin front ofa bullet. He was also the Sergeant at Arms for the club; his vote would mean something in Church.

I needed to get out of Haverboro ASAP, even if it meant forgoing great sex. Biting mylip, I tried to think about the problem. There was a diner in town that the club owned. MaybeI could waitress there for a week or so under the table.Maddox said he was getting me a new ID, soperhaps I couldget down into Mexico or Costa Rica.I wasn't opposed to starting a life as an ex-pat, lying on a beach or two. Work remotely, maybe?

Now that I was at the club, I probably should have tried harder to figure out another plan. Maybe I shouldn't have come here at all, although, to be fair to myself, I had been in panic mode.

Leaving would be the right thing, staying on the move just in case they followed me. Just because I didn't leave a paper or an electronic trail when I left Phoenix didn't meantheywouldn't be on to me. Haverboro would be a place they could look since I grew uphere, even though none of my records have tied me to the club for years. Thinking back, I was sureIdidn't put anything down on paperwork about Haverboro. All my employment had been during college.

If Ileft, I wouldn't be seeing any more of Maddox. That brought a pang to my chest, near my heart.