“Okay, if you two don’t mind,” I say, the exhaustion of being up all night with Clover catching up to me.
“Just ‘cuz Dex isn’t here—we’re gonna look after you,” Tracker says softly, running his hands through his blond hair.
“I know,” I reply. “So are you and Allie together?”
He tilts his head to the side. “I guess we are, yes.”
“Good, you deserve to be happy,” I tell him, meaning every word.
“For the record, we could have been f**kin’ amazing together,” he says, stretching his arms above his head lazily.
I can’t stop the blush that makes an appearance. “Is that right? I’ve heard about your piercing. You know…”
“No I don’t, why don’t you tell me?” he replies, looking amused.
“Your piercing,” I repeat, pointing down to his crotch.
“Oh this,” he says, unbuttoning his jeans. “Do you want to see?”
I elbow him in the ribs, laughing. “I’m curious but not that curious. Dex would kill you.”
He smiles. “Good to hear you laugh again.”
I watch as he gently takes my daughter from my arms, then kisses the top of my head. “Sleep. Clover will be fine.”
“Thanks Tracker,” I mumble, my eyes already closing.
My last thought is of Dex before I fall asleep.
Chapter Thirty
Dex has been gone for four months when Jim dies from lung cancer.
Everyone is devastated.
I sit by the hospital bed and watch as Cindy cries. The woman who didn’t even cry on that night when Mary died right before her, is bawling her eyes out. Something about seeing such a strong woman shatter makes it hard for me to try and stay strong.
I cry silently, holding Clover close to my chest.
The men stand around Cindy, helping her up and leading her out of the room. She wails, screaming Jim’s name. We all leave the hospital and go back to the clubhouse. The place is unusually quiet, and extremely depressing. The men drink.
And then drink some more.
Jim’s good friend Jack Kane and his son Xander come to help us with the funeral. Apparently Jack was once a member of the club, and I guess officially, still is one.
Since the new President of Wind Dragons is still behind bars, Trace takes over things until Dex gets back. The club gets three new prospects, two I like but the other—not so much. I guess time will tell how it all turns out with each of them.
I walk up to Trace and refill his drink. He gives me a chin lift in thanks. Allie is sitting on Tracker’s lap, whispering in his ear, so I don’t go and intrude. Instead I walk up to Rake, showing him the bottle of scotch. He lifts his glass up for me to pour.
“How are you holding up?” I ask him so only we can hear.
He gulps his drink, replying with a question of his own. “Where’s Clover?”
“She’s asleep,” I tell him, pointing to the baby monitor sticking out of my jean pocket.
He nods his head, then stands up. “I need a woman and some more alcohol.”
“I can provide the scotch, but unfortunately, I’m not a pimp.”
That earns me a small smile. He cups my face and kisses me on the forehead. “Why don’t you and Clover go home for a few days? This place isn’t going to be any fun to be around.”
I feel a little hurt, but I realize he’s right. “That’s probably a good idea.”
I stay at home for a week.
Each day they send someone to check on me. It’s not necessary but kind of nice too.
When I return, the place is a mess and there are women sleeping out in the open.
“Did they throw a party?” I ask Allie when I see her in the kitchen.
She nods. “It’s been like this since you left. Few members from other chapters are here too, so it’s not safe to just walk around here anymore.”
Tracker walks into the kitchen, wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. He smiles when he sees me, “You’re back”
“Yeah but I’m not staying,” I reply, eying the place with distaste.
Tracker looks around and grimaces. “Place has kind of gone to hell.”
“You think?” I reply dryly. Clover stirs in my arms.
“Can I hold her?” Allie asks.
I nod my head and gently put her in Allie’s arms. “I’m gonna try and clean this place up a bit.”
I get a large garbage bag and start picking up all the rubbish. I’m throwing bottles into the recycling bin when a hear steps behind me. I quickly turn and come face to face with the man from the first party I saw. The one Dex spoke to and wanted to ‘share’ me. My pulse races as fear shoots through my system. There’s something not right about this man.
“How nice to see you again, and without your man,” he says, staring at my br**sts.
I force a smile. “I’m just trying to tidy the place up.”
He takes a step closer and grips my wrist. “Dex isn’t here, so I guess I should take care of you for him. I’m sure he doesn’t want his old lady going without.”
“Dex will kill you if you touch me,” I grit out, trying to pull my wrist from his hold.
His grip tightens. “Dex isn’t here.”
He forces his mouth on mine, gripping my head with both his hands. I can feel him pressed against me, and he’s hard. Hell no, this is not happening to me. I reach for one of the bottles, lift it and hit him in the head. When he pulls back, his face contorting with rage, I whimper. He backhands me and I fall onto the floor.