Chapter Nine

 

Ella

I spend the next few days at the clubhouse. The night that I had spent with Damien was the most peaceful sleep I have had since Jeff died. Damien knew it too, but he didn’t gloat or become smug. He probably knew that if he made a big deal about it then I would have freaked out. I was nervous at first to actually go to sleep with him, but when I came out of the bathroom and he was asleep, I knew that I could just climb into bed without any awkwardness.

Then he had pulled me into his arms. I was shocked at first, but I knew that he was still half asleep. I had also missed the feeling of someone holding me in their arms. I did feel a little guilty but, years ago, Jeff and I had a talk about what would happen if something happened to one of us. It was always hypothetical. I told him that I would want him to find love again, and not spend his days alone. He agreed, and told me the same thing, and to never feel guilty if someone makes me feel something, even if I’m not ready for it. He had told me that he couldn’t bear the thought of me being alone.

That’s probably why it has been easier for me to accept my new life. I know where I came from now, and all these men make sure that I am well taken care of. The old ladies have also been accepting of me. The only people who haven’t been so welcoming are the club whores. No one thinks that I don’t hear what they say about me, but I do. I’m not bothered by it because I didn’t purposely come in and try to take any of the men. Damien had told me to let him or any of the brothers know if one of them steps out of line. They aren’t allowed to speak to me at all since they are club whores, and I’m a club princess. I never thought I would be one, or a part of a club for that matter, but here I am.

It’s almost six in the morning, and I’m already awake. I know that everyone sleeps in late already, but since Damien isn’t in the bed, I have nightmares. Once the nightmares come and wake me up, I can’t go back to sleep.

I decide to make my way downstairs, and grab some breakfast.

There are a couple of club whores in the kitchen drinking coffee. They look like they haven’t even been to bed yet. I decide not to talk to them, and grab my apple juice since it’s usually stocked. When I open the fridge, there isn’t any in there. Weird, I could have sworn there was some in there last night.

I just shrug and grab some water. I will get someone to bring me to the store later. When I walk to the sink, I see a couple of empty cartons sitting in it. They are upside down like someone purposely dumped them.

I look back at the women, and they are both smirking at me.

“You think because you’re the princess you are better than us,” the one on the left says, I think her name is Nikki.

I sigh and face them. “No, I don’t think I’m better than you. I just came down here to get a drink.”

“Damien is never going to want you. You are just the bitch carrying his child. He only puts up with you because of Prez,” Nikki says.

I glare at her harsh words. I know that she isn’t right- it’s not just from being Prez’s daughter. I am more to him than that.

“Say what you want, but what goes on between Damien and me isn’t really any of your business,” I tell her crossing my arms over my chest.

“Of course, it’s my fucking business. Damien is mine. You better back the fuck off, and get your greedy fucking hands off my man. He was so close to making me his old lady until you came along and started messing with his head,” Nikki snaps at me while standing up.

“You are nothing but the stupid bitch carrying his baby. Don’t think that you can come in here and steal our fucking family,” the other one snaps at me. I don’t even know her name.

A voice in the doorway startles us. “Nikki, Sam, you girls are nothing but fucking whores. Who the fuck do you think you are, talking to the club princess like that?” I turn to look at who is speaking, and it’s Steal, my brother.

I breathe in a sigh of relief. I look at the girls. They put their heads down, and avoid eye contact with my brother.

“Fucking look at me when I’m talking to you,” he growls at them.

They both snap their heads up, and I see their eyes widen.

“What the fuck is going on here?” my dad grumbles as he walks into the room. Lily is right behind them.

“These fucking whores were standing here calling Ella a stupid bitch and telling her to stay away from Damien,” Steal replies.

Lily walks over at me, and her eyes land on the sink. She turns her head to narrow her eyes on the girls.

“And you fucking dumped her apple juice. That’s just fucking pathetic. We’re adults here. We don’t have room for high school bullies,” she says as she puts an arm around my shoulders.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Steal growls louder.

“Girls, pack your shit and get the fuck out of my club,” my dad growls at them.

Their jaws open in shock. “Because we dumped some apple juice?” Nikki questions. I don’t miss the way my dad’s eyes turn angry.

“No. For fucking disrespecting a member of this club. You girls know the rules. My daughter is the fucking princess of this club, and she is also carrying the VP’s baby. That makes her fucking precious to every fucking member of this club. You don’t get to say shit to her. You have no fucking right to tell her to stay away from Damien. She’s carrying his fucking baby, and he sleeps in her fucking bed. She has more say over him than you fucking do. You dumping her apple juice is just plain fucking stupid and childish. I don’t have room for your childlike behaviour. Now get the fuck out of my sight before I remove you.” Once he is done, they both run to the doorway and grab their stuff.

“PROSPECT!” he yells over his shoulder. A guy who I have seen often comes running in. I didn’t think that anyone was awake.

“Yeah, boss?” he asks.

“Go get princess here some apple juice.” The guy nods his head and leaves immediately.

“Don’t let what those girls said get to you. There are some who want to become old ladies, but club whores never become old ladies. No brother has ever wanted to claim one as his own. You get me?” my dad asks, and I nod my head.

“Now, go sit down, and I will make you some breakfast,” Lily says ushering me to the table.

I know that it’s pointless to argue, so I just do as I’m told. I watch Lily make me breakfast, and the rest of the day goes smoothly. Nobody seems to be missing the two club whores that left.

Damien

I’ve been on a run for the last couple days. Prez told me about the club whores, Nikki and Sam, who are now banned from the club. That fucking whore, Nikki, thought that she could claim me to Ella. Fuck, that bitch has no claim on me. If anyone had any sort of claim on me in that room, it was Ella. The night before I left and she fell asleep in my arms, she didn’t have a single nightmare. I was fucking feeling glad about that because that means I have a reason to sleep next to her every night. I hate the fact that she still has nightmares when I’m not there, but a few of the brothers and I are on our way back to the clubhouse.

It’s late at night. Almost two am. I hope that Ella is asleep. I know now that once she wakes up from a nightmare, she can’t go back to sleep. She texts me late in the night now that I know about her nightmares.

We pull up to the clubhouse and, of course, they are partying. I know they are only doing it if Ella is already asleep. They won’t risk her walking in on them fucking a club whore. That’s usually what ends up happening at parties.

Just as I suspected, there are a few brothers taking turns fucking a club whore. I shake my head, and walk towards the hallway where the bedrooms are. I               have no interest in partying tonight. All I want to do is put Ella in my arms and fall asleep. I never thought that I would choose holding Ella in my arms over partying and taking advantage of club pussy. Fuck, what has this chick done to me?

Once I get to my room, I see Ella asleep on the bed. Fuck, she’s wearing my shirt, and the blanket falls down to her hips just where the shirt stops. She has a hand on her belly, and she’s sleeping on her left side.

I waste no time stripping down to my boxers and climbing into bed with her. When I have her back to my front, and place my hand on her belly, I swear she fucking sighs. “Damien,” she whispers and she puts her hand over mine. I can’t stop the smile that comes to my face. I kiss her on the shoulder.

“Just go to sleep, baby. I’m here now,” I whisper back. She hums and falls back asleep. It doesn’t take long for me to follow right behind her.