Dex
As much as I love being at the club, I don’t know the reason we’ve been called back. Pope wouldn’t tell me on the phone, only to get back here as soon as I could. No one is saying anything either, I reckon it’s because Melissa is sticking close and they are weary of her. Pope said she didn’t have to come back, but when I told Kyle he was wanted by Cas, she refused point blank to stay home and she hasn’t let him out of her sight since we arrived.
I watch Cas and Sparky talking at a table on their own. I got quite good at lip reading whilst I was prospecting but I can’t make a single word out they’re saying. Cas snaps his fingers at Scotty behind the bar and then it clicks why Kyle is here. Scotty walks over to him holding a cut. He’s making Kyle a prospect. Melissa is going to lose her shit. I sit forward and lean my elbows on my knees. Cas stands and whistles for everyone’s attention and gets it immediately. Rapid movement from Melissa catches my eye, I look around and her hands are shaking. I sit back and from where we sit no one can see me place my hand over hers. She goes still under my touch and takes a deep breath, frowning at me. I heard everything she said this morning and it was complete bullshit. Everything stops for me and I struggle to focus on anything but her. I make her crazy, but my touch calms her. When Cas ordered me to watch her that first time, I’ve wanted to keep her safe but do my job at the same time. It’s clicking into place now and I can’t keep ignoring the moments where I want her like there is no tomorrow. When I’m around her, my instincts are to keep her close. I’m tired of pretending I don’t feel more for her. I squeeze her hand and then turn it around so both our hands are entwined. She looks up at me in surprise but doesn’t let go.
“From the day this club was started, it’s had men prospecting to join us. Today is no different. Today we welcome Kyle to put on the patch and wish him luck during his prospecting with us. Time will show if he has what it takes to be a brother with the Lost Souls.”
The silence deepens for a beat and then hollers and cheers fill the bar and Cas searches for the main man himself.
“Kyle, get your ass up here,” Cas adds and waits.
Melissa flinches and for a second I think she is going to try and stop him but she remains in her seat and I keep my hand on hers.
He makes his way up to my president and Cas puts the cut on him. He brings him in and slaps his back.
Cas shakes his hand and then orders him to start behind the bar.
“Whatever you have to say, save it for later,” I warn Melissa, when she goes to follow her brother.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, I need the bathroom,” she lies.
I don’t believe her for a second. Cas jerks his chin in my direction and I let go of her hand.
“Stay here, do not move.”
She rolls her eyes, but nods and I get up and walk over to see what Cas wants. I can feel Sparky’s gaze all the way over and I don’t meet his eyes when I stand before them.
“I’ve made him a prospect because it seems you only have eyes for the sister, not that I fuckin’ understand why.”
“It wasn’t like that, as soon as I left the room, he left,” I say, defending myself.
“It doesn’t matter, this works better for us. He won’t be able to move while he’s here. It still leaves Melissa and judging by her scowling at me, she’s not happy. Keep watching her.”
This time, I don’t mind. Cas walks off and Sparky hangs back.
“What’s going on with you and her?” he asks.
“Nothing.”
Even I can hear how defensive I am and full of shit.
“If you want my advice, if you like her don’t hide behind the club, go for it. I did with Bonnie and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.”
I’ve heard the stories about him and Bonnie and how she came to the club to warn them about her brother.
“I do like her,” I finally admit out loud, “I don’t see how it would work, we’re about to kill her brother…”
“She only has one brother she cares about from what I’ve seen,” he says, interrupting me.
He turns his back on me and goes off to join Cas. I look over to Melissa and she’s looking straight at me. How would we work? She hates the club, she doesn’t want Kyle anywhere near here and I can’t change for her. The Lost Souls have become my home.
With Cas’s little speech over, tension is beginning to rise and violence simmers in the air. Danny’s death is near.
I head back to Melissa and lead her outside and around the side of the clubhouse where it’s quiet and private. I’ve always wondered why Cas and the presidents before him haven’t built anything out here. There’s plenty of land to build houses, another bar, or a huge garage for everyone to park their rides.
“How are you doing?” I ask her, focusing on her and not everything around us.
“I’m doing real good,” she mutters, sarcastically.
“You don’t need to worry about your brother, with the likes of Danny no longer a threat, he’s as safe here as he is anywhere else.”
“Kyle has made his decision, I’d like you to take me home now.”
Her fight has gone and I find myself missing it.
“I can’t leave yet, I’ll take you over to the main house and then when I’m done here, I’ll take you home.”
With nothing left to be said, I find myself leaning in closer to her and my heart picks up when she mirrors my movements.
“I want you,” I whisper an inch from her face.
“Start acting like you do then,” she quips, stepping back from me.
Her fire is back and it turns me the fuck on.
Fuck it, I want her and I’m going to have her. I don’t care what my brothers say about it, I’ve never met a woman like her and now I’ve found her, I’m not letting her go.
“As soon as I’m done here, I’ll show you how much I want you.”
“Promises, promises,” she tuts.
“Basement…ten minutes.”
We both stop at Slade hollering from around the front.
“What’s happening in ten minutes?” she asks, stepping closer but not close enough for me.
I pull her flush against me and say, “If you wait for me at the house, I’ll tell you later.”
“Nothing but the truth?”
“The truth,” I nod.
“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”
Her hand slips in mine and together, we walk over to the main house. At first, it’s awkward when Alannah and Bonnie turn to see us walking in.
“Melissa, this Alannah and Bonnie. They’ll keep you company while I’m busy with Cas.”
I don’t need to explain to her, but Alannah now knows I’m telling her what’s going down and she’s to keep her eye on Melissa.
Alannah puts on a smile and I hope one day, it will be genuine.
“We’re going to talk later, about us,” I say and I savour her smile.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
She joins the old ladies sitting around the kitchen table and I backtrack to the bar and head for the basement.