Page 40 of Stag

“Oh. I see. You’re whoring yourself out to these filthy bikers now? How many did you fuck so far?!” I could feel Stag getting pissed off, his chest heaving with his breathing, and he was probably itching to get involved, but that’s when one of the other men stepped in front of everyone else, and nudged us back, gesturing at the young guy at the gate to open it. The poor lad looked exhausted, because that’s what Marissa does to people. She drains them with her drama.

The guy who’d given the order stepped in front of me, and folded his arms, and something about him stopped her from charging in here. I glanced to Henley and saw his hands moving.

*He’s the President, and he’s telling her to get off our land.*

A pause.

*She’s screeching at him about you being vulnerable. Like she’s here to save you.* Bitch.

He hesitated again.

*President is threatening to call the cops. That shut her up. She’s calling your name now.*

I refused to look at her, because giving her my attention was part of the problem.

He nodded like he expected that.

*She’s asking you to go home with her. Says she can keep you safe. That she didn’t mean all the shit she messaged. Or said. You want us to call the cops?*

I swallowed hard and shook my head, turning to glare at Marissa over the President guy’s shoulders.

“I want you to leave, Marissa. I’m coming home soon, okay? Just give me an hour.”

Her face screwed up with anger and she took a step past her car, halting when the President guy held a hand up to stop her, turning to yell something at a big guy near him, who had his phone to his ear.

“Why not now? You want to fuck more of them before you leave? I can’t believe you’re doing this to me!”

The guy with the phone stepped forward, and I could see he was speaking now, and I had no idea who he was on the call with, but the President and another guy moved forward and ushered Marissa to her car.

I was trembling at this point. With anger. With frustration. Maybe a little fear too. If I went home, she’d probably lock me in. The reason I didn’t say I’m coming to get my stuff is because I think she’d do something to prevent that from happening, or trash my things. When did things turn so crazy between us? When did she lose it so much that I became her possession, something to control, and make demands of. Protection shouldn’t come with an agenda, and my requests to back off were getting me nowhere.

Stag rubbed my shoulders, tapping one shoulder to get me to turn, and Henley was there, his hands moving again.

*Once she’s gone, we’re gonna get a van to your place, and clear your stuff out. I was just telling Stag you guys can stay at mine a few days. I’m going away with my old lady.* Old lady? Like his mother or something?

He laughed, like he could read my expression.

*Biker wives are called old ladies, love.*

Oh. I nodded, trying to smile, even though I could feel that was trembling too. Every part of me was. The adrenaline was leaving me in a rush, and I felt like I’d fall.

“Grab her, man!” I saw Henley yell, just before my legs crumpled beneath me, and Stag became the only thing holding me up.

Chapter Sixteen

Iwanted to slap that bitch Marissa, not because I’m a guy who hits women, but because I felt like she’d done harm to the woman I was falling for, and that didn’t sit well with me. I wanted her smiling and happy. Hadn’t she been through enough?

“Thanks, man. I really appreciate the offer. I’m a bit light on cash right now, but she can’t stay here. It’s not good enough yet.”

He nodded, his gaze softening as he glanced at Claudia, who was crushed against my chest, crying quietly, while I held her tight. I felt like her hero in this moment, and it wasn’t a feeling I was used to. I was usually the asshole. The prick. The guy most likely to offend, but right now I felt like I was finally being the right version of me. The one that might one day be good enough. Maybe.

“Okay, Grease, get Jay and go to their address. I want that bitch stopped before she gets inside. Rocket, you go too,” Micro was saying, issuing orders as he pointed. “Ghost, get the van, and take Simon. I want bodies there to help and make this go fast. Henley, get on the phone to Lissa. I want her on standby just in case.” Then he turned to us.

“Brother, we’ll get this sorted. I know Henley’s putting you folks up for a few days, so that’s a good start. We should be all set for people to move in here next week, if all goes well with the decorating phase. You focus on your lady.”

Then he addressed Claudia, who I nudged to look at him. He offered his hand to shake.

“Claudia, I’m Micro, Club President. We’re gonna get you out, okay? Henley’s got somewhere for you to stay, somewhere safe. Your sister won’t get near you while we pack up your stuff. Is there other stuff to worry about? Joint finances or anything?”