Page 47 of Burning Ember

“I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a fuckin’ liar,” Taz growls.

Mav barks, “Cut it the fuck out.”

“It was! Fuckin’ ask her,” Taz shouts.

“Just stay the fuck away from her. Both of you. And you, you gave me your word this was done until the party.”

“Jesus, man. One day and she’s got you by the balls, huh?” Taz mutters.

“Shut the fuck up before I knock your ass out.”

“Name a time, brother, and I’ll be there.”

Mav hollers, “What the fuck did I say? Cut it the fuck out!” I hear curses and more scuffling.

A few seconds later Dozer comes into the room. Slams the door. He’s panting and his face is tinged red. He doesn’t look at me. But grates out, “You okay?”

“Yes. I’m sorry about the door. I heard a noise and peeked out to see what it was last night. I must have forgotten to lock it.”

His eyes meet mine. An incredulous look flashes over his face. “You forgot? In a clubhouse full of drunk bikers? After what you saw goin’ on last night?” There’s doubt in his eyes.

But I nod weakly.

I stayed up for a few hours after he left. I was tired as hell, but couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t breathe. I needed to know that I could leave at any time. So I opened the window. When that wasn’t enough, I opened the door just barely. Then I tucked myself into a ball and fell asleep on Dozer’s bed within seconds.

“Tell me the truth. What did he say to you?”

I shake my head again. I don’t want to be the cause of more drama between them. That’s not going to buy me any points with the members if I pit them against one another. Plus the look Taz gave me promised retribution if I ratted him out to Dozer.

“Not really anything before you came in.”

“Threaten you?”

“No.”

He pulls in a couple of breaths and turns away, rolls his shoulders as he does so. Then he walks across the room to the closet. A moment later, he peers out and says. “Just gettin’ some clothes, I’ll be out of here in a sec and then you can shower.”

“Okay.”

His eyes roam around the room. “What the hell happened in here?”

At first, I’m confused and then it dawns on me what he’s talking about. “I cleaned.”

He snorts. “Huh. Nice. Thanks.” When he walks up to me a minute later, he says, “Listen, I’m gonna run to the gym for a bit. But I’ll be back. I have to put in a couple of hours at the gym and then at the hospital. I’ll have Rigor watch you every second I’m not around, okay?”

I know this is partially his way of protecting me, and part of the deal with Mav, but I can’t help but have a sour rumbling in the pit of my stomach.

He must see the idea of a babysitter slash guard doesn’t please me, because he says, “I promised I’d have someone watchin’ you. It’ll be a while until everyone here learns to trust you. And it’s for your protection. Just because Taz didn’t do anything to you this mornin’, doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have. Be smart and steer clear of him, yeah? Don’t get caught alone with him again.”

“Holy shit, girl. That’s the best fuckin’ bacon I’ve ever tasted.” Bodie groans as he chews on a mouth full.

Three other brothers grunt in agreement. The guys are sitting at the bar top shoveling in the breakfast I made them.

“Nothing specialif you ask me.” Taz looks directly at me as he says it then drops a piece of bacon back to his plate as if it’s the worst thing he’s ever tasted.

I know it’s delicious. The only way he wouldn’t think so is if he had absolutely no taste buds whatsoever.

“Goddamn, these eggs are fuckin’ tasty. You got any more of them ready, sweetheart?” Griz smiles up at me.