Page 20 of Kraken (Hades Abyss MC #4: Mississippi Chapter)

Phoebe

I hadn’t ventured out of the compound on my own, and I didn’t like feeling as if I should look over my shoulder every few minutes.

I knew Kraken had taken care of Pitch and the others, but what of the other chapters?

Would they come for me in retaliation? Or did they not care?

I couldn’t help but feel this was far from over, no matter how many times the Hades Abyss assured me otherwise.

Kraken seemed to think they’d taught a lesson to the Sadistic Saints.

Maybe he was right, but what if he wasn’t?

What if they were biding their time and would strike when Kraken and the others least expected it?

I didn’t think those other chapters cared about me in the least, but as the only female at the Hades Abyss compound, I knew it put a target on me.

No one cared about a club whore, but an old lady?

I’d be stupid to think someone wouldn’t see me as Kraken’s weakness.

I parked my SUV outside the mall and hurried inside.

Aurelia had asked to meet for lunch and shopping, and Kraken had insisted I accept.

I knew he worried about me and wanted me to make friends.

It was sweet, and just another reason I loved him.

But being out in the open like this, especially alone, made my stomach knot.

I spotted the blonde nurse as I neared the food court.

She waved with a big smile on her face. I hastened over and tried not to think of the people who might be staring.

If it didn’t bother Aurelia, then I wouldn’t let it bother me either.

I sat next to her and wondered how it worked to shop in pairs.

I’d never gone shopping with another woman, except my mother, and she hadn’t been one to let me have any fun.

I’d never been permitted to go anywhere without a parent or other adult with me, and even the times my sister had joined us, there had still been a reserved nature to our shopping trips.

“Never been shopping with a friend?” Aurelia asked.

“Is it that obvious?” I asked.

Aurelia held two fingers slightly apart. “Just a little. You look ready to bolt.”

“My mother would take me shopping when I lived at home. My dad was a preacher, so it wasn’t like I got to shop for the same sort of clothes all the other girls were wearing.”

“What about after you left home?” she asked. “I’m assuming you’re out of high school since you’re married to Kraken.”

“Something bad happened. Another club…” I shook my head. “I’d rather not talk about it, if that’s okay. Kraken saved me. But to answer your question, no I’ve never been shopping with friends before.”

“Then I’m honored to be the first.” Aurelia smiled widely. “You hungry? We could eat first, or just get some coffee before we start shopping. Do you have anything special you need to get today?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it. Kraken gave me his card and some cash, but I don’t want to make him go broke either.”

“How about some sexy stuff to tempt that hot husband of yours?” she asked.

“All right. But if I do, then you need to buy some to model for Titan.” I nudged her with my elbow when she blushed. “I know you like him.”

“Yeah, I do. I’m just not sure his world and mine will mesh very well.

If something bad happens, like the day we met, I can’t exactly just leave the hospital and go on lockdown because he’s worried about me.

And Titan doesn’t seem like the type to let me do my own thing. He’ll want to be in charge.”

I nodded. “Kraken is the same way, but I know he’s trying to protect me. After the things I’ve been through, I appreciate that about him. In fact, it’s one of the things I love.”

“And for you, it’s probably great. I’d feel suffocated, and angry.

It wouldn’t take long before I’d lash out at Titan, or any man who did that to me.

I just don’t see it working long-term, but I admit to being curious enough to at least attempt to date him.

Maybe I’m wrong and it would work out fine. ”

She steered me into a boutique with lacy nightgowns and bras on display in the window.

I’d never been permitted in this sort of store, and part of me was excited to go inside.

There were so many textures and colors. I was nearly overwhelmed by it all.

Aurelia talked me into nightgowns, scraps of lace and silk.

They wouldn’t cover much, but that seemed to be the point.

I also grabbed a few bra and panty sets.

The total astounded me, and my hand trembled a little as I handed over Kraken’s card.

I hoped he didn’t get pissed I’d spent so much.

We hadn’t discussed a spending limit, but I wished we had.

I followed Aurelia into a few other stores before we had lunch in the food court.

I couldn’t seem to stop smiling and laughing, and couldn’t remember the last time I’d enjoyed myself so much.

I’d had friends in high school, but things were different then.

My father was a preacher and I’d been expected to act a certain way.

I’d followed the rules and they’d still tossed me away like I was nothing.

Just trash they needed to get rid of. I hoped the roof of his church was worth it.

No, actually, I hoped the entire building burned to the ground. It would serve him right.

“We should do this again,” Aurelia said.

“Definitely.” I smiled. “I had a great time today. I’d never realized shopping could be so much fun.”

“You have my number. Call whenever you want to hang out. We’ll just have to plan around my shifts at the hospital.”

“What’s it like being a nurse? I know you went to college, and you talked about your job a little at the diner. Was there ever a time you wanted to do something else with your life?”

She shrugged. “My father was a doctor. A heart surgeon. He died when I was little and my mother brought one loser home after another once he was gone. Becoming a nurse made me feel closer to him, but I really do enjoy my work. I like making a difference. I get yelled at by the hospital staff and the patients, but at the end of the day, I know I made a difference even if it was just a small one.”

“I think I envy you.” I twirled my cup on the table. “The bad thing I mentioned happened before I graduated high school. I know I could get my GED and maybe think about college, but I have everything I could ever want or need. Kraken loves me, and I love him.”

“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” Aurelia said.

“There are plenty of women who enjoy being stay-at-home moms. I don’t think I’d be one of them.

I love the chaos at the hospital, even on the days I bitch about it or want to rip out my hair over the political crap that goes on.

I don’t think I could give it up. Not anytime soon. ”

She gave me a quick hug goodbye and I carried my bag out to the parking lot.

The hair on my nape prickled and I stopped just outside the mall doors, keys clutched in my hand.

I scanned the area, but I didn’t notice anyone paying me undue attention.

It was possible I was only feeling paranoid, but the churning in my stomach said it might be more.

I briskly walked to my car, popping the locks as I got close.

Practically jumping inside, I threw my stuff onto the passenger seat and locked the doors.

I started the car and backed out, then drove straight home.

The entire way, I glanced in the rearview mirror a hundred times, worried someone might be following me.

I couldn’t shake the feeling, even as I pulled through the gates.

I saw Kraken’s motorcycle parked in front of the clubhouse, along with several others and a few cars.

I didn’t know who was watching Ember, but I knew he’d never leave her alone.

Instead of going to the house, I stopped to talk to Kraken.

If there was someone watching me, he’d need to know.

I didn’t have proof but I hoped that didn’t matter.

Getting out, I walked up the steps and pushed the doors open.

My eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim lighting, and when they did, I wanted to fuck a bitch up.

My teeth ground together as I made my way across the main floor and didn’t stop until I stood directly in front of the whore shoving her ass in my husband’s face.

To make things worse, she only wore a thong.

I didn’t say a word, just reached out and grabbed a handful of her hair, then yanked her until she fell to the floor. She shrieked and came up swinging, but I was prepared. I balled up my fist and let it fly, hitting her right across the cheek.

“Who gave you permission to shove your ass in my man’s face?” I demanded.

“Kraken! Help me,” she cried out pathetically.

“Help you?” I kicked her legs out from under her, sending her ass back to the floor. “Help you? You honestly think my husband is going to help a whore over his wife?”

The woman launched herself at me, but Kraken wrapped his arm around her waist and hauled her back. “Enough!”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “If you’re taking the side of that… that…”

He shoved the woman aside and took two steps toward me, the heat of his body pressing against mine. He reached out and tipped up my chin, forcing me to hold his gaze.

“Baby girl, I wasn’t taking her side. There’s a chance you’re pregnant, and if she hurt you, I’d have to fucking kill her.”

“There a reason you were letting her shove her ass in your face?” I asked.

His lips twitched. “I wasn’t paying the slightest bit of attention to her. She doesn’t do a damn thing for me. Most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen is in my bed every night. Why would I want anyone else?”