Page 9 of Shadow

I feel strong arms go around my body, and it’s the most comforting hug I’ve had in a long time.

“I got you. Don’t worry.”

Inside of his strong arms, it almost feels like my world didn’t just turn upside down.

Six

VIBES

SHADOW

Teagan’s body shaking sobs are doing something to me. I’m not an express your feelings type, but damn this woman…

“Listen, doll. Everything will work itself out.” I don’t know what else to say. Nobody has ever accused me of being a motivational speaker.

“I’m just sc— scared. What am I going to do?” Teagan’s big brown eyes bore into me for the answer, and God help me, I want to give her one.

“I mean… Everett might be dead already.” I shrug because nobody goes through all that to get a guy they’re gonna keep alive.

Hell, he owed us a shit ton of money, but if he didn’t pay up, I would’ve killed him my damn self.

“Trey is an asshole, but I wouldn’t want him dead. Geez, what have I gotten myself mixed up in?” Teagan drops her head into her hands, and her shoulders shake.

If my mama were alive, she’d say, “bless her heart, the child was on a fool’s errand.” Even after Everett has proved to be an untrustworthy bitch, Teagan wants his life spared. It says a lot about her character and even more about mine.

“Yeah, well, crossing the wrong people gets ya dead real fast.” There’s no use in me sugar coating anything, especially after everything she’s just witnessed. And as sweet as she seems to be, and as gorgeous as she is, we don’t like witnesses.

Even though Everett owes us money, Teagan didn’t actually witness me doing anything to him. She also wasn’t at the game itself. So, the fact of the matter is, she didn’t reallywitnessmuch.

“What if he’s not dead? What if he tries to give me to the people who took him? Like you said… everyone isn’t like you. I have a little money. I can pay you to protect me.” Her face is hopeful, and as much as my instincts are telling me that I need to protect her, it isn’t my job.

“Protection ain’t really my business, doll.” My words are sharp because I need her to understand.

“Okay, umm. But guys like you… you know people, right? People whocouldprotect me.”

I shouldn’t feel offended cause I know what she means by “guys like me,” but what the fuck! I don’t know why I care, but for the first time in a long time, I want to be seen as something more than the scary motherfucker you shouldn’t cross. Well, at least in her view.

“She might be able to help us, Shadow. Let’s see what the Prez has to say.” Bounty’s suggestion makes me raise an eyebrow at him because he’s not the “helpful” type either.

I can’t say that the brother has ever been accommodating to anyone but our club, but he is observant. So, more than likely, he’s seen something that I missed, and Teagan will be able to help us somehow.

“Alright. I’ll talk to the Prez. In the meantime, doll… you need to stay put.”

Teagan quickly nods her pretty head and takes a deep breath. I watch her closely and sigh, but when I turn to Bounty, he’s watching me with a smirk. I narrow my eyes at him.

“Bounty, stay with her while I call Grimm.” I walk out of the office into the hall to make the call.

I have a feeling that this night is about to get longer.

I don’t take pleasure in being right about negative shit, but fuck, I was definitely right. After talking to Grimm, he agreed we should keep an eye on Teagan. However, it wasn’t out of the goodness of his heart. No, it was so we could find out if Everett was dead or not, and if he weren’t, we would proceed to get our money by any means necessary.

Now, I’m taking Teagan to a hotel so I can play bodyguard. It wasn’t exactly what I was thinking when I first said she would be going home with me tonight.

Even though my first instinct was to protect Teagan, but I feel resentful that I’m having to babysit instead of bashing in heads. I can say my natural instinct for protection is normally saved for my brothers. Outside of the Sinners, I don’t have any family, so all of my loyalty belongs to them.

I’ve never felt anything other than lust for a woman, so this weird vibe of protectiveness for her is making me antsy. I hate feeling out of control, so my usual gruffness has picked up a few notches.

“I know I said that I could pay you, but I don’t think I can afford to stay here.”