Page 20

I was watching Haven whispering to the woman beside her. I had no clue who she was or what she had to do with this, but until I found out, she stayed. When a woman came running over to me and my brothers, claiming there was a fight in the women’s bathroom, I didn’t know whether to believe her. After opening the door, I had no choice. My first thought was to get the women away from her and Troian. Recognizing Rhea, I scowled. Would she ever give up? This was becoming utterly ridiculous.

“Mind telling us what the hell went on in that bathroom?” I growled. I was staring mostly at Rhea and her friends. It was obvious that they got their asses whipped. Their hair was a mess, red abrasions were visible on their faces, and if I wasn’t mistaken, one had the beginning of a black eye.

“Yeah, that psycho bitch came at me with her friends. I had no choice but to defend myself. Tinker, please, surely you see now that she’s not the woman for you. She doesn’t understand you or your life. I do,” Rhea whined.

“Like hell, we started it. You ran your mouth, and after Haven called you on it, you attacked her. While this one came for me, that one tried to double-team Haven with you,” Troian snapped.

Hearing that they ganged up on Haven pissed me off. However, it was Mayhem who asked the next question. “And what is your part in this?” he asked the woman Haven had been whispering to.

“I just happened to be there. Those two are telling the truth. Those three instigated it.”

“Why didn’t you come get someone like the other woman did?” he asked.

“Because she wasn’t a chickenshit. She stayed, and it was a good thing that she did. When they ganged up on Haven, she took care of the other one to make it a fair fight,” Troian said, smiling at the stranger.

So far, Haven hadn’t said a word. I found that odd. She wasn’t one to keep quiet. “Babe, you’re awfully quiet. Don’t you have anything to add?”

“Oh, was I supposed to? The way you were looking at me, it seems you think this is my fault.”

I was surprised by her hostile tone. “Haven, talk to me. What’s wrong?”

“I’ll tell you what’s wrong. I’m tired of this woman getting in my face and saying I stole you from her. That you were hers until I came along. If that’s the case, then maybe we should talk, and she should be the one you’re marrying,” she ranted.

“Whoa, hold on. The only one I’m marrying is you. You’re the woman I want. I’m sorry that she can’t catch a clue, but I promise she will, or else,” I told Haven hastily.

“Damn right, she will. You’ve been to the compound enough times to know we don’t put up with drama and shit,” Lash informed Rhea. I didn’t recognize the two women with her, but that didn’t mean they’d never been to the compound to party.

“That’s right. In case you didn’t get a clue last time, you’re no longer welcome at the Punisher compound. Rhea, I was never yours. Sure, we fooled around a few times before I claimed Haven, but I wasn’t the only one you’ve done that with. I don’t know why you fixed your sights on me, but it stops now,” I warned her.

“And you’re all three banned from Eden as well. I don’t need or want troublemakers here,” Mayhem added. He barely spared them a glance. He was too busy watching the woman who helped Haven.

Rhea and her friends began to bellyache and protest their innocence and a whole lot more. I tuned them out. I walked over to the woman who had Mayhem’s attention. She gave me a wary look.

“Thank you for helping my woman. I’m Tinker. These are my club brothers, Lash and Mayhem. What’s your name?” I held out my hand to her.

She reluctantly took it and shook it, appearing to be debating telling me her name. “I was happy to help. My name is Astrid.”

Lash came over, offered his hand, and said thank you. When he finished, Mayhem approached and stood there, staring intently at Astrid.

“Why did you get involved?” he asked sharply.

“Because I don’t like unfair fights. Two against one is bullshit,” was her immediate comeback. She was frowning at him. Suddenly, she stood. “I need to rejoin my companion. Ladies, it was a pleasure to meet you two,” she told Haven and Troian, then glanced over at Rhea and her two friends. “I can’t say the same for the three of you. Grow up and get a life.”

“Stay,” Mayhem demanded.

“No, I have somewhere to be. Goodnight,” she said firmly.

He barely got the door open before she did. Astrid marched out without another word. I saw he was torn and didn’t know what to do. I wanted to laugh. Mayhem scared the crap out of grown men. He was, after all, our club enforcer for a reason. While Astrid appeared wary, she hadn’t been afraid. Or not enough to do as he demanded.

“Tinker, you can’t do this! Please, I know you cared for me. Let’s start over. Send her away,” Rhea pleaded. She was crying, and mascara was streaking down her face.

“That’s not true. I never cared for a woman until Haven. She’s the one I claimed as my old lady. She’ll be my wife and the mother of my children. You or anyone else mean nothing,” I told her harshly, but maybe it would get through her thick head.

Her pitiful expression changed to a furious one. She stood up with her hands on her hips. “That’s a damn lie. You may deny you had feelings for me, but I know you’ve had feelings for another woman. One who, when she ended up with another man, you were angry. I thought then I could get you to forget about your feelings for Annie. I guess the key was that I needed to be connected to Annie. With this one, you can stay close to your precious lost love,” she hissed.

An uncomfortable silence descended. Lash and Mayhem cast me worried looks. Gulping, I turned to see how Haven took this news. I hadn’t talked to her about my prior feelings for Annie. After meeting her and acknowledging how I felt about her, I recognized I’d only been mildly attracted to her aunt and had pictured us together for other reasons. My stomach sank when I saw the look of horror on Haven’s face.

Vaguely, I heard my brothers hustle the others out of the office. When the door clicked shut, I moved toward Haven. She came up out of her chair and placed it between us. I held out my hands beseechingly.

“Haven, I can explain. It’s not the way Rhea made it sound, I swear.”

She didn’t say a word for a few heartbeats, and then she said hoarsely, “Then tell me what it was, Tinker.” Her calling me Tinker wasn’t a good sign.

“Why don’t we go home so we’re comfortable and no one will interrupt us? I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not true. I can explain.”

“Tell me what I’m thinking, Tinker. What would you think if you just heard the man you’re engaged to had feelings for your aunt? A woman who’s close to his entire club, and we’re around often. Tell me you wouldn’t have questions and concerns,” she said hoarsely.

I felt like she slapped me. God, this couldn’t be happening. “Baby, let’s go home.”

She shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what Rhea meant. And Tinker, I’m warning you, if you refuse or lie to me, I’ll walk out that door, and we’re through.”

My chest hurt as I tried not to panic. I let my arms drop back to my sides. She wasn’t taking my hands. “Alright, have a seat.”

I pointed to the table where there were chairs. She took the one the furthest away from me on the opposite side of the table. I scrambled to organize my thoughts. I dove in, not wanting her to think I was fabricating a lie.

“Annie has been a part of our lives for years, as you know. As time went by and I grew older, I grew tired of the continual meaningless sex. I don’t know exactly when it began, but I started to look at her as potentially more than just a friend. She’s smart and funny, and she knows how we live. She’s not unattractive.”

Haven winced.

“Babe, I’m not saying this to hurt you. I’m trying to explain my thought process. She doesn’t hold a candle to you. Anyway, although I began to have these thoughts, I held back. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship if she didn’t feel the same, and I had no idea if my brothers would support me in being with her. I kept finding reasons not to say anything. We all knew she was spending more time away from Bristol. Even a few speculated she might have a man. None of us knew the extent of it until she brought Gareth to the party over a year ago and introduced him as her fiancé. It came as a shock to all of us.” I paused. I wasn’t sure how to say the next bit.

“Don’t stop now,” she whispered.

“I admit, I wasn’t happy. I even thought she might be with me rather than him if I’d said something. I let my pride be hurt. To prove it didn’t bother me, I made a vow. I’d remain single and live my life free and unencumbered by an old lady or kids. I saw her as my last chance for those for some reason. In an effort to convince myself that I didn’t want them, I threw myself back into being a typical biker. I drank more, partied harder, and I slept with even more women.

“Fast forward a year, and I was still doing it but wasn’t happy. However, I refused to consider it was because I still wanted kids and an old lady. Then, this utter vision came waltzing in with Annie and Gareth. She was introduced as their niece, and she’d just moved here. I refused to believe you were the one for me. I fought my attraction and tried to drown it out. That’s how the whole thing with Rhea came about. You know the rest. Thankfully, my stupidity didn’t last, and we got on the same page, and now here we are. You wear my property cut and ring. You’ll be my wife in a few short months. I love you, and Annie is merely a friend.”

As I finished, I saw tears gathered in her eyes. I leaned forward and reached my hand over the table to her. “God, don’t cry. I can’t stand it. Please. Haven, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I didn’t know how to broach the subject. No matter how I said it, I knew it would appear bad, and you’d question my sincerity.”

She didn’t take my hand. She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. I prayed that she was thinking over what I had just said and was hearing the truth. When she opened them, I knew that wasn’t the case. There was a world of hurt and anger in them. She got to her feet unsteadily. I jumped to mine.

“I don’t know what to believe. Would you have ever told me? How can I be sure you love me and I’m not just second best and a way to keep you closer to Annie? You’ve known her for years and me mere months. I should’ve known it was too good to be true,” she muttered.

“You’re not second best! I’m not with you because of her. I love you. I’ll always love you and never want anyone else,” I said desperately.

“So you say. I need to get out of here.”

“Okay, we’ll go home.”

“No, we won’t. I don’t want to see you right now.”

“But—”

She cut me off. “Not another word. Please,” she choked on a sob.

As she ran for the door, I stood there frozen. I wanted to kick myself for not telling her about Annie and for being such a manwhore with women like Rhea. If only I’d told her, this wouldn’t be happening. With it coming out this way, I knew it looked bad, as if I had hidden it and that I was lying.

I didn’t know how long I remained there before several brothers walked in and shut the door. They wore concerned and regretful expressions. That was what jerked me back to my senses. I went to pass them and go after Haven.

“She’s gone,” Reaper said.

“Gone. Where? How?” I asked anxiously.

“She had Dravin take her back to the compound. She asked to be left alone. Mayhem and Lash told us what that bitch Rhea said. Obviously, Haven didn’t take it well,” Maniac added.

I snorted. “Yeah, do you think? She believes I chose her to stay close to Annie and that she’s second choice. Oh, and that I don’t love her. Jesus Christ, why didn’t I tell her!?” I roared before kicking a chair over. I would’ve flipped the table if it weren’t for Spawn and Mayhem grabbing me. I struggled to get loose, but they didn’t let go.

“Let go of me. I’ve got to talk to her,” I snarled.

“You need to calm down and let her have time. If you go barreling in there, she’s not going to listen, and it may push her to make a decision that neither of you can live with,” Ink warned.

I scrubbed my hands up and down my face. Such a great, fun evening had turned into utter shit in a blink, and all because of some bitch I’d stuck my cock in a few times. Scanning the room, I asked, even though I didn’t care. “Where is everyone else? Do they all know what a goddamn idiot I am?”

“The women are waiting for Dravin to come back and drive them home. Gareth and Annie left. They wanted to know what was wrong with Haven, but we told them she needed time alone and not to disturb her tonight. I didn’t think she’d be up to having a talk with them. Especially since they don’t know about your old feelings for Annie,” Reaper said.

I groaned. More explanations that I had to make, but they could wait. Haven was my priority. “I’m outta here.”

I ignored everyone as I made my way through the crowd to my bike. Outside, I noticed that the rest of the club and the old ladies had followed me. I saw them casting worried looks my way, but I didn’t bother to say anything. When I fired up my bike, mine wasn’t the only one. Reaper, Mayhem, Hail, and Crusher started theirs. I tore out of the lot with them on my tail. The ride home was short, but not short enough.

When we pulled through the gate, I went directly home. Even if she didn’t want to speak to or see me, I had to be close to her. The guys followed me and shut down their bikes.

“There’s no need for you to babysit me,” I grumbled. I didn’t bother opening the garage and putting my bike inside. I parked it in the driveway.

“If she needs space, maybe you should stay in your old room at the clubhouse,” Reaper suggested.

“I can’t. I have to be close to her, even if it’s in another room. Thanks for the escort, but I’m good. See you later.”

No one said a word as I made my way to the front door and inside. Removing my boots and cut, I saw hers hanging on her hook when I hung mine up. I ran my hand lovingly over it before I went straight to the master bedroom. The door was shut. I didn’t try to open it.

Instead, I knocked gently and called out, “Haven. I know you want to be alone. I get it. Just know, if you want to talk, I’ll be in the guest bedroom. I love you, Witch.”

There was no reply. With a sinking heart, I dragged myself to the other bedroom and flung myself on the bed. I knew there wouldn’t be sleep for me tonight.

I spent a restless night, tossing and turning, waiting for morning. I prayed the entire time that Haven would forgive me and believe that I loved her. I don’t know how I’d handle it if she didn’t. Yes, I did. I’d lose my shit.

I forced myself to stay in bed until seven. Unable to stand it a moment longer, I got up and went to the kitchen, where I made a pot of coffee. I wasn’t hungry. I drank my coffee and waited for Haven to exit our bedroom. When it hit nine o’clock, and I hadn’t heard a peep from her, I grew concerned and went to the bedroom door. I knocked.

“Haven, are you alright? Please, answer me. You’re worrying me.”

Nothing.

“If you don’t answer, I’m coming in,” I warned.

When she didn’t respond, I turned the handle. I expected it to be locked, so I was surprised when it wasn’t. Entering our room, my gaze went to the bed first. It was made without a single wrinkle on the comforter. Hurrying to the bathroom, I peeked inside. My heart began to pound. She wasn’t there, either. Had she snuck out and into another part of the house? Rushing from the room, I tore through the house only to find she wasn’t anywhere.

After putting on my boots and cut, I thought to check the garage. Why, I don’t know. When I did, I found her car wasn’t there. No way had she taken it without me hearing her leave. I ran to my bike. Racing the short distance to the clubhouse, I almost forgot to put down my kickstand before getting off. I rushed inside. Since it was Sunday, there were some people there. Others were likely sleeping in or recovering from last night. Spotting Ratchet, Sandman, and Shadow at a table, I went over to them.

“How’re you this morning?” Ratchet asked cautiously. Everyone was there last night and knew how badly I fucked up.

“Terrible. Have any of you seen Haven?”

“No, why? She’s not at the house?” Sandman asked.

“No, and her car is gone. I need to find her,” I muttered before I left them.

I went down the hall to Spawn’s cave. I knew he was likely at home with Kimera and Rico, but it wouldn’t hurt to check. It was locked up tight. Exiting the rear of the clubhouse, I walked the couple of streets back to his house. Knocking on the door, it was all I could do not to yell for him to answer. But if I did and disturbed Rico or Kimera, he’d kick my ass.

When he opened it, I didn’t even bother to say hello. “I need to know when Haven left the compound.”

“She left? Shit. Come in. Follow me. Kimera and Rico are still asleep, so try to keep it down,” he cautioned softly.

I followed him to his home office. Closing the door, he sat down at his screens and began typing away. He had almost as many here as he did at the clubhouse. I restlessly paced as he worked. It was about ten minutes or more before he swore, “Goddamn.”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing other than she left last night. It seems it was after Dravin dropped her off and went to pick up the others. It was late, and Devlin was in the clubhouse. No one saw her leave.”

“Son of a bitch! Where do you think she went?”

“I could see if I can pick her up on the camera feeds in town. Or search for her phone signal.”

“You do that. I’m heading to town to see if I can find her.”

“Would she have gone to Gareth and Annie’s?”

I had no idea if she would or not, but it was worth a try. Not wanting to warn her I was coming if she was there, I decided to go there next and not call. “Thanks, I’ll go see. If you find her, let me know.”

“I will. Good luck. Tink, I think once she calms down and thinks about it, she’ll see that you love her. Look at what I did, and Kimera forgave my stupidity.”

He was right. “I hope so. Thanks, man. I gotta go.”

He didn’t keep me. I let myself out while he got to work. I ran back to the clubhouse to get my bike. In no time, I was riding toward town. When I pulled up in front of Gareth and Annie’s house, I was devastated that I didn’t see Haven’s car. I was about to turn around and ride through town when Gareth came outside. He gave me a narrow-eyed stare and gestured for me to come inside. Knowing I couldn’t leave without some explanation, even if this were the last thing I wanted to do, I shut off my bike and reluctantly walked over to him.

“We need to talk. I want to know what the fuck is going on. My niece ran off last night in tears. No one will tell us anything other than there was a fight with a group of women and that she needed time alone. Now, you’re here, and it’s not to see us.”

Sighing, I nodded. “You’re right. I’m looking for Haven. I’ll tell you what happened, but I can’t stay long. I need to find her.”

Entering the house, I was led to the kitchen, where Annie was drinking coffee. She popped to her feet when she saw me and then frowned when she didn’t see Haven. “What’s wrong? Are you going to tell us what last night was about?”

Not knowing how to start other than just to do it, I sat down. She poured me a cup of coffee, and I used that time to organize my thoughts before I launched my explanation. I told them how I’d thought I wanted Annie and then my decision not to settle down. Then, I told them how I changed my mind after meeting Haven and gave up my stupid vow. As I did, I was surprised that Gareth didn’t deck me or Annie didn’t express shock or outrage.

The room was silent when I finished explaining how it came out last night. I was waiting for Gareth to kick my ass out or punch me. I wouldn’t blame him. And it was a shame because he was not only Annie’s husband and my woman’s uncle, but I also liked him for himself. I thought we were becoming friends. It was Annie who broke the silence, and what she said stunned me.

“Oh, Tinker, I wish we’d had this talk before now. Or, at the very least, I talked to Haven about this. No wonder she’s upset. No one wants to feel they’re second best or not wanted. To think it’s someone you’re close to who’s the one your man wants has to hurt. We’ve all been avoiding this, and as a result, we hurt someone we love.”

“What do you mean, we’ve all been avoiding it? I don’t understand,” I asked.

She exchanged a loving look with Gareth. He was remarkably composed. He nodded.

“I mean, I suspected you saw me as more than a friend. I knew it wasn’t serious, but I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, so I pretended not to know. I assumed it would run its course, and you’d forget about me. We’ve loved each other as friends for a long time, Tinker. And you’re a handsome man, but I don’t see you that way. When I met Gareth, I hoped that I might’ve found someone I could spend time with, if nothing else. As time passed and our feelings developed, I spent more time away.

“When you didn’t say anything, I hoped it meant you’d seen the error of your thinking. It wasn’t until after I brought Gareth to meet the club and saw how it impacted you that I knew I was wrong. I hated how I hurt everyone, but particularly you. I kept praying you’d get over it. I was losing hope when Haven came to live with us. The moment you met her, I saw the sparks, even if you tried to deny them.”

“What do you have to say to all this, Gareth? I’d plant my fist in your face if I were in your shoes.”

He chuckled dryly. “Oh, I thought about it when Annie told me. It was after I met all of you before we got married. I admit, it was because of her that I didn’t. And I watched you closely. While you never made a move, I saw you were struggling. When Haven came here and Annie expressed her hope for the two of you, I wasn’t happy. However, she assured me you wouldn’t start something with my niece if you had feelings for anyone else. When you more or less ignored Haven, I was concerned. I knew she liked you and had enough heartache due to that bastard, Rick. Then you’re gung-ho to be with her the next thing we know. Again, it was my wife who kept me from confronting you. Instead, I sat back and watched.”

“And do you believe me that I don’t have anything other than feelings of friendship for Annie? And that I love Haven? I swear on my entire club, it’s true. Annie is a great woman, and it was that I was trying to make into something more. We were already friends, and she understood the club and our lives. It seemed like a no-brainer. No offense, Annie.”

“None taken,” she assured me.

“Thank God. I’m sorry I made such a mess of things. Any suggestions on where I might find Haven or how to convince her she’s the one I love and that she’s not second best?”

“I wish we knew. She doesn’t know anyone here other than us and the club. She wouldn’t go back to Blacksburg. Maybe she went for a drive or stayed in a hotel last night,” Annie suggested.

My phone chiming saved us from speculating further. It alerted me to a text. I fumbled, getting it out of my inner cut pocket. It was Spawn.

Spawn: I found her. She’s at a hotel in Abington. Sending GPS. Good luck.

I hastily replied.

Me: TY. I owe you.

Spawn: ??

“She’s in Abington at a hotel. I’ve got to go. I know we need to discuss this more, but it’ll have to wait. I need to find her and figure out how to convince her I love and only want her and to keep her from kicking my ass to the curb.”

“Go. We’ll be here when you’re ready to talk,” Gareth promised.

Not wasting another second, I rushed out of the house. It was only about a twenty-minute ride. I could do it in less.