Page 30 of Colt

15

Ember

It was getting late, and I realized I hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast yesterday. My stomach was rumbling, but I didn’t feel like eating. Deciding I needed at least a little something in my stomach so I could take more painkillers, I padded down the stairs for the second time today.

The clubhouse had been quiet throughout the day, the sound of doors opening and closing were all I heard. The banter and constant bustle I was accustomed to was notably absent. I prayed no one would be around now.

I was relieved to see the kitchen was deserted. With any luck, I would make myself a sandwich and get back to my room before anyone noticed me.

My fate here was still up in the air. Viking seemed to believe me, but I was still anxiously awaiting word from him on whether he was going to allow me to stay or not. Until then, I didn’t want to draw any more attention to myself.

Finding some ham and cheese in the refrigerator, I proceeded to make myself dinner. I peeked back in the fridge to find something to drink when I heard heavy footsteps approaching. Without looking behind me, I knew it was Colt. I had no clue how I was able to sense his presence, but it unnerved me.

I pulled out a bottle of water and turned around, bracing myself for whatever cruel thing he was going to say. Nothing I’d said earlier brought about any compassion; in fact, he seemed even angrier. He could cut me down with just a few words or a look, so I didn’t expect that to change any time soon. I also knew I needed to stop letting him treat me that way. Before, I’d had no choice, but things were different now, at least for me to some degree. I knew the truth and Viking believed me—that’s all that mattered and I’d have to remind myself of that when things got tough.

“Hey, got a second to talk?” he asked, his voice surprisingly soft.

“Sure,” I responded, so taken aback that I took a seat at the island.

He didn’t start talking right away, so I took a bite of my sandwich to stop myself from speaking first and keep my nerves in check. I didn’t want to say anything for fear it would piss him off before I had the chance to listen to what he wanted to say.

“Why didn’t you tell us about the shit with Torch before?” he asked.

I understood why he was asking the question. They deserved to know if someone was betraying the club, but I needed to protect James and Phoebe too. “When I moved here, I was hoping to find some way out of the mess back home. I just needed to know that James and Phoebe were safe, and I felt like I needed to earn your trust before any of you would believe me over a brother.”

He seemed to mull that over in his head. I wondered if he believed me or not, but I did know that nothing I said would change his mind. He had to decide for himself what he wanted to believe.

“Viking and I talked earlier; he wants to help you. He also thinks we need to find out what Torch’s end game is before we go after him.”

I was surprised by his sudden openness with me.

“What’s he going to do?”

Thinking about their need for revenge made me fearful for my brother’s safety. Torch was James’ best friend and VP. What if they thought James was involved somehow?

“Well, first off, you can’t tell anyone what you told Viking and me. We’re going to talk to the officers only since we don’t want Torch getting the drop on us. That means not telling your brother about any of this.”

That was an easy promise to make. I’d kept everything from my brother up to this point; it wouldn’t be a problem now. Besides, sharing my story twice in the last couple of days was more than enough for me. I didn’t have a desire to rehash it again with anyone else. Plus, in prison, James could do nothing and him knowing about Torch could make matters worse for everyone on the outside.

“And second?” I asked when he didn’t continue.

“Viking thinks Torch will push hard for you to return home with them.”

That was a very real possibility, and I wasn’t sure if Colt would still push for it as well. “Probably,” I said, the ham and cheese suddenly tasting like sand. “Bet you’re overjoyed.” I didn’t hide the bitterness in my voice and I was glad it took him by surprise.

His jaw ticked. “Viking’s not going to allow that, regardless of what I want. You know how it works.”

That I did, all too well. But the firmness in Colt’s voice gave me hope. “I don’t know how I’m going to say no to Torch. Everyone back home is going to expect me to follow his orders, especially since he’s in charge now.”

“Well, Viking thinks if someone in the club here has claimed you, then Torch won’t be able to force you to go home without causing issues.”

That was a brilliant idea. Guys in the club didn’t mess with another man’s woman, and when he claimed her, no one else got to push her around. Torch wasn’t able to put any claim on me since he was married, and his wife wore his patch. That one small detail may have saved me in this situation. If I wore someone else’s patch, Torch would have to think twice before double crossing one of his brothers out in the open. But I didn’t know any of the available men in this club that well. Fitz would have been my choice, but… I shook my head before the tears could form again like they always did when I thought of my friend.

“That might work, but I don’t know anyone who would do that for me.” I couldn’t imagine any of the other guys volunteering to help me like that.

“If Viking wants it to happen, it will. And, it’s not like you’ll be in an actual relationship. It’s just for show, but it might buy us some time.”

That was a good point. And I’d pretended to be in love before, but this time, it’d be for a good cause. Like me still breathing. “Okay, so who’s the unlucky guy?” I asked, throat dry. I grabbed my water bottle.