Steven (The Skulls Book 15) Read online

  “Okay, can we just focus right now, please? Seriously, there’s not a competition. I’m fine. I’m heading home. Call me if you need anything, Drew,” she said, climbing into the car. She hoped that they’d just leave each other alone.

  For several seconds they just stared at each other, and then Drew said his goodbyes and left.

  “Did you need to do that?” she asked.

  Fighter climbed behind the wheel and glanced at her. “That kid is in love with you.”

  “No, he’s not.” He couldn’t be in love with her. He couldn’t. “He’s my friend, and I’ve never given him cause to believe that we’re going to be anything different.”

  They headed back home, and she was pleased about that. She was starting to get a bad headache now.

  “I really appreciate you coming and getting me.”

  “I told you, anytime you need a ride, call.”

  She nodded, and rubbed her knee.

  “Is it hurting?”

  “It’s letting me know I’m in for a rough couple of hours, that’s all. I’ll rest. It’ll be fine.”

  It wasn’t long before they were outside her parents’ house. “Thank you, Fighter.”

  Climbing out of the car, she smiled as Fighter also got out and grabbed her bag. “Thank you.”

  “Do you need help inside?”

  “No, I’m okay.” She didn’t look back until she was inside, and she could give him a wave.

  Lacey, Whizz, and Daisy were at the clubhouse so she had the house to herself this evening. She did intend to veg out on the sofa, but right now, a shower was what she wanted more than anything.

  ****

  Steven didn’t say a word as he looked at her. She hadn’t turned around yet, but this was the first time he’d seen her in a couple of weeks.

  When she did turn around, she saw him, screamed, and nearly collapsed in a heap. If he hadn’t reached out for her and caught her, she’d have fallen to the floor.

  “What the hell! I thought you were a burglar or something!” When she was on her feet, she slapped his hand. “What the hell were you doing?”

  “Waiting for you to turn around to see me. I thought you’d like that.”

  She glared at him. “I was supposed to have the entire house to myself. I’ve not seen you in days, Steven, and when I did you gave me a damn wave and walked away.” She looked down at his hands on her and pulled away.

  The glare that she was giving him was so cute.

  “I can’t talk to you right now. You just nearly gave me a damn heart attack.” She pushed past him, and began to make her way upstairs. He watched her ass, and knew without a doubt that she was hurting.

  Gritting his teeth, Steven ran fingers through his hair, annoyed with himself. When she had made it clear of the stairs, he waited, listening for her. Glancing across the hall, he stared at the family picture that Lacey had been determined for them to have. Whizz and Lacey stood behind Daisy and Sally. Whizz had a hand on Sally’s shoulder, an arm around Lacey, and Daisy was sitting on Sally’s lap. They looked like a weird family, but that was exactly what they were.

  “If you think for a second that I’m going to stand by and let you near my daughter you’ve got another think coming. She deserves better than this, better than us, and she’s going to get to live her life the way she sees fit.”

  That had been Whizz’s only warning to him a few months ago, for which he’d gotten Lash to be mediator between them. Whizz was taking his type of parenting way too far. Steven respected it, even if he didn’t agree with it. Lash had told him to wait and give Whizz time. Ever since Sally lost her leg, Whizz had been overprotective of her, and for a good reason. Steven should listen to Whizz, but his heart was with that woman upstairs, and he wasn’t going to leave her, nor was he going to stop loving her.

  When his cell phone began to ring, she paused on the step, and he gritted his teeth. He had no choice but to answer it. Picking it up, he accepted the call, and saw it was from Lola, Sinner’s woman, and the Chaos Bleeds’ version of Whizz.

  “What do you want?” he asked.

  “Devil is starting to ask questions, and I don’t like it.”

  “I told you to remove all traces to you.”

  “Yeah, well, he stopped by for a surprise visit, and guess what, I was surprised. I don’t know what to do anymore, Steven. I can’t give you any more details now. You’re going to have to stop.”

  “There was more from that list?” Steven asked, glancing up the stairs.

  He heard the static over the phone, and knew he wasn’t going to like this. “I found one of the buried statements that Sally gave as a child, Steven. It’s … detailed and not good. One of her foster parents used to pass her around among his friends. They would have fun with her, and then lock her in a cage until they were ready to use her again.”

  “What the fuck! What happened to get that buried, Lola?”

  Silence met his answer, and he knew in his heart the reason.

  “The fucker was part of the parties that abused Sally, wasn’t he?” he asked. This just made it worse to Steven. The man who was supposed to be investigating the abusive bastards was in fact part of it.

  “Steven, we need to stop this.”

  “I made a vow before myself, and before God, that I would send those motherfuckers to hell.”

  “You’re not religious,” she said.

  He gritted his teeth. Sally, the woman he loved, had been through hell, and he was going to make sure that no one ever came near her again.

  “Send me the bastard’s details.”

  “No,” Lola said. “I told you, I can’t. This will come back to both clubs, and we’ve already caused enough mess. This guy … he’s in law enforcement. Please, give this up.”

  Before he could say anything else, she hung up the phone. Steven stared at it, and wanted nothing more than to destroy another phone. Instead, he placed it in his pocket. There were several pictures he had on his phone that kept him sane.

  Walking up the stairs, he knew where Sally’s room was, and glanced inside. She was rubbing her knee. The prosthetic was on the floor. Her eyes were closed, and he didn’t like the pain on her face, not one bit.

  All thought of revenge in that moment disappeared as his only focus was on Sally. He entered her private bathroom and began to run her a bath.

  “What are you doing?” Sally asked seconds later.

  He looked toward the door to find her staring at him. “I’m going to run you a bath. And you’re going to relax.” He made sure there were bubbles, and that the water was nice and warm. “There, it should be perfect for you.”

  She looked at the bath and then at him. “I need to get undressed.”

  Steven stared into her eyes and took a step toward her.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m going to help you.” He reached out toward her, and she caught his hands. The clattering sound reminded him that she was on her crutches, and now she had him for balance. The crutches didn’t bother him, nor did her missing leg. She was a survivor, a fighter, and he loved her all the more for it.

  “I’m not ready.” Her voice was shaky, and it broke his heart.

  “I know. Nothing is going to happen here, Sally. Just a bath. That is all this is.”

  “All it is?” she asked, laughing, muttering something beneath her breath.

  “What did you say?” he asked.

  “I’ve heard it before.” His hands fisted and he wanted to hurt everyone again. “Why do I feel this way with you? Why do I feel like I have to tell you every single one of my secrets?”

  “You don’t have to. I’m here if you need me.”

  “Fighter says that Drew is in love with me.”

  “Fighter’s right.”

  “I didn’t do anything to help that. I don’t … I’m … I’m confused.” She frowned as she looked at him. “Do I have to stop hanging around Drew?” He was the only true friend she’d ever known. All of her life she’d wan
ted to connect, to have a friend like him. The thought of letting him go … hurt. She didn’t want to be selfish and hurt him, though.

  Steven knew she didn’t do anything to encourage Drew’s feelings, or the club’s protectiveness. He was sure a couple of the brothers held a little crush and a soft spot for Sally. She had that way about her that was similar to Angel, Lash’s old lady, but also a strength that let everyone know she couldn’t be messed with. Also, she was a beautiful woman, no doubt about it.

  “Your hair totally rocks,” he said, stroking a curl back from her face.

  “Thank you.” She glanced down at her hair before looking at him again. With her gaze on him, she went for the top button of her shirt. He waited as she pulled the shirt off her body, revealing a plain white bra. It covered everything as it was a padded cup, but it didn’t detract from her tits. She was a fuller woman. Since losing the leg, she had lost a little weight. He had seen it falling off her.

  Lacey had also voiced her worries about Sally’s weight loss. He thought she was beautiful no matter what, but in the past year it seemed to have steadied out. From what he’d been told, Sally was struggling with the new future ahead of her.

  Moving his hands to her hips, he heard her gasp. She didn’t push him away as she opened the belt of her jeans, and began to wiggle it down.

  He helped her into the bath, and took a seat on the toilet. The bubbles that were in the tub covered her enough so that she was able to remove her bra and panties. He took them from her, noticing her shaking hand. “You don’t have to be nervous about me. I won’t do anything to you.”

  “I know. You’re, erm, you’re the first guy I’ve gotten undressed in front of. As you can see, I won’t be giving any lap dances any time soon.”

  “I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

  “Is it ugly?” she asked. The question seeming to come out of the blue.

  “Is what ugly?”

  “My knee? Do you find it unattractive? Do you look at other women and like the set that they’ve got?”

  Steven laughed. When he saw the tears in her eyes, he knew it was the wrong thing to do.

  Chapter Two

  Leaning back in the tub, Sally tried to control her feelings. It was really fucking hard. Why did he laugh? Was it because she was so stupid to ask? This was why she enjoyed being around Drew. He never brought any attention to her leg, or make her feel aware of it. In fact, when she was with him, it was the last thing she thought about. He made her laugh so much.

  In that moment, she missed him, and wished she’d not come home to this empty house, or even to Steven.

  He got up from the toilet and knelt beside the tub.

  She wasn’t afraid of him. Even as she was getting undressed, he made her aware that she was a woman, and he made her ache. This was the difference between Drew and Steven. Drew made her laugh. Steven, he made her feel everything. There was no pause when it came to him. Staring into his eyes, she waited to see what he’d say, and still he said nothing for the longest time. He reached into the bath and grabbed her hand, locking their fingers together.

  Staring at their hands, she saw how different they were. Steven’s were a little darker tanned than hers, from being out in the sunlight. She rarely ventured outside into the sun unless she had to. His hand also seemed to show his age. Her nails were bitten down as it was one of her coping mechanisms, biting her nails. She’d never grown out of it, not even as a kid.

  “Your leg doesn’t even register to me, Sally. It means so little to me because it’s all part of who you are, and you’re what matters. I don’t look at other women because I don’t see them. I only see you, and I think you’re beautiful.”

  “I wasn’t looking for compliments.”

  “I know.”

  “If Whizz catches you here, he’s going to kill you.”

  “I also know that,” he said with a smile. It was the cheeky smile she had first seen on him that had made her attracted to him years ago. He’d always been sweet to her, and that had been a big deal to her at the time.

  She had tried to not have feelings for him, or for her crush to mean anything. He could have anyone he wanted. Angel had shown her a picture of what he’d been like before he was part of The Skulls. He’d been so thin. None of his muscles had grown, and he’d seemed awkward, his messy blond hair falling all over the place. Now his body had filled out. His arms were so thick that she didn’t think for a second she could get her hands around them. His blue eyes sparkled with life and a playfulness that she rarely saw anymore.

  “Do you have feelings for Drew?” he asked.

  “No. I don’t know. It’s complicated. He’s my best friend.”

  “Sometimes best friends have feelings for one another.”

  She frowned. “We can’t do this, can we?”

  “We can do anything we want to do, Sally. No one can stop us. You’re a fully grown woman.”

  “But … my dad, Whizz, he’s not going to be happy. He told me that he doesn’t want me to pick a club brother or anyone. I’m … I don’t know what to do.”

  “Do what your heart tells you to do.”

  She wanted him, and that was the problem. She didn’t want to be with anyone else, but she also didn’t want to hurt her dad. He’d come for her, and given her a life she never for a second thought she deserved.

  Pulling her hand away from him, she sank down into the water. Steven didn’t go. He rested his head on his hands, observing her. “You need to do what you’re happy with, Sally. Nothing more.”

  “Why did you come here?” she asked. “You kiss me, and then you leave. When I see you, you wave, and you don’t talk to me anymore. I’ve texted you, asking everything I can think of to try and make some sense of it all, and I’m confused. You confuse me.”

  “I’ve been taking care of some business.”

  “Club business?”

  He hesitated. “Personal business. It was important for me to do this.”

  She didn’t like that, especially as it felt like he was holding something back.

  “I don’t like you hanging around Drew, but I also know you’re friends with him. I’m not going to ask you to stop.”

  “Oh. Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say. Steven confused her. Part of her had hoped that her feelings for him had remained in the friend category. Of course, that hadn’t happened.

  He laughed. “Do you remember when this was easy? When you were just a kid, and none of this mattered?”

  “You wouldn’t be in my bathroom if I was just a kid.”

  “Very true. I don’t like leaving you behind.”

  Sally sighed. They were back to that. She didn’t want to break her father’s trust, but she also didn’t want to let Steven go. “I’m thinking of changing my courses at college.” This was a much safer topic than anything else.

  “You can do that?”

  “Yeah, I’ve been talking to a few of my professors, and they think I should be able to make a change depending on the area I want to move on.”

  “Social work isn’t for you?”

  She shook her head. “No. It’s fine thinking that as someone who has been through the system that you’d be able to handle anything, the truth is I don’t know what I can handle.”

  “Don’t underestimate yourself.”

  “Could I walk away though? Could I let a girl go through what I know can happen? I just see myself getting thrown in jail because I broke the law and didn’t go through the proper channels. I was known for being a liar, Steven. That stuff is hard to shake, and when no one is listening to you, it gets so lonely.”

  “I’ll always listen to you, and remember that what would be different is you’ll have The Skulls at your back.”

  “You’re not above the law.” She thought about Gash. Even though he’d killed a lot of people, it had been a bogus charge of rape and murder that had put him in jail. It had all been false.

  “We’re not above the law, I know that, b
ut you see, we can help you. You’ll never be alone again.” He held his hand up, and she stared at it for several seconds before placing hers on top. Locking their fingers together, she felt whole when he touched her. It was the first time she had ever felt anything at all. She liked that feeling more than anything else. “You’ll always have me.”

  “Thank you.”

  He took her hand, and pressed a kiss to her wrist. “Let me know when you’re ready to get out.”

  “Where are you going?” she asked, watching him leave.

  “I’m going to make you some of your favorite.”

  “Angel’s hot chocolate?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve asked her for the recipe, and she won’t let me have it,” Sally said. “No one does hot chocolate like her.”

  “That’s because I asked her not to give it to you.” Steven leaned against the doorframe.

  He looked so manly standing like that. She rolled over and gripped the edge of the tub, smiling at him. “Why is that?”

  “Because I want it to be special so that no one else can give you what I do.” He came forward, and dropped a kiss to her forehead. “Nice ass, baby.”

  Before she could do anything, he was gone. Her cheeks were a bright red, and she sighed. This was what made it hard for her to give up Steven after everything her father had asked. Steven made her recognize that she was a woman, and he was the first person she had ever wanted to … go all the way with. It was a huge step, and one she wasn’t ready for, but when she did think about it, it was always Steven.

  Drew was safe. She didn’t feel anything other than friendship with him. He didn’t make her think of sex.

  She thought about it a lot as well. In the middle of the night when she woke up from a certain kind of dream, she’d be all hot and bothered, and it was only Steven that could make her feel, make her ache for him.

  Sally didn’t linger in the tub. She didn’t want to. Washing her hair and body, she let the water soak away before climbing out. It wasn’t as easy as it used to be, but she had found over the past couple of years she’d gotten a lot of upper body strength, and was able to move herself quite easily. Reaching down for her crutches, she picked them up, and made her way into the bedroom. There, she sat on the edge of the bed, dried herself, and then grabbed a pair of shorts and a shirt. Strapping her prosthetic on, she glanced in the mirror, and quickly combed her hair. Feeling a little like herself again, she made her way downstairs.