Текст книги "Incandescent "

Автор книги: River Savage

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 17 страниц)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Kadence

We pull up to the compound just before four p.m. After Nix had his way with me on the kitchen counter, proving how hard he could fuck me, we had breakfast and then spent the rest of the morning in his bed. After he had fed me lunch, he brought me home in his big-ass truck. I missed the bike, but I knew he was on his way to pick up Z so I didn’t complain. Holly was home, but that didn’t stop him from kissing me senseless, before leaving me to go pick up Z and get ready for the club BBQ.

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. I’ve said all along, I’m not sure where this thing between us was going, but the turning point for me was the night I told him about my burns. I never considered that letting him in and revealing that part of me could bring us closer together, but it has. I feel like we are at a new phase in our relationship, but I also feel like I’m in way over my head. When it’s just Nix and me, I feel comfortable, happy and content, but taking it further, letting Z see this part of us, freaks me out. How do I act? What if he hates this?

“So is Sy going to be here?” Holly asks, pulling me out of thoughts of Z having a massive fit about us.

“I’m sure he will be, Holly,” I tell her as she slowly makes her way up the long gravel drive of the Knights Rebels compound. My head is already going through every scenario and I’m freaking the fuck out.

“Do you know what you are getting yourself into, Kadence?” Shutting off the engine to her beat-up Honda, she turns to look at me.

“I have got no idea, Hol, but there’s something there. Nix has made me realize how much in the past I’ve been living,” I tell her, turning to face her. “I don’t know where this is going, but I’m ready to move on. I'm ready for some goodness.”

She smiles, reaching for my hand. “I’m glad, babe. If anyone deserves it, it’s you. Now, let's go have us a hot biker BBQ,” she cheers, getting out of the car, her short skirt and tight tank sure to capture some of the guys’ attention. I opted for jeans and a tank.

Walking up to the front door, I notice a few more bikes in the compound. My hands sweat knowing we’re moving into new territory, and I’m not sure if my heart is ready for it. My head screams, telling me it’s a good thing, but my heart is second-guessing if introducing us to Z is the right thing to do.

“Come on, woman. Suck it up,” Holly says, noticing my reservations before dragging me through the door, apparently eager to see inside the clubhouse.

Leather and smoke assault my senses and I drag a breath in, my body remembering the scent as all Nix. I’m beginning to love this place. Music beats out of the surround speakers making the framed pictures hanging on the walls next to us shake slightly. Children, women, and their men fill the room, their voices fighting to be heard over the music. Holly takes me straight to the bar, ordering us two Coronas from Hunter.

“This place is great!” Holly marvels, taking a drink from her beer.

“Kadence,” Jesse calls from behind me. I spin on my stool to face him. He leans down and kisses my cheek. “Good to see you here, darlin',” he whispers to me, a slight grin on his lips. Jesse steps back and then looks over my shoulder. “I don’t think we’ve formally met,” he drawls. I turn back to Holly, watching Jesse bring her hand to his lips. Real smooth.

“Holly, this is Jesse. Jesse, this is my best friend, Holly,” I do the introduction without much enthusiasm.

“Hello, sweetheart.” He moves in close and I have to laugh. I think all these men have it bad for themselves, but Jesse takes the cake. The guy is the modern-day Casanova.

“Hi.” She barely gives him a glance, not affected by his blatant flirting. Holly’s disinterest doesn't deter Jesse. His play is only taken to the next level when he reaches out and pushes a loose strand of hair from her face.

“Geez, you’re a pretty little thing, aren’t ya?” he states, and both Holly and I roll our eyes. Watching Jesse with his blond messy hair and tanned skin standing next to Holly’s similar coloring, you can’t help see they would make a cute couple. However, I know the type of guys Holly goes for, and Jesse’s good-boy looks are not her type.

“You done?” Sy’s voice comes up behind me. A tremor slides down my spine at his dark, menacing tone. I don’t turn to face him, but from the look Holly is giving him, I know he is pissed. I freaking knew he has something for Holly.

“Sorry, brother, am I stepping on some toes here?” Jesse pulls back from Holly. I slightly shift in my stool, the temptation too much for me not to watch this play out. Sy looks more pissed off. Whether at himself or at Jesse, I’m not sure, but if I have to guess, I will say he doesn't like seeing Jesse talking up Holly.

“No toes,” Holly pipes up, her manicured hand reaching out and grabbing onto Jesse’s massive bicep. The little vixen knows what she’s doing. If I didn’t know her so well, I would say she’s playing it totally cool.

“Fuck me,” Sy grunts out under his breath.

“Wanna show me around?” Holly asks Jesse as she stands from her stool, her eyes still fixed on Sy, holding his gaze. He holds hers back, his eyes narrowing and the tick in his jaw moving at a dangerous beat. He follows their movements as they walk past, glaring daggers at Jesse when he turns to give him the thumbs up.

“Have you seen, Nix?” I ask Sy after sitting with him for a few minutes in an uncomfortable silence. Shit, I have no idea what to say to him, and I’m nowhere near stupid enough to ask him what that whole scene with Holly was about.

“Out the back with Z,” he supplies, taking a pull of his beer.

“Thanks, Sy.” I smile awkwardly, leaving him alone. I’m not sure how his moods work, but I’d rather be out with Nix facing Z, then sitting with him. The guy is one scary man. Walking through the club, I look around at the men and women here today. Most of the men have been around the last few times I’ve been here. I smile and wave as I pass them. Walking outside, I spot Nix and Z with a ball and mitt throwing back and forth between them near a large metal shed. There are a few kids running around, people standing around in small groups, but my stare is lost on Nix playing ball with his son.

Jesus, if that isn’t a turn on I don’t know what is.

Unsure what to do, I hang back and wait for them to finish up. I spot Jesse and Holly talking to Brooks and a woman who must be his wife; their daughter, a spitting image of her mom, bounces up and down on his lap.

“Hello,” a woman with big hair and even bigger tits comes up to me before I can make my way over to them. The sway in her hips telling me she’s not shy at all. “You’re new around here,” she remarks, clearly not caught up on who I am. I nod and smile before discreetly looking her up and down. I have no doubt in my mind that this piece of work is Chrissie. The guys have warned me of her.

“Miss Turner,” Z calls out spotting me from his game. Dropping his mitt, he runs toward me. The woman narrows her eyes at me; I’m sure assessing me like I was just doing to her. I don’t react, just step around her to greet Z.

“Hey, Z,” I say, feeling less awkward than I thought I would. Z looks a lot older for his age. His tall frame stands a foot shorter than me. He seems happy to see me, and I can only hope today goes well.

"Hey, Miss Turner," he smiles.

“Hey, Nix,” Big Tits behind me calls out as he makes his way to us. She walks past me to him as he gets closer. I’m somewhat dreading how I will react if she touches him.

“You know the fuckin’ rules, Chrissie. It’s a family get-together. Leave now.” He steps out of her way, reaching out to grab me around the back of my neck to pull me into him. Bending at the neck, his lips seek mine in an act of dominance that I don’t fight, but take it for what it is. A claiming in front of his club, letting them all know that I’m his. I open up. A soft sigh comes from my mouth earning me a growl. His hands come to my loose hair, fisting and then pulling my head back to give him more control.

The kiss takes over, and I get completely lost to everyone and everything around us. Nix consumes me, surrounds me while taking everything from me. The sound of cheering breaks through the haze of our passion. Pulling back, Nix brings his forehead to mine, our breathing heavy as each other’s.

“Hey, honey,” I say, smiling at his smile. The gentleness of his features melts me when he shows me his soft side.

“You came,” he simply replies, no teasing; more disbelief.

“Of course I came. You told me to.”

“You’ve been known not to do as you’re told,” he reminds me before quickly kissing me again and then pulling back, his smile this time teasing me. The cheers calm down, and I come to my senses remembering Z is standing next to me. Shit!

I pull out of Nix’s arms and turn to face him, but he’s gone. For a second, I worry we’ve embarrassed him or upset him at our public display of affection.

“It's okay. He’s over by Brooks,” Nix calms me, sensing my panic. I turn, looking for him. His eyes find mine before he’s smiling over at me. I smile back, relieved that he isn’t freaked out by me being here.

“Had a word with him before you got here.” Nix leans down to my ear again so only I can hear. “He’s fine with this,” he tells me. A weight of worry lifts from my shoulders, relieved that he spoke to him.

“Want something to eat?” he offers, standing back from me. I nod, ready to move past the attention Nix just gathered us. “Come on. Beau is grilling today.” He takes my hand, walking me over to Beau. I’m still not sure about Beau. I wonder if his issue with me is more than me escaping.

“Hey, Beau,” I smile, hoping he warms up to me soon. He's Nix’s best friend and things could get awkward, fast.

“Kadence,” he replies in his way of greeting. Okay, so maybe not today. I grab a plate ready to move on.

“You speak with T?” Nix asks Beau.

“Yeah, he can’t get a hold on him. Thinks he’s gone underground.” Nix nods, looking deep in thought.

“Still think they’re planning something.” He sounds annoyed.

“You okay?” I ask after a few moments of awkward silence. I don’t know what they’re talking about, but whatever it is has Nix worried.

“Yeah, just some club shit. Let's go find Z.” He takes my hand and leads me over to where he’s sitting with Brooks. After introducing me to Kelly, Brooks’ beautiful wife, and their adorable little girl, Mia, I start to relax.

“What did she say to you?” Kelly asks, bouncing Mia on her lap. Kelly is the only old lady around my age. After eating, Nix had to go off and deal with some ‘shit’ so he left me with Kelly. She let me in on the gossip regarding me putting Tina in her place and filled me in on the woman known as Chrissie, aka big hair and bigger tits. Apparently, I missed the words Nix gave her before I got there. Skanks like her aren’t allowed on family days, only on club nights. Why she even tried, Kelly doesn’t know.

“Just observed I was new around here,” I tell her, not concerned about the woman.

Kelly nods her head. “I don’t trust her,” she shakes her head. “You should have seen her storm off after she saw that kiss. The woman is delusional. Really close with Addi too,” she adds. “Which reminds me, how is Z doing?”

“Better. Since seeing the school counselor, I’ve noticed small changes in him. This morning, Nix and I talked about what could be bothering him and it all comes back to his mom,” I admit before I remember she was her best friend.

“Yeah, I think so too,” she agrees, making me feel less bad that I just blamed his mom.

Addison is one subject I don’t like to get into, especially with Nix. Letting Z know about our relationship is a big step for me. I wanted to wait until the end of next month, when school is out and he moves up a grade. I feel bad that Nix feels like he’s been hiding us from him, but the situation we are in can go either way. I’m Z’s teacher and the school doesn’t know about our relationship; I hope that if they do find out before the school year ends, they don’t make too much of a deal about it.

As the afternoon progresses, Holly continues to piss Sy off, ignoring him while teasing him at the same time. They’ve got this kind of sexual tension that seems like they are familiar with each other, yet they've barely held a conversation. Even Nix notices that something is up. I try to talk to her about it, but she just keeps blowing me off.

Z shows no signs of feeling uncomfortable with my being in his dad’s clubhouse. He even hung out with us most of the time. The day was a success. It also solidified in my mind that I really want things to work out between Nix and me.

Until his ex-wife walks in.

I’m sitting next to Z talking with Kelly and Brooks when I realize something is wrong. Z freezes next to me. His happy, normal self sinks further in his chair and I’m instantly on alert.

“Are you all right, Z?” I ask, reaching out and lightly touching his arm.

“Bitch, get your hands off my son,” Addison’s voice yells out across the back courtyard.

“Addison!” Nix warns, calling out from across the huge area where he was talking with Jesse. He begins stalking closer with long steps.

“Sorry, Prez.” Hunter comes up behind Addison, obviously the one to let her in. “She fucking said it was an emergency.” He shakes his head, clearly realizing he fucked up.

“Z, come with me,” Kelly says, jumping into action, standing from her spot next to me and holding out her hand.

“Z, it’s time to go, now!” Addison yells, walking closer to us.

“I’m warning you, Addison,” Nix comes up, standing in front of us.

Everyone is quiet around us, but my brain is trying to keep up with Nix and Addison yelling at each other and Kelly trying to convince Z, who refuses to leave, watching his father and mother stand up against each other.

“Z, go with Kelly, would ya, bud?” Nix turns to look at his son.

“Like fuck,” Addison spits out, still being a pain in the ass and only pissing Nix off more.

“Z, look at me, buddy.” Z’s eyes find his dad’s. “Go inside.” He nods to him, letting him know that it’s going be okay.

“Z, get your ass in the car. We’re going, now. Get your shit together.” Z stands locked in their battle, unmoving, stuck between who to listen to. Reaching my hand out to his shoulder, I squeeze it to get his attention. I feel sorry for him, standing there watching his parents go at it with each other and fighting over him. I’ve never experienced anything like it before.

“Get your hands off my son, bitch,” Addison yells again and I watch Z flinch.

That’s the second time she’s called me a bitch, the temper in me slowly rising each time she spits it at me, but I ignore it for Z’s benefit. He doesn’t need to see this, bigger things are happening.

“Z?” I softly call. He looks up at me, his eyes pleading with me.

“I don’t wanna go home with mom,” he whispers, just for my ears.

“It’s okay, Z. I won’t let her take you, but you need to go with Kelly so your mom and dad can talk, okay?” He nods his head and moves forward with Kelly, Mia in her arms. Brooks moves in now, standing closer to me.

“Z, quit being fucking stupid. I’m not gonna tell you again, get your fucking shit and get in the goddamn car.” She reaches out as he passes her. Z shrinks back like he’s frightened that she is going to hit him, the ugliness of her words settling around everyone who's here.

“What the fuck, Addison?” Nix’s voice takes on a coldness that I’ve yet to hear. I step in closer to his side. I know he wouldn’t hit her, but the tension in the air is so thick, who knows what’s about to happen. Everyone is on alert, Jesse, Beau and Sy, all moving closer.

“You speak to my boy like that? What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Kelly takes Z’s hand and walks him past his parents, away from the shit storm that’s brewing.

“Why is Z’s teacher getting comfortable with our son?” Addison immediately begins when Kelly closes the door.

“I’m not telling you anythin’, woman. You think you can walk in, spewin’ your fucked-up shit. The only reason my hands aren’t on you, draggin’ your sorry ass out of here is ‘cause our son is sittin’ in the next goddamn room scared out of his fuckin’ mind,” Nix grates out, his temper riding the wave of the anger we all are feeling at her words and the way she spoke to Z.

“Don’t be dramatic, Nix,” she scoffs, like it’s no big deal she just tried to put her hands on her son.

“Fuckin’ tell me why I shouldn’t just do it? Speakin’ to our son like that, the shit you’re spewing is affectin’ my boy. What the fuck is your problem?” He asks the question that’s on everyone’s lips.

I go to walk past them, not prepared to be a part of it. Watching Z shut down like that, it’s not hard to see that his issue has to do with his mom. After meeting with them back at the classroom weeks ago, I would never have guessed that things could be this bad. Nix’s hand comes out, grabbing my wrist in his fingers.

“You’re stayin’,” he firmly states.

“What the fuck?” Addison screeches. Knowing that I’m not going to get very far arguing with the man, I nod, agreeing to stay.

“So you’re fucking Z’s teacher now? Is that it? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

I swallow past the urge to defend myself, to tell her it’s none of her business, but I kind of know it is so I just shut my mouth, knowing things will only just get more out of hand.

‘We’ll talk about that in a minute,” Nix says, letting go of his hold on me, and taking a large step into her space. “First we’re gonna discuss why you’re in my club. Then we’re gonna establish why you think speakin’ to my boy like that would ever be okay. ‘Cause I’m tellin’ you now, woman, I ever hear you talk to him like that again, we're gonna have fuckin’ huge problems.” He takes a step back but still stands in her space. Addison nods her head, swallowing loudly but with a scowl still on her face.

“What are you doin’ here?” he asks again, seemingly calmer than me. How he can seem so controlled, while I stand here overwhelmed with anger and a need to protect Z, impresses me.

“Heard she was here.” She points to me, hatred etched over her face.

“So? You think that gives you the right to walk into my club? What happens while Z is in my care is my responsibility.”

“You fucking her?” she hisses with disdain.

“That’s none of your business,” I say, interrupting them, forgetting I should keep my mouth shut.

“I’m not talking to you, bitch,” Addison spits out at me.

“That’s the last time you call her a bitch. You speak only to me. We have enough problems, Addison. Don’t create more.” Nix squeezes my hand, letting me know that he has this. Frustration and anger flow through me. Seriously, this woman is a piece of work.

"Go home, Addison. I'm not gettin’ into it with you tonight in your state,” Nix tells her.

“I’m taking Z with me,” she continues not to listen.

“Like hell you are. After today, I’m not even sure I’m bringin’ him back after my four days.” I have to agree with that idea, knowing for sure that Z won’t be safe at his mom’s. I saw the fear in his reaction; something or someone has instilled that in him.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Addison scoffs, not getting how fucked she really is.

“Wouldn’t I? I’m over this bullshit you keep pullin’. Z is my main concern, and this just seals the deal. You need to leave Addison, now, before I do somethin’ I’m gonna regret. Somethin’ Z doesn't need to see.”

“This is all your fault,” she seethes, taking her anger out on me. “You’re a home-wrecker,” she accuses.

“Right, you blew it,” Nix snaps, signaling Sy and Jesse. “This conversation is over,” he states, pulling me away from her. Sy takes one arm and Jesse the other, pulling her along. She doesn’t leave without a fight, kicking and screaming.

“Fuck you, Nix. You’re my husband. You’re fucking my husband, bitch,” she continues to scream as Sy and Jesse struggle with her.

“Are you okay?” I ask as she is dragged away around the corner.

“Who fuckin’ told her Kadence was here?” he bellows out to everyone standing around. “We got a songbird on our hands,” he sneers.

“Nix,” Brooks speaks up, “it was probably fucking Chrissie, relax,” he says trying to calm him down as everyone starts leaving, heading inside to give Nix some space.

“You right, brother?” Beau comes up, looking concerned.

“I don’t know. Let’s go find out how bad I’ve fucked up here.” He rubs the tops of his eyes.

“Hey, this is not your fault, Nix.” I take his hand. I can see the anger working behind his eyes.

“She’s been speakin’ to him like that when I’m not around. Who fuckin’ knows what else she’s been doin’?”

“We don’t know that. Going in there angry might frighten him, okay?” I try to coax him off the ledge. I can see he’s slowly slipping, can see how he might not get a grip on it, but he has to, for Z. He sits on a vacant chair as the guys leave us alone.

“Do you think this is what’s been goin’ on? Why he’s been so withdrawn?” he asks after few minutes of silence.

I want to say no, maybe it was a one-off, but I see the fear in his eyes, hear his plea.

“I think so. The signs are there,” I give it to him honestly.

“Why wouldn’t he tell me?”

“Maybe he was scared, Nix. You saw the look on his face.”

“Fuck,” he breathes out, grabbing onto my hand. “I’ve fucked up badly here.”

“How? This isn’t on you,” I tell him, even though I know he won’t listen. I can already see his mind ticking over at what he missed.

This is on Addison. A mother’s job is to protect her child, not abuse their trust. You can see in Z’s reaction something isn’t right. Something has broken that trust.

“Dad?” Z calls from the back door, his expression lost and scared.

“Hey, bud, come and sit with me.” He taps the chair next to him. I stand to give them some space.

“Can Miss Turner stay?” he asks, looking at me, so unsure.

“Yeah, she won’t go anywhere,” Nix assures him, knowing I won’t leave if he wants me here. I move over one chair so he can sit between us.

“Am I in trouble?” his voice wobbles, looking up at his father.

“Why would you be in trouble? You haven’t done anything wrong,” Nix assures him, his eyebrows creasing.

“I’m sorry, Dad. I didn't know how to tell you.” Z sounds so uncertain, I can’t help but reach out. I take his hand in mine, trying to offer some comfort. He has nothing to be scared about, nothing at all.

“This been goin’ on for long?” Nix quietly asks.

“Just really started to get worse,” Z confirms.

“She touch you in anger like that before?”

I hold back the need to cry at Nix’s question. I just feel so helpless listening to him confirm what I had feared.

“Sometimes, when she’s really angry. Mostly it’s just a grab or slap and yelling at me.”

“Fuck,” Nix curses under his breath.

“I was gonna tell you this weekend, I swear, but then we had the BBQ,” he rushes out.

“Hey, Z, it’s okay. You’re not in any trouble,” I try to reassure him.

“But I should have told Dad or the counselor you sent me to. I just didn’t know what was gonna happen.”

“This is not your fault, bud. We’ll sort it out,” Nix assures him. Reaching over, he kisses his head.

“Let’s go home.” Nix stands and waits for Z’s response.

“Is Miss Turner coming?” They both look to me waiting for my answer. Shit. I want to go, to be there for both of them, but should I back off, let Nix sort this out? Looking up at Nix, he nods, giving me his answer.

“Only if you call me Kadence, but don’t tell any of the kids at school,” I smile, giving him a wink.

“I promise.” He smiles, and for a moment I forget things are about to get a whole lot messier. I don’t know what the hell Nix is going to do to Addison, and the thought alone scares me.