“Who attacked you?”
“I don’t know for certain. They were in black cloaks and had Scream masks on. I do know that people talk on campus, that there are theories . . . but I’m in no rush to go back. I don’t even know if I want to go back. I’m sorry, I have to go. This has all been . . . it’s been too much for tonight.” I open the door and exit the room, head straight for the double doors that lead into the clubhouse, and walk outside. I need the crisp November air to hit my cheeks.
I need to remind myself that I’m in Montana, with the people who will protect me regardless of the obstacles in my way.
I’m not alone here.
I’m safe.
Chapter Two
“You don’t have to see the staircase to take the first step.”
~ Flint Rehab
Ruby
Christmas Day . . .
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Grim hollers out so loudly everyone sitting on the couch turns in his direction. Natalie is directly beside him while her three little girls are with some of the other kids, over by the tree.
Natalie’s face flushes with a soft pink color and she nods while her eyes glisten.
“We’re havin’ a baby, brothers! We’re havin’ a fuckin’ baby!” Grim scoops her up into the air and lands a slammer on her. His smile so big I bet anyone could see it from the moon. Joy fills my heart as he kisses her over and over again and Natalie’s three girls rush over. My brother might not be their biological father, but no one would ever be able to tell. He loves them like they’re his, and they’re the luckiest bunch of ladies to have a dad like him.
“Here I thought it would be you who had a baby first,” I mutter to Axel with a smile.
He cocks a brow. “Me? Really? Why?”
“Because you’re the irresponsible one.” I cackle lightly and he shoves me, just the way he did when I was a little girl and he was tired of my smart mouth.
“Rotten kid,” he grumbles with a smirk.
“Axel, I’m gonna make a couple celebratory drinks. Wanna lend a hand?” Rosa asks him. He immediately gets up and crosses the distance between them. I watch from the couch as they disappear into the kitchen area, and a group of guys from the club head over to Grim and Natalie. Even Zane and Octavia are surrounding them, giving what I’m sure is their congratulations.
Looking around, I realize I’m the only person sitting on the couch so I naturally stand. A dark figure in the corner of my eye causes me to glance over and I spot Zorro leaning up against a wall, standing back in the shadows like he always does.
His deep hazel eyes meet mine and we’re both caught in a moment of disbelief. Why? I’m not sure. Though, it happens so often. I find my eyes always searching for his in a crowded room, and sometimes, I even find my hands yearning to touch his skin.
My relationship with Zorro is . . . nothing.
We’re nothing.
We’re two adults who share lingering moments, two people who know there’s something underneath the surface, but we’ve never acted on it. Well, that’s a lie. We acted on it one time—one night to be exact.
Since then, we’ve barely touched . . . and yet I find him in my bed every night, or I’m crawling into his. Nothing happens but knowing he’s next to me causes relief to flood through my veins.
Since Halloween I’ve been plagued with horrible nightmares, remembering so much of what happened. Almost every night it plays in my mind on repeat, like a broken record. Something that’ll surely drive me crazy if I don’t get a grip on it.
I break our staring match and walk over to the club’s Christmas tree. It’s something we all had a part in putting up. At about seven feet high and five feet wide, it’s massive. White, gold, and emerald green ornaments line the tree branches and a white and black plaid material is draped around it. One glance and anyone would be able to tell Ashley picked the colors. She’s a bit of a meticulous woman, always paying attention to the details.
The entire club is decked out in the same emerald green color, with white and gold accents throughout. The only dash of red I see is on the unopened presents beneath the tree. I find myself looking closer at the transparent globes with the snowflake like sparkle. Taking one in my hand, I tilt it upward and see this isn’t any Christmas decoration. It’s a traditional globe, but within it is a photograph of Zane, Fist, Ashley, and Kade. There’s another woman in the photograph, which must be their mother who’s been deceased for a long time.
Taking a step to the right, I grab the next globe and see Tex, Dracus, Bolt, and Roxy. In the photograph with them is Kat, Jordyn, and Nova. I continue looking over the globes, seeing family photographs of the club members and then I see candid shots. Photographs that must’ve been taken at a party or something.
But my eyes fall on a photograph of myself, my head dipped back in laughter at what I’m sure was a reaction to a joke. “I snapped that one,” Zorro’s deep voice speaks from beside me.
I continue looking at the photograph, loving how carefree I look. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say this woman had no problems. I’d say she didn’t even have a worry in the world. It’s almost like looking at a completely different version of myself.
Turning to my left, “Here I thought Octavia was the resident photographer.”
Zorro smiles lightly. “Yeah, well, don’t let the others know. I need to keep some of my talents hidden. You know, in case we need them.”
I nod. “Mhm, I’m sure you’re itching for a photographer assistant’s job with Octavia for the Vixens.”
He holds a finger over his lips in a ‘shh’ motion, causing me to laugh lightly.
“I think you should take a look under the tree, young lady,” Zorro states, catching me a bit off guard.
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
Kneeling down under the tree, I scan through the boxes of presents until I see a gold plaid pattern. There’s a small sticker that has my name on it, so I pick it up and rise. “This one?”
“That would be it.” God. I feel so silly now. I didn’t get Zorro anything . . . but he and I never said we were getting each other gifts. “Don’t worry if you didn’t get me anything. Your presence has been enough.”
I’m caught in his words, or maybe I’m caught in those glowing hazel eyes of his. “Zorro.”
“No, Ruby. I mean it. I . . . I’m a bit of a sourpuss in case you haven’t heard, but you make things a bit lighter around here for me. More joyful maybe? So, I wanted to get you a present to thank you for the joy you bring into my life.”
Since I don’t know what to say, I peel back the wrapping paper until I see a medium sized white box. There’s tape on all four sides so I peel those back as well, revealing gold tissue paper, and then I finally get to the core. It’s another smaller box, so I pull off the lid and shock jolts through me.
This is beautiful, and it’s way too much. “Zorro, I . . . I don’t know what to s—”
“In my culture turquoise is known not only for its protection, but to bring good fortune. My people believe it to be the stone of the gods, and while I might not be the best man when it comes to tradition, I felt this was something I should give to you, to remind you of your strength and to tell you that you always have my protection.” Zorro completely interrupts me, but his words hit me right in the heart. “But, anyway, I have something else in there for you too.”