“Let’s get some clothes. I’m sure between the club whores and us, we can find some.” I suggest. Leading the way to the rooms at the far end, I open the door. This layout is different than the rest of the clubhouse. They bunk two or three to a room. It’s designed like a college dorm. There are two beds on the right side of the room and another bed on the opposite. Three dressers and a walk-in closet are between the beds. I walk to the first dresser and open the drawer. Grabbing two packages of unopened underwear and two packages of socks. I close that drawer and open the next.
“If you two want to go to the next room and see what you can find, I’ll meet you in a minute.” I direct Danyella and Aerial.
“Is it safe? They won’t have a fit if we’re in the rooms?” Danyella asks.
I spin around, “Danyella. You have more authority over these women than anyone. Besides me, of course. You’re the V.P.’s sister. If any of those whores have a problem with it, you come and find me. All these clothes are the property of the Royal Bastards. Not theirs. Anything with a Royal Bastards MC logo doesn’t belong to them and I’ll put each bitch in their place for giving you a hard time.” Aerial releases a little giggle. “Fuck. I mean shit. I mean damn it. Ah hell, I give up. Aerial, I swear. I try not to but sometimes it happens.”
“It’s OK, Monica. My mama told me that sometimes people have to swear in order to get their point across. Or when they’re really frustrated.” Aerial smiles.
“Your mama sounds like a smart woman.” I return her smile.
“She is. She’s the best.” Aerial turns her little face to Danyella. “Am I going to see her again?”
“Yeah, baby. You will real soon. Once Capone and the rest of the Royal Bastards get back, they’ll help you ladies find your families.” Danyella runs a hand down Aerial’s face, soothing the stress lines away. “I promise. And for some reason we don’t find your mama,” Danyella bends down so she’s looking directly at Aerial. “You will stay with me until we can find her. Does that sound like a deal?”
“Yes. Thank you, Dany.” Aerial wraps her little arms around Danyella’s neck and hugs her tight. They break apart and Danyella stands up.
“Come on cupcake, let’s get some clothes.” She takes Aerial’s hand and together they leave the room.
I turn back around and rummage through the dresser drawers finding sweatpants, shorts, t-shirts and bras. Once I have a big pile of clothes, I go into the walk-in closet looking for something to carry all these clothes in. I flip the light switch and enter. I hate small spaces but it has to be done. I look upon the rows of shelves until I spot a suitcase up at the top in the back. I stretch on my tiptoes and use my fingertips to move it down. Once it drops, I bend down to pick it up. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, but I brush it off as being inside this tomb. Heavy footsteps alert me someone’s in here. There should be no one here besides the brothers but my stomach sinks. My instincts are telling me I’m in trouble. I look in front of me and spot a baseball bat resting against the wall. I slowly move toward it, acting like I’m fixing the suitcase. I grab the bat with both hands, quickly. I turn and swing as hard as I can. The bat gives way into soft skin and a male oomph follows.
“What the hell, Monica?” Dagger cries with choppy breaths. He’s holding his ribs with his left hand. “If you aimed higher, you would’ve cracked my skull wide open.”
“Dagger? What the fuck are you sneaking up on me for?” I drop the bat and hurry over to him. “I’m so sorry. I heard footsteps and reacted.” I help him sit on one of the beds. He’s breathing better but still holding his ribs.
“You’re vicious with that thing.” He grunts in pain.
“I’m really sorry. What did you need?”
“To find my balls. I think they ran away when that bat came around.” He releases a deep chuckle and I laugh with him. “Anyways. I wanted to let you know you can come see Daisy when you’re done. She’s stable. I’m not sure for how long though.”
I look Dagger over from head to toe. He has blood all over his hands, arms, cut, t-shirt and jeans. Along with some on his rugged face. “Thank you. I’ll be in soon. I appreciate you doing this. Saving her life.”
“No worries.” He pats my knee with a bloody hand and stands up. “Once I find my balls, I’ll be in the room waiting for you to come see her.” Dagger walks to the door and looks at me over his shoulder. “She’s lucky to have someone like you on her side. It’s not your fault.”
“Thanks, Dagger.” I give him a brittle smile and cast my eyes down onto the carpet. He doesn’t understand it is my fault. I’m thankful for Dagger saving Daisy, but I don’t know if I can see her. See the accusations in her eyes. Blaming me.
I stand up and grab the suitcase out of the closet, turning the light off and slamming the door shut behind me. I shove everything I can inside it and zip it up.
My phone vibrates in my back pocket and I pull it out. It’s a text from Xander.
Xander: IDK if UR up but I’ll be home soon. I need you.
Tears spring to my eyes. I need him and miss him so much even though it’s only been a few hours. I need the comfort of his arms, the love in his eyes. The acceptance of the blood on my hands. I begin texting back but delete it. I do this a few more times before I decide on something simple. If he’s distracted riding back here and something happens to him, that’d be another blame I’d have to shoulder. Who am I kidding? If something happens to Xander, I’d follow him wherever he went. Come hell or high water, I’ll meet him in the afterlife. Together we will either be kicked out of heaven for creating chaos or condemned to hell for making the devil wish we weren’t there.
Monica: I’ll be here. I need you too.
Opening the door to the bedroom, I tuck my phone into my back pocket and run into Danyella and Aerial carting two suitcases full of clothes. We walk in silence to the first bathroom. I pull out the necessary clothes and knock on the door. Danyella does the same to the second bathroom. Once we have the clothes handed out, we make our way into the common room.
Dizziness overtakes me and I stumble. almost falling face-first onto the floor if Danyella didn’t catch me. “What the hell Monica? Are you OK?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I brush off her worried tone. “Just forgot where I was going.” I head into the kitchen leaving Danyella and Aerial to sort out the girls.
The prospects are cooking up a feast and the scent of eggs, bacon, French toast, hash browns and sausage makes my stomach rumble. It’s been all day since I’ve eaten anything. Must’ve been why I had that dizzy spell. I sneak a few pieces of bacon and wash it down with a bottle of water. I sit on the barstool at the five-foot-long white and blue marble island and wait for them to get done.
The kitchen is industrial size. A chef’s dream come true. We have two thirty-six-inch stainless steel stoves against one wall with a cutting board in between them. Below them are two stainless steel ovens. To the right of the stoves is a double door stainless steel refrigerator. The island I’m sitting at has a sink made for washing your hands or washing vegetables. Behind me is another white and blue marble countertop and a dishwasher with a bigger stainless-steel sink. Cherry oak cupboards wrap around the space completing the whole kitchen.