Oh my gosh.
“What’s reason number two?”
Bear stares into my eyes. He’s searching so deep that there’s no way I can hide the fact that I’m falling in love with him.
“He fucking touched what’s mine.”
Chapter Fifteen
Bear
Watching Rose sleep helps calm the storm inside me. I didn’t mention that I made a trip to her father’s house. Brian Pierce’s office was trashed. Whoever it was that killed Pierce was looking for something. I’m positive that something is my woman.
No matter how long I lay here watching her chest rise and fall, I can’t get the image of that fucking basement room with the red door out of my head. What did she say Pierce called it? The Punishment room?
I would give anything to have that man alive and in front of me. Shot in his fucking sleep. The man deserved much more pain. I’ll never have the satisfaction of watching his life drain from his eyes.
There was a metal operating table right in the center of that room. Chains hanging from the ceiling, on the floor, on the walls. I couldn’t help the images that forced their way into my brain. My sweet Rose chained up while she was tortured by the one man who was supposed to protect and love her.
I’m pulled away from my thoughts when I hear my phone buzzing. Grabbing it from the bedside table, I quietly leave the room and shut the door before answering.
“Yeah.”
“Prez, you need to get your woman over here as soon as fucking possible,” I tense at the urgency in Chains` voice.
“Why?”
“I just got word that Hernández knows where Rose is and is making plans to grab her.”
Over my dead fucking body. “Call everyone in. We’re going into lockdown in one hour.”
“Do you think it’s necessary to call in everyone?” Chains asks. I understand where he’s coming from, but I know what a desperate man will do to get a woman like Rose.
“Hernández has this stupid idea that Rose belongs to him. He’s desperate and will do anything, go through anyone, to get her. Lockdown in one hour.” I hang up before Chains has a chance to respond.
Taking a deep breath, I head toward my room. I open the door and can’t help but chuckle. Rose is laying on her back with her legs spread apart and her hands above her head, trying to take up as much bed as her little body can. She looks like cute little starfish.
I sit on the side of the bed and push the hair off her face. God, she is so fucking beautiful. Every time I look at her, I get hard. I’ve jacked off more times since she’s been here then I have in years. I could have found my release in any of the club girls, but the thought was only fleeting.
If Rose is willing, I want to give this, us, a try. I’ve never been in love before, but as it turns out when I fall, I fall hard. And, the second she’s ready, I’ll be burying my cock in her sweet pussy. I can’t fucking wait.
I push those thoughts to the back of my mind for now. Leaning over, I grab onto Rose’s hip and give it a few taps.
“Rose, baby, you need to get up. We have to go.”
“Hmm? Huh? Go? Where do we have to go in the middle of the night?”
“I’ll tell you everything when we get there. For now, I need you to quickly get dressed and pack anything you’ll need for a few days.”
Even though she’s confused, she still nods her head and hops out of bed to do what I asked. She trusts me, and that feels fucking fantastic. Once she has everything packed, I grab her bag and head toward the door.
“What about your things? Am I going somewhere alone?” Her confusion has morphed into fear. I’m having none of that. Dropping her bag, I turn and gently hold her face between my hands.
“We’re going to the clubhouse for a few days. I already have everything I need there.” At her nod, I lean forward to kiss her forehead before grabbing her bag and hand and head out the door.
We arrive at the clubhouse roughly fifteen minutes later to utter chaos.
“Finally,” Hawk yells as he runs toward us.
“What the hell is going on?” I ask him.
“We need to get Rose inside. There’s some man here who is demanding to see her.”
Without another word, I throw Hawk the duffel bag, lift Rose up bridal style and rush toward the building.
“HEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH MY SISTER?”
I hear Rose gasp as my steps falter. Sister?
“It’s okay, Bear. That’s my half-brother I was telling you about. Remember? The one who snuck me in the chocolate bars?”
I do remember her talking about him, but I trust him about as much as I trust Hernández.
“Please,” she whispers. “He was the only person who was ever kind to me.”
Seeing the sadness on her face pisses me off. Knowing the lack of kindness this woman has had in her life makes me want to scream. With a resigned sigh, I lower her to her feet and turn around. Keeping Rose behind me.
“Who are you?” I ask trying to give a bored vibe.
“My name is Josh Pierce. I’m her brother.”
Already knowing his answer, I ask, “Whose brother?”
I watch as something, guilt perhaps, crosses his face before he answers, “Um, the ladies. The one behind your back.”
“You say you’re her brother, yet you can’t tell me her name?” I know I’m just pushing here, but fuck, it pisses me off how she was treated.
“I do know her name. It just isn’t one she’s ever heard. Look, can I please talk to her? I just want to make sure she’s okay. I also have something really important she needs to know.”
Before I can tell this mother fucker exactly how I feel about him, Rose moves from behind my back and steps forward.
“Hello, Josh! How are you?” she asks in a small voice.
Everything in me wants to pick her back up and run her to safety. It takes every ounce of self-control I have to place my hand on her back and just wait.
“Hello, sister! Are you well?” The pompous ass actually looks like he cares.
“I’m doing well, brother. I hope it’s not rude of me to ask, but what are you doing here?” The way Rose has reverted to the timid voice she had when I first met her has me furious.
“I thought you weren’t afraid?” I whisper in her ear.
She turns her head slightly before answering, “I’m not.”
“You sure sound like it.”
“Force of habit, I guess,” she shrugs.
“Father wouldn’t allow us to speak. When we found those rare occasions when we thought we were alone, whispering was always our best bet. Father caught us a couple of times and we were punished. I wasn’t allowed back for many months,” Josh speaks while looking at Rose.
“How were you punished?” Trigger asks.
Josh looks shocked at hearing Trigger speak. If it wasn’t for his large presence, half the time you wouldn’t even notice he was in the room. I’m not as surprised that he stepped forward.
Since the moment we all stepped into that damn room in Pierce’s basement, they had questions. I told them everything that piece of shit inflicted on Rose. I even told them what Hernández did to her on her last day there. Trigger went through a similar experience with his kid brother.