So, to stay sane and distract myself, I’d been working on looking for a job. If they handled this soon and we moved our things here, I would need to find a job. I’d told River he should see which colleges had the program he wanted here in Turmoil or nearby. Kearney wasn’t terribly far, but it was better to have more options.

  I jotted down the information on a likely job. I jumped when the doorbell rang. No one used that thing. I got up to see who it was. If any brothers were home, they’d know Tyrant was at the garage. My curiosity was piqued. When I opened the door, I was surprised to see Alice standing there. She had a hesitant smile on her face.

  “Hi, Alice, this is a surprise,” I greeted her.

  “I know, and I’m sorry. I didn’t have your phone number to text you. I hope I didn’t come at a bad time. But if I did, please tell me.”

  “It’s not a bad time. Come in.” I stepped back so she could enter.

  “I don’t know if Tyrant will like that. Could we sit outside or maybe go to the clubhouse?”

  “Tyrant said this is my house, too. And if so, I can invite whoever I want inside. It’s fine. We can relax here,” I insisted.

  She crept inside. After assuring her she could keep on her shoes and asking if she wanted something to drink, I got her seated in the kitchen at the table where I’d been working.

  “Oh, you’re working. I’m sorry.

  “No, I was looking for work. Tell me what brought you here. I can tell you’re upset.”

  “Remember the night at the clubhouse when Mera came in and went off?”

  “Yeah, who could forget that?”

  I hoped Mera wasn’t giving her trouble. I’d been told that she was instructed that she was out if she did or said one more thing. I wouldn’t be heartbroken if Mera left. And it wasn’t because she slept with Tyrant.

  “I’m sorry that my talking to you got you jumped. I hope you’ll still give me some advice. I need it.”

  “I sure will help. It wasn’t your fault for how Mera behaved. Did you talk to your friend like I suggested?”

  “I did, and she blew up like you said she might. I tried to reason with her, but she refused to listen. She said she didn’t have a drinking problem and that I was a jealous bitch who was trying to ruin her life by saying she did. I told her that wasn’t true. She screamed at me, called me terrible names, and then kicked me out of her house. I was told not to come back. I don’t know what to do, Lakelyn. She’s going to hurt herself or someone else badly, maybe even kill them, if she drives drunk again. What do I do?” There were tears in her eyes.

  “Hey, I know it’s upsetting, but don’t cry. You still have options. I did print out several resources I found for you. I had hoped to see you this week at the clubhouse to give them to you. What you do is you keep pushing her to let you back in. However, I need to ask. Does she have family? Are they supportive and someone you could talk to about your concerns? Find out if any of them have the same ones. Maybe all of you can stage an intervention. It’s pushy, but you can’t make her go. She has to admit she has a problem and wants help. If she becomes self-harming, then that opens up other options.”

  “She has parents and a brother. They’re pretty close, I think. She has contact with them, but not as much as before. Her drinking didn’t become an issue until she broke up with the asshole she was with. I never liked him, but she was head over heels for him. I never trusted him. I knew he’d cheat on her. Eventually, she caught him in a lie and then found out he was seeing other women even though he was living with her. When she confronted him, he tried to lie but then broke down and admitted it. I was so happy when she kicked him to the curb and told him never to contact her again. But after that, she began to drink more and more.”

  “It’s not uncommon for a stressor to cause the drinking issue to start. A death, marriage, childbirth, losing someone, or losing a job. Take these resources, and if you talk to her family, share them with them. However, the one who’ll get her into rehab and counseling is your friend herself. We can pray she doesn’t hurt or kill herself or others. I wish I could tell you there’s a magic pill, but there’s not.”

  “I know, but I can still wish. Thanks for listening and giving me ideas. I so appreciate it. I’ve got something else to tell you that’s totally off this topic.”

  “Go ahead,” I said.

  “Tyrant never gave any of us a bit of encouragement that we might mean more to him than someone to get off with. I know Mera acted like it was more between them, but it wasn’t. She wanted to be his old lady. She told the rest of us that, but we thought she was dreaming. I thought you should know. I hope she leaves. Bailey might go with her, but that’s because they’re cousins, and she usually does whatever Mera tells her. Honestly, it would be better if Bailey got away from Mera. She could start to think for herself and see how toxic their relationship is.”

  “Thank you for telling me, but I knew he hadn’t. As for Bailey, it’s a shame if she lets anyone, family or not, lead her. She should try to make her own decisions. We all need to do that.”

  “True. Alright, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’ll let you get back to the job search. I hope you find something fast. They sure could use you around here.”

  As we rose, I put an arm around her and squeezed. She seemed surprised, but she did it back. I had no reason to hate her. As I told her before, I could deal with her and the others as long as she stayed away from Tyrant. However, I was finding that I liked Alice. I hadn’t expected that. I waved goodbye to her at the door, then closed it and returned to my laptop.

  ☙☙☙

  Dinner was almost done when I heard the roar of a motorcycle stop outside. I thought it was Tyrant, but it was hard to tell with the townhomes so close together. I was in the middle of pulling the roast out of the oven, so I couldn’t see if it was him. I heard the front door open no more than a minute or two later. I was smiling when he eventually came down the short hall to the kitchen. His scowl surprised me, and my smile slid away. I went to him.

  “What’s wrong, Killian? You’re upset. Did anything happen at the garage?” I tried to wrap my arms around him, but he held up his hand. I checked him over to see if he had grease on his clothes, but I didn’t see any.

  “The garage was fine. What did you do today? Anything interesting? Or something I should know about?” he asked abruptly.

  “Nothing too strenuous. I researched the job ads to see if there were any positions I could apply for. I found a couple and sent my resume off. And I cooked dinner. Why?” Why was he asking me this so curtly?

  “That’s all?” he countered.

  “Killian, why are you pushing me away? And what’s with the questions?”

  “Imagine me coming home and making a brief stop at the clubhouse, only to find out that my old lady had one of the cumsluts in my house while I was gone. Why didn’t you mention that? It sure isn’t the norm. Or is it? What the fuck was Alice doing here?” he snapped.

  “Whoa! Wait, you’re upset that she was here? It was for barely half an hour. Who told you she was?”

  “It doesn’t matter who told. I want to know why she was in my house. You know that sluts aren’t allowed in here. I let her talk to you at the clubhouse against my better judgment. It wasn’t an invitation for her to stop by my house anytime she wanted. What did she want?”

  The more he said his house, the more accusatory his tone got, the madder I became. What was his problem? He acted like I had committed a crime by talking to Alice and letting her into the house. I had a temper. It usually just took a lot to set it off, but Tyrant was lighting the match to it big time.

  “It does matter who told you. Why would someone even think of mentioning it? And why would you walk through the door and prevent me from touching you, and then jump into accusing me of doing something wrong?” I countered.

  “I didn’t want sex to divert the conversation. You weren’t going to distract me like you usually do with it. I want an answer, Lakelyn.”

  I stepped away from him. I stomped into the kitchen, where the food was on the counter waiting to be served. I saw red. I whipped around to face him. He’d followed me.

  “You want an answer! Here it is. She came to ask for more advice on what to do for a friend with a drinking problem. That was what we talked about at the clubhouse that night. She didn’t touch anything in your house except sit on a chair. You can disinfect it with this,” I shouted as I got a rag and cleanser from under the sink. I threw them at him. He caught both midair. I kept going.

  “Of course, that’s pretty stupid that you’re afraid to let one of them in your house, but it sure didn’t stop you from fucking them whenever you had the urge. Let them go back to sucking you off, fucking you, and cooking meals. I’m done. Fuck you, Tyrant! And fuck whoever told you she was here. I’m sorry that I permitted someone to enter your house without your permission. I thought it was ours. Message received. Fuck you and being an old lady to you or anyone,” I screamed, then I shoved all the pans into the trash can at the end of the counter.

  Before he could respond, I ran to the door. I didn’t bother to put on shoes. I heard him shout my name, but I kept going. Tears made me almost fall, but I caught myself. I didn’t head to the clubhouse or see if River was at Cobra’s. Instead, I headed off where I knew no one would bother me.

  I went toward the side gate that River and I had escaped through. I had no intention of going out of it. I merely needed to be where I could be alone and think. I was pissed and hurt. I needed to calm down before I tried to talk to Tyrant again. If I didn’t, I might hit him in the head with a skillet. When I got this way, I needed to be alone.

  I barely felt the stones and twigs that bit into the soles of my bare feet. The hot sun was beating down on me. It was mid-June, so the temperature was warm. Tyrant’s words and attitude kept whirling around in my head. It didn’t take me long to get to the gate. I’d looked back several times to see if he was behind me, but he wasn’t. Good. I went to the wall next to the door, sank on the ground, and leaned against it. Why was he so mad about Alice? It made no sense.

  I was lost in thought when I sensed someone approaching. I raised my head to tell Tyrant to leave me alone. Only it wasn’t him. Coming charging toward me was Mera. God, she was the last person I wanted to see. If she gave me any of her shit right now, I’d beat the bitch into the ground. I stood.

  “Mera, turn around and go back to the clubhouse. I’m not in the mood for you or your shit,” I snapped.

  “What’s the matter? Did Tyrant finally realize that you’re not the woman he needs, and he kicked your ass out of his house? I told you I was what he wanted. It’s about time. I just wanted to let you know I’ll be moving in. It’ll be me warming his bed and sucking and riding his cock every night. You’ll be nothing but a vague memory he’ll forget about in no time once you’re gone.”

  I was mad at him, and I might’ve said he could go back to the sluts, but I didn’t mean it.

  “You’re crazy if you think I’m letting you have him. He’s my old man. And he’s not moving anyone in or having sex with any of you. That’s my privilege. What makes you think you can make me leave, and he’ll forget about me?”

  “Easy. He’ll never be able to find you,” she said darkly.

  A squeaking sound from behind me made me turn partially. I gasped. The side gate was opening. What the hell? Two men were coming through it. I screamed and tried to run, but I was too slow. They pounced on me, and one of them dragged me toward the open door. I knew I’d never see Tyrant again if they got me out of it. I screamed again. My scream earned me a hand slapped over my mouth.

  “Stop screaming and fighting, bitch, or I’ll knock you out. You’ve been a pain in the boss’s ass for too long. You deserve whatever he does to you,” he snarled.

  I kicked harder. He couldn’t lift and carry me against him and control my feet at the same time. The other guy was holding the door open and telling Mera that she’d get her payment and to get her ass back to the clubhouse. Panic tried to overwhelm me, but I wouldn’t allow it. Even if my arms were pinned, I could still form a fist and hit the guy where I could on his front side. I flung back my head to hit his. I caught his lower jaw. It hurt me, but he grunted in pain. Then I got my mouth where I could bite his hand. He bellowed and let go of me. I was dropped to the ground.

  “Fucking bitch!” he shouted.

  I scrambled to get to my feet and run. Mera was yelling at them to grab me. The other guy let go of the gate and came charging after me. I screamed again, though I knew I was too far away to be heard, probably. I was running, trying to find something to use as a weapon, when I heard my name bellowed. I looked up to find Tyrant and several others storming toward us. The men attacking me swore.

  “Lakelyn, get down!” Tyrant shouted.

  I saw he had a gun in his hand, and so did the other Kings. I dropped and put my hands over my head. I didn’t know why. It wasn’t as if that would stop a bullet, but it was an automatic response. The sound of shots rang out all around me. I flinched and tried to make myself smaller. I had no clue how long it lasted before it stopped.

  When it did, I could hear voices talking and shouting, but I couldn’t look up. I was shaking and sobbing. Then, hands were on my back. I automatically cringed and cried out, “No!”

  “Shh, mon doux bébé, it’s me, Killian,” Tyrant’s gruff voice whispered.

  I rolled over onto my back and held up my arms. He slid his arms underneath me, but didn’t lift me off the ground.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked urgently.

  “No, just hold me,” I sobbed.

  He lifted me into his arms and then stood. Tyrant peppered kisses all over my face, then took my mouth. We kissed each other desperately. All I could think of was we’d fought over something stupid, and I could’ve never seen him again.

  “Is she alright?” River asked.

  “I think so. She’s just shaken up. We need to get her back to the house. Howler, Brutus, take however many you need and take those two to the dungeon. I’ll deal with them after I make sure Lakelyn is alright. Cardiac, I need you to come with me and check her over. River, you can go with us. The rest of you, make sure the compound is secure. We’ll meet at the dungeon. Wait for the text,” Tyrant ordered.

  I didn’t look to see if they obeyed. I knew they would. I lay in his arms with my eyes closed. I was trying to regain control. I was embarrassed that they saw me this way. I wasn’t showing that I could be strong. They had to think I was the worst choice in the world as their president’s old lady. That thought made me tear up more.

  “Dieu, you have to stop crying. You’re killing me, Lakelyn. Shh,” he murmured in my ear.

  “I-I c-can’t,” I gasped out between sobs.

  His arms tightened. He didn’t say anything else. The ones surrounding us were quiet. I had no idea who else might come with us besides my brother and Cardiac. Tyrant slowed down.

  “I got the door,” River said.

  Seconds later, I heard Tyrant’s boots on the hard flooring. He didn’t bother to stop and remove them or his cut. Other boots resounded off the floor. We went up the stairs, and I was lowered to the bed. As I touched the comforter, I protested.

  “Don’t put me on the comforter. I’ll get it dirty. I was on the ground.”

  The men grunted, but Tyrant swore. “I don’t fucking give a shit about the comforter. It’s washable. If not, we’ll buy a new one. It’s time to get stuff with your stamp of approval anyway. After all, this is our house.” The way he emphasized it told me our fight hadn’t been forgotten. Knowing I had no choice, I opened my eyes and glanced around.

  I saw five pairs of eyes staring back at me—Tyrant, River, Cardiac, Cobra, and Blood. They all wore concerned expressions. Thinking I should reassure them so the rest would leave, I gave them a shaky smile that dropped off my face fast.

  “Thanks for the escort, but I’m fine. Other than a sore head and my feet, I’m good.”

  “What happened to your head and feet?” Cardiac asked.

  “I used the back of my head to headbutt the guy who tried to carry me off. It caught his chin. My feet hurt from the stones and twigs I stepped on while walking barefoot, and then I tried to run. I don’t know if they’re cut or not. But they ache.”

  “I need someone to get me a pan of warm water, a cloth, and soap. I need to see her feet. Do you have a first aid kit around her, Pres?”

  “There’s everything you need in the bathroom on the second floor.”

  “I’ll go get it,” Blood offered, then was gone.

  “Is there anything you need me to do, Tyrant?” Cobra asked.

  “If you can gather the others who weren’t home yet and let them know what happened and that we’ll be meeting soon, that would be great. Once I’m done here, we’ll go to the dungeon.” His tone hardened.

  “I’ll go take care of it. If you need anything, let me know. Lake, you rest and let them do what they have to. Damn, woman, you scared us to death. Don’t do it again,” Cobra said.

  I was stunned when he leaned over and kissed my forehead. He grinned at me when Tyrant growled at him.

  “Keep your lips off my woman before I remove your head.”

  “Yes, sir.” Cobra chuckled.

  As he walked out, I heard him begin to whistle. Cardiac smiled at me. His hands slipped under my head and felt around. When he hit the sore spot, I hissed.

  “Careful. What do you feel?” Tyrant asked Cardiac.

  “There’s a knot. She smacked him good based on the size of this one. It’ll be tender for a while. The skin isn’t broken. That’s good. Let me check your pupils. Other than head-butting, did you hit your head any other way?”

  His hands slid out. The pillow still put a tiny amount of pressure on the spot, but not enough to make me object.

  “No, I didn’t.”

  By the time he checked my pupils with a bright light he had taken out of his pocket, Blood was back with the basin of warm water and the other items. I was startled when Tyrant insisted on washing my feet rather than letting Cardiac do it. While my man tenderly did it, the club’s medic ran his hands over my arms and legs and made me move them to show that I had nothing broken. By the time both men were done, I was ready to nap. The adrenaline was gone, and in its place was exhaustion. My eyelids drooped, and I had to fight them to stay open.