CandiceI look around the room I am in. It's a bit on the small side, with just a queen size bed, a nightstand, a dresser, and a television mounted on the wall above the dresser. The girl, the one Austin addresses as Abby, scoots her chair closer to the bed I'm on. She has a small little nurse's kit hanging from her forearm. I close my eyes at the irony that I'm on the bed while a nurse is getting ready to evaluate me."Abby, was it?" I ask."That's right. Slice tells me that Austin said you were a nurse. Which hospital do you work at?" She asks."Treepointe." I say with a small smile. The small movement to my cheek causes me to flinch.Abby is by my side instantly checking my face out and going back to her bag to pull out a cold compress and some arnica cream. She starts rubbing the cream on my cheek softly and when her eyes meet mine I see a glimpse of compassion. She seems to be a very soft-hearted girl. She also seems to be a bit on the young side. She has long blonde curly ha
AustinI don't think I have ever had to explain my story to anyone. I have only ever had my brothers, my mom, and my club. Sure, I have had women here and there, but no one serious enough to know my business. Granted the only reason I am telling Candice about club business is because she is now mixed in it. I hate that they think she is with Max, but I am happy they weren't stupid enough to kill her. Another reason I need to speak with Snake. I no longer think this is his club's doing. They would never hurt old ladies. I know Snake and he would never do something like this.Snake and I go way back. He is a piece of shit but he ain't stupid. He knows our club would destroy his. He is around my dad's age and my father and him never got along. There was lots of bloodshed on both parts with them getting in each other's way of the drugs and money over the years. When I got the club, I let Snake know right away I wanted nothing to do with that shit.I look to Candice to make sure she unde
CandiceI look around at the women of the club. Austin told me that the club was on lockdown so I know not all of them are here but there are a few, and I feel completely out of place. When Austin asked me to help with the women I wasn't sure what to expect but now I think he was just trying to include me. It is clear by the faces these women are wearing they need no help."Who is watching from outside?" A woman with huge knockers, and blonde streaked hair asks."Dale is out there, along with Mipps and Evans." Another says coming in from the kitchen.They all look powerful and fierce. I envy that from them. Abby walks in with a little bandage around her ankle. She gives me a reassuring smile and sits next to me, I am just about to ask her a question when the men storm out. Most of them walk around and collect their women while Austin, Max and two other men head over to Abby and me. One of the men I recognize from the hospital the other day. He has dark hair with even darker eyes. T
AustinWatching Candice strut around my house, worried that she might come across some picture of me and a woman was amusing. I know that's what she was doing. At first, I was just going to let her believe I was with someone, see how long until it drove her crazy, but something inside of me wanted her to know immediately that I'm single. I have to admit she's been on my mind nonstop since I realized she was the woman that we found unconscious outside the compound.I take off on my bike headed to the old community center. When Abby first told me that Chance was there I knew what was in his head. I just needed to be alone before I could take off to see him. I had texted him earlier and told him to stay put. I didn't get a text back, but I knew he would be there. We have never had a shooting at the compound, and after it happened I was so focused on Max's turmoil, Chance's never even came to mind. I know I need to get to Chance, talk some sense into him, get back to the compound, chec
CandiceWith a few "turn here" and "turn there's" to Austin, we arrive at my house in about twenty minutes. It's interesting to know that I live so close to the clubhouse and Austin's home, yet I have never run into him. Just goes to show that my boring life only consists of my route to and from work. Austin pulls over right before my house, I'm guessing so we can have a quick chat about what happened before we left. He hurt my feelings yet again, but I have learned how to hide away all my sadness, my fears, everything. When I was younger I didn't want to be a burden on my mother with anything. I saw how hard she worked and just didn't want to worry her. I always got straight A's, I never did any sports or anything because she couldn't afford it. When I was eight years old my grandmother won the lottery. Yes, unlikely, I know, but it did happen. She won three hundred thousand dollars. By the time she paid off all her debt and gave my grandfather's home a makeover it desperately needed
AustinCandice was silent the entire way back home. I know it was tough for her to go against what her mother thought was best. She is technically living with a complete stranger. I have a meeting with Snake tomorrow morning and after that I should be able to clear some things up, so she can get back to her normal life. We walk into the silent house together. She immediately walks into the guestroom I designated for her. I can hear drawers opening so I know she is putting away her clothing she got from her house earlier. I walk into the kitchen and look in the fridge to start on some dinner. My mother often comes into my home when I'm not here and fills my fridge and cabinets. I find some steaks and veggies in the fridge and take them out. I start on dinner to give Candice some privacy. Minutes later my phone rings, I look at the collar ID and see Chance's name."Still six in the morning?" I ask hoping he isn't calling because the time has changed."Yeah, far as I know. Reason I'm cal
CandiceI wake up the next morning feeling amazing. This is the first day I woke up so far that I don't still feel my injuries. Abby had left me some pain killers in the bag she gave me, and I had taken some last night before bed. I am not a pain medicine type of person, I usually like to wait it out, but I knew if I were going to defend myself against another attack, I would need to get better and fast.I take a long shower and go back to the guest bedroom to get ready for the day. I dress in some black leggings and an off the shoulder white top that goes down to my thighs. When I walk into the kitchen charging straight to the coffee machine, I run smack dab into a wall of muscle. I swear, in order to be a part of their club these guys must have had to pass a six-pack test. Minimum. He is ripped. everywhere. Even his arms are muscular. When I back up and get ready to apologize, her gives me a disgusted look. "Um hi, you must be Shane. I'm Candice. We've met before though. You know,
AustinI ride to the clubhouse with Max by my side and Chance, Shane and Psych right behind me. It's a good thing I can ride to the clubhouse from my home in my sleep because my mind is not on the road. It's too wrapped up in a sexy as hell redhead I've got waiting for me at home. I don't know what prompted me to kiss her before I left. She gave me a panicked look as soon as I showed her the gun. I know she most likely won't need it, but I feel much more comfortable with her having something inside the house to defend herself with.We arrive at the clubhouse and park our bikes. I had called a church meeting right after I left Snake this morning. He was right when he said he had some shit to show us. I walk inside, wait for everyone to line up and then begin the tale of what transpired this morning. I still cannot believe everything I've learned from this morning."You ready?" Chance asks me as I cut my bike off in front of the clubhouse.I met him here instead of at my house because I