Page 41 of Serpentine

FOURTEEN

AELLA

The morning brings the memories of yesterday, leftover and ready to taunt me every second my brain isn’t busy. The way Brax had cared for me after all the commotion was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me. I haven’t seen Miles all day. Brax and I had breakfast together in the kitchen, and then he worked while I read, but I couldn’t focus on the book at all. All I could see was myself in the mirror the moments before Miles burst into the bathroom and shot my attacker.

Shot another biker for trying to rape me.

Braxton washed the man’s blood off me before he put me to bed, and he held me like he was my anchor to reality.

We’re eating lunch now. Well, Braxton is eating. I’m pushing my leftover Chinese he warmed for me around my plate.

He sighs and sets his fork down, sitting back in his chair at the table. That’s another thing. He’s been eating at the table with me. They hadn’t been using this table before I got here; it felt heavy to be a burden to someone else. “We should go to Summer Fest,” he says, and it’s not what I thought he would say at all.

I look up at him, my fork ceasing its ongoing work. “What?”

“If you’re up to it, I mean. I know you’ve been through an ordeal,” he adds.

I shake my head immediately. It’s just the distraction I need. “No. I’d love to get out of the house. Though, is it safe?”

Fear has become something I don’t know if I’ll be without while I’m in their world. Shit, even when I’m back on my own. My comfort level before, where I was at ease moving through my day alone, was gone.

“You’ll be with me. You’ll be safe.”

His unwavering tone eased the ache that had been in my chest.

“What is Summer Fest?” I ask, finally taking a bite of food now that my brain is satisfied with a new topic.

“It’s something we contribute to each year. I don’t know that I’ve ever gone, though. It’s kind of like a carnival. Many businesses will be there, and there’s food and games.”

“And rides?” I ask, my tone giving away some of the excitement thrumming through me.

He eyes me narrowly. “Yes,” he answers hesitantly. “Why?”

Because I’ve never been on one before.

I shrug. “No reason. What do you all contribute?”

“This year, I think we’re running a ring toss game, and Sully is face-painting.”

My eyes go wide at the idea of these men painting faces or running a kid’s game.

“We like to give back. My dad’s mission for this club was to take care of the people of Twin Pines and give back when we could. We protect those less fortunate than us.”

“Oh, I wasn’t judging. I can’t see any of you running a game at a carnival, was all.”

He rolls his eyes. “Lutz is going to run it. He’s the nicest one of us.”

I nod.

“So, would you like to go?” he asks.

“Oh, I’d love to go.”

He smiles. “Well, go on, get dressed.”

I take another bite of my food, excitement now dousing the hunger in my stomach. I start to rush past him toward the basement, but he captures me by the arm, looking up at me intensely. “You’ll be safe with me, Bambi.”

He didn’t have to tell me again because he already had, but I’m thankful he took the time to do so anyway.