Page 56 of What He Wants
“Thewords,Daisy,” Rock insisted, pulling my gaze to his. “What did he say exactly?”
I thought back to the last nasty conversation I’d had with Paul. He’s spewed the usual crap, hoping to control me or force me back to him in fear. It wasn’t unusual for him to threaten me with bodily harm, but I remembered his chilling words. I felt the blood drain from my face, and I was suddenly cold inside.
It had to be a coincidence.
“Babe?”
I wet my lips. “He said he’d kill us both if he caught me with another man.”
“You can’t stay here,” he snarled in a hard, unyielding tone.
“But−”
His gaze snapped to Rock. “I want protection on her,” he said, ignoring me.
“But−”
“You know the rules of the club, brother,” Rock fired right back, and I could swear that he looked smug about it. “You claiming her?”
“But-what−?”Claiming me!That seemed a little drastic.
There was a minute when all was silent, and it was clear that Big John was struggling with his answer. I had to admit that his hesitation hurt. A lot. Just when I’d thought that we were heading towards something more than casual fuck buddies, he was hesitating.
“Yes!” he snapped back between his teeth, and he looked anything but happy about it. “If it means keeping her safe.”
Only if it meant keeping me safe? Nice. I tried to hide the hurt his words had caused, but I’d never been very good at that. Before I could curb my tongue, I snapped, “Don’t do me any favors, you . . .you . . .” I shouted over them, finally getting their attention. I couldn’t even think of the word I wanted to use. In the meantime, Big John’s brows came together in a frown when he realized how I’d perceived his reluctance to claim me, which I knew was a big deal. “We don’t even know if Paul is behind this, so don’t worry about claiming me. Maybe it was someone who’s pissed off at Phantom Riders.”
“We’re gonna look at that, too,” BK remarked, sitting back with his mug.
“That wouldn’t matter anyway.” As angry as I was, I met Big John’s serious eyes. “The fact that someone took a shot at both of us means you’ll need protection until we get to the bottom of it.
“But why?”
“If they’re after you, that’s a no brainer. But if they’re after me, just being associated with me, with Phantom Riders, can put you in a dangerous situation. They might go after you to get to me.”
I swung my gaze to Rock. He nodded silently, backing up Big John’s comment. “I promised myself when I finally broke away from Paul that I’d never let him hurt me again, and I’m not going to let him chase me from what I’ve built here. It’s not just my home, I have a business to run. When I went to town to file a restraining order I also stopped in at King’s Security and ordered a security system for here. They’re going to be out Monday to install it.” Suddenly everyone was grinning at me. “What’s so funny?”
“So, you’re the job we have tomorrow,” BK explained, thumbing his chest. “I’m King’s Security.”
I returned his smile. “Then I expect a top-notch job,” I teased. It did make me feel better knowing that one of the Phantom Riders, and someone that I knew personally, was installing the system.
“That’s good, babe. I’m fucking proud that you’re being proactive. But I’d feel better if you stayed at the club for a few days. If I had a home, I’d bring you there.”
He didn’t have a home? For some reason, I found that fact sad. It was sad that he lived in a room at their clubhouse. Though it wasn’t a bad room, and he had his own bathroom, it still wasn’t home. But I was still mad at him, and I remained stubbornly silent.
“Let’s compromise,” he began, gaining my attention again.Compromise?I raised a brow, but decided to listen to what he had in mind. “At least spend your nights there so I’ll know that you’re safe.”
“Wow. Big John compromising. This is big, sweetheart.” Rock got to his feet, shooting me a wink as he went into the kitchen. I watched him refill his mug.
I appreciated his willingness to compromise, but I wasn’t sure that this was the solution. Besides, since when did I have to compromise? When had I given Big John the power to make my decisions for me? What could he really do if I refused and stayed here? I thought about his hesitation to claim me. I knew what that meant, but he would do it if it assured my safety. And I wasn’t going to let that happen.If he claimed me it would be for the right reasons or not at all, and not just to get around some club rule.
“If I spend my nights there you won’t have to claim me, right?” My only thought had been togive Big John an easy out, but his expression suddenly turned stony.
“If that’s what you want.” His tone was cutting.
What did the man expect? I gave BK and Rock a quick glance, but their expressions were closed to me.Fine,I thought. I wasn’t going to try and figure these men out. My cell rang and I got up to answer it, glad to leave the moody men to themselves. I snatched it up and looked down at the screen. It was Jasmine.
“Good morning,” I said, checking the clock first to make sure that it was still morning.