Chapter 41

Candice
I 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, at the hospital? You probably don't remember me much though. I sort of disrespected your president. Although in my defense, I didn't know who Austin was or that he was your leader. Or a leader in general and…. what are you laughing at?"
"You darlin. I've been around women before, but none would stand in the middle of a kitchen rambling on about nothing." He says with a smirk and holy cow those are some sexy dimples. The man is drop dead gorgeous but in a dangerous sort of way.
"Oh, well yeah. Sorry. Austin told me you would be watching over me, but I didn't know you would be in the house. I mean, I don't mind. To be honest I like having the company. Oh, not like that. That's not what I meant. I just mean…now why are you laughing?" Shit, was I still rambling?
"Gonna head outside and walk the perimeter. Make sure you stay inside. Need anything let me know." Shane says walking to the front door.
"Okay, thank you." I turn to ask him if he wants some breakfast, but he is already gone. I make a quick meal of eggs and bacon and set aside a plate for Shane.
Couple hours later, I hear my phone ringing. I head to the bedroom and grab my purse. It feels like it has been an eternity since I have used this thing. When Austin took me to get my stuff yesterday I thought I would have a bunch of missed call and texts, but sadly there was just one from Lyla asking me how a vacation felt. I text her back telling her I already miss her and that I was actually bored.
My phone rings in my hand, dragging me from my thoughts of non-missed calls. I glance down at the display and see Lyla is calling me. I don't know what the protocol is for me to tell her. Austin didn't give me any speeches about what I can and cannot tell people, but I know I can't tell Lyla certain things. Maybe I can just tell her where I am? I answer on the fourth ringing feeling guilty for just letting it ring in my hand.
"Hey Lyla." I answer sitting on the bed.
"Hey girl, got ya text that you were bored. Lisa took Adrianna to the zoo for some quality bonding time, so I thought I would hang out with you at home." She says.
"Oh, Um, I would but I'm not home. Maybe another time?" I say quickly, hoping she won't question where I am.
"Wow you actually took a vacation? Good for you. Too bad cause I just got to your house. Hey, did you have some people repairing something on the inside?" She says. I can hear some dogs barking in the background.
Oh God. Lyla is at my house, and to make matters worse, there are men coming out from the inside. I yell for her to get back in her car quickly and run into the living room, hoping Shane is still here. When he sees me running he jumps up from his seat at the dining room table.
"What's wrong?" He says in a serious tone.
I show him my cell phone and get the words out as fast as I can.
"My friend went to visit me at home and she says there are men coming out from the inside." I say, on the verge of crying. I don't want anyone hurt because of me, especially someone who has a child to look after.
Shane grabs the phone form me and gets on. I can't hear anything because I have my hands over my ears. I know I am having a panic attack. I drop down to my knees and start rocking back and forth. It feels like the walls are closing in on me. I can't have anything happen to Lyla. I feel strong hands around my arms pulling my hands down from my ears. I open my eyes and see Shane bending down and meeting my gaze.
"Your friend is coming here darlin. I'm going to step outside and make a few phone calls. I need you to stay in here and to not come outside. Do not for one second think this is your fault. She will be here in less than half an hour and then you will see that she is safe. You good?" Shane asks in a soft tone.
He should definitely always speak this way because he is able to calm me down a fraction. I know Shane has to go call Austin and I don't want Shane to tell him that I am freaking out, it will only worry him. I need Austin to know I can handle him being gone. Hell, it's only nine in the morning which means Austin has only been gone a few hours. I give Shane a strong head nod and with that he walks outside.
I stand up on shaky feet, make my way over to the bathroom, and run some cold water on my face. I appreciate Shane but part of me wishes Max was here instead. I feel like he would be better at calming me down. I know these guys need me strong and last night I tried to be just that, but I wanted to know so badly why Max was so incoherently drunk that he had blood on him. I wanted to know why Austin and Shane looked like death warmed over. I wanted to know all of it.
I walk out of the bathroom and head over to the couch. Shane is sitting there on his phone texting. I sit down far away from him and wait for him to let me know what is happening. I know he told me that Lyla was coming here but I don't know what I am supposed to be doing. I hate this feeling of uncertainness.
Minutes later I hear the rumble of a bike. I jump up and run to the window anticipating Austin being home, but have a moment of disappointment when I see Max hoping off his bike. He walks up to the house but before he opens the door he stops turns around and takes a look around. He must be searching the perimeter just in case. Austin did the same thing the other day. When he accepts that no one is out there he walks into the house.
"Hey Candy, you doing okay darlin'?" He asks.
This is why I prefer Max. He is the only one of them all to see that I am not used to their ways yet. Even though I don't see myself getting used to the ways of the club, I at least like that I feel like it's okay to make mistakes around him. I nod my head at his direction and he comes closer to me and envelopes me in a hug. When we part I turn to Shane, who is still on his damn phone and roll my eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes at me babe." Shane says staring at his phone. What the fuck? How the hell did he see that? He stands up and walks over to Max and me, making me feel like a dwarf in between the two.
"What's going on? Got the text from Austin to get my ass to his house. Something about her friend showing up at her house and those fuckers were inside? Is he still out with Chance and Snake?" Max asks Shane.
"Yeah, asked me to stay here and fill her friend in. He is going to try and get here as soon as possible. Says he has some shit to tell us. Guess Psych showed up at the meeting and told Cage to not show." Shane responds back.
My head is like a pinball going back and forth between the two. Max simply gives him a nod and walks over to the couch. I Follow along, a little worried about his state of mind. Last night was a little scary seeing him that way. I have come to like Max and I consider him a friend. I don't want him harming himself with alcohol. I have seen on a daily basis what that looks like at work.
"Want to talk about last night?" I ask nudging Max with my shoulder. These guys seem to appreciate brutal honesty so that's what I am going to do.
"Sorry you had to see me like that darlin, not my intensions. Sometimes I just need to let the beast out now and then. I'm alright though, nothing to worry your pretty little head about." He finishes, brushing me off.
I give him a sympathetic look because I recognize the deflect but choose not to call him on it. Max is going through something only a select few know about and I for one have no idea what it is like. My grandmother says grandpa was never the same after the war, I think Max needs to talk to someone that understands his demons, maybe even more than he does.
The doorbell goes off and we all stand. Shane looks back at me giving me a what the hell are you going to do look. I know I am no fighter by any means, but I need to be ready at any moment. I do not plan on cowering in the bathtub ever again, especially if people may need me like the last time.
Shane walks over to the door and with one hand grabs the knob. The other hand is on a little handgun. I didn't even know he had that on him. Oh my God, did he sleep with that thing in his pocket? Focus Candice.
He looks through the peephole, let's out a breath and opens the door. I notice his hand has not left the gun though. Lyla is on the other side and she looks right at me. I run over to her, almost crushing Shane on the way.
I envelope her in a hug and crush her with warmth. She is shaking a little, probably from driving so fast after Shane spoke with her. I still don't know what exactly he told her. I feel her arms wrap around me as well and her big curly hair is tickling my nose. We let go of each other and I look her up and down. She looks adorable today. She has on a little white sleeveless summer dress, and little brown wedges making her about my height.
"I am so sorry Lyla. If I had known, you planned on surprising me, I would've kicked your ass. I am just so happy you are okay. Come in, let's close the door." I say quickly.
Lyla hasn't said one word. When I look at her she is staring straight ahead at Shane. I glance at him and he is giving her the same look. Uh Oh. I clear my throat, but it doesn't distract their eyes from each other. I avert my eyes to Max and he is smiling at his friend.
"How is Adrianna?" I ask loudly. That straightens Lyla right up.
"She's good. Still at the zoo with my sister. You don't think she would be in trouble do you?" She asks looking back towards Shane.
A notion of guilt consumes me. I didn't want her to worry for her daughters safety. I am just about to console her when Shane interrupts me.
"Who is Adrianna?" He asks as Max's cell phone rings and he walks off into the kitchen to answer it.
"She is my two-year-old daughter, she is with my little sister right now at the zoo. I called her on the way here and told her to keep a good eye on her. Should I have them come home? I still don't understand what exactly is going on?"
"You have a goddamn daughter and you're sitting here trying to get your nails done and shit with your friend?" Shane screams.
I probably look like a damn fish with my mouth gapping open, but I cannot believe Shane has the audacity to yell at someone like this. Lyla is a fantastic mother and has never actually done something for herself since Adrianna was born. All she wanted was to visit me, maybe pamper herself, then get some lunch. I am ready to attack Shane with my ninja skills when Lyla speak up.
"My daughter is in the hands of someone very responsible. She is with her aunt, same person that watches her when I am at work. I would never leave her with someone that wouldn't be protective. Now I will ask again, and this time I expect an answer, do I need to get her to come home?" Lyla says shocking the hell out of Shane.
I can tell Shane is normally a quiet person, but right now the silence is that of shock. I almost smile and give Lyla a high five but tell my inner child to knock it off. She didn't seem too upset at Shane for being an asshole. Maybe she is used to people judging her on being a young single mom. Shane eventually closes his mouth and clears his throat. He glances back at the kitchen where Max has yet to resurface. When he turns back to us he has a slight look of fear on his face.
"Well tough guy, you got a big mouth until someone with a bigger one comes along and challenges you. Answer my question, is my child safe?" She asks, her accent growing stronger with every word.
Lyla is originally from Texas and when she moved to New York she tried hard to cover her accent. Sometimes I will still hear it, like when she is upset or super excited about something.
"No, you don't need to bring her here. I'm certain no one saw you, plus if they did, they wouldn't connect you with someone else that fast. You just need to be careful. We don't anyone else getting hurt because of our bullshit." Shane says looking at me.
That is the first time I have heard any kind of remorse for my predicament from anyone other than Max and Austin. I look to Lyla, who is still looking towards Shane. Max walks in and looks at all three of us. He gives Shane one of those chin lifts then Shane leaves out of front door. How the hell do these guys communicate so fast with each other with such simple gestures? Max walks over to Lyla and introduces himself.
"Hey there beautiful, I'm Max. Austin's brother. This is his home. Why don't you sit, and we will discuss everything, including why we freaked out on you earlier on the phone." Max says turning the charm level up to an eleven.
Lyla and I sit on the couch right next to each other. Max sits on the couch opposite us an explains everything in detail of what happened, including Austin being run off the road by the same guys that attacked me. Lyla looks me up and down when he is finished with the story and begins assessing my damage. She must have just realized don't necessarily look like the most appealing person right now. My bruise has all but healed but I know there is a small mark under my left eye. I didn't bother with make up today, I figured I would just watch television all day.
Shane walks back into the home before Lyla could say anything and does that damn chin lift thing to Max. They both get up and move to the kitchen for their private conversation. I scoot a little closer to Lyla and hold her hands.
"Lyla, I am so sorry I brought you into this mess. I just didn't think to tell anyone. All of this happened so fast, I didn't necessarily have time to process anything. I promise, these guys will find a way for all of us to be safe again. They have someone watching my house and have a couple guys watching my family. They won't let anything happen." I promise her. She is one of my only friends and I don't want anything to happen to her.
"Candice, I know this is isn't your fault. You have to stop thinking you're to blame for everything. Things happen. We need to make sure your boy figures out a way for you to be able to have a life again. In the meantime if you need a few more days off by next week you let me know. That's what friends are for you know." Lyla says making me feel so much better now that she is here. I don't know how she can be so calm about all of this but that's just the kind of person she is.
The front door opens and in walks Austin, Chance and Psych. I am immediately filled relief that nothing went wrong in his meeting. I hadn't realized I was so worried for him until now. I allow the tension to start leaving my muscles. Austin looks around at both Lyla and me, and then wonders over to the kitchen. Psych and Chance follow suit with Psych staring at me and Lyla licking his lips and Chance narrowing his eyes in our direction.
I let a sigh. Something is bothering Austin and I want to help, but I know right now is not the time. Lyla turns form the kitchen to me, her mouth gapping open. I don't think I have ever seen her speechless. She seems to always have something to say.
"Oh my God, I know why these guys looks so damn familiar. Those were the guys that were at the hospital that day. Remember, the hotness room? I made you go in there." Lyla says a little too loudly pointing rapidly towards the kitchen.
I shush her a little hoping the guys don't over hear that we had assigned their room hotness, when Austin came in for his head injury. That day feels like it was so long ago when it's only been a few days. Lyla giggles at me and we start talking about work a little. She tells me how Melissa is driving her batshit crazy, how Ben has been asking about me, even how she did her first interview yesterday. Lyla is right behind me as head nurse, I have been training her for a few weeks now. Austin and the guys walk in a few minutes later and addresses Lyla.
"Hi Lyla, it's nice to meet you. Max and Shane tell me that you went to Candice's house earlier to surprise her and that you saw some men walking out. Can you tell me about that?" Austin asks standing right in front of us.
"Um, yeah. Went to surprise her and when I pulled up I saw about three guys walking out of the house. They were all tall with the same vest things you all have on. All had sunglasses on, but they didn't notice me. I stayed in my car and just dialed Candice's phone." Lyla says giving me some relief.
"Good, that's good. You're safe darlin, we don't think they saw you, but I want you to pay attention to your surroundings from here on. I'm going to give you my number. If you think anything is strange or see someone that shouldn't be at your work, I want you to call me and let me know." Austin explains to her in a gentle tone.
"Okay. I'm going to head out now then if you think it's alright that I leave. I want to be home when my daughter and sister get there." Lyla says.
Austin nods to her and the guys all file out of the living room one by one, into the kitchen. I stand up with Lyla and meet her at the door.
"I want you to call me if you need anything. I know Austin explained why it makes more sense not going to the police but please, if you feel like you need to, I want you to do it. These guys may know what they are doing but this whole thing still seems kind of fishy." I nod my head at Lyla and promise her that I will call her later.
I close the door and give myself a few minutes before I begin my journey to the kitchen. The guys are being extremely quiet in the kitchen and I don't want to interrupt anything. When I come around the corner the hushed tones I was beginning to hear disperse immediately. All the guys are sitting at the dining room table. I almost laugh at the picture in front of me. What a strange thanksgiving this would make.
"Sorry, I didn't know if you needed me to do anything or if it were okay to maybe make something to eat." I ask feeling all five sets of eyes fall on me.
"Go ahead babe, make some lunch. Plenty of food in there. Me and the boys got some club business to discuss so we're going to head over to the clubhouse. Got one of the brothers watching the house, so you'll be safe. Need anything while I'm out?" Austin asks.
"No, I'll be fine. What brother is watching the house?" I ask.
"Name's Miles. I'll have him come in and introduce himself. Let's go." He demands and each of them gets up and walks out.
They all seem a bit angry for some reason. Could have something to do with Austin's meeting this morning. Austin stops right before the front door and turns back to me. He walks over to his bedroom and comes back with a gun in his hands. I get a little worried hoping he is not about to ask me what I think he is about to ask me.
"Need you to have this babe. I don't think you will ever need to use it, but just in case these guys followed us here and get past Miles, you need to be prepared." He says placing the gun in my hand.
I have never held a gun before. They are actually a lot heavier than I thought they would be. I give Austin a worried look, but he doesn't seem to notice. He seems to be a little off today. I hope everything is okay. He shows me how to use it a few times then nods his head once I try it on my own.
"You got it. My number is plugged into your phone. Call me if you need anything."
He heads for the door and just when I think he is going to leave without saying anything else, he walks back over and cups my face then brings his lips down to mine. My initial reaction has me widening my eyes in shock but once I feel his lips move I calm down and move with him. Holy hell this man can kiss. He ends the kiss and lays his forehead to mine while I attempt to catch my breath.
"Austin, I…" I start but get cut off.
"Don't start your overthinking babe. I'll be back later tonight."
He turns around and walks out the door. I stare at the closed door for several minutes before going over to the couch and plopping down. Things are about to get very complicated.