Page 22 of Falling for Her Protector

Letting Go of the Past

Xavier

The door slams behind me as I pull in a breath, trying to calm my vibrating body. What the fuck is wrong with me? I was such an asshole to her, and for no fucking reason.

I toss my phone on the center of my bed before dropping to sit on the edge. My elbows press into my knees as I let my head fall into my hands. One visit with my old man and I feel like a fucking crazed animal.

Against my better judgement, I told him about the deal I made with Grady. As past president, he occasionally takes an interest in our day-to-day activities. But he’s such a fucking prick, that I generally avoid sharing club business with him. I was just in such a good mood when he asked me how things were going that I let it slip out.

“So, what? You’re in the business of paying for pussy now,”he had joked.And he really didn’t appreciate it when I kindly invited him to fuck off. It all went downhill from there. I probably should’ve taken a few extra minutes to cool down before coming back to the clubhouse, but I wasn’t thinking clearly. And now I feel like complete shit for acting like such a Goddamn baby and taking it out on Vanessa.

Pops gave me this club, this family, and for that I’ll be eternally grateful. But beyond that, the bastard did nothing for me and Lacey. My mom handled everything while he spent all his time with the club. He wasn’t built to be a husband or a real 'hands-on' dad; he was too busy playing. Mom finally cut his ass loose when she realized he had some action on the side. And that motherfucker has no right to shit talk me when it comes to Vanessa and the deal I made with Grady. If anyone is guilty of paying for pussy, it’s him. That asshole is pushing sixty and he’s still getting regular lap dances from chicks more than half his age.

I drop my palms to my thighs and lift up slightly when I hear my phone beep behind me. I lean across the bed, reaching for it. Tapping the screen, I find a new text from Jess. My eyes move over the screen as I read,*I’m ready, are you?

Two seconds later it beeps again in my hand, this time a photo message. Fucking A. This girl is relentless. Obviously posing for the camera as she lightly bites one finger while her other hand pulls down her shirt, giving me an almost full view of her tits. This girl needs to give it a fucking rest and move on. I’m no longer interested in her shit.

I type back,*nope.

It beeps again.

*Do you want to see more?

I give her the same simple response, typing back,*nope.

It beeps three times in rapid sequence. What the fuck.

*What crawled up your ass today? It’s that girl, isn’t it? Ness...

*You know she’ll never do it for you like I do.

*You’ll never stop wanting me...

God damn. I mean, I always knew Jess was a little full of herself, but I guess I was blind to the fact that she’s also a mean fucking cunt.

She’s got it in her head that she’s better than Vanessa, but she’s wrong. Vanessa is sweet and caring; despite the rotten shit she’s had thrown at her. Jess, on the other hand, has been handed the perfect life on a silver fucking platter, and she acts like this.

I’m sure it stings, knowing that I was thinking about Vanessa the last time I fucked her, but I’m done with this shit. She doesn’t really want me anyway. She had her chance and she walked away. It’s all a fucking game to her.

I let my fingers move over the screen, one last time, as I type,*Bye Jess.

15

Grady

Vanessa

The cool air inside the gas station convenience store tingles against my sweaty skin, causing goosebumps to rise on my arms. I’ve been walking for a while now, but I’m still not ready to turn around and go back to face X. at the clubhouse. Instead, I’ve opted for a cold drink from inside the cooler at the Irving station.

I’ve already grabbed a bottle of sweet tea, and now my sights are set on the colorful bags of candy. The sweets are definitely calling my name today. The roar of bikes outside seems to fill the store, but it’s nothing new in this town. It seems like they’re everywhere. I glance up for a fraction of a second, and my eyes instantly begin to blur.

Through the glass, I can clearly see the black bike parked just outside. The red viper painted on the side stares back at me, laughing at me and sucking all the air straight from my lungs. He’s here...

My feet start to move, shuffling backwards, as I see Grady and two of his men stepping inside. I drop my eyes to the ground and take another small step back, but I hit something. Glancing back over my shoulder, I realize I’ve walked into a person.

“I’m sorry,” I manage to whisper, trying to stay quiet and hidden in plain sight. I can’t let Grady see me.

“Vanessa, is that you?” the person questions and panic grips my chest. I lift my eyes hesitantly, not wanting any attention being drawn to me at this moment. “It is you. You look so much better than the night I met you. Have Xavier and the boys been helping you out?” he continues. Then it clicks and I remember him.

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