Page 18 of Brood

Chapter Thirteen

I hesitantly step through Brood’s front door, my bag feeling even heavier on my back. I haven’t talked to him since I told him about Butch and how I came to be with him. After that, I walked back over to Eagle and Iris’ house and waited. I didn’t go to the café when Iris left. Nor did I leave in my car like I wanted to. Oh, how I wanted to. I might have gotten to my feet, hand on the doorknob, ready to walk out a million times. Still, I didn’t go through with it. I sat there in their spare room all day long until I heard voices coming in from downstairs. Only then did I leave the room. Both Eagle and Iris were there in the kitchen, kissing I might add when I made my way downstairs.

Iris told me the news that her husband and her were going to be leaving for a while now that Eagle had stepped down as president. She told me I was more than welcome to stay at their house while they were gone. Only the longer I stayed there after they left, the more anxious I became. It was one thing to be there all day long and know they would eventually come home. But at night? When it started getting dark, and I knew I would be the only one there? I found myself pulling my backpack over my shoulders and walking to Brood’s house down the street. The only light I could see was his porch light. So, when I knocked, and no one answered, I resigned myself to spending the night alone in an empty house. I had nearly talked myself into walking to the clubhouse when Brood spoke to me in the dark. It scared me and brought relief all at once.

Now I’m standing in his living room, his son looking up at me from the makeshift blanket fort on the floor, feeling the need to bolt. “Put your stuff down and join us.” Brood settles down in the pile of blankets with Kasin, popping a few pieces of popcorn into his mouth as he relaxes back. He keeps his attention on the TV, though I can tell he is waiting for me to make up my mind. Instead of joining them on the pile of blankets, I take a spot on the couch, placing my bag a safe distance next to me as if I might need to make a quick getaway. It’s a stupid notion though. I realize this as I find myself growing comfortable in the softness of the couch and get lost in the movie. The only time I watched a movie is when the club families would get together and have a lawn movie night. That was only on special occasions. My parents weren’t big into the material things life had to offer. I did, however, grow up reading… a lot. Mom homeschooled me and insisted I read a new book every week. My parents weren’t perfect by any means, but they did what they could to protect me and that in the end is what got them killed, along with the rest of the people I had grown up knowing as my family.

I’m so lost in the memories of long ago I don’t even realize the movie has ended, and Brood is now scooping a sleeping Kasin into his thick arms, carrying him off toward the hallway I had seen him disappear down yesterday when I was here. Yesterday. It doesn’t seem like yesterday. Nothing doesn’t seem like anything. I feel as though I’m only floating around, waiting for the moment Butch finds me and brings me back. Right back to hell.

“Thought you should know the club is behind you.” Brood’s heavy graveled voice comes back into the room.

“Behind me?” I ask, turning to face him.

“We are getting a plan together. Make it look like you fled the country or something. Hopefully, it keeps Butch busy.” He steps into the room further, then stops next to an empty space on the wall, leaning a shoulder on it and crossing his legs at his ankles.

“That might do the trick, for a while anyway. He isn’t stupid. He will eventually catch on, and then when he finds out it was you guys behind it…” I shake my head, trying not to visualize the carnage that Butch will bring upon this club. “When he finds me, there will be nowhere for any of you to hide.”

Brood scoffs as if what I just said was funny. “Believe me, we won’t be hiding.”

“I can’t ask you to go to war over me. You don’t even know me.”

“I know that you weren’t there of your own free will. That’s enough for me.”

“But Kasin… that little girl Halley. All of the families…”

“They will be fine. We have safe houses all over the place.” He tries to make it sound all so promising.

“But—”

“No buts. It’s been voted on. Done deal. You are Hell’s Riders property now, under our protection. Might as well get used to it, little girl.” He lets out a long yawn, invoking one from myself. “I’m beat. Go on up to bed. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want, Jor.” With that, he pushes himself off the wall and starts back toward the hallway.

“Thank you, Brood.” He doesn’t say a word as he stops and turns to face me. His mouth opens then closes like he might speak, but then he just gives me a one jerk nod much like his son’s then continues on his way.

* * *

I wake with the early morning sun breaking through the cracks in the window shades and groan, rolling over to tuck my head underneath the covers. I lay there for only a few seconds in that position, but suddenly that tingling feeling creeps up my spine. I’m not alone in the room. My heart picks up a notch, and I tighten the blanket around my head as if that is going to protect me from harm. It isn’t until the soft footfalls come around the side of the bed do I realize how ridiculous I’m being. Slowly I pull the covers away, revealing a smaller version of Brood. Kasin is standing there right in front of my face, a smile on his own as he looks at me. “Hey.” He doesn’t say anything back only stares. I’m about to ask him if he can talk, but the heavy thuds of feet interrupt me.

“There you are. Why are you up here?” I turn to see Brood, freshly showered, wearing only a pair of jeans with a t-shirt clutched tightly in his hand. “Sorry. I was in the shower. He probably was wondering if you were still here.” Brood’s attention shifts back to the little boy who has made his way over to his father. “Go on downstairs, Kas. You know it ain’t safe for you to be up here.” He lightly scolds Kasin, who bows his head and listens, walking out of the room. “I need to run to the clubhouse, and Cammy isn’t answering her phone. Normally I would take Kas with me but—”

“He can stay here with me.” I push myself up off the mattress further and toss the blankets aside before stepping completely out of the bed. I quickly right the covers back into some semblance of order without perfectly making the bed. It’s then that I look back up to Brood, who is standing there still, only now with his mouth cracked open, like he was about to speak and got hit with a blast of frozen air. It takes me another second to remember what I’m wearing. When I went to bed I had on a nice little tank top, tight fitting, but comfortable, and a pair of shorts. All courtesy of Iris’ daughter who I have yet to meet. Now though, as I glance down at myself, my tank top has taken on a whole new role and not one of keeping me covered. It’s all twisted around my body, dangerously close to showing off a nipple before I quickly force it back into place. “I will be right down.” I cough and try to cover up the awkwardness.

When I turn back around, Brood is gone.

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