Page 3 of Creed's Vengeance

Fuck it. Maybe I should try one of the other doors. I swore Dad told me once that these keys were all the same for the spare dorm rooms.

Ollie continually tapped my hip, begging to be picked up.

“No, Olenna!” I snapped at her when she got in the way of me and the door, pushing me away from it.

I then wanted to slap myself because I saw the tears forming in her eyes from my snapping.

“I don’t want to sleep in a stinky room!” She huffed, crossing her arms and then taking a noticeable step away from me.

I sighed. Okay, damage control.

“You girls all right?”

My head turned to the side and saw Creed standing there. He had clearly had a shower because his hair was still wet. The tattoos running up his neck were still slightly wet, glistening, and I noticed even his vest looked the cleanest it had in days. Ollie was standing beside me with her arms crossed and tears brimming in her eyes.

“No. I don’t want to be with Hols,” Ollie said, her voice breaking all because I raised my voice.

“Olenna,” I said firmly. I was not having her throwing a tantrum in front of Creed. She did not need to be carried all the time. I blamed this on my father for always spoiling her. If he didn’t baby her, she wouldn’t be like this. But then just the thought of Dad caused my throat to tighten, and I found my eyes going glassy. Ollie wasn’t the only one that could have used Dad’s arms right now, for him to tell me it was going to be okay, just for him to tell me—we’d get through this.

As I blinked, fighting back the tears, Creed lowered to his knees in front of Ollie.

“I don’t think we’ve met,” he said, his voice soft and friendly—two things that you would not think a man like Creed was capable of. One look at Creed, and he screamed intimidating. His broad muscles, the club ink, mixed with vest—yeah, he wasn’t approachable. But Ollie was used to the comfort of Dad and Kobra, so of course, she didn’t shy away from him. No, if anything, Creed reminded Ollie of safety. At least, that was what I liked to think as she looked him in the eyes.

“I’m Ollie. My arm’s sore, and my feet hurt.” She lifted her chin stubbornly. “And Hols is being mean. What’s your name?”

Being mean? All I did was refuse to carry her!

“Creed,” he replied.

“Creed, I don’t want to sleep in this stinky room. I want Dad or Kob.” And then her lip trembled. It was official. I was in over my head. What I wouldn’t do to see my brother smirk or hear his laugh. And to feel Dad’s arms wrapped around me. I wrapped my arms around myself. I had tried to keep a front up all day, yet here I was, breaking.

“Can I stay with you?” Ollie asked, and my eyes widened immediately.

“Olenna, you can’t just ask to stay in random people’s rooms!” I said, shocked. She didn’t know Creed! Yes, he was a great guy and would never hurt her, but she didn’t know that. The fact she was only little was now showing.

Creed threw me a look, arching his eyebrows. I knew it wasn’t because Ollie asked to stay with him but because I referred to him as a random person.

“I’m not talking to Hols.” She still had her arms crossed. “Creed, can I stay with you? I’m don’t wanna sleep with Hols in that stinky room.”

My gaze went to Creed. Well, how was he going to handle this? Then it flashed through my mind that this wasn’t his problem. Ollie throwing a tantrum was my problem to deal with, and I did not expect Creed to put up with Ollie in his room.

“Olenna—” I started to say.

“You can, Ollie, but…” Creed spoke over me, his gaze staying on Ollie. “Holly has to come with us, too. Is that okay?” He faked a frown. “We can’t leave her to sleep in the stinky room.”

Ha. More like he didn’t want to be in charge of a four-year-old.

Ollie stood there, actually thinking about it. Was I going to have to remind her I was the adult, and she couldn’t just randomly sleep in other people’s bedrooms! Not to mention, it was my boyfriend’s room she was invading. Then my eyes slightly widened when that thought went through my mind.My boyfriend?Creed and I were not dating, were we? No. We fucked, and he was helping me through a hard time, and I was standing by him as he faced the chaos that was the club right now.

“Okay,” Ollie finally said, and her voice brought me out of my thoughts. I was thankful at this moment that Creed couldn’t hear my internal breakdown about referring to him as my boyfriend. After all, we never had made it to that stage since he left before we got there. The bitterness of that ghost slowly crept through me, reminding me of the pain I’d be in if he were to leave again.

Creed nodded his head and stood up. Ollie put her arms out, which I should have seen coming.

“Creed, can you carry me?” Ollie said, having no shame whatsoever.

Surprisingly, Creed smiled and lifted her up immediately. What was with these bikers not being able to say no to her! By the look on her face, she was mighty proud of herself as she clung to his side.

“You coming, Holly?” Creed asked when I didn’t immediately just start walking beside them.

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