Page 45 of Fury

“Follow me.”

Downstairs, she pauses at the kitchen door. I can already hear voices from inside. “Just a warning, it’s like a zoo in there. You have to fight for food and scream to be heard.” She pushes the door open, and I stare wide-eyed at the chaos before me. “I tried to warn you,” she adds, grinning before slipping her arm in mine and leading me farther into the lion’s den.

Some of the men stop what they’re doing to look at me. I feel myself blush under their intense stares. And then I spot Fury glaring at me, holding two plates of food. He closes the gap between us. “I was bringing you food,” he says.

“Don’t be ridiculous. She can’t hide away in that room all day,” says Lexi, taking one plate of food and handing it to me.

I offer a weak smile before she pulls me in the direction of the table. “Move up,” she orders one of the bikers, who slides along the bench to make room for me. I lower, unsure how I feel meeting all these strangers in one go. It’s overwhelming.

Lexi sits beside me, and I’m squashed between her and the biker who is now smirking down at me with a glint in his eye.

“Nyx,” he says confidently, holding a huge hand out for me to take.

I place my plate down before running my sweaty hand down my shirt and taking his. “Xanthe.”

This makes him grin wider, and he looks back at Fury, who I assume is still rooted to the spot behind me. “This is Xanthe?”

Lexi leans over me, slapping our joined hands until he releases me. She narrows her eyes. “Don’t even think about it,” she says, her tone warning, then she smiles at me. “Axel is the President and my old man,” she says, pointing to the hulk of a man to the left of her, heading up the table. He winks, and I almost melt in a flustered puddle. “That’s Grizz, the Vice President,” she adds, pointing to the man beside him who’s holding an adorable little girl. “And little Ivy, his daughter. Remember Luna?” she asks, and I nod. “They’re her family.”

“Never mind the taken men,” says one of the bikers, leaning around Nyx. “What about the rest of us?”

Lexi laughs. “That’s Ink,” she explains, and he holds out a hand for me to shake, which I do.

“If you want me to show you around,” he begins but stops when a shadow falls over us. I glance back to see Fury towering over me.

“Move up,” he orders, and Nyx grumbles before shifting farther along and making room. Fury sits beside me, placing his plate down. “She doesn’t need you to show her around,” he says coldly. “She won’t be here that long.”

It’s like a bucket of ice being thrown over me, and my appetite shrinks away. Lexi offers a small smile before grabbing a coffee pot and topping up a mug for me. “Here, wash away that bitterness with this,” she says, glaring at Fury.

“Eat,” he says to me, staring down at his own plate.

“I’m not hungry,” I mutter, pushing my plate away.

He narrows his eyes before pushing it back in front of me. “Eat, Xanth. I haven’t seen you eat properly yet.”

His pushiness annoys me, and I move the plate once again. “I’ll eat when I’m hungry,” I say firmly.

He finally looks me in the eyes, and for a second, that lost look makes an appearance before he shuts it down. He doesn’t understand why I’m angry.Fuck, I don’t either!I just know I’m pissed with him. Maybe it’s his rejection that stings, or the fact he clearly doesn’t want me to know any of his brothers, like he doesn’t want me to get too settled in his life. I take a sip of coffee, shaking my head in annoyance.

Fury’s mobile rings, and I hear him sigh as he checks the caller ID. He presses it to his ear. “Yeah?” After a few seconds, he adds, “Of course. I’ve got church first, then I’ll come.” He disconnects and looks to Axel, who nods and then gives a loud whistle until the rest of the room falls silent.

“Church,” he orders, and the men leave the room like scurrying ants. Axel leans over to Lexi, placing a lingering kiss on her lips before following. Fury is still beside me, staring at his hands resting on the table. Eventually, he stands, and although I feel like he wants to say something, he chooses not to. He leaves, and I release a long breath as Lexi gives me another small smile.

“Are you okay?” I nod, and she rubs my hand. “He’s intense,” she says, and it’s as if her words press something inside me, opening the floodgates. The last few days suddenly catch up and tears pour down my cheeks uncontrollably.

An older woman rushes over with a box of tissues. Lexi pulls a few out and presses them into my hands. “It’s okay,” she reassures me as I wipe hurriedly at my wet face. The last thing I want is for Fury to come back in and see me like this.

“It’s like a curse,” says one of the women from across the table. “The Chaos Demons curse.”

“What is?” asks Luna, taking a seat closer. The other women follow suit, all shifting up the table, which only makes me feel worse, like some kind of zoo freak.

“They always manage to make a woman cry. Like they’re slowly breaking us down until we’re a mess, and then they swoop in and make it all better.”

Luna grins. “Gemma, there’s no way you’ve ever broken, not even for Fletch.”

“Xanthe, meet Gemma, Duchess, Tessa, Jennie, and Foxy,” Lexi introduces.

My eyes linger on Jennie, and I see recognition in her expression but I don’t mention we’ve met. My attention goes to Foxy. She looks different somehow, more tired yet more dolled up. It’s only eight a.m. and she’s got a face full of makeup and is dressed in the skimpiest outfit. As if she senses my question, she smiles. “I’m a club whore.” I gasp, and she laughs. “It’s what they call us girls who hang around to satisfy their every whim.” I don’t mention that I already know, in case I’m forced to explain how Fury referred to Jennie.

---