Page 3 of Just Heartbeats
Roma disappeared into the hallway, probably going to her room. The same room she'd shared with Chopper since she was a baby. The room was across from where he lived. There wasn't a day that went by without seeing her.
He looked away and found Rocco and Baddy returning to their conversation after following Roma with their gazes.
Every day got worse. He found himself increasingly irritated with his men for the attention they paid to Roma.
She was eighteen now.
A woman.
And no amount of denial would change that.
Chapter 2
Roma stepped into the hallway, the worn leather jacket draped over her shoulder. Across the hall, Kodiak's door remained closed, but she could hear the faint sound of the television, which meant he was inside. Her fingers flexed in frustration.
She took a deep breath, steadying herself. Not often had she mouthed off to Kodiak or gone against his wishes, but when she occasionally couldn't contain her frustration with him, he always shut her down quickly.
She had spent two years learning how to steel herself, how to hold her ground even when the universe tried to break her. Kodiak had taught her how to stand strong. He'd drilled resilience into her with quiet expectations. So, if he thought she was going to fold over whatever was shifting between them, he was dead wrong.
In the main room of the clubhouse, she headed toward the bar. The familiar smell of whiskey and smoke surrounded her. The late-night calm had taken over. Murmurs of conversation mixed with the distant hum of engines outside made sure the clubhouse was never totally silent. Settling onto a stool at the makeshift bar, she stretched her legs out, crossing them at the ankles with practiced ease until her toe touched the floor. She could feel eyes on her, some of the guys watching with quiet amusement, others with curiosity. But it was the shiver rolling up her spine and her pulse tightening her throat that grabbed her attention.
There was no need to turn around and understand the reason for her awareness. Kodiak had left his room and followed her. Somewhere behind her, he stood, watching, assessing, and deciding whether to step into a battle with her or to walk the other way.
He had to feel it. There was no way he couldn't.
A glass slid across the bar toward her. Baker's relaxed smirk settled in as he leaned against the counter. "You look like you need a drink, Miss Roma Lake."
She looked at the dark liquid with a thin foam layer on top, wondering if Baker had finally decided to let her try some alcohol. "Really?"
"That would be a hard pass." He chuckled. "No giggle juice for you. I don't want to get in trouble with Prez."
Andrea, one of the women who entertained the bikers, waved at her from the other end of the bar. She smiled, not in the mood to engage in small talk. Instead, she pushed the glass toward Baker.
"I need a ride more than I need a root beer," she said, feeling twelve years old again.
Her gaze flickered toward the mirror behind the bar, catching a glimpse of Kodiak's reflection. His dark stare was unreadable, and he held a firm grip on the edge of the table next to him. She sighed heavily because this had turned into a game now, whether he liked it or not.
The tension in his shoulders and a flicker of danger in his gaze warned her about his mood. He always thought she was reckless, always wanting answers about her father's death and eager to hang out with the younger members of Royalla. How often had he warned her she was walking too close to danger?
But now he was the one shutting himself down, and for the first time, she wondered what caused him to be so closed off when he had always been willing to comfort her before.
Why would he stop holding her now? Was it because she was no longer a child?
Baker cleared his throat and braced his hands on the counter. "Where do you need to go so late at night?"
"Anywhere but here." She wouldn't find any answers about her dad's murder sticking around the compound.
Kodiak prohibited the men from discussing that night with her. She had searched the internet repeatedly, but of course, Royalla had covered up the crime. The only way she would get answers was if she left the compound and found the truth herself.
She couldn't figure out how she would do that. It wasn't like a guy stood on the corner, selling answers for five bucks a question.
Hunter walked behind the counter and grabbed a bottle of beer. He caught her eye and lifted his chin.
She mouthed,"Hi."
Rumor had it that Hunter lost his hearing in one ear when he was young from a gunshot blast going off close to him. It also severely damaged his hearing in his other ear. But he could read lips well enough that most people couldn't even tell that he wasn't hearing them when they spoke to him. That all depended on whether Hunter wanted to pay attention. Often, he chose to walk in the quietness and ignore everyone else.
"You know, many men have tried to outrun their troubles." Baker leaned closer until she could see the small cross tattoo underneath his eye. "Do you know what happens?"
