Page 26 of Broken
Chapter Twelve
Max
Walking into my apartment, I slam the door.
When I walked out of her room tonight it almost felt like I was walking away from her.
Pres stopped me in the hallway and shoved me against the wall.
“I better not be seeing what the fuck I think I am. I told you when she first got here that she was off-limits. Now I better not even catch you lookin’ at her in any kind of way. You got me?”
All I could do was nod. I didn’t want to lose Izzy. In the short time I’ve gotten to spend with her she has gotten to a part of me I haven’t let people into before. I don’t see a way to make it work, though. I could keep seeing her behind everyone’s back and risk getting kicked out of the club if I’m caught. I could say fuck it and toss the prospect cut at them, but then I’d never get close to her again anyway. Or I could wait and drive myself fucking crazy.
If someone else claimed her before I patched in I don’t know what I’d do. It isn’t even something she’d have control of. A brother can stake his claim if the girl wants to be with him or not. He can make her untouchable whether it’s because he’s trying to keep her safe or waiting for her to come to her senses about him. Now that people are going to stop looking at her like she’s the enemy, they’re going see how amazing she is. Even being his sister, if she is at the club he can’t protect her from this life. This is the way things have been done since the club was started.
Pres is holding a meeting for anyone associated with the club tomorrow. It isn’t church he wants everyone there; club girls, old ladies, prospects, which isn’t something that I’ve ever seen done. I lie down on my bed, hating how I have the urge to reach over and pull Izzy to me. She isn’t next to me anymore.
***
Pulling up to the clubhouse, I’ve never seen it this crowded.
People are standing in small groups whispering, most likely trying to figure out what is so big that this kind of meeting was called. I walk past everyone, anxious to get this over with and get out of here. I spent the night racking my brain, trying to figure out how all of this could work. Even if I were to go against his orders and start seeing Izzy, it wouldn’t work. I’d lose any chance at getting a patch and they would make sure I couldn’t get within a few feet of the clubhouse. There is no way that I could see this all working out for us.
My sister, Mallory’s birthday is tonight and I have to go home. That by itself has me on edge. I left as soon as I could for a reason. That house, my parents, they’re suffocating, and I dread having to go back there. The only good thing is that it gives me an excuse to miss Izzy’s welcome party. The last thing I need to do is guard the door, or work the bar while all the brothers try their chance with her.
The meeting is being held in the common room because it’s the only room big enough for everyone. My eyes drift to the second floor, knowing that she’s up there, just out of my reach. All of a sudden she opens her door and our eyes meet. As much as I should I can’t look away. She’s gorgeous and the pull I feel to her is almost painful. Staying seated here while all I want to do is run up to her and show everyone how I feel about her is killing me. I never believed in the instant connection crap that everyone talks about, until her.
Twisted walks out of the room next to her and grabs her hand, leading her down the steps. They both look uncomfortable at the contact, their hands joined stiffly. Whispers sound around me because everyone knows who Twisted’s old lady is and it isn’t Izzy. They pause midway on the steps, and he whispers something in her ear. She nods as she scans the crowd of people but her eyes end on me. I take a deep breath, trying not to show how much she affects me.
“Thank you all for coming down today,” Twisted says and the entire room hushes. “We have a new addition to our family. As unexpected as it is, I want you all to welcome her like you would anyone else. She is to be treated with respect the way you would an old lady. Brothers, I expect you fuckers to keep your shit in your pants. Club girls, don’t even think about any hazing shit or you will be out on your ass. This is Izzy, my sister.”
Gasps and murmurs sound around me. Izzy is still watching me, almost like she is waiting for some reaction or something from me.
“Today we will celebrate, and tonight we will fucking party!” Twisted says before walking the rest of the way down the stairs with Izzy. Everyone cheers and people move forward to greet her.
I turn around, needing to get out of this place.
Whip stops me. “Where are you going? Things are just getting started.”
“I have the night off. It’s my sister’s birthday.” I pause in front of him, not trying to be rude.
He cocks an eyebrow at me. “Sure that’s the only reason?”
He couldn’t know. “Yep. See ya tomorrow.” I walk away, making sure I maintain a normal pace instead of running like I want to.
I climb into my truck and pull out of the lot, finally able to breathe a little easier. If I were a decent guy I’d be happy for her. She may not have her memory back but at least she knows she has family now. That is something she’s wanted since we picked her up that night. I’m not a good guy, though; I’m a selfish prick. I want her for myself. I want to reach over to the passenger side and take her hand. I want to walk down the street with my arm around her waist, showing everyone that she’s mine. My phone buzzes in my pocket. When I pull it out I freeze. It’s a number I don’t know, but I know exactly who it is.
Twisted gave me a phone and had me put your number in it.
I don’t text her back. I have no idea what I can say to her. My cell buzzes again.
I miss you. Will you be here for my party tonight?
Fuck.
Seeing those words hurts. I decide to respond to her, letting her know it’s my sister’s birthday and I have the night off. I tell her to have fun, but I don’t mean it. I want her here with me.
The neighborhood starts to change, letting me know I’m almost at my family’s house. The row homes fade out, making way for large single homes. With each block, the space between them grows and so does the size of the lot. Making the turn into the driveway, I instantly regret coming here. I haven’t been back in two years. Mallory begged me to come, though, and I just couldn’t tell her no again.
