Chase & Chloe

by Simone Elise

  "I'm talking about the internal ones," Archie smiled at me, explaining. "You in pain?"

  McKenzies had this look. It was a pleading look, with a charming smile to go with it. Their eyes would soften and they looked innocent. Archie was giving me that look right now so I couldn't lie, even if I wanted to.

  "Yeah, it is." I chewed my bottom lip. "But I'll handle it."

  "No point being in pain when you don't have to be." Archie crossed his arms.

  "I'm not a pill popper." I shrugged my shoulders. It was simple really. "I don't like any type of medication, even those antibiotics you have started me on is pushing it."

  "Why?" Archie said, frustrated with me, and I heard the shower turn off.

  I had never really told anyone before, and I really didn't want to now. "Because…" my throat tightened "My dad died of an overdose." I hadn't spoken to anyone about this, apart from mom. "It was accidental. He was on a lot of medication for his heart. He just wanted something to help with the pain. Mom found him dead in bed a few hours later. He would doctor shop so the doctors didn't know all the medications he was on." I looked Archie in the eye and saw pity, which was the last thing I wanted. "So I don't take pain meds."

  Archie nodded his head, "I know what it's like to lose a father, I know the pain, but," Archie picked up my arm, his thumb running down my stitches, so gentle he was barely touching them, "He wouldn't want you in pain because of his mistakes. I'll personally make sure you don't abuse them, and I know everything you are taking."

  I sighed, running my other hand through my hair. "My fingers are numb when I wake up. Is that normal?"

  "Nerve damage. That's what I was worried about." Archie frowned. "How long does it last?"

  "Not long. The feeling comes back." I looked down at the ugliest wound. "I wish he had stabbed me in the stomach or something. At least then I could cover it up."

  "How are your ribs?"

  "Sore. How did you know about that?" I hadn't told him. A guilty expression crossed his face.

  "I may have been tracking your health reports at the university."

  I went there once because the pain was so bad. I was meant to go for an X-ray.

  "Well, then you know they wanted me to go for an X-ray."

  "Yeah, did they do a physical examination?"

  I shook my head.

  "Lie on your back."

  I did, and he pulled the blankets down to my hips and pulled my shirt up to just under my breasts.

  "Bloody hell, it's bruised." His hands touched my side. "I’m assuming from the bruising that it's your left side."

  I nodded.

  "This might hurt. Inhale for me." His hands pressed into my ribs, and I inhaled sharply from the pain, not because he told me to. “Okay, breathe normally." His fingers moved down. "Inhale again and hold it."

  I did as I was told and cringed from the pain. By the expression on his face, it was like he could see through my skin using just his hands.

  “Okay, breathe normally."

  I let out a long breath. "How are you so good at this?" I asked as his fingers ran down lower on my side.

  "One of us had to be trained to fix us up. Chase is the leader, Marc is the protector, Declan is the smart one, Dan is the hands-on one and Oliver is the tech one." He shrugged. "And I'm the one they come to when they get shot up or punched up."

  "A lot of pressure. You do a great job."

  He smiled. "Thanks, but it's just what I do." He suddenly pushed into my rib cage, causing me to bolt up in pain, gasping. The scream had just left my lips, and then the bathroom door slid open abruptly and Chase stood there with a towel around his hips, water over his chest and his hair dripping.

  "What the hell are you doing in here?" He yelled at his brother.

  "Chase, calm down. Archie just brought me my phone." I interrupted them before they could start arguing.

  "So why are his hands on you and you're screaming?" Chase's eyes flashed to Archie's hands.

  "I was giving her an examination. She has a fractured left rib." Archie looked at me. "You shouldn't be doing any weights. You could break it completely."

  "I'll be fine." I pushed my shirt down and pulled the blankets up. "Um…thanks for bringing me my phone."

  "That's alright. It was basically having a fit downstairs when I was getting something to eat." Archie backed off. "We'll start you on some Endone tomorrow."

  I opened my mouth to complain, but he quickly added.

  "They won't interact with anything."

  Did I trust him? He knew my concerns. He knew more than Chase. I nodded my head. "Fine, but it's only for a week."

  "Fine. We will go week by week." He shrugged and winked at me. It was impossible for him to know that currently I was living my life day to day. "Night."

  "Night, Archie." I reached for my phone, which was in the middle of the bed. I wondered who would be messaging me. Then I remembered. Jenkins. I had asked him to send me my fitness program information along with any tips on being a personal trainer.

  I saw Chase nod his head at Archie and he left. I was scrolling through my emails. I swear Jenkins had sent me every program he had done for me, as well as ones he recommended.

  "Who is it?"

  I looked up, seeing Chase walking out of the walk-in closet in his boxers, dropping his wet towel on the ground.

  "Jenkins." I dropped back on the bed and went to my messages. Why was he still up this late at night?

  "Fucking who?"

  My eyes widened hearing that tone, and I looked back up to see Chase basically glaring at me.

  "Jenkins." I swallowed sharply. "Don't make it a big deal."

  "You reached out to him?" Chase crossed his arms. "You contacted him?"

  "Yes." I sat back up, knowing this argument was just beginning. "I knew you would frown upon it so I didn't tell you. I called him this morning."

  "You contacted him this morning!"

  I regretted saying it as soon as I saw his reaction. "Like I said, don't make it a big deal."

  "Why?" Chase was doing everything possible not to walk over to my side of the bed and rip the phone from my hand. I knew that.

  "Well, I wanted him to know I was okay." I glanced down at my phone as it vibrated again. "And then I needed him to give me a reference for my job so he got my new number."

  Chase scoffed, shaking his head. "Un-fucking believable." He pointed a finger at me. "I don't know what your job is, but you aren't keeping it."

  "Yes, I am. I've made Scott promises."

  "Who the hell is Scott?"

  "The man I'm working for. He is also a student at ACU."

  "Not happening."

  "God, don't be so darn protective! I can look after myself. I have been for months!"

  "With me watching you!"

  "I didn't ask you to do that." I gave him a pointed look, narrowing my eyes. I didn't need him to be my knight in shining armor. "I don't need you to be a dick about this."

  "You don't need to work. You have me. I won't let you go without anything."

  I groaned. That was the problem. "I'm not fighting with you over this. I'm keeping my job." If it wasn’t even really a job.

  "You want independence because of what happened today, I get that, but you don't need it."

  "I won't rely on you, Chase." I would make this crystal clear to him. "Ever."

  "The whole point of being in a relationship is relying on your partner."

  "Not for everything! You can't just give me somewhere to stay, pay all the bills, pay for the food, all my stuff, and also pay to get me fake licenses, passports and records. I'm sure when you are in a relationship I'm meant to contribute something! You're also meant to rely on me."

  I wouldn't be the woman that was so dependent on her partner she didn't know what to do without him. I had expected Joe to pay for my life. I wouldn't expect that from Chase. I would get my degree and I would work and the day he decides
he is done with me, I'll have a career.

  Chase moved across the room and was at my side of the bed. "Chloe, you being here is all I want from you. You rushing off to a nine-to-five job is not what I want. I want you by my side and," he linked his fingers with mine, "On the days I let you out of my sight, it is only the days you have to go to uni. Don't make me be apart from you any more than I have to be."

  "Once the club starts, you'll be busy."

  "So will you."

  I frowned, not understanding. "How will the club affect me?" I knew the club would mean he would be busy. I didn't know the details, but I assumed it was stressful and time-consuming running an illegal motorcycle club. "Apart from not seeing you, I'm not really seeing how it will impact me."

  "A President's old lady has as many responsibilities as the President."

  I laughed. "You're joking, right?"

  He shook his head, which wiped the smile from my face.

  "What responsibilities?" I cleared my throat. "Exactly?"

  "Well, from managing the clubhouse to running the girls."

  I laughed again. "Like any of the girls are going to listen to me. I'm nineteen!"

  "They will listen to you," his hand cupped my face and he looked me in the eye, "Because they will have to deal with me if they don't."

  "I don't know anything about running a clubhouse." He couldn't be serious right now? He couldn't expect me to step into such a role. "Maybe you should get someone else."

  "This comes with being with me and I don't want anyone else. I want you." He planted a soft kiss on my cheek. "I'll help you. It's my first time being in a charter with roots." He let the nerves show on his face, and it was the first time I saw his confidence falter. "I'll help you if you help me?"

  The sound of the raw nerves in his voice had me twisting on the bed, my legs going in between his thighs. The fact he was letting me know he was nervous about this was a big thing. He didn't have his normal ‘I can do anything’ attitude.

  My hands ran over his shoulders. Did I know what I was getting myself into? My hands stopped on his broad shoulders.

  "I won't let you down." I leaned up and kissed his lips. I was promising him something I wasn't even sure I could give, but I would do my best. "Don't know how good of an old lady I'll make, but I'll try." That was all I could give him.

  His hands ran up my sides, so gently he pushed me back, my back sinking into the soft mattress.

  "I love you in my shirt." He kissed my cheek. "As much as I want to let you sleep, we haven't settled the job problem."

  My hands cupped his face so close to mine. "I'll quit." I saw the smirk spread across his face like he had won. "When you need me at the club. Not before."

  That smirk was gone. "You know club girls are coming this week, right?"

  "No. How would I know that? You didn't tell me."

  "The boys are going crazy. They’re starting to look at you." Chase's face tightened. "I need them distracted until business starts up. The new members will roll in as well."

  "Where are they all going to stay?" The house was big, but it wasn't that big.

  "At the motel I bought, but I have to get beds and crap. Deck out the rooms. Then I've got to organize their food." Chase was only sharing the tiniest bit of his problems. He ran a hand through his hair. "Shit doesn't end." He gave me half a smile "You should get some sleep."

  I nodded. "Bed sounds good." Chase had done so much for me; the least I can do was organize beds, food, televisions and what else a room needed.

  Chase walked back to his side of the bed and I slid back in between the blankets, lying down on my side. This bed made me want to live in it.

  Chase's arm was around my waist and he pulled me into the middle of the bed, sliding his other arm under my head.

  I felt his kiss on the back of my head.

  "Turn off your phone, it's still vibrating and I'm not in the mood to argue with you over Jenkins."

  I reached out, turning my phone off. "Happy?"

  "With you like this," he pulled me in even closer until I was firmly back against his chest. "Always."

  I closed my eyes, letting myself enjoy the circles he was rubbing on my thigh. In this bed, with this man, I could die happy.

  Chapter 59

  Chloe's Point of View

  "Now, that's a nice ass."

  I rolled my eyes, having my back to him. "Morning, McKenzie." I looked over my shoulder at Oliver. "You hungry?" I started plating the bacon.

  Oliver nodded and pulled a bar stool up at the kitchen island.

  "It's the only thing that got me out of bed." Archie said, running down the stairs with no shirt on. "I swear the smell of bacon woke me up."

  "Good, because I cooked plenty." I picked up the bacon, turning off the heat plates. I hadn't even placed the plate down before Archie started grabbing handfuls, cursing as it burnt his hands.

  Dan and Declan came down the stairs talking, but their conversation stopped when they saw the amount of food I cooked.

  "Thank God. Breakfast." Declan grabbed a stool next to Oliver. "You're a great cook, Chloe."

  "Flattery will get you everywhere." I winked at him. "Oh, hi Marc." I grinned, seeing him walking into the kitchen, and then I reached out for him, grabbing the side of his face. "Who hit you?"

  "Chase." He shrugged and reached around me, grabbing a plate.

  "It was because of me, wasn't it?" I sighed and let go of his face. "You really need to let me fight my own battles."

  "He was being a dick." Marc moved from me and went and sat at the table. I followed him.

  The guys were talking about the chance of girls showing up today. I was more interested in Marc. I pulled a seat out next to him.

  "Sorry." I was honestly so sorry. I never wanted to get him in trouble.

  "Wasn't your fault." He stabbed his egg, cutting it up. "I chose to stand up to him."

  "Is this why I spent like an hour cleaning up broken glass?" I frowned. "Did he put you through it?"

  "Maybe I put him through it." He smiled at me and winked.

  "Sorry."

  "Stop saying sorry."

  I chewed my bottom lip and watched him stuff his face. "Did Chase hit Oliver?" I asked, knowing I was more likely to get answers from Marc than I was Chase.

  "What do you think?" Marc said between bites and rolled his eyes.

  "So, that's a yes." I rolled up the sleeves of one of Chase's dress shirts I was wearing. All the buttons were done up, and now the sleeves were rolled up my elbows. "Thanks for telling me the truth."

  "Always." Marc looked at me with a look he shouldn't be giving me. "What's on for your day?"

  Change of subject. Good. I reached across the table and grabbed my phone, which was on the other side of the table. I heard Marc inhale sharply, but I didn't understand why until I looked at his face.

  I knew that look.

  I had seen it on Chase's face.

  "Um, I have a meeting in like," I lit up my phone. "Half an hour. Can I borrow your car? I don't expect you to drive me around all day."

  "You have a meeting this early?" Marc frowned at me. "With who?"

  "Getting a delivery at the motel. I have to be there to collect it."

  "Stepping into the old lady's role, hey?"

  "Something like that." I got up and noticed his eyes run down me. "Marc, if there is anything I can do to say sorry for what happened with Chase, let me know, okay?"

  I turned to leave, but his hand went over mine on the table. Frowning, I looked back at him.

  "Wear more clothes around me," he staggered out, and I had never not heard Marc in control. "Please."

  I blinked. What a weird request. "Okay?" I smiled at him, as he looked like he had just given me insight into something, but I was more confused than ever. "I'll wear more clothes." If that made him happy. "I guess I should actually get dressed now." I felt awkward, knowing he was well aware of my bare legs an
d the fact I wasn't wearing a bra.

  He let go of my hand and then turned it over, placing his car keys in my hand. "Drive safely."

  "Always."

  I gripped my phone and the keys and left Marc at the table and the boys in the kitchen.

  ***

  I was never good at confrontations. I would always back down. Jenkins had given me enough confidence to be able to throw a punch and take one, but I had never thrown a verbal punch before but if there was one thing I could count on, it was that I never backed down from a fight. Even with Joe, I gave back just as good as I got.

  I cracked open the car door and stepped out of the car in my knee-high boots and tight-fitting black dress. I had my sunglasses on and beads around my neck. I lit up a cigarette as I walked towards her.

  Just be confident, Chloe. So, how was I going to stand up to a professional woman? A nineteen-year-old going up against a woman in her late twenties. She had class and time on her side. Yeah, it wasn't a fair match, but I had some things this woman would never have – Chase, and a good right hook.

  "Massie, right?" I took her extended slim hand, shaking it.

  "Sorry, I didn't catch your name." She said it so professionally that even I could ignore the fact I had told her my name not even an hour ago.

  "Chloe."

  "I expected to see Chase." She didn't hide the fact that she was disappointed.

  "Yeah, about that," I put the cigarette in my mouth and didn't even think about it as I struck. My closed fist connected so perfectly with her nose, and she fell. I enjoyed the cracking sound that followed, getting more pleasure out of seeing the blood from her nose as her hands flung to it.

  So much better than hitting striking pads or a punching bag.

  "ARE YOU CRAZY?" She yelled out in pain. "WHAT WAS THAT FOR?"

  I took the cigarette from my mouth. "That was for touching him." I took a step over her as she crawled on the dirt ground. "I should have done that yesterday." Darn, that was what satisfaction felt like. "So I'm going to tell you just once. Are you listening?"

  She nodded her head.

  "Thank you for bringing me the keys and for letting us take over two days early, but I want to be crystal fucking clear," I bent over her. "Stay the fuck away from him. I promise you that my right hook can only get meaner and I don't tap out when things get bloody." I straightened up. "Now, if I hear that you have contacted him again," I pushed my sunglasses up so she could see how deadly serious I was. "I might just so happen to get the address of the next drive-by shooting mixed up with say, 10 Birdwood Ave."