by KT Fisher
He kisses me on the head and strokes his fingers over my back, causing goose bumps to appear but it feels so damn good. I go to sleep in minutes.
I feel cold, so I roll over to cuddle up to my personal radiator but I come up empty. With my eyes closed, one arm reaches out to find Bomber, but I quickly realise that I’m alone in the bed. I don’t have to look in the bathroom to know that he’s not in there either. I’m overwhelmed by hurt and anger.
How can he keep doing this?
Is he going to sneak off god knows where every freaking night!
I decide not to go back to sleep. I want to confront him. If he wants us to live together, then he needs to be honest with me. I know it’s kind of hypocritical of me to think so, but that’s because I’ve lived through lying and I don’t want another lie to come between us just as one has been shared.
My imaginary mind runs a thousand times faster than usual, picturing whatever Bomber could be up to. I’m not concerned with him cheating on me, no Bomber would never do that but I am worried about him.
My eyes become heavier and heavier as the hours tick by, but I’m determined to watch as he walks back into this room. I take a glance at the clock and see its 4am, but it’s not until another thirty minutes go by that I hear footsteps outside the door. I lay back down in the bed, and I made sure to keep the room dark so when Bomber returned he didn’t suspect that I had caught him sneaking out again.
I hear him unlock the door and step inside, I’m turned in the opposite direction so he can’t see that I’m actually awake. I lay still as he undresses himself and sneaks into the shower. As I listen to the water, I think of how I’m going to question him but that all goes to shit when he creeps into the bed and kisses me.
“Don’t kiss me.” I snap and I feel him freeze.
“Elise?” He asks.
“Where were you?” I ask, slowing turning around onto my back to look at him as he answers.
“I had to piss.” He lies.
“Don’t you dare lie to me.” I snap, moving away to create a gap between us. “I’m not stupid Jamie.”
He rakes his hand through his hair, sighing. Probably thinking of another lie to tell me.
“You want us to live together?” I ask, getting angrier by the second. “Then you tell me the truth.”
Bomber frowns down at his hands, and thought comes to mind.
“Have you already washed the blood away?” I storm out the bed and Bomber slowly follows.
“What are you doing?” He asks.
I stomp into the bathroom that is joint to Bomber’s club room. Some rooms share a toilet between them but thankfully for me, Bomber’s is one of the rare ones that has its own. I look around, finding his clothes on the floor and hold them up. Bomber snatches his shirt from my hands, but not before I see spots of blood all over it.
“Go to bed.” Bomber orders, stuffing his blooded white shirt into the wash basket and out of sight. “It’s club business, you know I can’t tell you.”
I eye him up, eventually laughing. “Club business?” I laugh. “Is that the best you can come up with?”
Bomber frowns, taking hold of my arm and leading me back to bed.
“I’m not sleeping in the same bed as you.” I snatch my arm away, gathering my clothes and slipping back into them.
“Elise.” Bomber moans.
“No, I won’t stay with you whilst you’re lying and keeping things from me.”
“What?” He shrugs. “Like you kept your lies from me for all that time?”
I pause and stare at him in horror.
“Fuck you.” I pull on my boots.
“Shit! I’m sorry darling. That slipped out.” He quickly adds, coming to stand near me, but I hold my hand up.
“Don’t come near me.” I grab my bag and the rest of my belongings. “Don’t bother trying to call me.”
I pass him on the way to the door, not caring how loud I’m stomping around and yelling.
“Where you gonna go?” He asks.
I turn to face him, one foot in the hallway and the other in his room. “I’m not your concern anymore.”
I know he’s watching me as I escape down the hall, shakily dig the keys from my bag and enter my fathers old club room. All without crying too, but as the door closes behind me I let it all out. I sink to the floor and cry big, ugly girl tears but I make sure that I’m silent. I don’t want Bomber to know I’m crying. He doesn’t deserve to care for me anymore. He shouldn’t be lying and he shouldn’t have spat those nasty words. I know I lied to him but that was out of fear for losing him. Why can’t he simply tell me where he’s sneaking off to?
Chapter Twenty One
Elise
There’s a little celebration for Lauren and Grims baby at the clubhouse. It’s nothing too crazy, just a few drinks with as many members that can turn up. Even their Old Ladies and families. I’m guessing the place will be booming for the bouncing baby boy.
I haven’t spoken to Bomber all week and that hasn’t been easy. He’s been constantly calling, sending messages and even turning up at the boutique. I let him sit there and watch as I work but I don’t say a single word to him. I can tell he’s suffering but I can’t give into him, not until he tells me where he sneaks off to.
So as much as I’m looking forward to attending the get together, I’m dreading it too. Bomber’s obviously going to be there and I’ll hardly be able to avoid him as I have been doing so secretly. I don’t want everyone to know we’re having a fight, that’s our business but after they see us together today, it’s going to be pretty obvious.
When I turn up at the clubhouse, I make sure to be a little late so Bomber doesn’t have the chance to get me on my own. As soon as I enter I know where Lauren and the baby are as a swarm of Old Ladies and their daughters are crowding around them. Not the bunnies though, of course my mother and aunty Laura won’t allow that however Maci is different and she proudly sits beside Lauren. I cast an eye over to a small bunch of bunnies beside the bar watching Maci as she sits amongst the families they so desperately want to be a part of. All of them, green with jealousy.
“Elise!” Lauren waves me over.
I catch sight of Bomber and I feel his stare as I approach Lauren and the rest of the girls. Like I have done all week, I ignore him and join my family and friends.
“You look perfect together.” Lauren beams from my praise as I sit with them. More and more people come to say their congratulations and swoon over the baby. He is adorable.
“A complete natural.” Drew adds, her eyes shining with love as she strokes the babies soft forehead.
“I think my sister was shockingly impressed with me too.” Lauren laughs. “It’s a pity my mum couldn’t face to meet her new grandson.”
My heart aches for Lauren. From what I gathered, Laurens mother is a bit of a snob, as in only Kings would be good enough for her daughters. At first Lauren’s mum wasn’t pleased with Maisy’s choice of a rock star, but she quickly got over it when she discovered that Max is filthy rich but she isn’t as pleased with Lauren’s choice of a bad boy biker dressed in leather. As a club, we are nowhere near Maisy’s husband’s wealth, but we get by comfortably and never go without. However, Lauren’s mother does not approve and stays far away from the club. As far as I’m aware, Grim hasn’t even met her parents and but I’m shocked they do not even wish to see the baby.
“Your son won’t be loved any less.” Maci leans down and kisses the baby on his little cute nose. “If anything, he will be loved so much more. I mean, look around you.” Maci laughs, looking around at all the eyes on her and her new born son.
Lauren wipes her single tear that gathers in her eye. “Thank you girls.”
Just then, some more Old Ladies join us and Lauren introduces her son.
“I have something to tell you.” Lauren adds once we’re alone again. “We have decided on his name.”
We all gasp at once, jumping to know what name they have both finally agreed
on.
Lauren looks down at her son, love shining in her eyes. “Everyone, meet Connor.”
“Connor.” Drew smiles.
“That’s a fighting name.” Maci nods.
“Sounds perfect.” I laugh.
“Speaking of perfect.” Tasha adds, looking to me. “I hear someone got a house.”
I sadly laugh. “Yep, you know these Kings men love to buy houses.”
“Bomber bought you a house.” Maci gasps.
“Bought us both a house.” I point out.
“What’s the matter?” Asks Tasha. “You don’t look so happy.”
“I’m fine.” I try to shrug the sudden sadness from me.
“Really?” Lauren sees right through me. “Because Grim happened say something about Bomber acting miserable and you don’t look so happy right now either.”
“You two fell out?” Maci asks, a slight look of shock on her pretty face.
“Because of the house?” Drew asks with a confused frown.
“No.” I sigh and bury my head in my hands. “We had an argument, that’s all.”
“Was it a bad one?” I see Lauren tilting her head to the side as I peak through my finger.
“Well, I’ve ignored him for a week.” I confess and they all pull wincing faces, which actually makes me laugh.
“Poor guy.” Drew mumbles.
“Poor guy?” I ask. “No, he’s up to something and I was tired of ignoring it.”
They all stay quiet, watching and waiting for me to continue.
“He’s been sneaking off at night, and when he comes back I’ve spotted blood on his hands or his shirt. He takes a shower before he comes back to bed and last week he did it again, only I stayed awake and confronted him when he came back. He didn’t want to tell me, so I stormed out and have ignored him ever since.” I explain with a heavy heart.
“You think he’s seeing someone else?” Drew asks in shock.
“No.” I quickly argue. “He would never do that.”
“That wouldn’t explain the blood.” Tasha points out.
Drew shrugs. “He could be killing them so there’s no evidence.”
We all look at her in disbelief.
“No.” I grind out, her comment slightly pissing me off.
“Chill Lissy.” Drew holds up her hands. “I know Bomber wouldn’t cheat on you.”
But killing someone? I was desperate to ask, but I was too scared to,
“Shit.” Tasha spits, biting on her nails and looking a little uncomfortable in her hunched over state.
“Tash?” I ask.
We all look to Tasha, waiting for her to explain herself. Tasha looks around us at first, to see if there’s anybody eavesdropping I expect.
“I’m sorry, I should have said something sooner but I assumed you knew but just didn’t want to say anything about it. You know, because you were pissed or ashamed or whatever. It’s your business anyway.”
I look at her blankly. “Tasha, you’re not making any sense.”
She closes her eyes, sighing as she gathers herself. When she opens them, we’re all dying to know what she has to say.
“Devlin got a call, about a month ago from one of the brothers. He had to go and help Bomber out because Bomber had picked a fight with three men in a bar. Some of the brothers had to settle it with the owner because he pays the club to make sure that shit doesn’t happen there.”
I’m speechless. Maci wraps an arm around me and I begin to shake. “Why would he do that?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I just sort of assumed you might have known and decided not to say anything about it.” Tasha apologises.
“It’s fine Tash.” I offer her a smile to assure her. “I’m just trying to understand why he would do that?”
“Do you think he picks a different bar all the time?” Lauren asks. “Because you said he’s sneaked off more than once.”
“I don’t know.” I’m too busy trying to wrap my head around all of this.
“I know this might sound crazy,” Drew interrupts my thinking. “But do you think he could be sneaking off to the Black Ring?”
We all freeze.
“No, he couldn’t.” I’m pretty adamant about this.
The Black Ring is an illegal underground fighting world that sometimes causes the club some trouble from time to time. Fighters pay to take part and fight their way up the ranks and earn a name for themselves. They’re usually very dangerous and lost men, so I can’t see my Jamie doing that. It’s held at a different venue every time so the police can’t find them easy enough. A lot of people go to watch, have some drinks and generally a good time while they watch a couple of men beat the shit of out each other. From what I’ve heard, it’s usually held after midnight, which would explain the late night disappearing acts.
“Do you really think Bomber would go there?” I ask them.
“I know someone who likes to go and watch, I could ask them to tell me when the next fight is?” Drew asks.
I nod, risking a glance over at Bomber and he’s looking right back at me. Have I made Bomber do this to himself? Is this what sharing my secret has done to the man I love?
“So, has she revealed the little mans name?” Grim asks as he approaches us.
“She has.” Claps Drew.
I spot Bomber walking over with Scrappy and he dares to stand behind me. I smile politely and pretend his whole thing isn’t happening. Maci offers me a kind smile of her support but it doesn’t stop the guilt swimming in my gut. I just hope Drew’s suspicions aren’t true and that Bomber isn’t fighting at the Black Ring.
“Connor is a great name.” Bomber raises his beer to Grim, and everyone else follows.
“Connor!” Everyone cheers.
“Elise!” I hear from across the room and I see Poppy and Lulu rushing up to me. Their faces are full of happiness. They look over Lauren’s shoulder, and down at baby Connor. “Prince has a name!”
“He has two not thanks to you two.” Lauren laughs.
“I wonder what his club name will be?” Baby asks.
“Prince.” Poppy laughs. “Obviously.”
“Prince?” He frowns. “That ain’t a biker name.”
“And Baby is?” Scrappy laughs, and Baby shoves him away.
As everyone is laughing at the Baby and Scrappy, Bomber sees this as his opportunity to whisper in my ear.
“Sill ignoring me darling?” Goose bumps envelope me, and I’m dying to turn around and demand he’s not stupid enough to fight in the Black Ring. “Meet me back at the house?”
“I can’t.” I snap.
“Tomorrow then.” He begs.
“I’m working tomorrow.”
“When you’re free, please Elise.” I hate to hear the torment in his voice and with once tiny nod of the head, I give in and agree to meet him at the house tomorrow.
I don’t know what he’s going to say, I’m hoping he’s going to confess where he’s been sneaking off to and this whole stupid argument can finally stop.
Chapter Twenty Two
Elise
As I work I can’t stop thinking about Bomber. He asked me to meet him last night and apart from the nod I gave him, I didn’t tell him what time. He’s going to have to wait because I have a business to run. Poppy and Lulu start their shift this afternoon, so if I am going to go then I have to wait until they show up.
Last night I had nightmares of Bomber, in that fighting ring and covered in blood. He wasn’t even fighting, in my dream he was just standing there. His head held down and deaf to my screaming. It was horrible and I woke up shaking and gasping for breath. I do hope that he hasn’t been secretly fighting in The Black Ring, but deep down I have a suspicion that Drew was right and I also have another strong feeling, and that it’s all because of me. He never went missing before I told him my secret and now that I have, it seems far too coincidental.
Until I can find out for sure, I’m waiting on one of Drew’s many secret ‘friends’ to leak us
the information we want to know. It’s going to be hard, but I have to see for myself.
***
Poppy and Lulu happily stroll into work on time, full of high spirits and I only wish I can join their mood. They show me pictures of baby Connor that they took yesterday, before I go on my way.
“I’ll be back before closing.” I shout as I reach the door.
“Ok.” They sing as I exit and I escape to the confines of my car.
I’ve had to put on a fake smile all morning, but now while I’m alone I can let my true emotions rise and I catch myself before I start to cry. No more of that.
When I arrive at the beautiful house that was promised to be full of love not so long ago, Bomber steps outside. I just sit and look at him as he waits for me. He’s so handsome my heart hurts at what he might be doing and where this takes us. I gather myself and walk up the pretty path towards him.
“Hey.” He greets. “I’m glad you came.”
He leans down to give me a kiss on the forehead, something I took for granted and have dearly missed this past week. I decide to not say anything, and step inside the house. The scent of paint hits me strong, but the hallway is still the same bright white however when I curiously peak around the living room door, I see the duck egg blue painted on the feature wall. The very one I picked out.
“Looks nice right?” Bomber spears behind me, admiring his handiwork.
“You stared painting?” I ask, stepping into the living room and pausing in the connecting room. Bomber and I decided that this room would be a dining room slash second living space. Instead of a table and chair set, we though two sofas and a large coffee table in the middle, would look better in here, so we can have as much space as possible in the main living area. I preferred to have the kitchen table, in the kitchen and Bomber happily agreed. For this room, I wanted to carry on with the duck egg blue theme but instead of paint, I wanted a classy wall paper, just on the wall facing the living room and the connecting wall, just to break it up a little. Bomber has even put up the wall paper and I know it’s only paint and wallpaper, but it makes me emotional when I see what he’s been up to this week without me. I had visions of the both of us doing this, but then I remember why I wasn’t here and I sober up.