Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Aria
Noah and I quickly clean up in the bathroom attached to his room. Once we were done, I felt weirdly shy and tried my hardest not to look at Ezra. In the heat of the moment, I felt bold and liked the idea of him watching us, but after my mind cleared, I didn’t know how to feel about it. Noah and I don’t say anything while we get dressed, and when we come out of the bathroom, Ezra is already gone.
“I’ll just finish packing,” Noah says, keeping his eyes focused on the ground.
Shit, did we just make a mistake? Now we’re all feeling weird. I was so stupid!
“Yeah, ok.” I decide to leave him to it and wait in the living room.
While I’m waiting, I take my phone out to check up on Daniel and Xander. I open my text thread with Daniel and send him a quick message.
Me: Hey are you guys out of the hospital yet?
While I wait for him to reply, I also send a message to Buck.
Me: Hey Pop, I’m at Noah’s place waiting for the guys to pack up their stuff. Is everything set up for them? I know it’s last minute. Sorry.
Buck: Don’t apologize. Everything is ready to go, so get your asses here as soon as possible. I want us all locked in before tonight.
Me: Okay, see you soon
Daniel’s reply comes in as soon as I press send on my text to Buck.
Daniel: We’re all good. Picking up some meds and then we’re heading to the compound. How’s it going over there?
Me: the guys are packing now, hopefully it won’t take long. Buck said our rooms are ready to go though. Can you maybe grab some food on your way to the compound for us?
Daniel: Sure thing Princess, what are you craving?
I smile at his use of “princess”. It wasn’t long ago that I kind of hated it, but now…it’s almost sweet.
Me: maybe some ice cream
Daniel: lol, you want your usual?
Me: My usual?
Daniel: the mint gelato ice cream with the layers of stuff in it
Me: How do you know that’s my favorite?
Daniel: I know everything about you princess
Me: Creepy
Daniel: why? Shouldn’t I know everything about the woman I wanted to be my Alpha? How am I supposed to spoil you if I don’t know what you like? Also you eat that ice cream at least once a week.
He really has been paying attention to me all this time, while I’ve been trying so hard not to get too close to anyone.
Me: wow, I don’t know what to say to all that
Daniel: nothing needs to be said, I’ll grab your ice cream and a few other things
Me; thank you!
Daniel: anytime princess, see you soon
“All set!” Jaxon comes into the room with a suitcase.
I give him a tight smile. “That’s all? I don’t know when we’ll be back.” I remind him.
He chuckles. “I don’t need much. I keep things pretty basic.”
“If you need anything else we can send someone out to get them. I’m sorry for all this.” I say. “Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time we’ve had to deal with these assholes, but civilians were never involved.”
“Did you grow up in the club?” He asks.
My body goes still, and I reach for the same explanation I always use, but instead, I don’t.
“No. I stumbled into the bar three years ago, and the club took me in.” I say.
“Really? It doesn’t seem to me like they just let anyone in.”
I laugh a little. “No, they don’t. Buck doesn’t take new club members in easily. I was an exception, I guess. Buck saw me in trouble and was kind enough to help me. The club sort of just adopted me. They became my new family.”
“That was really nice of them, but-“ He’s interrupted when Roman comes into the room.
“Good to go?” He asks Jaxon.
“Yep. All good!”
Ezra walks in next. Our eyes meet for a second before we both look away. My face starts to heat up, and when Noah walks in, I swear my face must look like a tomato.
“Let’s get going then!” I say standing and walking toward the door hoping none of them noticed anything.
We all load back into the car, and I give Roman the address of the compound. This time, I decide to sit up front, and away from Noah and Ezra. After what happened, I think I need a little space to clear my head.
“So this compound place, is it like an underground bunker?” Jaxon asks.
I laugh. “Not exactly.”
We pull up to the dirt road that leads to the compound. It’s surrounded by trees and hard to spot if you’re not looking for it.
“Turn in here,” I tell Roman.
The road is in a need of some repairing given the number of pot holes we end up going through, but it doesn’t take long for us to arrive at the entrance.
“Cozy,” Ezra says when we reach the gate.
“Safe.” I throw back at him.
I get it. The place looks almost like a prison from the outside. Very high cement walls, metal gates, barbed wire, and tons of cameras. I take out my phone and send a message to Buck to let him know we’ve arrived. It doesn’t take long for the gate to open. When it does, a few of the club members are waiting, including Daniel. Roman slowly drives forward, and as soon as we are inside the gate, it slams shut behind us.
Roman is directed to a free parking space, and as soon as the car stops, I spot Buck walking out of the building. He stops at the bottom step, smiles, and opens his arms out for me. I can’t explain the relief I feel at seeing him after what happened. Even though I know he wasn’t injured, I am glad to see in person he’s okay.
“Hey, kid.” He says. “We’re alright.”
“I’m sorry, Pop.” I whisper.
“For what, kiddo?” He asks, releasing me gently.
“I’m sorry that I brought all this on us. If I hadn’t gotten involved-“
“Hey now, you don’t need to apologize for doing the right thing. None of this is your fault.” He hugs me again a little tighter. “We’ll get through this, don’t you worry about that.”
I nod against his shoulder and sigh.
“Now, get settled and join us for church when you’re done.” He slowly releases me.
“Thanks, Pop.”
“Of course.” He nods at the guys and heads back inside.
“Follow me, Princess.” Daniel says, stepping up next to me and tilting his head in the direction of the stairs.
The building is huge and built specifically to hold the whole club and their families. It looks more like a nice motel than a house, actually. With rooms that wrap around the whole building on two different floors. Daniel leads us to the second floor and to the last two doors toward the very back of the building.