Chapter 38

Chapter 38
Jaxon

Daniel leads us around the compound. Pointing out where we would meet for meals, hang out if we want to get out of our rooms, and a bunch of other stuff, I lost track of. My mind couldn’t focus on anything other than the sounds that had been coming from Aria’s room. Or the fact that Ezra was the one pulling them out of her. It pisses me all the hell off that he got to be claimed by her before the rest of us.

The bastard was a dick to her from the second he saw her, and yet he got to be marked first after Noah. Not even Daniel, who was clearly a very important person to her, was next. I swear I’d kick the guy’s ass if he weren’t like a brother to me. 

“You mentioned something called church…” Roman says. 

Daniel turns and smiles. “It’s not the kind of church you’re thinking of. There is no praying for forgiveness. It’s when we get together to discuss club business.”

Roman made a face as he understood. “And this is only for club members?” 

“That’s right. However, considering the situation, I think it would be beneficial for you to sit in. Just so you know what we’re up against. This club that came after Noah aren’t small-time thugs. They have the firepower and the motivation to come after us with everything they've got. Now that they know what Aria is, even more so.” Daniel explains. 

“They’d want to take her?” I ask. 

He nods. “Either to breed her or to kill her. It’s hard to know for sure. Axel is unpredictable, and his crew is just as much so. They might follow his rules, but they deviate from time to time. He wouldn’t have approved of those guys coming to our place and starting something. Not when we have had sort of an unwritten truce.” 

“Are you sure Aria is safe here?” Roman asks. 

Daniel eyes him for a second. Not in a way that says he’s displeased by the implication of not being able to protect her, but as if to try and get a read on Roman. 

“There are no guarantees in this world, but every man in this club will die for her if need be.” Daniel says with a nod. “Now follow me, we've got to get to church.” 

He leads us down a hallway and right through some double doors. When we walk in, a large group of men sat around a long table, some even standing against the wall. I hadn’t realized how many men were in this club. The man sitting at the head of the table, Buck, looked us over, and his eyes landed on Daniel. They seem to have a silent conversation before the man lets out a sigh. 

“Welcome, gentleman.” He says before looking around the room. “How are we looking?” 

“We have the south and north side covered twenty-four hours. Twelve-hour rotations. The girls are already getting things ready in case we have to split.” One guy says. 

“Good. Weapons?” 

“Border Patrol has four each, and all the others are in place for easy access.” Another guy says. 

Buck then looks at us. “You boys ever shot a gun before?” 

“Never.” Roman answers for us. 

I’d never even been ten feet from a gun before. Let alone held and fired one. 

“That won’t do. If shit hits the fan, I need everyone ready to fight back. Daniel, get them up to speed.” 

Daniel nods. “You got it.” 

My eyes widen a little, and my heart rate picks up. This guy wants Daniel to teach us how to shoot a gun? Not just shoot one, but be a good enough shot to help if we get attacked. Is he crazy? I look down at my hands and cringe a little. Is it weird to feel self-conscious about having smooth hands? 

Seems stupid, but looking at me in general…I don’t look like a guy who’s done a single dangerous thing in my whole life, and it’s true. I look like I just stepped out of a K-drama. It had worked for me because a lot of women are into that kind of look now. The simple but clean and well put-together look. It helps that I look physically like a Korean actor too. I don’t however, look like a fighter, and that’s what I needed to look like right now. 

Even Roman was dressed in black distressed jeans, a dark coat, and combat boots. Daniel is dressed in dark distressed jeans too, a vintage looking muscle shirt, and his club vest on. His hair is disheveled, tattoos visible, and the scruff on his face all make him look right at home here. I’m the odd one out. Never thought my clean look would make me feel so out of place. In the art world, I fit right in.

“Jaxon.” Roman’s voice brings out of my pouting. 

“Yeah?” 

“Daniel wants to take us to the range.” He says, giving me a concerned look. “Are you feeling alright?” 

I step closer and lower my voice. “I stick out like a sore thumb around here. I don’t exactly look like I can take on a guy with a gun or anyone else for that matter.” 

Roman looks me over. “What does that matter? This is bigger than your fashion choices.”

“Easy for you to say, you look like you could belong here. Me-“

“Jaxon, there is more to worry about right now. I’ll lend you some clothes if it really bothers you that much, but we need to go to the range. They want us to practice as soon as possible, apparently.” 

I nod, but I’m still pouting on the inside. It’s a ridiculous thing to be upset about, but how I present myself is important to me. Roman’s right, though, and it’s not like the guy trying to kill me is going to care about my choice of clothes. So I reluctantly push my ego aside and follow Roman out of the large room. Daniel leads us back down the hallway and takes a left through another set of double doors. This one leads outside. I glance around, and a bit of unease builds inside me. The whole area is enclosed by more tall walls. It looks more like a prison than anything else. The space is wide, though. There’s some sort of shed not far away, and a whole lot of seating space. There is even a playground.

They had kids here? 

As if I summoned them, a gaggle of kids come stumbling out a side door, followed by several women dressed in short jean shorts, small tops, and leather vests. They don’t have the logo like the men, but there is a different symbol on them. 

“Careful, the guys wouldn’t like you watching their women like that.” Daniel’s voice startles me. 

“Sorry.” I quickly look away, and he chuckles. 

“Wait until you see the sweetbutts, you’ll be in trouble. Just ignore them and stick around Aria, and they’ll leave you alone.” 

“Sweetbutts?” Roman asks. 

Daniel smirks. “Club girls. Don’t worry, Aria would kill them if they touch you.”