Thirteen
"God, I'm so embarrassed," Eden confessed ruefully, returning from another visit to the bathroom, this time having scrubbed off all traces of her well and truly smudged make-up. "We had such a nice evening and then I dump all this shit on you…"
"Don't be," Chibs said simply, reaching for her hand to pull her back down onto the bed beside him. "You've nothing to be embarrassed about – you've been through the wringer, darlin', and you came out the other side. You're a tough wee cookie. I'm glad you felt you could tell me. So … let me guess – the da's the reason Seth ended up inside?"
He gave a low whistle at her brief nod. "Fucking hell, that musta escalated fast. So … how's any o' that connected to whoever's been messaging you tonight? Jesus, the da ain't still on your case, is he?"
Eden heaved a heavy sigh. "No, he finally got the message to back off. But there was another … complication. My ex. Shane. We were based at the same hospital. He was trying to get into neurosurgery. We … We were engaged. Or at least we were until I got suspended. He thought we should … postpone. Said I had too much going on to be thinking about weddings as well."
"Sounds quite the catch," Chibs said, his voice wry. "Very supportive."
"He broke up with me in the end," Eden shrugged. "Until I was cleared, then he tried to pick up where we'd left off."
"Wanker," the biker growled. "Seriously, what kind o' pathetic wee scrote ditches his girl at the first sign o' trouble? And then trying to come crawling back … Is that him sending you messages tonight? It is, isn't it?"
"I'm not sure, but maybe. Probably," Eden admitted. "I don't know how he got this number though. I changed mine after that all happened."
"Change it again. I'll get Bug to sort you out," Chibs offered, making her smile gratefully, even as she dabbed at her eyes again with the ends of her sleeves and raked a hand through her hair, taking a deep shaky breath.
"Thank you," she said softly. "For listening, for … understanding. I can count on one hand the number of people I've been able to talk to properly about this – and two of them are blood. I just … I just don't want you to think I've dumped this on you deliberately. Like I'm some fragile little girl thinking you can fix it all for me or something. I guess I just wanted to … explain. Why I haven't been able to go back to work properly yet, why I don't let a lot of people in. This …" she trailed off, waving a hand between them. "I haven't had anything like this in a long time. And it's not like we even really know each other, but … I guess I do feel like I can trust you, Filip. I don't know why, but I do. I just don't want to fuck this up before we even-"
He cut her off with a firm kiss to shut her up and then pressed another gentler kiss to her forehead, taking her face in his hands to make her look at him. "I'm a big boy, love," he said, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Don't you worry, I think I can handle a wee lass like you. If you'll let me. And if we ever manage to get some damn sleep …"
Eden couldn't help laughing in spite of herself, leaning in against him as he grinned and kissed her again. And this time, when they settled comfortably under the covers and she pillowed her head on his inked chest, his fingers trailing slowly through her hair lulled her off into a dreamless sleep.
But her phone, discarded on the nightstand, lit up again. And again. And again.
In the bright light of day, it was easier for Eden to face up to the idea of her past rearing its head again, however unwanted. She'd finally had a decent night's sleep and, when she had started to mull it all over, as she stood with her head down under the spray of a comforting shower, she soon found herself distracted again by the strong arms that slipped around her.
"Mind if I join ya?" Chibs murmured in her ear, drawing her back against his chest.
"It's your shower …" she managed lightly, glancing back at him as he dropped a little kiss on her shoulder.
"Aye, that it is," he grinned. "But I'm happy to share, lass."
The sex, with the hot water cascading over them both, was slow but intense and she was sure she'd have bruises on her hips from his hands gripping her tight. She certainly wasn't complaining though, having had all thoughts of anything but him pushed firmly out of her mind - at least until she was stood in his kitchen, sipping a cup of freshly brewed coffee with her phone in her hand. Her damp hair was twisted up in a loose, messy bun, but she still felt strangely out-of-place in her dress from the night before.
"Mmm, much as I appreciate finding a gorgeous woman in a pretty dress in my kitchen o' a morning …" Chibs drawled, catching her off-guard again as he appeared in his usual denim and leather and snaked an arm around her waist. "How about I drive ya home to change, then ya can come wi' me to the garage to leave Lyla's car back and I'll take ya for that bike ride I promised?"
"Yeah? That sounds good," Eden nodded, one hand absently caressing the arm he had wrapped around her, although she still couldn't help letting her attention drift back to her phone screen.
Chibs frowned as he caught sight of the messages she was scrolling through. "Can I …?" he asked, not really waiting for an answer before plucking the phone out of her hand for a proper look. "Darlin', I know you said you don't know how he got your number, but … How the fuck does he know you ain't been home?"
Eden's eyes widened in alarm. "Oh my god, I didn't even really think … I was so caught up with the idea of him just trying to get in touch again …"
Hating to see her so rattled when she turned to him, Chibs tried to downplay it to reassure her, even though he was reluctant to be almost making excuses for the asshole that seemed to think he still had some kind of claim over the young woman in front of him. "Hey, listen," he tried. "He's just decided to go talk to you in person and you ain't been there. He's a fucking inconsiderate prick carrying on like this, knowing what you've been through, but that's all it is, pet. If he's asking where you are, who you're with … Means he doesn't know. It ain't like he's been stalking you or some shite."
"Are you actually defending him?"
"No, you know I ain't," Chibs said patiently. "I just don't want you scared by shite like this. He can spin his wheels all he likes – ain't gonna get him anywhere."
Eden didn't look convinced, clearly letting her mind race even as he turned her in his arms, his concerned brown eyes roaming over her.
"Eden," he started, reluctant to ask the question, or hear the answer, but needing to know exactly what they were dealing with here. "This Shane guy … Did he … Did he ever hurt you?"
Touched by the worry on his scarred face, Eden reached out to touch her hand to his cheek, shaking her head. "No, not like you're thinking," she said quietly. "You're right. This is probably nothing. I'm just jumpy after … everything. I'm sorry for freaking out."
"Oi," the biker warned roughly, the frown that knitted his brows at odds with the warmth in his voice. "Less o' that, love. You got nothing to apologise for, ya hear me? And as for this clown …" he added, holding up her phone before letting it fall to the floor with a crack and firmly stamping it under the heel of his boot.
"He'll get the message."
"Morning, boss – can I grab a word?"
Chibs sighed at the greeting from his intelligence officer before he was barely in the door of the garage. Sometimes it felt like there was no let-up from his responsibilities. But he nodded anyway, feeling like he couldn't complain when he had managed a night away from the club against the odds to spend with Eden.
"Aye, come on then," he said, nodding towards the clubhouse and then turning to glance at the young woman behind him. "Won't be long, darlin'. Lyla's probably in the office …"
"Go," Eden smiled, her hands tucked in the back pockets of her snug blue jeans. "I'll be fine."
And sure enough, Lyla had already spotted them through the office window and was waving to her to join her.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the dirty stop-outs," the little blonde beamed, ushering her new friend into a seat at the other side of a desk piled high with paperwork. "How was your date? I want details, missy!"
"We had a lovely evening," Eden grinned, already feeling her cheeks flush under Lyla's questioning.
"So where'd he take you?" she prompted.
"Giovanni's …"
"Aww, Chibby, you old romantic," Lyla sighed in approval. "I did have high hopes when he asked to borrow the car, but still, some of these guys aren't exactly known for putting in the effort. And after? Yours? Please tell me he didn't bring you back to the clubhouse …"
"We went to his actually," Eden shrugged, noting the eyebrows that shot up at that. "What?"
"No, nothing," Lyla said hastily. "I'm just … surprised. You really did get the special treatment. I'm glad. Chibs deserves a little loving, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't have to work for it."
"He told me about his wife," Eden blurted out, making Lyla's face fall.
"Oh, shit," she sighed, wiping a hand over her face. "Jesus, Chibs, really? I mean, I'm not saying I want him lying to you or anything, but on a date? Ugh … You let him explain though, right? I mean, you're still here and you've got that kinda glow going on that makes me think you definitely got some action …"
"It's not ideal, I guess," Eden said quietly. "I mean, legally he's still married, they have a child together … It's not like I'm getting ahead of myself - we're just … seeing what happens. But I guess I just never saw myself getting involved with a married man."
"I get that," Lyla nodded. "But honestly, Eden, he's not some player. I dunno how much he told you, but that man's had his heart broken, more than once – he wouldn't set out to hurt you."
"I know," she admitted, her mind drifting to how gentle and attentive the biker could be, his strong hands caressing her tenderly, soft kisses igniting a fire inside her.
"Earth to Eden," Lyla called, giggling as she realised how much the other woman's mind had wandered. "Wow, that good, huh?"
But Eden just blushed under her good-natured teasing.
"Here's a phone for Eden like you asked, boss," Bug said, handing over a new smart phone. "I've set up the basics, new number and all that, but she can just go ahead and add whatever she wants – apps, social media, whatever. She, uh, gonna be around more? Want me to get her a few club numbers, put hers on our list?"
Sensing that was the intelligence officer's way of fishing, Chibs ignored it for now. Truth be told, he hadn't actually thought about where things stood with the pretty paramedic. Not really. Although he knew that wasn't something he could put off for too long. Not in this game. He liked her. A lot, if he was honest. He didn't want his lifestyle being something that left her exposed to risks.
"We'll see," he said vaguely, for now. "That it?"
"Uh, no actually," Bug said, turning to gather a pile of documents left on the reaper table. "As requested. Everything I could get my hands on linked to Johnny Six and the War Boys. Fuck, sounds like some shit rock band, don't it?"
"Anything ring any alarm bells?" Chibs demanded, taking the stack of files.
"Not that immediately jumps out, but I only got some of the stuff back this morning, so I haven't had a chance to even skim that. This has been your turf a lot longer than mine though. Thought you'd want to have a look."
"Aye," the president sighed. "Thanks, brother."
"I can stash it for you for now, if you want?" Bug offered, a knowing little grin tugging at his lips. "You got company after all …"
"It can probably keep for an hour or two, can't it?"
"An hour or two? Wouldn't have had you down for that kinda stamina …" Bug noted, laughing at the mock-glare on his president's face.
"Cheeky bastard," Chibs growled, slinging an arm around the younger man's neck and letting it tighten into a playful headlock. "We're heading out on the bike, for your information. If the rest o' them are looking for me, tell them to fuck away off unless it's life or death, got it?"
"Got it," Bug agreed.
