I turn my phone over in my hand, slipping it easily through my fingers in a fluid movement. The screen lights up again with the gentle push of a button. The large white numbers glow. Time has stopped moving, quickly causing me unrest and irritation. Lyla pulls herself into the seat next to mine. She slides a mug of coffee toward me followed by a small bottle of Bailey's. I grin at her and top off the warm liquid.
"They're ok." She says; her voice perky and optimistic. I don't know much about the porn star but she seems to make my brother smile and that's all I can hope for right now.
"How's he been?" I ask, wrapping my hands around the mug. Kenny, Ellie and Piper play nicely with some of the other kids close by. They look as if the cloud surrounding them over the last months has finally lifted.
"He still misses her. How can he not? But each day, he opens up a little more." She tells me.
"Good. How do you do it?" She gives me a look of confusion. "No offense, I'm onlyasking out of curiosity. But how do you live with the ghost of a wife? I mean Filip loved Fiona with everything he was. How do I convince myself that he's not thinking of her when we're together?"
"I don't have the answer to that yet sweetie. When I do, you'll be the first to hear it." She pats my arm.
The sound of footsteps catches my attention and I turn to the door as some of the guys walk in, staring dejectedly at the floor. Jaxson, my brother and Filip are not with them. My heart leaps to my throat and Lyla's hand tightens on my arm. She stares at Clay, panic all over her face.
"They followed Weston. They're ok, should be back soon." He whispers to us and they line up at the bar.
I rush around the other side and start pouring drinks. They smile at me with pitiful gratitude and we fall back into our silent wait. Minutes crawl by until the three men come in, somber expressions fixed on their faces. Relief at their reappearance washes over me.
"Where's Tara?" Jaxson asks when I hand him a shot.
"She went with Gemma and Half-Sack to get supplies. Don't worry." I hug him. "Thank God you're back."
"It's taken care of. He'll never hurt you again." He whispers in my ear.
I close my eyes in silent prayer at the release of those words. He holds me close, murmuring comfort into my ear. He pulls away and brushes my hair behind my ear. I smile at him.
My dad steps between us, telling Jaxson how much he appreciates this and how proud he is.
"I'm just glad my baby girl is safe." His words are slightly slurred. I roll my eyes and pull away from him, turning to head to the dorm rooms. My aching body and head have had enough.
I don't notice when Filip's footsteps fall in line with my own. His sudden presence next to me sends a rush of heat and need through my body. I push the door open to his dorm room and step inside. His scent lingers in the room and I close my eyes against it.
He shuts the door with a soft click. We stand inches apart, him staring at the back of my head for what feels like hours. The energy and tension between us grows with each unsteady breath. He leans slightly forward and buries his face in the back of my hair. I hear him inhale sharply when I lean back into him, his chest pressed against my back. His arms wrap around me, bring me into him and I can't stop myself.
My hands move behind my back, massaging his hips and thighs. He tightens his grip against me and places his hand gently over my throat, guiding my head to the side. His mouth attacks the exposed skin on my neck and electricity courses through my nerves, sparking each one as his kissing becomes more aggressive and desperate.
I turn to face him and he pushes me backward to the bed. We both scramble to get out of our clothes and he quickly covers my body with his own, his hand tracing down my side, stopping at some of the still visible cuts. He stops when he notices the new damage to my hand. His eyes watch my face with a pained expression and I press my lips to his trying to comfort him in the process. My hands slide up to his neck and into the back of his hair, pulling his lips to meet my skin at my neck and chest. His mouth hungrily sucks in each of my nipples in turn; eliciting small mewls and sighs from me.
He reaches down, moving my leg gently to the side. He positions himself over me and slowly presses into me. Each movement he makes relaxes my muscles until I am melting against him. My cries grow louder and he silences them with deep passionate kisses. His steady, deep thrusts send me over the edge and I dig my nails into his back, drawing a small amount of blood in the process. He slams against me hard, prolonging my orgasm until he crashes into me, emptying himself inside of me with a loud growl that I'm sure anyone in the clubhouse heard.
He rolls off of me and pulls me against his chest. I sigh in contentment as he lights a cigarette. Neither of us says a word and soon I'm relaxing into him. A soft knock at the door interrupts our peace.
"We gotta go Chibs." Happy's voice is serious and grim. I close my eyes, fighting the tears and push myself away from him.
"Aye, I'll be there in a second." His voice is raw and gruff. I go to the dresser, pulling out fresh clothes. He slides his jeans on and secures his belt before coming to stand next to me. I turn into his bare chest and curl into him.
"I love you Bree." He says, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
"I love you too Filip." I choke out the words and he holds me while hot tears splatter against his chest.
"I'll be back baby girl. We'll talk then." He reassures me before pulling his shirt on.
I dress quickly and we walk out to the clubhouse, his arm wrapped tightly around me. The guys are heading into the Chapel and he joins them. Lyla comes to stand by me with a gentle smile.
"Get to my house. Now!" Jaxson's voice is frantic and scared when I answer. "Leave everyone else there." I hear his voice break and I know it's serious. We waited for hours for news from them and this is the type of call I had dreaded with each passing minute.
"Lyla, I gotta go. You ok here?" I call to her without waiting for her answer. I break every traffic law as I race through town, squealing into the driveway. Several squad cars skid to a stop in front of the house as I hurry through the door, stopping at the sight on the kitchen floor. Half-Sack is lying sprawled out on the kitchen floor surrounded by blood. My hand flies to my mouth and I gag.
"Tara!" I call into the house. Her sobs come from Abel's room. When I hit the doorway, she's sitting on the bed her face an odd color and expression. She looks up at me and breaks down into body wracking weeping. I sit down next to her, pulling her too me. She grips the sleeves of my sweatshirt and screams into my arms. The sound chills me to my core. Jaxson's nowhere to be found.
"He took Abel." She stutters and sobs. "Abel's gone." I freeze, the horror I'm feeling reflected on my face. Hale steps into the room and hesitates at the scene. I lay her down and step into the hallway with him.
"I'll make sure she talks to you when she's able. She just can't do this right now." He nods at me, his face full of understanding. I watch as the coroner zips the black bag around Kip. My heart breaks silently and I can't help but stare at the dark blood staining the floor. Hale and his crew slowly trickle out.