“Oh, Inglorious mentioned something about that,” I muttered. Clio’s words hit with the speed of bullets. Bear wanted me as his old lady?
“Yeah, and you spat in his face,” Clio hissed furiously.
“No, I didn’t understand. Clio, I told you, I don’t understand MC life and wanted to learn. No one explained the importance of my riding behind Bear, so you can shove that. I thought Bear wanted a fuck buddy and was happy to oblige. No one said Bear wanted a relationship. How was I supposed to understand? I don’t understand MC rules. The back of the bike thing escaped me with its importance because no one explained. I’ve never been good at reading signals or between the lines, certainly not after Damon slept around,” I said.
“Who the hell is Damon?” Clio spat. I didn’t reply, and Kelly was forced to explain, and I ran through everything Bear had said and done with me.
“Bear took me to that salad bar because he knew I couldn’t eat fatty foods,” I said into the lull. “Bear took ages explaining the businesses and how they worked. He even pointed out where I could open a community centre for kids. Bear wanted more than a fuck buddy?” I drawled as enlightenment swept over me. I looked up to see Clio and Kelly nodding.
“Bear wanted you,” Clio said, and I gazed puzzled at her.
“But why?”
“Damn, that asshole really did a number on you,” Kelly said with a hint of sadness.
“Bear is fucking amazing. He could have anyone, so why pick me?” I asked plaintively, looking at Clio. Clio’s face softened.
“Because you’re amazing too, but don’t recognise it. Anyone else would have kept that money, but you’ve been trying to share it. You admitted you were a bitch when you could have made excuses. The work you did with the kids was amazing. Chance looked into it. Thalia, you came straight to find us instead of dwelling on shitty parents. You needed to make sure we were okay. Bear saw that and wanted it,” Clio said, anger fading completely.
“But that’s just being fair,” I demurred. Kelly and Clio shook their heads.
“Nope, hell, you didn’t even know Callie and moved ten million across. You’ve tried foisting what you see as my share on me several times, and Polly is out and out avoiding money talks. But you think that’s being fair, others don’t, and that’s why Bear cares and wants you,” Clio said, sinking into a chair.
“I need to find Bear and explain, tell him about Damon and why I acted like I did. No one has ever spent the night, and not someone I cared about.”
“Off you go; I’m going to be spending time with Polly and Callie. I’ll explain the drama to them!” Clio said with a sunny smile. Happily, I swept her into a hug.
“Clio, I’m lucky to have found you,” I said and kissed her cheek before hurrying to Kelly and kissing his cheek and leaving. As I reached the hotel lobby, I was surprised to see Dylan Hawthorne striding towards me. I stopped, and so did he.
“Thalia,” Dylan said in greeting.
“Hi Dylan,” I said. I’d only met him once, and that was when Dylan stopped at the clubhouse for half an hour the day before Polly arrived in town.
“Coming to see you and Chance. Hawthorne’s found Rain. He’s in Miles City in Montana,” Dylan said. I froze.
“Do you have an address?” I asked.
“Yeah, I need to run; I’m on another job, but can I trust you to give this to Chance and Clio?” Dylan asked, and I nodded. Dylan handed me a piece of paper and offered a chin lift, and left. I stared at the paper in my hand before hurrying to the rental car. Typing in the address, I discovered Rain was three hours and twenty minutes away. The cowardly side of me urged me to go find Rain before seeking Bear. And the cowardly side won; I rationalised it would give Bear time to calm down and listen to me. I punched in the coordinates and started the car.
???
Uneasy, I stared at a pleasant house on a nice street and wondered how to approach Rain. By the time of day, it was unlikely Rain would be home, and I knew I couldn’t stay outside his house. Stalker images came to mind. With my mind split, there was only one course of action. Taking the tattered remains of my courage, I hopped out of the car and walked up the well-kept path. I knocked at the front door and was about to leave when it opened, and I stared into a masculine face, much like my own.
“Hi,” I squeaked, and the man frowned.
“Sorry, I’m busy, please go away,” Rain said, moving to shut the door.
“Rain, wait, you don’t know me, but please speak to me,” I said, shoving my foot inside the door. He looked at my foot and back at my face. Rain appeared puzzled, but there was also fear. I frowned. What could Rain be afraid of?
“Lady, leave,” Rain said firmly.
“No, I can’t. Rain, you’re my brother, and I need to explain,” I blurted, and Rain paled.
“What?” Rain said.
“Rain, I’m your eldest sister. Please let me in and explain.”
“Lady, I don’t know what shit you’re pulling, but I don’t have sisters,” Rain said with a quick backwards glance. Was there someone behind him?