Chapter 13
Penny
Bruin has been quiet since we got back to the clubhouse. I’m sure right now, he’s thinking I’m more trouble than I’m worth and I can’t really blame him.
They go into church and I sit outside the room, waiting. I can’t blame the club if they ban me. That was a mess today and could have been so much worse. I know I should feel something that my half-brother died, but either I’m not processing it or really don’t care. We shared the same dad, but that was it. I know he was evil and I also know that as long as he lived, I would never be free.
I hear yelling through the walls and at one point it sounds like someone threw something or even someone against a wall. I almost go in there to check on Bruin at least five times, but I know he wouldn’t want that.
It finally quiets down and only a few more minutes pass by and all the men are walking out of the room. I can’t tell by the expressions on their face, but whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.
Klaus comes out—he’s one I recognize—and he sees the worry on my face, because he stops beside me and pats me on the arm. “It will be okay.” I just nod my head at him, refusing to let the tears roll down my face.
“Penny!” I hear Bruin holler, and I look at him. He has a fierce look on his face.
Klaus drops his hand and I tell him, “Thank you” before walking over to Bruin. I’m waiting for him to tell me that I have to go and it’s killing me.
“Let’s go,” he says gruffly and starts walking through the clubhouse, down a hallway and stops at his room, the one where I was found in his closet.
I’m already shaking my head, knowing I don’t want to go in there, because now the image of him and Rita from that first night, well, I can’t stomach it.
He opens the door, pushing me inside, not giving me a choice, but we both stop. Inside the room is Rita, the women that was with him the night I was hiding in the closet. She’s lying back on the bed and I can see almost everything in her skimpy bra and panties. She’s twirling her finger around her hard nipple and says, “Well, Bruin, we’ve never done a threesome, but I’m game.”
My mouth falls open and I look between Bruin and Rita. The need to throw up is overwhelming.
Bruin walks around me, blocking me, grabbing Rita and pulling her off the bed. “Out, Rita. You know you’re not allowed in here, not unless you’re asked and you’ll never be asked again.”
She leaves then, but not before she smiles at me, making me second-guess everything I thought was right between Bruin and me.
“Uh, was or is she your girlfriend?” I stutter.
He shakes his head no, but he’s not very reassuring. He’s still quiet and withdrawn. When he doesn’t say anything else, I finally decide that I just need to lay it all out.
“Look, Bruin, uh if you’re with her… well, I don’t do threesomes. And I definitely don’t share, so if that’s what you want—"
He raises his head and stares at me. His beautiful brown eyes are almost black now. “Is that what you think? I risked my life, my club, everything to set you free from the Eaters, but you don’t think I’m committed to you?”
I know I should say yes. But seeing her, seeing Rita, in his room has me all fucked up. I merely shrug my shoulders.
He grabs me by the arms and pulls me toward him. When I flinch, he softens his hold and leans his head against mine. His eyes are closed and I have no idea what he’s thinking.
My voice is strained and I’m doing my best not to cry. “Are you sending me away?”
He gasps and lifts his head. “I have obviously fucked this up—"
I grab his waist, needing something to hold on to. “I didn’t know, Bruin. You’ve been quiet since we got back and then since church you’ve been mad. I just figured they finally convinced you that I’m more trouble than I’m worth.”
He grips my face, brushing the tears away with his thumbs. “I was mad when I came out because I saw Klaus’ hand on you.“
“He was just—“ I start.
He shakes his head. “I know. But I still didn’t like it. And I want you to know you’re worth it. Whatever I have to do to keep you by my side is worth it. I’m not letting you go. I know it, the club knows it, but I need you to know it. It’s always been me and the club. Now it will always be me and you… no matter what.”