Awaken The Beast: Snakes Henchmen MC Read online

  I’m not sure it’s bullying as such, but it’s bordering on it.

  I don’t want Jessie to have to deal with this alone. Keeping things like this to yourself never goes the way you think it will.

  Jessie will be just fine; I know she will. I’ll make sure of it.

  Chapter Fourteen

  VJ

  Can I sit down?”

  “What do you want, Bones?”

  I’m not interested in what he has to say right now. We haven’t spoken in weeks, not since he claimed my little sister. Can’t even look the man in the eye.

  I’m not scared of the cunt, ha, the fucking thought’s laughable. However, this man was my best friend, and he had no fucking right to touch my sister!

  He sits down beside me at the bar without waiting for me to say anything. I have to roll the tension from my neck, to save me from snapping his.

  “This can’t go on, VJ... Beer, Andy!” Barkeep nods and hands Bones a cold one. “Sophie is heartbroken that you won’t talk to her.”

  That shit wasn’t intentional. I’ve been too damn busy running errands because I need something to keep my mind clear of wanting to hurt people. Then I’ve been doing some serious damage to people on Draven Vidal’s orders, or I’ve been fucking Chloe every chance I get. Even slept next to her the other night. I know, right, me sleeping next to a woman.

  I know I did it the first night we met, and I still have no clue why. However, the other night, I just wanted to hold her close to me, which was fucking weird as all hell for me, but fuck if it didn’t feel right holding her. Chloe clung to me, and we both slept peacefully.

  Fucking crazy or what?

  I haven’t made her any promises of a relationship, but I have to admit that there’s been no one else since the night I met Chloe. Not even on the nights, I’m not with her. Now that is fucking crazy. I’ve always fucked every woman who’s shown the slightest bit of interest, even when she didn’t, I made sure she couldn’t resist. So what the fuck has gotten into me?

  “Look,” Bones sighs like a damn woman. “Hate on me all you like, but don’t take this out on Sophie. She loves you, VJ. Whether you want it or not.”

  “Fuck off, Bones.” I spit out with little effort.

  “It’s her birthday tomorrow. We’re throwing her a party. She wants you there as her brother and not just some asshole hovering around.”

  Cunt!

  I’m itching to punch him out. I swear to God, it’s like a gnawing in my gut to do so. However, there’s something in my head telling me to calm down, not to blow up at this man, my friend. Chloe has done this to me, dammit! I wouldn’t have second-guessed myself once in the past before meeting her. I would have just gone with it, but now I’m fucking sitting here keeping my cool... What kind of power does that woman have over me?

  She’s gotten inside my head, and it’s driving me crazy. I want her gone from my mind, but I don’t want to let her go at the same time. I feel something for Chloe that I never thought I could feel, and I’ve only known her a few short weeks.

  I’m not claiming to be a damn saint. I’m not. Hell, I’ve fucked more women than I can count, but only being with Chloe since I was released from prison just seems right. It wouldn’t have bothered me in the past whom I slept with, could have been three at once, who knows. However, since I met Chloe, tasted her, I can’t forget her.

  Am I fucked?

  I’m starting to think I am.

  I honestly don’t understand what the hell I’m feeling. I’m confused, and I hate being confused!

  “If you wanna fight me, VJ, let’s get to it. Because this shit is doin’ my head in.”

  “Is she happy?” That’s all I need to know. All I want for Sophie is her happiness. My sister deserves that.

  “She’s always been happy, VJ, but yes, she’s happy with me, if that’s what you mean. I’d never hurt her. However, she’s miserable thinking you’re disappointed in her, might kill me.” He chuckles, but he knows as well as Sophie that I’m unpredictable, and I have been known to attack when you least expect it.

  “You’re lucky I give a damn about my sister’s happiness. You shouldn’t have gone against me, Bones. You could have come to me and told me how you felt. Might not understand this shit, but I’m not dead in the brain.”

  “I know this, brother. Don’t you think I’ve thought about this? I have. I know I should have spoken to you, but I acted on instinct at that moment in time. I just needed Sophie to know how I felt about her. I love her, VJ. She’s safe with me, brother. I’d fuckin’ die before I let anything happen to her.”

  I know that. If there’s anyone I truly trust in this world outside of my family, it’s Bones.

  I turn my head and look at him. “You ever go against me again, and I’ll kill you. No second chances, no warnings. You take care of my sister, and you make damn sure she smiles every fuckin’ day, and I’ll put this behind me.”

  “Won’t be a problem. You have my word.”

  He shouldn’t need to give it to me. I’m not Sophie’s father, but I am her big brother and what I fucking say goes, and I don’t give a shit what anyone says. My older sisters are thirteen and eleven years my senior, and I’d be exactly the same with them.

  However, Bones is right; it’s Sophie’s twentieth tomorrow, and she deserves to have fun. If they’re throwing her a party, which I already knew about, then I’ll be there. I won’t make a scene. I’ll do the big brother thing and be nice.

  “So, tell me what you’ve got planned for Sophie’s birthday.”

  “Well...”

  * * *

  Are you sure about this, VJ?”

  I smile while tucking a strand of hair behind Chloe’s ear. I convinced her to come with me to Sophie’s birthday party. Max wasn’t too pleased when I turned up to collect Chloe, but I don’t give a shit what he thinks. He’s been on my back for weeks about leaving Chloe alone. Anybody would think he was jealous.

  My Chloe is more beautiful than I’ve ever known. My little beauty who has captured something inside of me that I never thought existed.

  Tonight, she’s wearing a flowing white dress with flat white shoes that make her over a foot shorter than me. Her height doesn’t even bother a little bit. It would have in the past, not anymore. Her hair is twisted up at the back of her head in some fancy style that has wisps of hair falling around her face. Light makeup because I prefer Chloe to look natural, and she’s wearing the same perfume she wore the night we met. I love that perfume on her, sweet, floral, all Chloe.

  “You don’t want to arrive with me, princess?”

  “Of course, it’s just,” She sighs. She’s wondering if we’re going in there as a couple or not. She doesn’t know what we are to each other.

  I can’t promise her that we’re in a relationship, I don’t do those. She’s my girl, I’ve made that clear to everyone around us. That will have to be enough for her.

  I kiss her forehead. “Let’s get in there. Sophie will be wondering if I’m turning up or not.”

  Chloe nods.

  I take her hand in mine, entwining our fingers. I turn to lead us inside, but she yanks on my arm and stops me. I look at her with narrow, confused eyes. “What is it?”

  “When we go in there, try to remember that your sister is a grown woman. Bones is the man she loves, and he loves her in return. You’re going to see them arm in arm, probably kissing at some point.”

  I sigh. “Your point is?”

  “My point is, try not to get angry. You’re Sophie’s brother, she loves you, but that doesn’t give you the right to dictate what she does, nor with whom.”

  I let go of Chloe’s hand and fold my arms over my chest, a smirk trying not to break on my lips. This is what draws me to her, the fact she’s not scared to stand up to me and tell me like it is.

  “What the heck are you smirking at?”

  I grab her waist and hoist her against me, and she lets out a little squeal. “You have no idea what you do to me, woman.” I kiss her hard, and she moans into my mouth.

  “I have a pretty good idea. Now let’s go inside, and you remember what I said, mister.”

  I slap her ass and chuckle when she screeches. “Yes, ma’am.” I feel lighter, somehow. Chloe makes me feel lighter. The weight that has always held me down loosens when she’s near me.

  What the hell is this woman doing to me?

  We walk into my parent’s house hand in hand, say hello to everyone that says it first. I’m not an ignorant cunt like some would believe, but I don’t go out of my way to talk to anyone unless I have to.

  The house is packed with bikers, and their old ladies, friends of Sophie’s from school, the back yard is even more packed. I hate that they all stare at me, but I suppose it’s not often you see a giant of a man with such a short woman unless you see Roman with Marley, she’s around the same height as Chloe, Roman is around my height, even if I am a little bigger built.

  Sophie spots me at the same time; my eyes land on her. I sigh deeply, I’m trying not to be a bastard right now, but it’s not easy for a man like me to back down from anything, especially when I’m het up about my best friend screwing my baby sister, even if that something really has nothing to do with me.

  Bones has his arm around Sophie’s shoulder, laughing at something Kong is saying to him. Ratchet is watching and joining in. I don’t know Ratchet well; he just started as a prospect when I was sent down — patched in while I was away. Stays out of my way as much as he can. He’s a big bastard but seems to be intimidated by me in ways he shouldn’t be. We’re on the same side. However, I guess my reputation precedes me.

  I lean down and kiss Chloe softly – again with that shit! – and she smiles against my mouth. “I guess we should go say happy birthday,
huh?” She nods and follows me obediently, her hand still in mine. Every fucker knows I’ve claimed her, doesn’t mean they won’t try talking to her, flirting with her. Which means I’ll then have to kill one of my own men. Which also isn’t allowed, so it’s better I keep her with me than risk my temper flaring up right now. It will only end with me out of my club, or worse, dead. Trust me, just because my brother is President doesn’t mean I get away with breaking the rules of the club, I don’t.

  “Sophie.” I nod as she turns to look at me. “Happy birthday.”

  “Thank you.” She smiles, warily. I hate that my sister is scared of what I’ll do here. She has nothing to be afraid of; I would never hurt her if I can help it. “Thanks for coming, I didn’t think you would. Hi, Chloe.”

  “Hi. Happy birthday. This is for you.”

  I watch Sophie take the small wrapped parcel from Chloe’s outstretched hand with a smile on her face. Bones watches as she opens it, tears welling in her eyes when she sees what’s inside the box. “Oh, Chloe,” Sophie pulls out a necklace of silver, some weird tree dangling from the end of it.

  “I knew how much you liked it when we saw it in town a couple months ago.”

  “It’s beautiful,” My sister hugs my girl tightly. As she pulls away, she hands it to Bones to fasten around her neck, and she says, “You didn’t have to do this, but I love it. Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  I push my hand into my jeans pocket and pull out the present I bought for her, the one Chloe helped me pick out yesterday because I’m fucking useless when it comes to gifts. I usually just hand out checks or get Sophie to pick shit out and wrap it for me. However, I couldn’t get her to buy her own gift, nor did Chloe think a check was good enough.

  “Here.” I hand it to my sister, who eyes it for a moment before opening it.

  I’m not really bothered whether she likes it or not. I couldn’t give a crap if she throws it in the trash right in front of my face. However, from the tears in her eyes, I can tell she does like it. Chloe was right.

  “I can’t believe you remembered.” I’m never likely to forget. Max and I sat with Chloe and Daisy one evening last week and told them a little about our childhood. What it was like to have siblings so much older than us, what it was like to have a little sister.

  Chloe remembered something I mentioned about giving Sophie a small white teddy bear when she was born. She still has the damn thing, but he got battered around a lot because she never went anywhere without him. The poor thing no longer has eyes or ears because they fell off years ago.

  Chloe managed to find a place that sells them to this day and thought it would be a good idea to get another one. This time with Sophie’s name stitched across the stomach. I thought it was a ridiculous and childish idea, but Chloe told me to trust her, so I did.

  Max and Daisy got Sophie earrings and a day at the spar. Stupid gifts if you ask me, but what the hell do I know about women and what they like?

  “Not like I could ever forget Zippy, is it?”

  Sophie shakes her head and looks at me, lower lips between her teeth, stupid tears in her eyes. Happy tears, I think they call them.

  “It was Chloe’s idea to, not replace Zippy, but get you a new one because there ain’t much left of the one I gave you when you were born.”

  “Thank you. I love him.” I stiffen as she wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head on my chest.

  I look at Chloe, who mouths, “Hold her,” with wide eyes. I force my arms around my sister and hold her to me. It feels strange; I don’t usually do this. However, I relax enough to kiss her head. I feel Chloe stroking my back with her hand, which calms me. Which again is weird.

  When my sister pulls away from me after mumbling that she loves me, which I didn’t say back because I never do, she turns to Bones to show him that stupid bear. He looks over at me while holding Sophie in his arms and nods his head. That’s his way of thanking me for coming, for making Sophie realize that everything is just fine and I won’t interfere with their relationship. Which I won’t. Chloe is right; it’s none of my business what my sister does or whom she loves.

  “You made her so happy,” Chloe tells me as we make our way over to my older sister’s. Willow had been waving me over for the past five minutes, and I won’t get out of here without seeing what she wants.

  “It was just a stupid teddy bear.”

  “To you.” Chloe laughs. Strange woman.

  “About time.” Willow hugs me. I don’t hug her back. Same with Nova when she laughs and hugs me.

  I’m more like Nova than any of my other siblings. She also has psychopathic tendencies. She’s not as bad as I am, but the woman used to be an assassin for fuck’s sake. If that doesn’t scream Psycho nothing does.

  “I’m just going to grab us a drink.” Chloe kisses me and walks away. I watch her until I can no longer see her. I’m fucking hooked on that girl, and I don’t know why.

  Obsessed, VJ. That’s what you are — obsessed with that girl.

  “You two seem close.”

  “What’s it to you?” Nova laughs out loud. She doesn’t give a damn what I say or think. Willow, on the other hand, does.

  “We’re your sister’s. We’ve just noticed that you and Chloe seem to be together a lot. We know you claimed her, but Max told us that was just to protect her if she ever came around the club.” Willow tells me.

  “But it looks like more than you wanting to protect her from men who would never force themselves on her if she asked them to back the fuck off.” Nova is forever cussing, not really giving a damn that her young teenage kids are impressionable.

  “It’s none of your business, either of you. Whatever is going on between Chloe and me is between us.”

  “She makes you feel something you never knew existed, doesn’t she?” I don’t answer Nova, I just fold my arms across my chest and take a deep breath. “It’s okay, VJ. It happened to me too when I met Tank. I didn’t know what it meant either. However, it didn’t take me long to realize that I loved him.”

  I roll my eyes in annoyance. “I don’t love her, Nova. I will never love her. I don’t love anyone. I’m not capable of it. Before either of you push the bullshit that I’m not incapable, you know nothing. I like fuckin’ the girl, nothing more. It will never be anything more than that.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “Positive, Nova.”

  “Does Chloe know that?” I nod my head at her.

  Willow nods her head behind me. “If she didn’t before, she does now.”

  I turn my head, Chloe is right behind me, tears in her eyes. I watch her place the two bottles of beer on the glass table beside her and rush through the house. “Fuck!” I don’t listen to my sister’s and what they have to say, I race after Chloe. I know how bad that must have sounded to her. Fuck, I never wanted to hurt her.

  What the fuck is the deal with that?

  I manage to catch up with Chloe at the end of my parent’s street. I grab her arm and swing her around to face me. Tears are streaming down her face, and she tries to wipe them away. “Chloe, wait.”

  “Let go of me, VJ. I just want to go home.” Her voice hitches.

  I scrub my hands over my face. This is just what I didn’t want. I didn’t want Chloe to get attached to me. I told her that I couldn’t give her what she wanted. I’m no fucking good for her.

  “Why are you upset, Chloe? You knew what this was. I never lied to you about what this was.”

  “I know that, VJ. However, you didn’t have to talk about me like I’m nothing but a vagina to stick your dick into, I’m a person with feelings, dammit! And you hurt them. Can’t you see that?”

  I blink at her, not knowing what to say. I don’t understand why she’s yelling at me about what I said. Okay, telling my sister’s that I like nothing more than fucking Chloe was probably the wrong thing to say. But shit, does she really need to go off at me like this?

  Chapter Fifteen