Owning Destiny (Forsaken Sinners MC Series Book 4) (7 page)

Opening the door, I’m shocked at what I find. It’s like I’m no longer in the clubhouse. Dani has turned this whole room into something you’d find in a top of the line penthouse. The bed is a queen, with simple black and white bedding. It looks shiny, so it could be silk. The bedframe is solid oak and is covered in frilly shit that looks like curtains.

Beside the bed is a nightstand with a remote to a brand new flat-screen TV that’s mounted on the wall right across from the bed.

Next is a full-size refrigerator that I have no doubt is filled to the max. Then there’s a small sofa with pillows and a lap blanket.

This room has everything I asked for and then some, but there are a few things extra I want to pick up for Rose. I don’t know what she has or what she’s bringing, but I want to make sure she has everything she’d ever want or need here. My hope is that she won’t want to leave for much when she gets here, even just to get away. This will be a perfect home away from home.

Dani did a great job making this room into a suite. It’s more than I asked for, but I can only hope Rose likes it and will be comfortable here.

I know she probably wasn’t thrilled with staying here, or even wanting to take this job, but hopefully after seeing this, it’ll make the decision seem better. Dani did an amazing job. I can’t think of anything else that could make this room more comfortable or homey. I just hope Rose feels the same way.

Chapter Six

Rose

By the time my shift is over, I’m exhausted. Actually, that’s a lie; I’ve been dead on my feet since last night, but the adrenaline and coffee kept me going until this point. At least I know that by the end of tonight, I’ll be on my way to getting out of here for good. I’ll be safe somewhere Anthony will no longer be able to find me. At least, I hope.

The deal I made with Mack wasn’t something I ever thought I would agree to, but I can’t deny it will help me out immensely. I knew my money was low before I went to sign his release papers and I was unsure how I would survive or make more money to live off of once I got to where I was going. Now, I won’t have to worry about that. Not for a while, anyway.

He’s promised to pay me triple my salary, but that’s way more than I can or will accept. Even if he paid me what I usually make in the next month, that will be enough. I won’t have to pay for anything while I’m there, so I can put everything into my savings and not touch it until I leave.

Though I told him I would only agree under a few conditions, I probably would have taken the deal anyway. There’s something between us, and even though I wanted to just leave and never look back as soon as possible, I have to admit I’m not sure I would have been able to go through with it. Mack has entered my heart and my head, and I want to be there while he recovers. I want to be the one to help him get back on his feet—literally.

He said he would provide me my own room, that was something I absolutely need. I want my own space and have a place I can get away when needed. And I know I’m going to need it around Mack. He gets in my head and makes my body do crazy things. I can’t afford to be caught up in him right now or allow my body to give in to its urges. It’s been a long time, longer than I’d like to admit, since I’ve had sex, but what my mind knows that my body does not is that I don’t need sex. It’s unneeded attention and opening the door to be hurt. I don’t need that shit.

The condition he set out about having someone follow me around whenever I leave his house would normally be something I’d fight to the end about. But this time it’s different. I have my brother to worry about now, and any extra protection is greatly appreciated. That’s why I agreed to that demand.

I know I should probably fill Mack in about what’s going on so he’s aware of the possible threat, but I can’t. I don’t want him to know where I came from, who I’m related to, or think poorly of me because of it. I’ve gone this far being able to keep that part of my life away from who I am today, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way.

And the last condition we both agreed to was something I knew Mack would have no problem with. Everything I know of him and the way our conversations have gone so far, I knew how that one would turn out. Yes, he’d listen to me and let me be the boss when it came to his care and medical condition. I’m the nurse and he is the patient, so he will listen to me. But I also know that I’m walking into
his
home, his territory…so anything outside of his treatment is his game, not mine. And if he respects my title, which he has thus far, then I will respect his. That doesn’t mean when push comes to shove and something happens I don’t agree with that I won’t put my two cents in, but I know who will have the final say. And I’m okay with that. Or as okay with that as I can be.

Heading into the locker room, I grab my purse. I talked with Monica right before I finished my final rounds, but I never said I would be leaving after finishing with Mack. I just told her when I was done, I’d call her to let her know what was going on. No need to tell her yet anyway.

Who knows how long I’ll be with Mack helping him get better, and honestly, I’m good with that, even if it’s for a few months. That will just give me more time to save money. And spend time with him to hopefully get him out of my head, but I won’t tell anyone else that. I barely want to admit it to myself, let alone someone else. Plus, it’s not like I have a lot of friends I would want to talk about Mack to. I only have a few co-workers I talk to at work and maybe go out to eat or have a quick drink with. Not talk about men or even hopes and dreams. They might, but I don’t. That shit is just for me. No one else needs to know my business.

Once I have everything out of my locker, I head toward the elevator.

“We’ll see you in a few weeks,” one of the nurses I work with yells out, but I don’t answer back. I don’t need to explain to her that I probably won’t be back, and if I am, it will be longer than a few weeks anyway. I just nod, smile, and step into the elevator, keeping my eyes averted so no one else will try to talk to me.

A few seconds later, I’m on the bottom floor and heading out toward my vehicle. I feel jumpy and my eyes scan all around, aware of everything surrounding me. Last time I walked out of the hospital to my car, a nasty surprise was waiting for me. I just pray the same thing isn’t waiting for me tonight. Or worse.

So far, I don’t see anything out of the ordinary; no letters on my windshield and no one lurking nearby that could be my brother or one of his goons.

Making it all the way to my car, I finally breathe a sigh of relief that there is nothing here that I’ve been dreading all day. But that relief is short-lived.

I barely get my key in my car door when someone comes up behind me, grabbing my shoulder. I let out a scream and whip around, ready to defend myself by any means necessary, when I see someone familiar yet welcome standing there.

“Whoa, babe. It’s just me.” It’s Jax, one of Mack’s brothers in the MC.

I feel stupid, but I don’t let it show that I’m embarrassed of what just happened. I’m a woman, walking to her car at night. I have every reason to be jumpy when someone sneaks up on me.

“Sorry. You scared me. I thought Mack said you’d meet me at my place?” I question, though I don’t really care if he answers or not. I’m actually kind of grateful he’s here. Maybe he’s the reason I don’t have an unwanted visitor waiting for me or a note on my car.

Jax smiles sheepishly before answering, “Yeah, well, I was early so I thought I’d come here instead. Hope that’s not a problem.”

“No, of course not. It’s not needed, but I appreciate it all the same,” I half-lie. It shouldn’t be needed but at this point, I think it is, at least for me and my peace of mind.

Jax doesn’t say anything else, he just walks over to a motorcycle I didn’t notice before, then waits for me to get in my car. Pulling out of the parking lot, I look in my rearview mirror. A small smile takes over my face. I never thought it would make me happy to be escorted back to my apartment. And by a biker to boot. But I think these guys are different than any biker I’ve seen before. At least, I hope they are.

Ten minutes later we’re pulling up to my apartment and the happy feeling I had when leaving the hospital fades away just as quickly as it came. Now I feel like I’m back in a war zone and wondering when the enemy will strike. Will my brother be here? Is he outside watching me or is he inside my apartment waiting pounce?

Stepping out of my car, my eyes dart all around like a nervous junky who needs their next fix but still concerned that a cop will bust them. Paranoia is a bitch, but I guess it can’t be helped at this point in my life. I just hope that after leaving here and finding a place far away will make it better. I don’t want to have to look over my shoulder all the time and wonder when the other shoe will drop.

Jax parks behind me and gets off his bike. “I’ll wait here for you,” he says. I hate that his words strike fear inside me, but I try my best to not show it.

“Actually, could you come up with me? I may need help carrying some things down.” I don’t plan on bringing much, but I’ll pack up my whole apartment if that’s what it takes to make sure he follows me up and has my back if someone is waiting for me inside.

He looks at me with a confused look, but it fades quickly. Nodding, he holds out his arm as if to say,
Lead the way
.

I try to not seem fidgety and keep my eyes ahead of me, but I’m not sure if I succeed. If I don’t, Jax doesn’t comment though, for which I’m grateful. I don’t want to explain my behavior, and even if he does ask, I won’t tell him. I’ll just play it off like this is normal for me; I’m a woman walking to her house at dark. It’s a natural reaction, right?

We make it to my door slowly, but it gives me time to calm myself. Putting the key in the door, I open it in almost slow motion, waiting for a hand to reach out and grab me. But it doesn’t come. Thank God.

“Go grab what you need. I’m going to make a few calls and take a look around,” Jax says.

I look at him with a questioning look. Why would he want to look around? Was I wrong? Did I not hide my fear good enough?

“Habit, I guess; always like to survey my surroundings and know every way in and out in case shit hits the fan,” he explains. I’m not sure if he’s just brushing it off as nothing or if he’s telling the truth, but I go with it, hoping shit doesn’t hit the fan while we’re here.

Making my way back into my room, the low sound of his voice talking to someone gives me comfort as I grab a bag and start throwing stuff in there. I grab panties, bras, and a few pair of socks. Then I head into my closet to grab my clothes. One downfall to being a nurse and working all the time is I don’t have a lot of regular clothes. I can count the number of shorts and pairs of jeans I have on one hand.

That’s really sad, but what do you expect? I barely have time for myself and even if I did, it’s not like I go out much. I go to work in my scrubs, then come home with just enough energy to take a bath and maybe watch a few episodes on Netflix. And that doesn’t require pants.

Once I have my clothes packed, I go into the bathroom to grab all the necessities I’ll need while I’m away. Again, it’s not much. Just my shampoo and conditioner, body wash, razor, lotion, and the little bit of makeup I have. I usually don’t do my makeup to go to work, and I doubt I’ll need it where I’m going because I couldn’t care less what I look like, but I’m bringing it anyway. Some days you just need to wear makeup to make you feel better.

Tossing my bag over my shoulder, I make my way back out to the front of my apartment. As I’m turning the corner that leads into the living room slash kitchen, I overhear Jax on his phone. “I’ll take care of it, Prez. I got this. We’ll see you soon.”

Hanging up his phone, he turns to see me standing there. He doesn’t seem mad that I listened in or afraid I heard something I shouldn’t. Which I really didn’t. He just gave an affirmative to something that I have no idea about and that he’d see him later. That’s it. Nothing to write home about or chastise me for overhearing.

“All ready,” I say, wanting to get out of here. I don’t want to leave it to chance that we’re here too long and my brother decides to show up. I don’t know what would happen if he saw me with Jax, but I know it wouldn’t be pretty. I’d never forgive myself if Jax got hurt, or worse, because of me.

Jax motions to the bag over my shoulder. “Do you want me to take that so you can grab the rest of your stuff?” he asks.

“Oh, uh, no. I guess I didn’t have much to bring after all. I’m sorry I made you come up here for nothing.”

“No worries,” he says, then takes a step toward the door. “Shall we?”

A laugh bubbles up and breaks past my lips as he folds his arm across his stomach, then bows like he’s the driver awaiting the Princess to enter her limousine.

Moving forward, I take a step to walk in front of him, but before I can he holds out his hand, stopping my exit.

I look at him questioningly, not sure why he’s not letting me pass, but he answers my unspoken question with a smile. “I’ll carry your bag.”

I pause for minute, but decide there’s no harm in him taking my bag for me. It’s not needed, but if it makes him feel better, than who am I to say no?

“Thank you,” I say, then finally step out of my apartment, locking up after he closes the door.

“I’ll follow you out of town. Make your way onto I-34 North. Once we get out of town, I’ll pull out in front of you for you to follow me to the clubhouse,” Jax says as we make our way down the steps.

“Okay,” I simply say, not going to argue with him. I have no idea where this clubhouse is or even what town it’s in. I should have looked at Mack’s paperwork before he was released, but I never saw a need to. I could be following this guy into the gates of Hell, but I highly doubt it. I may not know this guy, but I do think I know Mack. Or enough to know that he wouldn’t lead me to my death or trust Jax as my escort if he was bad news.

“Do you need to stop anywhere to get anything else before we head out of town?” Jax asks, interrupting my thoughts.

Thinking about that for a minute, I wonder if I should try to stop somewhere to see if they have a computer or even a tablet to keep me busy when I’m not working with Mack, but quickly shut that idea down. I’m tired and just want to fall into a bed or any soft surface and sleep for a week. I can see if someone can take me to a Best Buy or something tomorrow.

“No, that won’t be necessary. I have all that I need right now. Thank you though,” I answer.

“Not a problem, babe. Mack told me to make sure you got to the clubhouse safely, but also to be sure you had everything you want and need for your stay. I think he gave me enough money to put a down payment on a mansion to cover anything you wanted to buy.” He laughs at that last part.