Killer(24)

The door to the clubhouse opened. Zero stopped to watch Sophia walk inside carrying her daughter on her hip. The more he saw her, the more he felt like he’d been hit in the gut by what he couldn’t have.

“Let’s clean this place up so Aunty Kelsey knows we all love and miss her,” Sophia said, talking babyish to her daughter.

He dropped the bottle making her cry out.

“Jesus Christ, Zero, you scared me to death.”

“Sorry,” he said, holding his hand up.

Her daughter started to fuss, and he watched her place the bag on the floor and rock her.

“I thought everyone was at the hospital or dealing with club business. Nash has gone to help his brother out. Angel won’t leave the hospital because of Tate. I heard a lot of stuff went down last night.”

Zero nodded, taking in the sight of her beauty.

“Yeah, Kelsey tried to commit suicide. I’ve not been called for an update, so I’m taking that as good news. Tiny and Eva are on their way back from Vegas.” Zero stayed out of the mess. When he got the call from Angel about what was happening, he chose to stay away from the drama. He had far too many problems of his own, including this woman before him.

“I couldn’t believe it when Nash told me this morning. Kelsey is so strong. I wonder what set her off,” Sophia said, placing her daughter in the crib set up in the corner.

Forcing himself to look away from her, Zero wondered if there would ever be a time when he didn’t have feelings for the young woman.

The only real meaning his life had was in trying to avoid this woman. Fuck, he didn’t know what he was thinking or feeling anymore. He loved the club, but seeing Sophia everyday was starting to hurt like a son of a bitch. She held such power over him, and from the way she smiled down at her daughter, she didn’t even have a clue.

Picking up bottles he started throwing them into the sack he was holding. The bottles smashed with the force with which he threw them inside.

“Hey,” she said, touching his arm.

He felt frozen inside from her touch.

Can’t have. Can’t touch. Can’t fucking love.

Pulling away from the feel of her fingers wrapped around his arm he glared at her. “What?”

“What’s the matter with you? Did you have feelings for Kelsey?” She frowned, waiting for him to answer.

She really didn’t see how she turned him up in knots. He wanted to laugh, shout, scream, and shake her to bloody death. Didn’t she have a clue how he felt about her?

“Nothing, I’m fucking fine.”

Throwing the bag to the floor he charged toward the door. He needed to get out of here. Being close to her was going to make him do something he regretted.

She belongs to Nash.

“Zero, wait. What’s going on?” She ran to the door. The pained look in her eyes struck him deep.

“I need some fresh air. Can’t I even have that in fucking peace?”

“I’m so sorry.” Sophia dropped her arm giving him the space to disappear.

He walked out of the back to find Steven having a smoke.

“I thought you were at the hospital?” Zero said, grabbing a smoke for himself.

“I was. I came home to give Tiny and Eva the heads-up when they get back.”

“Is she dead?” Zero lit his cigarette taking a deep draw from it.

“No. It was touch and go. Sandy said they lost her for a second but brought her back. Killer is beside himself, and her fucking husband is sitting beside him. It’s a total fuck up and looks more like a soap opera. No wonder the girl tried to off herself.”

Staring at Steven, he shook his head. “You can fucking talk some, can’t you?”

“Fuck off. Besides, it’s a good job I’m here so you don’t do anything stupid when it comes to Sophia. Bitch isn’t worth it, man.”

He ignored the advice leaking out of Steven’s mouth.

“Fine, ignore me. Shit, I stink. I need to get a bath. Are you sure you can be safe here and not risk fucking your friend’s woman?” Steven asked, taunting him on the way back inside the clubhouse.

Zero stared out over the horizon. It was a lovely fresh morning, and the slight breeze ruffled his hair. Fuck, he needed to get his shit together. The Skulls meant everything to him. He didn’t want to risk the club for a woman. Sophia was just a woman, and he needed to get it through his thick skull otherwise he’d be out on his ass. There was no way he’d be facing this world alone without his club for support.

Taking out his cell phone, he looked up her number and dialed. She answered on the fifth ring sounding breathless.

“Hello,” she said.

“Hey, Prue, it’s me.”

“Lucas?”