ZERO(The Skulls, 6)(20)

“No, I don’t mind. It’s fine.” She smiled down at the girl then returned her gaze to Eva.

“Right, I’ve got enough food to sink a ship,” Eva said, passing her a clear tub with a large sandwich. “Get dug in. Here you go, Steven. I brought you food as well.”

For the next twenty minutes, Prue forgot about everything as she listened to the people around her. She ate the food given to her and smiled as Eva talked about family life and Zero. The club was a family, she soon realized. They were all there for each other, and if they didn’t accept it they had to leave. Prue felt relieved that Zero had found people who took care of him. The thought of him being alone scared her. Losing Trevor had hit the other man hard, and she’d noticed the change within him the moment he collected her. Eating the food, she watched as a woman with long blonde hair entered. A large man covered with ink stood behind her, and his hand was on her shoulder, holding her close. On her hip was a boy. The woman looked like an angel. Her face was so beautiful, innocent almost.

Looking at them, Prue saw how protective the man was over his woman.

“That’s Lash and Angel,” Eva said. “With their young son.”

“Hello,” Angel said. She held up a sack. “I brought some clothes for when it’s time to take you home. I didn’t know what size you were going to need, but I also brought a belt in case they’re too big.”

Lash leaned down whispering to her. Angel blushed and glanced at the floor. “Sorry about that. I hate it when she puts herself down,” Lash said, entering the room. “We thought we’d come and see Zero’s little secret.”

Laughing, Prue glanced at all of them. “Are you sure you’re a biker club? You don’t look all that scary to me.” She smiled at each of them feeling part of their world. Since Trevor was taken from her, she’d been fighting every step of the way to make her life work. Teaching stopped her from being lonely, but when the nights came, she was always lonely. There was only so much lonely a woman could take.

“You’ve not been on our bad side,” Lash said, holding onto his woman. “Wait until you piss us off, and then we’ll terrify you.”

The banter went around the room, and she settled back, enjoying the show.

Another two people entered. This time the man was larger than Lash and the woman fuller than Angel. “This is Killer and Kelsey. They’re expecting their first child and have not long been married,” Eva said.

Nodding at them, Prue was embraced by Kelsey. “You’re part of the family now,” Kelsey said.

“I doubt Zero will want me interrupting your time.”

“You’re not going home,” Killer said. “You’ll be part of the club for a while, at least until this fucker is caught.”

Once again she watched them all. Steven drew her into a conversation. She answered his questions. Prue didn’t know how much time had passed. Someone clearing his throat brought her attention toward the door. Zero and Tiny stood in the doorway. Smiling at them, she watched Tiny go to Eva and tug her close. The chemistry she saw between the couple made her heart pound. What would it be like to be part of such need? She’d fucked, sure, but never had she experienced such heart-stopping passion.

Glancing at Zero, she saw he was staring at her.

“You look clean,” she said.

He chuckled, moving toward her side. She looked up as he landed a kiss to her cheek. “I had a shower.” The whole room was watching her.

She felt her cheeks heat at having an audience. “It’s about time.”

Zero stepped away, and the talking resumed. Steven stood, giving Zero his chair. She frowned as there seemed to be a silent message passed between the two people. The other man excused himself leaving the room. Frowning, she looked at Zero, who had a smirk on his face.

“What the fuck did you say to him?” she asked, glaring at Zero.

“Nothing.”

“Don’t give me that. I know you, Lucas Blakely. You and Trevor used to do the same kind of shit. What did you do?”

“Nothing.” He held his hands up in the air.

She knew they had all of the others’ attention on them. Prue didn’t care. She’d never been afraid of giving Zero a piece of her mind.

“Steven has been nice to me. Don’t think to throw your weight around or do some dominant man bullshit on him.” Prue pointed her finger at him. “I know your game, don’t.”

“I’m protecting you,” Zero said.

“You’re protecting me from a weirdo you created, not from Steven.” She folded her arms underneath her breasts, glaring at the other man. “He’s been nice and doesn’t deserve you being a bastard to him.”