What Doesn't Destroy Us (The Devil's Dust #1)(23)

“No, it’s not too late if you will stop being a stuck up bitch for a second and hear me out,” he protests.

Infuriated with his tone and his accusations I pull my arm from his grip and continue down the hall. I really want to slap him in his face again.

“I’m not Candy, Shadow. You were right, I shouldn’t have gotten involved with you. I expect a little more than to be someone’s sloppy seconds. I take responsibility for being inexperienced and expecting more,” I say, with animosity lacing every word. I open the door to the room I am staying in and turn to slam and lock it in Shadow's face.

“You can’t avoid me forever, Dani,” his muffled voice vibrates through the door. He is relentless and I hate him for it. If he keeps this up I don’t know how much longer I can resist him. I want him, but I don’t want to have him unless I know he is all mine.

“I see you already managed to f*ck that up,” Bobby's voice is mumbled so I gently place my ear against the door to hear better.

“So when Bull kills you, can I have your bike?” Bobby asks, his tone completely serious.

“Why, tired of that Bobber? Ready for a real man’s bike,” Shadow jokes.

“Yeah that’s it.”

“She’s being a bitch. I knew I shouldn’t have f*cked around with a civilian, especially her.” Shadow says, his tone serious now. What does he mean by civilian? Is the club that out of civilization that I’m considered a civilian?

“Might be for the best, man. That’s one * you don’t want to f*ck with. Cut your losses.” Bobby says, his voice clipped and cold.

Instantly, I'm pissed. As much as Shadow and I should stay apart, that’s not what I want: no matter how much I tell myself it is.

“I can’t even f*cking think straight,” Shadow admits. I smile knowing I affect him, I wonder if any of the other girls he’s been with affect him to the point he can’t think straight?

“Whippah!” Bobby hollers. Not sure if I made out what he was saying through the door, I press my ear harder against it.

“I am not * whipped, f*cker.” Shadow protests.

“Whippah!” The sound comes again; Bobby is making fun of Shadow. I clasp my hand over my mouth trying to restrain the giggle rising in my throat.

“Man, f*ck you!”

Well, it seems Bobby knows about last night. He and Shadow must be pretty close because I can’t see Shadow going out and telling everyone he slept with me; unless he honestly has a death wish or he’s really, really proud of himself.

My room here is a lot nicer than the one at the clubhouse. The walls are light purple and the sand-colored carpet is stain free. A queen sized bed takes up most of the bedroom with purple, black, and white covers and pillows filling it. The blankets look and smell brand new. There is a honey oak dresser with a mirror attached, and a floor-to-ceiling mirror on the back of the closet door. Some of the Ol’ Ladies must have helped decorate this place; it was far from the club decor.

I start opening my suitcase when a light knock comes at the door. I swear if it's Shadow I’m going to kick him in the balls.

“Dani, It’s me. Open up,” Bull says. Funny I hadn't heard the sound of his motorcycle pull up. Then again, I was busy trying to resist Shadow, and eavesdropping.

I unlock and open the door. There stands my father in loose, faded jeans; a distressed Rolling Stones t shirt; and his black leather cut. His dark hair is all messy, and his vibrant green eyes are striking in contrast. Even as an older man, my dad is stunning.

“You getting settled in okay?” he asks, eyeing the room behind me as I step to the side to let him in.

“Yeah. It’s much nicer than the clubhouse. Thank you,” I respond sincerely, inspecting the room with him. Even so, I suddenly realize that the club had felt more familiar to me; strange.

“Yeah, the Ol' Ladies got together several months ago and decorated the place. Cost a f*cking fortune, too.” He shakes his head as if trying to forget how much it must have set the club back. “I had them buy new blankets this morning, though. God only knows what was on those sheets after last night,” he adds, pointing to the bed.

“I thought they looked new; thanks.”

“I was going to have one of the boys pick up pizza and movies later for you guys. You like sappy chick flicks like your momma?” He sits on the corner of the bed.

My mom liked sappy chick flicks? I never knew that. In fact I couldn't remember the last time my mother sat down and watched a movie with me.

I shake my head from my pity party, “uh, anything’s fine. I watch anything really,” I respond, sitting beside him. He knew so much about my mother and I felt like I knew nothing. What I did know about her seemed completely different from the person he was talking about.

“What happened between you and my mom? I mean, she told me her side of the story, but what’s yours.” His eyes shoot to mine. They go from vibrant and playful to downright sad in a flash. Maybe this topic was truly his living hell, but I need to know. Growing up in the shadow he unknowingly cast for me hadn't exactly been a picnic.

He rubs the stubble on his cheeks, making it sound like sandpaper, lost in thought.

“Your momma and I were inseparable; wherever I was, she was. I remember it like it was yesterday. She was here on spring break when we met. She never went back to New York and dropped out of school to be here with me. Her parents disowned her. They were a couple of Bible-thumpers; so when they found out she was sinning away with me, they cut her out of their will,” he pauses and looks into my eyes. “She was different than any girl I had ever met; classy. She always acted like a lady, but when you crossed her, she was fierce. She told me she loved me one day and I freaked out. She didn’t understand the club... hated I spent so much time there. Hell, I wasn’t even president then, my pops was. I didn’t think I was capable of falling in love and I thought she deserved better. I just needed to get my head straight, ya know... figure out where we were going; where I was going.” He cracks his knuckles and takes a deep breath.