“I didn’t want to leave Mark and Matthew for the entire day,” she murmurs a sense of sadness filling her voice. “Is everything okay? Do you need anything?”
Tilting my head to the side I glance in Raven’s direction seeing the concern in her gaze.
“Oh Harley. I didn’t even realize it was you. I mean, wait, are you two . . .” My eyes widen and I shake my head in denial unable to speak. My throat tight with nerves at being around her. I know in my heart I can trust this woman, but my head is telling me something different.
“No but she is Neo’s ol’ lady,” Venom announces.
“Then why is she in your arms? I’m confused, my head hurts so much, it’s screaming in my direction,” Raven complains, putting her hands to her head.
“It’s all good, Raven. Look let’s go in the kitchen, I promised Harley some cookies and I know she hasn’t eaten today,” Venom says, urging me in the direction of the kitchen.
Once we’re through the doors, Raven immediately moves as far from me as possible. Weird, I figured she’d be in my face trying to find out why I’m here and asking a bunch of questions.
Venom steps away from me, as I take a seat on one of the stools positioned at the counter.
A moment later Venom places a dark jar on the counter.
“So, that’s where she hides them, sneaky woman,” Raven grumbles, narrowing her gaze on the cookies.
“Yeah, keep your mouth shut so she doesn’t end up moving them,” Venom grunts, pulling out three cookies and hands one to both Raven and I.
“Lips are sealed as long as you make sure to get me one when you get yours,” Raven murmurs, lifting her fingers acting as if she were zipping her lips together.
Smiling, I glance down at the table.
“So, I’m not going to pry because I can see it,” Raven says and my gaze pops back up to meet hers as I begin to shake once again.
“Raven,” Venom warns.
“No, I’m just going to say this, I understand and though the other ol’ ladies will probably be confused, if you need anything please let me know. I’m here and so are they. I will make sure they don’t pressure you in to doing anything you’re not ready for.” I nod at Raven in thanks. I don’t know how but she understands I’m not wanting to speak to her. It’s why she’s on the other side of the room.
“Thanks, Raven. I’m sure, Harley, here will appreciate it,” Venom says sincerely.
“No problem. Goes without saying, we’re family and family protects their own.” Raven grins for a split second before the grin leaves her face and she pales.
“You alright, Raven?” Venom asks.
Raven doesn’t respond as tears well in her eyes and she lifts a hand to her head.
“Fuck,” Venom remarks, throwing his cookie onto the counter and moves to Raven.
Her gaze comes to mine and then moves to Venom’s and back again. “I’m sorry for all the pain you went through. The . . . The winds have been screaming at me all day now I understand what all they were saying.”
The winds?
“Raven is unique in herself, as she’s an empath and spirits, or as she calls them ‘the winds’ speak to her,” Venom explains.
Oh.
“I will keep your secrets, all of them, you have my word but I hope you understand when I say each and every one of us will understand the pain you’ve suffered throughout the years. And as Venom said to you earlier, you’re not alone, you have him, Neo, and everyone else here at the club.”
Shit. She makes me want to trust in what she says. But can I really. I guess time will tell. If anything, maybe I’ll at least feel I can speak to her.
“Thank you,” I whisper quietly.
“You’re welcome. Now how about we get another cookie before the others get here?” she suggests.
Smiling I nod in answer.
Venom moves back to where he’d tossed his cookie down, swipes it off the counter, and shoves it in his mouth. “Sis, told ya you’d be alright here,” he says as he chews.
“Gross, didn’t anyone teach you to chew with your mouth closed?” I ask him teasingly not thinking about the fact Raven was still in the room.
Something about her puts me at ease. It’s probably the fact she understands and from the way she had tears in her eyes and the words she spoke she gets it completely.
Chapter Eleven
Neo
I didn’t want to leave Harley, but I needed to see what my Prez had to say. As I open the door to the Pocket, my ears are immediately assaulted by screams of outrage.
“I didn’t do anything. Why are you doing this to me?” Jezebel screeches.
Fuck I hate that shit. Last time I had to hear a woman scream like that was when we’d dragged Dixie and those two hags out to the woods and burned ‘em at the stake.
“Prez,” I call out, announcing my arrival.
“Neo, figured you’d like to be here during our guest’s questioning,” Stoney remarks.
“Fuck yeah I do. I’m lucky as fuck Harley is trusting me as much as she is,” I mutter, my mind going over the conversation her and I were having when Venom came knocking on the door. I hope she’s okay with him. I know he’ll keep an eye on her but I only just got her here. This isn’t how I wanted to start everything off. But knowing this stupid cunt is to blame for some of the demons haunting my woman I’ll be sure she’s dealt with then get back to Harley and spend the rest of the day making sure she feels comfortable here at the clubhouse.
She might have made the promise of coming to one of us when she starts to feel herself spiraling, but that doesn’t mean I’ll allow her to be far from me or someone else. At least not for
