After she left, Nerd suggested that we lock up, take everything up to the room, and have a movie marathon while pigging out. Since he has a way with making me feel completely comfortable around him, I agreed without hesitation.
“Chucky is way better than Jason and even Michael Myers. Granted, the fact that Michael is always popping up when you least expect him to, Chucky comes at you head on with his knife ready to slice you up. Whereas Jason simply carries a chainsaw and walks around like a creeper,” I giggle, dipping another chip into the homemade salsa Rachel got for us. It cost extra but it’s the best.
“Babygirl, you’re a nut. There’s no way Chucky is better than Mike or Jason. He definitely isn’t better than Freddy,” Nerd grins.
“Oh whatever.” It felt good to laugh so freely with him and not worry about anything else.
We were having a great time and I was enjoying being in Nerd’s company and I hadn’t thought once about what happened to me. At least until, the roar of motorcycles slices through our bubble.
Tensing, I drop a chip I’d just picked up and begin to shake in terror. Hear one bike maybe two I’m okay. I got used to that much while being at Rage and Cleo’s house. But that was way more than two.
“Easy, Cara. It’s okay. Just take a breath. I’m going to go see what’s going on,” Nerd states as he climbs off the bed. By the time he’s through the bedroom door, the engines are cut and there’s a pounding at the front door.
“Brother, swear to fuckin’ god you don’t open this door right fuckin’ now, I’m kickin’ it in.”
Oh my God. That’s my brother yelling and beating his fist against the door.
Scurrying out of the bed, I rush through the door and down the stairs, only to stop at the foot when the door swings open and Coyote lunges for Nerd.
“I could fuckin’ kill you, asshole,” my brother snarls throwing a punch that connects with Nerd’s jaw causing him to stagger back a few steps. Nerd straightens and moves back toward my brother.
As Coyote throws another punch Nerd blocks it and lands his own to my brother’s stomach causing him to grunt.
“Brother, calm the fuck down for a moment and listen,” Nerd states calmly as if this was a normal thing for them to do.
“Fuck you. You should have come to me first. Cara’s my fuckin’ sister and you went behind my back. I should have known something was up but I trusted you.” More blows are thrown at each other as they continue to beat each other up.
The violence of seeing them attack each other sends me into a panic attack and I cover my ears as I scream, “Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.”
My screams halt all movement in the room. I hadn’t even seen the other men who’d joined the party.
Nerd’s the only one to move while everyone else stares at me.
“Easy, babygirl. It’s okay,” Nerd murmurs soothingly while pulling me into his embrace. “No one is going to hurt you. Remember, I promised you nothing would happen, and I meant it.”
“Fuck.” I hear my brother mutter.
“How about we clear out and let Coyote have some time with his sister?” Someone advises, I wanted to say it was Stoney.
“I’m not leaving my girl, Prez,” Nerd growls, holding me tighter to him.
“Didn’t expect you to, respect that but now it’s time you work it out with your brother. He’s right you should have told him.” I was right to think it was Stoney, he speaks with an authority that rolls right off of him as he talks.
A heavy silence fills the room as everyone but Coyote, Nerd, and I leave the room. The entire time my face stays buried in Nerd’s shirt as I try to stop the trembles from racking my body.
This I never wanted anyone to see. Me, having a panic attack. Freaking out about motorcycles moving as one. Or better yet, flipping out over my brother and the man I’ve been in love with since I first laid eyes on him, beat each other up.
Chapter Ten
Nerd
Fuck, I should have known something like this would cause Cara to freak. Violence of any form could be a trigger that brings on a panic attack. With the way she acted upon the approach of my brothers, I knew she was starting to get scared; however, her brother and I going at each other didn’t help matters.
Holding her to me, I do my best to sooth her trembling body.
“Come on, babygirl,” I murmur softly against the top of her head as I guide her into the kitchen and set her on the counter.
“I . . . I . . . I’m sorry,” she hiccups.
Frowning, I grip her chin in order to lift her face so she has no choice but to look at me. “Why are you sorry?”
“B . . . Because it’s my fault.” Fuck me. Cara has a way with gutting me without meaning to.
“Cara, kiddo, this isn’t your fault,” Coyote grumbles, moving to stand near us. He’d stayed quiet as I took care of my woman. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I was pissed.”
“Brother,” I mutter, shaking my head. It wasn’t his fault either. “No one is at fault here. Last night, after the shit with Luna and her going missing, I made a decision. Went with it and brought my girl back home where she belongs. I was giving her the night to settle in and calling you in the morning to come over.” I state making sure Coyote is looking directly at me as I finish talking. “Wasn’t trying to keep shit from you.”
“Still don’t like it. Not after everything she’s been through . . .” Coyote doesn’t get to finish as Cara interrupts him.
“She is right here. I don’t want to be talked over or about. This is why I hadn’t wanted to come home yet,” Cara mutters.
“Cara,” Coyote starts only to stop when she shakes her head. A look of grief crosses his face at the hurt in hers.
“Don’t. I don’t want pity and I don’t want anyone treating me like I’m made of china. That’s not how I’m going to get over anything. I learned that in group. If you just think of me as me and not a victim then I’ll eventually be able to move forward.” The anguish in her voice is hard to miss.
“Okay, kiddo,” Coyote mutters as he nods in agreement. “I’ll do my best. Can’t guarantee I won’t go into big brother mode when I feel the need to protect my little sister.”
Letting out a hesitant breath, Cara gives us a slight smile. “Okay,” she whispers.
“Now that the drama’s done, think we can talk about everything tomorrow? Give Cara the night to adjust to being home,” I suggest.
“She’s not home, until she’s at my place with her family,” Coyote growls.
“Coyote,” Cara murmurs before I can speak up. “Please don’t. I love you. I know you want to be there for me, but I feel safe here. With Nerd. He’s my friend.”
Friend?
Looks like I’m going to have to make her see we’re more than just friends. She’s my woman whether she wants to deny it or not. I’m not about to let her go.
“Friend?” Coyote grunts.
“I claimed her.” I declare gaining Coyote’s heated glare.
“Nick,” Cara murmurs.