Recluse Protection

Chapter 28

Fucking hell. Pacing in the room, my mind slams into gear, years of torment flashing behind my eyes. This isn't good. My nails dig into my arms, my grip tightens painfully. He knows. My demon knows; the monsters I was fighting at a distance are coming, nipping at my heels like hell hounds. I need to move. Welder is an old face, the demon who's been betraying the club. Did Bear or Gears know his true nature? My chest feels tight, my heart continues to slam into my sternum painfully.

I grab skinny jeans and a shirt, heading into the bathroom for a shower and to change. The brand that rests between my breasts ache painfully. Screaming its agony as memories are thrust before my eyes. The damage that one man has done. I peel the athletic wear off; I need a shower, get rid of the feeling of his stare. He knows who I am. His eyes landed on me; after the shock dissipated, realization dawned. I glare at the offending outfit; his quick realization paired with the bright cheerful colors only affirm my hatred for my femininity. It's disgusting. The scalding hot water burns my skin as I stand under the spray, scrubbing harshly.

Nothing is making it go away! The door opens and I freeze in my tracks, my weapon is in the other room. I'm not defenseless. "Hellion?" Cobra's voice comes through the bathroom, calling over the sound of running water.

"What do you want?" My voice is harsher than I like and I wince; great way to play it cool.

"I wanted to talk to you about what happened with Hunter; are you alright?" I swallow harshly, wrapping my arms around my body.

"I'm fine; can we talk later? I have something I want to do." The thought of being staying here right now makes me want to be sick. I could stay here before I say Welder today; now it's like the man has traipsed through my home, destroying everything I have ever known and loved.

"What do you have to do?" Cobra asks through the door and my lip draws up in annoyance.

"Cobra, I need to get out and do something, don't worry about it." Cobra's response is to push open the door to the bathroom, making me glare harshly at him. "What are you doing?" Cobra stops and stares at me with his arms crossed.

"What are you doing?" I roll my eyes at the man and rinse the soap from my body, aggravated with him.

"Cobra, piss off I'm in the shower." Slicking water from my hair, I shut the water off.

"Casey, what the hell are you planning on doing." I jerk the curtain across, glaring at him as I go to snatch the towel from the counter. Cobra stops me by pulling the towel away. His eyes lowering down my form, his stare doesn't make me disgusted, instead I pause. Planting my hands on my hips, I narrow my eyes, aware that I'm dripping water onto the floor.

"Are you going to give me my towel or will I have to hurt you?" Cobra's eyes narrow, staring at my chest.

"What's that?" I roll my eyes and steal the towel he's forgotten.

"They're called breasts, I'm sure you've seen them a time or two." I cover my body with the towel and start to dry myself off.

"Not that, this." His voice is guttural, rumbling from his chest as pulls the towel exposing me to him and he touches the mark centered on my sternum. I jerk away, as if his touch burned me physically. Shaking my head, I leave the bathroom drying off, I keep my silence. I stand in front of the dresser. "Casey." Cobra's voice growls, the deep sound making my stomach flip.

"Drop it." I shake my head, pulling open the bag that rests on top, pulling out panties. The rest of the clothes follow suit. I pull the underwear on, Cobra's hands grab my shoulders forcing me to turn and stare at him.