Free Withstanding Me by Crystal Spears Page A

Storm.” Shadow smirks, sitting down next to me. I watch his movements carefully. He doesn’t normally strike up conversation. Once he’s seated, he slouches, spreads his legs apart, and places his elbows on his knees while rubbing his jaw. My eyes follow his line of sight, and they land on Tatiana. He’s watching her carefully. His sunglasses aren’t hiding it. I hope he knows that.
    “Shut up. Winter made me sit in this damn thing.”
    His head never turns as the corner of his mouth barely twitches. He’s trying hard not to laugh and smile.
    “Thank you,” Shadow murmurs.
    What?
    “For…” I drag out.
    He doesn’t reply; he just nods his head in Tatiana’s direction. That makes me want to scream for so many reasons. What is with these men wanting someone and not taking her? He’s lucky I don’t reach over, grab one of my crutches leaning against one of the chairs, and knock him upside the head with it. I decide right there that men are stupid. Yes, they are stupid and I’m sticking with it.
    “Where’s Sniper?” Shadow finally breaks his gaze from Tatiana and looks at me.
    I smile and point over to where Sniper is hitting on one of the sales girls. It’s a funny sight because she’s just bustling around not giving him the satisfaction of even a grin.
    “I give her credit. She’s not falling for it. He’s tried everything. He’s even asked her to be his date at the wedding.”
    That last comment throws Shadow’s head back around to me.
    “He asked her to be his date at the weddin? Why the fuck would you need a date for a weddin?” His voice comes out in shock.
    “Well, because with normal people Shadow… when there is a wedding, it’s proper to take a date,” I smart off.
    “Do I need a fuckin date?”
    Oh boy.
    “You don’t need anything Shadow. If you want to take a date, take a date. But if not, it’s not a big deal. Did you not look at your damn invite for the wedding? It says you may bring a plus one.”
    “Jesus Christ!” He exclaims, almost too loudly while standing up. I watch as he walks over to one of the sales chicks helping Piper. He leans in murmuring something in her ear, and I watch as her face contorts from confusion to a giddy schoolgirl. She nods her head ‘yes’ excitedly as his hand trails slowly down her arm before letting her go and walking back over to me.
    “There. I have a stupid fuckin date. Is there anything else I need to check off for this damn event?”
    “Yes. You might want to grab a bucket of water, maybe even a hose, because with the look Tatiana is giving you… you’re gonna be set on fire.” I growl at him.
    “Shit!” He yells.
    “Dumbass.” I say as I wheel myself away from him.
    ***

Chapter 12
    ZZ
    The construction is finally finished on the compound, and the expansion looks fucking fantastic. Not gonna lie, Winter knows her shit. After the construction crew was paid off, Braxxon kicked them all out. We’ve been on lockdown since the ma and pop shooting and having construction workers on and off the compound made everyone uneasy. After they left, the brothers got busy looking for bugs and cameras. With the new building and the new windows inside the clubhouse, you can never be too sure. I know Winter and the club have paid a pretty penny to have this done so damn fast, but in the end, we all know it’s worth it. Too many loved ones getting fuckin killed.
    Braxxon decided to kiss Winter’s ass some more, and have a pizza and wings night in the new building on the compound. And for once, my daughter isn’t out hiding, doing shit she’s not supposed to be doing, so I guess I should be thankful. There’s that damn word again. Thankful. I need to shoot something. I need to feel like a man again. Too many emotions make you a pussy.
    Fuck!
    “Hey Mason.” Storm smiles down at me with her plate in her hand. She takes a seat beside me at one of the picnic tables in the courtyard of our newly fuckin awesome building. I look around to make