Forgiving Nancy (Last Hangman MC Series Book 5) (11 page)

CHAPTER 16

Nancy

A few days later

Today is the day.

The day I look for a job so I can finally start my life properly. I’ve never lived on my own or had any sense of independence, that’s what I want the most right now. To have somewhat of a normal life. If I work, that means I can afford a place on my own. I don’t know where yet, nor have I looked. I’m not being ungrateful to the guys and girls from the MC, everybody has been very welcoming, offering me clothes and shoulders to cry on. Someone is always watching me and it’s driving me crazy. They are making sure I’m not going to have a mental breakdown or am about run away and I appreciate the effort, but it’s too much. I went from having no one to talk to; to crazy amounts of people all wanting to make sure I’m okay.

Bennett is always hanging around the compound, and me. Not that I mind, but he needs to chill out and stop thinking I’m going to disappear every time he blinks! I have to hand it to him though, he’s been very caring and loving. I’m also a little bit surprised by it, I didn’t think that after so many years he’d still love and care about me as much as he does. I haven’t told him yet that I still love him, but I do. Fuck me, I do. I love him as much as I did before, maybe even more so now.

This past week has been quite eventful. Besides the fact that Bennett has been following me around like a lost puppy, much to the amusement of his friends, he’s been questioning me about Callum. Apparently Callum spilled his guts to Gabe and Bennett about us knowing each other and how we met. I don’t mind as long as that’s all he told them because Callum and I are the only two keepers of a very dark secret that Bennett can’t find out about. I’m afraid it’ll soon come out into the open and it’ll be too late to fix the damage. It’s getting harder to lie to him about it, especially when he knows that we’re hiding something from him.

Bennett and I haven’t heard anything from my parents since the night I bumped into Bennett, which to be honest is both reassuring and scary. I don’t know if Bennett is the only one they hired to find me and if they are just being patient and waiting to hear back from him or if something more sinister is at play. For all I know they could’ve hired morethan one person to look for me and it’s just a matter of time before they show up unannounced. My mind is still questioning why they decided to look for me. I know they had received pictures of me, but I can’t see that being the only reason. They must have an ulterior motive and I’m dreading what it could be.

I walk downstairs in a desperate need for some coffee to wake me up properly. Last night was rough, I had a nightmare which I haven’t had for a long time. I’ve been having nightmares ever since I was taken and usually they are pretty vivid but over time they have been occurring less and less. I’m glad Bennett wasn’t around at the time or he would have questioned me all night long about it. Luckily Callum was my ladysitter, as everyone likes to call them, and heard me cry out. He’s well versed in my nightmares and has seen what I’ve been through first hand so he knows how to calm me down. It’s a huge comfort having him nearby, I know I can talk to Bennett about anything and everything, but with Callum around and him already knowing what’s happened, I don’t have to explain anything to him and relive the nightmares. He’s been my confident and best friend for years now. I’ll forever be grateful that he didn’t force himself onto me that first night. If he had, we would never have formed our special bond. I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t attracted to him because the man is fucking hot. He’s tall, ripped, tattooed and has a killer smile when he’s not being his moody self, and has a heart of gold. Even though he’ll tell you he’s the opposite and a ruthless killer and not made to be in a relationship, it’s a lie, he just doesn’t want to admit it to himself and does all he can to put himself down. He thinks he’s damaged beyond repair, but I know that there’s a woman for him somewhere. He just has to find her and when he does, he needs to suck it up and open up.

I walk into the kitchen, pour myself a cup and take a tentative sip before spitting it out in the sink instantly.
Oh shit, that’s disgusting
. I frown and run back upstairs quickly. I get dressed properly and make my way to Viv’s bar. I walk in and the smell of freshly brewed coffee and pancakes greets me.
Thank God for Viv.

“Hey, Chica,” she shouts from behind the bar as I walk over to her.

“Hey, figured I’d stop by for some coffee.” I smile.

“Let me guess, you tried their coffee and noticed that mine was loads better and worth getting dressed for?” She chuckles.

“God yes, I don’t even know why I tried it when I’ve been here every morning. Need any help?”

“Nah, we’re pretty quiet in the mornings, but the evenings are getting tedious on my own behind the bar and well with this little one it’s not getting any easier.” She smiles as she rubs her baby bump fondly.

“Well if you’re hiring I’m looking for a job and I’d love to help you.” I smile.
Please let her need someone
.
Please let her need someone. Please let her need someone.

“I didn’t know you were looking for a job. Are you planning on leaving?” she asks with a tone that’s full of attitude. She crosses her arms over her chest and raises her eyebrow at me, clearly not happy about the idea that I might leave them and Bennett. Not that I would ever leave Bennett, never again.

“No, I just need a place to live that’s not above the compound where Bennett can walk in whenever he pleases.” I roll my eyes.

“Is he doing your head in already?” She smirks.

“I wouldn’t say that, I just need some privacy and I know that with me being at the compound twenty four seven, there is
no way
I’ll ever get that. Callum had to actually threaten Bennett last night to get him to go home; he hasn’t been to his place since the night he brought me back from the cabin.”

“Seriously? He has it bad for you, Hon.”

“I know, he’s told me. I just need some time to get my head straight before I contemplate anything serious with him.” I sigh.

“I don’t blame you,” she says as she places a mug of coffee in front of me.

“Thanks, I just wish he would understand. He can be quite overwhelming at times.”

“He’s Bennett.” She chuckles.

“So true. Were you really serious about me working nights with you?” I ask tentatively.

“Nights and some afternoons, yes. I like you; you’re cool and you’re sweet. You need a job and I need a barmaid. It’s the perfect combination.” She grins widely at me. “When can you start?”

“When do you need me?”

“Oh yeah baby, when do you need her?” Aleck asks as he suddenly appears out of nowhere and sits on the stool next to me.

“I’m banging your brother,” Viv declares with a smirk.

“Oh now that’s fucking gross.” Aleck groans as he physically shudders and makes a gagging noise.

“Payback’s a bitch. Coffee?”

“Please.” He smiles. “How’s it going?”

“I’m good, I have a new employee.” Viv smiles.

“Who?” Aleck asks before taking a sip of his coffee. “I don’t know why we bother having a coffee machine at the compound, that shit is disgusting.”

“You’re sat next to her and I have no idea; one of these days one of you guys will get sick from drinking that shit.”

“Way to go girl!” Aleck exclaims and holds his right hand up for a high five. “Why are you looking for a job? So desperate to leave us already?”

I shake my head and giggle. “No, why would you think that?”

“I don’t know, just thought you liked it at the compound.” He shrugs.

“I do, don’t get me wrong the place is great and you’ve all been amazing and I owe you all so much, especially Viv, but I just need some independence. I want a semblance of a normal life, I’ve never lived by myself, I want to experience that. It’s nice having all of you around making sure I’m okay, but in a way I feel like I’m still trapped? If that makes any sense?”

“It does.” I hear a male voice say.
Oh shit, that wasn’t Aleck.
I slowly turn around to see Bennett with a face like thunder behind me.

“Morning.” I smile sweetly at him.

“Yeah. Morning. Can we talk?” he asks, clearly pissed off with me.

“Uh, sure.” I take my mug with me and follow him outside. Before closing the door behind me, I turn quickly to Viv who shrugs with a confused expression on her face. “What’s up, Sugar Tits?” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

“Why do you want to leave?” he asks bluntly, completely ignoring my hilarious nickname.

“I don’t want to leave.”

“Well it looks like you just got a job so you can make some money so you can leave.” He sounds so wounded, which makes me feel guilty.

“I’m just wanting to move out of the compound, that’s all.”

“Why? So I can’t be around you all the time?”

“Don’t do this, I really just need some privacy, I don’t feel like I have any at the compound. I’m stuck in the room all day because I feel awkward walking around and being around people I don’t know, there’s nothing for me to do there, I feel useless and slightly trapped.”

“You’re not useless and you can go wherever you want.”

“Saying it doesn’t mean I’ll believe it, this is how I feel.” I shrug.

“Come stay with me,” he states and sounds determined.

“I do-”

“Look, I know things have been a bit quiet this week, but there’s no way the Infernos won’t retaliate. At the compound you’re safe, if you move out then you need to move in with one of us. It’s for your own safety, I’m not trying to trick you to get you to come live with me. You can go live with Ayd, Viv, Line or Nicole if it makes you feel better. I only ask that you don’t move in with Callum. I still don’t believe that nothing sexual ever happened between the two of you.” He glares at me.

“I promise, Sugar Tits, nothing has ever happened between me and Callum. All we did was talk. When I was back there he visited me every month to check up on me and to talk. I don’t know what made him come into my room that night, but I’m glad he did. It gave me a sense of comfort to know that someone outside knew I was still alive.”

“Stop calling me Sugar Tits. Why didn’t you tell me?” he questions.

“Because I didn’t know how to bring it up and knowing you, you’d have gotten the wrong end of the stick.”

“No I wouldn’t.” I raise my eyebrow at him. “Alright, you’re right, I would have. Happy now?”

“Slightly. Now stop being so grumpy, let’s go and drink some coffee and eat some pancakes, you’ll feel better.” I bump his arm and go to walk back in, but he grabs hold of my arm. “What?”

“Nothing.” He wraps his arms around me and holds me close to his body. “Move in with me.”
How in the hell am I supposed to say no to him?

“Ugh, will you stop it!” I punch his side gently and we walk back inside.

“Grumpster done moping around now?” Viv asks which makes all of us laugh.

“Never. Can we have two rounds of pancakes and coffee please?” He leans over the counter to kiss Viv’s cheek before pulling me over to an empty booth.

“Alright, but only because it’s for Nancy.” Viv chuckles.

“Bitch.” He chuckles and slides into one side of the booth. I walk around the table and slide into the chair opposite him.

The rest of our breakfast is fairly uneventful, we talk about how we’re both feeling and every now and then he keeps glancing over at me, probably to make sure I’m not about to break down. I’m fine though, surprisingly, I thought I would be struggling at this point. I just wish I could feel completely safe and not worry that someone is watching me or waiting around the corner to grab me. I don’t think I could survive that life a second time. I want the life Bennett and I planned to have but never got the chance to.

We’re just about finished with breakfast when Bennett looks over at me with a mischievous grin on his face.

“What?” I ask wondering what he’s up to.

“Move in with me.”

“Bennett…”

“Nancy…”

“Oh God, not again.” I groan.

The next few minutes consist of this:

Bennett: Move in with me

Me: No

Bennett: Move in with me