Nash (The Skulls) (4 page)

“
You used my sister to get to me?” He nodded. “Why?”

Taking a step closer, she took a step back. Nash stalked her until she was trapped by the kitchen counter. Putting his hands either side of her on the counter, he leaned in close. “You make me ache, Sophia. When I look at you, I want to make you mine all the time. You’re all I can think about. I want you badly.”

She licked her lips, staring at him. He moaned.

“Lash came to see me today.”

He tensed up. Her words were the last thing he’d expected her to say. “What?”

“Your brother came to see me. He wanted to ask me a couple of questions about you.”

Stepping back, Nash felt nervous. He thought he’d seen his brother’s bike, but he couldn’t be sure.

“What did he want?” he asked.

“To tell me to fix you. You’re using drugs, aren’t you?”

Shame unlike anything he’d ever felt crawled over him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He didn’t look into her eyes. The moment he gave in and looked into her eyes, it was over.

“Kate died because of those fucking things
, and you’re using them.”

Glancing up, he saw the accusation in her eyes.
It was all too much for him.

“You don’t know me
, and you’re not the boss of me.”

“Drugs killed Kate. I’m not watching you do the same.” She walked past him, opening up the front door. “Get the fuck out. I’m not getting involved with you.”

“We’re friends.”

“You’ve done fine without me these last few months. I’m sure you can deal with this crap without me.”

Nash stared at the open door. Her eyes were downcast.

“What happened to you?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” She looked up finally meeting his eyes.

“You were so sweet and charming.”

The tears she’d wiped away began falling once again. “You really don’t know me at all.”

He frowned, getting closer. “Sophia, please.”

“No. I don’t want any part in this at all. We’re done.”

She shoved him out of the door and slammed it closed. He heard the lock turning.

“Sophia, open up,” he said. Nash waited for her to say something.

Nothing happened. Slamming his fist against the door, Nash stormed off. He didn’t need Sophia
, bitch that she was, or his brother the meddling bastard. He didn’t need any of them.

Running downstairs, he left the apartment block and climbed onto his bike. He needed a score
, and he knew just where to get one. For those few seconds the club, his brother, and even Sophia meant nothing to him.

Gunning his machine, he travelled into the next town going to the worst part of
it. Climbing the stairs of the rundown building, he noted the whores and addicts decorating the stairwell. Ignoring them all and the voice in his head telling him to get away, he slammed open the door.

The guy he’d beaten up the other week was sat at the table weighing everything out.

“I want my stuff,” Nash said.

“I’ve been told not to give to you.”

Pulling out his weapon, Nash showed off his gun. “Give me my stuff, or I’ll shoot your balls off. Your choice.” He was done playing games. Nash needed to lose himself before the reality of everything came crashing down all around him.

****

Letting out a breath, Sophia slipped onto the floor waiting for him to leave. When he thumped the door, she jumped but didn’t do anything. The sound of his feet down the stairwell made her relax.

“Breath
e, Sophia, breathe,” she said.

There was nothing else she could do to help Nash. Kate had been high on the drugs toward the later stage of her life
, and she wasn’t dealing with more drugs.

Turning her gaze toward one of the few photographs she owned of the two of them together, she saw Kate smiling back at her. The Skulls had been amazing when she died. She imagined it was down to Nash, getting the funeral paid for when he didn’t have to.

She was broke and wouldn’t have given a great service at all. Throughout it all, Nash had been there by her side, holding her hand the whole time. He’d been her rock through the worst time in her life, and she’d kicked him to the curb as if he was trash.

Tears filled her eyes once again, threatening to spill over.

Those few weeks she’d felt like a princess in his company. He’d taken care of everything for once. All of her life she’d been the one responsible for everything. If it wasn’t for her, Kate would have made them homeless a time or two. Sophia had gone to college in an attempt to make a better life for the pair of them.

She wondered what Kate would think
of her now. Alone, working two jobs, and having kicked out a Skull. Her sister believed in The Skulls and the protection they brought. There was a time when she’d believed in Nash. His taking drugs would start the end of him. Sophia couldn’t watch him destroy his life, not another person she cared about dying through fucking drugs.

Pushing her fringe off her face,
Sophia saw it was a little after five. She needed to get dressed and ready for her evening to late night shift at the diner.

Getting up from the floor, she headed to the bathroom. After a quick shower she changed into her waitressing uniform and then added a pair of tights to cover her legs. She didn’t like showing too much skin off.

Picking her bag up, she headed out making sure to lock her apartment door. She walked the distance to the diner, needing the air to clear her muddled thoughts.

He’s not worth it.

No one stopped her to talk or tried to make her feel welcome. Since her sister’s death the treatment of the locals had gotten worse, far worse.

Entering the diner she saw several of The Skulls sat at a table. Murphy was one of the men she recognized. He was looking across the diner
, and Sophia saw Tate sat with several girlfriends talking.

She’d just kicked a Skull out of her life
, and now a bunch of them were at the diner.
Great, just great.

It was going to be a long night. Entering the back, she hung up her jacket and bag. Jackie, the owner
, was talking to herself as she did the crossword puzzle in the paper.

“You’re a little early,”
Jackie said. “I hope you’re not wanting to leave early.”

“No, I’m good.” There was nothing waiting for her when she got home
or for her to stay at home.

“Good. With The Skulls here, things could get pretty ugly. Last time they ate in my diner I was closed for six months repairing the damage they made.”

“Why don’t you just kick them out?”

Jackie burst out laughing. “Honey, you don’t kick out the law in this town.”

“The Skulls are not the law,” Sophia said, muttering the words underneath her breath.

“Might as well be.” Jackie heaved out of her chair. “We better get cracking. The other girls are working already. I’m sure you’re needed.”

Wrapping the apron around her waist Sophia made her way outside. Molly, another of the women who worked at the diner, was shaking her head.

“What?” Sophia asked.

“I’m not serving them. You can serve them. Your sister was buds with them. I’m not having anything to do with them.” Molly left her alone.

“Great.” Grabbing her pad she made her way toward their table. People stared at her as she walked past. Ignoring stares had become easy to her.

The women or the men? She looked at the two tables and settled on dealing with the women first.

“Sophia, honey, it’s been a lifetime,” Tate said.

Kelsey, Eva, Sandy, and Angel were sat at the table with Tate. She smiled at all the women.

“What can I get you?” Sophia asked, avoiding the question.

“Are you going to make this difficult for me?” Tate was speaking louder gaining more attention.

Shaking her head, Sophia took a quick look around. Some of the customers were watching them while others were more interested in their own food.

“Not at all. I’ve got work to do.”

“Well we’re celebrating. Angel is expecting.
This one is going to be great. I can feel it.”

She glanced at the beautiful blonde woman
, who was blushing a deep red color. The men at the other table whooped.

“Lash is joining us soon. He’s dealing with some problems with the club,” Angel said. Her voice was so small.

“I can’t believe you don’t demand to know more about what he’s doing,” Tate said.

“It’s not my business
, and I’m happy with what I’ve got.”

Tate blew a raspberry and started to order.

Sophia took down all of their orders and read them back. When she made to move away, Eva grabbed her hand. “How are you, honey? You’ve not been by the clubhouse.”

Sophia felt the emotions welling up inside her.

“Erm, it’s nothing. I’ve been busy. I’ve not got a lot of free time, and well, Nash doesn’t want me there.” Sophia thought about before. Then Nash would have wanted her there, but twice she’d pushed him away now. There was no way he would want her at the clubhouse anymore.

“Nonsense. It’s not up to Nash what you do or where you go. You’re always welcome to the clubhouse as far as I’m concerned.”

“I appreciate that.” Sophia smiled and pulled her hand, trying to get away from the group of women. They knew too much, and as far as Sophia was concerned, they saw too much.

They all knew she wouldn’t be taking up any of their offers. She’d rather be alone than having to deal with the bikers all day every day.

Going to the front of the diner, she put their orders through. As she was handling their order, Lash walked through the door. His gaze landed on her.

Her hands started to shake
, and she tried to ignore the sick feeling swamping her.

“Did you do as I asked?” he asked, coming to stand beside her.

She looked behind her to see who was watching them.

“Don’t worry about them. I want to know your answer.”
Lash, clearly, wasn’t a very patient man.

“We talked
, but nothing happened.”

Lash frowned at her. “What went on?”

“Nothing. There is nothing going on between Nash and me.”

“There’s not?” Lash asked.

She shook her head.

He leaned in close, making her nervous. This man had killed before. All of The Skulls had killed. She’d heard the rumors
, and Kate was pretty vocal about everything. Kate had told her that Lash was responsible for killing Angel’s dad. There was no way she wanted to be on Lash’s bad side. She didn’t want to be on his good
or
bad side. Sophia knew he loved his brother and would do everything to protect Nash.

“No, there’s not.”

“You’re wrong. Nash wants you, and he’s finding solace in drugs.”

“That’s not my fault. He was with Kate.”

“Kate didn’t make him end up on drugs. I’ve never seen Nash like this. You better make sure he doesn’t fuck up,” Lash said, moving away. She watched him go to Angel.

Yearning hit her deeply as Lash put on a display. She guessed he wasn’t put
ting on a show for anyone else. The kiss he gave Angel was purely about giving his woman some loving. She wished there was a man out there who would give her the same kind of attention.

Nash would have gladly been the one to give you some loving
, and you pushed him away.

Blocking out the thoughts she tried to focus on everything else. When Nash walked into the diner an hour later, she saw the other Skulls tense up. Taking a good look at him from behind the counter, she saw he was a little unsteady on his feet. His eyes were bloodshot
, and around his nose was white powder. Shit, she’d never seen him like this. Nash always seemed totally in control to her. Not once in all of the time she’d known him had he ever let something else take charge, but the drugs had really started to.

Some of the locals were shocked but didn’t say anything.
Lash looked tense. His gaze went to her before settling on his brother.

When Lash mentioned drugs she’d not really believed him at all.
At the apartment she’d been blinded by other things Nash was evoking with his presence. Seeing the evidence for herself, she was bewildered. Nash was always in control. She was totally taken back by him being high.

“Come on
, big brother, we’ve got to celebrate,” Nash said. His voice was really loud. She watched as he took a beer from inside his jacket and popped the lid off.

Her heart was racing. This was going to end badly. She was sure of it.

Nash turned to face her, the smile on his face disappearing. “Everything is complete now. We’ve even got Kate’s sister to give us some action. I’m sure she’s like her sister in many ways.” His voice was loud enough for the whole diner to hear his comparison.