Bound and Broken: Claimed by the MC

Chapter 16 - James

I sit down on the couch in Ameilia's living room. It's groans under my weight, but it's the only piece of furniture in this god forsaken h.ell hole. I stand up and start to look around, hoping to find something, anything, that might I've me a clue as to what is going on with her. Whatever she's hiding is forcing her to work her a.ss off, and the jobs she's looking for, the ones that you can earn enough at to pay the bills, and where no one asks questions, those jobs are dangerous. I won't have her putting herself in danger. I can't even bring myself to think about what would have happened to her if I hadn't come looking for her tonight.

"I'm ready," I look up when I hear Ameilia's small voice speak to me. She's standing there in a sweatshirt that's about two sizes too big and a pair of yoga pants. She has a big duffle bag with her, that honestly makes it seem like she's about to move in with us. For some reason that thought makes me feel content. I walk over and grab her bag.

"Big bag for one night."

She blushes and looks down but then raises her head and puts her shoulders back, "I have to pack up my stuff for court tomorrow. Some files, I brought home to study up on, clothes, make-up, shoes."

"That's a lot you have to go through just for court."

"Appearances matter, whether you want to believe it or not. Sometimes a jury's decision can come down who presents themself the best."

"I suppose that makes sense, good thing I brought the cage instead of my bike." We get to the car and head to the clubhouse but she's pretty quiet most of the way. And it's not just that she's quiet, she's been wringing her hands together so much, I think she might pull a God d.amn finger off. I reach over and put my hand on top of hers. "It's okay, you're safe now. I won't let that a.sshole hurt you again."

"What?" she sounds confused, does she not realize how much anxiety is rippling off of her?

I squeeze her hands, "you're quiet, pulling at your hands, your face is flushed. I know that what happened to you tonight was a lot, I just want you to know you're safe."

"Oh, that, no I'm not, I mean I am, I just." She takes a deep breath then looks at me. I can feel her eyes boring a hole in the side of my head. "I do hate what happened tonight, and honestly I don't think I've really processed the whole thing. Which, is really thanks to you. I know we've had some awkwardness between us, but I do feel safe around you. And I know I won't ever have to deal with Rupert again. I'm mores embarrassed right now about the prospect of facing Luke and Raven."

"Luke and Raven? Why are you embarrassed about facing them?" I ask, because I am so lost.

"Seriously? I about had a mini breakdown in the car tonight, it was so embarrassing. Luke was being nice and giving us a ride home, and Raven is my boss I just, I'm nervous to see them."

"First of all," I tell her as we pull onto the road our club is on, "Raven isn't just your boss, she's your friend. She'll understand that you were stressed out. Secondly, Luke has done things that are about a thousand times more embarrassing than that, and you don't see him hiding his face around the club. Niether or them are going to judge you."

"You're probably right, it's just awkward is all."

"Come on," I park the car and get out. "They know I was going to pick you up so Raven forced Luke to bring her down here so she could make sure you're alright."

"Okay, might as well get this over with." I chuckle as she gets out of the car, then I grab her bag from the back and we head in. We're barely through the door when Raven rushes over colliding with Ameilia so hard, they almost both tumble over.

"Jesus woman," I say as I reach out to steady them. "You've got a baby on board, wanna be a little more careful?" she just rolls her eyes at me before inspecting Ameilia.

"Are you okay? James told Luke something happened at your other job but he didn't say what. Just that you were okay and he was bringing you back here. Are you really okay? And what other job, I didn't even know you had another job, some friend I am."

"Birdie," Luke cuts her off, "give the woman a chance to breathe. She's not even fully inside yet."

"Oh right sorry, come on," she grabs Ameilia's hand and pulls her behind her into the living room. "Now spill," she says after she yanks Ameilia down onto the couch with her.

"Well first of all, I want to apologize for the car."

"The car?" Raven asks confused and looks over to me and Luke, Luke just shrugs his shoulders like he doesn't get it either.

"I was out of line, getting all worked up in the car. When I asked you to stop and let me out," she continues to explain when the confused look doesn't leave Raven's face.

"Oh that? We should be the ones apologizing to you, I thought you were just being stubborn and wanted to go back to your own apartment. I didn't realize you had to go to a job, even so, we should have respected your choice either way. We should be apologizing to you, so just forget that entirely okay?"

"Y-yeah, okay."

"Now this other job, talk to me. I know the city isn't a cheap place to live but I know you weren't making peanuts under Thomas. I know I can't match that salary right now, but with a little more time I -"

"Raven," Ameilia says softly while reaching for her hand. "There is a reason for my other job, but I'd like to keep that private, at least for now. And if it makes you feel any better, I was working at that job before I left the firm. The salary I'm making with you isn't the reason I took that job. I knew when I left the firm I'd be making less money, but that was a choice that I made. I wanted to follow you. I think you are an incredible lawyer, and more than that you have ethics, and a moral compass, something that was seriously lacking in our other office. I don't regret leaving to work with you, I'm excited to be on this journey with you. This is just something I have to do, and deal with on my own, but I really do appreciate your concern."

"You're sure?" Raven asks, her eyes brimming with tears, which I find a little alarming. I look over at Luke and he just leans towards me.

"Apparently these early pregnancy hormones are a real son of a b.itch."

"Now, I believe I was promised ice cream, brownies, and cookies, and you look like you could use some too," Ameilia tells Raven.

"Oh my God yes, the women have been baking up a storm, let's raid the kitchen. I bet Izzy is still in there, she was making cosmic brownies when we got here."

They get up and scramble into the kitchen, the issue of what happened to Ameilia tonight apparently forgotten. "She's really okay?" Luke asks, once the women have left the room.

"Yeah, a little shaken, but she'll be fine."

"What exactly happened?" he asks, so I tell him all about this f.ucker Rupert. His face darkens with anger. "That piece of s.hit, you're letting him off with a warning?"

"Ameilia didn't want me to k.ill him, but she won't be working there again, so I think we should send the boys to do a little rearranging of the place tomorrow night. Maybe even have a bonfire."

"I like where your head's at," he says with a smile before we take off after Raven and Ameilia.