Fleur POV

You know that feeling when you're in a roller coaster and it's slowly climbing up before that big fall? That is precisely the same feeling running through my entire body, mind, spirit, you name it. Why am I even feeling this way? I really shouldn't and I should feel guilty for even feeling something like this. I promised Justin I'd try. He's been my best friend for so long and deserves it over this, this person I just met. Granted, he's the most attractive person I think I've ever seen in my entire life, but still! It's the principle of the matter. He is probably such a player with his looks anyway. Right? Yeah...that's it. He's probably been with plenty of women. Like, real women with a ton of confidence and life experiences. Then, there's me, and I'm....well...me? I mean I won't say I'm completely naive and don't know anything about intimacy, but the fact that thinking of the word intimacy brings a blush to my cheeks is already pretty telling. 

See, I'm pretty much still a child. 

While lost in thought, apparently Tank managed to walk right past me and plop into Katie's chair, leaving him to face me directly. It took him clearing his throat to break me out of my thoughts and for my nerves to kick it into high gear once again. Not really knowing what to do and trying my best to be the least amount of awkward I could be, I settle myself into one of the chairs that were directly across from where he is sitting. A pregnant pause passes and while I don't have nearly enough confidence to look up in his direction, I do feel his eyes on me. My mind is quick to tell me it's only because there's no one else in here to look at. That ought to be it.

"How long are you sticking around Broomfield?" his mesmerizing voice asks. The second it hits my ears I inwardly melt. I really don't know why that sound affects me so much, but I can't not appreciate the feeling it brings. Trying my best to look at him without gazing into his eyes, I notice a small smirk making an appearance on his lips. Okay, looking anywhere on him is clearly a mistake. How can one human being possess so much mojo? That doesn't seem fair at all. Especially because I have to attempt to be a functioning human in front of him. 

I take a deep breath in an attempt to collect my thoughts and prevent any of the embarrassing ones from passing my lips. "Um...I'm not too sure. A week at most, I think," I say, inwardly beaming at myself for sounding somewhat normal. "Justin and I are meeting up with our other friends to go on a road trip for the rest of summer before we go our own ways for college and stuff." I don't know why I shared the last bit of information, but seeing him so interested in what I had to say made me want to tell him more. It's official. I'm a loser who needs approval of the hot guy. Bad, bad Fleur. I hang my head in shame for my stupid thoughts. 

I need help. 

"That's a shame," my head pops back up to look at him with this words. "I'm guessing Ghost would love to have you here as long as possible." My heart drops at that statement. Not only do I feel guilty because he's right, I'm sure Max would definitely enjoy having his newfound kid around, but I'm also gutted that it seems only Max would be the one wanting me here longer. I shouldn't feel so hurt by those words, yet I cannot help it. I hope with age I can learn to be less of an emotional loser. Thank God he can't see the inner turmoil I am dealing with. Stupid childish crush! 

He must have read my mind or I'm not as great at hiding my feelings as I'd hoped because he quickly scrambles and says, "I mean...all of us here would love to get to know you. You're family." There's a hint of redness at the tip of his ears and if I were a bold woman I would have outwardly called him out on that adorable display. I will just have to stick to inwardly swooning followed by the guilt of feeling this way towards a stranger. A hot one at that. I don't know what to say to that, especially because I know words will fail me so I just chuckle and nod my head in approval at his attempt to save himself. 

Another moment of awkward silence passes. I am terrible with any sort of conversing when it comes to people I don't know...it's even worse when the person is the most attractive person in the world. He doesn't seem like the type to talk much either so I will relish in the fact that he asked me a couple questions. I still feel his stare on me while mine is focused on my lap and my fingers picking at nonexistent lent on my pants. My thoughts are everywhere. On this masterpiece of a man in front of me, of Justin and what where we are or are not headed, of my biological father, of mom and dad, and college. I suddenly feel incredibly overwhelmed and wish I could close my eyes and wake up an eight year old again where my only worries were whether I should be a princess or a doctor when I grow up. 

"Fleur..." I hear him say. Never have I enjoyed the sound of my name so much. "Are you okay?" Tank asks and I look up to see genuine concern in his face. Does he actually care about me? He can't...we don't know one another and I'm sure there are people more worthy of his attention. "It seems like your mind is going in overdrive. Relax." Ha. The one thing I wish I could do naturally. The thing about being a worrier is that I don't know how to turn on the relax button. Even if I have no major problems, my mind will find something to freak out about, even if it is something that might never happen. 

I give a quick, albeit low "I'm fine" that sounds less than fine, but I'm hoping it's believable enough for him to not ask anymore questions. I'm scared I'd actually tell him everything on my mind and then he'd think I'm some lame child...which I am, he just doesn't need any confirmation on that. 

Before I know it, he's out of his seat and coming around the desk. I gasp ask he crouches down and takes a hold of both of my hands while he bends his head down so we are eye level. The fact that my hands are in his is scrambling my brain and I can't help but take pleasure in the way his large hands seem to envelope mine in a secure manner. It makes me feel safe? Not that I ever feel like I'm in any danger, but you know what I mean. I should feel guilty for this, but I can't find it in me to do so. 

"I know you're probably going through a lot of changes..." he says in such a delicate tone. It almost seems like a foreign sound coming out of such a man, but it doesn't sound any less genuine. "Especially with finding your real dad and all. Ghost, or Max...he's one of the greatest people I know and although he just learned about you, I know he's going to try his best to make up for everything. I don't know much about his past because he doesn't like to share, but I know he had it rough. Just...give him a chance. Give us a chance." He sounds almost desperate towards the end. I also can't help but wonder what he means by "giving us a chance." Does he mean all of them as a group of people? The two of us? HA...yeah like that's what he means. 

As much as I am squealing like a little girl on the inside, I can't help but wonder why he cares? I wish I had the guts to ask, but I don't. I'm surprised I haven't spontaneously combusted from his touch alone. 

I don't get a chance to answer before his phone starts to go off and a groan leaves his mouth. Letting go of my hands and standing up, I can't help but feel a sort of emptiness as soon as his touch leaves mine. I wonder if that feeling is one sided? A girl can dream...

"Sorry, but I have to see Ghost about something. I'll see you soon." Is all he says before he rushes out of the office. My feelings conflicted. My brain is on overdrive in enjoyment and guilt now and I have no idea what to do with my first world problems. Yeah, I know they are petty, but it doesn't make them any less real to me. I guess now that I have some alone time for however long, I can sort out these thoughts and figure out what I should do while I'm in this town.

I just hope whatever I choose to do doesn't affect anyone else.

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Tank POV

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Am I some sort of pre-pubescent child? Have I never spoken to a woman before? God, I could punch myself after sounding like a sappy little bitch back there...practically begging on my knees for her to stay without actually saying to stay. 'Give us a chance'...gag. I shouldn't be acting like such a fucking love-struck teenager, but I can't help but feel something for her. We haven't even spoken much yet I can already remember the beauty in her voice. The way it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. The way it makes my pants feel tighter imagining how it sounds when it's breathless and begging for more. 

Fuck, I'm screwed. Just not literally.

As much as I would have loved to savor the feeling of her hands in mine, I have duties to attend to. The text from Ghost was a call for church and I'd be asking for an ass kicking if I were late. Plus, I'm sure it has to do with those shithead Renegades and something new and disturbing they've done. The things they do women and children infuriates me and makes me wish I could personally burn every one of them alive. I'm thinking Ghost might take it even harder now that he has a daughter of his own. If word spreads to them that Ghost does have a kid, things could get real dirty. Not that they'd have a chance of harming Fleur. I'd burn down the entire fucking world if any one of them laid a finger on what's mine. 

Yeah I said it. She's mine, she just doesn't know it yet. That little asshole that says he's her boyfriend will have  to just move on and find someone else. 

As soon as I enter church I see Ghost at the head of the table talking in hushed tones with Blaze. I'm one of the last to enter so as soon as I sit down we're about ready to start. All of our brothers are quiet and focused on Ghost as he stands up to begin. 

"Thanks for comin' on short notice. I have a couple things to talk about before I let you go on your way," he says. He looks like he's had a long day, but he also seems less tense. Maybe his time with Fleur did that. That little peace bringer could be something good for us. "First, I know you're all wondering and gossiping about that young girl who showed up last night looking for me. Since I trust you and you're all brothers to me I want to be up front. That girl is my daughter and I didn't know about her till last night."

There's some rumbling from the brothers, but Ghost is quick to silence everyone. I'm glad he did so because heard a brother in the back saying something about her looks and could feel my fists tightening. One more word and I would have probably lunged for him while staking my claim on her. I don't think prez would appreciate that too much right now. 

"I want all of you to treat her with the respect and honor you would treat anyone's old lady or child. She doesn't know she's our club princess, so don't be calling her that. Call her by her name....Fleur." After a few seconds of brothers agreeing they put their fists to their chest for Fleur. I'm proud to be a part of such a group of men. I know she's safe around most of my brothers. I'm just worried some of the younger ones might think she's fair game. 

Before I can continue my internal battle, Ghost continues, "we had some brothers out scouting for some evidence against the Renegades." I hear many grumbles from various brothers. Everyone is disgusted whenever they hear that name. "We weren't able to get any dirt on them, but we do have more reports of missing girls in a couple towns in southeast Wyoming. Again, it's conveniently close to where those assholes call home. Now, we don't have much evidence, but we do know what everyone has to say about them and their reputation. I'd like to send a few of you up to Wyoming to do some detective work. Hawk, I'd like you to assemble a small team to leave in two days. I know you are from there so you would know the area better than anyone else." I look to Hawk, a longtime member and one of the smartest guys I know, and see him nodding in approval. As much as I love the road and want to bring pain to the people taking these girls, I'd much rather stay back for awhile...at least as long as she's here. 

"Let me know who you'll be taking by noon tomorrow and we'll make sure their daily duties are covered. That's all I have for tonight, brothers. Good night." While many brothers are quick to up and leave, mostly to find fun for the night in the form of alcohol or women, I stay back for a few. Ghost is slouching down in his chair now with his head in his hands. He's had a rough 24 hours and I assume it's starting to catch up to him now. 

"Why don't you head home and have a good night's rest for once," I say to him. He leans back in his chair while rubbing his face then turns to me with a look of exhaustion clear in his eyes. We're close enough where he doesn't have to wear a mask around me at all times. Even though he's generally pretty well put together, I know it takes a toll on him to always act composed. 

After a long sigh he says, "I don't think I'll ever be well rested till I die. Too much going on and then this new stuff piled on top of it." By 'new' I know he means Fleur. Maybe he didn't have a good time with her today. I highly doubt it, but you never know. 

"Did things go okay with her today?" I decide to ask. "Seems weird seeing your eyes, but on a girl," I muse, trying to lighten the mood a little and get him to show any type of positive emotion. To my luck, it works and I see a grin stretch across his face. 

"She's perfect. I just wish I could say I had a hand in making her that way..." he says with an emptiness in her tone. 

Not having any of that, I say, "You probably have a lot in common with her that you aren't aware of. I'm sure that took part in making her who she is. Plus, she's here now. She could have decided not to look for you and lived a normal life, but she came to you." With that he looks at me with hope in his eyes. It's much better than the look he was wearing all throughout church. "She's here now, so you should make something of it."

"Now I see why I keep you around," he says with amusement. "You're like my own personal cheerleader." He laughs after his lame joke. I'll let him have it if it makes him happy. He better know that I'm a hell of a lot more than a cheerleader. Maybe I'll take him down to the gym sometime to remind him. 

"I talked to her for a bit," I tell him to shift gears. I don't know why I tell him that though. I could have changed course with plenty of other topics. "She said she's gonna stay here a week or so... I may have persuaded her to stay longer," I finish with a shrug. He looks at me with one eyebrow raised. 

"August...." he says with a long drawl. I hate when he uses my real name. I know we're being personal when he does that shit and I feel like I'm about to be scolded like a child with their hand caught in the cookie jar. "She's too pure for our world. She has her own life and she's got a boyfriend." He says boyfriend with some strain so at least I know he's not too keen on that kid being with her. 

Even though he's right about her being too good for our world, it's too late. "Yeah that's true, but if word gets out that you have a daughter, she could be in danger." He looks at me in an 'oh shit' kind of way. If this were a game of chess, he may have taken a pawn, but I was ready to take a knight. "I say, you let her in. She came here to find out who you are and if she has an understanding then she'll know what she needs to be prepared for in case someone does try to use her to get to you. If she stays for at least a month it will definitely give her time to learn a thing or two."

I know I'm trying to get him on board with getting her to stay longer for his sake, but I'm doing it for selfish reasons too. Maybe if she stays longer, that boy leaves and that gives me my chance to make her mine. It's inevitable that she will be mine, I'd just rather it be sooner than later. 

I know I'm looking at him with a smug attitude because now his arms are crossed and he looks tired of my shit. It's like he can see right through me. It's okay though, he knows I'm right even if I'm doing it more for my own gain. 

"Alright, you little pecker," he says with annoyance. "If she does stay longer I'll give her the truth about who I am and what I do, but you better not taint her. I can tell she's innocent and if I see that disappear during her time here, I'll make sure you lose that little thing between your legs." He's serious now and that pisses me off. On top of proving to her that she belongs with me, now I have to deal with daddy dearest. 

It's okay though. I'll prove it to the whole damn world if I need to. She's mine and nothing can take her from me. 

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Hey friends. Sorry for the wait! Sometimes life happens, but I'm trying my best to keep writing as much as I can. I have a second story that I'm working on to combat any type of block I get here so I hope you give that a chance as well.

Also, thanks for continuing to read. I know it's kind of messy, but I do plan on going back to fix things.

Take care ❤️