Chapter Two
Breaker
I walked through the dimly lit alley, my senses on high alert as I navigated the shadows. The night air hung heavy in the early pre-dawn hours with the stench of decay and desperation that clung to these backstreets like a second skin. My boots echoed against the cobblestones, each step measured and cautious. I didn’t know what made me come this way. Something had pulled at me, as if an unseen force were guiding me. I’d never really believed in such things, but I wasn’t about to ignore my instincts screaming at me to walk through this alley.
Suddenly, a soft, pained whimper pierced the eerie silence, freezing me in my tracks. I scanned the darkness, my hand instinctively reaching for the knife at my belt. There, huddled against the soot-stained brick wall, was a small figure trembling in the gloom. Wedged into an alcove, I’d have never considered it might be a person. It looked more like trash dumped, much like the rest of the garbage littering the ground in this area.
I approached slowly, muscles tensed and ready for anything. As I drew closer, the figure’s features came into focus -- a young woman, barely more than a girl, her dark hair matted and her pale skin smudged with grime. She looked up at me with wide, frightened eyes, like a cornered animal poised to flee.
“Hey, easy now,” I said softly, holding up my hands in a non-threatening gesture. “I’m not gonna hurt you.”
She flinched as I knelt beside her, pressing herself farther into the wall. Up close, I could see the fever-bright sheen of her eyes and the way her slight frame shook with each labored breath. Gently, I reached out and brushed my fingers against her forehead, feeling the searing heat of her skin.
“Shit, you’re burning up,” I muttered, my brow furrowing with concern. She looked so fragile, like a strong wind could shatter her into a million pieces. What the hell was a girl like her doing out here all alone?
“P-Please,” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. “D-Don’t… I c-can’t…” Her words dissolved into a fit of painful coughing that wracked her entire body.
My chest tightened with a fierce surge of protectiveness. I couldn’t just leave her here, not like this. She needed help, and fast.
I shrugged off my leather jacket and wrapped it around her trembling shoulders. “I’m gonna get you out of here, all right? Get you somewhere safe.”
She blinked up at me, confusion and fear warring in her glassy eyes. “W-Why are you h-helping me?”
I paused, the question catching me off guard. Why was I helping her? Maybe it was the way she reminded me of a frightened kitten, all wide eyes and fragile bones. Maybe it was the memory of my own desperate times on these unforgiving streets. Or it might have been the flicker of something I saw in her gaze -- a glimmer of hope.
“Because you need it,” I said finally, my voice gruff with emotion. “And because it’s the right thing to do.”
With that, I scooped her into my arms, cradling her against my chest as if she were made of the most delicate glass. She let out a startled gasp, her fingers instinctively curling into my shirt. I could feel the heat of her fever radiating through the thin fabric, a stark reminder of how dire her situation was.
As I carried her through the winding alleys, my mind raced with a thousand questions. Who was she? What had happened to her? And most importantly, how could I keep her safe?
The weight of her in my arms felt strangely right, like a missing puzzle piece clicking into place. I tightened my grip, my determination growing with each step. I didn’t know what the future held, but one thing was crystal clear -- I would do whatever it took to protect this girl.
The familiar outline of the Hades Abyss compound came into view after nearly a half hour of walking. I strode through the gates, my boots echoing against the asphalt. It hadn’t been a good night for a walk, yet here I was. And right now, I was thankful I’d felt the need to explore the town on foot.
Curious glances followed me as I made my way across the compound, my brothers pausing in their conversations to take in the unusual sight. I could feel their eyes on us, the unspoken questions hanging heavy in the air.
But amidst the scrutiny, I caught a few nods of silent understanding. They knew me, knew the kind of man I was. If I was bringing a stranger into our midst, there had to be a damn good reason.
I climbed the steps to my house, shouldering the door open with a grunt. The warmth of the interior enveloped us, chasing away the chill that had settled deep in my bones.
“Almost there,” I murmured, my voice softening as I glanced down at the girl in my arms. Her eyes were closed, her breathing shallow and labored. A fierce wave of worry crashed over me, tightening my chest. I needed to get her fever down, and fast.
As I carried her toward my bedroom, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment was a turning point. That by bringing her into my world, I was setting something in motion I couldn’t even begin to fathom. I laid her gently on my bed, her dark hair fanning out across the pillow like a halo.
A knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts. I turned to see Dread stepping into the room, his weathered face etched with concern. Despite the chaos swirling inside me, his calm demeanor was a reassuring presence.
“Heard you were carrying someone into your house. What’s the situation?” he asked, his voice steady as he approached the bed.
I ran a hand through my hair, my words coming out in a rush. “Found her in the alley, burning up with fever. She’s in bad shape, Dread.”
Dread nodded, his eyes already assessing the woman with a professional intensity. He pressed a hand to her forehead, his brow furrowing. “She would have died before the night was over if left outside in this miserable weather.”
I watched as he checked her pulse, my own heart hammering against my ribs. The sight of her like this, so fragile and vulnerable, stirred something deep within me.
Dread straightened, his gaze meeting mine. “We need to get her fever down. A lukewarm bath should do the trick.”
I felt a flicker of discomfort at the thought, my instincts warring with the logical part of my brain. The idea of undressing her, of seeing her in such an intimate way… it felt wrong somehow. Like I was crossing a line I had no right to cross.
But as I looked at the woman, her face flushed and her breathing labored, I knew I had no choice. Her well-being had to come first, no matter how uncomfortable it made me.
I nodded, my jaw tight. “All right. I’ll get it ready.”
As I turned toward the bathroom, Dread’s voice stopped me. “You’re doing the right thing. Don’t doubt that.”
I swallowed hard, the knot in my chest loosening slightly. “Thanks, Dread.”
With a deep breath, I stepped into the bathroom, my mind already racing ahead. I knew what I had to do, even if every fiber of my being rebelled against it.
But as I turned on the tap, the sound of running water filling the room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment was a test. A chance to prove to myself, and to that poor soul on my bed, that I was an honorable and trustworthy man. Someone who wouldn’t take advantage of a woman in need.
I tested the water with my hand, ensuring it was warm, but not too hot. The last thing I wanted was to cause her any more discomfort. As the tub filled, I grabbed a soft washcloth and a towel, setting them within easy reach.
My heart pounded as I returned to the bedroom, my gaze falling on the woman’s fragile form. She looked so small, so vulnerable. I approached the bed slowly, as if any sudden movement might shatter the moment.
“Hey,” I murmured, my voice rough with emotion. “I’m going to help you into the bath, all right? We need to cool you down.”
Her eyes fluttered open, glassy and unfocused. “B-bath?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Yeah. We need to get your fever down. I promise I’m only going to help you. You’re safe.”
With gentle hands, I peeled back the thin coat she’d been wearing, my breath catching as I took in the sight of her. The fabric of her sweater and jeans clung to her curves, emphasizing the lines of her body. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand.
“I’ll wait outside the door,” Dread said, stepping out into the hall.
Slowly, reverently, I began to undress her. My fingers trembled as I exposed the mottled and bruised skin on her legs. I averted my gaze, determined to preserve her modesty, even as my pulse raced at the intimacy of the moment. Shit. It had been too long since I’d slept with a woman if I was reacting to this pathetic little creature.
When she was fully undressed, I carefully lifted her into my arms, cradling her against my chest. The heat of her skin seared through my shirt, a reminder of the fever that raged within her. I carried her into the bathroom, lowering her gently into the warm water.
As I began to bathe her, my touch was featherlight, my movements careful and deliberate. I kept my eyes firmly on her face, watching for any sign of discomfort or distress. But she remained still, her eyes closed, her breathing shallow.
I ran the washcloth over her skin, and I couldn’t help but marvel at the softness of her, the gentle beauty that seemed to radiate from within. Even in her weakened state, there was a strength to her, a resilience that took my breath away.
I needed to keep her safe from the dangers that lurked beyond these walls. I didn’t know why she’d been on the streets, but I’d make sure she never had to live in dark alleys ever again. The depth of my feelings surprised me, the intensity of my desire to shield her from harm.
But as I looked at the woman, her face peaceful as she dozed, I knew something bigger was going on. Deeper. Almost as if something had taken root in my very soul. It was complete madness. I had no idea who she was, how old she was, or if she’d want my help once she was entirely lucid.
Despite all that, my gut said I’d found her for a reason… that this woman was meant to be mine.
As I gently dried her off, my hands moved with a tenderness I didn’t know I possessed. Her skin was soft and warm beneath the towel. I reached for one of my clean T-shirts, carefully maneuvering her limp arms through the sleeves, my fingers grazing her skin.
I lifted her into my arms once more, carrying her to my bed. Dread had come back into the room at some point, and I noticed a clean set of sheets on the bed. I laid her down, pulling the covers up to her chin. I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, my fingertips trailing along her cheek in a gentle caress.
The sound of heavy footsteps pulled me from my thoughts, and I turned to see Fox and Rocket filling the doorway, their presence commanding and authoritative. The air grew thick with tension as they surveyed the scene before them, their gazes shifting from the woman’s sleeping form to me.
“What’s going on here?” Fox demanded, his voice low and gruff.
I met his gaze head-on. “I found her in the alley, sick and alone. I couldn’t just leave her there.”
Rocket stepped forward, his blue eyes piercing. “You know the rules. We don’t bring outsiders into the compound. Not without permission.”
I nodded, my jaw clenching. “I know, but she needed help. I couldn’t turn my back on her. She’s sick, and she would have died if I’d left her in the alley.”
Fox’s gaze softened slightly, a flicker of understanding passing over his features. “Tell us everything, from the beginning.”
As I recounted the events of the night, I could feel the weight of their gazes upon me. My heart ached for her, and I swore I wouldn’t let her disrupt the club in any way. I could understand why Fox would be concerned. The club had been through a lot over the years, and quite a bit of it happened because of women. Hell, all of it had.
When I finished, Fox and Rocket exchanged a long look, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, Fox turned to me, his expression unreadable.
“We’ll need to investigate this further,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “But for now, she can stay under your watch. Keep her safe, Breaker. And keep us informed.”
I nodded, relief flooding through me. “Thank you, Fox. I won’t let you down.”
As they turned to leave, Rocket paused, his hand on the doorframe. “And be careful. Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment.”
With those parting words, they were gone, leaving me alone with Dread and the woman once more. I sank into the chair beside the bed, my eyes never leaving her face. I knew the road ahead would be difficult, that there were still so many unanswered questions.
Dread took her pulse again. “She’ll need something for her fever, and if you can get her to drink some broth, it would help keep her hydrated while giving her some nourishment. Without tests to get a better look at her lungs, I can’t tell if this is a bad flu or pneumonia.”
Before I could answer him, Fox came back into the room. I’d thought he’d left the house, but if he had, something had made him turn around. His gaze swept over her, his brow furrowed in contemplation. “I’m going to take her picture and send it to Surge. I need him to check her identity. We need to know who she is, and whether she may pose a threat to the club or our families.”
“I understand, Pres,” I said, and I really did.
Fox approached the bed, his movements precise and efficient. He pulled out his phone and snapped a photo of the woman’s face, the flash illuminating her soft features for a brief moment.
“I’m sending this to Surge now,” he informed us, his fingers tapping rapidly on the screen. “He’ll start digging into her background, see if he can find anything that might help us understand who she is and why she was in the alley.”
As he hit SEND, I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach. I knew the wheels were in motion, and there was no turning back now. Whatever secrets she held, whatever past she was running from, it would all come to light soon enough.
I glanced down at her, my heart constricting at the sight of her fragile form. I couldn’t shake the feeling she needed me, that I was meant to protect her.
When I was alone once more, I focused on the sleeping woman in my bed. She looked so innocent. So young. It was hard to imagine what kind of trouble she might be in, what kind of danger she might be running from. I reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead, my fingers lingering on her soft skin.
“Who are you?” I whispered, more to myself than to her. “What secrets are you hiding?”
I knew I shouldn’t be getting attached, that I needed to keep my distance until we knew more about her. But there was something about her that drew me in, that made me want to protect her from whatever demons haunted her past.
As the minutes ticked by, I found myself lost in thought, trying to piece together the puzzle of the woman in my bed. I replayed every moment since I found her in that alley, searching for clues that might help me understand who she was and why she was here.
But the more I thought about it, the more questions I had. What had happened to her? Why was she alone and scared in the middle of the night? And most importantly, what would happen when she woke up and realized she was in a stranger’s bed?
I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. Depending on how things went, and what Fox decided about all this, I’d end up choosing between a woman I didn’t know and the club that had been my family most of my life. It wasn’t a choice I wanted to make, and hoped like hell I wouldn’t have to.
As I looked down at her once more, I made a silent vow. No matter what happened, no matter what truths were revealed, I would stand by her. I would be her rock, her protector, her safe haven in the storm. Someone had once done the same for me. Spider had brought me here, given me a chance at a new life, and now it was my turn to pay it forward.
Because in that moment, as the first rays of dawn began to filter through the curtains, I knew one thing for certain… This woman was special, and I would do whatever it took to ensure her safety and happiness.
Even if it meant risking everything I held dear.