Echoes of Obsession (Obsidian MC #4)

Chapter One

Amara

W hat am I doing? I’m a thirty-year-old single mom waiting in line at a nightclub. Who am I kidding? I need to go home and do the mountain of chores waiting for me while my daughter isn’t home.

But I want to feel like a normal woman for just a little while.

“I’m sorry, miss, you can’t bring your dog inside.”

I glance up at the massive man with dark skin and frown.

“He’s my service dog,” I explain. “He won’t cause any issues.”

“Be that as it may, you can’t bring him inside without him being on a leash.”

I’m fully prepared to pull Sky’s papers from his harness pocket. I hate confrontation to my core. I’ve had enough of that to last me two lifetimes.

“He’s required to be off-leash,” I explain. “He won’t be able to do his job if I have him tied to me.”

“What’s his job?” the man asks.

Legally, I don’t owe him an explanation about my service dog. Unfortunately, some people have really given service dogs a bad rap. The other day at the store, this tiny dog kept yapping at Sky while we were shopping. But Sky’s trained to handle that stuff and didn’t flinch. I tried to explain to the owner that her dog was messing with Sky’s work, but she just went off, saying her dog was her emotional support animal.

Real service dogs, though? They’re on a whole other level. They’re trained to stay focused and not bark unless it’s part of their job.

Take Sky for example. He’s my seizure-alert sidekick. When I have a seizure, he’s trained to break my fall, lay his entire weight on top of my body, and bark until another human helps.

“I have a severe case of Epilepsy,” I explain, ignoring the huffs and puffs from the people in line behind me. “If he’s leashed to me and a seizure hits, he won’t be able to maneuver around enough to catch me or to restrain my body when I’m down.”

“What’s going on here, Hayes?”

I turn to the new voice and sigh. Now, I have to start all over.

“I was just explaining to the miss here that we can’t allow her service dog to enter without being leashed,” the man, Hayes, explains. “She was telling me that he can’t be leashed in order to do his job. She has seizures.”

“You know what?” I smile. “It’s okay. I really shouldn’t be here anyway. Sorry for taking up so much of your time. Come, Sky.”

“Hold on,” the new man says. “You can come in. Might want to avoid the dance floor, though. It can get a bit crowded. I wouldn’t want you to get separated from your dog.”

“Oh,” I laugh nervously. “I honestly just wanted to get a soda and people-watch for a bit. No dancing for me.”

“Shame,” he says, not a hint of a smile on his face. “Have a seat at the bar, and Emily will take care of you.”

With that, he walks away.

“Go on in, miss,” Hayes smiles. “I promise he’s not as grumpy as he looks.”

Sky follows slightly behind me, the way he was trained to do, as we walk into the Cage.

“Hey there. Cute dog. What can I get for you?”

“Just a cola, please,” I smile at the beautiful woman behind the counter.

It’s early, so people are still finding places to sit and people to chat with. I decide to stay at the bar. Sky sits under my feet while I drink my soda and watch. I wasn’t lying when I said I only wanted to people-watch.

I don’t have enough confidence to go onto the dance floor. I’m a big girl, and my body doesn’t move as beautifully as most women.

“The lights are about to dim,” the kind woman behind the bar says. “Does your dog have reflective gear on his vest?”

I look back and nod.

“Good, because it’s going to get dark,” she tells me, handing me a new glass of soda.

“Thank you,” I respond.

I take my time sipping my second drink while ignoring the feeling in the back of my neck that I’m being watched. I walk around with a dog attached to my every move. Someone is always staring.

The woman wasn’t lying when she said it was going to get dark. But it’s not too bad. I can still see perfectly fine. I watch couples and some singles dance around to the upbeat music. Some people laugh, others simply close their eyes and enjoy the feelings.

I smile as a woman stumbles into someone else who laughs and helps her straighten back up. That woman is going to be completely wasted by the end of the night if she’s already drunk an hour after the place opened.

The room feels like it’s getting hotter the longer I sit here. Which, it probably is. There are many bodies here heating the place up.

Sky nudges my foot, and I take note of his warning. I’m not sure how he’s able to do it, but he’s noticed a change in my body or scent that’s given him pause. That’s what the nudge means.

He’s saying, Mom, I’m not worried yet, but something’s changed, and we need to be cautious going forward.

He will let me know when I need to take immediate action, but his warning is enough for me. I finish my drink and ask the woman for the check.

“Can I pet your dog?”

“No, I’m sorry,” I smile at the man asking. “He’s working right now.”

The man, probably six feet tall with a shaved face, rolls his eyes.

“Yeah, I can see that he’s working really hard,” he says sarcastically. “I’m just going to pet him.”

“He needs to stay focused,” I say, trying my best to remain kind. “Petting him or talking to him can distract him from what he’s trained to do. It’s important that he remains completely focused. So, while harnessed, he can’t be played with. But, if you ever see him without the harness,” not likely, “then you’ll be more than welcome to pet him as much as you want.”

“Come here, boy,” he says to Sky.

Gosh dang it.

“He won’t come out,” I explain. “I’m going to ask you nicely to please leave us alone.”

The man stands at his full height before glaring down at my very short one.

“I just wanted to pet your damn dog,” he says. “I didn’t want anything to do with you, fat bitch.”

“Shut the fuck up, Butch,” the bar woman says angrily. “If Ghost hears you talking to a woman like that, he’ll break your face. Now, get gone before I see him because I will be letting him know.”

“Fucking nark,” he mutters before walking away.

“Proud of it, fucker,” she yells at his retreating form. “He’s not wrong. I am a nark. But that’s a story for another day. Drinks are on the house.”

“Oh, well, thank you,” I smile. “I really should be going, though.”

“Don’t let assholes like Butch keep you from coming back,” she tells me. “I would say that he’s one of a kind, but it seems the Cage is an attraction for idiots like him. Next time you want to people-watch I can make you a spot back here with me.”

“Oh,” I smile. “I wouldn’t want to be a bother. But thank you for your kindness. It’s very much appreciated.”

The room lights change to a red glow before they start flashing to the beat of the music.

“Names Emily,” she tells me. “And it’s no bother.”

As I’m about to introduce myself, Sky shifts from his usual spot beneath my feet. With a swift movement, he leaps up, planting his front paws on my side, locking eyes with me, and emitting a single bark.

Crap.

Had I been standing, he would have sat right in front of me, not allowing me to move, and done the same thing.

Now, he’s saying, I’m worried, mom. Time to lay down.

This means that a seizure is imminent. It could happen in five seconds or five minutes. Either way, Sky is telling me that something in my body is building up, and it will explode. It’s not really understood how they do it, but Sky is sensing changes in my scent, body language, or even electrical activity in my brain that foreshadows a seizure. Possibly even a combination of all three.

“Is everything okay?”

The man who let me in tonight is standing behind Sky.

“What do you need?” he asks me.

I shake my head to remove the lightheadedness and try to give this man a smile.

“I have to go,” I explain.

Sky removes himself from my side, allowing me to stand. But he won’t take his eyes off of me. Instead, he nudges my pocket with a hard poke from his snoot.

Once he’s alerted me to an oncoming seizure, he typically rushes to grab my emergency medication from the location where I always keep it, brings it back, and watches my every move.

Nodding my understanding, I reach into my pocket and grab the Midazolam nose spray. It’s an emergency medication I use when I’m alerted to an oncoming seizure. Its purpose is to either stop the seizure from happening or to at least shorten it.

I quickly take the spray before gripping Sky’s fur.

“Follow me,” the man says.

“Can I have some water?” I ask the woman instead.

My mouth is coated in a metallic taste, the first sign for me personally that a seizure is coming. Like always, I’m blown away by Sky’s ability to detect them so early.

“I have bottled water in my office,” the man says. “Do I need to carry you?”

As if he could. I probably weigh as much as he does. Albeit, his are muscles, and mine’s chips. But still.

“He’s safe,” Emily says. “That’s Ghost. He’s the owner of this place.”

“That doesn’t make him safe,” I say gently. “Just makes him more powerful.”

“Smart woman,” Ghost says, a smile teasing the corner of his mouth. “Jax, take over for Emily. Em, come with us.”

I don’t explain that just because Emily is a woman doesn’t make her safe. I’m trying hard not to fall. My head is spinning.

Without a word, I’m lifted off the ground, and we’re moving quickly.

I don’t bother calling for Sky. He’s trained to stay as close to me as he’s able. Even off the harness, he’s still half-focused on me at home because seizures don’t care where you are when they come out to play. So, technically, Sky is always working. I only have his vest and harness on when we’re out so he can be identified by what he does. Plus, he carries my extra medications, his paperwork, and my medical record in case I’m not able to communicate.

I’m vaguely aware of being placed on something soft. I can’t even bother to be impressed by the strength this man must have to pick me up and carry me anywhere.

My eyes close and the last thing I feel is Sky climbing on top of my body.

***

“Is she alright?”

“I think she’ll be fine. Call Maddy and ask her to bring a change of clothes.”

“Alright. I’ll be right back.”

“Tell her not to forget underwear.”

I’ve come to but I still don’t have the energy to open my eyes. I hear the voices around me, and it takes several long moments for their words to register.

Then I’m freaking mortified.

Today, of all days, I decided to try and be normal knowing full well that I’m not. I went to a club, knowing there would be flashing lights, and didn’t wear my safety underwear.

I don’t have seizures every day, but I do have them often enough that I strictly wear leak-proof absorbent underwear. Because in the throes of a seizure, you have zero control over your body. Organs and all. My bladder always loses control, and I pee myself. There’s even been a few times where my bowels have lost control.

We’re not going to talk about that.

The fact that Ghost is asking someone to bring me panties can only mean that I’ve peed myself again, and he’s very aware of that fact.

“I’m so sorry,” I mumble, fighting to open my eyes and keep them open, but I’m just too tired, so I keep them closed. “I’ll clean it up.”

“Don’t worry about it, Snow. Is there someone I can call for you?”

Snow?

“No,” I answer. “Just give me a few to get my bearings and I’ll call an Uber and get out of your hair. Thank you for helping me though.”

“You’re not taking an Uber, Snow. Where’s your car?”

“I don’t drive,” I say, finally able to keep my eyes open. Sky jumps off my body, and I manage to sit up. “Taking an Uber and walking are my only methods of transportation. And my name is Amara.”

“I’ll take you home, Snow,” he says. “Just as soon as you’re stable.”

“Why do you keep calling me Snow?” I ask, accepting the bottle of water he holds out.

“Your hair is as white as snow,” he explains. “And your skin is a wonderful shade of porcelain. You remind me of a beautiful winter landscape, untouched and pure.”

“Oh,” I breathe. “Thank you. But untouched and pure, I am not. Also, I’m Irish. Which explains the hair and skin.”

“We do not have a good history with Irish people,” Emily says as she walks back into what I can only assume is an office.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“Nah, don’t be,” she smiles. “I can’t blame an entire ethnicity on the bad works of a single family, now, can I? That’s another story for another day. Actually, the nark and Irish stories go hand-in-hand.”

“Sounds complicated,” I say. I can feel the wetness in my pants, but I am too embarrassed to get up.

“Extremely.”

“Is Maddy on her way?” Ghost asks.

“With King hot on her tail,” Emily laughs. “He wanted her to stay home, but you know Maddy. She’s going to do whatever she wants, and King is going to let her. He’ll just be right there to protect her.”

“Sounds nice,” I say before I can stop myself. “Uhm. If you get me some supplies, I can clean this couch. I’ve had an accident on it. I stupidly didn’t wear my protective underwear or my Depends today. Those are the best bet when I go somewhere for a long period of time. You just never know when I might need them. I’ll shut up now.”

Yep, my body is about to catch on fire from embarrassment. Not only because I admitted to peeing on this man’s couch but that I also wear adult diapers when I leave my house.

“Look, Ghost,” Emily says. “Your Snow is melting.”

He chuckles, and I can only pray that the floor opens up and eats me.

“I’m not worried about the damn couch, Snow,” he says gently. “I have a friend coming to give you something to change into. Then I will take you home. But, first, here.”

He opens his wallet and pulls out a card.

“Take a picture of my ID and send it to someone,” he says. “Tell them to expect another message from you when you are home and locked safely inside. Here, take a full-body picture of me and send it as well.”

A bit confused, I lift my phone and take his picture as well as one of his ID.

“How do I know this is your real information?” I ask as I send the images to my best friend.

“I had a seizure at a club. This man is going to take me home. He told me to send his information to someone before we left.”

“That’s a fair point,” Ghost admits. “Tell them I’m the owner of the Cage and the president to the Obsidians MC.”

“Holy hotness. Why did you have to have a seizure in front of freaking Aquaman himself? You didn’t piss yourself, did you? Wait, you went to a club? Without me? And he was there? Bitch.”

Laughing, I shake my head at my friend’s antics. She’s a nut.

“Yes, for your information, I did pee my pants. I’m completely mortified. Also, he says he’s the owner of The Cage. And that he’s president of a motorcycle club called the Obsidians.”

“Sorry,” I laugh. “My friend was asking questions.”

I look up at Ghost and agree with Susan that he looks a lot like that Momoa actor. He has sun-kissed skin, mesmerizing sea-green eyes, and hair like the wild mane of dark ocean waves. And those arms? Let’s just say they could effortlessly lift you up and carry you away to some exotic island paradise.

I mean, he did lift my big butt up and carry me to this room. Not sure if it was effortless or if he will have a bad back after today.

“Are you a mythical sea god?” I ask as I pull a treat from my pocket and hand it to Sky. “Good boy,” I tell him, patting his cute little face.

“Yeah,” Emily laughs. “I see it.”

“Me, too,” a new voice says. “But the last time I told a man he looked like a god, King almost shot him.”

“True story,” Emily laughs. “I was there.”

“I’m Maddy,” the new girl says. She’s about the same size I am and so damn pretty. “This is King. He’s only scary on the outside.”

“No, he’s equally scary on the inside,” Emily says. “But he’s harmless. Well, to most people. He has a blood kink.”

The man in question sighs. He does look really scary, though. And extremely frustrated.

“I brought you some clothes,” Maddy says quietly. “I wasn’t sure if they would fit. I’m a big girl. But I think we’re about the same size.”

“Thanks,” I whisper, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

“Who’s this?”

“This is Sky,” I answer. “He’s my service dog. Is there a place I can get cleaned up?”

Ghost points me to a door right across the hall from his office.

“It’s the staff room,” he explains. “There’s a bathroom in there.”

Nodding my thanks, I bend over and remove Sky’s harness.

“You can pet him if you want,” I tell an excited-looking Maddy. “He’s off harness, so he’ll give you some love and attention back.”

“Will you be alright on your own?” Ghost asks, looking way too concerned for a stranger.

“I’ll be okay,” I say. “I’m tired and will be until I sleep it off. But I’m okay to change. Thank you,” I whisper to Maddy as she hands me the clothes.

I refuse to look at the wet spot on the couch, and I know my leggings do nothing to hide the one on my body.

So freaking humiliating.

“Stay, boy,” I say when I hear him follow. “I’ll be back.”

Or I’ll fall, hit my head, and die. It sure seems like a better option than facing these four strangers who know I’ve peed myself.

I hate my life.

Not really, but still.