Chapter Twenty-Three #2
“I don’t love him. I don’t think I ever did.
” Rhys releases a long pent-up breath in relief, and my heart aches for him.
All this time, he’s been trying to be a good man, to let me make my own decisions, but how could we ever fight this chemistry and connection between us?
I could think I was in love with Blake at one point, all I wanted, but it’s not in the same universe as what I feel for Rhys.
I reach my hand out, stroking softly down the side of his face, running my fingers through his beard.
Heat blooms low in my belly as I think about how good it felt between my legs.
I’ve never been devoured like that before.
Blake had never gone down on me during the time we were together, and only two men before him ever tried.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, could compare to what Rhys just did.
Reality starts to set in, and I know I have to go home, to leave this bubble Rhys has created for us.
All of Blake’s threats start to flood my system as nerves start to fester.
The last few days have been rough. I’ve dehydrated myself with the number of tears I’ve shed.
I could call the police; I could get help.
But every time I get the courage to do it, Blake’s voice slithers into my mind, reminding me that he could kill Rhys, that he could kill me, burn down the shelter. Who the hell is he working for?
Thoughts start playing on the endless loop they’ve been on for days, trying to work out how to get out of this situation. How to walk away from something so threatening and controlling.
“Give me your phone, I want to put my number and address in it.”
“I didn’t bring it. He—I wanted to completely unplug. I needed to think without any distractions.” And Blake is tracking me. Stalking me.
“That’s okay, it’s okay. You’re good with directions. I need you to remember this address, then, baby. Promise me.” Rhys types out the address in Amberwood on his phone.
“I read over the address several times, committing it to memory. Okay. I’ll remember it.”
“You come to me for anything, got it? No one at the clubhouse would ever turn you away. There’s a gate at the front with armed sentries. Just tell them you’re there for me, and they’ll get me the message. I don’t care what time. You need me, you come, Bristol.”
Fear throttles me again, a disease thick and strong flowing through my veins. Armed sentries? A gate?
“They don’t even know who I am. Why would they let me in? Armed sentries sound like you live in a prison. It sounds dangerous.”
Rhys’s lips twitch, slowly turning up at the corners as he looks at me sheepishly.
“They wouldn’t turn any woman away looking for help.
We may not seem like it, but as far as MCs go, we’re the good ones.
The gates and armed sentries are to keep us safe.
There are more than just club members who live at the clubhouse, and it’s our job to make sure nothing bad comes to them while they’re there. ”
“They’re not dangerous?”
“Not to you, they aren’t. They’d never hurt you or another woman, or most men.
We handle violent criminals and other violent clubs.
We just want to exist with our family in peace and keep our community safe.
We have jobs, we run businesses in town.
We’re about as normal as they come, except for the rules of the road and brotherhood we live by.
There’s no line we won’t cross to keep the people we love safe. Especially me.”
Which means there’s no telling how he would react if he knew for certain the things Blake said and did, how my arm is still bruised, how I thought he broke my ribs when he kicked me, and how he has someone following me. Rhys would end him. I can’t have that on my hands. I’d be no better than Blake.
“Is that how you got your name?” I ask, pointing to his name patch on his cut.
“Yeah, baby. That’s why.”
“I trust you, Rhys,” I tell him honestly, even if I can’t tell him all of the truth. His shoulders visibly deflate, relief passing over his features, as if he really needed to hear those words.
“Good. ’Cause if you were scared of me, it would destroy me, love. I’m a lot of things, but a liar isn’t one of them. I will never hurt you, and you will always be safe with me. Always.”
He confesses the words, and I truly believe him. My heart sinks. “Are you safe? Has he hurt you? I gotta be honest here, baby, I’m really struggling with being okay with you going back there. I feel like there are things you aren’t telling me.”
And there it is. The questions I’ve been avoiding and hoping he wouldn’t ask. I should have known better. Rhys just wants what’s best for me, and I know he’s smart enough to put the clues together.
I open my mouth to tell him everything, but I can’t chance him going after Blake.
I can’t chance Blake going after him. I’d never be able to live with myself knowing I was responsible for anyone getting hurt or killed.
I may hate Blake, I may think he’s a terrible person, but no human should die.
And I certainly don’t want anyone to die because of me.
“I’m leaving him, Rhys. I’m going to get a plan together and move out. I’ll be safe and careful. But I’m leaving.”