CHAPTER FOUR
Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I smile. Dressed in slim leg black jeans and a turquoise-colored off the shoulder sweater, because I knew Lexie was going to pick me up on her Harley tonight, and it was going to be a brisk night. The girl never went anywhere without her sled, as she called the bike.
When she called me a few days ago and invited me out for a girls’ night, I accepted since I wasn’t working that night. A few members of the DCMC would be here in Dallas on club business, so she tagged along to see me. When she asked me where I wanted to go, I left it up to her; but now I couldn’t help the nervous butterflies from flying around in my tummy from that decision.
If she took me to the clubhouse tonight, I would be in big trouble. Because he would surely be there. I shook my head. I would not think about him. Not tonight, anyway. And if he was there, then I would just ignore him like I had done the dozens of times I’d been to the clubhouse. Yeah, and how’s that working for you? I wasn’t even going to unpack the reasons behind why she wanted to have a girls” night out right now. It may be because of a certain other biker that was a complete asshole to her.I quickly shut down that line of thinking.
Lexie and I had been friends for forever. At least, since my father had worked for the Devil’s Carnage MC as their cleaner. Our association continued once I had taken over the business when my father retired.
I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. Lexie would be here any minute and I still had my makeup to do. While applying the final touches to my green eyes, I step out of my comfort zone and try a warm golden tone, which is not my typical choice.
During a previous visit with Lexie, she and I went shopping one day, and she talked me into buying it because she said it looked great on me. I must admit, it made my green eyes pop.
The loud buzz of my phone with an incoming message, made me startle. Thinking it was Lexie letting me know she was out the front waiting, I grabbed it to check, only to find that it wasn’t Lexie but Caleb. The thought of my husband sent a shiver down my spine. And not in a good way.
Don’t get me wrong, the first few years of our marriage were perfect. Or what I felt was perfect, since it had been my first and only marriage, and I had no other marriages to compare it to. But you get the drift. Then things changed. And he wasn’t the attentive, caring man he made himself out to be in the beginning.
Why don’t you just leave? I hear you ask. Easier said than done when he threatens everyone near and dear to me if I even think of leaving him. But that’s something I’m going to have to consider soon, if things continue to get any worse.
My throat constricts, and my stomach dips when I read the message.
Caleb: I’ll be home around midnight. You leave the house, I’ll know.
Shit! I frown, biting down on my bottom lip. His warning is clear, how does he even know I’m going out? The only reason I agreed to go out with Lexie and Sage, her sister tonight, was because he wasn’t home. He was supposed to be working on a big case. Which meant I”d be free for a few hours longer than normal. Or that’s what he told me anyway, but I knew the truth.
He had some woman on the side. He’d taken great satisfaction in telling me about her the times he would beat me. Telling me how much better she was, how she wasn’t a wet fish in bed.
I thought about calling Lexie to cancel, but straightened my shoulders, and lifted myself up to my full height, which wasn’t that much to begin with at five foot five; deciding I wasn’t going to do that.
No, come what may, I was determined to go out tonight. There will be no cancelling. He could just fuck right off. I’ll take my punishment, he doesn’t hit anywhere people can see the bruises, anyway.
I knew I would probably pay for my insolence, but I would worry about that later. Tonight, I was going to let my hair down. Consequences be damned. I would just pretend I was called into work if he called me or texted.
With my mind made up, I grabbed my black leather jacket, and slipped my feet into my favorite pair of black leather booties with three-inch kitten heels. They probably weren’t appropriate for riding on a motorcycle, but I was going to wear them, anyway.
Just as I collected my purse and keys, I heard the distinct sound of Lexie’s Harley rolling down the quiet suburban street, and giggled when I thought of all the hoity toity neighbors probably about to have a conniption. Especially when they discovered it was a girl on the bike.
I quickly locked up, and waved as she came to a stop, walking hurriedly towards her. She saw me, and let out a whistle as I rolled my eyes at her.
“If I wasn’t batting for the other team, I’d definitely tap that.” Lexie says, motioning towards me as I came to a stop and I couldn’t help but to hug her. Until this very moment, I didn’t realize how much I missed her, and I knew we were going to have a great time. She threw a red helmet at me which matched her own, as well as the motorcycle.
“Where are we going?” I ask, tying the strap under my chin, and climbed on behind her.
“Woo-hoo, if Riggs and Chains could see us now. They’d be coming in their pants seeing the two of us on one sled.” Again, I rolled my eyes, though couldn’t help but laugh.
“Well, it’s lucky that they aren’t here.” I tell her.
“Who says they’re not?” She shoots back. “Now get on. We’ve got some mischief to make.” I really didn’t like the sound of that. What I should’ve done was throw the helmet back at her and turn on my heel back inside the house. But I did none of that, and silently berated myself as I slid on behind her, wrapped my arms loosely around her waist, and waited for her to pull the throttle, signalling that we were off.
For the rest of the ride, I stayed quiet. We couldn’t hold a conversation over the noise of the engine, anyway. My nerves shot when we stopped in front of a nondescript building with people lining up out front to get in, the name Cinnamon in bright lights flashing above—doof doof music playing loudly on the inside, I finally released the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
I slid off the bike after Lexie, and watched her as she ran her fingers through her short, spiky hair. Looking at me as though she knew what I was thinking. Crossing her arms over her chest, she smirked.
“You didn’t think I’d take you back to the clubhouse, did you?”
“Well, I did actually.” I admitted reluctantly.
“We’re going in there, we’re going to ignore the alpha holes, and have a few drinks, dance and have a great time,” she tells me, grabbing my hand. That”s when I take in her appearance for the first time. She’s the definition of biker babe, with her silver blonde short spikey hair, a little longer in the front. A black tank top that was plastered against her slim stomach and small breasts, a pair of black leather pants, and heavy biker boots on her feet completed the look. She was a badass, and I wished I was more like her.
I was only of average height, but Lexie stood a couple of inches shorter than me, maybe five foot three at most. Yet, she carried herself as if she were ten feet tall.
Instead of lining up, like I expected, she led the way right up to the front of the line, gave the bouncer at the door a wink, and walked straight in without another word.
“What the hell was that, Lexie?” I demand, letting go of her hand, not realizing that I was standing in the middle of the football field sized dance floor. Finally, the music breaking through my confusion. It’s then Sage walks up to us, and I force a smile in greeting as we hug. Even though the two other women are sisters, they couldn’t be more different if they tried. Of course, they were only half sisters, since Lexie came to live with the club when she was only a child after the death of her mother, who was a club girl.
I sensed some unease from Lexie as we stood there staring each other down. But then she sighs deeply and finally speaks.
“When I told the guys, I wanted to take you out for a girls” night, just the three of us without a chaperone, they weren’t happy about it. Especially Chains. This place is owned by the club. I had a choice of here or to take you to the clubhouse. I chose here. Tank is the bouncer outside and a member of the MC.”
It was a full minute before I could say anything. I understood the workings of club life, especially for Lexie. She was the club princess, along with her sister Sage, who had disappeared for several years before reconnecting with Tiny and the rest of her family this past year. But I was just Lexie’s friend. So, I didn’t see why I had to be part of the club dynamic when it was only one night, and it’s been months since I’ve seen Lexie last, anyway.
I opened my mouth to give her a serve, knowing I shouldn’t really be angry with her, but with the club. But before I could get the words out, my phone vibrated in my cross-body bag, and I sighed resignedly. Almost not wanting to look at the message that I know would be there.
But I did anyway, surprised to see at least half a dozen missed calls, and as many texts. Shaking my head, I ignored them all, and headed silently towards the bar.
“Tequila, please.” I growl at the bartender.
He looks me up and down, sees Lexie standing beside me, and arches a brow. “Whatever she wants, Conner.” she tells him.
“Whatever you say,” he shrugs and goes to get my drink.
“Are you going to be pissed off at me all night?” she demands.
“I’m not pissed off.” I tell her, taking the drink the bartender left, and knocking it back in one go. I needed the liquid courage for what was waiting for me at home when I returned later on tonight. Because surely, I would have disappointed Caleb with my no show as well as ignoring his calls and texts.
“Does everybody know you here?” I ask. Tapping the bar to get the barman’s attention.
Lexie shrugs. “I’ve been here a time or two,” she admits.
“Of course you have.” I grumble.
“Come on. I brought you here to have fun. Not to be pissed off at me.” I felt my phone vibrate with another incoming message, but didn’t even bother looking at it this time. Chugging back my second tequila, I grabbed Lexie’s hand and led her onto the dance floor. Come hell or high water, I was determined to enjoy myself.
***
I stopped counting the drinks I was consuming after my third one. Dancing and drinking were loosening me up, but it was also filling my bladder. I needed to use the bathroom. And quickly. Silently telling Lexie and Sage where I was going, they nod, sipping their own drink.
Entering the bathroom, which was luckily empty, I quickly did my business, and was just about to leave the stall when two women entered. I froze on the spot.
“Oh my God, Caleb fucked me so good. I can hardly walk,” woman number one says.
“So where is this sex god you’ve been talking about the entire night?” woman number two replies.
Another giggle and I couldn’t help my eye roll, shaking my head. “He got held up at work, unfortunately, says his wife was getting suspicious, but that he’d definitely see me tomorrow night.” Woman number one swooned.
I wanted to gag. The asshole. You would think after eight years of marriage, I’d feel something other than disgust at the revelation that my husband was having an affair. But all I felt was numb. And that’s excluding all the alcohol I’d consumed. After being together so long, it didn’t surprise me he was sleeping with someone else. Our sex life had whittled away to almost nothing over the last year, particularly.
“He has the biggest dick I’d ever had, and he sure knows how to use it.” Woman number one prattled on.
I was sick of hiding away in the stall like I had something to hide. Well, fuck that. And fuck him. Squaring my shoulders, I held my head high as I left the stall, not making eye contact with either woman, as I washed my hands at the basin. But I couldn’t help taking a peek at them through the mirror, and they were staring at me. Watching me closely. It was interesting to note that both women had bleached blonde hair. So, I didn’t know which one was sleeping with my husband. But I really didn’t care at this late stage in the game.
Instead, I gave them a small smile, and without a word I left the bathroom, walking as fast and as dignified my drunk legs would carry me. As I got closer to the bar table where I left Lexie, I noticed two guys standing there with her. Both dressed in button down dress shirts open at the collar, and dress pants. And I immediately thought of Caleb. He always dressed that way, and I was sick of it. Just because you’re clean cut and dress flashy doesn’t make you a good person. Though neither does being a biker. I also didn’t think Lexie was into the frat boy look. But who was I to judge?
“You’ve been holding out on us.” Frat boy number one turns accusatory eyes towards Lexie when they notice me.
“You really don’t want to act like a douche right now.” Lexie drawls, as I was fighting to keep my nervousness at bay. The women in the bathroom completely forgotten.
“Why don’t we just go home?” I cut in, trying to diffuse the situation.
“No, we’re not finished for the night. I was just about to tell these idiots to fuck off when you arrived.”
Frat boy number one leans over us, his amenable attitude disappearing, it’s then I see the police badge hanging from a lanyard tucked into his shirt. Caleb sent two of his friends to check up on me?
“Why don’t you listen to your friend? Leave and take her home. Her husband is waiting.” With that, he gave a chin lift to his friend, and they left.
I tried to play it off as nothing. But by the look on Lexie’s face, tells me she wasn’t buying it.
“What the fuck’s going on in your home life that you have your husband’s work colleagues following you wherever you go?” she demands. But I felt paralyzed. Scared shitless now at what awaited me when I got home.
I silently retrieve my phone from my purse, choosing not to answer her as I type a quick message. Anger boiling inside me, he would do such a thing.
Me: You had me followed?
I wouldn’t call Caleb with Lexie in front of me as a witness.
I made the foolish mistake of ignoring his calls and texts. Wanting just one day of freedom from him, but he wouldn’t even let me have that.
“What the fuck was that all about? And don’t try lying to me, Zoe, I saw their badges.”
Lexie growls, looking to me for answers. But I didn’t have any. I had no idea Caleb had me followed. But it didn’t surprise me, since it wasn”t the first time something suspect like this had happened.
It was my fault for not expecting it. He’d bugged my phone without my knowledge and followed me to a job site which was for the Devil’s Carnage MC. He’d admitted in front of Chains that he’d bugged my phone. The asshat had no shame. But that was well over a year ago, I thought we’d gotten past all that shit?
I ignored Lexie’s questions as my phone buzzed. And I felt my knees almost give out when I saw his reply.
Caleb:Did you think I was going to trust you on your own?Get the fuck home. Now!!!
I school my features into what I hope is one of nonchalance. There’s no way I’m dragging my best friend, and by extension the club, into my mess. I shrug as if it’s no big deal.
“He’s just worried for my safety,” I reply as calmly as I can muster; as if having your wife followed everywhere she goes is the norm.
“That’s not creepy at all.” Lexie mutters. “And I thought you said he’s working late tonight?”
“He is.” I don’t mention the text where he tells me in no uncertain terms to come home.
“Has he ever hurt you?” Lexie leans in, lowering her voice, even though through the noise of the club no one could hear her, anyway.
I look down, unable to lie to my friend and look her dead in the eyes.
“That fucker,” she spits. “You know the club could take care of him, don’t you? Want me to tell Kick? Better yet, Chains?”
“No!” I reply a little too harshly. Rationally, I know they’d be able to help me extricate myself from Caleb. But I haven’t been thinking rationally for a long time now. Coupled with that, he has reach everywhere. I don’t want anything to happen to them because of me.
He’s not only threatened the club, he’s threatened my father. I wouldn”t be able to live with myself if anything happened to any of them.
Lexie looked like she wanted to argue with me, but she reluctantly drops the subject, the relief I feel is palpable.
“Come on, I’ll take you home. But you have my number if you need me for anything.” I smile and hug her.
“Yes, I’ll use it if I need it.” I tell her, ignoring the way her face falls at my words, because I have no intention of calling her.
But, at that moment, I wasn’t aware just how prophetic my words would become.
.