Serena
I never wanted to come back, and yet here I am. I know I don’t have a choice in the matter, but this sucks. I wouldn’t do anything that could put the guys into danger, and I know they wouldn’t do that to me either, but it almost seems worth it to avoid this.
The drive isn’t long to the clubhouse. Midas parks my car close to the entrance so we can make a speedy getaway if we need to. We have a plan tonight. Someone will always be by my side, and if possible, the four of us will stick together. There will be no chance of their dad’s cornering me again.
It's now or never. I open my car door and step out into the cool December air. My dress is short, and not practical for this weather or event, but I wanted to look good for my guys.
Midas wraps his arm around my shoulders, while Zeus wraps his arm around my waist, sandwiching me between them. Odin is standing in front of us, waiting for the sign that we are ready to go in. I nod my head, telling them to go.
We waited as long as we could before coming tonight. It’s just after eleven at night. This way we only have to spend an hour here before we can leave.
We march in sync to the front door. The crown-wearing skull is mocking me as we approach. Or at least that is how it feels. Like it knows what horrors are behind this door and will do nothing to stop them.
Odin pushes the door open to hell, and we willingly enter. The place looks the same as it did the last time I was here. Still dingy and grubby. Bikers in every corner of the room as loud music blasts through the sound system. The smell of liquor and weed permeates the air, adding to the uninviting atmosphere.
I spot Zane, Ryker, and Axel the second I step inside. Sitting at the back of the room on a couch watching three girls dance is only their underwear. They haven’t noticed us yet, and I pray it stays that way.
Odin motions to the bar before walking away. I stay rooted to my spot by the door, too terrified to walk any further. Midas squeezes my shoulder in reassurance. They won’t leave my side tonight. I am safe with them. Nothing can happen.
Odin quickly returns with three beer bottles for the guys and a can of Coke for me. I opted out of drinking tonight, not trusting anyone here. They are the type to take advantage of a girl under the influence.
Case and point. I see an older gentleman, who looks the same age as my grandpa, grope a girl who is intoxicated. When she doesn’t swat him away, he takes that as an invitation to touch her more. His hand travels up her skirt. A smug grin on his face as he, in full sight of everyone, starts fingering her. She doesn’t look like she even notices what he is doing.
Needing away from that, I turn and walk to the furthest wall from them. I lean against it as I take in my surroundings. The hall that leads to the room of doom is on the opposite side, and I plan on staying far away right it. The pool tables are all in use, as guys make bets on who they think will win. More girls than I originally saw are walking amongst the crowd of men. Handing out drinks. Being toyed with. It’s disgusting to see.
Zane finally pulls his eyes away from the girls dancing in front of him and locks eyes with me. He stands up, chugs the rest of his drink, and walks towards us.
Midas lets out a deep growl before storming off towards his father. Midas grabs him by the arms, which pisses off Zane, says a few words to him, and the two of them storm towards a closed door. It shuts behind them, sealing the two of them away.
I don’t know how long Midas was in there with his dad before they finally emerged. Neither looks happy, but at least there aren’t any visible injuries on either of them. Midas stomps towards the bar, ordering another drink and having a few words with the man behind the bar. They glance my way before more words are shared between them.
I look at my phone. It’s already eleven-thirty, meaning I only have to endure this for another thirty minutes before we can leave.
An older gentleman that I saw the last time I was here walks over to Odin, Zeus, and me. From appearances only, he looks like the nicest guy in here. His grey hair is cut short. A few tattoos poke out from the sleeves of his white t-shirt. His eyes look like they are haunted by his past. He has a cautious smile on his lips as he looks at me.
“Good evening,” He says.
“Jimmy, good to see you, man,” Odin says as he reaches out to shake Jimmy’s hand.
The two of them start talking, but I tune them out. I’m not interested in knowing what goes on in the club. That is their business, not mine.
Every once and a while, Jimmy looks at me like he is seeing a ghost, but he never says anything. After a few more minutes, Jimmy says his goodbyes before walking to the other side of the room to a few other older gentlemen.
Eleven fifty-five. Five more minutes in hell. I can do this.
“Zeus!” An intoxicated man in his forties yelled from across the room. “I need help with this hunk of junk stereo.”
Zeus rolls his eyes before walking over to help, leaving only Odin and me alone. Ok. I still have one boyfriend/bodyguard. I look around the room for Midas, but he has disappeared again. Where could he have gone this time?
“Let’s go sit at the bar,” Odin whispers in my ear.
I nod my head. I would love to sit and get off my feet. Six-inch heels were a bad choice, but they matched my dress and made me feel so pretty.
We take a couple of seats at the end of the bar, far away from everyone else. Odin orders another beer for himself and a Coke for me. The man behind the bar doesn’t say anything, just nods his head before turning around and pulling our drinks out of a fridge. He places them in front of us before scurrying off to the other side of the bar.
I turn to look at the room again. “Is everyone here single or something?” I ask as more men grab girls and fondle them.
“No. Most are married. The clubhouse has lax rules when it comes to infidelity. It wasn’t always like this.”
I nod my head, grossed out that the majority are married and probably have kids, but are here sleeping with girls half their age. Minutes pass, and soon the countdown to the New Year starts around the room.
“Prospect!” Someone yells to the kid behind the bar.
“I heard you, Gerry. Your beer is coming. Don’t start crying on me.” He replies, and my blood turns to ice.
I know that voice. It haunts my dreams almost every night. That was the voice of my stalker. My hands start to shake, spilling my full can of Coke on my dress.
“?”
“That’s him. That’s my stalker.” I say as I point to the man behind the bar.
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One.”
“Happy New Year!” The crowd yells just as a shot is fired.