Chapter 16 #3
“I need to go,” I said as I realized I’d opened a dangerous door, sitting up with the intention of standing, but he took my wrist to stop me.
“Don’t. Secret’s safe with me,” he promised, his thumb brushing back and forth across the back of my hand in silent comfort.
I pulled away but didn’t leave, blowing out a breath. “I kind of like the guy, that’s all. But he’s an asshole and I definitely didn’t want it. Until I kind of did and my feelings got confused half-way through.”
“If you didn’t want it to begin with, then he’s a real piece of shit and you can do better. Are you safe now? Are you avoiding the house because—”
“It’s not Caden or his friends. I won’t tell you who, I have it handled, but I can’t tell the others or they’ll flip out. I got way too drunk and high last night to the point I was throwing up all damn night and morning, so they know something’s up, but I can’t tell them. Not this.”
“When did it happen?” he asked gently, reaching out to touch me but stopping himself at the last second.
“Yesterday,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around myself.
“Jesus. Do you need a doctor to check you out? I have a guy who’s discreet,” he offered, and I shook my head. “Are you sure? If there’s tearing, you could get an infection. Was he rough?”
Tears burned my eyes at the memory of me giving into it, the pain turning to pleasure and my mouth colliding with his.
“Shit, hang on,” Hunter murmured as he stood and pulled me back onto the roof more, squatting beside me and taking my face in both hands. They were warm, his brown eyes staring into mine. “You’re okay.”
Was I crying? Why couldn’t I breathe?
“Copy me, Hot Shot,” he soothed, the panic consuming me more when I couldn’t catch my breath. “Feel my breath? Try to copy my breathing. Come on, breathe in.”
It took a few attempts, but once his forehead was pressed to mine and I could feel his warm breath on my face, I managed to get a few breaths in when he did.
“Good girl, keep going,” he encouraged, his hands dropping from my face to my biceps to rub up and down my arms as he leaned back so I could get fresh air.
Where the fuck had that come from? I rarely had a panic attack like that.
“Sorry, I don’t—” I started saying as I tried to stand.
“Don’t apologize. Sit for a second until you’re calm again. I won’t tell anyone and ruin your street rep,” he teased lightly, embarrassment washing through me at knowing I’d just been completely vulnerable in front of Skeeter’s rival.
I should’ve left when he arrived, but he was so stupidly easy to talk to.
“I can’t. I have to go. Skeet—”
“Fuck Skeet. If you’re sitting out here alone with your thoughts instead of running to him, then he’s an asshole.
I don’t want you driving until you’ve gotten your emotions together,” he warned, dropping down onto his butt in front of me to give me some more space, his warm hands leaving my skin as the cool air washed over me.
“I won’t tell anyone I was here with you.
The only person that even knows is Marco, and he won’t say shit either. ”
“Marco knows?”
“Yeah. He’s in the parking lot keeping an eye on my bike. We were riding together,” he replied, tilting his head at me. “Do you deal with panic attacks often?”
I shook my head, glancing behind me as if Marco was going to sneak up on us.
“Not like that, no.”
“Are you going to be able to get yourself home? We can follow you if you want?” he offered, and I shook my head again.
“Thanks, but I’ll be fine.” My breathing was more balanced, and I wiped at my cheeks to get rid of the tears. “This is awkward.”
“Hardly. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot lately. Give yourself some grace,” he answered as he stood, offering me his hand. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Why are you being so nice? Is this some kind of plan to—”
“No. This is me helping you because someone fucking has to and I’m not going to leave you crying in the dark on the roof,” he said calmly. I reached out to take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet.
He made sure we had our things before leading me inside the school and through the same way I’d come in, my eyes narrowing at how he knew the right path to take.
Had he been following me more closely than I thought? Why hadn’t I heard their bikes?
We exited into the parking lot and Marco glanced over from his phone, lying across his bike with his feet on the handlebars.
“Hey, Princess,” he purred, running his eyes over me but pausing on my face. “What’s wrong?”
“None of your business,” I huffed, turning to face Hunter. “Thank you.”
“Any time. Put my number in your phone in case you need me,” he said sternly, and I scoffed.
“No. I’m not—”
“Put it under a fake fucking name or something if you’re worried. What if you need help and Skeet doesn’t answer?”
“He would.”
“Really? Considering you opened up to me and not him says a whole lot about your relationship. If you can’t turn to him, then call me. I’ll answer.”
Hesitation filled me, knowing this was a bad idea. He was the enemy, I couldn’t get involved with him. Turning to the Devils for help when I was rubbing shoulders with the Psychos was a really stupid idea.
“Only if it’s life or death,” I said slowly, pulling my phone out and handing it to him to put his number in, shoving it into my pocket when he was done as if to hide it.
“It’s under A. That way if you need to find it fast, it’s at the top of your contacts,” he murmured, grabbing his helmet off his bike. “You sure you don’t want us to follow you?”
“People know this car. If anyone sees it with two Devils trailing it, I’ll either get locked up for safety or grilled for being near you. I swear, I’m fine now.”
“Okay. You know what to do if you run into trouble,” he nodded, straddling his bike and shoving his helmet on before starting the bike.
It rumbled loudly through the quiet night, and I slid my gaze to Marco, who was doing the same. He flipped his visor up, giving me a wink as he pocketed his phone and spoke over the noise of the bikes. “Tell Skeet I said hello.”
I rolled my eyes and walked off, hearing Hunter scolding him, which gave me a small amount of satisfaction.
They waited until I was in the car, and Hunter gave me a small wave as I drove past them. They didn’t leave until I turned to head towards Ashburn Valley, then they both rode towards the road and headed in the opposite direction, making me breathe out a sigh of relief.
The last thing I needed was them following me.
Hunter
I was pissed. Pissed at whoever thought they could touch any woman like that, but also insanely pissed at Skeeter.
Why the hell didn’t she think she could go to him about something like this? She was raped, for fuck’s sake. If that was my girl, I’d burn the world down to find the piece of shit who did it to make sure they paid the price in pain.
I downshifted as we arrived at my place in Mount Mercer, Marco following behind me as we parked the bikes in the garage and shut the engines off.
I put the kickstand down and pulled my gloves and helmet off, running my fingers through my hair.
“What happened?” Marco asked as he climbed off, undoing his helmet. “She’d been crying. Either that or you choked her with your—”
“Someone assaulted her yesterday and she hasn’t told anyone,” I gritted out, tossing my gloves on the tool bench close by.
When I said I’d keep her secrets, I didn’t mean from Marco. My best friend knew everything I did, and I knew everything he did.
“Was it at her party? I thought Skeet was there?” he replied slowly, making me shrug.
“I don't know. It was someone she knew and seemed to have an interest in though.”
“Why hasn’t she fucking told Skeet?”
“I don’t know, man. She had a panic attack on the roof though. What kind of asshole has he turned into? She can’t even turn to him for help,” I spat, making sure the garage door was locked before walking in through the internal access.
He followed, both of us tossing our jackets aside and grabbing a beer before sitting on the couch.
My place wasn’t fancy, but it was decent enough. The two bedroom house was fully fenced with a double garage, and I’d worked my ass off for it.
The crew’s warehouse wasn’t far from here, and Marco lived a few streets over in his two bedroom. He kept his car at home, but his bike here since he didn’t have a garage to store it.
“Why don’t you tell him then?” Marco asked as we got comfortable, and I shook my head.
“I promised I wouldn’t.”
“So?”
“You know I’m not going to fuck with her trust like that. Not over something like this,” I said flatly, and he winced.
“Yeah, my bad. He’d want her to tell him, right? Maybe convince her to.”
“I think she likes this guy, so if she tells Skeet, he’ll kill him,” I said thoughtfully, hoping that was the case and not that Skeeter just didn’t care.
Then again, I’d shot the piece of shit for a good reason, so maybe he honestly didn’t give a fuck about the girl that was warming his bed. For all I knew, Skeeter had set it up in the first place and knew all about it.
“Any word about Max yet? I checked out that place in Riverside today but he’s not there.”
That was another problem we had to deal with. I’d never get that money back from him, but I could happily tear that fucker apart limb from limb. He was tied in with the skin trade more than we’d originally thought too, which only gave me more reasons to murder the prick.
I had a guy on the inside that kept us updated on things, and he knew if Max dragged Rory in to call me straight away.
That girl had been through enough.
“If Max knows what’s good for him, he’ll put a bullet in his own head before I get my hands on him,” I grunted, picking at the label on my bottle. “I need to shelve that shit for a few days while we sort out the Demons.”
“It’s not our problem, dude. Let the Reapers handle it. Don’t stick your neck out for a stripper. You’re pulling the whole crew into it when it’s not our problem.”
“Don’t call her that as if she’s nothing. I know you love strippers, so maybe have a heart and want to save some,” I deadpanned, pulling my phone out to text.
Hunter: No trouble?
Lexi: Only the trouble I’ve caused. Arch is stomping around like an asshole though, so maybe call him and find out what his issue is.
Hunter: If I call him, you know there will be more problems.
Lexi: You two could’ve been friends, you know that?
Hunter: In your dreams, Bryant. He’d never be friends with someone who fucks his girl.
Lexi: Learn to share.
Hunter: Sorry, babe. I’m not the sharing type outside the bedroom. Go shake your money maker in some old rich guys’ faces. You’ll make Arch feel better if you make him some money.
She sent me a middle finger emoji and I chuckled, glancing up to find Marco glaring at me.
“You didn’t hear a single thing I fucking said, did you?”
“No. Lay off, alright? I’ve been awake for twenty-four hours, I’m tired,” I grumbled, downing the beer.
He huffed, irritated by my lack of attention. “I asked if we’re moving drugs tomorrow or not? I have to plan fight night for Friday, so if you could tell me what my week looks like, that would be great.”
“Moving drugs tomorrow, and the buyer for the pills is coming down on Thursday. Apart from that, the others can handle things. You focus on fight night and try not to get your pretty face beat up.”
He smirked, sipping his beer. “Ladies love me bruised up.”
“I need you on Saturday, so don’t get a concussion or anything,” I sighed, still distracted by Rory. “Give me a second. I need to check something.”
He groaned, knowing what I was doing when I stood. “C’mon, man. She’s fine.”
“I’m just checking.”
I walked into the spare bedroom that I used as an office, turning on my computer. Caden’s house popped up on the screen, and I watched as Rory parked in the garage before heading inside. I had no idea why it had taken her so long to get there, but at least I knew she got home safely.
Hacking into their security system had been a great idea because I could keep an eye on her easily and knew when she was alone.
Now I just had to figure out why the fuck she was keeping secrets from Skeeter and the other guys.
If she needed a bestie to lean on, I guess it was lucky she had little ol’ me to be there for her.