Chapter 3 – Betsy
CHAPTER THREE
BETSY
I stayed away from my house for a couple of days, just to let them cool off.
Mor and Eden both offered to come and stay with me, but I refused.
My home was just that. Mine. As much as I love my club, I enjoyed having some space away where I could be alone.
I slow my bike as I turn onto the drive, pressing the button to open the garage.
I ride inside and press the button again to close the door behind me, exhaling a sigh of relief that I hadn’t seen any of them.
I remove my helmet and swing my leg off my bike and head inside, but as I walk through the side door that leads to my kitchen, a god awful smell hits me.
I balk, covering my face as I enter, looking around wondering if I had left the refrigerator door open, or had there been a power outage while I was gone?
The smell gets stronger as I walk into the kitchen, and my eyes stream as I fight the urge to gag.
Grabbing the dish towel from the side. I use it to cover my nose and mouth.
I look around and everything looks just as I left it, all clean.
Walking further through the house, the smell becomes stronger as I walk through to the open living area.
I spot something on the couch, and as I step tentatively closer to investigate, I walk around the front of the armchair.
A scream irrupts from me as I stare at the rotting pig corpse that is dressed in my clothing.
Maggots squirm in and out of its eyes, and I can’t hold back the retching anymore as I bend over and empty my stomach on to the floor.
I move quickly to the front door and swing it open, gasping for fresh air.
I double over on the porch, drawing in as much air as I can, and that’s when the sound of laughter fills my ears.
I lift my head, pushing up my glasses to see Brody and Brady doubled over laughing.
I look past them to see Archer stood there smoking a cigarette, his face a mixture of amusement and something else.
Something I can’t quite make out. I stand, and with fury and embarrassment coursing through me, I stride towards them.
Brody and Brady stop laughing and look to Archer for guidance.
Morons. Reaching behind my back, I pull out my blade, flipping it in my hand before launching it toward Archer, pressing it against his throat.
He doesn’t fight back, nor does he flinch. He just looks down at me.
“Woah, easy. It was just a prank,” Brody protests from behind me.
“You think it’s funny?” I ask Archer, glaring at him, my blood boiling in my veins.
His lips twitch. “I’m not laughing, but I am sure as shit enjoying the feel of you pressed up against me.”
I frown and immediately step back, pointing my blade at Brody and Brady.
“I catch any of you in my house, I will kill you,” I threaten them.
They don’t laugh. Instead, they just look to Archer who is staring at me.
I slide my blade back behind me, flicking my gaze to the houses around us.
It’s broad daylight and I don’t want to cause a scene.
I turn and storm off back to my house, stopping on the lawn to pull out my cell to call the Sanctuary.
“Hey,” Eden answers.
“I need the lap dogs to bring the van and do a clean-up,” I state without a greeting.
“Jesus, are you okay?” Eden asks with concern.
“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s not human. Just a prank from my delightful neighbours,” I sigh.
“Mother fuckers. Say no more, we will be there,” she says before disconnecting.
I don’t bother going back inside. The smell of rotten flesh is too strong for me to take.
So instead, I sit on my bottom step and wait for them to arrive.
Looking over to my neighbours, I see that Brody and Brady have now gone inside, but Archer just stands there watching me, like I’m a mystery to him.
I want to go inside, I want to hide away, but I can’t do that, so instead I turn my back to him, tuck my knees to my chest, and just sit and wait.
Within fifteen minutes, the van swerves around the corner, led by Mor and Eden on their bikes.
They let out an extra rev as they turn onto the drive, a warning.
Now I just have to stop Mor from killing my neighbours.
Them getting involved is what caused this mess in the first place.
So now I have to convince them to stay out of it and let me deal with it.
Although, I am tempted to pack up and just stay at the Sanctuary.
That would make it easier to avoid them and to avoid Archer.
Mor strides towards me, and I am surprised to see Nyx jumping out of the van. He barks his orders to the two lap dogs who are in overalls and holding buckets of cleaning stuff.
“You brought Nyx,” I state before Mor can say anything.
She grins. “Yeah, he overheard what was happening, and he’s kind of taken on the role of lap dog management.
Which I have to say is working well. Personally, I think it’s so they stay away from me.
” She grins. It’s ironic that Mor, the biggest man hater of us all, has settled down and with a possessive alpha guy, too. I’m happy for her. Nyx is a good guy.
Her gaze lands on Archer, who is still standing there watching us, smoking his cigarette.
“Mother fucker, I’m going to fuck him up,” she growls.
I grab her arm and shake my head no. She frowns in confusion at me.
“Are you serious? They all need to be taught a lesson. We have the van. We could take them back and teach them a real tough lesson,” she suggests.
“No, absolutely not. The reason they have done this is because you both got involved last time. It’s just bullying. I’ve survived it before, and I can survive it again,” I state firmly.
“But the truth of it is you shouldn’t have to survive it,” Eden adds as she walks up to us.
I sigh, placing my hands on my hips. “I know, but they’re just frat boys.
They will graduate and move on. I don’t have to like them, and they don’t have to like me.
All I need to do is stand my ground and not give in,” I state, looking at both of them.
They both relent and nod. I’ve never fully told them my story, never wanted to relive that time in my life, but they don’t push, and I never feel like I have to.
They would do anything for me. All I have to do is say, and they would be there ready to lay down their life for me, and it’s the same for me.
It’s a relief just knowing they will always have my back.
I suppose it’s what being part of an MC is all about.
“Fine, but on one condition. I want a lap dog here,” Mor states.
I shake my head. “Absolutely not,” I refuse. I don’t want any man in my house. My space is mine.
“You can’t expect us to just leave you alone to deal with this. You would leave if it was one of us,” Eden argues. She has a point.
“Fine, I will increase my security, and a lap dog can do surveillance. Nothing more. I don’t want them in my home,” I counter.
Eden and Mor exchange a look before they nod in agreement. “Fine, but I want a daily check-in from you when you’re not at the Sanctuary,” Mor adds.
“What? You want me to text you goodnight each day?” I ask.
She nods. “Yes. I just want to know you’re okay.”
I huff. “Fine.”
“He hasn’t taken his eyes off you this entire time,” Eden points out.
I look over to Archer and see he is still standing in the same spot. His gaze sears into mine, and I quickly look away.
“What is his problem anyway? I mean, he looks like he’s at least five years older than those other two dickheads,” Mor points out.
I shake my head and shrug. “No idea. All I know is they have been trying to get me to move out for a long time. Not sure why. Maybe the frat wants my house, too?”
“Maybe,” Eden muses.
“Stand back!” Nyx yells, and the lap dogs walk out with the pig carcass wrapped up in tarp. The smell still hits us, and we quickly cover our noses as they load it into the back of the van. “Take that to the dump, then come back and help clear up,” Nyx orders them, and both the lap dogs nod.
“And after that, get showered and come to my room for your reward,” Eden adds with a wink.
The lap dogs suddenly become eager to get the job done and jump into the van and speed off.
Nyx shakes his head, his eyes hungrily drinking in Mor as he closes the distance.
He wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her against him, and places a gentle kiss on her neck, causing her to sigh.
I ignore them and look to Eden. “Since when did you start enjoying multiple lap dogs?” I ask.
“Since Mor is no longer available to entertain them.” Eden grins.
“Let’s not fucking talk about that,” Nyx growls in protest. Eden laughs, knowing exactly how much Nyx hates the thought of Mor being with them.
Mor smirks and kisses Nyx on his cheek. “Only you,” she whispers to him in his ear.
He growls and nips at her neck, making her giggle. “Oh Jesus, if you two are going to start humping on my lawn, I’d rather sit in my stinking rotten house,” I protest.
“We are not going to hump.” Mor laughs. “Yet,” she adds.
“What’s up with that fucker? Want me to go and have a word with him?” Nyx nods in Archer’s direction.
“No, no. Absolutely not. No one is to have a word, threaten, or hold a taser to their balls,” I state firmly, giving Eden a pointed look. She shrugs and looks at her nails like the conversation is boring her.
“He did this? Him and his friends?” Nyx asks, completely ignoring what I just said.
“Yes but—” Before I can finish, Nyx is storming over to Archer.
I look to the sky for help, intervention, a nuclear explosion, or even an alien invasion. I’d take just about anything to get me away from the situation I know is about to unfold.
“This could end badly,” Eden mutters.
“You think?” I snap.