Chapter 17 – Betsy #2
I huff and sulk like a petulant child. “Fine,” I grind out.
“But I will need to be in the van nearby to get into the system, because if I do it back here, the signal won’t be as strong, and I could lose track of her,” I lie.
I don’t need no signal, but like fuck am I going to be all the way back here while they are risking their lives going after her. The bitch is crazy.
“You are so full of shit. Fine, if it means you are safely out of the way,” Mor agrees.
“While we are here, why is he allowed in on this?” I ask, pointing to Nyx.
He flips me the bird from across the table.
“He is part of the operation. We have to assume she doesn’t know about Nyx yet. He can go in and pretend to work there. Hopefully get her in her room and drag her ass out. Failing that, we just fucking raid the place.” Mor shrugs.
“Right, okay. I mean, sure, that could work.” I shrug.
“Oh dear, the nerd has a better idea,” Eden teases.
“I can log into the power grid and knock their power out while you all run in and cover more ground to look for her. We have night-vision goggles. The more people in there, the easier it will be to get her.” I shrug, looking nonchalantly at my nails.
“Damn, I forgot how fucking brainy she is,” Eden says with a grin.
“Damn fucking smart idea,” Nyx agrees.
“Is it annoying always being right?” Mor smirks.
“No, it never tires,” I sigh, grinning. “What am I telling Archer?”
“You tell him it’s club business. He will understand.” Mor shrugs. “He seems really into you.” She smiles.
“And this is my cue to leave you ladies to it,” Nyx says, standing and placing a quick kiss on Mor’s lips before leaving. Both Eden and Mor wait for the door to shut behind Nyx before they lean in.
“Spill,” Mor demands.
Bernie takes a seat beside me, leaning her chin on her hand and expectantly waiting. I tell them everything that’s happened, even down to my meltdown when I freaked out. Mor’s and Eden’s gazes turn from warm to murderous in an instant.
“He took care of me, soothed me out of my attack, and said he’s going to hunt them down and kill them.” I smirk.
“Tell him to get in fucking line,” Mor seethes.
“I’m so sorry, Betsy. If we had known, we wouldn’t have pushed the lap dogs on you and constantly teased you,” Eden apologises.
“Shit, we are the fucking worst.” Mor shakes her head.
“No, you have all been exactly what I needed. I haven’t faced talking about it. Even now, I won’t tell you the details of that night. I won’t say what happened. There was a court case, I told the police, I lost, and they got away with it,” I breathe.
“Mother fuckers,” Mor grits out.
“When I looked into you for the club, there was no court case and no police record,” Eden explains.
“I hid it,” I admit. “I wasn’t ready for anyone to know that part of me. To be honest, I’m still not. I won’t talk about it anymore, but if you want to read it, I’ve sent you the file.” As I say the words, their phones ping.
“How in the hell did you know the right time to send it?” Mor asks, shaking her head.
“I didn’t. I thought we might be gone by now, so I ask you to read it after I’m out of here and not to treat me any differently. They already took so much from me that I don’t want them taking you guys away from me, too,” I state.
“You will never lose us in any way,” Bernie assures me, placing her hand on top of mine. “We are a family formed of tragedies; we support and raise each other up, and we fight for others just like us,” Bernie says, emotion thick in her voice.
I give her a small smile. “Archer doesn’t know the full story,” I add.
“You don’t have to tell him if you don’t want to, and I don’t think he would force you to tell him, either,” Eden points out.
Mor takes out a cigarette, lights it and inhales deeply. “If you tell him, then with him, we will hunt them down and kill them. Both of them. The justice system failed you, but we won’t,” she states firmly, and I know they won’t. They would take out anyone that dared to hurt me, or any of us.
“I was honest with him. I told him I have no idea what I’m doing, and he seems to understand. He told me I make the choices of what and when,” I admit.
“See? I knew he was a good guy. Didn’t I tell you it was a crush?” Eden exclaims.
I smirk. “You did. He did all of that to force me to speak to him, but he just wasn’t expecting me to be so forgiving with it all. I think he expected me to snap sooner.” I snort.
“You left it way too long. I would have been over there smacking his face in on the first bit of bullying,” Mor states.
“We know you can be a cranky bitch,” Eden teases, making us all laugh.
“Well, I better go and rescue him. Nyx will probably have him cleaning windows or doing some kind of manual labour,” I joke, standing.
“True. Are you sure he was never in the forces?’ Eden asks Mor as they both stand. Bernie follows, grabbing her trolley and following behind us as we file out of the room.
I walk down the hall and around the corner to see Archer and Nyx both sitting at the bar having a beer, laughing together.
“Well, this is weird. It appears this could be the start of a beautiful bromance,” Eden mocks.
Mor walks up to Nyx, and I walk up to Archer. His eyes do a head-to-toe, as if to check I’m okay. I smile. Eden stands between us, her gaze looking over to Josh and the other lap dog sitting with Clare and Quinn. Jealousy is etched across her face.
“They’re only talking,” I whisper to her.
She quickly masks her face, putting on a smile. “It’s fine. I don’t care. They’re free to talk to whoever they want,” she says casually, although her face doesn’t comply with what she’s saying. I don’t press.
“Ready?” I ask Archer, and he nods.
“Thanks for the beer.” Archer nods to Nyx.
“Anytime. It’s nice not to be surrounded by bossy women,” Nyx teases.
“Hey!” I protest.
“I didn’t hear you complaining about my bossiness last night,” Mor points out.
“Eww, please,” I gag.
“Catch you later,” Eden says, walking over to where the lap dogs are.
“Do I need to ask what that is all about?” I murmur to Mor.
“She’s becoming attached, and I think they are too,” Mor mutters.
I shrug. “Could get messy,” I state.
“Especially when there is a third lap dog that is just the same, hot for her, and can’t get enough of her. I’m surprised they aren’t all swarming her, humping her leg,” Mor scoffs.
“Jesus, I’ve only been gone a couple of days, and it’s like everyone is in heat around here,” I joke.
Mor laughs as she pulls me into a gentle hug. “I’m always here for you. You know that, right?” she whispers.
“Of course, I know that. It’s what we are about, right?” I say, offering her a small smile.
“No, it’s more than that. We are sisters, regardless of this club and the labels that come with it,” Mor states with such deep sincerity in her eyes.
I swallow back my emotions. “I’m going now, because you are being all soft and gooey. You’re either going to make me cry or throw up. I’m not sure which,” I tease.
Mor laughs. “And be here for eight tomorrow night,” she orders.
“Yes, Pres,” I yell over my shoulder as Archer leads us outside.