Chapter 6
Six
IZZY
“ S wing your legs over the bike, Angel. It’s right beside you,” Hitter tells me softly. It’s softer than the tone he used on the bus, which is the only reason I reach out, feel the seat beside me, and then swing my leg over.
“Good girl,” he says, climbing on in front of me. He takes my arms and wraps them around his middle. “Hold on tight and lean with me. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.” I hope he keeps that promise when we get back to his clubhouse.
I know I should have told him who I was or who my brother was before we made it to the hospital, but it was too hard. I hate that I’m associated with my family in any way. I hate everyone who has ever come and gone from that house. All I was to them was a pitiful, handicapped girl, or a pawn in their evil games. They saw me as weak, and that’s exactly how I felt for a long time. I was too weak to deal with their torment. Too weak to stand up for myself. The one time I did, I got locked in the basement with every other unfortunate soul that got on the wrong side of my family.
My thoughts drown out everything, Hitter’s stiff body language, the loud rumble of his bike, everything. Until he pulls onto another road and really takes off. I feel the wind hitting my face, blowing through my hair, and nothing has ever felt better, so… free.
I lift my head higher, taking it all in. The wind, the smell of fresh-cut grass. It’s all so new and unbelievably magical. It makes me feel so small but still powerful, like I can control the wind around me, and that’s when reality hits. I did nothing to hurt anyone. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I did nothing wrong. I’m just as much a victim of my family’s cruelty as anyone. Before my parents died, they were just as bad as Hector. I’m tired of getting looped in with them and their wrongdoings. I’m over it.
I no longer accept that people should hate me, that I should hate myself just because I come from a family of evil people. I’m not evil and never will be. I’m putting that whole family in the past and leaving them there. I’m going to travel, I’m going to love, I’m going to start my own family. I want it all, and for once in my life, I’m going to be selfish and take it. I will not question my life anymore. It’s gotten me nowhere. I’m finally going to live.
“We’re here, Angel. Be careful getting off. Don’t touch the pipe below your right foot. It’s hot, and I don’t want you getting burned. I may have to junk my bike if she hurt you, and that would be a sad day for all of us. I love her and don’t want to have to hurt her or choose between you. In the end, I’ll always choose you,” Hitter tells me, and the way he talks about his bike like it’s an actual woman has me laughing.
“Ah, that’s the sounds I wanted to hear. Come on, baby, let’s get you inside. I’d offer to introduce you to everyone, but I want you all to myself for now. Plus, we need to get to the bottom of why the fuck you thought it was smart to walk out of the hospital without telling anyone or finishing your checkup,” he says, and his tone goes from light and joking to dark and broody with a hint of hurt. That can’t be right. No way this big, strong, scary man is hurt by me leaving.
“I am sorry. I just didn’t want to be trouble for anyone.” I start to say something else, but his growl against my back has me stopping and goosebumps breaking out all over my skin. Damn, that sound alone is hot as hell. This man is dangerous with the effect he has on me. He makes me feel so small, but never insignificant. I felt how big he was while behind him on the bike. He’s easily three times my size, but that’s not saying much. I was on the smaller size before being locked in that basement. Now, I can feel my ribs from only getting one meal every three or four days.
“Never, you could never trouble or bother me. Unless you try to leave again, but believe me, Angel, you can try to run all you want, but I’ll stop the world from spinning until I find you. I’ll track your sexy little ass down, just like I did today. Got me?” he asks, placing an arm around my waist from behind. Again, I feel so safe with him. What the heck was I thinking, running from that? If he wants me here so badly, maybe this is where I’m supposed to be. I just hope it’s not a trick or some kind of plan to get back at my brother. I’ve had enough deception in my past to last me a lifetime.
I know I could easily fall for Hitter. I barely know him, but I feel safe around someone for the first time in my life. I know it won’t take long to get addicted to that feeling and to him. I nod in reply, and he grabs my hand, leading the way inside.
“I stay in a room here at the compound but am building my own cabin on the acreage out back. I know you can’t see it, but our compound is a huge, finished warehouse with nothing but woods surrounding it for miles. There’s a pond at the very back, and the house will be next to it. The entire complex is fenced in as well for extra privacy. Ain’t nobody getting past our fucking security… again.” He mumbles that last part. I want to ask, but he keeps walking and talking.
“We are almost at the front door, straight ahead. There’s a small step in the doorway in front of us, so don’t trip, okay?” he tells me, and I hear him open the door and guide me through.
“Step up, Angel,” he tells me when I make it to the step. I smile to myself, loving that he’s leading and explaining my surroundings to me. No one has ever done that before. I’m so used to crawling or feeling around myself without assistance. It doesn’t always end well, but it’s my life, and I’m used to it.
“We are in the common area. It’s completely open, with a bar to the left and some darts and pool tables in the back. There is a hallway on each side of the building, one on the right and the other on the left. One leads to the rooms where the members stay, and the other leads to our offices. The kitchen/dining room is in the back, which I’ll show you around later. I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed. If you ever need help getting around, let me know, okay? I also grabbed your cane from the bike,” he explains as he walks, his hand in mine, guiding me toward the right.
“I’m gonna take you to my room. I’d put you in your own, but I’m worried you’ll try to run on me again. My room is big, though, Angel. It has a living area with a couch and a separate bedroom,” he tells me, finally making it to the door of what I’m guessing is his room.
We walk in, and he leads me to the couch where I sit. I feel the couch dip on one side of me, and I know he just sat down on the other side, very close to me.
“Are you hungry or thirsty?” he asks, but I shake my head.
“I don’t feel like eating anything at the moment,” I say, wringing my hands in my lap. I need to know what’s going to happen to me before I can let myself truly settle.
“I need to know why you ran, baby,” he says softly before grabbing my hands to keep them still.
I take a deep breath, knowing I need to come clean. If I hide anything, it might be worse in the long run. Plus, I want Hitter to trust me. I just hope he doesn’t hate me too much once he knows the truth.
“My brother is the man who did those horrible things to Piper’s family. Devin told me about everything that happened, and then when I knew we were going to the hospital, I couldn’t face her or your club. He’s my brother, my family, but there’s no love lost between us. I hate him for everything he’s put you all through. For what he put Piper and Devin through,” I say, trying not to cry.
“Angel, what about what he put you through? You were in a basement, locked in a cell. He’s a fucking evil bastard who doesn’t deserve the love of family,” Hitter growls angrily.
“I’ve never loved my family, never really been a part of them. Trust me, I’ve lived my whole life knowing they felt the same about me. I was just the sad waste of space they couldn’t get rid of. That cell was easier to live in than anywhere else in that house,” I tell him honestly. The last thing I ever want from this man is pity. Unfortunately, whenever I think of my so-called family, I can’t help the grief that sits in my heart. I’ve been alone my whole life, never able to count on anyone or experience a family’s unconditional love. He must see the hurt expression on my face and the tears swimming in my eyes, and I know he wants to ask more questions. I sit there waiting for him to ask, but he gives me an out instead.
“How about you take a bath and soak for a bit? I’ll make you some food, and then you can get some sleep,” he says, standing and helping me up with him. I breathe a sigh of relief. I know he’ll want to know eventually, and I’ll have to break down and tell him everything, but I’m glad he’s not pushing right now. I’m drained physically and mentally; I just want to sleep.
“Actually, can I take a quick shower? I’m exhausted but feel completely gross, and I just want to lie down,” I tell him as I feel him move from the couch.
“Of course, the bedroom is right this way, straight ahead,” he says, turning me in the right direction, and I count my steps. Once we reach the bedroom, he steers me toward the left. “And the bathroom is straight that way. I’ll help you in there,” he says again. He leads me through the room, showing me the sink, toilet, shower, bath, and towels. He makes sure I know my way around before backing up.
“Do you need any help?” he asks, and I can hear the teasing tone, making me smile.
“No, I think I can handle everything in here,” I tell him, trying to hide my smile.
“Damn,” he mutters, but I hear him leaving the room. “Yell if you need anything, Angel. I’m going to wait right out here, just in case,” he says before closing the door.
I quickly strip out of the clothes I’ve been wearing for way too long. I reach out, feeling around in the shower’s direction before finally finding it and turning on the nozzle. I swear every shower is different, and it takes forever just to get hot water spraying.
Stepping in, I let the steaming hot water run down my body. I don’t know how long I stand there just enjoying the feel of a hot shower before I start scrubbing my body. I scrub until it hurts, yet I still feel that old, nasty basement all over my skin. I want to cry and break down, but I know if I do that, Hitter will come in, and I can’t stomach the thought of him seeing me like that. Instead, I suck it up, finish with my shower, and wrap a towel around myself. I don’t have any clothes, and I’m not sure if Hitter left any for me, so I head toward the bathroom door. I crack it open and hear Hitter on the phone.
“I got her,” he tells whoever is on the other line. “No, I won’t let her leave again,” he says, determination set in his tone. “I won’t let her out of my sight until you get here,” he says, sounding frustrated.
He’s about to say something else, and I lean in to hear better, but the door moves slightly, making the tiniest sound, giving me away.
“Angel, come on out here,” I hear him say softly. I slowly walk toward where I heard his voice last, jumping a bit when I feel his hand on my elbow. “Hold on, I’ll put her on,” he says, I’m assuming, into the phone.
“Hold out your hand, baby; someone wants to speak with you,” he tells me, placing the phone in my hand when I stretch it out.
I hesitantly take the phone, lifting it to my ear. “Hello?”
“Darling, you can’t be running off like that.” I relax as I hear Devin’s voice. I don’t know what I expected to be on the other end of the line, but it wasn’t Devin.
“I didn’t want to be any more trouble for you or your family than I already have been,” I tell him in a whisper, hearing Hitter growl beside me.
“You are family, Izzy. Mine and Piper's. She’s so excited to meet you. She will be out of the hospital in a few days, and I expect you to be there at the clubhouse to meet her when she comes home. Understood?” Devin tells me. I’ve never had a real dad, but this is exactly how I imagined one would act. I smile, knowing I should probably be annoyed he’s treating me like a child, but it makes me feel like someone is finally looking out for me. Someone cares about me, for me.
“Yes, sir, I’ll be here,” I promise.
“Good, because I would hunt your butt down if you weren’t. That is, if Hitter didn’t get to you first.” I hear Hitter grunt at that. I didn’t realize he was listening, but I should have known.
“Make sure they keep you safe, darlin’. I’ll be seeing you soon,” Devon tells me, and I smile as I hang up the phone.
“I’ll step out and get you something to eat while you get dressed. Clothes are right here beside you on the bed, Angel. Holler if you need anything,” Hitter tells me and then leaves.
I quickly get dressed before sitting back down on the bed. I lay back for a minute, snuggling up to the pillows that smell like Hitter; his scent wrapped tightly around me like a blanket, relaxing me. Between the hot shower and feeling safe in my surroundings for the first time, it doesn’t take long before I feel my eyes drifting closed. Content, within seconds, I’m dead asleep.