Chapter 6
Kemah
That was … awkward as fuck. I don’t know what the hell he was thinking or why he’d say the things he said to me. I’m not sure why I followed his orders either. Something deep down inside of me liked it. I actually fucking liked it.
I shake my head as I sit on the couch and read my book.
Jake isn’t here, at least not yet, but that doesn’t bother me.
I’m happy when he isn’t here. I like it better that way.
I don’t have to deal with his shit or listen to his voice.
I don’t have to take the abuse or anything else he throws my way.
Closing my book, I pull out my phone and search for Soulless Bastards MC to see what I can find.
“A violent biker gang,” I read out loud as the page loads. “Soulless Bastards are one of the most notorious biker gangs around these days. From small petty crimes to the kind that haunt your dreams, these men have done it all.”
I nearly roll my eyes because I highly doubt that they did everything this article claims. No one can be that bad and stay out of prison, right?
I keep reading about all the things they are supposedly into, and the more I read, the more I think I should stay away from that man.
Hell, I didn’t even think to ask him his name.
The next article actually provides an address to their clubhouse, and a part of me wants to go over there and see exactly what it’s all about, but the sensible part of me doesn’t need any more trouble. I have enough with Jake.
I sit back on the couch and sigh, wondering what he’s up to. It’s been three days since I last saw him, and when I went to the hospital yesterday, they said he’d been released and sent home. I was happy for him. I was glad he was okay and nothing major was wrong with him, but I’m still curious.
I shove off the couch and head into my bedroom to change. Not that it matters what I look like, I always look disgusting. I run the brush through my hair before looking into the mirror at myself. My hair hangs around my shoulders with slight waves as my brown eyes stare back at me.
This is stupid. That’s what I keep telling myself as I grab my keys and walk out of the room. In the deepest part of me, I know I shouldn’t do this, but what difference does it make? Either way. Jake will be pissed when he gets home. I suppose it’s better I’m not here when that happens.
I find my way to the car and climb in, before putting the address in my phone.
I take a deep breath and follow the GPS directions, and when I pull up, I’m not sure what to think.
There are cars everywhere, and bikes line the streets.
I find a spot to park and then climb out of my car.
I adjust my shirt, pulling it down over my belly, before checking myself in the window's reflection. With adeep breath, I turn and walk toward the club. No one pays me much attention as I walk up and step inside. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I don’t know that this was it.
People are drinking, music is blasting through the speakers, and some women are barely dressed, but nothing seems to be illegal, as the articles said.
I continue into the room when a drink is thrust into my hand.
I bring it to my lips but think better of it.
I lower the glass and set it on the table next to me as I glance around.
That’s when green eyes lock with mine. My lips part, the air rushing from my lungs as a smile curls his lips.
The man next to him looks over and then catches my gaze.
My mouth snaps shut, and the reality of what I’m doing hits me hard.
I immediately spin around and head for the door, but I don’t make it that far.
A hand grips my wrist, and I’m forced to stop moving.
My head lowers, and my stomach cramps when he steps around in front of me.
I’m staring down at his boots when his hand comes to my chin, lifting it so I’m forced to look at him.
“We should drink,” he says, not asking me why I’m here or anything. I shake my head, but he nods.
“I shouldn’t be here.”
“Why shouldn’t you be?”
“I … I just shouldn’t,” I tell him. I watch him lick his lips before stepping in closer to me.
“I owe you, Kemah.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“I do. I owe you. You stayed with me, Kemah.”
“I was being nice. That doesn’t mean I need a repayment.”
“I think you do. I think you deserve more than repayment,” he says.
“Such as?” Now I see the twinkle in his eyes, and I can’t breathe. Why is he so gorgeous? And why is he looking at me like he wants to eat me?
“Who is this?” I hear another man ask, yet I can’t pull my gaze from his.
“This is Kemah. I told you about her,” he says before I finally pull my gaze away from him and look at the other man. He told him about me? Why? What did he tell him?
“Ahh, the girl who stayed with you. Yeah, I’ve heard all about you. I’m Locke,” he says, holding his hand out to me. I slowly reach out and take his hand, allowing him to shake it.
“I’m Kemah.”
“I know who you are,” he smirks, releasing my hand, and I turn back to the other man.
I let my eyes roam over his cut when I see his name is Hodge.
I swallow hard when he tugs on the wrist he’s still holding and pulls me along toward the bar.
He orders two drinks but doesn’t release his hold on me.
His hand is warm, wrapped around my wrist, and I find that I like it. I know I shouldn’t, but I do.
Hodge hands me a drink, and I quickly swallow down whatever he gave me. He chuckles and grabs another, passing it to me. I do the same, taking it down quickly.
“You’re a drinker,” Hodge says as I shake my head.
“Not really.”
“I couldn’t tell by the way you’re suckin’ them down.”
“I’m nervous.”
“Why? Did I do somethin’?” I look up at him and shake my head with furrowed brows.
“What would you have done?”
“I don’t know, that’s why I’m askin’.”
“This is just … I looked you up on the internet!” I blurt out. Hodge smirks and nods his head, running his free hand over his face.
“And you showed up here.”
“I wanted to see if they were lying.”
“And what have you learned about me?” he asks, his bright green eyes sparkling in the light.
“Your name.” Now he chuckles.
“My name?”
“You never told me your name, but I see it on your cut,” I tell him as I nod toward the patch. His head lowers, and he looks at his patch before nodding and looking back at me.
“Take a walk with me.” My heart leaps into my throat. I don’t think I should walk around with him, but then again, what could it hurt? There are a ton of people here, and if he were to do something, someone would surely see it.
Hodge doesn’t give me a chance to respond before he’s dragging me along with him. We weave through the crowd and out the side door, listening as it slams closed. I jolt a little when Hodge releases the hold he has on my arm.
“What do you want to know?”
“About what?”
“Me. The club. I’ll only answer what I can,” he says.
“Are you a notorious biker gang?” He chuckles and runs his hand through his hair.
“We’re not a gang, we’re a club.”
“And you do illegal things?”
“Maybe. Does that bother you?”
“Shouldn’t it?” I ask him. He shrugs his shoulders and shoves his hands into his pockets as he slowly paces back and forth.
“You’re not a part of it, so I don’t see why it would.”
“You’re right. But this is your clubhouse, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“And nothing illegal goes on here?” I ask. Now he laughs.
“I didn’t say that, but I also didn’t know you’d be here,” he adds.
“Would that change things?”
“No.”
“I think it’s best if I go.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
“You came for a reason, Kemah,” he points out as a chill runs down my spine. This is wrong. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be in the middle of this.
“I guess I was just wondering if what I read was true.”
“Does that make any difference?” he asks, squaring his shoulders as he looks at me.
Slowly, I lower my head, not knowing what to say to him.
I shouldn’t have come. I shouldn’t be here.
My cell phone rings in my pocket, startling me.
I reach in and pull it out. My face falls when I see Jake’s name flash across the screen.
Before I can think of what to say to him, Hodge grabs the phone from my hand and slides his finger across the screen before bringing it to his ear.
“I’ve seen the marks. I’ve seen the bruises and I’m warnin’ you right the fuck now, that if I see another, I’m gonna rip your fuckin’ throat out,” he growls into the phone. My mouth falls open as I look at him, unsure of what to say.
I don’t know what Jake is saying in return, and the thought of what he’s going to do to me sits heavily in my chest. I watch as Hodge smirks and then laughs into the line before lowering the phone and ending the call. He passes the phone back to me, and I stand still, stunned into silence.
“You hungry?”
“Do I look like I need to eat?” It’s the first thing that popped into my head, although I shouldn’t have said it.
“You look like you need somethin’ to fill your mouth, and I have a few things that would work.” My cheeks heat at his words before he laughs.