Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
DANI
Curled up in the tightest ball I can possibly hold my body in, my mind simply can’t comprehend the pain running throughout my body from my head to the bottom of my feet.
From the minute I saw Samson in the Devils on Wheels garage, it felt like my heart was slowly on the path to dying.
All of my hopes and dreams are slowly evaporating as it dawns on me that I’m totally fucked.
My thoughts immediately go to Dottie, and I feel that crack getting bigger in my heart.
Twins do have that special bond and when the club finds me, I pray they will be able to hold my sister together with the help from Halo.
Dottie was right, he was sent for a reason and that was to be there for her when I die.
I’ve accepted it and have tried very hard not to say a word or cry out every time those bastards come into this dark, dank room and lay hands on me or beat the hell out of me, piss on me, and call me filthy names.
I have no concept of time, day, or where I’m at.
Life as I have known it has ceased to exist. My head is pounding and I can feel my skin getting tighter as the blood dries and the swelling continues to happen.
I’m almost a hundred-percent sure I have a mid-grade concussion, along with some broken ribs, besides the deep incision where the white stuff I’m seeing might be a bone in my calf.
That was from the first injury, which was their attempt to make sure I’m unable to even try to run and get away.
Hearing the lock engage, my body tightens within its protective ball, trying to shield myself, which is a joke. I’m at these assholes’ mercy and that is totally pissing me off. Right before the door swings open, I hear Dottie’s voice in my head like she is whispering right in my ear next to me.
Hang tight, little sister, we’re on the way. Do whatever you have to, just stay alive. I’m serious, Dani, anything, just make sure you’re breathing when I find you. Love ya, little sister.
Fighting the tears filling my eyes, I refuse to show any pain, no matter how much I’m in.
Men like this get off on the suffering they inflict on their victims. Keeping my eyes tightly closed, I don’t know how many men are entering the room but it’s more than two as the room is pretty large and from the vibe of it, the room is filling up.
Then I hear the voice of the man I’m quickly wishing would drop dead. Samson.
“How much of that shit did you give her, Omar? She shouldn’t still be out.
Motherfucker, those jagoffs are on the way and I wanted some time to play with their new toy before she’s moved to her next ‘home.’ From what I’ve been told, her new owner, not sure what to call him—her ‘daddy or master’—is a total motherfucker. Hey, whore, wake up.”
Hearing the sole of his boot dragging on the concrete floor, I try my best not to brace as Samson kicks me in my lower back again. Not sure how I manage but no noise comes from my swollen lips.
“Son of a bitch. Noah, get that hose working. We need to clean this bitch up. She smells like piss, fear, and blood. Cain, go get some clothes, even if you have to give her a shirt or something from your shit. And bring a brush so we can untangle her nest of fucking hair. Damn, what happened to her? She used to be beautiful, though at least she didn’t mark herself up like the other one.
Before we hand her over, I’m gettin’ my piece of flesh for all the trouble she’s caused me.
I’m hoping her dad gets here before those other assholes, as I know he’s wanting his piece too.
That’s all I’ve heard about is what he’s going to do to her again.
What pissed him off more than anything is that his ‘girls’ ran before he could personally train them properly. ”
Feeling nauseated just by the mention of our sperm donor because it brings back so many bad memories, including that demon never says anything he doesn’t mean.
One of the main reasons we ran is because he took both Dottie and me into one of his sheds one night, after he beat our mother within an inch from her own death.
What was waiting for us was a nightmare neither of us have ever talked about, even to this day.
I’ve pushed that night so far back into the recesses of my mind, I pray it never makes its way to the front.
I’m not sure what I’d do if I remember all that took place on that horrendous night.
So deep in thought when the first spray of cold water hits my body, I hiss under my breath but quickly suck it in.
A memory hits me and it’s when Dottie and I first started prospecting for the Devil’s Handmaidens club.
We had to spend time with Shadow because no one else had the capability to make sure we would be able to be a club sister.
Back then the club’s situation was dark.
Tink had her mission of finding Squirt, then Shadow’s past finally caught up with her, and it almost brought our club to its knees.
From then each and every sister who found love had to deal with their pasts, including their nightmares too.
Should have known we were up, as anyone can see Dottie is falling hard for Halo, which is good ’cause that man is totally in love with my sister.
Feeling hands on me trying to pull me out of my ball, I can’t hold it in any longer and let out a cry of pain.
Suddenly, the water shuts off and instead of viciousness I feel gentle hands pushing the hair out of my face and whispering kind words by my ears.
Slowly opening my eyes, all I see are gunmetal eyes looking down on me.
“Hey, it’s okay, Dani. Probably don’t remember me, it’s Noah.
Shush, don’t say anything; they’ll be back in a minute.
Try and hang on as this should all be over shortly.
I know it’s asking a lot, but you gotta trust me.
If I do anything to hurt you or say shit to upset you, as crazy as this sounds, don’t take any of it to heart.
I’m on your side, swear to Christ. Shit, here they come, gotta put the water back on, but I’ll add a little warm so it’s not so brutal.
Don’t let them know though. Here we go.”
True to his word, Noah must have put the hot water on too, because this time it’s not an arctic-cold stream of water, though nowhere near warm, but still he kept his word.
I remember both Shadow and Rebel telling all of us prospects to never trust anyone if you are taken captive.
As much as my kind na?ve heart wants to believe Noah, I’ve put my life in the hands of my club sisters and they have kept me safe.
So keeping my expression blank, I lie on the cement floor while I’m hosed down.
Cain comes back with a T-shirt, a flannel shirt, along with some sweats.
I know they aren’t any of theirs because none of them are as small as my clothes, but I don’t ask any questions.
Cain throws the clothes to Noah while Samson tells his youngest brother to change me and not to get any ideas.
Samson tells Noah he has first dibs with me.
Then Samson leaves, taking his men with him to go and find some food.
As much as I don’t want to, I have to eat so I can keep my strength up.
Not sure who will get here first, my dad or the brotherhood, but no matter what, I won’t die before my club finds me.
Hopefully, before the other men get here to take what is owed to them.
Guess I’m paying the debt our club owes the brotherhood, not to mention what my sister and I are beholden to our father.
Shivering, my eyes meet Noah’s as he carefully as possible helps me to my feet and hangs on while I try to steady myself.
The bottom of my feet hurt so bad from being hit by Omar with a hard covered book.
The irony isn’t lost on me, being the bookworm I am.
Not sure they know that but even as I kid, all I wanted to do was read.
Seeing how warped these guys are, I’m pretty sure Omar planned it that way to make me hate something I truly love.
He’s almost as bad as Samson. Cain and Noah I’m still on the fence about.
Feeling hands on me, my instincts kick in and I start to push them away, but my body isn’t working. It’s too broken and beaten down.
“Hey, calm down. We need to get you out of these clothes and into the clean ones before they get back. You don’t want them trying to help you undress, then put clean clothes on because you’ll get something I know you don’t want.
Come on, Dani, you know me. I’ve never done anything to you, so give me a chance.
I’m trying to protect you from their evil, but we need to get you out of here before your father or the Thunder Cloud Knuckle Brotherhood arrives because the little I’ve seen of them, they are the Devil reincarnated.
Can you get out of those clothes by yourself or do you need my help? ”
Knowing I can’t do it breaks me. I don’t want any man to see me, but I have no choice. So swallowing what’s left of my pride, I lift my eyes and say the words that tear my soul out.
“Noah, as much as it totally guts me, I can’t do it. So let’s get it done quick like.”
He’s watching me closely but doesn’t make a move my way. I raise an eyebrow, which brings a sad smile to his face. His hands reach for the bottom of my shirt and with the utmost care he starts to pull it up. When he gets to where I need to lift my arms, he waits but I shake my head.
“Dani, this might hurt but it’s the best way to get this off. Take a deep breath and hang on.”
Then he grabs the top of the neckline and in one swift movement he rips the middle of the shirt, which allows him to pull the shirt off both arms. Then he removes my bra, but his eyes never even glance at my breasts.
What he does do is swear like a sailor when he sees all the scars and burns on my body.
Without looking at him, I take in a deep breath and let it out, knowing this is going to hurt.
Noah stretches the T-shirt out and puts first one hand then the other one in, before pulling it down in one swift movement.
Before I can even let out my cry of pain, the T-shirt is on me.
Then he again puts one arm then the other in the flannel and pulls it up on my body.
Halfway there, I think right before Noah kneels before me, his fingers going into the top of my jeans.
Oh shit. I feel the goosebumps when his fingertips touch my belly.
Shifting my eyes upward, the feel of the button letting loose then the zipper going down sounds as loud as church bells on a Sunday.
Not saying a word when he sees the scars on my legs, he lifts first one foot then the other, pulling my jeans and then underwear down.
I thought about protesting, but from my hose bath, they are soaked, so whatever.
Once he gets the shorts on, he pulls a chair from the corner out and sits me in it while he dries my feet, putting on a pair of worn socks.
Even with all the pain in my feet the socks feel good because my feet are so cold.
“Thanks, Noah, I appreciate your help.”
He gently pats my shoulder as we hear the door lock engaging.
Noah moves quickly to pick up my dirty wet clothes just as Samson and Omar walk in.
Not able to help it, I look and almost lose it.
Behind Omar is an older version of my father with our oldest brother, Matty.
No, can’t call him that, Father would be upset.
I remember when Dottie got beat for calling him that.
Father said his name is Matthew. Though I have no plan to talk to either of them.
When my eyes fall on the cane helping my father into the room, I’m torn between being happy he’s suffering and knowing that isn’t the right way to behave, but who the hell cares at this point.
“So, finally, Daneira, we are together again. Too bad Samson failed at his job and didn’t bring along Dorothea too.
Unfortunately, I have no choice but to punish Samson for dropping the ball, as they say.
I’ll leave the unpleasantries to my new friends.
Leave us for now, I need to have a word with my daughter. ”
Seeing the panic in Samson’s eyes, I empathize with him for all of a split second.
I’m sure my father promised him virgins, money, and whatever else that would have had Samson go along with this stupid-ass plan, and worse, he also chose to include his younger brothers.
What a shitshow for sure. Feeling eyes on me, I look up and around to see Noah’s gunmetal eyes on me, almost like a caress.
He gives a very slight nod and mouths “Be careful” before he turns and leaves with his brothers, leaving me and my family in the room.
The shock on my father’s face when we hear the lock engage, I can’t help the smirk that appears on my face right before my father punches me right in the nose.