8. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
***** Demon *****
Ten minutes later, we were both dressed and out of bed and I twisted my lip as I watched her. She messed with her phone and finally put it in her pocket, a brow lifted in silent question.
“What?”
“Nothing,” I told her, shaking my head.
I knew her dad better than she did, no matter how she wanted to slice it down.
She might have faith that she could stop whatever she thought she could, but I knew better. When that man was hell bent on doing something, he did it. And there was no stopping it, no matter what.
She sighed and then walked over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist.
“You don’t look happy.”
I kissed the top of her head, trying to school my features because she didn’t need me upset. My issues with her dad were just that, my issues. She had her own problems to work out with him and I’d be here to help her, but I couldn’t do it for her.
“Don’t overthink it, Vixen,” I told her, smacking her butt. “Since your dad killed the mood, shall I go make us breakfast?”
She tilted her head as I pulled away but nodded, following me to the kitchen.
“Want me to help?”
“If you like. I’m not a fancy chef or anything.” I gathered some eggs while I handed her some ham and veggies to cut up.
“Do you do this to all the ladies?” I looked at her over my shoulder, causing her to laugh. “I had to, Hugh. You’re far too serious all of a sudden.”
“Not serious. Just trying to get some food in our system. I mean, we did work it off. And I have no doubt we’re going to need it.”
“Plans for the future there? Ravish me over and over again.”
“No, but I have no doubt a confrontation is on the horizon.”
She stopped cutting and looked at me, a hand planted on her hip.
“You think my dad is going to find me just like that, just from a brief message?”
“Oh, I have no doubt he will, Brandi. None whatsoever. I also have no doubt that he will show up here.” I whisked the eggs, trying not to look at her because I knew exactly where this was headed.
It wasn’t that I wanted to pick a fight, because I didn’t. But she was also na?ve if she thought her dad was just going to let everything go at a simple text message. That he wasn’t on his bike this morning, getting ready to come find her.
No, he wasn’t dumb. He had an inkling where she was. He just didn’t know about me.
“How in the world do you think he would find me? I have no tracker on me, on my bike, or on my phone.”
“Do you honestly believe that?” This time I turned to look at her, watching her expression.
“I had my phone wiped clean.”
“Look, I don’t like to give that man credit at times, because he’s on my shit list. But he’s not dumb, so don’t think he is. He’s sly, smooth, and a dirty, underhanded asshole. He would have had a tech guy put in a tracker in such a way that it was never seen on your phone. It wouldn’t be some app, or something traceable, but maybe through a message, or his phone number.”
“My dad…he’s not…”
I watched her flounder as she thought about that. I wanted to tell her that I was lying, that I didn’t think he would, but I knew better. Because I knew him. If you belonged to him, he kept tabs on you.
The moment I was cut out of the gang was the moment he turned his back on me, not caring. But that didn’t mean I didn’t know his tricks.
“Don’t underestimate him,” I warned her.
“I’m not. I just didn’t think about it. But I can still handle him. He won’t do anything to me.”
I couldn’t quite pinpoint why that comment lit my fuse, but it did. Did I think he would hurt her?
Maybe not. But did I trust that? No, as well.
“Don’t do that, Brandi.”
“Do what, Hugh?”
“Think just because his blood flows through your veins that he wouldn’t try something. That he wouldn’t hurt you.”
“I’m telling you; I can take care of my dad.”
“And I’m telling you that you can’t. You think he won’t raise a hand to you, that he won’t slap you around, just because you’re his daughter. But I fully know him, and he would. You can’t stand up to him and think you will win.
“You’re brave for thinking it, but foolish for believing it.”
“Is that so?” Her eyes narrowed at me, her chest heaving with anger and I shrugged as I shook my head.
“I can’t do this right now. I need a moment.”
I tossed the towel I had over my shoulder on the counter and walked out on the back porch, needing to breathe. She could believe what she wanted.
And I knew I would be here to protect her. But he almost killed my ass last time. I had no doubt he would again.
I let out a sigh and then walked down the back steps and into the woods.
What exactly pissed me off?
That she texted him?
Because I knew she had to, or he wouldn’t leave her alone.
That she led him straight to my front door?
I knew that was going to happen the moment I picked her up and put her in my bed to rest.
As shitty as it was, I think her mindset on the matter was what was pushing me over the edge. That she thought she could bat her eyes, give him a smile, and wave a wand to make this all go away. But that was not the case.
You didn’t become the leader of a biker gang because you had a soft spot for your daughter.
Any of us guys knew that he had to be strong, unable to show a small crack of concern for her. And over time, that just meant his heart hardened to her as well.
She didn’t have him wrapped around her finger like she wanted to pretend. He might allow it, but that was it.
In this case, my sweet Vixen was about to learn just how much of an asshole her dad was.
***** Vixen *****
I watched him walk out of the house, my gut churning. With a sigh, I plopped down at the kitchen table and shook my head.
“What was that about?” I mumbled, glancing outside. He walked down the steps and into the woods and I frowned.
“I know I can handle my dad. Does he really think I can’t?”
After a few minutes of watching a retreating back and that was no longer there, I got to work on making breakfast. Maybe after his frustration he didn’t need it, but I did. Especially since I seemed to have worked up quite the appetite thanks to all the things he did to my body.
I finished the eggs and got them in the pan, my eyes straying to the window.
“Don’t worry about him, Vixen. He’s a grown ass adult. He doesn’t need you watching over his shoulder or some bull shit.”
I added the veggies then plated them once done, knowing this would be far too much food for me to eat. I grabbed another coffee then the plate and sat down, hearing my phone buzz again.
With a roll of the eyes, I grabbed it, knowing that it wouldn’t be Hugh but silently praying it wasn’t my dad. I didn’t have any more energy left to deal with him.
I know where you’re at, Vixen.
That was it, that silent message.
I felt a chill roll down my spine and I couldn’t help but wonder if maybe Hugh was right, if maybe I didn’t have the handle on my dad like I wanted to believe. Which was a scary thought.
I know my dad loved me in his own way, but he wasn’t above putting me somewhere unsafe.
But did that mean he would do something to me because he was that pissed off?
As much as I wanted to believe I had a clear answer to that, I honestly wasn’t sure.
And that was scary as shit.
Don’t you dare leave me on read, Vixen.
“What do you want me to say, Dad?” I muttered, taking a sip of my coffee. Normally, I wasn’t the type to drink before lunch, but now I wish I knew where Hugh kept his liquor bottles. Sure, he had beer in the fridge, but that wasn’t what I was looking for.
That wasn’t what I needed. Because now I was getting worried.
Who were you fucking?
Get off it, Dad.
At least you’re alive. On my way to you.
I tapped my nail against the side of my phone while I twisted my lip. I glanced up, hoping to see Hugh and then frowned when there was no sign.
How do you know where I even am?
I let my finger hover over the send button, not sure I was ready for this answer.
I took a deep breath and then hit the arrow.
“Guess it’s time I manned up and dealt with the problem.” I downed my coffee, tossed the eggs, and then stuck the dishes in the sink.
I took the phone and sat outside, needing some fresh air. I had felt the phone vibrate but I didn’t have the courage to look.
Finally, five minutes later, I glanced at the phone, my heart doing double time.
I’m your dad, I’ve always had my way.
Hugh was right. My dad was tracking me in some way I hadn’t been able to figure out. Which meant that he knew where I was. And I just put Hugh’s life on the line even more.
I jumped out of the chair, running back into the room to change, knowing I had to get out of here. I could take one of his bikes. I’m sure he had plenty.
My hands were shaking so badly that I kept fumbling while buttoning my jeans and my boots. With a groan, I finally got everything on and raced out to the garage, bumping into Hugh as he came around the corner.
“Woah,” he told me, grabbing my arms. “Where are you going?”
“I need to leave.”
“Over a fight?”
The tears trickled down as I shook my head. I didn’t cry, wasn’t really ever the type. But I knew what I was doing to Hugh if I stayed. I was willing to give him up if he was able to stay safe. Because the man on his way here was a man I didn’t know.
“Brandi, what is it?” He cupped my cheeks, his thumbs brushing away the tears and with shaking hands, I lifted my phone.
He took it, read through the messages, and then cursed before he pulled me in his arms.
“Are you running away for me? I’m sorry, Brandi. You don’t need to run though.”
I clutched the back of his shirt as I nodded.
“He won’t know you’re alive if I leave.”
“You think that’s the truth?”
I wanted to believe it, I really did. But if my dad was coming, then he would find Hugh no matter what.
“I Just wanted a chance with you, Hugh. I was going to give the bike back when it was safe.”
“Brandi, I don’t care about the bike. I have plenty. And I can get plenty. I told you, you’re mine and you’re all I care about. It was dumb to think you could stand up to this man on your own, but you’re not alone anymore. I’m here. Besides, I don’t think your dad will be coming so soon, no matter what he says. If he was drunk, then he needed time to sleep.”
“Right,” I muttered, because he was. My dad, regardless of his texts, wasn’t around the corner.
I tried to breathe a little easier, but the rumble of a bike told me that all of that was just hopeful thinking because he was pulling up and I was out of time.