Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Lola
I haven’t seen Driller since last night, when he left me to fend for myself.
I woke up in the kennel with a quilt wrapped around me and thick socks on my feet.
As soon as I saw them, I’d burst into tears and cried until I made myself sick.
I couldn’t remember the last time someone had done something nice for me.
Not knowing what else to do, I walked back to the clubhouse.
Creeping past the sleeping bodies to the bathroom, I freshened up as best I could, washing yesterday’s makeup off my face and neck with hand soap and leaving my skin feeling dry but at least clean.
Apart from the fading discoloration across my jawbone, my bruises are covered by my sweatshirt, so I don’t have to worry about Driller’s reaction to anyone seeing them.
He likes me to keep them covered or have a handy excuse, but I didn’t know I would need my make-up bag so this is as good as it gets.
I finger-comb my hair and, with the hair tie from around my wrist, pull it up into a messy bun.
There’s not much I can do about my teeth right now, but I cup my hand under the faucet and rinse my mouth out with some water.
Feeling a little better, I walk out of the bathroom.
Hopefully, there’s some decaf in the kitchen to help warm me up.
I look at the table where I dumped everything when I came in and find them untouched.
I grab my bag and pull it over my shoulder, not wanting one of the club girls to mess with it.
Walking into the kitchen, I find it empty.
I glance at the clock above the stove and see it’s still early.
I put my bag down and start looking through the cupboards, but don’t find any decaf.
I do find some hot chocolate mix, though, so I put the kettle on.
While I’m waiting for the water to boil, I put a pot of coffee on for those who’ll wake up soon.
With nothing else to do, I decide to make breakfast. Once the water is boiled, I make my drink first before I gather all the ingredients—sausage meat, eggs, cheese, green chilies, onions, and hash browns—and make enough breakfast burritos to feed a crowd.
I wrap them in parchment paper for reheating and eat two while I drink my hot chocolate.
Then I leave a Post-it note with instructions explaining how long to heat them for.
I’m just washing my mug when I hear people moving around upstairs.
I grab two extra burritos and slide them into my bag, along with an orange and an apple.
I have no idea when Driller will feed me again, and something tells me that it won’t be anytime soon with Havoc here.
I consider leaving, but I have nowhere else to go.
So I head back into the main room and start cleaning up.
I might as well do something to keep myself busy.
People start waking around me, but I just continue on with what I’m doing.
I step over Razzle, who’s passed out on the floor with her skirt up around her waist, with her bare pussy on display.
I grimace and look away.
Spotting a plaid shirt on the back of one of the chairs, I grab it and drape it over her.
“Think you’d be used to that by now, prissy.”
I tense at the sound of Snoopy’s voice.
“I’m not bothered,” I say quietly.
“I just don’t like seeing another woman in a vulnerable position.”
He grunts before moving close.
I brace myself, waiting for him to touch me—but he doesn’t, thank God.
I’m feeling particularly vulnerable myself this morning.
“She wouldn’t do that for you, you know. She’d probably take pictures and post them online.”
I look over my shoulder at the man with the shock of white hair, even though he’s only in his early forties.
“And you wouldn’t do anything to stop her. That doesn’t say anything about me, but it does say a heck of a lot about you.” I shake my head before picking up two empty bottles and tossing them in the garbage bag I’m carrying around.
“There are breakfast burritos and coffee in the kitchen if you’re hungry.”
He hesitates for a moment.
“Thanks, Lola.”
I swallow hard as he walks away and go back to what I was doing.
Once I’ve finished picking up all the empty bottles and trash, I find a bottle of cleaner and a towel and start wiping everything down.
“What are you doing here?”
I jump when I see Byte standing in front of me.
I didn’t even hear him coming.
“I’m cleaning up.”
“That’s not what I meant, Lola. I meant why you’re here when Driller isn’t? You know he doesn’t like you being here without him,” he says, like Driller has to worry about me throwing myself at his brothers.
The thought is so ridiculous I almost laugh.
“And where exactly do you expect me to go, Byte? I haven’t seen Driller since yesterday, and Havoc and his crew are in my house.”
“It’s his house. You’re just lucky he lets you and Driller stay there. But honestly, I doubt it’ll be for much longer.”
I throw my hands up in the air.
“Fine. His house then. The place where I’ve been staying. The place where my clean underwear and toothpaste are.”
He looks at me then—really looks at me.
“If Driller wasn’t with you last night, where were you?”
The hypocrisy of this man makes me want to kick him between the legs.
“Don’t worry, Byte. I slept with the dogs.”
He narrows his eyes but doesn’t say anything.
“Havoc’s on his way here with his old lady. It’d be best if you weren’t here when they arrived.”
“Sure. Just tell me where to go, then.”
He opens his mouth and closes it when he realizes I have nowhere to go.
He knows damn well I’m not allowed to leave the compound without an escort, as per Driller’s orders.
Everyone here thinks it’s for my protection, but I know it’s because he doesn’t want me to run away.
For years, he held Havoc’s safety over my head as a way to control me.
He made it sound so fucking easy to get to him in prison—like all I had to do was behave, and Havoc wouldn’t end up getting stabbed in the shower.
It worked far better than anything else ever had.
His words were the handcuffs that kept me in line.
But now, Havoc isn’t mine, and I don’t have to protect him anymore.
Maybe if I managed to get away, Driller would let me go.
His whole reason for taking me was so he could rub it in Havoc’s face.
Only it backfired—Havoc has another woman now and doesn’t feel a thing for me.
And honestly, I’m not sure he ever did.
“You can come hang with me.” I turn to see Gunther standing with the quilt in his hands.
I blink rapidly, instantly knowing it was him that covered me.
I don’t know if that makes me hate him more or less.
Byte huffs. “If Driller catches you with her?—”
Gunther laughs.
“He’s got me watching her. That’s what I’m doing. Watching her. Someone better keep her safe 'cause it sure as shit ain’t our VP.”
“Whatever you think, but I suggest you keep your mouth shut. He’s still our VP, and if he hears you talking about him, he’ll lose his shit.”
“You know what, Byte? Right now, I don’t give a fuck. But tell me, where are our wondrous VP and president? ’Cause I don’t see them anywhere and haven’t since they snuck out last night.” He steps up beside me. “You don’t have to like Lola, Byte, but she’s an old lady—one that couldn’t go home last night.”
He holds up his hand to cut off Byte before he can say anything.
“It doesn’t matter who owns the place. Lola’s been living there for fucking years. And last night, her old man fucked off, leaving his pregnant old lady to sleep in a fucking doghouse ‘cause he couldn’t be bother to get her out a fucking room.”
Seeing Gunther defend me brings tears to my eyes, a move that neither man misses.
“Look, now’s not the time for this. Havoc’ll be here any minute, and I’ve gotta tell him that Khan’s MIA.”
Gunther curses. “Just go. I’ve got Lola. Find out when she can head back to the house and grab her shit. If Havoc wants her out, then I’ll find her a room here ’til Driller gets back and figures shit out.”
Byte grunts at him before walking away.
“Come on, Lola. Let’s get out of here.”
I nod and follow him out. Smart or not, I know I don’t want to be here when Havoc arrives. I can’t stomach seeing him with that woman again—not while my wounds are still so fresh.
I grab my bag on the way, catching myself when a now awake Razzle stands up and pushes me.
“Bitch, get the fuck out of my way,” she snarls.
Before I can react, Gunter has his hand around her throat, lifting her clean off her feet.
“Since when do club whores speak to old ladies that way?”
She claws at his wrist as she struggles in his hold. “Nobody likes her. Not even her old man.”
Gunther leans forward. “I like her. And I don’t give a fuck what you think, bitch. You touch her, or even look at her wrong, and I’ll have your ass thrown outta here faster than you can blink.”
He tosses her to the floor.
A few brothers stand around watching, but nobody says a word.
I shiver. Violence is part of club life—I know that better than anyone—but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.
“Come on, Lola,” he says, holding out his elbow. I slide my hand through and let him lead me out of the room.
We head up to the second floor, and all the way down to the far end of the hall. He stops at the last door on the left before opening it and ushering me inside.
I figured he was taking me to an empty room, but this one clearly belongs to someone. I look at him and realize whose room I’m in.
“This is your room.”
I start to panic, taking a step back. He must see it on my face because he shakes his head.
“This isn’t that. This is so you can rest and be safe. Nobody’s gonna bother you here. The only other empty rooms right now are the prospects’ dorm and the bunnies’ playroom. And those rooms are free-for-alls and don’t lock.”
“I can’t. Driller won’t?—”
“Driller won’t know, Lola. He’s not here. I’m the one looking out for you. And, as far as I’m concerned, this is the safest place for you.”
I let out a breath, my shoulders slumping. Honestly, what other choice do I really have?
“Okay,” I whisper.
“Take a shower if you want, or watch a movie. It’s up to you.”
He looks down at my bag. “You have a change of clothes in there?”
“I didn’t know I’d need them. I was just told to come to the clubhouse.”
“Driller didn’t give you a heads-up about Havoc coming?”
I look at him like he’s insane.
“Right. Don’t worry about it. Help yourself to whatever you need. There’s spare toothbrushes under the sink, and some sweats in the dresser if you wanna change. I’ll go find out when they’re leaving and see when you can head back to the house.”
I don’t know what to say, so I keep quiet. When he realizes I’m not going to say anything, he sighs. “Don’t forget to lock the door.” With that, he leaves.
I flip the lock once he’s gone and head into the bathroom. Just like Gunter said, the spare toothbrushes are under the sink. I grab one and start brushing my teeth as I look around. Not all the rooms have bathrooms, if I remember correctly. I’m not sure how they decide who gets one, but right now, I’m just happy for the privacy.
Still, I’m not dumb enough to let my guard down. That flimsy lock on the door won’t stop a biker who’s determined to get in, so I won’t be taking a shower—no matter how much I want one.
I walk back into the bedroom and notice the blanket that Gunther had been carrying on the end of the bed. I stare at the black TV screen across from the bed but decide I could use a little more sleep—especially since I have no idea what the next few days are going to look like.
I toe my shoes off and climb up onto the neatly made bed, pulling the quilt with me. I cover myself so only my face is showing and drift off into a light sleep with one hand pressed against my belly, wondering what I did in a past life to deserve all this.