Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
ATHENA
“It’s around here somewhere. Fuck!”
I curse under my breath while my bare feet pound against the forest floor. Sticks and pinecones stab my skin with each step I take, but I hardly feel them. I don’t know if I’m numb from the cold or the adrenaline. I don’t care, either, as long as I get as far away from the auction house as I can.
Branches tear at my hair and what little clothing I have on. I’m sure a chunk of my long, brown locks has been torn clean off, as well as several lacy scraps of fabric.
How the hell did I end up running through the Colorado woods, nearly naked, with a gun tucked into a bra that isn’t mine? What the fuck has become of my life? I left the trailer park just to end up here? With no options, no family, and no plan?
The bombardment of questions makes my head spin, so I focus on finding my go-bag. I know it’s close. Once I find it, I’ll have a change of clothes, cash, and a few other essentials for getting through the next few days.
Growing up with my mother and her string of increasingly volatile boyfriends taught me to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
I’ve been woken up by everything from junkies pounding on the side of the trailer looking for their next fix to police raids, fist fights, gunshots, and everything in between.
When things got too intense at home, I grabbed my go-bag and laid low until the storm passed.
I thought I was done with all that when I found my father a few weeks ago.
After a lifetime of thinking he was dead, my mom finally admitted he’s some big deal biker in Colorado who never knew I existed.
She didn’t think that was enough information for me to find him, but she underestimated me, like always.
At twenty-one, I was long overdue to move out and get away from the filth and crime that stained my childhood. I figured paying my dad a visit would be a great place to start my new life. Everything was great. Until it wasn’t.
My foot comes down hard on a jagged rock, and I pitch forward, landing on my hands and knees.
The gun tumbles out of my bra, and I squeeze my eyes closed, half expecting it to go off.
I’ve been around plenty of guns, most of them obtained illegally, but never had the desire to shoot one.
That didn’t seem to matter when I stormed out of that auction house, pointing my newly obtained weapon at anyone who gave me a sideways glance.
I felt powerful for maybe the first time in my entire life.
After a moment of silence, I pick myself up off the ground and grab the gun. The auction is only about a mile away from the clubhouse, and I know my bag is on the stretch of land between the two properties. I have to be close to that damn tree where I hid… Ah-ha!
When I first arrived at dear old Dad’s clubhouse, I almost let my trusty go-bag sit in the backseat of my car. I was so sure I wouldn’t need it. That part of my life was over.
Thank fuck my cynicism ran deeper than family ties. Before introducing myself to my long-lost parental unit, I placed my bag next to a giant oak tree and covered it with leaves and debris.
Once I have the black duffel bag in my hands, I take a breath for what feels like the first time in days.
Some kids had a safety blanket or a comfort plushie.
I had this worn, black bag with netted pockets on the sides and an extra-large pocket in front.
My fingers glide over the different textures, noting the slick toughness of the canvas, the light, almost soft feel of the mesh pockets, and the cool metal of each zipper.
I’ve memorized every inch of this thing while hiding out in various locations. Pathetic, I know.
Twigs snap somewhere behind me, reminding me of where I am and what I need to be doing.
I quickly throw on the hoodie and leggings from my bag, followed by socks and sneakers.
I complete the look by gathering up my hair and tucking it into a black beanie that slips down past my eyebrows.
If anyone is looking for a scantily-clad, barefoot woman with long hair, they aren’t going to find her in these woods. Not dressed like this.
I place the gun in the duffel bag, next to my burner phone and dwindling wad of cash.
I had nearly a thousand dollars when I left West Virginia.
Between the gas, food, and lodging, I’m down to my last two hundred bucks.
At least it’s enough to get a room somewhere for the night and figure out my next steps in the morning.
I was planning on using the forest as cover while I walk back into town, but I swear I hear more twigs snapping and leaves rustling behind me.
Maybe it’s best if I stick closer to the highway.
The road isn’t very busy, and even less so at this time of night.
But maybe I’ll get lucky and find someone to hitch a ride with.
As I walk along the side of the mostly deserted highway, I realize I may be escaping one kind of danger just to end up inviting a new kind of danger into my life. But, it’s not like I have a lot of options here.
The giant bright headlights of a semi flash ahead of me, and I retreat into the brush as the large vehicle whizzes past. I may be hitchhiking, but I know better than to get in a semi truck. For all I know, he could be hauling another shipment of women to replace all of us who escaped tonight.
Another car approaches me about ten minutes later, or possibly two hours - it’s hard to tell time under these circumstances.
This time, I notice a woman behind the wheel, probably the same age as me.
I’d feel safer with her, but I’m not sure if she’s naive enough to pull over for a stranger on the side of the road with her thumb out for a ride.
I breathe out a small sigh of relief when the car slows down.
The driver stops next to me, though they haven’t rolled down their window yet to talk.
I realize I must look sketchy with my all-black clothes and black hat, so I remove the beanie and let her see my hair and face.
The woman’s shoulders visibly relax, and she leans over the console of her decades-old Cadillac to open the passenger door.
“Thanks,” I tell her once I’m buckled in. “You’re a life-saver.”
The woman gives me a bright smile as she pulls back onto the highway. “I’m just doing a sister a solid. Are you running away?”
I blink a few times at her blunt question. There’s no judgment behind it, simply curiosity. “Uh… Yeah, I guess I am. I’m just not sure where exactly I’m running to.” I’m not sure why I told her that last part. I suppose she’s earned what little trust I have left by giving me a ride into town.
“I get it. I’m sort of on a self-discovery journey myself. The mountains feel like a good place for a fresh start.”
I nod, not wanting to crush this bubbly woman’s dream. I don’t have the heart to tell her all the same problems exist here as in the rest of the country. At least it’s pretty, though.
“I’m Acacia, by the way,” she continues. My new friend isn’t short on words, that’s for sure. “You said you don’t have a destination, right? You’re welcome to join me! I’m headed further up into the Rockies. I just feel like nature will reset my soul, you know?”
Her auburn hair falls over her right shoulder as she turns her head to look at me briefly. Acacia is adorable, with a little button nose, round cheeks, and freckles dotted over her nose. I’m not sure why she’s looking for a fresh start, but I have a feeling I’d only bring her down.
“Thanks for the offer, but I have my own journey to go on. It’s for the best that I do it alone.”
“Oh. Right. Of course.” Acacia gives me another smile, though it doesn’t reach her wide, doe eyes. Even in the dim lighting of the car, I can see her blushing from embarrassment.
“It’s not you,” I’m quick to say. As soon as the words leave my mouth, I know they are cliché and hollow.
“I get it. Toooootally fine. I was just offering. We could be road trip buddies or something, but of course, you have your own stuff going on.”
“Acacia–”
“No need to explain! I’m the weirdo here. Inviting a stranger to drive with me into the mountains. You’d think I have no survival skills at all!” She laughs at herself, but it’s only to cover up her insecurities. It takes one to know one.
“Could you just drop me off at the first motel we see when we get to the next town?”
“Absolutely.”
“Thank you,” I tell her sincerely before resting my head against the window. We ride in silence until the lights of the upcoming town shine on the horizon. “It’s been a long time since anyone’s been this kind to me,” I whisper.
To my complete shock, Acacia gives my hand a squeeze. “I’m so sorry to hear that. Everyone deserves a friend. Maybe we could exchange numbers before you go?”
I squeeze her hand back. “I’d like that.”
Acacia pulls into Rick’s Roadside Rest Stop, a tiny motel surrounded by a large gravel lot. Half the lights in the sign are burnt out while the other half flicker on and off at random intervals. Perfect. This will be right in my price range.
“Are you sure this is where you want me to leave you?”
“I’ve slept in worse places,” I tell her with a wink. Acacia furrows her brow in concern. “Anyway, give me your number. I have a temporary phone right now, but I promise to call when I’m settled in.”
“Sure. I just…” She bites her bottom lip, looking from me to the motel outside. “Can you send me a text when you get to your room? You’re the first person I’ve met in my new life. I can’t have anything bad happening to you!”
Her sweet, expressive smile is contagious.
It’s been a long time since I’ve had the urge to smile, but damn if I’m not grinning right back at her.
I sense my new friend’s loneliness. Hell, I feel it myself.
But she doesn’t deserve to be chased down by my father and his men.
I’d only be putting her in danger by keeping her around.
We exchange phone numbers, and Acacia waves excitedly, wishing me luck. I hope she finds whatever she’s looking for. Maybe if I survive all of this, we can build a log cabin together up in the mountains. That sounds kind of nice.
The older lady behind the front desk in the motel is flipping through a tabloid magazine, a cigarette hanging dangerously from her lips. One wrong move, and it could fall, causing a fire. I’m not confident this place is up to code, or that there is even a working fire extinguisher nearby.
I clear my throat to get her attention.
“Huh?” she grunts, not bothering to remove the cigarette. “You here for a room?”
Well, I’m certainly not here for the company.
“Yes. I have cash. Just one night, please,” I say with all the confidence I can muster at the moment.
The woman sighs, finally setting the fire hazard down on an ashtray so she can complete the transaction.
She looks me up and down, taking stock of my scratched-up face, wild hair, and baggy, ill-fitting clothes.
I hold my chin up and square my shoulders, trying to project someone in control of the situation.
After a moment, the front desk attendant shrugs and grabs a key hanging on the wall behind her. “Fifty-five dollars,” she states. “And another fifty if you’re still here after ten in the morning.”
“Got it. Thanks,” I say while counting out the cash.
Her eyes follow me out of the small lobby area and into the cool night. When I look over my shoulder, the woman is right back to her magazine and cigarette.
I make it to room number ten at the very end of the building, unlocking the door and flopping down on the bed. The air is stale, the sheets are scratchy, and the single window next to the door has a broken latch, making it bang against the side of the building with even the slightest breeze.
All in all, it’s a huge upgrade from where I could have ended up tonight.
I stay sprawled out on the hard mattress for a little longer, then decide to check the rattling window.
Maybe I can rig something up to make the banging stop.
I don’t imagine I’ll get much sleep tonight, but I might go crazy if I have to listen to the screech and snap of the window for a single second longer.
Upon further inspection, it appears something was jammed in the corner of the window, making it impossible to close all the way. Once I’ve remedied the situation, I look out into the parking lot. I’m not sure what I thought I’d see. Maybe my father? Or the Madame from the auction house?
Instead, there’s a single car parked on the far side of the lot, partially hidden by overhanging branches. My heart lodges itself in my throat the longer I look at the vehicle. There’s definitely someone inside. Staring at me.
I can barely make out his white t-shirt and leather jacket. And those eyes… light brown, like honey or amber. Warm and grounding. And confusing as hell. I recognize him from the auction, though not as one of the disgusting pigs who attended the event with the intent to purchase a woman.
No, he’s definitely not a slicked-back, clean-cut billionaire with a dirty secret. That man is a biker, through and through. Thankfully, he’s not one of my father’s men, or at least, not one I’ve met before. He’s still a biker, though, so he can’t be trusted.
What is he doing out here? Actually, what was he doing at the auction?
Something big happened that distracted the guards and the Madame, which gave me an opportunity to escape the padded room they were keeping us in.
I was greeted by chaos, gunshots, broken glass, and furious men shouting at each other.
It’s definitely not the first time I’ve walked into a situation like that, but I hope it will be my last.
The man in the car doesn’t make a move to get out. He doesn’t have a gun aimed at me as far as I can tell. He’s not taking pictures on his phone or with a camera. In fact, he’s not doing much of anything. Just watching.
I should leave, right? Someone found me, and now I need to find a way to sneak out. But how? He’d see me if I walked out the door or climbed through the window. And where would I go even if I managed to evade him?
Slinking back to the bed, I perch on the edge of the mattress and rummage through my bag until my hand wraps around the cool metal of the gun I stole. I’ll keep this right next to me just in case the man outside gets any funny ideas.
Sleep tugs at my eyelids, and I realize just how exhausted I am. My muscles ache, my feet are swollen and likely bleeding from my midnight sprint through the forest, and my temples are throbbing with an oncoming migraine.
I was so positive I wouldn’t fall asleep, especially after discovering my stalker outside. But strangely I feel… safe. He’s watching over me, not spying on me. Or maybe that’s just what I need to believe to get the rest my body so desperately craves.
As my vision blurs and sleep takes over, my final thought is of warm brown eyes.