18. Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Lilli
I need to leave but I don’t have much, only the 18-carat gold necklace my parents gave me when I turned thirteen.
Unfortunately, I can’t wait because I don’t know what will happen when Mama and Daddy come home. This doesn’t give me much time, as it is, but maybe they won’t bother looking for me at all.
Examining my emotions, I decide that I don’t care. I know deep down I love my parents despite their faults, and I wish they could do the same.
My body still aches from the lingering bruises courtesy of Mama, but I ignore them. I’m already dressed, and I grab my bag and head for the door, only to pause when Mercy says from down the hall, “I love you, too.”
My heart bleeds at her words and I swing around but she’s already gone. Biting back a sob, I slip through the side door and close it behind me.
All the while, my brain circles with what-ifs. What if I stayed? What if I told the truth?
What if the sheriff does something to Rae? That stops me in my tracks, and I look back.
The house is dark, and I suppress a shiver before turning away. If I’m not here, then he has no reason to care about my family. I’m the threat and if I leave, the danger comes with me.
Before I left, Rachel helped me find a pawn shop. It’s on the other side of town but my only option. I have nothing to spare in terms of money and I’m hoping whatever I get for this necklace will get me somewhere safe while also allowing me to see Miriam one last time.
By the time I reach the pawn shop, it's midnight, and the doors are closed up tight. With a tired sigh, I sit on the bench out front, analyzing everything that could go wrong until I can’t take it anymore.
Eventually, I doze, shivering in the cool air. At some point, I crack a lid, confirming the sun is making its ascent in the sky before I nod off again.
I don’t know how much time passes before the loud thrum of a motorcycle wakes me. Swaying, I glance around, my stomach whooshing before I exhale when I see it’s not Wolf.
I don’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved, but I suspect it should be the latter. I don’t truly know Wolf and the fact that the sheriff is so obsessed with bringing him down should mean something, even if the sheriff isn’t exactly the upstanding citizen he proclaims to be.
The man on the bike does park outside the shop though, and I frown before standing as he approaches. My heart sinks when I spy the familiar Shadow Saints patch on his vest, and I raise my chin when he eyes me with a curious glint.
Of course, I end up in an MC business.
Shoot.
“You buying or selling?” he asks gruffly.
“Um, selling,” I say, and he grunts, “C’mon in.”
Relaxing marginally, I follow him inside. A maze of items—that under ordinary circumstances I might be interested in exploring—fill the space from wall to wall.
Today though, I have no such inclination. If I can make a few bucks from the necklace, I’ll be closer to my goal of getting on the next bus out of town. From there, I have no idea what I’ll do, but it’s a thought for later when I’m not looking over my shoulder.
There’s still the matter of warning Miriam, but maybe this is my chance. I can give this man a note for Wolf or Duke and leave knowing they’ll protect her.
“Well?” the man says, and I jump before removing the jewelry from my neck.
He eyes me dubiously as I place it in his palm. “Can’t get much for this. What are you gonna do with it?”
With a shrug, I avoid his gaze. Why does he care?
I’m itching to leave and considering doing just that when he says, “I need my tools to look at this more closely.”
“Okay,” I say after clearing my throat.
Again, he eyes me weirdly but before I have time to change my mind, he’s disappeared in the back.
Tiredly, I lean against the wall and rub my aching neck. I’m exhausted and my eyes are rolling for the fifth time when he reappears and pulls out a loop that he slides on his finger before looking through a magnifying glass at my necklace.
He grunts and mumbles, gazing at the gold before he glances at me, and I shift under his stare. “I can give you twenty-five for it.”
“That’s it?” I rasp, and he nods.
“Fine.” I don’t even know if that will get me out of town but it’s better than nothing.
“Okay, you’ll have to wait a few. Cash isn’t here yet.”
With a weary nod, I lean my head against the wall, dozing while I wait. This time when I hear the rumble of a bike I don’t bother to look, assuming it’s his coworker with money.
My mistake.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Wolf barks and my knees fail me.
“Wolf,” I whisper. It’s stupid but a rush of relief surges through my limbs. I’m not alone. Thank god.
He catches me as I fall, his hard eyes searching my face before dropping to my chest. I suppress a shiver at the heat I spy because now is not the time.
“Thanks, Tank,” he rumbles, and I frown. Did he call Wolf?
Wolf carries me through the exit. Once outside, he drops me beside his bike and tilts my head back. “You been out partying?”
Slowly I shake my head, and his lips flatten. “Then why are you dressed like that?”
“Like what?”
His nostrils flare and I eye the tic in his jaw as he says, “A bitch in heat.”
What? Of all the…? I couldn’t run away wearing one of the damn dresses Mama makes us wear because I knew that would make me stick out like a sore thumb, but still, I’ve seen the women he hangs around with wearing scraps of clothes that barely cover the goods. What a hypocrite!
Shaking my head, I back away. This was a mistake. Inexplicably tears press at my eyes as he grabs my arm and barks, “Well?”
“I don’t owe you anything,” I whisper through the lump in my throat.
His jaw tightens and his eyes flash as he says, “The fuck you do. I told you to keep your ass at home. Now you’re out sniffing for dick?”
“That’s disgusting,” I sneer, wiping my trembling lips.
His eyes zero in on my arms and he grabs one, holding it up. I still have bruises from Mama’s beating although they’ve faded to a weird yellow hue.
“What happened?” he says quietly.
“I was sniffing for d-dick,” I sneer.
“Lilli,” he growls, and I bite back a sob, rubbing the ache in my chest.
Of course, I can’t hold back the tears, and I drop my chin when his eyes widen. Here we go. He’ll think I’m a useless baby and I’m confirming it once again. Still, I’m exhausted and scared, isn't that excuse enough?
“C’mere,” he rasps, pulling me into his arms, where I stand stiffly. His sigh parts my hair and he runs his palm down my back, saying, “What happened, baby girl?”
Shuddering, I open my mouth but only sobs emerge. When he wraps me up and holds me tight, I sag against him, the tension easing from his shoulders when I do.
He strokes my hair gently while I have my freak out and the soothing gesture feels better than it should. Eventually, though, I pull away and say, “I need to leave.”
“Leave?” he asks, grabbing my chin.
“Yes.” I nod for good measure, and he crinkles his brow.
“I’ll take you home.”
Shaking my head, I step back. “No.”
“No?” His confusion is obvious before his eyes darken. “Go where?”
“Anywhere but here?”
Rubbing his hand over his face, he glances over my shoulder and says, “Bro, I need your wheels.”
Behind me stands another MC brother. He looks at me with a curious gleam but nods and says, “Sure, Bro.”
Wolf catches the keys midair and leads me to a sedan parked at the curb. Absently, I wonder as I slide inside if it’s a prerequisite as part of the MC to own not only a bike but a car too.
I’m buckling my belt when the man from the shop emerges and hands Wolf something. They exchange a few words that I can’t hear from inside the car. With a fist bump, Wolf opens the door on the driver’s side before sliding behind the wheel.
I can’t contain my curiosity as I watch the other man go but before I can ask, Wolf holds out his hand and my necklace falls between his fingers. After staring at the glittering gold cross for a minute, I take it and drop it in my lap before closing my eyes. I don’t know what I believe anymore but I know it’s not what my parents have been spouting since my birth and this gift feels like the lie everything else has turned out to be.
Wolf drives the vehicle with a frown, tapping his fingers against the wheel and I open my mouth to ask where we’re going when we pass the bus stop, but close it with a snap.
I have no money and zero resources. I’m also exhausted. I’ll figure out how to make this work tomorrow. For now, I trust the big lug although I probably shouldn’t.
Wolf
I have no idea what happened but Lilli’s tears and the sheer panic in her eyes told me more than words ever could. Why exactly she’s running is a mystery but if this removes her from that bitch’s clutches, I’ll take it.
Her words about leaving altogether didn’t sit well though which is why I ignored the request. We’re still searching for the fucker who told the sheriff about her being at the clubhouse and she’s not safe out there on her own, or so I tell myself as we pull up to the cabin.
Tucked away in the trees, it’s the perfect little place for me when I need to clear my head. I love my brother’s but there are times when I need space, and this is where I land. It’s nothing major but it suits my needs.
I don’t spend all that much time here and I frown when I consider the food situation. Lilli is going to be hungry soon and I don’t usually keep the place stocked with groceries. Why bother when I can eat at the clubhouse?
As I put the vehicle in park, Lilli sits up and says, “Where are we?”
“My place,” I say, and she turns to me with wide eyes. I have no idea what she’s thinking as I lead her through the door.
Her tiny frame trembles under my touch and as much as I’d like to think it’s because she’s aroused, I suspect she’s exhausted.
Inside, it’s small but functional with a couch to the left facing a flat-screen television. Beyond that there’s a kitchen, dividing the space by a bar, covered in various bottles of alcohol.
While I drop my keys in a dish by the door, she steps around me and peers down the hall to the left, but both doors are closed, and I shake my head at her curiosity ignoring the weird kernel of anxiety as I say, “C’mon.”
Leading her to the first door, I open it up and usher her into the bathroom. I’m operating a bit in the dark here, but I know that when I'm all hyped up but tired, a hot shower is just the thing.
The tiny space is sterile with nothing but a single towel hanging from the rack. After turning on the water, I turn to her swaying behind me. God knows what she’s been through to lead her here but to say she’s wrecked would be an understatement.
I watch her closely as I reach for the hem of her shirt. She doesn’t make a peep though and I exhale slowly as I pull it over her head.
I’ve dreamt about this fucking skin. Pure. Porcelain. Perfect.
She’s soft in all the right places, I know because I’m a greedy bastard who takes the time to brush my fingers over as much of her skin as possible.
As soon as the shirt is over her head, though, I pause. She wobbles like a top while I fight to contain my rage before saying, “Who did this?”
Her stomach is covered in a kaleidoscope of colors, courtesy of that bitch’s rage no doubt, but Lilli merely shrugs and steps past me while I resist the urge to slam my fist into the nearest wall.
I work my mouth to keep from making demands she’s not up to complying with when I spy her back, which is no better. The bruising has faded to browns and yellows but it’s extensive enough to send my stomach to my knees.
I can't imagine how this delicate girl withstood such violence and pulling her into my arms, I rasp, “Who?”
She drops her head and says, “Mama.”
“Your mother did this?” I say, gently touching her skin.
Shivering under the caress, she covers her tits and says, “I’m afraid.”
“What?” I ask, still reeling over the depths of her mother’s insanity. I mean, I know I saw some of it with Miriam, but fuck me, who would do this to their own damn children?
“The sheriff,” she says, choking on a sob.
My whole body stiffens, and I pull her around. What happened?
Someone is a dead fucking fucker but when she sags, her pretty features drawn down, I silently sigh. She needs rest. She needs to heal. Fuck, she needs a new fucking life.
Instead, I help her out of her pants, pick her up as gently as possible and set her in the tub. She stands beneath the spray, wrapping her arms around her waist and bowing her head.
The sight burns my fucking chest, and I rip off my shoes, jeans, and shirt before stepping inside. I need to soothe her. I need… fuck, I need to make this better.
When I pull her into my arms, she shivers. Running my hands down her chilled skin, I close my eyes. I’d give anything for her to turn and beg me to take the ache away, but she needs more and she’s fucking trembling from the trauma of god knows what that I failed to protect her from.
I knew what was happening and I didn’t get to her parents in time. I left her vulnerable, and the notion burns my already aching chest.
Grabbing the bar of soap on the shelf beside her head, I lather it up before smoothing it across her skin.
She leans her head against my chest with a whimper and something unfurls within, my heart beating double time. Carefully, gently, I wash away her tears and cleanse her body of the memories before grabbing the shampoo.
When tears build behind her eyes, I push her into the spray, humming, “Shh.”
The long silky strands of her hair slide through my fingers as I rinse it clean, and although I’d like to stand here and hold her forever, I know she needs rest. Forcing my limbs from the shower and away from her warm skin, I turn off the water before wrapping her up in a fluffy towel.
I studiously avoid her pretty tits, begging for my mouth. It’s not a reach to say that my dick aches like a motherfucker. With brisk strokes, I towel her off before leading her into my bedroom.
Since I don’t sleep here often, the bed remains tucked up and I silently thank the powers that be that the sheets are clean as she collapses beneath the covers and rolls to her side.
Eyeing her still form, my heart lodges in my throat and I slide in beside her before pulling her back to my chest. She feels perfect against my skin and forcing my eyes closed, I count backward from a hundred until my dick doesn’t ache.
All the while, she sleeps soundly in my arms.