24. Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Lilli
“C’mon, let’s eat,” Wolf says gruffly, and I roll over as he stands.
His muscles stretch under the movement, and I eye the delicious ripple. Tattoos cover his skin in swirls and loops that should be scandalous but merely accentuate the beauty before me.
“Keep looking at me like that,” he says huskily.
With a small smile, I sit up, clutching the sheet to my chest.
“What does this one mean?” I ask, touching the rose sandwiched between a majestic wolf howling at the moon and a scary skull.
He shivers under my touch, and I hide a thrill at the thought that I affect him just as much as he does me, but it fades when he says, “Nothing.”
With a frown, I watch him disappear into the bathroom. Shoot. What did I say?
Confused by his ever-changing moods, I pull on the shorts and top Toni gave me before smoothing my hair back and gazing at myself in the mirror.
Who is the young woman staring back?
The reverend Abernathy’s daughter? Wolf’s lover?
Shaking my head, I look away because I suspect neither of those defines me and the disturbing thought leaves me unsettled.
If I don’t know who I am, how can Wolf possibly see anything worthy in me?
“Ready?” Wolf says and my spirits sink when I turn, and he smiles coolly.
I stepped into it this time and as though echoing my thoughts, he avoids my stare as he opens the door.
Silently I follow him down the hall. My heart thrums miserably at the distance he’s put between us and I’m relieved when we reach the bottom of the stairs and Miriam says, “Lilli!”
“Mir,” I whisper, stepping into her outstretched arms.
She feels like home and tears fill my eyes. So much has happened in such a brief period. In her embrace, it all comes crashing down and I cling to her wishing this would be the happy reunion she deserves.
“Hey now,” she says. “What’s wrong?”
Pulling away, I wipe my eyes and say, “Nothing. Just tired.”
She eyes me thoughtfully before pointing toward the hall and gratefully I follow hoping no one noticed my breakdown.
When I look back though, I find Wolf unerringly in the crowd. His frown batters at my heart and with a sigh, I turn away.
I can’t control Wolf’s feelings any more than I can my own. It’s time for me to focus on Miriam because this I can handle.
Still, the weight of my thoughts feels heavy as we enter the kitchen. Two women bustle around behind the counter. Both turn as we enter. The older of the two, a woman with gorgeous gray hair frowns, emphasizing the tiny lines around her mouth.
The other woman drops her chin. Uneasily, I stop beside Miriam as she says, “What can I do?”
I shiver at the chill in the air before the older woman sighs and points to a cupboard against the wall. “You can get out the plates and shit.”
When I glance at Miriam, she rolls her eyes. By silent agreement we don’t say much and after pulling out plates, utensils, cups, and napkins, she leads me to the side door, and we step outside.
The sun feels good on my shoulders, and I raise my face to the sky. Are Rachel and Mercy, okay?
Have they erased me from their lives as easily as Miriam was?
“What’s with the clothes?” Miriam asks and I open one eye.
She raises a brow and ignoring the heat in my cheeks, I mumble, “Toni gave them to me.”
“Toni, hm? And Wolf?”
Turning away, I walk around the side of the building and peek around the corner, finding various picnic tables and chairs scattered under an awning with two barbecues at the end.
Beside them is an outdoor sink with plenty of counter space and two refrigerators side by side. Beyond the outdoor kitchen, green grass sprawls to a stage of sorts. With lights strung between, I imagine the pretty scene when it’s dark.
“This is where they party,” Miriam says and the pleasant image fades, replaced by the scene I saw the first time I came here.
“Lil?” Miriam says and I mentally sigh. I’m not up for the questions because I’m sure I don’t have the answers.
“Yeah?”
“Wolf…”
Shrugging, I avoid her gaze as I say. “We’re just…you know, having fun.”
Silence is her answer and when I can bear it no more, I meet her stare. The concern in her eyes beats at my already aching heart.
“Lil…” she says softly.
“It’s fine, Mir. Really,” I rasp through a thick throat. “Anyway, there’s so much going on. I don’t know where to start.”
“Okay, let’s start with why you’re here.”
After explaining the events with the sheriff, I mention the man who came to Wolf’s cabin in the woods.
“Do you know who he is?” she asks.
Shaking my head, I say, “No.”
“Hm.” Chewing her lip, she stares beyond my shoulder. “What are you going to do about school?”
“I hadn’t even considered it,” I say, rubbing my brow.
Both Wolf and Duke have disappeared. Meanwhile, Miriam and I eat quietly before retreating to her room. It’s basically the same layout as Wolf’s except Miriam has a few of her things scattered around.
I can tell she’s tired, so we sit in the bed and chat about stupid shit until she falls asleep.
Afterward, I sit up and walk to the window. Outside, some of the guys are tinkering with a motorcycle. In various states of dress, I admire the tattoos and array of pretty abs before leaning against the pane.
Although I feel safer here, I don’t know how long this can last and my thoughts turn to Wolf. I’ve been fantasizing about the man for over a year and the reality was so much better, but at the end of the day, we’re different people from different worlds.
It’s painfully obvious. The women still shun Miriam and she’s been here a while. Wolf is like a locked vault when it comes to things I don’t know and although I understand this is barely a thing, it's still scary to share the most intimate parts of me with someone who can so easily ice me out.
And what happens when they resolve the issues with the sheriff and Wolf doesn’t need to protect me anymore?
Where do I go? What should I do? I’ve never been on my own. Even if I manage to graduate high school, I don’t have any skills.
Can I find a place on my own?
“Shoot,” I whisper, glancing up when movement catches my eye.
It’s him. The one who came to Wolf’s house and chased me through the woods. He just waltzed up pretty as you please. Does he know I’m here?
I slide to the side and study him through the window. His long dark hair glints in the sun. What color are his eyes? Does he have any distinguishing marks?
He stops next to one of the other guys and lights up a cigarette, tipping his head back to inhale. Gotcha. He has a tattoo on his neck. Strangely it’s a hand, mimicking being choked I suppose.
Unfortunately, as I try to collect details, he happens to glance up and our eyes lock before his narrow and I move away from the window.
What will he do now? I have to get to Wolf but as far as I know, he’s not here and I don’t know any of these other bikers, except Maddox.
Maddox!
With a last glance at Miriam still sleeping peacefully, I step from the room. Except, when I hear footsteps approaching, the hair on my nape stands on end.
Retreating further down the hall, I enter Wolf’s room and close the door before locking it.
I don’t know if this guy knows I’m related to Miriam but I’m hoping he’ll leave her alone if I’m not there.
Leaning against the door, I listen for any sounds of distress but it’s achingly quiet.
After a moment, I back away to the bed and sit down, smoothing my hands down my thighs.
What to do? If I leave, he might find me. If I stay, I’m essentially a sitting duck.
“I know you’re in there.”
“Shoot,” I whisper, clutching my chest. Now what?
There’s one window that faces the opposite side of the property from Miriam’s room. I race over and look down. There’s a ledge but beyond that, it’s still a two-story drop to the ground.
“If you come out, nice and easy, I won’t have to hurt your sister,” he says, and I glance at the door.
I guess that answers that question. Would he do something to her under this roof?
If he did, would his brothers stop him?
“You’ve got five fucking seconds before I blow her fucking brains out,” he growls, and I flinch.
I guess, I have no choice. When I open it, he’s standing on the other side. He glances behind me before grabbing my arm.
“This is how it’s going to go. You walk down those stairs and outside. Don’t go left. Go right and keep walking until you’re in the damn trees. Wait for me by the cabin back there. You run; she dies. You say anything. She dies. Got me?”
“Yeah,” I whisper, and he shoves me forward.
“Good. Go.”
My knees tremble as I descend the stairs. At the bottom, two MC brothers glance up from where they’re playing cards but otherwise ignore me.
I pass through the main room and the currently empty bar. My heart is hammering so loud that I don’t know how I hear her when she says, “Hey, where you off to?”
Spinning, I meet Toni’s curious stare. I suspect Wolf still expects her to watch me, but I must get rid of her because, for all I know, the jerk who just paused at the base of the stairs might hurt her.
I quickly look away from him and Toni mutters, “Hand.”
“S’up,” he says, nodding with a lazy smile.
Hand? That’s his actual name? Huh.
Toni’s icy eyes thaw when they turn back to me and I smile and say, “I thought I would go for a walk.”
My spine tingles when Hand brushes past me with a warning look. Acknowledging him with a tiny nod, I wave at Toni.
“Want me to keep you company?” she says, rounding the bar.
Sweat slicks my back. A roaring sound whooshes through my ears, and I grab the door jamb to keep from collapsing.
“Hey? Are you okay?” Toni asks.
“I’m fine,” I snap, and she rears back, her eyes narrowing.
I want so badly to apologize. To tell her the truth but if my bitchy response saves her life so be it. Still, I’m filled with shame after her kindness toward me.
“Okay,” she says and spins on her heel.
Although I’m relieved, my chest is tight as I walk outside. I think we could have been friends, although I may not ever see her again anyway.
As casually as possible, I walk through the outdoor kitchen and beyond the stage. The sun blinds me, and I blame that for the tears that fill my eyes.
I don’t want to die but even worse, I won’t get the chance to say goodbye.
Miriam.
Rachel.
Mercy.
Wolf.
None of them will know that my last thoughts were about them.
Wolf may confuse me to no end, but he also gave me my first taste of freedom. It’s a gift he’ll never understand the value of, but I would have liked to explain it.
As soon as I step into the trees, I shiver. The sun is setting, and the cool breeze raises goosebumps on my skin. The cabin isn’t far off, and I approach slowly, wishing to draw this out for as long as possible. Unfortunately, it’s not long enough.
Hand steps from behind the cabin where Doc examined me not too long ago and waves a gun in my direction.
I wish with all my heart Doc would appear with his twinkling eyes and a really large gun but maybe that’s wrong because he’d be in danger too.
Swallowing the terror rising in my throat, I continue past the cabin while he steps in behind me. It’s quiet but for our footfalls and the occasional chirping from the birds.
The farther I go, the harder it is to avoid nature, clearly abandoned and growing wild. I trip over a root in the ground and steady myself on a tree.
Behind me, Hand grunts but doesn’t comment.
Desperately I search for something to say that might be the difference between life and death, but I know it won’t matter. This man doesn’t care about my life.
Eventually, I hear something other than his feet clomping behind me and tilt my head. Is that…water? No, it’s too intermittent.
The sound comes again. Hm. A car. We’re approaching a road.
All too soon, a chain link fence comes into view, and I slow. It’s easily ten feet tall and covered in razor wire at the top. Is that to keep people out, or…?
With a shiver, I wait for Hand’s next command. Grabbing my arm, he shoves me to the right, and I spy the hole in the wire. Movement beyond the fence catches my eyes and I falter when I see another man leaning against a vehicle idling on the side of the road.
When I stumble Hand pushes me forward and barks, “Go!”
Tears fill my eyes, but I sniffle them back as I crawl toward the hole. I’m going to die. I’m going to freaking die and for what? I didn’t do anything, I don’t know anything and if I did, I wouldn’t say anything. I know my place as the reverend’s daughter.
My fingers dig into the rich soil while I avoid the sharp metal and bite back my fear.
The man waiting on the other side kneels before me and says, “Well hello, pretty girl.”
What now? Death? Or defilement?
“I’m looking forward to this,” he says, grabbing my arm. I stumble forward as he drags me to the car. When I look back the MC jerk is gone. I’m alone with an unknown entity.
“Get the fuck inside,” he growls, pushing me into the passenger seat.
My captor rounds the vehicle and slides behind the wheel before revving the engine and pulling away with a squeal of tires. My nose twitches from the smell of burnt rubber as I gaze blindly out the window.
I think I read somewhere that the further you’re taken from the site of your abduction, the more likely you are to die.
The problem is, I’m not equipped to fight this man off. I never could, which is why I sought out Wolf every time I felt threatened.
I’m weak. Useless. Stupid.
“Ready to party, pretty girl?” he asks, running his hand down my leg.
When I jerk away, he tightens his grip until I’m forced to bite my lip to hide my distress.
I have a feeling he would enjoy my pain, and I may be headed toward my doom but at least I have control over that.
“Careful or I’m going to slit that pretty throat and go find that sexy sister of yours,” he says.
What? Is he talking about Rachel? No!
Sagging into the seat, I clench my jaw as he runs his fingers over my thigh, wishing, ironically, that I was covered head to toe in the dresses Mama insisted we wear.
My skin crawls under his touch and I try to summon an image of Wolf to tamp down my disgust, but every time I catch a glimpse it fades under my reality.
I’ll never see Wolf again or feel his touch. Frankly, by the time this is over, I may never want to. Tears fill my eyes at the thought.
As soon as we reach the town limits, he slows. At the corner, he takes a left and I glance out the window, meeting the gaze of another MC brother outside of the autobody shop.
He nods and I turn away from the sight because I don’t need to bring any more trouble than I’m already in. But my gut spasms at the friendly greeting, and selfishly, I hope that Wolf comes for me before it’s too late.
Wolf
“Listen up,” Joker says and the men quiet down. He called church twenty minutes ago and now the room is packed.
We haven’t done a raid like this in a long time. I know the boys are ready to spread some mayhem, and frankly so am I. But there’s an itchy feeling at the back of my neck telling me something isn’t right.
If I examine it too closely, I suspect I might find that I’m annoyed by the way I left things with Lilli. It was clear to see the hurt and confusion in her eyes, but I shut down at her question.
My sister, held against her will, was in god knows what condition while I spread Lilli out and found fucking heaven. I don’t regret it, but the emotions rolling through me after the fact felt wrong and speaking of Rose in that moment only brought on a shit ton of panic.
What am I doing? I can’t get caught up in a chick. I don’t do that shit. We fulfill mutual needs and walk away. That’s it.
I knew it would be different with Lilli and I’m willing to fuck only her because I refuse to let anyone else touch her but that’s it. There are no stars, no hearts, no fucking rainbows. Just sex. Phenomenal sex in this case which is what I blame this residual panic on.
Still, pussy is pussy. Once this debacle is over, I’ll fuck Lilli out of my system and confirm exactly that.
Except fuck me if I ever want another man getting that close to heaven.
Stifling a groan, I grimace when Joker frowns at me before tuning back into the conversation. He goes over the details of what will happen tonight before assigning a few guys, mostly prospects to stay behind.
I’m not keen on this but I know the compound is the safest place. In the event of an emergency, we even have a safe room for the families.
I assume Lilli is with her sister and instead of saying goodbye, which is what a pussy whipped douche would do, I nod at my brother as he joins me out front.
“Let’s do this,” he says, and I slap his back.
This is our sister, and nothing makes me prouder than to have my brother by my side as we rain down hellfire and motherfucking brimstone.
My gut swirls as we roll back into the compound. Romeo slaps me on the back as he passes but I ignore him and every-body-fucking else as I stalk inside. The raid went fine, in a sense. We rounded up fifteen of the Aces men. Unfortunately, Ocean was shot, but it was a through-and-through and he’s with Doc who will fix him right up.
So, yeah, everything went off fine except my fucking sister wasn’t inside. With no sign of Danny or Rose, we took the men in the hopes of finding out more information.
Beside me, Duke smiles grimly and I open my mouth to give him false platitudes when Miriam appears at the door, and they race into each other's arms.
Although I’m not keen on the lover’s embrace, I am itching to see Lilli. Apparently, she doesn’t feel the need to wait for me at the door and with a kernel of annoyance for her and myself, I stalk inside. I mean, in this, couldn’t she be a normal woman and hover? Beyond that, did my terse words send her into a pout?
Fuck me but I don’t have the energy for this.
As I stalk by the bar, I nod my thanks at Toni and down the shot she places before me. Although she pours me another, she refuses to look at me and I eye her with a frown. We’ve never been exclusive, and I appreciate her backing off with Lilli here, but the distance seems a little excessive.
Toni doesn’t pout. If you want to have a good time, fine, but she’s not one to get attached and that’s why I’ve always liked her.
Although she’s most definitely not looking at me, she purses her lips when Melanie sidles up and traces her finger down my arm.
“Hey, handsome,” she says breathily.
I’ve never fucked Melanie, and I don’t plan to. She’s a stage one clinger, which I realized too late a few weeks ago. I don’t do clingy. So why am I annoyed that Lilli is nowhere in sight?
I should be relieved that she’s off doing her own thing except what could she possibly be doing on her own…here?
Visions of some other dick in my Lilli dance over my vision and as Miriam wanders by with Duke at her back, I bark, “Where’s Lilli?”
Miriam frowns and looks around as though just realizing Lilli isn’t here. My frustration mounts and I take a single step toward the stairs when Carlisle, one of the prospects says, “Uh…she’s gone.”
Spinning, I grab him by the throat and growl, “What do you mean she’s gone?”
“She walked right off the property.”