Chapter Sixteen #2
His belly protrudes into me, and his cock is as hard as a rock against my stomach. Honestly, I feel like I want to faint. The blood rushes through my body so quickly it makes me want to be physically ill.
The grip he has on my hair is so strong I feel the roots being pulled from my scalp, and I twinge from the pain. The twinkle in his eye tells me he’s enjoying my agony. Mad Dog is all about misery and suffering—this bastard thrives on torment.
He pushes me back into the wall, grabs my hand, and holds it above my head. “You wanna leave my club…” he pauses, sweat rolling down his temple and his chin, “… then you gotta show me some attention. Show me why I should even contemplate you leaving.”
I don’t reply. There is little I can say to change this man’s mind once he’s determined to get his pound of flesh from me.
His other hand comes up and slaps my face hard.
My head flicks to the left with the fury of the strike.
I know it will leave a mark because it throbs like a thousand needles have entered my skin.
I blink a few times, wondering where this is going.
Mad Dog is unhinged, and there may be no way out of this for me.
Suddenly, Mad Dog is torn away from my body, and I think perhaps Techie has decided to disobey a direct order, but then Steel’s face appears behind him.
“Cut it out, old man!” Steel declares. The bared teeth and protruding eyes tell me he’s more than angry.
“This bitch wants to leave my club,” Mad Dog growls.
“What’s the damn issue with that?” Steel snaps.
“She needs to pay, and if I can’t get it in money, I will get it in flesh.”
“No, you fuckin’ won’t. I want her gone. She is a distraction I don’t need. I gotta get Willow back, and I don’t want Lunar here.”
About time Steel manned up.
I move my hand to my cheek, rubbing the mark that’s surely there. All I can think about is what Danger will do when he finds out. That’s when I spot Techie, and I know he must have gotten Steel to come in and rescue me.
Steel is the only one who can appease Mad Dog.
“I wanted to get my dick wet. You had a hold on her for so fucking long.”
“Stop! She leaves without question. There won’t be any send-off or party. She just leaves. Got it?” Steel demands.
“Lucky you’re my son. Otherwise, I’d beat your insolent arse.”
A slight grin forms on Steel’s face while he stares into Mad Dog’s eyes, something unsaid exchanging between them.
Mad Dog turns and stomps back to his chair, sitting with an almighty grunt. “Get the fuck out! All you fuckers!”
While still trembling inside, I know I have my freedom from this club, and surprisingly, I have Steel to thank for it. He might have broken my heart at one stage, but he is a good man behind all that resolute strength he shows the club members.
He ushers me out into the clubroom where Techie is waiting.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Don’t thank me, thank Techie. He asked for my intervention.” He sighs. “You don’t deserve that treatment from Mad Dog. You never did. It’s a good thing you’re leavin’. I think you bein’ away from the club will be good for Willow if she comes back to me.”
“All you can do is try. Talk to her, tell Willow how you feel. She will understand. Just give her good reasons, Steel.”
He slowly nods, then turns to look at me, a slow smile crossing his face. “Your heart with that rocker?”
I tilt my head. “Wouldn’t go that far, but my heart is not with the Savages anymore.”
“You’re free to go. Your time with the club is at an end. You owe us nothin’,” Steel says.
My heart beats rapidly with happiness. I never thought this day would come. It’s also a little scary. This place has been like a security blanket. And now, I am going out into the world to face it on my own. “Okay if I say a few goodbyes? My bag is packed, and I will be out in a few moments.”
“Yeah. You do your thing. Techie and I will be close by if you need us.”
“Thanks.” I smile. “Now, I just have to find Skye.”
Techie nods and looks over to the bean bag sofa where she’s sitting with FIM.
I sigh. “This part’s gonna suck.”
Steel shrugs. “Yeah, saying goodbye is hard. But, Lunar, you gotta do what’s right for you, babe. Skye will be fine.”
Weakly smiling at Steel and Techie, I turn, approaching Skye, who’s laughing at something FIM has said. I’m surprised he isn’t behind the bar. He must be having a break.
She looks up and smiles. “Hey! Me and FIM were talking about having some lunch. Wanna join us?”
“Umm… actually, there is something I need to talk to you about.”
FIM shifts her legs off his, and he stands. “I’ll leave you two to it.”
I reach out, grabbing his firm bicep. “FIM… thanks for looking after Skye. She’s a great girl, and it’s nice to know someone is watching over her.”
FIM furrows his brows like he’s not sure why I randomly said that, but then he smiles. “Sure. She’s great, and I’m always gonna watch out for her. I have her back.”
“Good. Okay, now fuck off, I need to talk to my girl,” I tease.
He nods once and walks off toward the bar. Skye sits taller on the sofa and frowns, taking a deep breath as I plop down beside her. I see it in her eyes, the somber expression crossing her features. She knows, she already knows.
“You’re leaving, aren’t you?” Her tone is sad as she sighs at the end of her words.
“Yeah… I am.”
She exhales, and her eyes begin to water, making my chest hurt in anguish. “Tell me I have a little while before you go? Tell me I have some time with you?”
I sniffle, shaking my head as a tear slides painfully down her cheek. “Dammit, Lunar. You’re meant to give me time to get used to the idea. I knew you would go, but I need time to adjust to the actual leaving part.”
I reach out, grabbing her hands and holding onto her tightly.
“I’m sorry. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own world that I didn’t have time, and Mad Dog is not happy with me leaving.
The dynamics are shifting, and things are changing, but if anyone can handle change, you can.
You’re stronger than anyone I know. Hell, no one can take on Jess and win like you can. ”
She laughs and rolls her eyes. “That girl is crazy with a capital psych ward! What with the ping-pong balls and whatnot,” Skye mocks, wiping her tears, and I smile.
Wincing, I remember how Jess popped the ping-pong balls from places where they shouldn't have been popped, but how the guys at the club loved her for it.
“How long do we have?” Skye questions.
I take a deep breath. “Right now.”
“You’re leaving after we finish talking?” she blurts out. Her tears fall faster and harder, which makes mine start.
My bottom lip trembles, and I sigh. “Everything is packed. I don’t need a big farewell party or anything. I think it’s better if I just slip out quietly without any fuss.”
“But I want a fuss. You deserve a fuss!”
“Spending my last moments in this club with you is all the fuss I want and need. This is how it’s meant to be, Skye. I’m good. I’m going out into the big wide world, and I know you will one day too.”
She leans in, wrapping her arms around me tightly, so tightly I can barely breathe. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. You know that, right?” she whispers into my hair.
“I always will be. I’m only a phone call away. Whenever you need me… always.”
She pulls back, swipes the salty water from her cheeks, and smiles. “I really am going to miss you.”
“Me too.”
“You gonna be a rocker’s girlfriend?”
I roll my eyes. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’re just—”
“Fucking?” she quips.
“Well… yeah. But I can see myself with him… as his girlfriend. But fuck, we’re both in such a weird headspace that I don’t think that’s on the cards. Right now, though, we’re simply hanging out. We know we like each other, and that’s enough for now.”
“Well, you’re leaving to go on tour with him, so he must want you around. That’s got to count for something.”
“Yeah, I guess it does.” Sighing, I look at the clock above the bar and frown. “I said I’d be back at the hotel for lunch.”
She looks at the clock and slumps her body. “Okay. I love you.”
“I love you, too, so much. Be good, and don’t take any crap from these bikers.”
She smiles. “FIM is looking after me. I’m sure I’m gonna be well looked after.”
I stand, and so does Skye. “Have the best time,” she chimes.
“I’m going to,” I reply honestly.
She leans in, hugging me, and I close my eyes to stop the tears that I know are forming.
Techie steps up behind me and pats my back. “I have all your stuff in the car when you’re ready.”
“I’m ready.”
Skye sobs, letting me go, and I wince. I wish I had more time with her, but I know if I don’t leave, it gives Mad Dog more chance to keep me here.
I have to go.
Techie puts his hand on the small of my back, and we walk toward the exit.
It feels weird.
I know I will probably never come back here, and leaving without saying goodbye to everyone is strange, but this is how it needs to be done. So I turn, taking one last look around the clubhouse that was my home for so long, and a genuine smile crosses my face.
Letting out a long puff of air, I nod at Techie, and we turn, walking for the final time out of the Satan’s Savages’ clubhouse, and I know with absolute certainty that I am doing the right thing.
This is the beginning of the rest of my life, and it feels so fucking right.