Chapter 6
Chapter Six
ALICE
“ W hat?!” I shout in panic. “I can’t do that. Declan will go nuclear!”
I’m sure they can see my bewildered and terrified looks all at the same time. It's bad enough he’s going to return home and discover I’m gone, but if I file for divorce… I don’t even want to think about it.
I want to be free of him. I do. But I know exactly what Declan is capable of.
The gears start to turn in my head. Now I’m faced with what is going to happen if I stay here. I can’t put these people in danger because of my mess. I can’t let them endanger their families for me.
I have to leave. It’s the only way.
Sara places her hand on my arm, breaking my thoughts.
“Alice. Look at me, please.”
I shake my head as the tears I’ve been holding back fall. When I don’t make a move to lift my head to look at Sara, she squats down next to the bed.
“I know this is scary. Believe me, I do. But you’re doing it. You’re finding your freedom. Don’t let fear get in the way.”
“You don’t understand,” I croak.
“What exactly don’t we understand?” Cara asks.
I hesitate, and Sara grabs my hand, comforting me. I take a deep breath and speak the words that have haunted me for four years for the first time.
“He killed my father.” Cara curses under her breath, and Sara's eyes widen slightly, but she doesn’t move away. She keeps her eyes locked with mine, silently encouraging me to continue.
“Two years after Declan and I married, he had been abusing me for some time. I was always good about keeping it from my father. He never wanted us together, and I didn’t really want to prove him right. At the time, I was foolish enough to believe that Declan would stop the abuse and we would be happy like we had been in the past.
“One day after one of Declan's episodes, my father dropped by unannounced. I ignored the knocking at first, but when I saw him searching the flower bed for the spare key, I had no choice but to open the door. When my father saw my face, he was furious. Before that day, I had never seen him angry. He begged me to leave with him, but I knew that would only enrage Declan.”
Cara hands me a tissue when my tears begin to flow endlessly. I open my mouth to continue, but only a sob comes out. Sara's hand squeezes mine just a tad bit harder. Closing my eyes, I take a breath to gather myself.
“Later that night, my dad came back and confronted Declan. He told him that either I left with him or he would go to the police first thing in the morning. When Declan refused, I begged my dad to leave before things escalated. I was only trying to protect him.”
My voice trembles. I’m reliving that night all over again.
“What happened after your dad left?” Cara asks.
“Nothing. My father was dead the next morning,” I spit angrily. Through all my emotions, there is one I feel more than the others.
Anger.
It's been deep inside of me ever since Declan took the one person he knew I loved more than anything in this world.
“The next morning, my father's neighbor smelled gas and called 911. The police on the scene said my father had fallen asleep and left the gas stove on. He died from monoxide poisoning. I was devastated. Deep down, I was suspicious from the beginning, but Declan made sure he confirmed my theories. While I was standing over my father's grave, watching his casket being lowered into the ground, Declan wrapped his arm around me and whispered in my ear, ‘No one will ever take you from me. Remember that.’ Then he led me away, and I’ve been trapped ever since.”
By the time I’m finished, Sara has a few tears staining her cheeks, and Cara…well, she looks murderous. There really isn’t any other way to describe the fire I see in her eyes.
“So now you know why I can’t let you get involved. I can’t have any more deaths on my behalf. I should just leave now and get as far as I can.”
“Alice, let me ask you a question. Last night, when I snapped Declan's arm, did it look like he was in any way dangerous to me?” Cara's brow is raised, and her mouth twitches slightly as if she’s trying to hold back a smile.
I shake my head as the memories of last night flash in my mind.
“If I can take down Declan, what makes you think the guys can’t? I’m going to be honest with you. We’re going after Declan and Vincent on our own. After the stunt those two pulled last night, they have made themselves the number one enemy of the Sinful Warriors.”
I was stunned into silence. Did she just say the club is going to go after Declan and Vincent? I open my mouth to try and reason with her, but she cuts me off.
“Now, don’t worry about all that. The guys will handle it. But, please, let us help you. I promise if I feel things are getting out of hand and the guys can’t handle it, I will personally put you in a safe house off the grid.”
I look between both women, and the look of confidence in their eyes makes me nod my head.
“Great. Now we need to discuss who you will live with while?—”
“Cara! How is it that you’re a tech goddess but can’t answer your phone,” an all-too-familiar voice says from up the hall.
My gaze snaps to the open doorway, and I can’t even process what I see. I don’t believe it. At first, I think maybe one of the blows I took has me hallucinating, but then he’s right there in front of me, staring at me with matching wide eyes.
“My phone is dead. What did you… need?” Cara trails off as she looks in between the two of us. Her head snaps back and forth, not understanding what is happening.
“Will?” I whisper.
“Oh my God! Alice!” he cries and rushes to the bed. He pulls me into a hug that makes me gasp. He releases me immediately and looks down in worry.
“What’s wrong? What happened? Why are you here?” he rambles.
“Will, slow down,” Sara says. “How do you two know each other?”
“He was my best friend.”
“Is,” Will corrects. My mouth drops open, and Will laughs. “Just because that asshole made you cut me off doesn’t mean I stopped being your best friend. I told you when we were eleven, under that huge willow tree, and we pinky promised to be each other’s best friend, that it was for life. I meant it. Now tell me, what’s going on?”
I smile up at Will through my tears. I can’t believe he doesn’t hate me. I was so hurt when Declan forced me to end my friendships with Will and Oscar. And now, after all this time, it looks like I’m going to get my best friend back.
I’m starting to think none of this is a coincidence.
Cara and Sara were meant to find me in that parking lot.
It made everything come full circle.
I tell Will everything that has happened. By the time I’m finished, his cheeks are red, and he looks as if he’s about to snap.
“You should have broken both arms,” he tells Cara.
Cara snorts. “I’ll remember that for next time,” she says sarcastically.
“Just make sure I’m there. I would love to see that asshole get what’s coming to him,” he grits out.
As much as I know Will thinks he looks super scary with the scowl he has on his face, he doesn’t. Will’s soft features make him look younger than he really is. I always told him he was the prettiest man alive. When he’s angry, he looks like a ticked-off Care Bear.
“I’ll send you the CCTV if that’ll make you feel better.”
Will claps his hands, bouncing on his feet. “Yes! That would definitely make me feel better.”
I giggle, and Will smiles down at me. “You haven’t changed a bit,” I tell him.
“And I never will,” he sasses with a wink.
“I’m pretty sure I don’t even have to ask, but I’m guessing you would like to stay with Will while you’re here?” Sara asks me.
“You live here?” I ask Will. When he nods, my jaw hits the floor, but I still nod.
“Great. That’s handled. Sara, can I borrow your phone?” Sara hands Cara her phone, and she types something and hands it back. About a minute later, Red is standing in the doorway.
His eyes are on only me. I feel like my skin is on fire from his heated gaze. Usually, I would get uncomfortable having someone stare at me like this, but I want his eyes to be on me. I want his attention.
It’s the last thing I need to focus on, but I’m learning this isn’t an easily fought battle.
For some reason, I’m drawn to this man, and I feel the intense connection is only going to get stronger the longer I’m here.
“Red, can you help us get Alice to Will’s house?” Cara asks.
My gaze moves to her, and she is grinning at me. I take a peek at Sara and Will, who also give me a teasing smile.
“Yeah,” Red says. His voice comes out a bit growly, sending goosebumps over my skin.
I’m ready to protest that he doesn’t have to keep carrying me, but as soon as I’m in his arms, my ability to speak dies. I lay my head on his shoulder and let him carry me away.
As we walked to Will’s house, he explained that he shares the home with four other women. One is a nanny like him, and the other three clean the families' homes.
I didn’t believe Will when he told me the club built the home for them. I don’t know what I expected from an MC, but the things I have been seeing aren’t it.
When Red walks into the house, three women are in the living room, talking with one another. The laughter dies the moment their eyes land on Red, but they soften when they see me in his arms.
He settles me on the recliner, watching me with concern.
“Thanks, Red,” I rasp.
He nods and walks back out the door. Cara and Sara let me know they’ll be in touch soon and make a quick exit.
Will comes into the living room with a pillow and throw blanket. After he fluffs the pillow, he asks me to lean forward and places it against my back. I sit back with a sigh and thank him.
“Okay. So, this is Nova, Violet, and Leah. They’re the ones who clean the homes. We have another roommate, Debbie, who is also a nanny, but she’s working. You’ll meet her later. Ladies, this is Alice. My best friend. She’ll be staying here for a while.”
“If that’s okay with you all. I don’t want to intrude,” I rush out.
“It's no problem at all. You can have my room if you want. I barely use it,” Violet says with a reassuring smile.
My brows dip as I sit there, confused. “You barely use your room?”
Violet's cheeks turn crimson, and she nods. “Nova and I are kind of together,” she whispers. “Just please don’t say anything to anyone. Only the people in this house know.”
“Does the club not approve or something?” I ask, bewildered.
I thought they were decent people, but if they're judging people by their sexual orientation, then they’re not the people I thought they were.
“No! The club is great. We just want to stay in our little bubble for right now. Plus, have you met Will? He isn’t exactly subtle when he tells the guys that if they ever decide to pitch for the same team, he will change their lives,” she says and giggles.
I turn to Will with wide eyes. “You said that?”
He shrugs, not in the least bit ashamed. “It’s been over a year since I came on to one of the guys, but yes, I did. I mean, have you seen them? They're all a bunch of Greek gods over there.”
My thoughts are instantly filled with Red. God, I have it bad. I only met the man a few hours ago, and I keep thinking about him. I need to get myself together. I should be focusing on the impending storm that is Declan.
“Speaking of those Greek gods, what in the hell is going on between you and Red?” Will asks with a raised brow.
Blushing, I turn away from his accusing stare. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Ohhhh, yes, you do. I saw the way you were looking at each other. Spill.”
I sigh and close my eyes. We might not have spoken for almost six years, but I know Will. He’s persistent and nosy. He isn’t going to stop until I tell him the truth.
“I don’t know. Honestly. He was there when the club came for me, and the moment I heard his voice, my heart stopped. When he picked me up for the first time in a while, I felt safe, but it was more than that. It doesn’t matter though. My life is about to be a mess, and I shouldn’t even be thinking about a man.”
“Says who? Declan has already wasted enough of your time. Don’t give him any more by passing up a great man who is clearly interested in you. Believe me when I tell you these are all great men here,” Wills says.
Nova, Leah, and Violet nod in agreement.
“It’s not just that. Declan is going to come after me when I file for divorce. I tried convincing them to let me leave and get as far from here as possible, but Cara and Sara believe the club can protect me.”
Will opens his mouth to speak, but Leah beats him to it. “They can. Like you, Violet, Nova, and I were being hurt by a man. The club found us, saved us, protected us, and gave us a home. Don’t doubt them when they say you’re safe. If your husband has a brain, he’ll disappear.”
Leah’s eyes are fierce. I know she means every word.
Something settles in my heart. Maybe, just maybe, the Langley brothers have met their match. If the club can fight for me, then I need to fight too. This isn’t just their battle. It’s mine as well. I have suffered enough at the hands of Declan and his family.
I need to remember the strong woman my father raised. Declan managed to weaken me over the years, but no more.
It’s time to take back charge of my life.