7. Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Freya
I watch as Lucas’s car speeds down the driveway, taking my heart with it.
Fuck.
His expression when he walked in on us with Gage’s cock in my mouth and Hazen pounding into me from behind .
.
.
I’ve never seen him look at me like that.
First it was pain, then it morphed into anger and disgust.
He hates me, and I don’t blame him after what I did, but I’ll be fucked if I’m going to let him go without a fight.
The door shuts behind me, and I glance over my shoulder.
Hazen walks over, carrying my favorite band T-shirt and ripped jeans.
I look down at my bare thighs, the suit jacket with the buttons undone, and the corset underneath, sans panties.
I didn’t exactly have time to change before running after Lucas.
I take them from Hazen and follow him back inside the front door, into the foyer, and quickly get changed, tying my top in a knot so it rests just above my high-waisted jeans.
“Give him some time. He’s dealing with this in his own fucked-up way,” Hazen says.
Gage comes into the foyer with his phone pressed to his ear.
He offers me a smile before retreating up the stairs.
I turn back to Hazen.
“I’m trying, but fuck, I just want to hold him, shake him, and make it all go away.” A tear falls down my cheek, and I wish my brother was here.
He always made everything better.
“What the hell is going on?” Amirah yells, storming down the stairs with her hair between her fingers as she ties it into a bun on the top of her head.
“Lucas,” Hazen grumbles.
Amirah presses her lips together.
“You’ve got your hands full with these boys, Freya darling. But if anyone can bring them to their knees, it’s you!” she says with a playful smile on her lips.
She comes up to me and pulls me in for a quick hug.
“Can we rain check movie night?” I ask, and Amirah steps back, keeping her hand on my shoulder.
“Yes, but don’t keep me waiting too long.” She releases me and moves toward the kitchen.
I turn back to Hazen.
“I need to borrow your bike.”
“You know I don’t let anyone ride my bike, right?”
I step forward, our chests touching, and wrap my arms around his neck, peering into his sparkling blue eyes.
He wraps his arms around me.
“But I’m not just anyone, am I?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
The corner of his mouth lifts.
“No, you most definitely aren’t.”
I reach into his pants pocket and take out the key before pressing a light kiss to his mouth.
When I go to step back, his grip tightens around me.
“I’m going to need more than that,” he growls before claiming my lips in a rough, demanding kiss.
My fingers grip his shirt, holding on before I pull back and rest my forehead against his.
“I’ve got to go look for Lucas and see my mom. She’s still clean, and I don’t want her to relapse while I’m not there.”
Hazen nods, tangling his fingers in my hair before pressing one last kiss against my cheek.
“Message me later,” he says, before stepping back.
I shut the door behind me.
Hazen’s bike is parked in front of the garage.
The sun reflects off the sparkling black paint.
Taking the helmet from the seat, I place it on my head and swing my leg over, starting her up.
She vibrates between my legs.
My pussy throbs from Hazen’s cock pounding into me not long ago.
I tear out of the driveway, through the gate, and onto the road.
I search the street for Lucas’s bubble-gum-colored Lamborghini Countach; it’s not easy to miss.
I whiz past massive mansions as I drive through the streets.
He wouldn’t have gone toward the Hood—I’ll bet he’s not looking for a reminder of me—so I drive farther away, toward the outskirts of town and the docks, a direction I haven’t headed in years.
The traffic light turns red, and I stop—I don’t want to look over to my right.
My gut churning, I give in, glancing over my shoulder.
My old house sits on the corner of the street.
The large oak tree out front still has a swing on the branch.
The one-story brick house hasn’t changed much.
My chest burns.
The loud hum of the bike disappears, and memories take over.
Five years old
A loud bang startles me awake, the bed dips, and I open my eyes.
My brother, Alec, is hovering over me, shaking my shoulders.
“It’s your birthday, it’s your birthday!” he screams, then wraps his arms around me, crashing his head against my chest.
I giggle, cuddling him back.
“Come see what the birthday dragon left you.” Alec rolls over me and takes my hand, pulling me off the bed.
Excitement builds inside my tummy.
I can’t believe this day has finally arrived.
For as long as I can remember, Alec and Mommy have always read stories about the birthday dragon who comes every year, delivering presents and treats.
Every birthday, we spend together as a family.
It’s my favorite day of the year.
Not because of the presents, even though they are amazing, but because we get to do fun stuff—just the three of us.
My fingers wrap around my brother’s.
He tugs me through my bedroom into the hallway.
“Close your eyes,” Alec says, and I do.
He doesn’t let go of my hand, pulling me through the house.
There’s the sound of a door opening, then a gust of wind kisses my cheeks.
Shivers tickle my bare arms, and I have no idea why he’s taking me outside, but I trust him.
We stop, and Alec’s hand disappears out of my grip.
“Open your eyes, princess,” Mommy says, and I do.
I scream and jump up and down.
Mommy and Alec are sitting on a large blanket in the middle of our backyard, with all my favorite foods and treats on it.
I run up, crashing into Mom.
She falls back, wrapping her arms around me.
“Happy birthday, my little princess,” she says, tickling me, and I can’t stop laughing.
This is the best birthday yet.
A loud horn pierces through the memories.
I flip off the Volvo driver before speeding away, letting the wind take the memories with it.
My birthdays used to be the best time of the year—until they weren’t.
Until we were kicked out, and Mom poured all the love she used to have for us into drugs.
I wonder if this year will be different.
Will she be able to last until my birthday in a month?
But it won’t be the same without Alec here.
Everything is different now, and I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the hole he’s left.
Spotting Lucas’s car in the parking lot near the crossing, I slow down and come to a stop next to it.
I peer inside, hoping that I’ll find him, but he’s not here.
The bike hums beneath me.
A couple of guards from Daringville start walking toward me, but I’m off before they get to me, heading straight through the checkpoint and over the tracks.
What if he’s decided to take things into his own hands with Daringhood?
Fuck.
I need to find him.
I spend several hours searching Daringhood for Lucas, but it’s useless.
He’s not here or doesn’t want to be found.
If I did find him, what would I even say?
Sorry that you walked in on us having a three-way, and I’m sorry I fucked up and killed your mother, leaving you without any parents?
Fuck.
After easing Hazen’s bike to a stop outside our trailer, I cut the motor and remove my helmet.
I slide my leg over and land on two feet.
My legs wobble slightly and pain shoots up my thighs.
“’Bout time you showed up here. Heard you’ve been here all week but didn’t bother to come see me?”
I whirl around as Kai struts over, pushing his black hood back slightly, and his short brown hair fans out from underneath it.
He pulls me in for a quick hug before stepping back.
“Sorry, been dealing with Mom.”
“So I heard. She okay?” he asks and I shrug.
“What’s up?” I ask, dropping the helmet onto the table next to our front door.
“Ran into your boy today,” he says, and my gaze snaps to his.
“What’d you do?”
He scoffs.
“Nothing—just had a nice little chat. Told him I wouldn’t touch him cause he’s yours, but fuck, Freya, when are you going to come to your senses and drop them? You don’t need them anymore. You’ve got your answers about your brother. It’s over. Fuck them.”
I run my fingers through my hair, brushing out the knots, mulling over Kai’s words.
Part of me wants to walk away from them, but I can’t.
I’m in too deep now.
Somewhere along the way, they’ve taken pieces of my heart, and I don’t want them back.
“It’s more than that, Kai.”
He curses under his breath.
“We’ve been best friends for how long?”
“Too long.” I laugh.
“I’m not going to make you choose between me and them, because that’s fucked up, but this is a bad idea, Freya.” He shakes his head.
“You do what you got to, but when we’re together, don’t talk about them and don’t tell them shit about me. There’s a war coming, kid, and I don’t want you stuck in the middle of it. I’d do anything to protect you, but when it comes to them, all bets are off.”
The door to our trailer squeals open and Mom steps outside, wearing an apron.
She shields her eyes from the setting sun.
“Kai, darling boy. You staying for dinner?”
The corner of his mouth lifts slightly.
“Nah, I got shit to do, but enjoy. See you soon, Freya.”
When he leaves, my mother frowns.
“Weren’t you supposed to be gone for the night?”
“Change of plans.”
She watches me closely, her eyes narrowing, then she looks back at Kai walking away.
“When did he grow up into a man? Damn, he’s fine.”
I roll my eyes and follow her inside, grabbing Hazen’s helmet on the way.
I just hope the guys take what I put on the table about compromise seriously.
It’s what we need, and hopefully, it’ll stop this war.
The Brotherhood has done nothing but fuck over me, my family, and friends, but now I have an opportunity to make changes.
With the guys taking over, it’s time to start fresh—to not have so much of a divide between our worlds.
The smell of curry wafts from the kitchen, and my tummy rumbles, but I don’t think I can stomach anything.
I grab a cup of water and head straight for my bedroom.
“Where are you going?” Mom’s voice echoes down the small hallway.
I turn my hand on my door handle.
“Around,” I say, and she shakes her head.
“You can’t just come and go whenever you want.”
“Okay,” I say, trying to keep the peace.
I go to push my door open but stop when she continues.
“I need to know where you are at all times if you want to stay under my roof.” Her words feel like nails against a chalkboard.
She’s threatening me now?
She’s made so much progress this past week, and I love her, but I need a break.
Why is she on me when just I need some time alone?
“Since when do you care?” I snap, and her face falls.
Maybe I should feel guilty for snapping at her.
She’s trying, I know, but it doesn’t make up for the past fifteen years.
“I’m trying to be better, Freya. But I need to be around people. It helps distract me. I’m glad you came back early.”
My chest tightens until I’m sure it’s going to explode.
“I know you’re trying, Mom, and it’s really good. Just give me some time to myself, please. A lot’s going on with me right now, and I don’t want to talk about it.”
Her face falls.
“Maybe I will soon,” I offer, and that’s the best I can do.
She nods, taking the crumbs I’m leaving with grace.
“I’ll bring you a plate.” She disappears back into the kitchen, and I shut my bedroom door behind me before falling backward onto my bed.
When my phone vibrates against my leg, I pull it out, finding a text from Hazen, and I sit up, leaning back on my elbows.
Hazen: Meeting tomorrow with The Brotherhood.
Be here at 7:30pm to discuss next steps for your proposal.
He pin drops a restaurant in Daringville called Luciano, and hope blossoms.
Are they actually open to discussing my offer for the Hood?
Holy shit—this is huge.
The next day passes in a blur as I take another shift at the diner.
By the time it finishes, my legs are on fire, and I crash for a few hours, eager for rest before my meeting with The Brotherhood.
My head has barely touched the pillow when my bedroom door flies open, and I jump up off my bed.
Amirah stands in my doorway, carrying a large bag over her shoulder.
“What the hell? Warn a girl before you storm in without notice. I could have been busy,” I grumble, and she rolls her eyes.
“Oh, please. The only thing you would have been busy with is your own fingers strumming yourself like a bass guitar.”
I laugh.
“Seriously, what are you doing here?”
“Rescuing you, of course.” She drops her bag to the ground and unzips it.
“I hear there’s a board meeting with The Brotherhood and you’re invited. I can’t leave my best friend looking unprofessional in her ripped jeans and old tees, now, can I?” She raises her eyebrows and I smile.
She’s always got my back—and I am so lucky to have her.
“Show me what you’ve got.”
“Heads up—your mom’s cooking up a storm out there and insisted that I stay for dinner. She’s really trying, isn’t she?” She pulls out a gray blazer, a black leather skirt, and a white turtleneck.
“Yeah, she is. I hope it lasts.”
“Try these on.” She throws them onto my bed, and I change out of my work clothes and into Amirah’s.
The skirt sits mid-thigh, and the blazer fits snugly.
Amirah pulls out some tights and six-inch black pumps.
I purse my lips at the heels.
“Oh, come on, seriously?”
She chuckles.
“You want to make a statement?”
I nod reluctantly, biting back any further argument.
“Then you’re wearing these.”
I roll my eyes but take them from her, along with the tights.
“Remember when we’d dress each other up as kids?” I ask, laughing.
“We were so innocent back then.”
“Those were the best days. No responsibility, no men breaking our hearts—”
“Like anyone’s ever broken your heart,” I tease Amirah, who’s eternally single.
“Still . . . things were simpler then. Just you, me, and Jewel,” she says, mentioning the daughter of her nanny we used to hang out with.
“Whatever happened to her?” I frown as I hunt for a clutch in my closet.
“She wasn’t around when I started sneaking to your parties.”
“I grew up.” Amirah takes the black clutch I’ve selected and swaps it for a white one.
“You don’t need a nanny when you’re eighteen, and when her mom left, Jewel disappeared out of my life too. She was probably using me for the closet benefits.”
“No one could ever use you.” I wrap her in an impulsive hug.
After some trouble getting the tights on, I slide into the heels and stand.
Amirah wolf whistles before brushing my hair and letting it fall down my back.
My phone lights up on my bed, and Amirah snatches it before I get a chance.
“Hey, give it back.”
“Worried I’ll find some sexy messages between you and the guys?” she teases before her mouth opens.
“You didn’t tell me that mystery stalker person was still messaging you!”
“They haven’t been.” I frown, grabbing the phone out of her hand.
Unknown: Guess who’s back—again.
See you soon, Freya LeClair.
Board meetings are important.
P.
S.
Don’t forget your lipstick.
The phone drops from my fingers, landing on the bed.
I move to my window, peering outside, but there’s no one there.
The trees sway with the wind, and Jessie’s light flickers from her trailer.
“Well, tonight just got a hell of a lot more interesting. No one outside of The Brotherhood knows about the meeting. It’s classified. That means whoever is sending these messages is someone we know,” Amirah says.
I frown, hating that she’s right.
I have no idea who’s sending the text messages, but whoever it is, they are messing with the wrong people.
One more mystery to solve.