Chapter 6 - Holly
The insistent knocking jerks me from a deep, dreamless sleep. For a disorienting moment, I don't know where I am. The room unfamiliar, the bed not my own.
Then I feel the warm weight of an arm draped across my waist, the steady breath against my neck, and everything comes rushing back.
James's debt. The shooting. The fire escape. Jacob.
Sex. My virginity. The most intense pleasure I've ever experienced.
The knocking comes again, more urgent this time. Beside me, Jacob stirs but doesn't wake, his face relaxed in sleep in a way it never is when he's conscious.
Another knock, followed by a woman's voice. "Holly? Are you awake? It's Luna. I need to speak with you. It's important."
I panic, looking around the room at the evidence of last night's activities. Clothes scattered across the floor, sheets tangled and stained with traces of blood and other fluids, the unmistakable scent of sex hanging in the air. And most damning of all, a very naked Jacob Steel in my bed.
"Just a minute!" I call, my voice cracking with morning roughness. I gently extricate myself from Jacob's embrace, wincing at the unfamiliar soreness between my thighs.
Jacob's eyes snap open at my movement, instantly alert despite having been sound asleep moments before. He takes in the situation at a glance—me, naked and panicking, the knocking at the door, the mess we've made of the room.
"Bathroom," he mouths, already sliding silently from the bed and gathering his clothes. He moves with the stealth of someone accustomed to quick escapes, disappearing into the adjoining bathroom without making a sound.
I grab the oversized t-shirt from the floor and pull it over my head, trying to smooth my tangled hair into some semblance of order.
A quick glance in the mirror on the wall confirms I look exactly like what I am—a woman who has been thoroughly fucked all night.
My lips are swollen, my neck bears at least two visible marks, and my eyes hold a satisfied glow I've never seen before.
Taking a deep breath, I crack open the door, keeping my body positioned to block the view of the rumpled bed.
Luna stands in the hallway, a stack of neatly folded clothes in her arms. Her blue eyes take in my appearance, lingering briefly on the marks on my neck, but her focus quickly returns to whatever has brought her here.
"I need you to come with me right now," she says, her voice low and serious. "Your brother tried to leave the compound this morning. He had an altercation with Beast. It's not good."
My stomach drops. "Is James hurt? What happened?"
"He's fine, physically," Luna assures me, glancing down the hallway. "But King has him in the meeting room, and we need to get this sorted before things escalate further. Here," she adds, holding out the clothes. "Get dressed quickly."
I take the bundle, my mind racing with worry. "Give me two minutes."
Luna nods. "I'll wait right here."
I close the door and turn to see Jacob emerging from the bathroom, fully dressed and tense. "What's going on?" he asks.
"James tried to leave and got into a fight with Beast," I explain hurriedly, dropping the t-shirt and pulling on the clean clothes Luna brought—jeans, a simple blue t-shirt, and thankfully, fresh underwear. "Luna says King has him in the meeting room."
Jacob curses under his breath. "Your brother's determined to get himself killed."
"Seems so. I need to go," I say, running my fingers through my tangled hair in a futile attempt to look presentable. "Luna's waiting for me."
He reaches for me, catching my arm. "Holly, wait. About last night—"
"Not now," I interrupt, anxiety for James overriding everything else. "We'll talk later, okay?"
"Be careful with King. He's fair, but he doesn't tolerate disrespect, especially in front of the club."
"I'll remember that," I promise, already moving toward the door. "Will you be there?"
He shakes his head. "Not right away. I need to check in with Tank about security. I'll find you after."
I nod, then slip out the door to where Luna waits, closing it firmly behind me. She gives me a second assessing look, her eyes lingering on my neck, but says nothing about the obvious marks there.
"This way," she says, turning and walking swiftly down the hallway. I follow, my body protesting with every step, unaccustomed muscles sore from the night's activities.
"What exactly happened?" I ask as we walk.
Luna sighs. "Your brother tried to leave around dawn.
Said he had 'business to take care of.' Beast was on security duty and stopped him.
Words were exchanged, then punches. Beast restrained him, but not before your brother accused the club of holding you both hostage and threatened to go to the police. "
I groan, closing my eyes briefly. "He never thinks before he acts."
"No offense, but your brother seems to have a talent for making bad situations worse," Luna says, her tone surprisingly gentle despite her blunt words. "The police threat is what got King involved. We need to resolve this quickly."
We reach a set of double doors at the end of a corridor. Luna pauses, turning to face me directly. "Before we go in, you should know that King respects honesty and loyalty above all else. Don't lie to him, even to protect your brother. It won't help either of you."
I nod, taking a deep breath to steady myself. "I understand."
"One more thing," she adds, her voice dropping. "Whatever happened between you and Steel last night... keep it to yourself for now. Not because it's wrong," she clarifies, seeing my expression, "but because it could complicate an already volatile situation."
Heat floods my cheeks. "Is it that obvious?"
A small smile touches her lips. "Only to someone who knows what to look for." She reaches out, adjusting my collar to better hide the marks on my neck. "There. Now let's go sort this out."
Luna pushes open the doors, revealing what must be the club's meeting room.
A large wooden table dominates the space, surrounded by leather chairs.
At one end sits King, his imposing presence commanding the room even while seated.
James is in a chair to his right, sporting a split lip and a darkening bruise on his cheek.
Beast stands against the wall, arms crossed over his massive chest, watching my brother with narrowed eyes.
Several other club members are present. All eyes turn to us as we enter.
"Holly," King acknowledges me with a nod. "Thank you for joining us. Please, have a seat."
I move to the chair beside James, who won't meet my eyes. Up close, I can see he's been drinking. His eyes are bloodshot, and the faint smell of whiskey clings to him despite the early hour.
"Your brother has some concerns about your stay with us," King continues once I'm seated, his tone calm. "He seems to think we're holding you against your will."
"That's not—" James begins, but King silences him with a look.
"I'm speaking to your sister now," he says, then returns his attention to me. "Holly, are you here against your will?"
"No," I answer truthfully. "I understand we're here for our protection after what happened last night."
King nods approvingly at my direct response. "And do you want to leave, knowing the Iron Eagles might be looking for you both?"
I glance at James, who's now glaring at me, clearly expecting me to back his play. But Luna's advice rings in my ears, honesty above all.
"No," I say firmly. "I think leaving would be dangerous and stupid."
James makes a sound of disgust. "Of course you'd say that. You're fucking one of them."
The room goes deathly silent. I feel the blood drain from my face, then rush back in a humiliating flood of heat. Every pair of eyes is suddenly fixed on me with new interest.
"James!" I hiss, mortified.
"What? You think I didn't hear you last night?" he spits. "Thin walls, sis. Very thin walls."
I want the floor to open up and swallow me whole. The shame isn't from what I did with Jacob. I don't regret that, but from having it thrown in my face like this, used as a weapon against me in front of strangers.
King's expression doesn't change, but something in his eyes hardens.
"Your sister's personal choices are not the issue here," he says, his voice dangerously soft. "Your actions this morning put this club at risk. That is the issue."
"How did I put your precious club at risk?" James demands, seemingly oblivious to the thin ice he's treading. "By wanting to leave this prison? By not wanting to be in debt to criminals?"
Beast pushes off the wall, taking a menacing step forward, but King holds up a hand, stopping him.
"You threatened to go to the police," King says simply. "In our world, that makes you a liability."
I feel a cold knot of fear form in my stomach.
"He was angry and scared," I interject, desperate to defuse the situation. "He didn't mean it. James would never actually go to the police."
"Wouldn't I?" James challenges, turning to face me fully. "Why not? These people are the reason our apartment got shot up. The reason we're in danger. They're criminals, Holly! Wake up!"
"The reason we're in danger is because you borrowed money you couldn't repay!
" I snap, years of frustration finally boiling over.
"Not just from them, from anyone who would give it to you!
You've been digging this hole for years, and I've been trying to fill it in behind you, and I'm tired, James. I'm so tired."
My voice breaks on the last word, unexpected tears springing to my eyes. The room is silent again.
King watches our exchange with calculating eyes, then turns to Luna. "Take Holly for some breakfast. I need to speak with James alone."
Alarm bells ring in my head. "No, I should stay—"
"It wasn't a suggestion," King cuts me off, his tone brooking no argument.
Luna appears at my side, her hand gently but firmly taking my elbow. "Come on," she says quietly. "Trust me, this is better."
I look at James, who still won't meet my eyes. Part of me wants to fight, to stay and protect him as I always have. But another part—a new part, perhaps born last night in Jacob's arms—is tired of the endless cycle, tired of sacrificing everything for someone who refuses to help himself.
"Fine," I say, standing. "But I want your word he won't be harmed."
"You have it. This is just a conversation." King tells me.
I nod once, then allow Luna to lead me from the room. As the doors close behind us, I hear King's voice, low and serious: "Now, James, let's talk about the concept of consequences..."
Luna guides me through the clubhouse to what appears to be a kitchen area. It's surprisingly homey. Large wooden table in the center, well-used appliances, a coffee pot brewing what smells like fresh coffee.
"Sit," she instructs, guiding me to a chair at the table. "You look like you're about to collapse."
Luna busies herself pouring coffee and assembling what looks like breakfast—eggs, toast, some fruit.
"Is King going to hurt him?" I ask, unable to keep the fear from my voice despite my anger at James.
Luna sets a steaming mug of coffee in front of me. "No. King gave his word, and he keeps it. He's just going to make sure your brother understands the reality of your situation."
I wrap my hands around the mug, letting the warmth seep into my fingers. "And what is the reality of our situation, exactly?"
She sits across from me, her own coffee cradled between her hands. "The reality is that the Iron Eagles will kill you both if they find you. Not because of anything you've done, but because they're at war with us, and they think you're connected to Steel."
"Because of last night," I mutter, shame coloring my cheeks again.
"Yes," Luna corrects me firmly. "Because Steel was at your apartment. That's all they know or care about. The rest is... complicated, but irrelevant to them."
I take a sip of coffee, letting her words sink in. "So, what happens now? We just stay here indefinitely?"
"For now, yes," she confirms. "Until the situation with the Eagles is resolved. After that, we'll see." She pauses, staring at me. "You have a job, right? At the diner?"
I nod. "I was supposed to work today, actually. And tomorrow. I can't afford to lose that job."
"I'll call them for you," Luna offers. "I can say you had a family emergency. It's not even a lie, really."
Her kindness brings fresh tears to my eyes. "Thank you. I don't understand why you're being so nice to me. To us. After all the trouble James has caused."
Luna's expression softens. "I know what it's like to be caught in the crossfire of club business. Before King and I got together, I was just a nurse who treated the wrong patient. Next thing I knew, I had a target on my back."
This revelation surprises me. With her confidence and poise, Luna seems like she was born into the club life. "How did you handle it? Being thrust into this world?"
"One day at a time," she says simply. "I fought it at first. Then I realized there are good people here, despite what the world thinks of MCs. They protect their own fiercely."
Their own. Am I one of "their own" now? Is James? Or are we just temporary problems to be solved?
"Steel hasn't come to find me," I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them. "After last night, I thought..."
Luna's expression is sympathetic but not pitying. "Club business comes first, especially during times of conflict. It doesn't mean he's avoiding you."
But I'm not so sure. The way we left things this morning was awkward, unresolved. Maybe in the harsh light of day, he regrets what happened between us. Maybe taking my virginity was just another conquest, another night of pleasure with no strings attached.
"It was a mistake, wasn't it?" I say quietly, more to myself than to Luna. "Getting involved with him."
Luna reaches across the table, her hand covering mine. "I can't tell you that. Only you know what last night meant to you. But I will say this. Steel isn't the type for casual flings. If he was with you, it meant something to him."
Her words provide small comfort, but doubt has already taken root. What if Jacob only wanted me because I was convenient and willing? What if last night was nothing more than a moment of weakness for both of us, driven by adrenaline and fear?
"Eat something," Luna urges, pushing a plate of eggs and toast toward me. "Everything looks worse on an empty stomach."