Chapter 2
Jasmine – Age Twenty
I take a shuddered breath as my pulse races and my palms sweat, my thundering heart not calming down as those deep, dark grey eyes that had me locked, had me entranced, haunt me for saying no and walking away.
I couldn’t say yes, as much as my whole body wanted to, I couldn’t.
Damn, I wanted to.
I try to swallow the lump forming in the back of my throat as I make my way over to my black Honda, a car my mother deemed fit for the daughter of the future senator.
A car I absolutely hate that shocker, also has a tracker on it that logs my every movement, something I figured out after Bruce showed up at several places I was at that I hadn’t told my family about where luckily I was surrounded by people.
I tried to buy a cheap run around, using money working for my Uncle Charms at his family law firm and yes I call him Charms, his last name because apparently Reginald sounds too old.
Anyway, Mama had it towed, heck, it took for me pleading with my father, explaining that I needed the college experience to learn how to fend for myself for him to tell my mother I was going to be staying in a house off campus, something she absolutely was not on board with and neither was my brother.
Though, whereas she knew she couldn’t micro manage my life, he claims he was just concerned for my safety but I think it's bullshit. If he cared about my safety then he wouldn’t bring his friend around me because surely Dad told him what happened or what I accused Bruce of as my father likes to explain it.
I drop my head and look at the floor as I make my way through campus, Logan completely taking over every thought.
The feelings confuse me, feelings I have never felt before, never wanted to feel, not after everything with Bruce, who is still adamant that we’re getting married next year.
A wedding I know my mother has begun to plan.
Logan is tall, like over six feet tall with a lot of muscle, more muscle than most of the average teenagers have and really, he should have been intimidating with how big he was but I felt safe in his presence, something I never felt in my family except with Granny and Uncle Charms, though they have no idea what life is really like at home and they will never find out.
I tighten my grip on my bag strap, the urge to turn around and tell him I changed my mind pulls at every nerve in my body. Instead, I continue on my way to my car, knowing I need to get home and lock myself in my room before Bruce finishes work and pops round with Brady.
It’s Saturday tomorrow, and the deal for me staying in off-campus housing, I need to come home every weekend.
Much to my dismay but not only did Mama threaten to pull me out of college but she threatened the basement if I don’t listen.
The one room in the house Bruce can get to me, which is why for the last five years I have been on my best behavior.
Mama tells me to jump, I ask how high and the few times I had been locked in the basement, Dad has been home so Bruce had just taunted me by the door.
I sigh. I hate going home. Mama tries to get me out of my room but I always refuse, claiming to be doing school work.
Half the time I am doing school work but the other half, I’m hiding out and every morning, I get a scolding from her because apparently I’m rude, yet Bruce tried to rape me, tries to knock my door down every night I’m home from Friday to Monday and school holidays, and she turns a blind eye.
Dad's been working late every night for months, probably screwing his assistant, which is the only reason Bruce is around doing what he is doing.
I could leave my car in a motel parking lot and stay at my home off campus tonight, to try and get better sleep but knowing Mama, she’ll find me and convince Dad to force me to move back home permanently.
I shake my head. I’m tired, so god damn tired.
Despite the several bolts, I can’t sleep when I’m home, frightened he’s going to get in, heck, even my home off campus, the house is like a fortress, I made sure of it, and I still don’t get as much sleep as I should.
I still hate my life. It is under constant scrutiny by my mother, the wedding still being prepared despite my resistance. Bruce is adamant he’s going to take my virginity whether I like it or not, my dad is now non-existent, my brother is blind, and I’m lonely.
Logan’s eyes hit me again, and I squeeze my eyes tightly, trying to remind myself he’s a Rebel.
My family despises the MC, and not because they are men full of muscles that deal with drugs and weapons, especially when Dad is involved with the Cartel, the main reason why he is still in office, but because they have the townsfolk backing them over the senate.
No one trusts men in suits, but they trust the men in leather who have brought in more revenue to the town, something the senator promised, but failed on. The MC raises money for so many charities, from people without homes to children in care and men, women, and kids who have been abused.
The MC members are treated like Gods, and my parents hate it, because they’re hated.
I can already see the vein in Mama’s neck popping out if she ever heard that a brother asked me out for coffee. I mean, I know it is just coffee, but still, the way he was looking at me…
There is a rumor around campus. If a brother finds the one–something I don’t really believe in, then they latch onto that girl or boy, they claim them as theirs, marry them, and have a life with them.
They become their partner's protector.
Every girl and even some boys on campus have tried their luck with the brothers, especially when several go to Wincher College. All hoping to be their one, to get their patch and live a life full of luxury, and the way Logan was looking at me, it felt like he wasn’t going to let me go.
I stop before my car and squeeze my eyes tight.
I can’t go to my parents’ house tonight, I just can’t. Every single fiber of my being wanted to say yes to Logan, and the fact that he’s given me his legal name instead of his road name…
As I said, there are a lot of rumors swirling around about the MC.
Taking a deep breath, I mutter, “Screw it,” as I grab my phone.
Me:
I’ve got a test on Monday, and I know Mama has an event at the house, so I’m going to be spending the weekend on campus. I’ve come home every weekend since I started college, but this test is worth half my grade, and it won’t look good on the family if I fail.
I press send and bite my bottom lip as I stare at my screen, knowing my father will message back straight away.
His assistant will ensure it and I don’t wait long just as I thought as my phone pings.
Deadbeat:
Make sure you return home next weekend, I’ll sort it with your mother.
I sigh with relief as I put my phone in my pocket, then unlock my car, only for my phone to vibrate again and I roll my eyes because let’s face it, it’ll be my mother demanding I come home anyway, despite what my dad said.
I'm not shocked that he messaged her at the same time as me. Still, I ignore it as I climb in and decide to grab a sandwich from the corner café before heading home to study because I wasn’t lying, knowing my dad would most likely look into it before dealing with Mama’s tantrum when he leaves work.
I do have a test on Monday, and it does count for half my grade, but I’m already a shoo-in for passing but I still like to go over it repeatedly before the actual test.
Reversing out of my spot, I breathe easy for the first time today, knowing I won’t have to return to my hell for a whole fricking week, not having to lie to my Granny on Tuesday about having a good weekend, and I drive off towards the café only two blocks from my home.
***
Ten minutes later, I’m sitting at the back of the café waiting for my order to be ready before I head home, when a figure sits opposite me, shocking me.
Fear spikes, expecting it to be Bruce, and I look up, but suck in a breath as I lock eyes with the ones I’ve continued to see since walking away from him fifteen minutes ago.
Damn…
“Pretty sure this is stalking,” I joke, trying to lighten the mood despite my heart fluttering at the intense look he’s giving me as he leans back against the chair and crosses his arms over his muscular chest.
I notice tattoos peeking out from the collar of his shirt, and I swallow hard.
Who knew tattoos were so hot...
“You said no even though you know we have this weird connection,” he states, not beating around the bush and my stomach tightens for a completely different reason than before when I was waiting for my father’s text to come through, and Logan demands, “Why?”
He has an aura, one that not many teenagers hold, one that sucks you in and demands answers but will swallow you whole if you are not careful.
My eyes race between his intense ones and my heart pounds.
Okay, so I have two choices here. I could tell him that I’m not interested, that I don’t find him attractive which I know he will know is crap because he is right, I did feel the spark which did scared me.
Or I could tell him the truth, that I’m already engaged to be married, that I plan on running away from said engagement and that my family won’t approve of him because of who he is, who his family is.
As if seeing my mind whirling, he raises a brow and demands, “The truth, buttercup!”
Damn, there is that nickname again.
“My father is the second in command of the senate,” I admit, going for the truth, and his eyes narrow when I finish, “My parents won’t approve of you, or the club, and they’ve already chosen the man I shall marry next year, and honestly, I’m not stupid, I’ve heard the rumors…”
“Oh yeah, and what rumors are they?” he asks curtly, and I tense at his tone.
I’ve had one too many men in my life, including my own mother, speak down to me. I won’t let someone whom I don’t even know do the same.
“I won’t be owned,” I say sharply as the woman behind the counter calls my name, and I stand and walk away from the man I do feel a connection with but refuse to look into.
I want to be free, and despite the sudden rush I feel when Logan's eyes are on me, I won’t give my freedom up for him.
“Thank you,” I say to the waitress as I take the bag from her, just as another hand comes up, one full of tattoos, and takes it, and I swallow my gasp that is wanting to come out and I glare at Logan.
He smiles softly and wraps his arm around my waist, shocking me, as he guides me out of the café and towards my car. My body follows suit while my mouth stays shut as electric volts rush through my body at his contact.
What the hell?
“Look, I’m sorry for my tone, so many rumors are going around about the club and I get my back up about them.
I get it, overbearing parents and shit, but all I’m asking is for a chance, buttercup, just one chance to see if that spark is definitely there.
I promise, I’ll keep the club outta it, we can keep our relationship secret if we get that far.
” He whispers as he stops us by my car, and I look up at him, craning my neck as our eyes lock and mine race between his.
I feel safe, with his arms wrapped around me, I feel completely and utterly safe for the first time ever.
“I know it is scary,” he murmurs, “I know it’s sudden, but surely if you don’t try and see what is between us, you’ll regret it?”
My pulse thunders as my stomach tightens while my eyes race between his sincere ones as temptation pulls me.
“When?” I ask without thinking.
His throat bobs, and he admits, “Tuesday, I work the weekends.”
I’m instantly shaking my head as I state, “I can’t on Tuesdays, I visit Granny at Wincher Resort, and as fancy as it sounds, it really is just a care home.”
“Okay, then I’ll just come with you.” He murmurs, “Unless you don’t even want your Granny to know about us?”
I break eye contact not sure if I could involve her, and he squeezes me closer to him and rasps, “Just one chance, buttercup...”
Everything inside me is saying yes, wanting me to jump on him, but my head, it pictures my mother and Bruce, and I instantly want to recoil.
Should I take a chance on him and risk my heart?
Would he even let me say no anyway?
More importantly, can I hide it from my mother?