“I live in a different world than you’re used to. I get it. You need time, but you’ll see. This. You. Me. It was meant to be.”
“I’ll never be a biker’s whore.” I don’t know why I do it, just that I do. I gather spit in my mouth and let it go right in his face.
First his eye twitches and then his mouth tightens. Using the hem of my shirt he wipes his face. “Tried this the nice way. Fuck it. You’ll go with the clothes on your back and nothing more.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“God damn, Hazel. Told you why I’m here. Told you how I feel, but you want to keep fighting me. Want me to be the bad guy here. So, buckle up, baby. Think I’d treat you like my whore? You want the big bad biker? You’ve got him. Let’s go.”
“I can’t just leave. I have a job. Friends. People who will look for me.”
He picks my purse up off the ground where I dropped it when I first came in. “Like that prick you were with earlier. The one who let you go to that asshole alone to nearly be raped? That who will come looking for you? Or how about Crystal who uses you to get men and sold you out at the first sign of a little cash. Bitch sang like a canary.”
“You may be right. I’ve never had anyone. No one to love me. A place where I belonged.”
“You had me,” he roars in my face. “I’ve loved you all my life.”
Tears skid down my cheeks. “You gave up on me. You let me go. You never came for me. You have no idea what I went through once you weren’t there.”
“I’m here now, Hazel. Doesn’t that count for anything with you? Was it all for nothing?”
“No,” I whisper, but he’s turned his back on me, leading me out the door cuffed and collared like a prized heifer. All that’s missing is a red ball gag shoved in my mouth in place of an apple.
Everything we went through. All the sacrifices were supposed to be for our escape.
Our beautiful life.
The one we never got to live.
He shoves me into a SUV and buckles me in. I could scream. I could fight but part of me doesn’t want to. The part of me that clings to the fantasy that Benicio would always come for me. He was going to rescue me, and the two of us would go out into the twisted world. We wouldn’t need anyone because we’d have each other. My bad boy. My best friend. He’d be the king of our domain, and I’d be his queen in our own fucked up fairytale.
Only that never happened. I was on my own. The world is a cruel and dark place for the forgotten and rejected. Forcing you to do terrible things to eat. To survive. If he knew some of the things I’ve done to get by, he’d forget all about me.
I glance at him. Hardened. A biker. All man. Tattooed. Sexy.
So sexy it kills me.
Then I look at the cuffs around my wrists.
What happened to the boy I once knew? The boy I loved.
The boy who swore to love me forever.
He’s an outlaw. A criminal.
I’ve been taken by the biker, but I don’t know if I want him to let me go.
Chapter Eleven
I always knew there was a darkness inside Benicio. Because it called to me. The chain attached to the collar around my neck is linked to a leather cuff on his wrist. What I won’t tell him is that a part of me enjoys it. It confuses and turns me on. He turns me on like no one ever has. We bonded in our trauma, and our connection runs deeper than his being my first love. What I’ve always felt for him goes beyond that.
The past twenty-four hours have been too much. He’s put a wall up, and I don’t know if I have the energy to break it down.
I stare at him as he drives wishing I could stop questioning everything. Strapped into the passenger side of an SUV I’m being taken against my will to Royal Road. Home to the Royal Bastards MC of Nashville, TN. I’ve heard rumors about them but never met them myself. Until now.
Holy rolls down the driver’s side window at a gate and gives some dude a fist bump before being given access. We park outside of what I’m assuming is their clubhouse. A former warehouse in the old industrial part of Nashville. Loud music blares from the large building. The first thing I notice is the two long rows of motorcycles parked on either side of the entrance.
“We get in here, you keep your mouth shut. We’re here as guests. That means you don’t show your ass. Don’t talk back to me.”
“I’m your pet. Got it.”
“Good. Because you embarrass me, and I promise you that I’ll tan your ass. It’ll be one uncomfortable ride for you riding bitch on my bike to West Virginia.”
I roll my eyes at his threats. “What are we doing here?”
“I need to get my ride and catch a few hours of sleep before we get on the road.”
“So, I’m just supposed to go with you? Leave my life behind?”
“I have a wedding to officiate tomorrow.”
“A wedding?” What the hell? He’s officiating? Sure he is. And I’m a fucking long lost princess.
“Your uncle is getting married tomorrow.”
“I’m not going to a wedding.”
“Didn’t ask you to. I’m fucking telling you one last time. I came to find you and I did. You’ve got your shit so damn twisted. Want me to be the bad guy and treat you like shit. Maybe that’s what you’re used to from other men. That’s not me though despite what you think about me. Had you stopped for a minute to think you’d fucking know I’d never hurt you. You’ll always be safe with me, but that means you gotta listen to me. I’ve got a job to do and that includes getting you to West Virginia. Once I get you there you can do whatever you want. Since I’m so fucking horrible.”
I want to tell him how wrong he is, but I don’t. I let his words hang between us.
He unhooks the chain from his wrist but only long enough for us to exit the vehicle.
We stop outside of the metal door. “Remember what I said. Don’t give me any lip in here. If I can’t control my woman, it’ll make me appear weak. Make men who want a new wet hole to stick their dick in think you’re up for grabs. Some won’t take no for an answer.”
His words chill me to the bone after the shit I experienced with Bruno. I don’t think he’s bullshitting me. Not about this. I’m not stupid. I’ve dealt with assholes. Outlaws however, men like Holy—apparently live by their own code. Outside of the law. I’m no stranger to bikers who’ve come to the club. I’ve danced for them but never taken any of them up on an invitation to come party.
The moment we step over the threshold it’s like entering another world, and that’s because it is. A honky tonk biker bar. Cowboy hats, daisy duke cut offs, boots, loud music, long hair, and liquor. But it’s more than that. There appears to be an underground casino being ran out of here too. If I wasn’t being treated like a prisoner, I could have a helluva time here. Holy tugs me along to the bar. No one bats an eye at my being chained, cuffed, and collared by their biker brethren.
The men here wear cuts similar to Holy’s. I’m surrounded by Royal Bastards. Not that I expected any differently. Holy takes up a stool next to a big biker with wavy dark hair that reaches his shoulders. “Thanks for the tip.”
The man smiles into his glass of whiskey. “No problem. I see you found what you were looking for.”
Shit. Yeah. These people definitely won’t help me get out of these damn cuffs that are really starting to dig into my skin. Sounds like they told Holy exactly where and how to find me. Not good.
“Memphis, get the man a drink.”
A big busted blonde who looks like she stepped off the set of a country music video materializes behind the bar. Dressed in short denim cutoffs that curve to her booty, a black and white checkered top tied up under her tits exposing her midriff, her look is finished with a black cowgirl hat. She’s gorgeous and I shouldn’t automatically hate her for being so pretty it isn’t fair, but I do. She has her freedom.
“You came back.” She winks at Holy, placing a double shot on the bar for him. “And you brought a friend.”
“So
mething like that, sweetheart.”
“Find me later,” the bitch tells him like I’m not standing here chained to the asshole.
Yup. I definitely triple fucking hate her. I want to claw her eyes out and pee on Holy to mark my territory.
“Holler and swaller,” the man named Riff says, clinking his glass against Holy’s.
As I stand next to Holy while he bullshits with his buddies, I feel invisible. Not one person has glanced my way long enough to make eye contact. Not even the fat man at the end of the bar I can only describe as fat Elvis. I’m beginning to wonder if Holy’s forgotten I’m even with him when he turns to me finally and offers me a drink of his liquor. The man he’s been talking to shoves off from the bar with a nod of his chin.
“Got us a room. I’ll take you up in a minute.”
“Great,” I mutter as my stomach grumbles. I’m starving. “They got anything to eat around here?”
He slides a bowl of peanuts toward me.
“Ew. No”
“Suit yourself.” He shrugs.
Guess he’s still super pissed about the whole spitting thing. It was a cunt move. I know I should apologize, but he’s treating me like a dog on a leash. It’s humiliating.
“Let’s go.” He yanks on my chain.
I want to stomp my feet and scream fuck you in his face for behaving like a complete neanderthal.
Upstairs, he releases the handcuffs. I assume he knows I have no hopes of escaping. Not yet anyway. I massage my wrists. “If you need the bathroom. Now’s the time. Right through there.” He points to a door that I’m guessing leads to a toilet.
I don’t need to go but I need a second to think. “Right. Thanks.”
“Don’t get any ideas.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” I roll my eyes and enter the bathroom. It’s just a basic toilet and sink. Cleaner than expected but I still wouldn’t sit on the seat. I splash some cool water on my face. I could have killed a man today and he could have killed me. Jackson is probably freaking out. The shit with Crystal is fucked. Everything is messed up.
And apparently, I have a mother who is looking for me. I don’t get it. Why wait until now? A cruel twist of fate that the person she sends for me is Benicio. I’ve ruined that relationship too. Didn’t take long.
I destroy everything. When anything good comes along I panic.
My not showing for work tonight means no job. Lefty isn’t a forgiving man. Especially with Crystal out of the mix. I know I brought him money but there’s five other girls ready to take my place. Not that I saw stripping as a long-term career. It was a temporary solution. Fast money. Easy money, mostly.
I know I was on a bad path. Maybe this is the wakeup call to get my shit in order. Make better choices. Make amends with Beni or Holy. Whatever he wants to be called. I exit the bathroom and he’s leaned against the opposite wall, head back, eyes closed. Weight of the world appears to be resting on his shoulders.
“Hey,” I say softly, pressing my lips to his neck the way I used to in what seems like a different lifetime ago.
“Don’t. I’m tired.”
“Then let’s go to bed.” I tug on his hands. “The rest can wait.”
“Hmm. Guess it can.” He rolls his lips inward. “We’re in here.” He opens a door not far from the bathroom. He flicks on the light switch and presses me forward from behind. His breath blows against my ear as he talks low. “Only need to rest my eyes for a few hours then we gotta hit the road.”
I step further into the room. Inside it houses a full-sized bed and a nightstand. It’s not the cleanest. Some beer bottles and a bowl of pretzels rests on a table next to a chair. The events of the day are wearing on me, and I’m not in a position to be picky though I’d prefer to be back at my apartment in my own bed. Only at this hour I’d still be working the pole.
Can’t say I’d be in any shape to dance tonight anyway. One thing I am sure of. I’ll be damned if Holy is going to be finding that Memphis bitch later. I kick off my shoes and turn into him. “Do you mind?” I curve a finger under the edge of my collar.
“Get comfortable. However, you’re planning to sleep. Clothed or not.” He brings out the handcuffs again.
“You can’t be serious?”
“Can’t trust you not to try something dumb. So yeah, I’m fuckin’ serious. Not playing around with you, and I got shit to tend to before I lay my head down.”
“You mean you need to go find that whore downstairs. You don’t have to sugarcoat your bullshit for me.”
“You jealous?”
“Nope. Got no reason to be.” I reach under my shirt and undo my bra. I fling it toward him and shimmy out of my jeans. The muscle in his jaw ticks and he swallows hard. I move toward the bed, dropping my knees to the edge, crawling toward the headboard, flashing him my ass in the process.
“Take whichever side you want.” He stalks toward me slowly. I can’t read him. Not as easily as I used to be able to, but I know he’s pissed with me, and I brought this on myself.
I don’t want to back down though. I’m stubborn when I want to be.
I take purchase of the left side. I turn the covers down and pray that they are clean or close to it. I’m trying not to think about what’s went down in this bed. Can’t be any worse than some of the motels that Crystal has dragged my ass to in the past.
Holy puts a knee to the mattress, taking my left arm in his grip.
“It doesn’t have to be this way between us. I’m sorry, Beni.”
“Told you. Call me Holy.”
“I’m sorry, Holy.”
He smirks.
My apology gets me nowhere. The handcuff slaps around my wrist and the other connects to the wrought iron headboard.
“You want the light off or on?” He gets up to leave.
“Holy?”
“Yeah?”
“I won’t give you any more trouble.” I try giving him a taste of sweet.
“Highly doubt that. Get some sleep. I’ll be back.”
“You’re going to her?”
“Don’t see where that’s any of your business.” He flicks the light off and closes the door behind him.
I kick my legs and flop from side to side. If I weren’t afraid of what’s on the pillow, I’d hold it to my face and scream. Damn him.
Chapter Twelve
It kills me to walk away from Hazel, but she’s got me all twisted up in knots inside. Bitch is driving me crazy. Shoulda spanked her ass the moment she pulled that shit by spitting at me, but I was afraid I’d get too damn carried away. I’d never hurt her but fuck she gets under my skin in a way no one else can. I need a fucking joint. With my wild ass woman secure, I head back downstairs to the bar for a shot of something that will knock my ass out because there is no way I’m getting a second of sleep next to Hazel tonight without help.
I seek out Memphis and find her in Dimple’s lap. Bastard wears more rhinestones than a prom queen.
“You definitely look like you could use this.” She flashes a smile and pulls a joint out of her tits.
“Appreciate it, darlin’.”
“Anytime.” She goes back to entertaining Dimple; bitch probably has to pluck rhinestones out of her snatch after fucking the fat bastard.
The prospect behind the bar pours me a shot and I send him off to get Hazel something to snack on in case she’s still awake and hungry when I head back to the room. Shouldn’t give her shit after how she’s behaved. The love I have for her won’t allow me to ignore the fact she said she’s hungry. Should feed her my dick down her throat. Bet she’d love that.
He comes back with a package of white powdered donuts and a can of Coke. It’ll have to do. I’ll get her breakfast on our way out of town in the morning. I down another shot and return to the room. Hazel is still awake when I flip on the lamp.
“Still hungry?” I toss the donuts and pop onto the bed.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” I fire up the joint I got from Memphis a
nd take a hard drag. “Want a hit?” I offer it to her, and she takes me up on it.
Guess she needs it as much as I do. Been one hell of a day. I kick off my boots and hang my cut off the back of the chair. Hazel passes the joint to me, and I crawl over her to the right side of the bed. I cross my ankles and lean back on the headboard. We take turns taking hits not saying shit. Only winding down.
Having had my fill and cutting Hazel off I put the joint out in the ashtray on the nearby table. She digs into the donuts and gulps down half the can of Coke.
I watch her licking the powdered sugar off her fingers. Bitch knows what she’s doing. Being all sensual caressing the tips with her tongue like she would my dick if she were to suck it. Leaning up, I yank my tee over my head to get comfortable. I take the can of Coke and leftover donuts from Hazel to get them out the way so we can sleep.
“You still mad at me?”
“Owe you a spanking.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Yeah, I sure as fuck will but don’t have my favorite paddle with me.”
She gapes at me. “You have a paddle?”
“Among other things.” My dick twitches in my pants at the thought of spanking her.
“So, what? You’re like a biker dom now?”
“No, but there are certain things I like in the bedroom. Would show you but you’re what was it you used to call me when I didn’t give you your way? A meanie head.” I chuckle.
Hazel grabs the chain hanging around my neck and gives it a tug. I give her the play and lean in. “I said I was sorry.” She drops the chain to caress my jaw.
“That’s good. You should be. Spitting in my face was a cunt move. If I were any other man and you were any other woman, shit would cost you.”
Her tongue darts out to lick her lip. That one simple action nearly does me in. Hazel next to me in nothing but her t-shirt and panties is too damn tempting.
“Let me make it up to you.” Her sugary breath fans over my lips.
“And how do you plan on doing that?”
“You tell me, Holy.” Hazel’s lips meet mine full of fire. A fire that’s been burning for years.
Taken By The Biker (Royal Bastards MC: Charleston, WV, #6) Page 7
