Link: SATAN’S SINNERS’ MC: TWO

by Akeroyd, Serena

  Me: Not much to smile about.

  Fuck, that sounded self-piteous, didn’t it?

  I quickly sent. Me: I didn’t mean that to sound whiny.

  Link: Didn’t. Sounded fucking miserable.

  Despite myself, and despite the fact he was right, it was miserable, I laughed.

  Link: Not sure why you’re laughing, sugar tits. I was being serious.

  My eyes widened. Sugar tits?

  For a second, I was speechless, then I turned to him, uncaring that Paul and Alix might be watching, and mouthed, “Sugar tits?”

  He smirked at me and spread his arm out, resting it against the table. His fingers began to tap against the surface, and he looked so cool at that moment, so goddamn slick, that I had to shake my head again.

  The phone buzzed once more.

  Link: Now you know how to reach me if you need to tell us anything.

  Me: Might not be much to share at the moment. He’s going away. But good thinking. Thank you.

  He shrugged, the gesture effortless. Something about him made me wonder if he was always so damn chilled, but even as the thought crossed my mind, I recognized that that couldn’t be right. Everyone had their tipping point. Link included.

  Before I had the chance to stare at him like a love-sick teenager—Lord above, I could have stared at him for days like I was at a gallery opening and he was a lost Rembrandt—I forced myself to finish my kombucha then headed on out, my new phone tucked into the waistband of my pants, well aware that Link watched me go.

  Shit, I knew things were bad when I was hoping he was checking out my ass in the skintight pants I was wearing.

  Once outside, I dipped my chin, acknowledging Paul and Alix in their SUV before retreating to mine. My phone bleeped, my real one, and as I climbed behind the wheel, I opened the message and saw it was Tiffany.

  My lips curved into a genuine smile because Tiffany was the bomb. Her family wasn’t as rich as mine which, in Luke’s opinion, had always made Tiffany unworthy of our friendship—yup, he was that much of a dick—but she seriously rocked. My father agreed, too, because he’d never tried to stop our friendship, and he was more than capable of doing so.

  West Orange was an unusual enclave for a gathering of the nation’s one percent, especially so close to the city, but it was thanks to Tiffany’s family in a small part. On the outskirts, they’d developed a subdivision that had attracted a lot of wealthy families who were tired of the city sprawl, who wanted more room to roam.

  Father, also being a dick, hadn’t purchased land there, but had, instead, bought up a few parcels beside the subdivision. His property was like an island surrounded by an ocean of land which, ultimately, connected with the exclusive urbanization. I knew Father and Richard Farquar, Tiffany’s dad, played golf together at least once a week, so I had to assume they were friends too. Or, as much a friend as my dickhead dad was capable of having.

  Tiffany: Where. Are. You?

  Me: Just getting a kombucha.

  Tiffany: That stuff’ll kill ya.

  Me: How? By over-cleansing my gut?

  Tiffany: Pffft. You attending class today?

  Me: Yeah. Just driving to the club.

  Tiffany: Cool. See you there. We’ll get our nails done after, okay?

  I rolled my eyes, because we’d only just had our nails done a few days ago.

  Me: I might have a pedi. You’ll damage your nails with the amount of manicures you get.

  Tiffany: Stop preaching. :p I like to change the color!

  Shaking my head at that non-answer, I just tapped out, I know, babe. On my way.

  I set my phone on the dash, hooking it up to the wireless charger, then placed my new cell on the passenger seat beside me.

  Eying it for a few seconds, I wondered if Link understood what he’d actually given me. Not just a means of communicating with him, but a liberation I didn’t think he or many other people would ever be able to understand.

  I was rich. Therefore I had it all.

  But I was under guard twenty-four seven. All of my purchases were monitored, my activity taken note of. I couldn’t take a piss without someone being aware of it. What kind of freedom was that? What kind of life was that?

  I was a tiger in a cage, a tiger that was just waiting to maul its keeper in an escape attempt.

  In yoga, they taught you to let go of what you couldn’t change, but how could I do that? How could I relinquish my internal rage over the systematic governing of my existence? Was I weird that I couldn’t? Or was I strong in my refusal to turn into the Stepford wife my father wanted me to be?

  Even as I gnawed on my bottom lip over that, thinking of a day when I would be free to do whatever the hell I wanted, fucking anyone I wanted in the process—rough and tumble bikers included—I felt the shackles around my throat, wrists, and ankles tighten to the point of suffocation before I overcame the sensation of choking and set off.

  What I really wanted to do was head back into the café, flirt some with Link, and do something of value. Something of my choice.

  But that was for another day. Another tomorrow.

  So I exhaled, relinquished what I couldn’t change today, and moved my ass.

  Wednesday

  Lily: So, am I allowed to text you about non-murder related things?

  Link: Depends.

  Lily: On what?

  Link: If it’s interesting.

  Lily: How do I know if it’s interesting?

  Link: If I reply.

  Lily: Okay.

  Lily: What’s the farthest you’ve ridden on your bike?

  Link: Why?

  Lily: Why not?

  Link: Okay…I’m not going to talk about the MC.

  Lily: Didn’t ask you about the MC. Just wanted to know how far you’d ridden.

  Link: Why?

  Lily: Wanted to know if it made your butt hurt after a while.

  Link: :p I don’t mind.

  Lily: You don’t mind an aching butt? Hmm. I need to man up then when I’m doing a spin class.

  Link: That how you stay in shape? Spinning?

  Lily: Yup. That and a few other ways. I spend a lot of time at the club.

  Link: Why?

  Lily: Because it gets me out of the house.

  Link: Can’t blame you for THAT.

  Lily: No. If I’m not there, I’m at my friend’s.

  Link: Why haven’t you moved out?

  Lily: I can’t. Not really. He wouldn’t let me. I tried once, but he cut me off before I could do much. I got a job at this clothing store, he bought the building and threatened to shut the store down. The owner was this really nice woman, and it wasn’t her fault he wants me tied to him, so I quit… I know he’d do that again and again. *shrugs* Easier to concede then let someone innocent get hurt by our feuding.

  Link: o.O He bought the fucking store? You know he’s a psycho, yeah?

  Lily: Umm, yeah. Lol. That didn’t escape me.

  Link: Did you go to college?

  Lily: Yeah, but it was close to home and I was allowed into the dorms for the first year, but after he made me come back.

  Link: Fuck, that’s shitty.

  Lily: Yeah. I liked it out of there. I slept really well.

  Link: You have problems sleeping?

  Lily: Well, not falling asleep, just staying asleep.

  Link: Nightmares?

  Lily: No. More like I’m just on edge. There’s a lot of tension in the house. Sometimes it’s business, but mostly it’s just how it is. Things have calmed down now that Luke’s dead, but Father’s still uneasy.

  Link: You ever call him ‘daddy?’

  Lily: Would you?

  Link: No. Lol. Good point.

  Lily: I’m smart. Surprisingly.

  Link: Why surprisingly? Some of the smartest people I know are bitches.

  Lily: You didn’t just call women ‘bitches?’

  Link: Yup. Get used to it.

  Lily: You going to call me a bitch?

&n
bsp; Link: Depends on whether you act like one or not.

  Lily: Good point. I’m not a bitch BUT I do have RBF.

  Link: What the fuck is RBF?

  Lily: Resting Bitch Face.

  Link: Hmm. I could see that.

  Lily: Thanks! :/

  Link: You’re the one who admitted to it!

  Lily: It’s not like it’s a crime.

  Link: Haha. No, I guess not.

  Lily: My father doesn’t like it. Says it’s bad for business.

  Link: Fuck’s sake. Is everything business for him?

  Lily: That’s how you get ninety billion in the bank.

  Link: That and by breaking laws.

  Lily: I’d imagine.

  Link: You don’t know?

  Lily: Not for certain. I have my suspicions. But it’s hard to look into him. I don’t have access. I wish I did.

  Link: What would you do if you had proof that could take him down?

  Lily: Celebrate? Have a massive party?

  Link: Would you change your mind about killing him?

  Lily: Maybe. I want him dead.

  Link: Why?

  Lily: He deserves to die.

  Link: Maybe he does, but do you want the stain on your soul?

  Lily: Is that what it is? To kill someone who taints the Earth by walking on it? Aren’t I doing people a favor?

  Link: Hell, yeah. But it depends on who you talk to.

  Lily: I’ve only ever wanted to hurt him.

  Link: Good to know you’re not a nutcase.

  Lily: Oh, I never said I wasn’t.

  Link: Lol. At least you’re funny and sexy as well as insane.

  Lily: Well, a girl’s got to try to give a good first impression.

  Link: Trust me, you did that. We’d been looking for the women for a while. Since the bastard’s death.

  Lily: How did you find out about them? I wasn’t even sure if you knew, to be honest.

  Link: That why you dropped it like a hammer on my toe? ‘I know where they are.’

  Lily: Yeah. I wasn’t going to get people involved unnecessarily.

  Link: Shrewd of you.

  Lily: See? Told you I was smart.

  Link: If you were smart, I don’t think you’d be trying to talk to me.

  Lily: Trying? Isn’t this us? Talking?

  Link: Maybe. O.o

  Lily: Wellllll… if you don’t want to talk…

  Link: Lily?

  Lily: This is me. Not talking.

  Link: Nah. It’s all good. You can talk.

  Thursday

  Lily: You send me that to make me jealous?

  Link: Maybe. :P

  Lily: It worked.

  Link: My dinner.

  Lily: Looks good. Where you eating?

  Link: The diner. Just off Daytona. You ever been there?

  Lily: No. I usually just go to the country clubs.

  Link: Shame. You’d probably like it here.

  Lily: I would, huh? How do you know that?

  Link: You like to think you have a stick shoved up your ass, but you don’t. I think you’d like the fact we’re not all pretentious assholes.

  Lily: Well, you get used to them.

  Link: What? Pretentious assholes?

  Lily: Yep. Fact of life for me. At least with Luke dead, I don’t have to deal with his prick ways too.

  Link: That’s one way of looking at it.

  Lily: I’m a glass half full kind of girl.

  Link: Really? Full of what?

  Lily: Dreams. Hopes. We can try to live a better life than what we’re already leading, can’t we?

  Link: Funny…

  Lily: What is?

  Link: From the outside looking in, I mean, you look like you’d be happy.

  Lily: Why? Because I’m rich?

  Link: Yeah. Isn’t that what everyone wants? To be rich and able to buy good shit and do whatever they want?

  Lily: What about my life makes you think I can do whatever I want? Lol. I just told you I haven’t gone to the diner you’re in…know why?

  Link: Because it’s not fancy enough for you?

  Lily: I’m not that much of an asshole. It’s because if I gain any weight, my father restricts my food.

  Link: You shitting me?

  Lily: No. I wish I was.

  Link: Why do you put up with it?

  Lily: Because it’s only for as long as I’m willing to deal with it.

  Link: And how long is that?

  Lily: I don’t know.

  Link: Seems to me you don’t really know what you want. You let him control you, let him get away with the stuff he does because you think, at some point, you’ll break and will end him. But I don’t think you have that in you. Not really.

  Lily: That’s a lot of guessing from someone who doesn’t know me well.

  Link: What you want to do…I know what that feels like. It’s not something just ANYONE can do. You’re not just anyone.

  Lily: Aren’t I?

  Link: No. I think you’re kinder than you realize. I don’t think you could do it.

  Lily: Won’t know until I’m pushed.

  Link: Hasn’t he already pushed you enough? Wouldn’t you have snapped by now?

  Lily: I don’t want to talk about this.

  Link: The truth hurts. But if it’s any consolation, your ass is to die for, and I think it could survive a few of these sammiches.

  Lily: Thank you. I think. Lol. I’m surprised. Didn’t take you for a steak sandwich kinda guy.

  Link: No? How come?

  Lily: Thought you’d prefer something the size of a T-Rex on a plate with loaded baked potatoes.

  Link: Well, I do, but everything in moderation.

  Lily: Ha! This is you being healthy, is it?

  Link: Well, this piece of walking heaven has to stay looking this fine, doesn’t he?

  Lily: I suppose, when you put it like that…

  Link: Haha.

  Lily: :P

  Link: Does that mean you think I’m walking heaven?

  Lily: I wouldn’t want to inflate your ego anymore.

  Link: Shame.

  Lily: *snorts* If you say so.

  Link: I do. Every man likes his ego being…stroked.

  Lily: As well as other things? Or just his ego?

  Link: Other things too. Ego optional.

  Lily: So, in the grand scheme of things, you’d prefer ‘other things’ to be stroked than the ego?

  Link: You stroke those parts of me, the ego purrs.

  Lily: You’re nuts.

  Link: I try. :P Seriously, you should come down. I’ll even share this sandwich with you.

  Lily: Won’t buy me my own? You’re a cheap date!

  Link: The cheapest.

  Lily: Haha. Thanks for the offer.

  Link: But?

  Lily: I can’t go into town. Not without my guards, and as fascinating as I’m sure your company is, it’s not worth the crap I’d get for it.

  Link: You know how prisons work, don’t you?

  Lily: Locks? Keys? Guards? Yep, well aware that’s my world. Except, I get to drive a fancy sports car so no one realizes it.

  Link: That sucks.

  Lily: Ah, but my belly is full, I have a roof over my head, and I have staff to see to my every whim. Aren’t I the luckiest princess in the world?

  Link: Sarcasm doesn’t become you.

  Lily: Sarcasm totally isn’t the lowest form of wit.

  Link: If it isn’t, what is?

  Lily: I don’t know, but sarcasm is the BEST.

  Link: Crap, you’re one of those weirdos who likes Fawlty Towers, aren’t you?

  Lily: Maybe. O.o John Cleese is a legend.

  Link: Pfft. Only weirdos like that show.

  Lily: It’s got a cult following.

  Link: Key word there being CULT. Anything that has that attached to it isn’t good IMO.

  Lily: We’ll have to agree to disagree.

  Link: Definitely.

  Lily: I bet
you like facile American comedies, don’t you?

  Saturday

  Link: Might have downloaded an episode of Blackadder.

  Lily: Legit?

  Link: Legit. O.O

  Lily: You won’t regret it. Rowan Atkinson is fantastic. I love that show.

  Link: Why do you think I’m giving it a try?

  Lily: Probably to punish me.

  Link: Haha. You got that right. If I watch an episode of Blackadder, then you need to watch a…what did you call it? A FACILE American show.

  Lily: Like what?

  Link: I’m thinking Seinfeld. That’s funny.

  Lily: Bleugh.

  Link: You’ll suffer if I suffer.

  Lily: Blackadder isn’t suffering. Which season did you get?

  Link: The one with Queen Elizabeth.

  Lily: You listened!

  Link: I did. I remembered what you said about the first season not being that great.

  Lily: I can’t believe you remembered.

  Link: I have a good memory. Anyway, today, I need a laugh.

  Lily: Why? Bad day?

  Link: Not one of the best I’ve had in a while. Lot going on here. As you can imagine. We brought them here and things aren’t going well.

  Lily: They must need medical attention! Can I do something?

  Link: It’s all taken care of, but they could be doing better. It’s a lot of responsibility.

  Lily: I’m sorry. <3

  Link: Yeah. I’m not even the one dealing with them, tbh, but it’s just…there’s like this heavy cloud over us all atm.

  Lily: Understandable. My asshole father isn’t helping. But with him away, he has to let things slide.

  Link: Why is he away?

  Lily: He just said business. He doesn’t often go to Hong Kong, but when he does, he’s usually in a shitty mood when he gets back.

  Link: Something to look forward to.

  Lily: Yeah. Not so much.

  Link: You should get out of that place while you can.

  Lily: Just because he isn’t here doesn’t mean he doesn’t have eyes on me.

  Link: I guess not, but I could help you.

  Lily: Why would you do that?

  Link: Because I don’t like the idea of what you’re going through.

  Lily: I’m okay.

  Link: No. You’re not. Different prisons, different cages.