by Breck, A. R.
“I’ve heard about you.” I nod. “I’m glad your boyfriend found you in time. It’s not a place you would have wanted to be.” I look down at my bare legs and pick at an old scar. My body is littered in scars. Many hidden, some not. I came here broken and bruised, cut up and bloody. These people are used to my scars. Now these new girls make me nearly self-conscious, and I wish I would have changed like Aziel suggested.
“Can I ask you a question?” Cara asks, a little hesitation in her tone.
I nod.
“Did you ever meet a blonde girl? Younger, but really pretty? She was really thin… but she stood out. I don’t know, I’m sure you saw plenty of girls, let alone blondes…”
I think of the girl that was sold at last year’s auction. The blonde who was sold to the Slaviks. She was beautiful and groomed for a long time before she was sold. Years.
“How long ago did you know her?”
“It was about four years ago.”
I nod. “I think I know who you’re talking about.”
To my surprise, Cara’s eyes start glistening and she reaches out to grab my hand. “Really? Do you know what happened to her?”
I nod. I know what happened to her. I just don’t think she’s going to want to hear it.
“What? Is it bad?” She withdraws her hand from mine. “Just say it.” Her voice takes a sharp tone, and I shrink back.
“She uh, she was sold.” I mumble.
“To who?”
“A guy. Mr. Slavik. He lives in Russia.”
Cara whips out her phone and starts viciously typing on her phone.
“W-Wait. You have to be careful. He’s not a good guy. Like the worst. The girls he buys never makes it. S-She might not even be alive anymore.” She looks at me like she wants to spit fire. “I’m sorry.”
“Worse than Santiago?”
I curl into myself, feeling like I’m going to puke my two shots all over the floor.
“Cara.” Rose reprimands from behind me.
Cara stops, setting her phone down on the bar top. “I’m sorry. Fuck. I’m so sorry, Ivy. That time in my life really fucked with my head. But what am I saying? I couldn’t even imagine what you went through.”
I nod, feeling shaky and lightheaded.
“Look at what you did, Cara.” Rose growls.
Cara’s arms come around me. “I’m sorry. We came because we want to be your friend, not to give you the third degree. I’m sorry for being a bitch.”
I release a constrained breath. “I’m okay.” I breathe again. “I’m sorry that happened to your friend.” I look back at Rose. “Sorry.”
“Quit apologizing. We’ll figure out what happened to her. Easton Malone is my fiancé after all.” She says, flashing a rock that could knock out every one of my teeth.
“Wow.” I blink at it, stunned by its beauty.
“Where did the guys go anyway? They just bailed on us.” Cara looks over her shoulder.
“Probably to smoke with Aziel. They haven’t seen each other for a couple years.” Rose sighs. “I say we go find them.” She hops off the stool, and Cara follows suit.
I wave to them, and Cara gives me a funny look. “What are you doing? You’re coming with us, girl.” She pulls me off the barstool and both of them start walking through the clubhouse like they’ve been here many times before.
They walk towards the room that they call church, where they hold meetings, where I’ve been interrogated by all of The Seven. Not any place that I want to be.
I’m about to dig my heels into the ground and object when Rose reaches forward and swings the door open.
“Smoking without me, babe?” Rose snarks.
My eyes fall out of my head. Literally. Unhook from their sockets and roll on out, falling on the floor in an embarrassing splat.
Aziel, West, and who I would assume is Easton and Jackson sit around the table, their feet propped up on the top as they recline as far back in the chairs as they can without falling backwards. The room so dense with smoke I can barely see through it.
“Hotboxing, too?” Cara shakes her head.
One of the most devastating good-looking men I’ve ever seen stands up from the chair. His body slinks out of the chair, like he’s too good for his own body. Like he’s dominated every fiber and muscle and it bends to his ever will. His dark hair is a little too messy on top, like he didn’t even bother with it. Tattoos line his arms that stretch his black tee, fitting perfectly to his broad chest and slim hips that are fit in dark blue jeans.
He doesn’t look at anyone besides Rose as he walks up to her with the blunt, sucking in a long, slow drag. He stands in front of her, reaching up to grip her jaw and bending down for a kiss. He releases the smoke into her mouth. And Rose inhales, kissing him once before she steps back and blows the smoke out.
“Found your girl, Aziel.” Cara says.
All eyes fall on me.
“Ivy.” My name falls off Easton’s name like a smooth whiskey. “The first old lady of the club. You certainly stirred shit up about around here, didn’t you?”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out but a squeak.
“Easton, quit scaring my girl before I put my fist in your face.” Aziel growls, surprising me.
Easton laughs. “We all know what happened the last time you put your fist in my face.”
Aziel’s eyebrow cocks. “You might be a better fighter, but now I have a reason.” He glances at me, and my cheeks heat up. “You know how that is.” Even though Aziel’s body is coiled tight, his body is relaxed, like he’s having a regular conversation.
“Mmm. I do.” Easton grips Rose possessively and pulls her against his side.
“You guys stop. You’re making Ivy uncomfortable.” Rose whines, clearly used to the bickering.
I glance around and see West, who’s chuckling under his breath, and then when my eyes fall across the table, they fall on the other guy in the room. His short hair makes his cheek bones sharp as a blade, the small shadow of facial hair doing nothing to cover the tic in his jaw. His eyes pierce me, like he’s trying to figure me out.
His stare terrifies me.
“Jackson,” Aziel leans back and backhands Jackson on the arm. “quit freaking out my girl with your creepy fuckin’ stare.” Aziel looks over at me. “Don’t pay attention to him. He doesn’t speak.”
Cara walks over to him and curls up on his lap. “Shut up, Aziel. Don’t be an ass.”
Everyone curls up around their significant others, and Aziel and I stand there and stare at each other. The tension in the room grows and I suddenly feel awkward.
“Um, I’m going to go check on Lilah.” I turn around to walk out when Cara calls my name.
“Lilah? That’s your daughter, right?” She smiles.
“Yeah, she’s four.”
“I have two, Wesley and Dahlia. Rose has a little boy named River.”
I smile at them, even though I’m shocked. I didn’t think they would be much older than me, and they both have kids? Wow.
“I’ll see you guys later.”
Cara and Rose nod and smile, but they look a little disappointed that I’m leaving so soon. I don’t even glance at Aziel, I just spin around and walk out, closing the door behind me. I take a huge breath in the hallway and lean my back against the wall.
Those people are a lot to fucking deal with.
I close my eyes, leaning the back of my head up against the wall. The coolness seeps into my skin and my skin cools down.
The door opens and my eyes pop open, seeing Aziel standing in front of me with a concerned look on his face.
“You okay?” He asks.
“Yeah… just a little overwhelmed.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t let them get to you. They’re crazy ass people from Minnesota, but those guys are the best.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I shrug, turning away. This birthday is turning out to be weird. I kind of want to go get Lilah and go home.
He grabs my face and t
urns me to face him. His hand combs through my hair, tilting my head back. “I’m not done with you yet.” He growls, dipping his mouth down to mine. I kiss him back, insecurities gripping my throat and I release them into the kiss, gripping onto his hair with my hands and pulling him towards me.
He grunts, pressing me into the wall. His hand goes around my neck, squeezing until I can barely breathe. “I don’t want you running away again. From anything. Do you hear me? You aren’t weak, so don’t act like it.”
I nod, half drunk on his kisses. I press on my tiptoes, pressing my lips against his again. He grounds me when I’m feeling uncertain. He centers my earth when the ground below me starts to shake. He breathes life into me when I’m breathless.
He pulls back. “I mean it. Be as strong as I fucking know you are, Ivy.” He growls.
“I will. I promise.”
This time he grips me on the side of the head, pulling me against him. His body presses against mine, every part of his body flush with mine.
When the door opens, Aziel pulls back.
“My bad for being a shit, Ivy. I’m honestly just a fucking asshole.” Easton shrugs.
Rose nods. She apparently put him up to this.
“It’s okay.” I laugh. “Really not that big of a deal.”
Suddenly, someone shouts Aziel’s name from down the hall. We all glance towards the voice, and Pascal stands at the other end of the hallway. “She’s here.” He says.
Who’s here?
Aziel turns towards me. “Come on. Someone is here to see you.”
“Who?” I ask with wide eyes. Who the hell would be here to see me?
“I guess you can say it’s my birthday present to you.”
“Aziel, who is it?” I ask, somewhat panicked. I don’t know who would be here to see me. I don’t have anyone to see.
He doesn’t answer me, just pulls me down the hallway and out the front door. A few people are hanging out outside, and I see Lilah sitting on the swing talking to Violet. They both wave at me once they see me.
Pascal stands talking to someone, although his large frame covers who it is. My heart starts beating in my ears and my palms start sweating.
Once we reach them, Pascal steps aside.
My eyebrows furrow. A familiar face meets mine, but the name doesn’t connect.
A blonde woman who looks about my age. Her hair sits in a high ponytail, and she’s wearing plain shirt with a loose cardigan over it and pair of jeans. She looks nervous and extremely uncomfortable.
I rack my brain, trying to come up with who it is I’m looking at. I think about all the girls I’ve met in Mexico. But her face doesn’t click.
But I’ve seen her from somewhere.
“Hi. I’m sorry, do I know you?” I ask.
The woman falters, her hesitant smile falling, becoming nervous. Her eyes glisten, with happiness or sadness, I’m not sure.
“It’s me, Ivy.” She presses a hand to her chest.
Her voice plucks at a string in my chest, and my eyes widen. I point at her. “What’s your name?” I ask, stunned.
“It’s me, Katie.” A tear catches on her lid and falls down her cheek. “Do you remember me?”
My shaky hand lifts to my mouth, my heart beats erratically and my eyes fill with tears. “Katie?” I gasp.
She lets out a cry and nods. “Yeah?”
“Oh my God!” I cry, running towards her and wrapping my arms around her. Her tiny frame envelops mine, and I cling to her with everything I have in me.
“How did…?” I gasp, looking at Aziel and back to her. “How did you find me?”
She sniffles, wiping her nose. “Your scary biker boyfriend actually found me.” She laughs, and I chuckle along with her. “How long have you…? What happened?” It seems she has a million questions to say and can’t quite figure out which one to say first.
“It’s a long story.” I wipe my eyes that won’t stop burning. “It’s such a long story.”
“It’s your birthday.” She whispers.
“You remember?” I ask, shocked.
“I never forgot. Your parents… they used to hold a vigil every year on your birthday.”
I frown.
She suddenly looks uncomfortable.
“I know… about my parents.”
She starts crying all over again. “I’m so sorry. It’s been such a tragedy. Home was never the same after their deaths. I mean, everything changed after you went missing, but once your parents died, it’s like our town died along with it.”
I frown. That’s terrible. We lived in such a cute little town where nothing ever went wrong. Thinking about the destruction that’s happened, what Santiago has caused, tears me up.
“Hey, maybe we should go somewhere. You know, where you guys can talk a bit?” Rose comes up behind me.
I nod and look at Aziel. “Can we go up to your room for a bit?”
He nods, wrapping his arm around me and hauling me to him. “Happy birthday.” He whispers.
“Best birthday present ever.” I kiss his neck.
I clutch onto Katie’s hand; afraid she’s going to disappear any second. Rose and Cara follow behind, shocked looks on their faces.
Once we reach Aziel’s room, Rose stops us. “Hey, Ivy. We’ll let you two talk alone for a little while. If I don’t see you the rest of the night, I’ll get your number from Aziel. We will have to talk and make plans to come out here again.”
“You’re going back to Minnesota already?”
“My mom is watching my little devil and Cara’s two children. If the house isn’t burnt down by the time we get back, it’ll be a miracle.”
Cara laughs. “Very true.”
“Well, thanks for coming to my birthday party.” I say, unsure of what else to say.
Cara grabs me and pulls me to her. “I’m glad Aziel saved you. And I’m glad Santiago was taken down. That entire operation was terrible.”
I nod. Words can’t find me. These girls don’t know me, but they’ve struck a chord.
I like them.
“Night, girl. Happy birthday.” Rose says, and the both of them wave, leaving Katie and I in Aziel’s room.
“Oh my God!” We both rush each other, giving each other a huge hug.
“I can’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it when they told me you were alive.” Katie wipes her tears.
“I can’t believe I’m alive, to tell you the truth.”
“Will you tell me what happened?” She pulls me down on the bed. “I mean, if you want to. I’m sure it’s bad memories, so I understand if you don’t want to talk about it.”
I shake my head. “It’s a long, horrible story. It would take a year to tell you everything. But I’m fine now. Aziel found me, and we love it here.”
“We?” She tilts her head to the side.
“Uh, yeah. I have a daughter, Lilah.” I bite my lip.
Her eyes grow wide. “What? When? How old is she?”
“She’s four.”
I watch as she does the math in her head, calculating when I would’ve gotten pregnant. “That means…”
I nod.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” She pulls me into another hug.
“What about you? What do you do now?”
I watch as she shuts down a bit, her hands wringing together. I glance down and watch as she twirls a ring around her ring finger.
“You’re married?” I gasp. “Shit!” I grab onto her hand and inspect the ring. It’s beautiful and big, much like Rose’s was earlier. This one has a princess cut diamond glimmering right in the middle. “Wow. Who is he and who the hell was able to tame wild Katie?”
She chuckles, although it falls flat. Her hand slips from mine. “A guy I met the other year at work.”
Her effort to give little information doesn’t go unnoticed. “What’s his name?” I press.
“Dane. His name is Dane.” She smiles, but it’s forced.
“What’s the story there?”
&
nbsp; She shakes her head and stands up suddenly. “There’s nothing to tell, really. He’s great. But I didn’t come here to talk about my husband. I want to know about you, and your daughter, and your smoking hot boyfriend. Oh, and this.” She spins in a circle with her hands outstretched. “You live in a motorcycle club? I’ve only ever heard of this on Sons of Anarchy.”
“That was a show, wasn’t it?” I try to think back.
She nods, dumbfounded. “Jesus, you were really removed from the world, weren’t you?”
“Like you couldn’t imagine.” I sigh.
“I want to know.” She sits back down, pulling my hands into her lap. “I want to know everything. Will you tell me?”
“How much time do you have?” I ask wryly.
She winces. “I have to go back first thing tomorrow. My flight takes off before the fucking sun rises.”
I frown. “Really?”
“I’ll take your phone number, and we can talk. I’ll try to get away again.”
Her words confuse me. “Stuck at work a lot or what?”
She shakes her head and gives me a sad smile. “No. Just hard for me to get away. Let’s go downstairs to the party, have some drinks, and enjoy our time, yeah? And you can tell me everything that I’ve missed about your life the past six years.”
I let out a huge breath as I stand up. “It’s not pretty.”
“I didn’t imagine it would be, Ivy.”
We walk downstairs, and I actually catch Haley’s attention this time. She serves us both a couple shots of tequila, and we both down them quickly. I can feel Aziel watching me from the other side of the room, but he gives me space to spend time with Katie.
I tell her little snippets of my past life, giving her a dry version without going into the horrible details. That doesn’t leave much of a story though, and I think she can gather what I’m not telling her. We tear up constantly, and then drink more to dry up the tears.
Katie gets a text and winces. “I should go.” She says, standing up and wobbling so hard she has to grip onto the bar top. “Whoa.”
“You’re not going anywhere. You should stay.”
