He pats my shoulder once and then he boards the plane.
Leaning on the hood of Stephanie’s car, I watch as she beats on the window of the plane, red faced and teary eyed. She can scream all she wants but there is nothing I can do for her. She signed her own death warrant the moment she went behind my back to the cop. Had she come to me first and told me what she was up to then maybe I could have understood. We were always a team. It was the two of us against the world. She betrayed me. Betrayed the club by doing what she did.
Boogeyman saw it all with his own eyes. Had pictures and video to prove she cheated. I have no idea if what she said was true about doing it all to protect me, but she did give me a tape that supposedly came from the cop. It was footage from a home security system in Zo Zo’s neighborhood that showed me pulling into his driveway about an hour before the explosion. I think Stephanie saw an opportunity and took it. I can’t fault her for that, but she fucking destroyed what love I had for her.
I continue to stare at Stephanie, never taking my eyes off her as the plane starts to roll down the runway, until she is out of sight and the plane leaves the ground.
It’s really over.
My marriage is done.
All that is left is filing the paperwork. It seems so insignificant that after all we went through that the only thing left connecting us is a stack of papers.
I thought I would feel relief.
I thought I would feel lighter but somehow, I feel worse.
I feel like a sack of shit.
The lowest of the low.
Since I was fifteen years old I had loved her. I had done everything I could to hold onto her, but I’m tired of fighting. I’m tired of feeling like what I want doesn’t matter. I rolled over and played her bitch one too many times. And still here I am part of me feeling guilty. Feeling so Goddamned ashamed of what I had to do.
I don’t know if I did the right thing.
I gave her to a monster.
I don’t feel good about it.
My cell phone rings and I look at the screen half expecting it to be Tiny telling me he changed his mind and that he’s bringing the plane back, but it’s Boogeyman. “Lo,” I answer the call on the fourth ring, my voice hoarse, strained from feeling so many fucking emotions today. I’m mentally drained.
“Is it done? The witch get on her broom and fly away?”
I smile at his lame joke but love him like a real brother for it. “Yeah. It’s taken care of.”
“Good. Need you at the Cherry Room.”
I hadn’t planned on working tonight but there is nothing waiting for me at home. When I go home Stephanie won’t be there waiting for me. She won’t be warming my bed. She won’t be manipulating me with sex. I punch the hood of the car, making a dent and splitting my knuckle.
“I’ll be there.” The line goes dead. The bastard never says bye he just fucking hangs up when he is done speaking. Drives me fucking nuts. I look to the sky, no longer able to see the plane. I get in the car, look to the backseat, and notice Stephanie’s bag is in the back still. I let out a sigh and start the engine.
No looking back.
I have to move forward.
This is what I wanted.
So why the fuck does it feel so damn wrong. I twist my wedding band off my finger and shove it in my pocket.
It’s over.
Done.
——
I get to the Cherry Room and note all the bikes parked up front by the doors. I shut the car off and get out. A feeling of dread washes over me before I walk in. Those bastards better not be up to something stupid like throwing me a divorce party. It is the first thing Stephanie and her bitch friends would have done. Thinking about her makes my chest hurt and I try to stop. I need to get her out of my head. When I walk in the door my brothers are taking up all the stools that surround the main stage. The place is packed. The bar is busy and there are girls working the floor. Everyone has a drink in their hand. I spot Boogeyman sitting with Cupid. The only brother I don't see present is Cocky.
I approach Boogeyman. “What the hell is going on?”
He grins at me stoking his beard. The fucker is finally growing it back in. I guess I should say Shelly is allowing him to grow it back. “Got word you have new talent lined up. You know none of us were going to pass up the chance to see that Cocky bastard’s sister’s tits.” He roars with laughter and my blood boils. This is exactly what I didn't want when I hired her. Melissa is gorgeous and now all the single club members will be chasing her ass wanting a taste.
“How’d you all get this past Cocky?” I question.
“Hades told him he needed him to watch over the warehouse. Told him there had been some dumb kids poking around.,” Cupid tells me with a shit eating grin.
“I’m surprised your old ladies let you fuckers out. Do they know where you are?”
“Fuck yeah they know.” Boogeyman hooks a thumb over his shoulder pointing to a booth in the back where I see Amber, Sara, MaryAnn, Harley, and Shelly seated together giggling.
I shake my head and motion to one of the girls to get me a beer. I make my rounds making sure everyone is taken care of then I go backstage to look in on Melissa.
Chapter 13
—Melissa
Backstage, I go to put the finishing touches on my makeup. The club sounds busy. Last night the place was a ghost town. When I look up into the mirror I see Uno’s reflection standing behind me.
Our eyes meet and there is something different about him. I don't know what it is, but he seems off. Maybe he feels awkward about that kiss we shared. I don’t want to bring it up and make things weird between us. If I am going to be working here we need to be able to talk without things being tense.
“You look...wow,” he tells me with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.
“Thanks” I twist around in my chair to face him. “I hear I have you to thank for the newer car I received today.”
He shrugs with his hands shoved in his pockets.
“Most people would say you’re welcome,” I tease.
“You’re welcome.” He smirks at me. Some of the light returns to his eyes. “About last night…” he trails off.
“What about it?” I move from the chair and step into my shoes. Black peep toe pumps that show off my fresh pedicure. Amber and Shelly insisted on treating me to a mani pedi earlier when they found out I was dancing tonight.
Uno takes a step toward me and pulls some papers out of his cut and hands them to me.
My brows draw inward. “What's this?”
“My divorce papers,” he deadpans.
I suck in a breath. “Uno...that was some kiss we shared, but I hope you didn’t do this for my benefit. I meant what I said. You and me wouldn’t be a good idea.” I hand the papers back to him unsure of what to say.
“I heard you.”
“But are you hearing me now? I just moved here. I don't even have my own place to live. I have Jimmy to worry about.”
“I got you a house.”
“You what?” My eyes bulge as I wonder if I misheard him somehow.
“Sorry that didn’t come out right. I have a house, I received it in the divorce. I don’t want to stay there. I’m going to be using my room at the clubhouse. The house is yours for as long as you need, if you don’t mind my stopping in from time to time to check in on things and use my garage.”
“Are you for real? Why would you want to do that for me? You don’t even know me.”
He shrugs. “If you don’t want to stay in that one, I need a house sitter for my ex-mother-in-law’s place. She has a cat that needs fed and plants that need watered. As long as you pay the utility bills, you could stay there.”
“And she won’t mind you moving some random stripper and her kid into her house.”
“Where she’s going she won’t ever know.”
I touch my chest. “I’m sorry, did she pass away?”
He mutters something that I don’t catch. “Let’s ju
st say she won’t be back anytime soon.”
“Okay…I’ll think about it.”
“Break a leg.”
“Thanks. I think.” Some of the other girls return to the dressing room with drinks in their hands and when I look back to Uno he is gone.
I overhear the other girls chattering. “I’ve not seen the front this packed in months. Even the old ladies came out tonight.”
Shit. Shawn is bound to find out I’m working here. It is only a matter of time before he shows up and makes an ass of himself. The door opens and a woman with the pinkest hair I have ever seen tells me I’m on. I make my way to the side of the stage and wait till I hear my name called. An older AC/DC song plays low and I hear my stage name called. “Ladies and Gentlemen give a warm welcome to the Cherry Room for the first time, Raven.”
I wait until the lights dim and the music turns up before I enter the stage. My breath catches in my throat when I see the crowd is full of the Devils Rejects MC and in the back Sara and her friends are even here. Closing my eyes, I try to pretend they aren’t here. When I open my eyes, I see Uno staring at me and I keep my focus on him and only him as I do my routine, working the pole and the stage.
Money is raining on the stage as I hear whistles and catcalls flying from different directions. I don’t even hear what they are saying. I concentrate on Uno who has now moved to the center stool between Boogeyman and Cupid. I grin at him, biting my bottom lip. The way he looks at me when I am on stage gives me confidence. He makes me feel sexy…desired. This is far from my first time stripping but his attention, the way he focuses on me and no one else in the room…I feel special. The first song stops playing, rotating into the next selection. With a flick of my wrist, I unclasp my bra, covering my boobs with my arms as I toss my bra in his direction. He catches the black lace with a smirk as I drop to my knees and expose my chest. Boogeyman smacks Uno’s arm and I use my finger to make the come here motion at him.
He shakes his head, but his brothers shove him to the stage. I crawl to where he stands and call for a chair. Uno doesn’t know it, but Hades paid me to bring Uno up on stage and give him a lap dance. One of the girls rushes out and hands one off to me. I point to the chair and Uno puts his hands out, again shaking his head. Taking things into my own hands, I move to him, grabbing him by his cut and shoving him down to the chair by his shoulders. The guys are going nuts, loving every minute of my show. With my back to him I drop my ass over his lap, bending forward until my hands touch the floor. My ass bounces on his crotch, hitting his belt buckle every time I pop my booty.
I change positions, straddling him now front facing, using the legs of the chair for support as I shake my boobs in front of his face, close enough that it wouldn’t take much to rub his nose in them. The song is coming to a close when suddenly someone yells, and I am jerked backwards by my shoulder. My ass hits the hard floor and I look up to see Shawn and Uno standing toe to toe, nose to nose, ready to kill each other.
“Take it outside,” Hades orders over the murmurs in the crowd. They move toward the front door. All the Devils Rejects members following after them. A few of the girls rush the stage, helping me to my feet and collecting the money I earned.
“Fuck that was hot,” one of them says. I rush backstage with my pride wounded more than my ass.
—–
I hurry to put a robe on and rush outside to find out what in the hell is going on. I am so mad at Shawn right now I could kick his ass. “I told you motherfuckers to stay away from Melissa,” Shawn barks, shoving at Uno.
“I don’t see your name on her. Thought she was your fucking sister, but you act like you are fucking in love with her or some shit.” Uno shoves him back. Shawn throws a punch hitting Uno in the jaw.
He spits and rubs his cheek, laughing. “Is that all you got, Cocky? I think we should change your name to pussy.” Everyone laughs and I can see red flashing in Shawn’s eyes.
The pair of them are evenly matched. Trading punches, wearing each other out. “Melissa is off limits. She isn’t going to be your rebound fuck.”
“You sure as fuck aren’t my daddy, Cocky. And you sure as fuck don’t get to tell me what to do unless you are sucking my dick, and sorry to tell you, motherfucker, you aren’t my type.” Uno rears his fist back landing a punishing blow that sends Shawn to his ass.
Uno’s boot goes to Cocky’s chest and Hades shouts, “Enough,” ending the fight. “Get him out of here,” he calls and Terror steps in and drags him to his feet.
“This isn’t over.” Shawn spits a mouthful of blood out, pointing a finger at Uno. Shawn staggers toward me and I shake my head at him filled with disappointment.
Uno starts toward me and I hold up my hand to stop him. Right now, I don’t want a damn thing to do with either of them.
I go back inside the club and finish out my shift because I damn sure need the money. Maybe coming to Webb Hollow was a mistake. Maybe letting Shawn back into my life wasn’t a good idea. He doesn’t know me anymore. Not really. When he went to prison I was sixteen years old. I thought I knew what love was and I thought he was it for me. I didn’t have a freaking clue how the world worked. I seriously believed him when he said that he loved me and that we would always be together. I wrote him thirty letters before I got the one back. I waited two years for him to change his mind. I would have waited an eternity for him if he told me to.
Chapter 14
—Stephanie
One Month Later
“It was a beautiful service, was it not?” Tiny keeps a hand on my waist as we walk to the car.
I nod, offering him the only thing I can. A weak smile. I’m completely numb. My mother is dead, and I feel absolutely nothing. When Justin handed me off to this monster, something inside me snapped and the woman I was died.
My mother’s death was ruled a suicide, but I know she would have never jumped. She was pushed by one of Tiny’s men. I know he ordered one of them to do the job. He didn’t like her being in his way. They clashed every minute they were together. She hated him more than she hated Justin. She was working on an escape plan to get us both out when she wasn’t being drugged. Sure, she was a hypochondriac, but my mother wasn’t suicidal. My stomach lurches and I am having trouble fighting the urge to vomit.
“You look pale, darling. Are you feeling okay?”
“Just tired.”
The driver opens the car door for us and I slide in first. Tiny gets in, pressing his body into my side, smothering me. I can’t seem to escape him. He is constantly showering me with attention, trying his damnedest to win me over. Something he will never accomplish. I will never give my body to him willingly. He makes me sick.
“When we get home, you can take a nap, but I wish you’d eat something.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Very well, but if you continue to starve yourself, I’ll hook an IV to your arm or put a feeding tube in.” He runs a hand over his dark slicked back hair. Tiny isn’t an ugly man on the outside but on the inside, he is pure poison. I’m not oblivious to the fact that he can be charming at times, but still despite everything, I long for my husband. I should make an attempt to try for the sake of saving my life but Tiny makes me sick and I am in love with Justin. It’s too late for us but I will always love him.
During my stay at with this vile man, I have witnessed many terrible things. Women being groomed for sale. A fate he says I won’t meet as long as I do as he wants. “You test my patience,” he growls in my ear, placing a hand on mine and squeezing, not hard enough to hurt but to apply pressure. To remind me that he chooses not to hurt me though he could easily.
My Mother told him I didn’t care for one of his maids and he slit the woman’s throat from ear to ear in front of me at breakfast. I’m not dealing with a normal person. He’s a narcissistic sociopath. I have to be careful. I can’t feed into his ego too much nor can I refuse him to the point of making him angry. My Mother’s death is an unspoken warning, if I don’t give the man what he wa
nts soon, I’ll be next. I know he is growing impatient with me. I’m biding my time, studying his every move, hoping for a pattern to emerge. Anything to give me the one up on him. I know two things about Tiny. One, he leaves nothing to chance. Two, he never does the same thing twice. His men at the estate however, they are very predictable and tend to stick to a schedule. They patrol the grounds in what would appear at random to an outsider but living within those stone walls, I have established a pattern in their behavior. I do know that this house is new. It isn’t the house where Harper, Hades’ sister met her demise. When Tiny isn’t around his guards fuck around and they talk a lot. They speak mostly Spanish thinking I won’t understand them, but I know Spanish. I only pretend not to for my benefit. Waiting for them to get brave and let something slip of importance. I’ve learned a few things. One of the guards is attracted to me and if he wasn’t scared of Tiny cutting off his balls, he’d have raped me by now.
My days are spent at Tiny’s side when he isn’t in meetings. He travels once a week out of town and he doesn’t take me with him. It’s never the same day of the week and seems to happen at random which leads me to think he is under someone else in the organization. There is someone higher up than Tiny. Someone he answers to. Someone I intend on meeting. A name I need to give Uno.
Even after everything Justin has done to me I find I miss him. If I could go back and do things differently I would if it meant I’d be with him now. I know I hurt him, and I was not a good person, but he wasn’t innocent. He can’t lay all the blame on me. Though I carry the load.
We arrive at the compound. A gated ranch. The house itself isn’t that grand, but there is a lot of land and horses here. Tiny breeds racehorses.
He told me he sold a horse that went on to win the Kentucky Derby. I guess he thought the fact would impress me. I don’t care if the man can shit gold, I will never desire him or welcome his advances.
Uno's Truth (Devils Rejects MC Book 5) Page 7
