Beneath These Chains

by Meghan March

“And where are you working now?”

  The question was a dare.

  “A pawnshop.” I kept my answers short. I wasn’t giving him anything more.

  His face twisted into a mask of disgust. “Of all the stupid and rebellious jobs you’ve had, this is by far the least acceptable. You will quit immediately. Report to the firm tomorrow morning at eight o’clock, and I’ll find a use for you.”

  This wasn’t the first time I’d gotten an order like that.

  “I already told her she could be a file clerk,” DJ offered.

  Denton didn’t even look at him. “Shut up. When I want to hear you speak, I’ll ask you to.” His eyes bore into me. “Do you understand me, Eleanor?”

  “I understand you perfectly, and there’s no fucking way it’s going to happen. You can take your use for me and shove it up—”

  “Eleanor—” my mother interrupted.

  “Virginia.”

  He only had to say her name—that was all it took to have her shrinking into her chair.

  I stood and tossed my napkin onto my plate. “I think I’ll take a rain check on dessert. I just remembered something I need to do.”

  “I’m not finished speaking with you, Eleanor.”

  “Well it’s a good thing one of us knows when a conversation is pointless.”

  “If this gets out, and you embarrass this family, the consequences will not be pleasant for you. And if I don’t hear from HR on Monday that you’ve contacted them for a job, those consequences will be even less pleasant.”

  There was nothing he could hold over me—and no way in hell would I be contacting his firm for a damn job.

  I gave him my politest go fuck yourself smile and turned on my heel and walked out.

  “You boys need anything else, you just let me know,” our waitress said as she set frosted mugs of Abita down in front of me and Con. The dimly lit bar was surprisingly busy for a Sunday night. The crack of pool balls and shouts sounded from across the room. Con studied me and picked up his beer.

  “You gonna say something?” I asked.

  This was a position that neither of us had been in before. We’d spent the last decade or so counting on each other, but never before had I asked my little brother for his blessing.

  Con lifted his beer and swigged. “Fuck, that’s good.”

  I did the same.

  After I set my mug back on the table, I shifted my jaw from side to side.

  “Shouldn’t have dropped your hands,” Con commented, with a lifted eyebrow.

  “True. But you’re a tricky fucker, and you would’ve found a way to get a shot in.”

  He shrugged. “So, tell me how the hell you got hung up on Elle. She’s not the kind of woman you can pin down for long.”

  And don’t I know it. She was constant movement—never still. If she wasn’t selling something to a customer, she was rearranging the displays, or trying to get me to spring for a website with an online store to increase our reach. Whatever it was, she threw her entire self into it. And that went the same for every damn time I’d kissed her.

  One thing was for sure: I’d never be bored with Elle. If I ever figured her out, she’d change five minutes later, and I’d be back to square one.

  I glanced up from my beer to find Con staring, and realized I’d answered his question with silence.

  “She works for me. Does a damn good job.”

  “And?”

  “And I’m ready to give having something real a shot.” I lifted my mug and gestured at him. “You can’t argue with that. Not with how fucking happy you’ve been.”

  Con’s expression didn’t change. Always studying. Working the angles. Finally, he took another swig of his beer. “You’re both adults. Fuck, it’s not like you need my permission.”

  “Not looking for permission. I just want to make sure I’m not going to fuck up the good stuff you’ve got going on by pissing off Vanessa.”

  At her name, a smile crossed his face. Fuck, it was good to see him happy.

  I want that. It wasn’t something I’d ever really thought about before, but now it was on my mind, and I really fucking wanted that.

  “Vanessa has known Elle nearly all her life. I’ve only been around her for a few months, but even I know she’s unpredictable. You think she’s going to do one thing, and she does something totally different. She’s not your typical trust fund kid. She’s … I’m not really sure what kind of demons she’s running from, but she seems to cover it up well by employing her own special brand of shock and awe.”

  He was right. Elle wasn’t a typical rich girl, as much as she seemed to come off that way. But it was the last part of his comment that caught my attention.

  “Shock and awe?”

  “She says and does things that shock people, surprise them. Maybe she’s just random, but I think there’s more to it.”

  “You a psychologist now?”

  “Not even close. But if you want my blessing, you don’t even have to ask for it. Van isn’t going to hold anything against you, and neither am I. If anyone knows about taking a shot at being happy, it’s us.”

  It was as simple as that with Con. I nodded. He nodded. And the conversation moved on to something else. Something I didn’t really want to talk about right now.

  “How’s business?”

  My beer sloshed in my stomach. Con had bought Chains, brought me on to manage it, and I’d cleaned the place up and gotten it to the point where it turned a healthy profit. Within only a few months of me owning it, that healthy profit had evaporated. Between Bree—who I couldn’t even be pissed at because of what had happened to her—and my grand idea to expand into vintage cars, shit was not where it’d been when Con had owned the place.

  “Business is good.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You wouldn’t tell me if it wasn’t.”

  It wasn’t a question. “I got it covered.”

  “You ever need to back off on a payment, all you have to do is say so.”

  Con had tried to give me Chains outright, but my pride wouldn’t let me take it for free. “I’m good.”

  “Anything changes, you let me know.”

  “Sure.”

  We both knew I wouldn’t.

  We finished our beers and shot the shit, talking about the boys, boxing, and the upcoming tourney until my phone buzzed. I pulled it out and looked down.

  Elle.

  You busy?

  I immediately texted her back.

  No. What’s up?

  Elle’s response came within moments.

  Need a ride. Can you come get me? Like … now?

  I glanced back at Con. “Gotta run.”

  He paused, beer almost to his mouth. “That her?”

  “I’ll see you around,” I replied.

  I stood, pulled out my wallet, and dropped a few bills on the table. “On me.”

  I headed for the door, texting as I went.

  On my way. Tell me where I’m going.

  I didn’t know how long it would take Lord to get to my mother’s house, so I decided to seek refuge in the kitchen with Margaux, my mother’s cook and housekeeper.

  She hummed as she washed a big roasting pan in the sink.

  I pulled out a stool at the center island and made myself at home.

  Margaux glanced over her shoulder at me and smiled. “Elle, child, don’t you look beautiful.”

  I dropped my eyes to survey the dress I was wearing. Another summery number. This one had come from Dirty Dog—a royal blue A-line with white flowers and boat neck. Yve had picked it up on eBay, and I’d nabbed it before she could even get it steamed and hung up on the shop floor. She knew better than to buy cute stuff in my size and expect that she’d get to sell it. And the best part? It had pockets.

  “Thank you. And thank you for dinner; it was delicious, as usual.”

  Margaux’s smile was wide and genuine. Probably the most genuine emotion shown in this house except for my disdain for Denton and DJ. I didn’t
bother to hide that.

  “Why thank you. It’s good to see your face around here again.”

  If I were sitting in front of anyone but Margaux, I would’ve wanted to say something like don’t get used to it, but Margaux was good people, and how she’d stayed so sweet despite the iron fist Denton hammered on everyone in this house was a testament to her character.

  “It’s good to see you too.”

  She patted her hands dry on the towel tucked into the pocket of her apron. “So, you hidin’ out or did ya just come in here to see my smilin’ face?”

  “Your smiling face, obviously,” I said.

  “Why don’t I believe that for a minute?”

  My lips twitched. Margaux didn’t miss much. “Because you know damn well I’m hiding.”

  “You got a mode of escape planned, or do you need me to call Arnie?”

  Arnie was my mother’s driver.

  “I’ve got a ride coming.”

  “One of these days you should pick up the keys and start drivin’ yourself around again, child.”

  This wasn’t something I hadn’t told myself a bunch of times. And yet I still wasn’t enticed. “I’m good.”

  “Mmmmhmmm,” was all she said to that.

  I changed the subject to talk about her grandkids—something I knew could keep Margaux chatting for hours. But this time, we only got about fifteen minutes on the topic before the rumble of Detroit’s finest muscle came pulling up the drive.

  He might not be a knight on a white horse, but I’d take a tatted-up bad boy in a muscle car over that cliché any day of the week.

  Margaux’s eyes shot to the window that gave us a perfect view of the driveway.

  “That your ride?”

  I grinned at her surprise. “Sure is.” I hopped off my stool, made my way over to her, and kissed her cheek. “I’d say I’ll see you soon, but I don’t know when I’ll be back. Take care of yourself and those grandbabies, Margaux.”

  I expected to see her attention on me when I pulled away, but it was glued to the window. I followed her gaze.

  “Oh my lord,” she breathed.

  Oh Lord was right. When I looked at him, I put myself in Margaux’s shoes. A six and a half foot, solidly muscled man, with a swirl of tattoos running up and down his exposed arms, dressed in ripped jeans and a black T-shirt. I thought of what he’d said about giving me until Tuesday to make up my mind.

  I pressed another quick kiss to her cheek and grabbed my purse off the island. “See you later.”

  I headed out the kitchen door to the driveway.

  “Hey, thanks. I appreciate you dropping everything and coming to get me.”

  Lord was eying the house. A big, white, antebellum monstrosity Denton had moved my mother to as soon as they’d said ‘I do.’ My childhood home was sold and everything in it that had belonged to my father had been disposed of before I’d even realized what was happening. I wasn’t even sure that Denton had known that my mother had held on to the watch. If he had known, it was surprising to me that he didn’t sell that too. He’d been systematic in removing every trace of my father’s existence from our lives.

  “Nice digs.”

  “Looks pretty on the outside, at least.”

  Lord’s eyebrows went up. “You hiding a house of horrors in there?”

  “Not exactly, but it’s surely not the happiest place on earth.”

  “You ready to get out of here, then?”

  “I was ready before I even got here.”

  Lord’s forehead creased, but it wasn’t in confusion over my words. No, it was over the man who’d just stepped out of the front door.

  “Really, Elle? A pawnshop and now a biker?”

  I looked at Lord’s car. Ummm … biker? Not exactly.

  “That the stepdad?”

  “The one and only.”

  “Looks like a dick.”

  “If you only knew.”

  Rebellion, the kind I should’ve gotten out of my system years ago, flooded me.

  I didn’t waste another glance on Denton. I didn’t care what he was thinking at this moment. I just knew my urge to piss him off was going strong. You can’t control me.

  “Kiss me,” I said to Lord.

  His blue eyes dropped to me.

  “Come again?”

  “Kiss me. Right here, right now.”

  “You looking to piss him off?”

  I didn’t bother to dissemble. “Call it rich girl rebellion.”

  “I’m starting to become rather partial to rich girl rebellion,” he said, eyes flaring with heat. Wrapping an arm around my waist, Lord yanked me against him. “And fuck if I’ll ever turn down a chance to kiss you, regardless of the reason.”

  I clutched his T-shirt with one hand as he lowered his mouth to mine.

  Lord’s other hand slid in my hair as he tilted my head. Our lips collided, and I completely forgot about the audience we had. Hell, I think I forgot how to breathe. I forgot everything except for Lord and his lips and hands. And his tongue. Damn, the man could kiss.

  Blood rushed in my ears, drowning out everything else. My heart pounded against Lord’s chest, and I wondered if he could feel the erratic rhythm. He had to know what he did to me every time he kissed me.

  When he finally pulled back, he said, “Here he comes.”

  Who? And the only person I care about coming is me.

  Then I realized he meant Denton.

  “Disgraceful. Not that I’m surprised. Anything you can do to piss me off, isn’t that right, Elle? You’ll never grow up. You’re always going to be as rebellious and childish as you were at eighteen.”

  “Don’t talk to her like that,” Lord barked.

  Lord tucked me between his back and the car. Oh shit. I wondered if I was about to watch Denton get pounded into the pavement. Not that I would have a serious issue with that, or really, any issue at all.

  “If you wanted to piss me off, you didn’t have to go find someone fresh out of prison, Elle. Just an average low-life would do.”

  “Back off, man.” Lord’s words were wrapped in menace that even Denton wouldn’t be able to miss.

  I peeked around Lord’s body to see my stepfather, hands on his hips and face turning a shade of red I’d never seen on him before. He wasn’t used to being challenged.

  “You know she’s just using you right? Once she’s satisfied that she’s riled me up, she’ll drop you and move on. Well, maybe she’ll fuck you first, so at least you’ll get that out of her.”

  That motherfucker.

  “I suggest you turn around and go back in the house,” Lord said. His tone was pure don’t fuck with me.

  “I suggest you get the hell out of my driveway,” Denton shot back.

  Lord’s body tensed. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get the fuck back in that house while I’m still willing to walk away.” Lord turned and grabbed my hand. “I think we’re done here.”

  “I’m more than good with that.”

  Lord led me around the front of the car and opened the passenger door for me.

  I slid into the seat and buckled the belt while Lord rounded the hood and faced off against Denton again. I couldn’t hear their words, but whatever was said, it was quick. Lord yanked open the door, climbed in, and turned the key. The engine roared to life, and Lord didn’t spare a single glance at Denton as he threw the car into reverse and hauled ass out of the driveway. He didn’t speak for a mile or so.

  “What’s your deal with your stepdad?”

  “He’s a dick.”

  “There’s gotta be more to it than that.”

  I kept it simple. “He wants to control everyone and everything, and I have a problem with that.”

  “And why does it matter what he wants?”

  “It doesn’t. But I hate how he treats my mother. She can’t breathe without his say-so, and yet she puts up with it.”

  Lord’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly I thought his knuckles would pop.
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  I continued, “She used to be … happy. And now she doesn’t go a day without finding the bottom of a bottle.”

  “You ever think about trying to get her some help?”

  I looked out the window at the passing houses. “Isn’t the first step in that process the person admitting they need help? She’d probably give me the look that said I was spouting nonsense and take another drink.”

  “Sometimes you gotta help people find their way with that kind of thing. It’s what we do for the people we love, if we can.” His words were so solemn, and it took me a minute to put it together. He’d been so young when his mom had left, and his dad had callously told him about her OD. It sent a shameful swirl of guilt through me that I was old enough to help my mother, and he hadn’t been.

  It was something I was going to have to think about—when I was alone later. Like a coward, I changed the subject.

  “I really do appreciate you coming to get me. I’m sure you had better things to do than drop everything and come running at my text.”

  “Wouldn’t have mattered what I was doing. You need me, I’ll be there.”

  You need me, I’ll be there.

  I hadn’t had that kind of devotion in my life from a man since my daddy. A pang of sorrow hit me just as hard as the realization that what Lord was offering up was scary as hell. I wasn’t ready to commit to something that big and give up a piece of myself, nor the control I’d fought so hard to maintain over my life. But I also didn’t feel the urge to push him away like I had only a day ago.

  One step at a time. And right now I needed some space to get my head on straight.

  “Thank you,” I whispered.

  Lord didn’t push, and for that I was incredibly grateful.

  We lapsed into silence for the rest of the drive. When I pulled up in front of Dirty Dog, Elle looked at me for only a beat before saying, “Thanks again for the rescue. I’ll see you Tuesday.” She hopped out of the car and closed the door quietly.

  What the fuck?

  Thanks for the rescue and then she bolts?

  I pushed my door open and climbed out. This shit was not ending this way. I caught Elle right in front of the car, trapping her against the hood.

  “If this is you running again, you gotta know it’s just going to make me chase. Is that what you’re really after? The chase?”