by Debra Kayn
"Just a sec," said her sister.
She waited because there was nothing else she could do. The last thing she wanted was Ringtail running to Whip and telling him she'd called Angie and was asking questions.
"Okay, I'm in the kitchen. That's as far as the cord stretches," whispered Angie.
"Something is wrong. I should've realized this sooner, but I was caught up in...Whip."
"What is it?"
She rubbed her lips together. "Did you really lose the rental house? Is that why I couldn't stay there?"
"Ringtail told me not to pay the rent. You were supposed to."
"But, I didn't get a chance to pay." Her head pounded. "Whip told me the landlord's a jerk and wouldn't rent it to me because my name wasn't on the agreement."
"I don't know what you're trying to do, but I paid the rent for the month."
"I'm not trying to do anything." Her voice raised, and she ducked her head. "What I'm trying to say is Whip moved me into the clubhouse because I had nowhere else to go. It was supposed to be temporary, but ever since, he's stopped me from going out and looking for another place to rent."
"Why?"
"He claims Big will hurt me. But, he hates anyone from Cusclan. He thinks Big is after him, too. But if it's just Big after Whip, I can protect myself if he starts a stupid argument or whatever with me." She pressed her hand against her forehead, making a bigger mess out of trying to explain everything to Angie. "I feel like something else is making Whip keep me at the clubhouse."
She hadn't even told Angie about stealing Big's pistol or refusing to give it back. Big was weird about others touching his possessions. His anger probably had nothing to do with wanting her back anymore. She'd taken the pistol on a whim, trying to hurt him in return. But stubbornness kept her from giving the weapon back to him.
"If I tell you something, you haven't heard it from me. Okay?"
"Okay." She held her breath.
Deep down, she wanted Angie to confirm that nothing was going on. That Whip's decision to have her stay with him came about because he simply enjoyed being with her, and nothing else. But there were red flags after seeing the cabin burned.
Afterward, Whip had made love to her in such a way, it scared her. He was violent without hurting her. Distant without shutting her out. In fact, the way he'd acted, it was like he dragged her inside of him without telling her why and she could feel his pain.
The power coming from him overwhelmed her.
It was almost like he was afraid of losing her, yet proving that she belonged to him.
But without him talking to her, she could only guess what was going on. Talking with Brandy opened her mind to the possibility that she couldn't see the truth standing in front of her because she'd fallen in love with Whip.
"Whip's keeping you there, hoping Big shows up," whispered Angie.
She shook her head. That wasn't right. Whip wanted to protect her.
"Who told you that? Ringtail?" She stood and turned around, putting her back toward the door.
"No, I overheard him talking to someone else. A Tarkio member."
"He wants Big to come to the clubhouse?" She cupped the back of her neck. "Why?"
That made no sense. If the two clubs were enemies, Big wouldn't go by himself. It would be foolish.
Plus, he wouldn't seek out Whip. He'd want to talk to her.
"That's just what I heard. Ringtail has been running out at all hours since I moved in with him. I think they're hoping to get in a fight with the other MC." Angie paused. "They weren't doing that before you came around."
"I didn't come..." She closed her mouth.
It was no use arguing with Angie. Her sister would believe what she wanted to, and if it came to trusting her or Ringtail, she'd go with her boyfriend.
"I'm coming," yelled Angie. "I need to go. Big's taking me over to Promise and then to the clubhouse."
"Yeah. Okay." She swallowed. "Thanks for—"
The dial tone buzzed in her ear. Her sister had hung up on her.
She put the phone receiver back in the cradle and checked the time. Her ten-minute break was over. Washing her hands, she quickly dried off and went back to work.
On Friday nights, the restaurant stayed busy with mostly middle-aged and older customers coming in for a slice of pie, coffee, and conversation with friends. She worked the tables and booths while keeping an eye on Whip out in the parking lot.
The longer she had to think about what Angie told her, she started to believe there was truth to Whip using her in a game between Tarkio and Cusclan.
Big had never wanted her.
Whip was using her as a bargaining chip or to lure Big to the clubhouse.
Had she imagined Whip feeling closer to her? Had she wanted him so much, she convinced herself what they had between them was more than sex?
By the time her shift ended, she was fed up with both men and only wanted to crawl into bed and go to sleep.
Of course, she had to sleep at the clubhouse, which made her more irritated. She couldn't even get away from Whip and think things out with a level head because he was always around. But maybe that was his plan all along.
She carried her purse outside. Brandy called her name and hurried to catch up with her before she reached the car.
"Are you going out with your boyfriend?" Brandy looped her arm around Twyla's elbow.
"No." She kept walking.
Brandy leaned closer. "Aren't you going to talk to him?"
"No." She picked up her pace.
She wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone, including Brandy. A few years older than her coworker, Brandy's bubbly personality and zest for a social life rubbed her the wrong way tonight when usually she enjoyed the girl's enthusiasm for finding love.
"Are you fighting with him?" Brandy skipped ahead of her and arrived at Twyla's car first.
She sighed. "No, I'm tired."
"Bummer. We should go out sometime. You can bring your boyfriend." Brandy backed away. "Let's plan something."
"Okay, but later. I'm heading out." She yawned, needing to get out of there. "Night."
"Night."
She slipped into the driver's seat, glad to have time alone. Before she got to the clubhouse, she needed to figure out what to ask Whip. If he refused to give her a straight answer, her concerns were only going to get bigger.
Chapter 20
Whip
Twyla sat across from Whip at the table in the clubhouse, ignoring the plate of lasagna in front of her. He took another bite, starving after not eating for the last eight hours.
"What's wrong with the food?" He took another bite.
Used to prison food and grabbing anything brought to the clubhouse, he'd eat about anything before turning down a meal.
"I'm not hungry." She glanced across the room at her sister with Ringtail.
At least one of them was having fun. Angie danced with the other women, either oblivious that her boyfriend had slept with them all or not caring.
"Did you eat at work?" He put the last bite in his mouth and leaned back in the chair.
Twyla sat straighter, frowning. The thin lines between her brow deepened. He wondered if she'd had a bad day at work. Usually, she was more willing to talk and hang out with him before they hit the bed.
"Are you using me to get Big to show up, so you can kill him?" she blurted.
He picked up his beer and took a swig, putting the bottle down on the table in front of him. She'd never come straight out and asked him how he'd protect her if faced with Big.
Without any hesitation, he said, "If Big showed up, I would kill him."
Twyla's mouth and eyes opened wider before she narrowed her gaze and pursed her lips. He wouldn't lie to her. Keeping the truth from her was for her protection. He couldn’t have her going off half-cocked, pissed at him, and run into Big when she wasn't prepared to protect herself.
"You never told me."
"Because there's nothing for you to worry about. I've
got it handled," he added.
"Not worry? It's past that." She shoved her plate to the center of the table. "You're using me."
"We already had that discussion." He lifted his boot and put his ankle on his opposite knee. "You're here because I like you. I'm in your bed because I want you. I don't want to see you hurt. I'm not having sex with you because I think you owe me for staying here. I'm fucking you because I want you."
"You're using me," she repeated.
The hell of it was, she was right. He'd brought her here believing Cusclan would make a move, and Tarkio was in a better position on defending themselves with everyone around the clubhouse twenty-four/seven.
"There's bad blood between Tarkio and Cusclan." He glanced over at Priest, standing by the pool table, watching his MC brothers play a game. "They've never gotten along."
"Every time I've tried to go look for a place to rent, you've talked me out of it. I stayed because I believed you cared about me." Her throat muscles convulsed, and her chin tilted. "If I walked out right now and got in my car, would you make an effort to see me again?"
He leaned forward, feeling the tension come off her.
She raised her hand, stopping him from answering. "Don't answer that."
"You don't understand, sis."
She stood and planted her hands on the table, leaning closer to him. "Go to hell, Whip."
Twyla grabbed her purse off the floor and strode toward the front door. He rounded the table and caught her before she could go outside.
She slapped out at him. "Get away from me."
"We need to talk."
"There's nothing more to say. If you want Big or Cusclan or whoever, you can go after them yourself instead of taking the chickenshit way of using me. Leave me out of your stupid fight." She shook her head, thrusting her hand into her purse. "You're no better than Big."
"Now, listen here." He reached for her. "You need to calm down."
She pulled her hand out of her purse and pointed the pistol at him. He remained in front of her.
Tarkio members stood from each side of him, moving closer. He raised his fingers at his side, warning them all to stand back.
"Put the gun away," he said.
"I'm leaving."
"You're staying here." He looked in her eyes. "We'll talk."
"I'm leaving, for real. Don't try and stop me. You've already said enough, and it was mostly lies." Her hand shook, making her aim unsteady.
"Oh, my God, Twyla." Angie rushed to her side.
Ringtail grabbed Twyla's sister around her waist, holding her back. These two women were going to be the death of him.
"What are you doing with a gun?" said Angie.
"I'm going to leave, and if anyone stops me, I'll shoot them." She stepped back toward the door, swinging her gaze wildly around the room.
"Is this about what we talked about earlier?" Angie fought Ringtail's hold on her. "Don't be stupid. Put the gun down. You're going to kill someone."
Twyla laughed harshly, angrily. "Stupid was coming here and believing him. I'm not going to let anyone use me."
That insult was aimed at Whip. He caught Priest's gaze and lifted his chin. He had everything under control. All he needed to do was talk to Twyla.
Priest walked to him. Several of his MC brothers jumped to get between Priest and Twyla, protecting their president from getting shot.
"Let her go," said Priest.
Whip sucked hard on his teeth, growing frustrated more than angry. "Can't do that."
All he had to do was talk to her. She'd understand.
"We've got bigger problems than worrying about a woman pulling a weapon inside the clubhouse." Priest moved away from Whip.
Twyla took his distraction to open the door. Without turning around, she stepped outside and let the door close. He flinched.
He'd explained how much he wanted her with him. Hell, he'd shown her how much he wanted her. She seemed like a woman who could handle living at the clubhouse.
Angie groaned, pushing away from Ringtail, and almost fell in the process. Whip watched her run to the door, fling it open, and disappear with her sister.
The best thing for Twyla would be to run far away. Get away from Missoula. Get away from Big. Get away from him.
But, he knew her well enough to know she wouldn't leave her job. She'd stay in Missoula, and doing so, would get her hurt.
"Fuck," he mumbled, striding to the door.
Outside, he looked to his left, where she always parked her car, and found the spot empty. Striding over to his motorcycle, he had a good idea where she'd go. At least eventually.
If she couldn't find a room at one of the motels, she'd park off the interstate at the base of the mountain by the river. The woman was a survivor.
He wasn't worried about her taking care of herself.
He was worried about what other people could do to her.
"It's all your fault," yelled Angie.
Twyla's sister walked back from the sidewalk in front of the clubhouse, fit to be tied. Dysfunctional families weren't his specialty. He failed to understand why Angie couldn't get along with Twyla or why she suddenly stuck up for her.
"If you would've let her stay with you, none of this would be happening. Your sister would be home safe." He put on his helmet and threw his leg over the seat of his Harley.
"Don't tell me how to treat my sister." Angie planted her hands on her hips.
"Jesus." Ringtail grabbed Angie and pulled her away from Whip. "Knock it off before Whip brings the whole clubhouse down on you."
It was on the tip of his tongue to tell Ringtail to control his woman. But he couldn't even control Twyla.
He started his Harley and roared out of the parking lot. Missoula wasn't that big. He'd find Twyla.
He had to find her.
He just didn't know what he was going to do with her after he found her.
Chapter 21
Twyla
The match in Twyla's hand broke in half. She threw the matchbook on the pile of wood within the circle of river rocks. There was no reason to have a fire.
It was almost two o'clock in the morning.
She needed to sleep but couldn't force herself to go sit in her car. The surge of excess energy after her fight at the clubhouse with Whip left her antsy.
Enough time had passed since the last time she had to seek a motel room, she thought there would be a vacancy at one of them. At Motel 6, she'd concluded the manager had available rooms but refused to let her pay for one in the middle of the night.
Picking up the matchbook again, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Slow and steady.
She opened her eyes and ripped off a match. Her hand shook. Why had Whip lied? Out of everyone who could hurt her, why him?
With everything they'd shared, she assumed he'd be honest with her. Tears clouded her vision. Whip had made her want to take a chance on love, to trust what her heart was telling her. To believe that someone wanted her—faults and all.
The rumble of a motorcycle dried her tears. Hugging her middle, she stayed kneeled on the ground as the rider approached.
Deep down, she knew Whip would show up. He wasn't a man who would lose an argument.
She was done fighting.
Whatever excuse he had no longer mattered.
She'd said her peace.
A lone headlight in the distance hardened her resolve. Whip's lack of respect for her cut any ties to him. She'd wanted to stay with him because she was falling in love.
But, he'd never know that.
She looked away from the bright light. He certainly wasted no time. She'd only stopped driving around and parked ten minutes ago.
Rubbing her bare arms, she thought about running to the car and locking herself inside to avoid more of Whip's lies.
They weren't even good lies. They were lies that were told without any thought of what he was doing to her. That's what hurt.
She thought he cared about her. Truly cared.
He stopped the motorcycle close to her. She shielded her eyes, and he shut off the headlight, blinding her to the darkness.
"Whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear it," she said.
"I think you do."
She scrambled to her feet at the voice, knowing it wasn't Whip but Big. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to get what's mine."
The crunch of dried pinecones and needles under his boots sent a chill up her spine. She moved sideways toward her car.
"I'm not yours." She swallowed. "I never was, and you know that. You have lots of other women in your life. Go bother one of them."
He grabbed her arm. She swung out, trying to dislodge him and her knuckles scraped the chain that hung from his vest.
Pain radiated through her hand. She groaned, stopping her struggle.
"I don't want you, bitch." He pulled her to her tiptoes. "I want my pistol."
She recoiled with a snarl. One hit to her self-esteem after another today, she regretted running out of the Tarkio clubhouse without planning ahead. If she'd known Big would seek her out as soon as she was away from Whip, she would've left the stupid gun behind at the clubhouse. Big could go to Tarkio and ask for it back. That would make Whip happy, and Big would leave her alone.
Big's body stiffened, and his hand tightened on her arm. Only then had the roar of a motorcycle broke through her frustration.
"Are you expecting your new boyfriend?" asked Big.
She pressed her shoulders back and looked up in his face, barely making out the whites of his eyes. Through Whip's lies and manipulation, had he spoke the truth about Cusclan wanting to hurt her?
Big shook her, snapping her teeth together. She cried out, yelling for help, taking her chance that whoever was coming would side with her and not Big.
"You dumb bitch, where's my fucking pistol?" He threw her to the ground and marched to her car.
Her hands smarted, abrased by the rocks on the ground. She sobbed out in pain, scrambling to her feet and running toward Big. If he got ahold of the gun and the incoming rider was Whip, Big would use the pistol and shoot him.
