Biting Back: A Motorcycle Club, Shifter, Romance (Shifting Steel Book 1)

by Stephanie West

  Iris just shook her head in denial. They didn’t need to know all the fucked up ways Hank had abused her.

  “Either you tell me or I’m gonna be forced to strip you to find out for myself.” Cain replied with hard eyes.

  Iris couldn’t help herself as she scrambled back towards the corner of the bed. Feeling cornered and out of control is an awful feeling. Cain shook his head and released an exacerbated sigh.

  Cain

  He’d seen enough caged animals to know the look in Iris’ eyes. Cain had a terrible feeling that there was a lot more to her injuries than what he could see. Her clothes were dirty but not just from dirt. He could smell and see that a lot of it was old blood. There were cuts and tears exposing her raw and damaged skin.

  “MD give us a minute.” Cain asked and MD left the room as he sat down on the bed and started slowly. “Sweetheart, I meant it when I said I don’t like people abusing women. I know it doesn’t mean much since you don’t know me. I know you’ve seen some of the crazy shit I’m capable of, but all I can give you is my word that you���re safe here. Please let me try to help.” Cain coaxed.

  Iris stayed silent, biting her lip and eyeing him nervously. Cain wished she���d say something to him, anything. Maybe something spirited like what she���d said downstairs to Samantha, but she was clearly too frightened. Iris had every right to be afraid of him. She’d witnessed him kill that thug, drag off the cop, and then he basically abducted her.

  But until Cain had a good bead on what was going on Iris would be their guest. That meant she was under his protection. Right now she needed some serious attention and he planned on seeing that she got it.

  Cain reached down and slowly took hold of her shoes and unlaced them one at a time. Iris sat stunned shaking liking a leaf in the breeze. He hated the pungent smell of her fear and the way she trembled violently. But what angered him more was how she didn’t put up a fight. His beast wanted to snarl. Something about the frightened woman made him want to take her in his arms and hold the world at bay.

  Iris’ sneakers were obviously too small on her, she had some nasty blisters, along with a scar barely healed on her sole.

  Cain moved closer and Iris didn’t flinch, she just took uncertain panicked little breaths, her wide green eyes staring at him.

  He slowly inched the zipper of her hoodie down, down, down. Cain suddenly realized she wore nothing underneath. He was shocked since it had been so cold out.

  “Fucking Hank!” He nearly snarled.

  “I had to use my t-shirt as a bandage” Iris whispered.

  It killed him to see her chin quiver at the pathetic admission. She shouldn’t have had to take care of herself with such a sacrifice.

  Iris automatically crossed her arms across her full breasts, but gently Cain unfolded them to open the two sides of the sweatshirt. She hung her head in embarrassment while he looked her over.

  Surprisingly it wasn���t Iris��� breasts that caught Cain���s attention, probably a first for him. There were bruises new and old, ranging from bright red and purple to sickly yellow that covered her ribs, chest and stomach. There were so many cuts criss-crossing her skin Cain’s beast nearly burst forth on a snarl.

  Iris’ injuries trailed down beneath her sweat pants. Some going around to her back. Cain peeled the sweatshirt off the rest of the way. Her arms were basically the same, mottled with bruises and cuts. He shifted to look at her abused back.

  Cain took a deep breath. He was having a real hard time containing the growls that wanted to break free. Cain’s gums were itching, which always happened when his fangs started to descend. Holding back his rage was becoming near to impossible with the more he saw.

  “When I fucking find Hank he’s going to die slowly, painfully.” Cain raged silently.

  No woman, not even the worst bitch deserved this. He was pretty sure he saw a fading bruised outline of a boot on Iris’ back. No doubt the fucker had broken or cracked a few of Iris’s ribs. Thankfully most of the bruising and cuts looked like they were healing or would heal. Cain had seen men cry like babies that were less beat down than Iris was. Even though keeping Iris posed a problem, Cain was beyond glad he’d taken her away from Hank.

  She tensed up considerably as Cain reached for her pants. It struck him hard how Iris’ scent morphed from fear, into sadness and humiliation. It all made him want to punch the fucking wall. Iris let Cain ease her ragged sweatpants off and out from under her hips, exposing her torn panties.

  Cain moved slowly. He had no clue what Iris might have suffered that left no visible scars. The thought sickened him. The tattered pants didn’t easily slide past her thighs.

  Iris flinched as he continued. It was then Cain smelled fresh blood. As he looked down he could see a series of nasty cuts along the top of her thigh. A few looked inflamed but not infected, parts of them deeper than the rest.

  ���The son of a bitch!��� Cain closed his eyes attempting to reign in his rage, biting his cheek to suppress the feral sound that threatened to bubble up from his chest.

  When he finally looked back up at Iris she said matter of factually, almost with a nervous laugh. “I earned that when I couldn’t tell him the lottery numbers.”

  “Fuck” Cain snarled unable to repress himself.

  Iris cringed but didn’t shrink back. His beast was pushing at his restraint, begging to be let loose. Cain got up and ran a hand through his hair as he forced his animal nature to recede. It wasn’t an easy thing, since he hadn’t let it out to play enough lately. That along with the way Iris seemed to call to him made it all the more difficult to maintain his composure.

  “Can you take a shower alright?” Cain asked. The last thing he needed was for her to take a header in the tub.

  Iris nodded, so Cain went into his bathroom adjusted the water, and found a fresh towel.

  “I’ll find you some clean clothes. Then we’ll bandage you up when you’re done.”

  The moment she shut the door, Cain left the room before he snapped and morphed into the animal that was tearing at his insides. Cain stepped out into the hall to find MD waiting against the opposite wall.

  “Is everything okay.” MD asked in concern. The man had only seen a fraction of Iris’ injuries.

  “No it’s not okay. You have no fucking idea what that bastard did.” Cain bit out on a vicious snarl.

  MD looked startled at the intensity of his rage. He and his brothers had seen a lot of fucked up shit, so MD knew Iris’ injuries had to be pretty serious to make Cain so enraged.

  “I’m going to need a lot of bandages, something to bind her ribs, antiseptic, and a few tubes of that liquid suture.” MD’s eyes widened. “Tell me when the shower stops, but no one goes in there unless you hear something.” Cain commanded before stalking off. He didn’t want anyone frightening the already traumatized woman.

  Cain’s hands were fisted to keep from punching a wall, his claws biting into his palms, blood dripping to the floor. He needed to burn off some steam before he lashed out at one of his brothers. The halls cleared as he passed, the guys giving him a wide berth.

  Iris

  Iris stared in the mirror as she stood in just her ragged panties hugging her stomach. She had lost a lot of the pudge she had around her midriff over the last several weeks. Her hair was a ratty mess and her skin was a sickly patchwork of purple, green and yellow.

  Iris looked into the green eyes that reflected back at her. They looked hollow. Iris didn’t even bother to wipe the tears away from the face she saw shedding them. This wasn’t her, this was some distant person she saw mimicking her movements in the glass. Iris turned away from the mirror. It was futile to look at herself. The person in the mirror was broken, she was not, she refused to be that damaged thing.

  Iris stepped into the shower and cringed a bit as the water stung when it hit her numerous cuts and abrasions. Cain had a shampoo conditioner mix sitting on the shower ledge so she lathered a generous amount into her r
agged mop. She hoped he didn’t mind her borrowing his brush as she started working the never ending tangles out of her hair. It was slow going with her bum finger but eventually she got it straightened and smoothed out.

  Iris washed her skin over and over trying to rid herself of the filth that clung to her. Logically she knew she was clean, but she still felt the taint of Hank’s touch.

  Finally Iris turned off the water since the hot steam was starting to make her feel faint. Iris peeked out and sighed in relief as she noticed she was still alone in the bathroom. She’d expected Cain or one of the other men to break in at any moment, even though the door was locked. Iris put on the large sweatshirt and boxers he���d left her on the counter. Cain said he was looking for some clothes but these would do for now, even though they hung on her body.

  Iris stood for a minute trying to summon the courage to open the bathroom door. She had no idea what would be waiting for her on the other side. What did these scary bikers have in store for her? Considering what she’d seen it couldn’t be good.

  It didn���t make sense that Cain would fix her up and allow her to bathe only to rape, abuse and murder her. Could she trust what he���d told her? That she was safe here. Then again who���d want to touch the ghastly woman she���d seen reflected in the mirror. A knock on the door made Iris nearly jumped out of her skin.

  “Iris?” She heard Cain’s deep voice rumble through the door.

  “Yes.” Iris stumbled over the word before it squeaked out.

  “Are you doing okay?” He asked.

  Iris nodded then realized he couldn’t hear the gesture. She hesitantly reached over and unlocked the door with shaky fingers.

  Cain opened the door slowly. Iris was still amazed at how massive he was as he loomed in the doorway. Iris was relieved he didn’t just barge in. He looked calmer, and she responded in kind. Cain held a variety of things.

  “I was worried you’d passed out in here.” He said as he reached out slowly and grabbed a lock of her hair. “I’m glad you” He started to comment on how her hair looked better but then stopped.

  “I know I was a mess, still am.” Iris looked down at herself.

  “I was going to see if you’d prefer my sister’s help but Penny had to go relieve her babysitter.” Cain apologized as he looked her over.

  Iris studied his eyes. He looked truly conflicted as he held the bandages. She appreciated his consideration. It was obvious he understood how frightening it was for her to be surrounded by big men after what she’d been through.

  “If you sit here I’ll get you patched up.” Cain gestured to the edge of his bed.

  Iris sat and watched as Cain methodically worked on one injury then another. His touch was shockingly gentle, a complete antithesis to the frightening large man. The fact that such massive hands could handle her so delicately did more to soothe her than any of the bandages he applied.

  “If we bind your ribs it will help. I’m sorry there’s not much more we can do for them.”

  She nodded and he gingerly reached out and raised the overly large sweatshirt he’d loaned her. Iris was surprised when he didn’t just bare her breasts to his view allowing her an ounce of modesty. Iris winced as the bandage tightened.

  “Fuck I’m sorry.” Cain apologized again. Iris couldn’t help but smile.

  “It’s okay.” Iris placed her hand on his as it hovered with the bandage. He looked hesitant to continue. “I���ve hurt worse. Thank you for this.”

  “Iris I know you probably don’t believe me, but under no circumstances would I ever condone this.��� Cain gestured to her. ���I want you to know that that man will never have the chance to do this to you again.” Cain said as he looked at her with those deep blue gray eyes. They didn’t look nearly as cold and frightening as they had in the warehouse, but she could see the deadly intent simmering in them. “I won’t lie to you and tell you I’m an angel. I do what I have to, to take care of my own.”

  Iris knew Cain was telling her Hank would pay for what he���d done, not just to the Reapers but to her.

  Iris sat thinking about what Cain said as he finished bandaging her. The way he said he took care of his own and the promise to deal with Hank had her conflicted. On one hand she was deeply concerned that Cain thought he somehow owned her now that he held her here. Yet on the other hand the idea of being safe after so long was deeply comforting. She wanted to reach out and grip hold of that feeling as if it might slip away in an instant.

  “You will sleep here.” Cain pointed to his bed. Iris looked at it nervously.

  “Where would he be sleeping?” Iris wondered nervously.

  “I brought you some pain meds. We have something stronger but I had a feeling you wouldn’t take them.” Cain held out the bottle.

  Iris nodded as she took the ibuprofen. He was right, she wouldn’t take narcotics, not when she was so unsure of her surroundings.

  “Goodnight.” Cain nodded to her.

  Iris was surprised again as Cain got up and left. She waited for a while but he didn’t come back in, so she crawled between the clean sheets.

  5 New Beginnings

  Iris

  Glorious soft snugly warmth. Iris moaned as she burrowed into the covers. She resisted opening her eyes hoping this wasn’t just a wonderful dream. Iris pulled the blanket up and rolled back and forth. She had been certain she’d lie awake all night but the private long hot shower, a couple ibuprofen and the oh so wonderful bed seduced her into the deepest most peaceful sleep she’d had in weeks. Iris felt like a new woman.

  “I really hope Cain isn’t setting me up for a hard fall.” She mused as she laid there.

  It was foolish of her to lower her guard, but she couldn’t help it. The beast of a man was a conundrum. He’d been so gentle last night. Even when the air about him had sizzled with restrained violence he hadn’t lashed out at her.

  Iris recalled the look on Cain’s face when he saw the worst of her injuries, it would’ve sent the bravest man screaming. She hadn’t felt threatened. He was angry for her, not at her.

  Even if Cain was the volatile type what could she do? Iris knew it was pathetic but a part of her had resigned herself to the fact that he’d do whatever he was going to do and she was too weak to prevent it. She’d never been a defeatist, but she’d learned in the last few weeks just what being at another’s mercy meant.

  Iris had repeated the Serenity Prayer many times in her life. It never seemed more appropriate in life than it did now as she asked for the serenity to accept what she couldn’t change and the courage to change the things within her power.

  The sun streaming in through the window played across her eyelids. How long had it been since she’d seen the light of day? Hank’s fucking basement had no windows and he only took her out at night. Iris cracked her eyes open, rose up and moved to the window.

  She stopped in shock as she noticed the giant slumbering in a chair, Cain, his feet propped on the foot of the bed. She hadn���t heard him enter. Iris wasn’t sure what she should think about him there. He���d had more than ample opportunity to force himself on her if that was his intent. Was he guarding her in case she thought to escape? Probably.

  Iris wanted to believe that Cain was a decent guy. The way he’d treated her last night and the things he’d said hinted at that. But she was having a hard time reconciling the conflicting parts of the man. Cain was dangerous. He wasn’t all man and he was the leader of a motorcycle gang that ran violent fights and god only knows what else.

  Despite that he drew her. Cain was drop dead handsome, and radiated alpha male. Iris studied the sleeping man. His strong stubbled jaw and firm lips made her want to reach out and stroke his face. What was her infatuation with bad boys?

  Why was she trying so hard to convince herself he was a knight in tarnished armor? Maybe it was because Cain had rescued her from the devil himself and hadn���t laid a single finger on her in malice, when he could’ve easily
solved his problem and ridden himself of her.

  “That means something surely.”

  Something told her to give him a chance. Was she letting her hormones influence her?

  “No.” It was something deeper.

  How many times did she need to be convinced to trust her own instincts? Despite her sixth sense it was still hard for her to trust.

  Iris shook her head. She felt stuck in a repeating loop. Iris turned back towards the window.

  The sky was so bright and the birds outside twittered giddy in the new morn. Iris passed her hands through the warm rays spilling in. In spite of the very real danger that surrounded Iris, she just couldn’t muster the energy to worry about her situation as she stared out the window at the trees beyond the clubhouse compound. Everything was so alive, so beautiful.

  “New beginnings.” The encouraging message permeated her mind.

  ���Okay I hear you.��� Iris thought with a smile.

  Cain

  Iris stood at the window tracing lazy circles on the glass with a small smile on her face. The light filtered in around her hair giving her a halo. All cleaned up, she looked even more stunning than she had before. Sensing Cain’s gaze Iris turned towards him. She looked so much like a wounded angel, he wanted to fall to his knees and worship at her feet.

  “I volunteer at Mercy Hospital. I don’t really do much there, just sit with the sick and dying, reading or talking to them. Usually it’s people that don’t have anyone to visit with them.” Iris explained.

  Cain considered the small female. Iris was soft hearted, caring for those who had no one else. Few people would be willing to give up their time to do something like that. That didn’t surprise him. He’d seen the way she cringed at the fights. Iris was the kind of person that gave of herself, in a world filled with people who liked to take and use others as if it was their birthright.

  “I guess I feel like it’s my purpose.” She continued. “To help people understand there’s something more and to be less afraid of what comes after this life.”