“How are you feeling?” A big, muscular man asks me.
“Ah…um…I’m alright.” I look up at him.
“I don’t bite, don’t worry.” He chuckles. “I’m Ant.”
“Nancy.” I half smile at him. I’m not scared of men, but this guy is freaking huge, I feel like a munchkin next to him.
“I know. You heading to Viv’s? I’ll walk you there.” He places his hand between my shoulder blades and walks alongside with me.
“I’m alright, really. I can walk there on my own.” I try to reason with him, but if his expression is anything to go by, then I’m going to have an escort for a potentially two minute walk.
“I know you can walk on your own, but considering the state we found you in last night, it’s better to be safe than sorry and make sure you make the hundred yards that separates the two buildings in one piece.” He looks at me intently and I just nod in agreement. What the hell am I supposed to say to that? “Remember anything from last night?”
“No, not really. It’s all fuzzy.” I sigh.
“Do you think last night’s asshole spiked your drink?”
“Most likely. All I know is that my ass is sore.” I frown.
“Did he hit you?” He stops next to me and I turn around to look at him.
“I think so, I have rows of small bloodied holes on my ass.” I make a disgusted face.
“Motherfucker.” He mumbles under his breath and starts walking again. “Remember where he lives?”
“Not really. I don’t think I was running that long though so it must be near Bourbon Street. Wish I had grabbed my bag on my way out, I’d have been able to ask John.”
“Who’s John?”
“The guy who drives us to various houses when we have make home visits.”
“Home visits? What the fuck?”
“Uh…”
“You better speak up,” he tells me as we walk into the bar. Upon seeing my discomfort, Viv immediately rushes over to us.
“Stop scaring Nancy, Ant.” She chastises him as she wraps an arm around my shoulders and leads me over to a booth by the bar where Gabe and another guy, whose name I can’t remember, are sitting.
“I was just trying to get her to talk about what happened, that’s it,” Ant calls from behind us.
“Don’t you dare take that tone with me.” Viv warns as she turns around to glare at Ant. The scene in front of me is hilarious and I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips. Both sets of eyes quickly turn to me with Viv smirking at me and Ant glaring.
“What? You gotta admit this is hilarious. A big, badass biker getting his ass handed to him by a tiny woman.” I try to stop the smirk from spreading over my lips but I can’t.
“Fuck me drunk, not another one. I’m out of here. Fill me in later. We’ll take care of that asshole that hurt you last night.” He groans and swaggers out of the bar.
“Well, he’s a bit intense,” I say, sobering up as I scoot into the seat of the booth.
“You don’t say.” Gabe chuckles.
“I’m Aleck by the way.” The other guy introduces himself. He seems as friendly as the others and there’s an uncanny resemblance between him and Gabe.
“Are you two brothers?” I look between them, trying to spot the differences between them and struggling.
“Yes, and Nicole is our sister.” Gabe smiles proudly.
“Ah, I feel for the poor girl.” I shake my head whilst snickering.
“Oh fuck, she’s like our women alright. Didn’t take long for you lot to rub off on her,” Aleck says to Viv and I can hear the desperation in his tone.
“What do you mean?” I ask him confused.
“You’ll soon find out that none of us have any modicum of control over our women.” Aleck shrugs.
“Just how it’s supposed to be,” Viv and I say in unison.
“Fuck! That shit’s scary” Gabe exclaims.
“Here you go, Nance.” Viv sets a mug of coffee in front of me and a plate with scrambled eggs, bacon and toast in front of me.
“You didn’t have to.”
“I promised you coffee and breakfast in my note. I always keep my promises.” She grins, looking proud of herself. “Feeling any better?”
“Yes, thank you.” I smile and take a bite of the eggs, trying not to moan in delight. “My memory isstill blurry about last night, my ass is still sore and I’m worried that they might be after me.” I sigh but keep eating. I didn’t realize just how hungry I was and the food is amazing.
“Who could be after you?” Gabe asks.
“The people who kidnapped me and kept me captive all these years,” I state after swallowing a mouthful of food.
“Any names?”
“No. It’s not like we were on a first name basis.” I frown, faking being annoyed but in reality, I know damn well who’s behind it all.
“How long have you been kept there?” Gabe asks and looks at me with such intensity that I feel like I’m pinned to my seat.
“Don’t scare her, Love.” Viv pats his shoulder, snapping him out of his stare and coming to my rescue.
“I didn’t mean to scare her, just trying to figure shit out.” He winks at Viv.
“Since the day I was taken.” I blurt out.
“Fuck.” All three of them say together.
“Where’s Bennett?” I question after finishing the eggs.
“Away. He needed some time to cool off,” Gabe says eyeing me up.
“I need to see him.”
“Why?” Gabe asks, sounding a little bit protective. No doubt he’s looking after his friend’s best interests.
“Because I need to talk to him. I haven’t seen him in five years and things were left unfinished. I wanted to talk to him last night but he left. I was too shocked to say anything to him after running into him. I still can’t believe that all of you just happened to be looking for me on the same night that I escaped. He was my happy, he’s the reason I’m still alive today and didn’t blow my brains out. He’s what’s kept me going for so long. I don’t know what he’s been through for the past five years, if he looked for me, if he was worried about me or if he thought of me, but I was worried of how he’d react to me disappearing and thought of him, every damn day. So please, where is Bennett?” I internally congratulate myself for managing to get it all out whilst keeping my voice calm and levelled. I keep eye contact with Gabe and I see something in him shift.
“I’ll drive you there.” Is all he says.
“Thank you,” I voice before attacking the bacon on my plate.
“Looks like you got your ass handed to you by a teenie weenie one,” Aleck whispers dramatically, making Viv and I laugh.
“Sorry about that. I just feel very strongly where Bennett is concerned, always have and always will. I let my parents get in the way once, I’m not about to let you do the same.” I shrug as I pop the last piece of bacon in my mouth.
“I see that.” Gabe smirks.
“Ready when you are.” I smile and drink my coffee. “This is heaven. Thank you so much Viv.” I moan and take another delightful sip.
“Come here whenever you want and I’ll hook you up. Tomorrow is Pancake Day so be here early or these pigs will eat them all.” She winks at me whilst pointing at Gabe and Aleck before leaning over and hugging me. I return the hug and feel a sense of calm wash over me. It feels so good to have a friend, I’m not used to this.
“Don’t tempt me.” I smile and slip out of the booth. Gabe follows suit and walks over to Viv before kissing her the way any man should kiss a woman, with passion and desire. Just watching them leaves me all hot and bothered and desperate for someone to kiss me like that.
“All good?” Gabe asks me with a grin on his face.
“Don’t be an ass.” I grumble and march over to the door with him.
“He’s always an ass, but a loveable one,” Viv shouts behind us, making the both of us laugh.
“Don’t pay too much attention to her, I’m a nic
e guy, really.” Gabe chuckles and opens the bar door for me.
“So far I have to say that Viv’s assessment seems spot on.” I taunt as I walk past him.
“Do you want me to take you to Bennett or not?” He raises an eyebrow at me and crosses his arms over his chest after following me outside.
“Do you want me to be a pain in the ass and annoy you until we get to Bennett? I’m not scared of your idle threats.” I mimic his posture and facial expression.
“Touché.” He shakes his head and walks me back to the compound and towards a shiny black pickup truck.
“Nice ride.” I smile and round the car to the passenger’s side.
“Thanks, if I bring you on my bike then Bennett is going to go bat shit crazy so I’m playing it safe.” He chuckles and unlocks the door.
“What happened to bikers being brave?” I ask, trying to keep a serious face.
“If you don’t want to walk all the way to Bennett then I’d suggest you shut that smart ass mouth of yours.” He glares at me but there’s humor in his voice and eyes.
“I’m not scared of you, Gabe. You might act all tough but you’re a sweetheart deep down, just like Bennett.” I smile at him.
“Damn women.” He grumbles and starts the truck.
“You love us really.” I put my seatbelt on and relax, well try to, my ass is still very sore.
“Depends on the time of the day. You gonna open up to me about what happened to you?”
“I don’t know if I can open up, I’m not a birthday present.” I joke.
“Oh God help me.” He shakes his head but laughs to himself. “What did I get myself into when I offered to take you to him?”
“A nice long drive of puns and dirty jokes, it’ll be a fun.” I grin.
“Well that’s debatable.”
“Oi! Be nice!”
“I’m always nice.” He grins innocently but he’s not fooling me.
“Yeah, right.” I scoff.
“So?”
I sigh. “I’d rather tell Bennett first.”
“Why?” He quickly glances at me before returning his focus to the road.
“We’re talking about Bennett here, I know I haven’t seen him for five years but I highly doubt he’s changed that much. He won’t like it if I open up to someone else before him.” I shrug.
“That’s true. I just hope you’ll tell him everything and that it helps you.”
“I’m alright, really. My plan worked.”
“What plan?” He asks, sounding confused.
“I was forced to live in hell for the past five years. I had to get out one way or another, dead or alive, I had to. I couldn’t face another day. My plan was to make a run for it tonight the first chance I got and I did. I’m sure it’ll backfire on me at some point, but I’d rather go down with a fight.”
“Brave woman,” he whispers but sounds far away as if he is deep in his thoughts.
“Not really, just a pissed off woman who was robbed of five years of her life, five years she could and should’ve spent with her boyfriend,” I say sadly, looking out the window.
“That’s what I said, brave woman. Not a lot of women could endure what I can only guess you’ve been through and still come out with a positive attitude.”
“I quickly learnt that if I didn’t go through the motions and did as I was told then I’d be as good as dead. I’m not saying I enjoyed my time there because I didn’t, it was hell but a part of me knew I was going to make it out of there. And I did. It brought me back to Bennett. That’s how I managed to keep my sanity and stay positive.” There’s a silence between us and I glance over to Gabe to see that he has a serene smile on his face. I don’t know what he’s thinking about, but I’m guessing my words have reassured him that I willingly won’t hurt Bennett.
I turn on the radio so we have some background noise because I’m struggling to handle the silence. That’s the one thing I can’t stand, silence. It reminds me of the quietness in the brothel when there were no clients and we were just left with our thoughts. We weren’t allowed to make any noise, the only sounds that were allowed were the moans and grunts from the clients, but there were always a couple of hours where there was no sound at all and it was torture.
I look outside the window and enjoy the passing scenery. I’m not too sure where we are exactly, but it looks beautiful.
“Where are you from?” Gabe asks, breaking our silence.
“Pinehurst, Texas. Just by the border.”
“Ah, right. I didn’t know Bennett lived there.”
“Yeah for eight months that I know of at least. I don’t know how long he stayed there after I disappeared.”
“He joined us five years or so ago. I know that he was arrested and interrogated about your disappearance because your parents accused him of kidnapping you.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? For fuck’s sake!”
“I take it you don’t get along with your parents?”
“Never did. They were always incredibly overprotective and judgmental. Bennett and I had to hide our relationship. We never hung out during the day; we stuck strictly to night time dates that were away from prying eyes. Eventually my parents found out about us and made me break up with him, they threatened me and his family. Instead of listening to my parents, we made plans to run away after graduation but it never happened,” I admit as a single tear runs down my face.
“I’m sorry.” He rubs my knee, not in a creepy way, but in an attempt to comfort me.
“It’s alright, I’m fine. Who knows what would’ve happened if I hadn’t have been kidnapped? Maybe Bennett and I would have split up and I’d be married to a boring asshole lawyer with two kids. The American family dream.” I chuckle humorlessly.
“Somehow I doubt Bennett would have let you go.”
“Me too.” I smile softly.
“We’re almost there. You’ll see him very soon.” He winks at me as he takes turns onto a dirt track road.
“Uh, where are we going?” I look at him, suddenly feeling nervous.
“Don’t worry, he’s staying at Callum’s cabin in the woods. It’s not a trick or anything, I promise.” He smiles reassuringly at me and I believe him.
“Good.” I sigh in relief as I start to see a couple of cabins.
“Now to remember which one is actually Callum’s.” He makes a face which has both of us in a fit of giggles.
Not more than ten minutes later, we park in front of a cabin next to a bike. I climb out of the truck carefully, not that I’m a klutz, but the thing is massive and I’m quite short. I’m sure to fall on my ass if I try and jump down. I close the door behind me and feel someone looking at me. Turning around, I see Bennett at the top of the few steps that lead up to the porch. He looks breathtaking as he looks down at me whilst wearing ripped black jeans, biker boots and nothing else.
“Nancy.” He smirks looking at me just like he did the first time he caught me eye fucking him.
“Bennett.” I mimic his smirk.
“I’m gonna leave you two to it, this is fucking awkward. Gimme a call when you want me to come pick you up,” I hear Gabe holler from behind me.
“Fuck that, she’ll be on the back of my bike.” Bennett tells him whilst keeping his eyes locked on mine.
“Pussy whipped,” I hear Gabe mutter as he climbs back into his truck before driving away.
I keep my eyes fixed on Bennett as I take one step towards him. He takes a step down the stairs at the same time as me and in just a couple of steps, we’re in each other’s arms, holding on for dear life. He immediately picks me up and pulls my body flush against his as I wrap my legs around his waist.
“I fucking missed you.” A strangled cry emanates from him and I completely lose it. The tears I’ve been holding back finally flow freely.
“I fucking missed you too.” I bury my face in his neck and let my tears fall without shame. I’m not crying because I’m sad but because I’m happy to be finally reunited with hi
m. I finally have Bennett back in my life and I never want to let him go.
CHAPTER 11
Bennett
Coming to Callum’s cabin was supposed to help clear my mind and relax but it has had the complete opposite effect. My thoughts have been consumed by Nancy: what could have happened to her; what she’s been through; how she’s been feeling; did she think about me; did she miss me? I need answers and being in this cabin isn’t going to get me any. But I don’t know how we’ll react to each other when we’re in the same place again, more importantly how I’ll react. I don’t think I’ll be able to keep my hands off of her and it wouldn’t be a good thing after having her back in my life so soon. I don’t want her to get the wrong impression of me.
I have a sick desire to know every single thing that happened to her and who did it to her. Whoever it is, they’ll pay for what they’ve done to her and they most certainly won’t be breathing by the time I’m done with them. I don’t care about the consequences, as long as I get to put the fucker who took her six feet under.
I toss my beer bottle in the trash just as I hear a car come to a stop in front of the cabin. I’m guessing it’s Callum coming to check up on me, but as I hear two car doors open and close instead of one, I’m intrigued. I walk out of the front door and am shocked by what, rather who, I see, Gabe and Nancy. I know he’s probably brought her here so we can talk, but seeing her with another man is driving me fucking mad. I have to keep it together, which isn’t the easiest thing to do. I see her gaze travel up my body, taking in my boots, jeans and tattoos. I had a couple when I first met her, but now I’m covered. She seems to like what she sees because her face transforms into a beautiful smile.
Forgiving Nancy (Last Hangman MC Series Book 5) Page 8
