“For fuck’s sake, Ella! How many more times?” Of course the owner of the bar has to be in tonight, doesn’t he? He continues to shout, “Get this mess cleaned up and then go behind the fuckin’ bar. If you can’t pull yourself together and serve customers properly, you’re fired.”
As I crouch down to sweep up the fragments of glass and then mop up the liquid, lewd comments fly at me from the already drunk men. I try to ignore them, concentrating on doing the job that I hate. Though I’ve been trying to find different work for weeks, there’s nothing else out there. If I lose my position at the bar, I won’t be able to afford to live.
“Nice rack there, babe.” I’m bent over with a dustpan and brush and can do nothing about the amount of cleavage on display. My cheeks redden and my hands start shaking.
“Nice ass too. You gonna give me a lap dance?” Please shut up.
“What time d’ya get off, sweetheart? Wanna party with us?” I can’t even respond. My vision feels blurry, I’m finding it hard to breathe. Don’t let me pass out. But I can’t help it, my legs start trembling…
“Back off. She’s under our protection.” I hear a deep voice full of menace speaking from behind me. Twisting around, I see Road, his face full of concern as he reaches out his hand and helps me to my feet. “Reckon it’s time for your break, darlin’.”
Throwing a pointed look toward my boss, I dismiss his suggestion. “I’ve got to clean this up, Road. I’ll be fired if I don’t. It was my fault I dropped the glasses…”
“It wasn’t your fault. It was the fuckers at this table. And now they’re gonna clean up the mess that they caused.”
The men laugh loudly as if he’s made a joke. Road flexes his impressive muscles and reaches out to grab the collar of the nearest man, coincidentally the one who’d first groped me. Pulling him out of his seat and easily forcing him to his knees, he indicates the floor. “I said, you’re gonna clean up this shit. Understand?”
The man’s shirt is bunched round his neck and as his eyes rise to meet Road’s, the prospect prompts, “Well? We gonna have a problem? Or are you gonna get busy?” He pulls the dustpan out of my hands and throws it down in front of the man kneeling on the ground.
The other men sit stunned. Compared to Road they’re scrawny. It takes a few seconds, but then there’s a collective nod. As Road releases him, the man picks up the brush and starts sweeping.
“What the fuck’s going on?” The bar owner has had his eyes on me the whole time and now comes over. He looks angry as hell.
“Road, my job…”
His eyes softening as they meet mine, the prospect gives me a little nudge, “Just go take your break, honey. You can leave him to me.”
I don’t need much encouragement. While the table of men have quieted and most of them are watching their friend at work, one is openly staring and almost raping me with his eyes with an expression there I’ve seen before. It promises retribution, and of the kind I wouldn’t enjoy.
With Road having my back, making myself scarce suddenly seems a very good idea. Feeling decidedly woozy, I make my way out back, sitting at the table in the breakroom and putting my head in my hands. This isn’t how I used to be. Men such as them never used to faze me. I’d normally have a good comeback when men came onto me. I wouldn’t have survived in this job for long if I hadn’t. But since going into the Rock Demons’ clubhouse, all that has changed, and now my reaction is to panic instead of being able to brush off their approaches. I’d found out what happened when you stood up to a man.
Whatever Road says, after tonight it’s probably a certainty I’ll no longer even have this job. A tear escapes and I wipe it away, angry at the fuckup I’ve become. That one night was all that was needed to take my self-confidence away. I’m as much of a mess as the drinks that I’d spilled.
Deep in my self-recrimination, the vibration in my pocket takes a second to register. Shit, it’s my phone. Taking it out I see it’s Slick calling, and my now still hands start to shake once again. He knows I’m at work. He wouldn’t be ringing now, unless… Could this be it?
“Hi.” My greeting sounds tremulous.
Then I’m on my feet as he tells me without any preamble. “We’ve got Jayden. We’re takin’ her to the clubhouse.”
“You’ve got her?” That’s fantastic. Then his second statement sinks in. “Why there? Slick, just take her home and I’ll meet you. Or bring her to my place, that’s the best idea. You can’t take her to your club.” Not with bikers. Hasn’t she been through enough?
“Babe, look, she’s in a bad way. Don’t think she’s hurt, but she’s drunk and possibly drugged. We’re getting Doc to come in and take a look at her.”
No! Oh, Jayden! What’s happened to you? But whatever it is, “Slick, I can look after her. I’ll make sure she’s alright. Bring her to me.”
“El, you’re going to be looking after her, but back at the club. You’re not gonna win this, so don’t even try arguing. There’s a very good reason why she can’t go home. I know this is hard for you, darlin’, but you want to keep her safe, don’t you?”
I bite my lip. The thought of being surrounded by bikers chills me, especially after tonight when I couldn’t even cope with one table of men. How could I even consider it? But Jayden’s going to be there. I can’t leave her alone. Not in a place like that!
I breathe deeply, unable to think of any alternative. He’s basically kidnapped her and is holding it over my head. I need to be with her. After a moment I tell him, “Okay, but just for tonight.” I’ll bring her home in the morning. Then the practicalities hit. “But Slick, I’ve got no transportation.”
“Can you get Tilly’s car?”
I very much doubt she’d deign to give me the time of day right now. “I don’t think so.”
There’s a pause, then, “Fuck, I don’t want to do this, but okay, give me a moment.”
He ends the call and I’m left staring at the phone wondering what’s going on, the overriding desire to get to my sister as soon as I possibly can taking hold.
It’s only minutes later that the door to the breakroom bursts open and Road’s standing there. “Come, hon. Slick wants me to give you a ride to the clubhouse.”
He means on his bike. I’ve only ridden with Slick, and only the one time. I’m nervous about being behind someone else, having to hold onto another man. “I’ve not ridden much,” I tell him, explaining my reluctance. “I can get a taxi.” But I can’t afford it…
“Sweetheart, the quickest way is to come with me. You’ll be perfectly safe. I ride in competition. You can trust me.” He looks at me earnestly. “Your sister needs you.”
Those four words are the right ones to get me moving. Without delaying further, I grab my purse and jacket and we go out into the night. Dressed in my short waitress uniform, I’m not sure how I’m going to do this, but I get on behind him, hitching up my skirt and trying to anchor it under my butt. He pauses to tell me, “Don’t have a helmet for you, Ella, just hold onto me tight.”
It seems strange to put my arms around a man I don’t know, but awkwardly I do so, trying to keep nothing but thoughts of Jayden in my head as we travel through Tucson and head out into the desert. Road goes slower than Slick does, cornering with care, and soon I relax, feeling I’m in good hands. I don’t enjoy the ride. It’s not like being behind Slick, and I’m overly conscious that my ass is slipping against, and my breasts are pressing into, the back of a relative stranger.
But Road does nothing to upset me. As he pauses for the gates to the compound to open, he reaches back and pats my thigh, a non-sexual touch of comfort. Then we’re inside. I slide off, trying hard not to flash anyone who could be looking as the prospect parks up his bike. Then with the comforting presence of the big man at my side, remembering how he stood up for me earlier tonight, I approach the clubhouse.
Jayden. Just think of Jayden. My heart’s in my mouth as I take that first step inside, flashbacks returning of walking into the Rock Demons
’ club. But the difference is immediately apparent as I step into what seems like organised chaos. There are men standing around, but they’re not fucking or partying. Their voices sound angry.
Before I can begin to process the sight in front of me, a woman rushes over.
“Hi, I’m Sam. I’m Drummer’s old lady. We haven’t met before. Come, you must be anxious to see your sister. Hey, you douchebags, shift yourselves and give her some space.”
I flinch, fearing what I expect to happen when a woman speaks sharply to these already riled leather-clad men. But she seems to have no problem keeping the raucous bikers away. At her instruction they part, clearing a path with good-natured grunts. Quickly I follow her, trying to tamp my own fear down, focusing on Jayden as it’s her who matters now.
Overly conscious that the waitress uniform my boss makes me wear is so short it’s all but indecent, I pull down my skirt as far as it will go and wait for the leers and crude comments, or the hands reaching out to touch. But as I go through the throng, I survive unmolested. Still, my breathing comes easier when we leave the men behind.
Following Sam, I pass the crash rooms where, from my previous time here, I know member’s sleep or fuck when they can’t make it back to their own rooms. Sam stops by a door, her hand on the handle. “Jayden needs you now, Ella. You can sit with her until she wakes up.”
She’s not awake?
Stepping inside, frightened of what I might find, I waste no time rushing over to my younger sister who’s lying on a bed. The prospect, Marsh, I remember, is hovering, his face anxious, and Doc’s setting up some sort of IV.
“Ella.” He offers a quick smile of recognition, but it quickly turns to a frown.
“How is she, Doc? What’s the matter with her? Why isn’t she conscious?” My words tumble out.
Patiently he explains, “Your sister was barely with it when they found her, and she passed out in the truck. As far as I can tell, she’s been plied with too much alcohol and probably drugged with some sort of date rape drug. I’m giving her saline to help rehydrate her, and a glucose solution too. She’s gonna be fine but will probably have one fuck of a hangover when she wakes up.”
My voice catches in my throat. “Has she been…?”
His eyes go cold. “I’ve taken some samples to see what we’re dealing with. But I’d say yes. I’m testing for pregnancy and STDs.”
Oh, Jayden. It’s not fair. She’s so young. Doc steps back as I move to the bed and take hold of her hand. It’s feels cold and her breathing seems shallow. As I touch her arm, the sheet falls away.
“She’s almost naked!” All she’s got on is a torn top.
“I was on my way to get her some clothes when you arrived. I’ll go grab something now.” Then wasting no more time, Sam disappears out of the room.
I look toward Doc. “Are you sure she’ll be alright?” It comes out as a hoarse whisper.
Placing a hand on my shoulder, he gives what comfort he can. “As far as I can tell, physically she just needs to sleep it off. But I ain’t gonna lie. Something like what she’s been through? That would hit anyone hard.” His eyes narrow. “I reckon you know a bit about that.”
My cheeks redden as I realise he knows from when he had to visit me at home.
He sees my look of consternation. “Slick’s worried about you. He’s spoken to me about getting you professional help.” Then he gestures toward Jayden. “Think about counselling, Ella. She’s gonna need it. And if you go too, it might make it easier for her.”
Jayden’s the important one now.
Telling me he’ll be back later to check up on her, Doc leaves the room. The prospect Marsh is still here, and I’m not sure why he’s stayed. As my head tilts, he interprets my action.
He coughs and looks embarrassed. “I brought her back,” he starts to explain. “She’s the same age as my younger sister.” He breaks off. His hands go up to rest on the top of his head, his fingers interlinked. “If you don’t mind, Ella, I’d like to stay to make sure she’s okay. Fuck, no one, especially not a young girl, should have to fuckin’ suffer like this.” His eyes fall on Jayden again. “It broke my fuckin’ heart to know what she went through there.”
I nod in astonishment, his behaviour not at all what I expected. His palpable concern for my sister means I give my permission. He takes the chair I vacate as I lie on the bed, holding Jayden as best I can while trying not to disturb the fluids running into her.
Shortly after, the door opens again. Marsh leaps up and goes to lean against the wall as Slick comes over and squeezes my arm. When I look up at him, my eyes feel sore and must be red-rimmed from the tears that have been silently falling.
“She’s safe now.” He speaks gently, but his jaw is clenched as he looks at my sister.
I too glance at Jayden, my gut clenching as I again see the IV running into her arms and remember the tests Doc’s ordered. What she’s been through could break anyone. I lift my face back to Slick and say in despair, “How’s she going to deal with this, Slick?”
“With my help,” he says firmly. “Both of you are going to be fine. It might be a long journey, but I’ll get you there.” That he sounds so adamant and determined and without a glimmer of doubt gives me a flicker of hope that he might be right.
I’m feeling uncomfortable but hadn’t wanted to leave her. It’s embarrassing, but, “Slick, could you sit with her a moment. I need to…” I point to the adjacent bathroom.
“Yeah, I’ll watch her while you take a piss.” His mouth quirks.
When I stand up, trying to pull that darn skirt down, his brow creases and he scowls. “Fuck woman, what are you wearing?”
Realising he’s never seen me at work, I tell him, “It’s the uniform I have to wear at the bar.”
He closes his eyes briefly. When he opens them again, he seems to be biting his tongue, so I rush in before he can say anything. “I’m trying to get another job, Slick, but—”
“I’ll find you something. Maybe at the Wheel Inn. You’re not going back there, El. And before you say anything else, Road told me what happened with the fuckin’ stag party.” He sounds angry, but I’m not going to argue. It would be a weight off my mind if I didn’t have to go back. But if I lose that job before getting another, I won’t make my rent.
I look down at Jayden, her chest rising and falling, her body twitching in her uneasy sleep. “Let’s not argue this now, Slick. Please?”
He looks like he’s got more to say but swallows it back down. He glances around at Marsh, who’s stayed silent, his arms folded across his chest, his legs slightly apart. “You stay in here, Prospect. Don’t leave them alone for a moment. And keep any fuckin’ nosy douchebags away. Got it?”
The younger man gives a sharp nod. “Got it.”
Slick reaches out his hand. “Go do your business, El, and then I’ll have to leave you for a bit. There’s somewhere I’m needed.” As his eyes land on Jayden, his mouth tightens. I’m not stupid, it concerns her. “Oh and ring your mom. She’ll be wondering where Jayden is. Can you tell her she’ll be staying with you or a friend for a few days? We’d like to keep the both of you here until we know whether there’s gonna be any fallout.”
I huff a mirthless laugh. “That won’t be a problem. Mom probably won’t notice she’s gone.” Then I realise what he’s said. “Slick, the last thing I want is to stay here. Why can’t I take her home? She’ll be better off there.”
He fixes me with an intense stare. “El, I know how you feel about the club. Believe me, I’d let you go if I didn’t think there was any danger. But we can’t fuckin’ rule anything out after tonight.” His eyes narrow when I start shaking my head. “Ella, listen to me. You know I can’t tell you what went down, but I can assure you, you’ll be safe here. Both of you.” It’s said as a vow.
Hoping he’s right, and unable to delay any longer, I nod then disappear into the bathroom, do the necessary as quickly as I can, and hurry back. As I return, the door opens and Sam steps in ca
rrying a bundle. She spares a sympathetic glance for the girl on the bed and then looks at me. “I’ve got clothes for Jayden, and some for you too.” Her mouth twists as her eyes go to my skirt. “Thought you’d like a bit more covering.”
“Thank fuck for that!” Slick jerks his chin toward her, then turns to me. “I’m leaving you in safe hands, darlin’. I’ll be back just as soon as I can.”
With Marsh standing sentry, and Sam looking like she’s going to keep me company too, I feel safer than expected in this rough biker club.
Chapter Fifteen
Slick…
Jayden had looked young enough when we found her in that house but lying there in that bed and hooked up to the IV, she resembled a vulnerable child. Fuck me, I can’t understand what leads any grown man to force himself onto a kid like her. I give myself points for keeping my temper, knowing letting all the anger I was holding inside show would have frightened Ella.
I’m not blind to the fact that after everything Ella has been through herself, caring for her sister is going to take its toll. Neither of them seems to have any type of support network—no father, and a mother hardly worthy of the name. Straightening my shoulders as I march through the clubroom, I’m determined to do what I can to help the both of them through. Even as I mentally prepare myself for what lies ahead, part of my mind toys again with the idea of buying a house off compound and having both Ella and her sister there, taking responsibility for the girl and the woman. The idea takes root.
Striding up through the compound to the storage room, my fists clench at my sides, and now that I’m nearing my target, I allow the rage I was holding back come to the surface and take me over. Focusing my attention on the job in hand, my steps quicken as I approach my destination.
There’s no sound coming from the storage room, but it would have surprised me more if there was. It’s been soundproofed just for this purpose. I open the door and now shouting reaches me. It’s Diego yelling to let him down.
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