by Marla Monroe
“What are you thinking about over there, girlfriend?” Ginger asked with a grin.
“Nothing, why?”
“Because you look like you’re on the verge of an orgasm.”
“No I don’t! What makes you say that?” Jessie straightened up from where she’d relaxed down into the love seat while they had been watching TV.
“Your eyes were closed tight, and your head was thrown back as if you were in the throes of one. I bet you’re thinking about your two bikers. They are two hot men for sure. I don’t know why you’re holding back on them. I’d jump at the chance to have two men want me like they obviously want you.”
Jessie frowned. “I told you. I want more than what they’re offering. I want a normal life.”
“What’s wrong with just enjoying what they’re offering for now?” Ginger asked.
“I can’t do that. I don’t want a causal affair. It has to mean something or it’s just sex, and I’m not doing that anymore.”
“I don’t think they are planning for it to be anything casual anyway,” Ginger said as she sat up in her chair. “They have feelings for you, girl.”
“They think they do, but it wouldn’t last. They aren’t the type of men to settle down to just one woman.” Jessie hated it, but she knew better.
“I’m not so sure about that. They look at you like they want forever with you, Jessie. Maybe you’re not reading them right. I mean, how many men would ride all the way here and then stick around for as long as they have without getting sex in the bargain?”
Jessie sighed. Ginger was right about that. Very few men, much less of the biker variety, would hang around without some sexual motivation. What did they really want from her? Was it all some elaborate ruse to use her against her brother? Somehow she didn’t think so. They had been too nice to her for too long. Even the best of them wouldn’t be able to pretend to care about her this long if they really didn’t.
Her mind drifted back to the night they had made her come with their mouths and their hands. They hadn’t tried to fuck her afterwards and hadn’t expected her to give them blow jobs either. Her heart hadn’t been the same since then. Even after what Ray had done to her they had still acted as if they wanted her. How could they still care about her when the bastard had used her? It didn’t make sense.
“Stop it, Jessie. You’re going somewhere you don’t need to be. Let’s go shopping. I’m tired of sitting here watching the same things on TV.” Ginger jumped up and grabbed her purse off the island behind them.
“I don’t really feel like shopping. I don’t have a lot of money to play with.” Jessie didn’t move.
“We don’t have to buy anything. Looking is just as much fun.”
Jessie sighed and rolled off the love seat. She’d wanted a friend to spend time with. It was time to enjoy herself more. The guys had promised to come by that night and bring a movie and popcorn. They were going to spend the evening with them.
Jessie allowed Ginger to pull her out the door toward her car. Once they were on the road, she settled down. It would be fun to look and try on clothes with Ginger. She could pick out some things she might want to get later once she had a place of her own.
“You know, Jessie. I’ve been thinking. Why don’t we find a two-bedroom apartment and move in together? It would be more fun to be together and safer for both of us if we lived together.”
Jessie glanced over at the other woman. “Are you sure? I mean, don’t you like having your privacy?”
“Yeah, but we don’t work the same shifts really, so we both have time on our own. It would mean more room for both of us by pooling our money, and we could get into a nicer building than the one I have now. Think about it. It will be a while before you have enough money saved up for your own place anyway.”
Jessie shrugged. “Sure. I’ll think about it. It does sound like a good idea.”
They drove to the mall in the next town and parked close to one of the entrances so it would be easy to find the car. When they walked inside, it took a few minutes for them to decide where to go first. Jessie let Ginger take the lead, and for the next three hours, they shopped and talked. She slowly relaxed and enjoyed herself. This was what she wanted. She didn’t have to worry about what her brother might do to her friend or deal with locking her bedroom door so none of the guys from the gang could get to her when she slept.
She couldn’t help but worry about what Tussler would do about her secret. He threatened to reveal what she had done if she didn’t stay away from Vernon and Rhodes. He’d told her if she stayed with her uncle and aunt, he would get rid of the evidence, but she knew she couldn’t really trust him. What about now? Did it matter? Would he use it if he didn’t know where she was?
“You’ve gotten awfully quiet all of a sudden. Is something wrong?” Ginger stared at her across the table where they were sitting in the food court.
“I guess I was just thinking that maybe I’m lying to myself. I mean, what makes me think that Tussler or my uncle won’t find me? Vernon and Rhodes did.”
“So what if they find you? They can’t make you do anything. You’re a grown woman. The police will make them leave you alone.”
“I can’t depend on the police. If Tussler doesn’t want me here, all he has to do is give the police what he’s been holding over my head for the last five years. I’ll go to jail, Ginger.”
Ginger paled for an instant. Then she sat up straighter and leaned across the table. Jessie couldn’t mistake the determination on her friend’s face.
“We all have done things in our lives that we wish we hadn’t, but sometimes we don’t have a choice. I know you, Jessie. You wouldn’t have done anything that you weren’t forced to do. We’ll figure it out.”
Jessie sighed and nodded. She had seen something in her friend’s face that worried her. Ginger had her own secrets that rode her just as hard as Jessie’s did. Suddenly she wanted to kick herself for being so selfish. She hadn’t kept up with her friend like she should have. Now she was crashing into Ginger’s world, bringing her own problems to her door without a thought of how her friend was really doing.
They finished walking the mall, each carrying a single bag along with their purses. When they stepped out into the late afternoon sun, Jessie felt the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. Instantly self-preservation took over, and she grabbed Ginger by the arm to pull her toward the car in a run.
To her credit, Ginger didn’t protest or question her urgency. Ginger had the doors unlocked before they got to the car. Unfortunately, it didn’t matter in the long run. Uncle Hue stepped out from behind an SUV parked next to Ginger’s car. The big man grinned as two more men followed him. She’d never seen them before.
“I’m not going back with you, Uncle Hue. You might as well turn around and go home.” Jessie knew she was spitting in the wind, but she refused to let the man see her squirm.
“Now, Jessie. That’s no way to talk to me. I’m responsible for your well-being. Did you really think I wouldn’t find you?”
“How did you find me?”
“Your aunt knows better than to cross me. It was just a matter of calling your brother to find out who Ginger was. The rest was a piece of cake.” He held out his dirty hand. “Now come on like a good girl and your friend won’t get hurt.”
“Don’t listen to him, Jessie. You know he’s lying.” Ginger yelped when of the men grabbed her and twisted her arm behind her back.
“Jessie, Jessie. I think you know me well enough to believe that I don’t bluff. Get in the truck.” He indicated the SUV behind him.
She ground her teeth with the understanding that she was going back to the life she hated. She never had a chance in the first place. It had all been a pipe dream, only now she’d had a brief taste of freedom to taunt her in her dreams. She lifted her chin and stepped toward the SUV despite Ginger’s pleading for her to stop. She wouldn’t be responsible for her friend’s life by defying her uncle.
“Bring her al
ong with us to assure Jessie here behaves,” Hue said with a growl.
“You don’t need her. I’ll follow orders.” Jessie turned toward her friend, worry tightening her stomach.
“Sorry if I don’t trust you, but that’s what you get for screwing with me. Tussler’s pretty pissed off as it is.” Her uncle grabbed her by the arm and jerked her forward.
Jessie stifled a yelp and stumbled as he all but dragged her across the asphalt. She fought, knowing if he got them both in the truck they would be helpless to get away after that. He wouldn’t make the same mistake of giving her the run of the house after this. She wouldn’t let Ginger get tangled up in her mess. Once someone got their hands on you the first time, they didn’t stop expecting you to jump when they yelled. Ginger didn’t deserve to have to spend her life looking over her shoulder.
“If you don’t let her go, I’ll make your life miserable.”
“You’ve already made me miserable, bitch. Shut the fuck up and get in.” He slammed her against the side of the SUV before opening the back door.
She fought to keep Hue from forcing her into the vehicle. Ginger wasn’t faring as well on the other side. One of the big brutes her uncle had brought with him was shoving her into the back seat. Jessie knew she didn’t have enough strength to fight her uncle off much less the other two bastards. How was she going to get poor Ginger out of this? If she continued to fight, her friend would end up getting hurt—or worse. Even as she resolved to cooperate so that Uncle Hue wouldn’t have a reason to hurt Ginger, the big man ran out of what little patience he had and backhanded her.
Pain ripped through her head as she slammed back against the side of the SUV. Ginger’s cry of distress was soon overpowered by a howl of outrage. Vernon’s face came into view just before she passed out, sliding to the ground.
Chapter Six
A red haze filled his sight when the big man hit Jessie. He roared as he raced across the ground, grabbing the bastard by the neck and tearing him away from Jessie’s body. He had no doubt this was her Uncle Hue since he resembled Tussler. Both of them had the same beady eyes and weak chin. Thank God Jessie looked nothing like them. At this point, he would have almost believed she was related to them except for the picture he had seen of her with her parents. She looked so much like her mother, whereas Tussler took after his dad.
Vernon knew Rhodes would be taking care of the other two who had Jessie’s friend. This one was his. He had dared to touch what belonged to them. Nothing mattered except making sure the man wouldn’t touch her again. He could hear the sound of flesh against flesh as Rhodes handled the others. His best friend would have no trouble with them.
“Get your fucking hands off of me.” Spittle flew from Hue’s mouth as he tried to get away from Vernon.
“You shouldn’t have touched her.”
“Tussler will never let you have her. She’s his meal ticket.”
Vernon didn’t bother replying. Instead, he drew back and hit him square in the nose. The sound of cartilage breaking satisfied his need for blood. The bastard howled and grabbed for his face.
“Take your friends and go home, Hue. Tell that nephew of yours to leave Jessie alone or he’ll be dealing with us.” As much as Vernon wanted to kill the man for hurting Jessie, he knew it would only make things worse for all of them.
The sound of sirens alerted them that someone had called the cops. Hue cursed him and backed away even as his two goons piled into the SUV. Vernon bent and picked Jessie’s unconscious body up and cradled her in his arms. He carried her over to where Rhodes had Ginger safe on the other side of her car.
“Is she okay?” Ginger’s shaky voice reminded him that he couldn’t afford to lose it now.
“She’ll be okay. We need to get you home. Are you okay to drive?”
“Y–yes. I can drive.” Ginger opened her door and climbed into the front seat behind the wheel.
Rhodes checked Jessie’s face and cursed under his breath. His friend hurried around the front of the car and opened the front door so Vernon could settle Jessie in the front seat. He quickly fastened her seat belt. Before closing the door, he kissed her on the forehead and looked over at Ginger.
“Drive careful. We’ll be right behind you.”
Ginger nodded and started the car. He and Rhodes raced back to where they had parked their bikes. Jessie would no doubt want to know why they had been there when she woke up. Telling her that they had been following her to be sure she was safe wouldn’t go over well with her despite the circumstances. He frowned even harder. Tough. There was no way they were going to leave her on her own as long as she was in danger from her brother and uncle.
They followed close behind Ginger’s car all the way back to her apartment building. After parking the bikes, they hurried over to the car. Vernon opened the passenger door to find that Jessie was awake. He helped her out of the car and would have picked her up to carry her inside if she hadn’t growled at him when he tried.
“Don’t think I don’t know that you were following me. How else would you have been there to stop Uncle Hue?”
“It was a good thing we were, baby.” Rhodes ushered Ginger inside the apartment as he spoke.
“There’s no getting away from my brother, is there?”
Vernon and Rhodes exchanged looks. He didn’t see any reason to sugarcoat it. Rhodes would want to coddle her and tell her everything would be fine, but Vernon didn’t see any reason to lie to her.
“Your Uncle Hue said you were his meal ticket. What did he mean by that?”
Jessie sighed. Rhodes brought her a cold cloth for her face where it was already bruised.
“Tussler was always a little wild. When we were growing up, my parents knew he couldn’t handle money, but they didn’t think I could take care of myself either. So, they made me the sole beneficiary in case of their death, and as long as he takes care of me, he gets half of the money. It was supposed to end on my twenty-first birthday, but…” Jessie sighed and shook her head.
“Why are you still living with him now? You’re twenty-four.” Rhodes’s gaze shifted to him.
Vernon had a feeling he wasn’t going to like whatever had kept her under her brother’s thumb all this time. Fear flew across her face for an instant before a resigned expression took over. She closed her eyes and leaned against the back of the little love seat.
“I’m going to go take a bath, guys, and leave you to talk,” Ginger said.
“Thanks, Ginger. I’m so sorry I got you mixed up in all of this.” Jessie’s voice held a deep sadness that pulled at Vernon’s soul.
“Don’t fret over it, Jess. We’re good. If you need me, I’ll be in my room once I finish my bath.”
Vernon watched the other woman walk out of the room before turning his attention back to the one woman who had the power to ruin him. Rhodes pulled her onto his lap. Vernon sat next to them and picked her feet up. Taking off her shoes and socks, he began gently rubbing on them to help her relax. Whatever she was about to tell them had held her tied to a bastard of a brother and under the influence of Ray for too many years. He knew he wasn’t going to like it one bit.
* * * *
Jessie could feel their eyes on her. Even as Vernon massaged her feet and Rhodes rubbed her shoulders, they were waiting for her to speak. She had been living a lie for so long that now she didn’t know how to live any other way. What had ever possessed her to think she could possibly have a normal life? It had been pure stupidity on her part. All she’d managed to do was drag Rhodes and Vernon away from their friends and put her one true friend into danger.
Refusing to let the tears that were building behind her eyes to fall, Jessie took a deep breath and prepared to destroy what little good she had in her life. There was no way they would want to be around her once they knew the truth. Even if they did, it wouldn’t matter. She had no doubt that Tussler would turn her over to the police if he hadn’t already handed over the proof. Her life was over.
“About five yea
rs ago, I killed a man.”
The hands touching her stilled, but they didn’t move away from her. She licked her lips, refusing to look at either man and continued. If she looked at them and saw disgust or disappointment, she was sure she would lose the battle not to cry.
“I was nineteen and stupid. I foolishly thought I was safe because no one would mess with my brother’s little sister. As much as I resented him, even back then, I always thought he would look out for me.”
Vernon had continued massaging her feet as Rhodes smoothed down her hair. Their soothing attention only served to remind her of what a naive idiot she’d been.
“I snuck out at night to hang out with a group of kids that were close to my age. I didn’t have friends after Ginger moved away. No one wanted to deal with my brother and his gang. We didn’t really get into any trouble. We drove around town and gathered at the diner or the drive-in outside of town. One night we were at the roadside park between the drive-in and town, and a stranger showed up.”
Jessie could remember it like it was yesterday. Her dreams often turned to that particular nightmare when she managed to sleep long enough. He had been decent looking, but she wasn’t interested. Something about him had creeped her out from the very beginning. He’d said his name was Eddie. He hung with them some over the next few weeks, trying to get her to go out with him. She kept refusing. One night, he’d shown up with the smell of whiskey on his breath and her on his mind. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.
It was late, or early, depending on how you wanted to look at it. Most of her friends were gone. It was only her and Kathy and Dave. Eddie kept trying to pull her away from her friends, and she finally jerked away from him and slapped him. She had known the instant that she’d done it that she had made a serious mistake. His eyes flashed as his lips curled up in a sneer.