Rocket (Hades Abyss MC 2)

by Wylde, Harley

  “Is that really what you think?” he asked. “That no one will want you because of your past? You aren’t a whore, Violeta. You were abused. There’s a difference.”

  “Same thing. I’ve been used by more men than you have fingers and toes. Probably twice that amount.” I paused a moment and really thought about the last three years of my life. Honestly, it was possibly worse than that. There were times I’d been drugged for days. Who knew what had happened to me during those times?

  He growled and his hands clenched and unclenched at his sides.

  “Rocket, I appreciate what you’ve done for me, and that you think I don’t see my self-worth or whatever. But I can be realistic too. Men don’t want someone like me. Most girls my age have maybe been with one or two guys, if any. I’ve already been pregnant and lost a baby. I don’t even know how many men have used me, much less how many at one time. My life isn’t normal, and it never will be. I’m lucky that all my tests came back fine and I’m clean after all that was done to me. I’ll count what blessings I have, but I doubt a husband and family will ever be part of my future.”

  “That’s bullshit! Did Spider care about Luciana’s past? Hell, he cared, but not in that way. He wanted to beat the shit out of every man who ever hurt her. But the fact she’d been treated like a whore and had been assaulted didn’t make him see her as less. If anything, he knew she was strong enough to have survived all that. There’s a guy out there who will see that same strength in you, and will love and appreciate you.”

  “Maybe there is someone for me.” I turned to look out the window again. “I don’t know that I could do that to someone, though. For all I know, the first time I’m intimate with someone of my choosing, I’ll freeze up and everything will go to hell.”

  “You’re seventeen!” he yelled. “Dammit, Violeta! You should be getting an education, dating boys your age, and having fun with friends. Not holed up at the compound avoiding life.”

  “Is that what you think I’m doing?” I turned to face him. “Avoiding life?”

  “You never go anywhere unless it’s with me or your sister.”

  “Maybe I feel safest with you and her. Ever think of that? Just because my father is dead doesn’t mean there isn’t danger outside the gates, Rocket. The world is a dark and ugly place, and those shadows will forever cling to me.” I folded my arms over my chest. “You really want me to go out? Want to get rid of me for a while? Maybe you’re tired of not bringing women back here.”

  His eyes flashed, and it was the only time I’d truly seen him furious, but it was gone as quickly as it was there. He gave me an easy smile that I could tell was completely fake.

  “Yeah, maybe I am. Not exactly easy to fuck a woman with a kid down the hall.”

  I snorted and turned away again. His barb hurt, just as he’d intended. I could tell he didn’t mean it, but that didn’t matter. Words had the power to hurt, sometimes more than a fist.

  “Like parents don’t do it all the time. Is that it, Rocket? Are you feeling too much like a father? Should I call you daddy?”

  He snarled and I heard his fist slam into the wall. “I’m not your fucking father!”

  Well, that seemed extreme for someone who only thought of me as an annoying kid. Which meant… he did care, possibly more than cared, but for whatever reason he didn’t want to. Maybe if I pushed him in just the right way, he’d finally admit that I was more than some charity case?

  “I’m aware,” I said, a rather devious idea starting to form. It could blow up in my face, but if it didn’t… then just maybe it would make Rocket admit that he had feelings for me. “I’ll do better. I’ll make friends and go out. Do… normal… stuff. Whatever the hell that is.”

  “Jesus fucking Christ.”

  “Don’t worry, Rocket. I’ll give you some space. I didn’t realize that I was intruding on your life too much.”

  The words hurt to say, but what else could I do? Even though I was very much a grown-ass woman after all I’d survived, I was still legally a child where I lived now. And I knew that Rocket was far too honorable to ever make a move as long as I was underage. As I’d told Luciana, even when I turned eighteen, I doubted he’d claim me. In his mind, I needed to experience the life of a teenage girl. I had no interest in giggling over manicures or the latest Hollywood gossip, or whatever girls here did. It all seemed so pointless.

  I didn’t understand why he was being so difficult. Both of my sisters had found amazing men. Even though Saint had pushed Sofia away, I could understand his reasoning. He had a kid to think about, and he’d thought he was protecting both his daughter and my sister. It had been the wrong thing to do, which he’d learned the hard way.

  “You’re not --” Before he could finish, I turned from the window and walked off, brushing past him. He could deny it all he wanted, but he was pushing me away. If that was how he wanted things to be between us, then I’d give him what he wanted. I’d treat him like a big brother, or a friend. I’d go out with people my age and have fun. And if I was lucky, it would be just what Rocket needed to come to his senses. I loved the idiot and I was willing to wait him out. But if this didn’t work, I didn’t know what else to do.

  I stepped out on the front porch and saw Teller heading down the road. I waved my hand at him, hoping he’d stop. He pulled into Rocket’s driveway and cut the engine on his bike before swinging his leg over the seat and approaching.

  “Everything all right, Violeta?”

  Teller was safe. I’d been terrified of him at first, but after I’d gotten to know him better, and saw the way he watched over Luciana, I knew I could trust him. We were close to the same age, and he was a nice-looking guy. Just not the one I wanted, but Rocket didn’t know that. He wanted me to go have fun? Then that’s what I’d do.

  “Are you busy?” I asked.

  He glanced around, his gaze locking on Rocket’s newly washed bike.

  “Shouldn’t you ask Rocket if you need something?”

  I snorted, unable to hold it back. No, I most definitely didn’t need to ask Rocket. He’d made that perfectly clear. He wanted me out and about? That’s what I’d give him. On the back of Teller’s bike.

  “It’s been pointed out to me that I never have fun. I need to change that.”

  “Fun?” He stared at me, as if my words were completely foreign to him.

  I remembered that Spider had told Luciana the Prospect had a tragic past. I wondered if maybe we had more in common than I’d thought. Maybe Rocket had been right when he said I needed more friends, and Teller could be my first one.

  “Yeah, you know go to movies or whatever people our age are supposed to do.”

  He smiled faintly. “Yeah, I hear the movies are a must for a Friday night. Or the nearest party, but you don’t seem like the partying type.”

  “Neither do you.”

  He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Are you asking me to take you to a movie?”

  “I’ve never been.”

  Teller rocked back on his heels and then nodded. “All right. But it’s not a date.”

  He glanced at the house and I knew he was thinking about Rocket. I needed to tread carefully. I wanted Rocket to take notice, to admit that he wanted me maybe even needed me, but not at the expense of Teller getting hurt.

  “Just friends,” I said.

  He nodded again.

  “Can we go now?”

  His gaze scanned me from head to toe. “You aren’t really dressed to ride a bike.”

  “I can change my clothes.” I glanced down at what I was wearing and realized he was right. Shorts and the tank I’d been wearing around the house weren’t appropriate for being on the back of a motorcycle. Spider had drummed it into Luciana’s head that she was never getting on his unless she had on jeans and boots, and the property cut he’d had made for her. After all the scarring she’d had placed on her body from assholes, he’d left it up to her if she wanted to be inked, but my sister had wanted to go all in and had Prop
erty of Spider in a small block print on the inside her right wrist.

  “You’re not taking her on your bike,” Rocket said from behind me.

  “I’ve ridden on yours,” I pointed out, even though I’d seldom been allowed the privilege.

  “I’m safe. Teller hasn’t been riding as long as me.”

  I turned and glowered at him. “You wanted me to hang out with people my age. I’m trying to do that.”

  Rocket just stared at me, but after looking evil in the eye every day for three years, he didn’t intimidate me. Not once I knew how sweet he was. Besides, he was doing that overprotective thing again. I found it endearing, if a bit annoying.

  “If you insist on hanging out with Teller, he can use one of the SUVs,” Rocket said.

  “I’ll go get one,” Teller said, practically jumping onto his bike and peeling out of the driveway.

  I sighed and tipped my head back, closing my eyes. Great. My first chance at making what Rocket considered an age-appropriate friend and he was scaring him off. I had no romantic interest in Teller at all, but I didn’t want the guy running off every time he saw me either, out of fear Rocket might hit him. If the stubborn man would just…

  “I’m trying to do what you asked,” I said.

  “Yeah, well… I thought you’d go into town and meet some girls your age. Teller is trouble.”

  “He’s good enough to Prospect for the club and help guard Luciana.”

  It wasn’t like Spider would take in just anyone. I wasn’t stupid. The club didn’t exactly walk on the right side of the law. He needed to trust the men he called family. And I knew he damn sure wouldn’t leave my sister in just anyone’s care.

  Rocket stalked closer. “He touches you, kisses you, or does anything else you don’t want, I will rip his spine out.”

  Well. That cleared a few things up. If I wasn’t mistaken, it almost sounded as if Rocket was a little… jealous. I bit my lip so I wouldn’t smile, then reached up and patted his cheek.

  “I’ll be fine, but thank you for being so concerned.”

  I walked past him and into the house, going straight to my room. I shut the door and pulled out a pair of jeans and a plain shirt, then quickly changed. Even though I wasn’t going to be on the back of Teller’s bike, I still didn’t want to parade around town in what I’d been wearing at home. After living through the last horrific three years, I wasn’t about to try to tempt anyone. Even a harmless flirtation might send me into a panic attack. The more layers I had on, the more skin I had covered, the safer I felt.

  Except Rocket. I wanted to tempt him more than anything.

  Besides, I didn’t want to make Teller uncomfortable. It was clear he had wanted to ensure I knew he didn’t want me as a girlfriend, which was fine. He seemed nice, but I didn’t want to date him either. I’d only intended to use him to make Rocket have some sort of reaction, preferably one that brought us closer together, but now I really did want to make friends with the guy. Maybe we could help each other heal, even though I didn’t know anything about his past. It was obvious he hadn’t had the Leave it to Beaver type of upbringing. The first time I’d watched some of the old fifties and sixties TV shows with Rocket, I’d snorted and told him life wasn’t like that.

  By the time I’d changed, pulled my hair up in a ponytail, and grabbed my small purse, Teller was in the driveway with Rocket glaring at him. I felt a little bad for the guy. He was giving Rocket a wary look and didn’t seem too eager to get out of the SUV. I shoved past Rocket, making him growl, and opened the passenger door before jumping inside. I closed the door a little too hard, but no one seemed to notice.

  “So…” Teller glanced at me. “What time do I need to bring you home to avoid being chopped up and buried in various locations?”

  I snickered, then glanced at Rocket and realized Teller might not be too far off on that. I rolled down the window and stuck my head out.

  “We’re going to a movie, then getting something to eat.”

  Rocket pulled his wallet out and came closer, shoving two twenties at me.

  “I fully expect Teller to pay for your date, all of it, but just in case.” He glowered at Teller, who seemed to be shrinking back in his seat. Poor guy. I really had put him in a bad situation. “Call me if you need a ride home.”

  “Rocket.”

  His gaze locked on me.

  “I’ll be fine,” I assured him. “Now stop scaring Teller. You wanted me to make friends so that’s what I’m trying to do.”

  I reached up and ran my fingers along the beard on his jaw. There was a flicker in his eyes, then he backed away. Teller put the SUV in reverse and drove off, not even glancing once in Rocket’s direction.

  “Maybe you should start by telling me exactly what I’m getting myself into,” Teller said. “Because I really don’t want to end up dead, and everyone knows how protective Rocket is over you.”

  “Rocket is being difficult.”

  “Difficult?”

  “I think he likes me, as more than his annoying houseguest, but he won’t do or say anything to show he’s interested. He told me today that I needed to make friends my age and go do teen girl stuff.”

  “And that’s the last thing you want or need,” Teller said. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove through the compound.

  “Right.”

  “Just don’t get me killed, or kicked out of Hades Abyss. These guys are the only family I have.” He shot me a quick look. “I don’t mind helping you, but I don’t want to lose my place here either.”

  “Don’t worry. I won’t let things go too far. I’m just making a point.” I smiled a little. “Besides, maybe I do need a friend, and I think you could use one too.”

  “Maybe.” He drove out the front gates and headed toward town. “I don’t have to express my feelings and all that shit, do I?”

  “No. But if you ever do need to talk, I’m here. I think that’s what friends are for. Never really had one before.”

  “Me neither.”

  I looked over at him and we grinned at each other. Yes, picking Teller had been the right choice. Now I just had to somehow make Rocket jealous enough to tell me how he felt without getting my new friend killed.

  Chapter Two

  Rocket

  One Month Later

  I was hiding. Even I could admit it. To myself, anyway. The clubhouse was off limits for Violeta and Spider’s wife, Luciana, which meant it was the only place where I had any peace. The day I’d brought Violeta home, a horror had filled me when she’d stripped off her clothes and offered herself to me, as if that was what would be expected of her. After hearing what Casper VanHorne had to say about the girls, I could understand better. And I’d been fucking furious.

  I picked at the label on my bottle of beer, barely acknowledging my brothers, much less the club whores parading around in very little or nothing at all. At one time, I’d have picked one and had a bit of fun. Since Violeta had come to live with me, that had all changed. I’d been told to expect a seventeen-year-old girl. What I’d brought home was… a very broken woman. Didn’t matter the number of her age. She’d ceased being a girl the day those monsters had put their hands on her. The baby she’d carried had been lost, though I had to wonder if that wasn’t some sort of blessing. I knew she would have loved the kid regardless of how it was conceived because that’s just the type of person she was, but at seventeen, to me it seemed she’d been too young to carry a baby when she was still a child herself. She’d mourned when she’d lost it, and I’d realized in that moment that Violeta was definitely a fully grown woman. If not by age, then because she’d been through pure hell and had somehow made it out alive.

  “Are you here to party or to hide?”

  I turned to face Fox and just stared. The fucker smirked, knowing damn well why I was here. Not only was there a now very desirable woman living in my house, but I’d never been so attracted to someone in my damn life. To make matters worse, she’d gotten really
close with Teller the last few weeks. It was my own fucking fault. I’d pushed her to make friends and go out. Never occurred to me she might want to date someone. If I’d told her how I felt, then maybe things would be different. I’d been a coward. I was still a fucking coward when it came to Violeta.

  “Right. Hiding it is,” Fox said. “When are you just going to tell her how you feel?”

  “She’s spending time with Teller,” I muttered.

  Fox snorted.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I demanded.

  “Are you really that damn stupid?”

  Apparently I was, because I still didn’t know what the fuck he was talking about.

  “Jesus, Rocket. She’s not dating Teller, dumbass. She’s friends with him, and from what I’ve seen, I think she’s been trying to make you jealous. They only stand close or hold hands when you’re around. The second you leave, they move apart. She likes you. The girl has been over the moon for you since before that shit went down with her daddy. Everyone knows it except you, it seems.”

  Violeta was interested in me? I didn’t see how. I was about to turn thirty-six and she was… Eighteen. I’d know that, but it hadn’t hit me until just now exactly what that meant. Shit! Shit, shit, shit. I was such a fucking asshole.

  “Violeta’s birthday was today,” I said.

  Fox choked on his beer. “Are you fucking with me?”

  “No. She’s eighteen as of today.” I ran a hand down my face. “Fuck. I knew she was eighteen now, but it didn’t really click in my damn head that it was her birthday.”

  I glanced at the clock. It was nearly six at night, and I didn’t have a present for her, or anything planned. Hell, I didn’t think anyone had acknowledged her birthday. Luciana and Spider were off on some getaway while Teller watched their adopted daughter. Which meant my woman was alone, at home, on a day that was supposed to be special. I was a fucking moron.