by London Casey
When the voices went away, Lena opened the door and continued her journey to escape. It was such a weird feeling right now. Escaping somewhere safe. With someone who would help her. Someone who listened to her, touched her, made her feel really good.
By the time Lena found the door and started down the steps, her heart was pounding in her chest. When she got outside and felt the sunlight hit her in the face, her heart started to ache. Of course it had to be a beautiful day, right? It couldn’t be dark and dreary, the kind of sad day that would make all of this somehow romantic and poetic.
Romantic? What the fuck is romantic about my life?
Lena chased away the questions and ran to the railing on the side of the building. She eased her way along, always looking around, fearing that there had to be more than just the MC guys around here. The place was just far too big. She considered running through the junk parts and cars, but she had no idea where that would end up taking her. Plus, what if they had junkyard dogs or something? That would be a horrible fate… trying to get away and then getting mauled by dogs.
Near the front of the building Lena saw that there were a handful of motorcycles missing. A lot of the guys were out on a ride. That was good. Lena took a few more steps and then peeked back to the clubhouse. There wasn’t a soul around. The remaining guys - including Jett - were inside. A moment of hesitation attacked Lena and she caught herself just standing there, staring.
What if…
“No,” she whispered.
There were no what ifs? in this.
She turned and crouched a little, running behind all the motorcycles. Trying to stay low and out of sight. And by some damn chance of a miracle - or maybe it was simply fate - she made it to the front of the lot without being spotted. She tugged on a door at the gate and it swung open. Again, another sign of fate. That this was the right thing to do, even if it left her heartbroken, empty, and completely terrified.
Lena made it out of the lot and turned to the right. She made it out. That was the first part of this plan. The second part was to find a vehicle. She could just bust into a car and go for it… maybe think of something else. Or just start moving.
Lena walked two steps when she saw a black car approach and stop. The doors opened and the two men that climbed out put Lena in a state of total paralyzation. They were big, they were in suits, and they were ready for a fight. To make matters worse, they took their suit jackets off, showing that they were wearing weapons.
Bottom line… they were Victor’s men.
They were right here, ready to get Lena.
Maybe Lena should have just ran to the big guys and took her punishment. But the want and desire to survive got the best of her. Slowly, she started to back up. She put her hands out and kept going, step by damn step, until she reached the gate. She retraced her steps right back into the lot of the Back Down Devil MC compound.
Lena pulled the gate shut and swallowed the lump in her throat. She was shaking with fear, wondering what the hell to do next.
Jett. I need Jett. I need him…
Lena spun around and let out a scream.
“Hey there.”
It was Miller. The President of Back Down Devil MC.
“People are coming. Two men. They have guns.”
“You seem terrified,” Miller said.
“They have guns.”
“They might be friends of mine. Right?”
Lena shook her head. “No… they…”
Miller grinned. “So your memory is back?”
Lena felt her stomach drop and flip.
“What’s going on out there?”
Lena recognized the voice as Jett’s. She saw him walking toward the scene.
Miller turned and said, “Seems like she remembers a lot more than we know.”
“Jett, they’re here,” Lena said. “Two of Victor’s guys. They…”
“What are you doing out there?” Jett asked.
Lena saw the hurt on Jett’s face. He knew what she was doing out here. It was obvious… trying to make a run for it.
“I don’t want anyone hurt,” Lena said. “I’m sorry. I just…”
“Fuck,” Jett growled. “Miller, we have to hide her.”
“Do we?” Miller asked. “If these men are here for her…”
“Christ, don’t do this,” Jett said. “Let me handle this.”
“Let you handle it,” Miller said. “Like you’ve been doing? So what do we have here? A liar? A rat?”
“I’m not a rat,” Lena said. “I didn’t… they attacked me. I stabbed Victor. I was knocked out. Jett helped me…”
“Miller,” Jett said. “We can figure this out.”
“I guess we have no choice,” Miller said.
He gave a nod and Lena turned. The two men were at the gates. Their shoulders massive, their arms even bigger. Their faces cut like stone. They were almost robotic and were paid to be that way. Everything they did was programmed by command from Victor. Lena wasn’t sure if their presence meant Victor was alive or dead.
“No,” Lena said.
“What do you want?” Miller asked.
“Her,” they both said at the same time.
Lena saw them reaching for their weapons. She started to shake, realizing the guy on the left was the one who had knocked her out. The entire night replayed in her mind. From poor Annie spilling cold coffee on her hand, to stabbing Victor, to waking up with Jett hovered over her.
She then heard the sound of a gun go off and saw the big guy on the left jump back and grab at his shoulder.
“Next one’s in the head,” Jett yelled.
Lena then watched as Jett walked forward, gun drawn. Miller was suddenly quick to pull out his gun, both of them pointing their weapons at the men at the gate.
“Get the fuck out of here,” Miller growled. “You have no business.”
“That we do,” the man who wasn’t shot said. “We have to get her. We have to take her.”
“Then fucking kill me and take her,” Jett said.
“We will. Trust me, we will.”
The man shot held his shoulder and growled. There was blood on his hand as he tried to stop the bleeding.
“Is Victor dead?” Lena managed to ask.
“No,” the shot man said. “And he’s going to get you.”
A second later there was the sound of shotguns pumping.
Lena looked back and saw there were ten other guys standing there. Back Down Devil MC protecting their compound. Their space. Their lives. Their club.
“No more warnings,” Miller said.
“You’re starting a fight you cannot win,” the shot man said. “We come with a warning… two of us with weapons. Now… good luck.”
The two men turned and walked away.
Miller looked over his shoulder. “Jace. Take two prospects and make sure they fucking leave. Now!”
Lena stepped back and tried to get out of the way. She felt something touch her back and she jumped.
“Don’t move,” Jett’s voice growled.
“Is that your gun?” Lena asked.
“Fucking right it is. What the fuck were you thinking?”
Lena saw Miller set his eyes on her next. He tucked his gun away but still approached. “You never forgot a thing. You fucked with us. Didn’t you?”
“I didn’t ask for anything,” Lena said. “I didn’t ask for help. I was knocked out by the guy Jett just shot. They left me on Jett’s motorcycle.”
“Who is Victor?” Miller asked.
“He’s connected,” Lena said. “He thinks I’m his property. I tried killing him, but he’s obviously still alive.”
Miller looked at Jett. “If we just kill her now, we do everyone a favor.”
“I agree,” Jett said.
Lena let out a cry. “No. I don’t… I was trying to leave. I was trying to get out of the way. Of all this. I didn’t want to cause any problems. I swear. Please…”
Jett rammed his gun harder into Len
a’s back. She put her hands up, succumbing to him. She started to shut her eyes, preparing for this moment. Death. Dying. Being shot. The finale of it all. She was terrified, but she was also hurt. Because she had hurt Jett. Yeah, she didn’t know everything about him, but that didn’t matter when it came to what she felt inside. She wanted to know everything. She wanted to explain everything. And she didn’t want to die at the hands of Jett…
“Fuck, Miller!” a voice screamed.
Lena opened her eyes and saw Blaine running toward Miller.
“What?” Miller asked.
“I got someone on the phone…”
“I don’t give a shit,” Miller said.
“You will,” Blaine said. “I wouldn’t go killing the pretty little chick just yet.” Blaine looked at Lena and winked. “Hey there. You still have me dreaming of that pussy, you know that?”
“Fuck off,” Jett growled.
“Who is on the fucking phone?” Miller asked.
“It’s Angelo,” Blaine said.
“Angelo… what does he want?”
Angelo…
Lena remembered the name. That was where Victor was going.
“He says he’s hurt and being held captive in his own restaurant,” Blaine said. “He needs our help. He’s in big trouble… someone is there. Hurt. Bleeding. Stabbed…”
“Stabbed?” Jett asked.
“Who?” Miller asked.
“Victor,” Blaine said. “That’s his name. Victor.”
Lena felt her heart skip a beat.
Miller looked right at her. “I guess we need you alive for a little bit longer.”
Jett put a hand to her shoulder. “Walk with me, beautiful. Don’t fucking ever do anything stupid like that again.”
There was nothing Lena could do but nod. And be lead right back to the clubhouse. Funny how just a short while ago she felt safe in the clubhouse.
But now… she didn’t feel safe anywhere.
nine.
Jett was hurt. Real fucking hurt. And he was angry. Angry because he allowed himself to get attached enough to Lena to let her hurt him. It should have been no shock or surprise that she would try and take off. What choice did she have? She had been lying to the MC since she got there and she had connected guys after her, wanting her blood. No matter how strong a person was, they all have points of breaking. Especially if Lena thought she had nobody to help her. Protect her. Take care of her.
Maybe that’s what hurt Jett the most.
He took her back to the room and threw her to the bed. He shut the door, locked it, and put his gun down. He then grabbed his belt, took it off, and threw it at her. Lena rushed to kick up on the bed, gripping the sheets.
“What are you going to do?” she asked, her voice cracking.
“Thinking about tying you the fuck up. But I’m not going to. I’m going to prove to you that I’m trying to trust you. And in return, you better fucking talk to me.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“There is. How does Victor know Angelo?”
“You know Angelo?” Lena asked.
“We all know Angelo. He’s a dumb ass restaurant owner in town. He’s been getting hustled and beat up for years. Is that Victor doing it?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“There’s a woman named Annie,” Lena said. “She’s very sick. She’s dying. Complete confusion and whatnot. She needs care all the time. I think she’s somehow related to Angelo. It’s all a big family thing. Victor is waiting for Annie to die because she has money. Maybe Angelo has money and Victor is taking it…”
Jett shook his head. “This is all fucked up.” Jett approached the bed. He looked down at Lena. “Why’d you run?”
“I left you a note to read,” Lena said.
Jett grabbed the note and ripped it up. “I don’t care about written words. I want to hear you say it.”
“This,” Lena said. “All of this. There’s no ties to us, Jett. No reason I was left dangling on your motorcycle. You were looking for a sign and there was none. So I wanted to slip away and get away so you didn’t end up in this mess. I stabbed him. I stabbed Victor. I didn’t kill him. And now he knows I’m alive and I’m here. He’s going to kill you. He’s going to kill me. He’s said before about coming after you guys.”
“Fuck him,” Jett said. “He’s in our town. In our territory.”
“You don’t know how big the family is.”
“I don’t care, Lena. And what would running get you?”
“It would save you.”
Jett took a deep breath. “My father was on the inside. Connected. He killed my mother. Because that’s how it all went. And I was supposed to go along that path but I didn’t. I fought away from that path for my entire life. I know what it feels like, Lena. I know. I’m not going to let you run out there and get killed.”
“Miller wants me dead too,” Lena said. “Rightfully so. If he orders you… or he just wants to…”
“I’ll take care of Miller,” Jett said. He then sat on the bed. “You just have to tell the fucking truth. I know you’re afraid. I know you’re worried about the truth. You’ve lived in lies your entire life, right?”
Lena nodded. Her eyes quickly filled with tears. “Everything is a lie.”
“But you’re not,” Jett said. “Your beauty. Your eyes. Your body. None of that is a lie, Lena. I’ll protect you. I’ll help you. I’ll take on Victor. I’ll take on anyone.”
“For me?”
Jett made fists and looked at them. “For everything. I’m not going to let that shit come into this town. We don’t back down from a fight. We keep going, and going, and going. It’s how we survive. And we’ll survive this.” Jett looked at Lena again. “And you’ll survive it too. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be danger. Lots of fucking danger. It’s kind of our thing around here.”
“Yeah,” Lena said. “I know danger. I’ve seen Victor hurt people. Kill people. I’ve seen what his guys do to people.”
Jett reached and touched Lena’s soft cheek. “Whatever you’ve seen, beautiful, is nothing compared to what we can, and will, do. Angelo is a piece of shit to us, but he’s in Frelen and he deserves our protection. We’re going to need you to make all this happen. So I’m going to offer something really stupid…”
Jett couldn’t believe what was coming from his damn mouth. Maybe it was years of staring into the empty eyes of a lot of women. Maybe it was that forced attempt at something when he looked into Ada’s eyes. But the second Lena opened her eyes, he knew whatever he thought he had with Ada was a complete joke and lie. She fucked him for protection, and he fucked her because it felt good. That was it. The sting of loss caused by her murder was that Jett didn’t have her to fuck anymore.
Now he had Lena.
And now it had a different feeling to it.
“Something I’m going to regret for different reasons,” Jett added.
“What?”
“Leave. Right now. I’ll toss you on the back of my ride and take you to a bus stop. Grab a ticket east or north and just go. Be gone from all this shit.”
“What will happen to you? They’ll blame you.”
“Fuck that,” Jett said. “I can make something up.”
“You’d do that… for me?”
Jett cupped Lena’s cheek and nodded. “I can’t explain it, Lena. But I’d do that for you. Because I know you’re not meant for lying and this messy life. If someone could have given me an out…”
“I don’t want that,” Lena said. “I don’t want an out. An out means… it’s all there still. I want it gone. I want to feel free. I want… you to be there with me.”
Jett gritted his teeth. Fuck, he’d been hoping for that kind of answer from beautiful Lena. But it came with some serious implications. Of caring. Of constant protection. Of maybe even falling for this woman.
But Jett didn’t fight it.
“Fair enough,” he said.
And with tha
t, he pulled Lena in and kissed her. Her lips tasted fucking good. Really fucking good. Jett kept kissing her, his hand inching more and more toward the back of her neck. He wasn’t going to let her go now. Or longer. Whatever the hell that meant.
Lena clawed at the scruff on his face and then made a line right to his chest. For a second, Jett thought she was going to push him away. That would have been the right thing to do. Jett should have pushed her away. There was nothing good coming from this… but it just felt right.
Jett put his hand to Lena’s belly and cupped her breast over her shirt. She then finally pulled back, breaking the kiss. But that was to unbutton her jeans. She reached down and lifted her hips, starting to wiggle from them.
That’s when Jett moved from the bed. He stood, knowing damn well he was standing on a very fine line. Lena was slightly on her left side as she fought to kick her jeans off. Jett lost control to his most feral needs and slapped a hand to her bare ass. The smack sound made him harder. It also made Lena cry out. He then flipped her over to her belly and gripped her tight at her hips, his fingers digging and playing with her hip bone.
Fuck, that was such a turn on…
He pulled her ass high in the air and looked at her. That sweet slit, already dampened, those folds ready to be fucked. Lena had her jeans barely down past her knees, but that was all Jett needed right now. He hurried and unzipped his jeans and grabbed for his cock. He pulled himself free and pressed himself right to Lena’s pussy. It took no more than two more seconds for him to get fully hard. And then he thrust at her, entering her burning core. His hands grabbed at her ass, pulling as he fucked at her, breaking her back open again.
He started fucking and didn’t fucking stop. Jett pounded at her, loving the feel of her pussy holding tight, going for the wild ride. Somewhere in the recess of his mind, he told himself they would never be able to do this again. Either he’d end up dead, Lena would end up dead, or she would be gone. So this was it. Take it, love it, then lose it.