So here I was pulling up to the club with this man I ain't know in tow. When we entered, he got a few curious stares, but no one said shit. They saw him leave with us and knew better than to pull any shit about it.
I led him straight to my room. I have been trying to figure out why I insisted on him staying with me in my space. I told myself that he probably wouldn’t feel comfortable in a new place alone, but there was a twisting in my gut that said I wasn't totally honest with myself. When we entered my room, and I shut the door, I realized I was right. I felt protective of him, and I needed reassurance the man would be ok. He stood there looking lost and confused, and I was out of my fucking comfort zone.
I walked over to my dresser and pulled out a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants. I walked them over to him and handed them over. “You can wear that to sleep. I have a bathroom in here through that door if you want to wash up. I can find an extra toothbrush for you probably in Prez room. I’m sure you’re tired, I’m sure as fuck drained… then we can hit the sheets.”
His gaze on me unsettled me, but I ignored it. He didn’t speak, just nodded and went into the bathroom. I left to find him a toothbrush, and when he emerged from the bathroom as I entered the room, I swear to fuck my heart skipped a beat.
“Here,” I said handing him the toothbrush.
He accepted it and went back to the bathroom. Shit, what the fuck. I grabbed a pair of boxers as I decided I needed to wash the day off and fucking sleep. I was losing my shit apparently. As soon as he came out, I practically ran inside.
I took my time in the shower and cleared my mind as I washed. Today was eventful as fuck, and it was wearing on me. We had to track down Prez’s kidnapped daughter to a whore house and murder all the fucks before letting all their slaves free. We into some illegal shit, but prostitution, especially of children, is where we drew a fucking line. When I came out, he was sitting on the edge of the bed staring off into space. Jesus.
“You alright?” I asked.
He jumped startled and turned around to face me. His face was ashen, and he was fidgeting. “Oh uh, yea… sure. I’m fine. I was just thinking.”
“Sure?” I asked.
He looked about ready to hightail it out of here. I took a hesitant step forward like I was approaching a scared kitten. “Yea. I’m just going to go to sleep.” He said as he laid down.
He shifted about a bit seeming uncomfortable. “Something wrong with the bed?” I asked.
He shrugged and blushed. “It’s just been a while. This is different. You know, from the cage floors. The beds they used were dirty and uncomfortable, but I was barely ever on them anyway.” He shrugged.
Fucking hell. “I uh… I ain't sure what to do with that.” I admitted.
He sighed. “It’s not a bad different; it’s just different. I’ll be fine.” He said softly.
I groaned. “Alright.”
I hit the lights and climbed in on the other side. Swear to fuck I could feel him tense. “Danny?”
“Yea?” his voice was shaky.
“I ain't gonna hurt you.” I didn’t need for him to tell me what the problem was. He just came from being abused, and here my big ass just crawled into the bed with him.
“I know.” His voice was a whisper.
“So, relax. I won’t touch you or anything.” I reassured him.
I listened to his shaky breathing even out, and as he relaxed gradually, you could practically feel the tension seep out of the room. When I was sure, he’d finally fell asleep I was able to pass out.
I’m not sure what time it was when I heard whimpering. Then the thrashing came. On instinct, I reached for my gun and spun around to see Danny thrashing and making these noises of pain from deep in his throat.
“Fuck,” I whispered wiping a hand down my face.
I placed my gun back on the nightstand and turned to face him. I shook him, but he didn’t wake up. If anything, he fought a little harder. His eyes squeezing tighter shut. What the fuck? I shook him again and leaned over him. “Danny?”
His body went completely still, but nothing. I shook him again, “Danny.”
He opened his eyes slowly. He seemed lost and unsure at first before his gaze focused in on me. “Hey bro, you alright?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yea… yea. I’m good.”
I pulled my hand back and realized that it was drenched. He was sweaty and uncomfortable looking. I got up and walked to my dresser and shuffled around until I found another clean pair of pants. “You’re drenched in sweat, put those on,” I said as I tossed them to him and walked back to go back to sleep. Shit, it feels like I never passed out and I know I had to have gotten a few hours of sleep. This was like the never-ending fucking night.
He took off the wet clothes and tossed on the sweats. He hesitated and then got in the bed under the covers. Fucking hell. “Need to talk about it?” I asked him.
He hesitated. “Na, I’ll be fine.”
I didn’t believe him, but fuck… the man ain't wanna talk, and I for sure need some fucking sleep.
*****
Tank
I woke up, and the first thing I saw was Danny. Sitting on the edge of the bed, elbows on his thighs holding his head. I scrubbed my face, was this nightmare ever going to end?
“Danny?”
He jumped up off the bed and spun around. His hand flew to his chest, and he breathed out a long breath like he was trying to get his breathing under control. I sat up, “calm down man. You’re fine.” I assured him.
He shook his head. “I know, it’s just going to take some getting used to.” He admitted.
I groaned, and so did my stomach. “Fuck, I’m hungry. Let’s get some food then we can go find you some shit of your own, yea?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Um, yea… that’s ok I guess.”
Well fuck. This is not going to be easy; the boy seemed scared of his own fucking shadow. I stood up and stretched. I walked over to my closet and grabbed some shit to throw on. “Have at it, find something you wanna wear and let’s get some fucking food. I’ll meet you back here.”
He nodded looking at me blankly, and for a moment I had to wonder if he’d even heard me. I sighed and walked off.
I took my time getting ready trying to give him as much time as I possibly could before I got grumpy from hunger. Imagine how unsurprised I was when I went back to my room and found a freshly washed Danny, sitting on the edge of my bed wrapped in a towel staring ahead looking lost.
“Danny,” I stated.
His head snapped up. “Yea?”
I gestured to the closet. “Was there a problem?” I asked.
He shook his head, stopped, then shrugged. “I – I didn’t know what to choose. I mean, I didn’t know what was ok.”
I wiped a hand down my face and pinched my eyes closed. “Look. I get that you just came from some fucked up shit for who knows how the fuck long. And I feel bad for you, I do. But you ain't there no more. I told you to find something to toss on; there were no restrictions. Pick something that ya like and toss it on.”
“But – “he started, and I shook my head.
“But shit. What the fuck did I say? You ain't there no more, and I was trying to tread carefully with you, but that doesn’t appear to be doing shit. We are going to snap you out of this whole space cadet, scared bunny shit you got going on and turn you back into a regular person.” I told him.
He flinched at the ‘regular person’ comment, but I didn’t give a fuck. “Now, I’m going to walk out of this room and be back in here in five minutes. If you ain't dressed by then, I’m gonna dress you my damn self like a toddler. Got it?” I asked.
He blushed and nodded. “Yes… I’ll be ready.” He said.
I gave him a firm nod and left the room. I felt like I was a little harsh, so I gave him 8 minutes instead before I went back in to find him dressed. He had on a pair of jeans, a black t-shirt, and a pair of my black boots I’m sure were a bit big for him. I grabbed a leather for him and
tossed it at him as I grabbed my cut and we were gone.
I pulled into a Denny’s, and my stomach rumbled in happiness. I could probably take one of everything on the fucking menu right about now. We got a corner booth by a window, and the waitress came by immediately. Her eyes ate me up, and she licked her lips seductively. Had I been alone I would’ve taken her into the bathroom and let her suck me off while they were making my food. Since I was with the skittish one, I was afraid to leave him alone.
“Coffee?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yea.”
She grinned. “Know what you want yet honey?” she asked flirtatiously. I was still debating what I wanted in my head, but I could order now if needed. I looked over at Danny who was just looking around the room anxiously as he fidgeted.
The waitress swung her gaze over to him and didn’t hide her interest there either. “Well hello to you too…” she said.
The bitch was a whore, didn’t care which one she got. Fuck, maybe even take both of us, but I don’t think he’s ready for that yet.
“I uh… I’m not…” he gripped the collar of the shirt, clearly uncomfortable.
“We’ll take the coffee for now,” I interjected.
She nodded and scampered off adding a little sway to her hips. She didn’t look nearly as good from the back as she did with those implants in the front. I sighed, what a waste. When she came back a minute later, her breast was miraculously more visible, and she gave us both a nice view as she deposited the coffee and left.
I poured us both a glass and added cream to mine. “How do you like yours?” I asked him.
He shrugged and blushed. “I don’t know… I mean, I heard of it, but I never had it,” he admitted.
I gestured to his cup. “Well that’s black, why don’t you give it a go?”
He picked up the cup hesitantly and took a sip. His face scrunched up, and I chuckled. “That’s uh… strong.”
“That’s why they have add-ins. Try mine.” I said and used my fingers to nudge it his way.
He looked at me uncertainly, and I gave him a nod saying go on. He picked up the cup, blew on it then took a sip. He took a minute to get the taste then took a longer one. “I like this one.” He said with a small smile.
“Cream.” I plucked two packets from the basket and poured them into his. “Too much and it’s too sweet,” I informed him.
He tried his again and grinned for the first time. “Better.”
“So, what do you wanna eat? They have everything.” I asked.
He shrugged. “Eggs and toast?”
I frowned. “You don’t come to Denny’s and have eggs and toast. You have that when you’re home alone and know fuck all about cooking like me, and that’s all you can make.”
“I uh… don’t know.” He said and began fidgeting again.
“Alright then…” I waved the waitress over.
“Are you ready to order?” she asked.
I nodded. “We’ll have two of the Belgian waffle slams with an order of home fries. Strawberries and whip cream for the waffles. Eggs scrambled with cheese. Double on the meat.”
She smiled. “Breakfast of the champs. I’ll get that in for you guys.” She said as she walked off.
Danny waited until she was out of earshot. “What’s that?” he asked.
“That I ordered?” I asked.
He nodded. “Oh, it’s a big fluffy waffle that they’re going to put strawberry and whipped cream on top. It’s going to come with scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, sausage, and home fries.” I told him.
He smiled then it dropped from his face.
“What now?” I asked.
He squirmed as he looked around studying the other people that were eating. “I uh…” he shifted around in his seat and scooted closer to me dropping his voice. “It’s been a while since I ate, like normal people.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?” I asked.
He blushed. “Using forks and stuff… besides, I never even ate out anywhere before. We couldn’t afford it.” He was whispering.
I frowned. “I don’t give a shit if you eat with your toes. You gotta eat.”
He sighed and dropped his shoulders in defeat. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut and prayed for the fucking patience. I waved the waitress over. “We’re actually in a hurry. Can you pack it to go?” I asked.
She nodded. “Sure thing, it just finished I’ll box it up. Do you want some coffee to go too?” she asked.
I nodded. “Yea.”
She walked off, and I looked at Danny. He gave me a grateful smile, and I groaned. “Come on…”
We grabbed the food, and I paid and made our way back to my cage. When we got in, Danny buckled up his seatbelt.
I grunted and started the car to get the music going. “We’re eating right the fuck here. I’m starving.” I said as I started unloading the food.
I passed Danny his stuff and immediately dug in. He sat there watching me for a beat, and I raised an eyebrow. “What’re you waiting for?” I asked.
He blushed. Fucking hell, everything embarrassed him. “I uh… just don’t laugh at me.” He said.
I picked up a piece of bacon and tossed it into my mouth. “I told you I don’t give a shit, right? Eat.”
He smiled. He tore off a piece of his waffle with his fingers and popped it into his mouth. He groaned around the bite and proceeded to tear through his food. I didn’t comment, but it was kind of savage like he was afraid it might be taken away from him or disappear.
“So how long were you there?” I asked. I’ve wanted to know how much damage they could’ve inflicted on him.
He shrugged. “I’m not sure… what’s today?” he said casually.
I paused midchew. “You don’t know what today is?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Not like we had watches or schedule. We ate when they fed us, bathed when they thought we were disgusting enough.” He sighed and took a drink of coffee. “At first, I was counting the days, hours, minutes… hell seconds. After a while one minute bled into the next, then the days. I know it’s been a while that’s for sure.”
“It’s May 15, 2017,” I told him.
He paused and thought about it. “Well shit. I’m 28 years old… huh.” He shook his head. “Been twelve years.”
I choked on the piece of sausage I was eating. “What?!” I asked.
He nodded. “Yep. I was sixteen. My baby sister was sold, and I gave myself in her place. Been there ever since.”
I had to look crazy with my mouth hanging open, but the fuck? No fucking wonder this man was jacked in the head. “Where’s your sister?” I asked.
A pained look crossed his features. “I don’t know…” he mumbled. “Somewhere in my past.” He said then looked out the window where he began to zone out.
Fuck, I didn’t mean to send him back to the crazy place. “Well, you ain't there no more. So, do you know what you wanna do now?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Well, I liked cars. Back before everything, I was messing around with cars. Better money than what I was making doing odd jobs in manual labor. Figured that the money will take care of us better. It was pretty cool, but I didn’t get to do it much…”
I thought about it. “Well we got a chop shop, I can get you set up there. They’ll pay you and everything its part of the club.”
He looked at me with hopeful eyes. “Yea?” he asked.
I shrugged. “Sure. Though, not right away. I need to get you out of that place, back to the here and now. Take away all that fear and shit they instilled in you.”
He frowned. “I’m not a frightened little boy.” He stated defensive.
Maybe not on the outside, but on the inside completely. “Alright,” I said.
“I’m not.” He argued.
I shrugged. “I said ok… I got you.”
Maybe there was hope for him yet.
Chapter 2
Danny
At first, Tank was treating me like a scared toddler. N
ow, he was breathing down my neck about every little thing. I don’t know which way was worst. I hated being viewed as a weakling but at the same time his pushiness is downright annoying I mean, he’s acting like I can shake my head and the last 25 years of my life would disappear.
“Tank… I’m fine.” I told him for the five hundredth time today.
He was a downright pain in my ass. I get it, break out, break free… all that good shit but my lord. It’s been two freaking days.
Yes. Two long as hell days with Tank on my ass about every little thing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful but I mean I need to breathe.
Who would’ve known that the young girl they placed in the cage beside mine would be the reason for my saving? Addie had appeared to be so lost and so scared, I couldn’t help but thinking… this could be my sister. I immediately took her under my wing. I thought it was futile, that eventually they’d take her and break her, but I did whatever I could to let her maintain her innocence for as long as possible.
That place was a lot to take in. Hell, it was over the top for me when I first got there, and I was older than she was. They were a depraved lot and would give anything – or anyone – for a buck. Trust me, I know. I want to say that I don’t know how I survived under Acids thumb for as long as I did. I was pretty sure I was the oldest slut they had, but he kept me. His regulars loved me, and I knew better than to give them shit. I kept my mouth shut and my head down. I was out of sight out of mind until it came time to pimp me out. I learned to find some type of happy place that I could zone out to during those times. I needed it during those times when men and women took me to one of the rooms on those lumpy ass beds to have their way with me. It was disgusting. Both men and women wanting to fuck me, wanting me to fuck them. It astonished me the number of people that came in and wanted me to do them or to even blow me. There were a few females who came back like clockwork like I was their boy toy. I hated every second of it… I wasn’t even attracted to women.
Built For A Tank (The Rulers of Darkness MC Book 2) Page 2