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Turning to Athena, I run my gaze up and down her body, checking for anything that seems out of place. Like a bruise or a scratch or a goddamn bug bite. Anything that’ll justify beating this asshole to a pulp. For all I know, the guy was just talking to them, asking them about the fucking weather, except that fear is written all over her features, from her dilated pupils to the tightness in her jaw. There are days when giving people the benefit of the doubt is warranted and then there’s today.
“You’re okay, Baby Girl. You’ll be just fine.” Every fiber of my being is fighting the primal urge to pick her up and take her to safety, somewhere no one will ever put that look on her face again.
“No. No, I won’t.”
Without taking my eyes off Athena as I try to comprehend the extent of her panic, I call out to Mac.
“Hey, Mac, you good?” I know she is since Psycho isn’t losing his mind but I’m trying to be polite before I give her an order… because this is absolutely going to sound like an order.
“Yeah, all good. I mean, there was no need to knock the dude out. He didn’t touch us.”
“Fuck him.” For good measure, Grinder, who waltzed over to us calm as could be, kicks the guy in the ribs. “Still alive, though, so nobody’s goin’ to jail this time.”
“Okay, here’s what we’re doin’.” My words are clipped since I’m about to do something I’ve always sworn I’d never do. “Mac, you’re taking my bike back to the compound.”
The noise around us just stops and I can imagine all three heads whipping around with sheer shock on their faces. Yeah yeah, nobody rides your bike but you. Except I’d rather Mac get my bike than leave it on the side of the road.
“Did you suddenly decide it was a good day for a stroll?” There’s no humor in Psycho’s voice because he knows this is serious.
“Nah, brother. I’m taking matters into my own hands.” Before anyone can utter another word, I bend over and scoop Athena in my arms. She doesn’t protest but her body goes immediately stiff as I cradle her into my chest. “Get rid of this guy.” I don’t speak to any of them in particular as I carry Athena to the truck, which is exactly when I realize I don’t have the fucking keys.
“Bear!” Behind me, Mac makes her way to the passenger door and opens it. Before I can put Athena down, she reaches back and grabs the spare helmet then throws the fob on the driver’s seat and salutes me. “Take care of my new friend, okay?”
I think I grunt. I’ve been reduced to primal caveman sounds as I nod to Mac then, as though handling fragile china, place Athena on the passenger seat and buckle her in. She hasn’t spoken since confessing that she wasn’t okay, but her facial expression says plenty.
That man scared the fuck out of her, and as much as I’d love to beat him to a pulp for putting the fear of God in her, my need to take care of her is greater.
“You’re okay, Baby Girl. I’ve got ya. I’ve got ya.” On instinct, I lean in close, and just when my lips are about to graze the top of her head in a reassuring chaste kiss, I stop the madness.
For the last ten years or so, I’ve been hammering down the concept of consent to my brothers, making them understand the consequences of taking without asking, and here I am… placing my lips on her head while she’s in the middle of a complete breakdown.
Clearing my throat, I back out of the truck door after making sure her seat belt is nice and secure, then round the hood and jump in the driver’s seat.
Fuck, the keys.
I hate vehicles. I feel cramped, like an elephant in one of those tiny Italian cars. Raising my ass, I reach down and pluck the keys from the seat, start the engine, and follow the road right back to the compound where I hope to get some goddamn answers.
“Look, all I know is that the guy came up to us and said… and I quote ‘Mommy and Daddy are very angry with you.’ It was flipping creepy, and when I looked back at Athena, she was frozen in fear. So weird.” Mac’s arms are waving all over the place like she’s fluent in Italian or some shit.
Back at the compound, I brought Athena to the clubhouse knowing that, at this time of day, the brothers would be working their day jobs, notably at the garage. Grinder went back to his place, said he and Boner had to clean their apartment.Apparently, Boner’s mom is visiting from Alabama and since cleanliness is next to godliness, they’re going to scour the place until it smells like angel farts. His words, not mine.
The four of us are occupying the couch space as Mac goes through the series of events. As per usual, the little rats are nestled together in Psycho’s hoodie sleeping their lives away after playing a brutal game of chase around the bar area, no doubt violating a dozen health laws if this were a regular place of business.
“You ran away from your parents? I was sure it was a boyfriend or husband or some shit.” Psycho, who wouldn’t know how to mince words if he had a manual with pictures in it sitting in front of his face, just blurts out what the rest of us are thinking.
“I…” With her brow furrowed, Athena looks away and her cheeks flush a darker shade of pink. It looks like she’s blushing but I’m pretty sure it’s anxiety. “It’s more complicated than that.”
“Well, explain it to us like we’re toddlers.” My gaze narrows on Psycho because he’s pushing too hard and I’m about to put my foot down. That said, my need to hear her story is real.
In a sudden move, Athena stands and takes a step away from us. That fear and trepidation from earlier is gone and her features are now blank. Like she’s numb. Like she’s just dropped a steel mask on her face and checked the fuck out.
Like she’s protecting herself.
I get it. I don’t fucking like it, but I get it.
“I appreciate you all for wanting to help me but the inevitable is going to happen. If they could find me all the way here from Montana in just a few days, then I don’t stand a chance of escaping.” With her chin held high and her mind made up, she gives us a sharp nod like she’s about to go to battle.
And maybe she thinks she is.