Page 18

CHAPTER 18

ROSALIE

I opened my eyes, startled awake, as I heard some pans clanking in the kitchen. It took me a few moments to realize what room I was in, and then as the sleepy fog in my head cleared, everything that had happened last night came rushing in. I took a few deep breaths to calm back down.

Rosalie, it’s fine! You’re gonna be fine. You just need to leave the room and get your keys and leave. Just be quiet, and you should be able to sneak on by.

I got out of bed and walked to the door, slowly unlocking it. I flinched at the small click it made when it unlocked and paused to see if I could hear anything different on the other side. But it just sounded like Kordell was cooking away in the kitchen. I opened the door and sneaked down the hallway. The smells of breakfast filled the air, and my stomach betrayed me by growling loudly just as I entered the living room.

Kordell glanced over his shoulder from the island in the kitchen. His eyes were cold, but a smirk grew on his face as soon as he saw me.

“Mama, ’bout time you woke up. Come over and eat.”

He waved me over, and I glanced at the front door.

Can I make it?

“I wouldn’t try it. Besides, we need to have a little chat. So, come sit down, Rosalie.”

I sucked in a breath and walked over to the island, pulling out the stool, my hands shaky from hunger and nerves. I sat down, and Kordell reached into his pants pocket and pulled out my phone. He slid it across the counter, and I barely caught it before it went over the edge.

“You’ll be happy to hear I got rid of your little problem. Blocked the number and factory-reset the phone. Don’t worry, the important numbers and photos are back there. Just nothing that will distract you anymore. You’re welcome.”

I swallowed. My mouth was so dry as I opened my phone and went to my messages. There were none. I swiped to my Contacts, and only a few were there—Mom, Dad, Jayden, and Kordell. None of my other numbers were there anymore. I went to my photos. The only ones left were ones of Kordell and me or my family. He’d deleted everything else.

I glanced back up at Kordell, only to be met with his intense stare. He reached over and ran his hand over my hair, right next to where he had smacked me the night before. I flinched. It felt tender, and I was sure it’d probably left a bruise.

“You know I didn’t want to hit you last night, right? But you did something terrible, mama. And so, you made me do it. I love you, Rosalie. And no one is going to come between us ever again. That’s a promise.”

My eyes fluttered up to look at him. He was eerily calm, and what scared me more was, I almost believed him. That he had turned me into someone who would believe that being slapped was because of my actions and not his own. I knew I had to play along because AJ and my friends were right. Kordell was manipulative. And as I stared at him, I knew that my feelings had changed. This wasn’t the handsome biker who had helped me get over a breakup that left me feeling empty. This was someone who was cold, dangerous, controlling, and I was scared of what would happen if I stayed by him longer than I had to.

“I-I know… I’m so sorry. I promise, it won’t ever happen again.” My lower lip trembled as I spoke. God, why couldn’t I get my nerves under control?

“Shhh… I know, little mama. Like I said, don’t worry about it. I took care of the problem, and you can get ready and head to work. I’ll make sure you get there safely.”

He dragged his thumb along my lower lip. I resisted the urge I had to pull away from his touch. He leaned back and turned his attention back to the food cooking.

I slipped off the stool and walked over to the stairs. I took them two at a time until I got to the bedroom. I quickly changed and then went into the bathroom, locking the door and glancing into the mirror.

Ouch. Yep, that’s not really pretty.

“Oh my gosh, how am I going to explain this?” I whispered as I walked over to the counter and sorted through my bare minimum makeup supplies. Finding a concealer of questionable age and a foundation, I tried my best to hide the bruise, and I left my hair down. When I left the bathroom, I grabbed a ball cap and threw that on as well. I found my wallet and tucked it and my phone into my pockets before walking back down the stairs.

Stay calm, girl. Just a few more minutes, and you’ll be on the road. When you get to work, Dad will be there, and you’ll be fine.

“Perfect timing. Breakfast is ready,” Kordell said as he set a plate down in front of where I had been sitting before I went up.

I walked over and sat down.

“Thank you,” I whispered as I picked up my fork.

I had no appetite, but my stomach was growling, so I forced myself to eat a few bites. They went down like rocks and settled heavy in my stomach. I pushed the rest of my food around for a few minutes while Kordell cleaned his plateful of food like it was a small snack.

“All right, let’s get going. Don’t want you to be late now,” he said as he leaned over.

I stilled as he kissed the side of my head, and then he slid his fingers under my chin and tipped my face up toward his. I closed my eyes as he leaned down and kissed me.

Kiss him back! my mind screamed at me, and after another second of hesitation, I did.

He chuckled as he pulled back. “That’s my girl. Hurry. I’ll be waiting at the door.”

I gave him a hesitant smile as he walked away and quickly washed off my plate. Then, I went and put on my shoes and grabbed my Viper’s keys off the table.

Kordell held the door open, and as I walked past him, he smacked my ass hard.

“Damn, mama, should have fucked you before you left today. You could use a little stress relief. You seem tense.”

I didn’t reply, didn’t even look back, just walked over to my car and got in. Starting it up, I locked the doors and backed out of the driveway. I started heading toward Dad’s auto shop, and at one intersection, I swore I saw AJ’s lowrider pulled over on the side of the street, but with Kordell following right behind me on his bike, there was no way I was going to go find out. He followed me until I pulled into the alleyway to Dad’s custom shop, and my phone lit up with a text.

Kordell

I shared your location with my phone too, mama. That way, if you get lost on your way home, I’ll be able to find you. See you when you get off.

I closed the phone without replying. I parked my car, then ran in through the shop door. I almost knocked Reece over as I bumped into him.

“Dang, watch out, Rosalie. Almost dropped this box of headlight bulbs,” Reece said as he steadied himself and adjusted the box he was carrying.

“I-I’m sorry! Is my dad here yet?” I asked as I caught my breath.

“Nah, he said he was going to be running pretty late today. Something about making a house call. Is everything good?”

I nodded and hurried into the paint room.

Dang it! Okay, think, Rosalie. WAIT! My social media!

I re-downloaded my social apps and logged in to them. I sighed with relief when I realized he hadn’t thought to delete my accounts. I pressed on the group message chain with my friends, and I saw there were over fifteen unread messages.

Tyler

You guys going to the pop-up meet in that parking garage by Santa Monica today?

Hank Jr.

It’s a weekday, man. Some of us work.

Freddie

And some of us are trying to sleep, but their douchebag friends are messaging a shit ton and waking him up.

Tyler

Ask me if I care. *laughing emoji*

Freddie

I already know you don’t. But I guess I could. I don’t work until late tonight.

Hank Jr.

Count me out.

I looked at the pin that Tyler had dropped for where they were meeting, and then I replied.

Rosalie

I’m coming, but I need you guys to be there first, and I need one of you to help me get in touch with AJ, please! It’s really important.

Tyler

Morning, princess. Nice of you to finally join the convo.

Hank Jr.

Why do you need our help? You got his number, don’t ya?

Rosalie

No, I don’t! It’s a long story. I’ll tell you all when I see you. I just really need help, guys, please!

Tyler

I have no idea where to find him. Any leads?

Hank Jr.

What’s wrong, Rosalie? You good?

Rosalie

No! That’s why I need your help!

Freddie

I know a guy who I can get his info from.

Tyler

How the fuck do you know a guy who knows a guy?

Freddie

My boyfriend has a weed hookup and has seen AJ around the dealer’s place before. I’ll take care of it, Rosalie. Don’t worry.

Rosalie

Okay, I’m, umm… I’m going to leave in, like, forty minutes. Can you guys be there?

Tyler

We will be there. Hank, fucking tell your dad you gotta go. Rosalie needs us, so get your ass here now!

Hank Jr.

I’m already getting in my truck, you idiot, damn.

I teared up as I walked into the paint lab and started pacing the space. Kordell was tracking my phone location. Okay, so I had to drive quickly. I looked at the pinned location again and planned out my route, avoiding as many high-traffic streets as possible. I could get there within thirty minutes. So, I just hoped Kordell would have gone back to my place or maybe even farther away by the time I left.

“Hey, Reece! I have to go. Something came up! Can you push my jobs a couple of days out? Thanks!” I shouted over to Reece, who was busy organizing the lights he had been walking around with earlier.

“Yeah. You sure everything’s good?” he asked.

I nodded. “Oh, yeah! Just need to take care of something, and it might take all day, so, see you!”

I ran outside to my car and whipped it out of the alleyway. I sped as fast as I could to get to that meet, praying the guys would be there when I showed up. I ran red light after red light, and I took corners faster than I should. I even passed a car on a corner with a risky field of view, so if someone was coming the other way, they would probably hit me. It was worth it to me. I needed to get there and not be stopped by anything before I could.

I pulled down the street the meet was on, and there weren’t a ton of cars, but a decent amount were scattered around a parking lot. Cruising down the rows, I felt a wave of relief wash over me when I saw Tyler’s and Freddie’s cars. I quickly parked between them and jumped out of my car, throwing myself into their arms for the hug I had needed all day.

“Oh my god, I’m so happy you two are already here! Did you get ahold of him, Freddie?” I pulled back enough to look at their faces, and Tyler and Freddie exchanged glances.

“Yeah, I did. He’s gotta be pulling in soon. And Hank’s on his way too. What the hell happened to your face, Rosalie?” Freddie’s voice dropped deeper as he brushed my hair aside, seeing parts of the bruise through the makeup.

I pulled back and fidgeted in place.

“Kordell… he got really mad last night because I had been out… with AJ. And when I was out with him, someone Kordell knew had seen that I was kinda… making out with AJ in his car. So, when I got home, he yelled, and then h-he…” My voice trailed off as a sob caught in my throat.

“I’ll fucking kill him,” Tyler spit out as he walked over to his car and grabbed a tire wrench out of his trunk.

I looked between Tyler and Freddie and was about to tell them to not do anything stupid, but Kordell might have followed me since he had my location from my phone. When Hank Jr.’s car rolled into the meet, he parked it next to our cars. He got out, took one look at me, and scowled.

“Rosalie, the fuck happen to you?” Hank Jr. asked as he marched over.

“I-I… I just don’t know what to do,” I whispered as my eyes went to the ground, and I started blinking fast, trying to keep the tears that had been threatening to spill down my face all morning at bay.

I stiffened the moment I heard Kordell’s bike coming down the road. The guys all looked over at the street, having heard it as well. They all stood next to me, at the ready for whatever was about to go down. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid that they would get hurt or worse.

Kordell parked his bike across from us, getting off it like he was just out for a simple ride. He took off his helmet and walked toward us.

“Rosalie, I thought you had to work today. Don’t tell me you’re slacking off without your dad knowing?” The way he spoke was so off. He was trying to act calm, but I could feel it, he was furious.

“I think you need to leave,” Freddie said. “And not just right now, but her life, if you know what’s good for you.”

Kordell chuckled and kept walking toward me. “Rosalie, it’s time to go. Tell your little friends to fuck off.”

I shook my head and took a step back.

And then a purple lowrider pulled into the parking garage.