Page 15

Emma

“M an, you had all three of the guys drooling! Their faces were priceless!” Bess chuckles, shaking her head and grinning, as we drive toward the Hell Riders’ clubhouse.

It was decided that Bess and I would turn up in her Mustang. Jax and Ty would follow in her other car and Mason on his bike, keeping their distance and parking nearby, where they’re still within range of the mics to hear us and come to help quickly, should anything go wrong.

I laugh too, Bess’ good mood is infectious. “I have to admit, it did make me feel good.”

“Damn right, it should, three hotties like that all fawning over you. Does wonders for the ego. It’s clear they’re all smitten with you, how do you feel about them?” she asks curiously with no trace of jealousy or malice in her voice.

“They’re so not. They’re just being guys,” I say dismissively, deliberately avoiding her question.

I’m not sure I even know the answer.

“They’re definitely not,” Bess says adamantly. “I don’t know Jax and Ty as well, but Mason and I practically grew up together. We were in the same foster home when we were thirteen, he’s like a brother to me. Trust me, I know it when he likes someone.”

“Oh, I thought maybe that you two were…” I trail off, not knowing exactly what I thought. Maybe she was an ex, or perhaps a casual partner since they get along so well. “... A thing,” I land on.

Bess smiles indulgently. “When we were young, we thought maybe, but after a disastrous encounter where we took each other's virginity, we realized we were definitely not meant to be. Not least because I realized that men aren’t my thing. Mason’s like a brother to me.”

“Oh, I see,” I reply, feeling more relieved than I have a right to be.

I don’t have any claim on Mason, if he and Bess were a thing that’s none of my business and it shouldn’t bother me. Yet I know it would.

“Mason’s never introduced me to a girl before,” Bess adds, grinning at me.

I shake my head, “It’s not like that. He and the guys are just helping my brother out. That’s all.”

“Sure it is…” Bess replies, her tone laced with sarcasm. “For what it’s worth, I know he can be a stubborn, rude, insensitive asshole, but he’s only acting that way because he cares about you. Even if he doesn’t know it yet.”

I don’t know how to respond to that, so I just nod and stay silent, mulling over her words.

Before long, we arrive at the club. Bess flashes a smile at the doorman, “Hey Chuck, long time no see.”

“Alright, Bess, I see you’ve got yourself another damn fine lady friend,” he replies, his eyes roaming over me shamelessly before he steps aside to let us in.

Bess blows him a kiss and leads the way inside, taking hold of my hand as we weave through the crowd. It’s dark and smoky inside, clearly, no one cares to abide by the smoking ban, and rock music blares from the speakers. Tatted bikers and scantily clad women gyrate against each other, the bar is crammed with men trying to one-up each other, and in one corner I notice a group happily playing strip poker, one woman sitting in just a thong, unconcerned that she’s in public.

Bess sashays in front of me, her jeans slung low on her hips. She’s wearing a skintight leather bustier that displays her ample chest and flat stomach. Several pairs of eyes watch us as we make our way to the bar.

“Two beers and two tequilas,” Bess shouts over the din to the barman.

We chug the beers and chase them with the shots as Bess surveys the crowd, looking for Venom and Breaker. She deftly rebuffs the advances of the men who try to approach us.

“Found them!” she says triumphantly, “Let’s move over this way so they can see us,” Bess shouts in my ear so I can hear her over the noise.

“We’re not going over to them?” I ask, confused.

“You don’t go over to them, they call for you.”

“What if they don’t?” I say, feeling panicked that this whole endeavor will be for nothing.

Bess shoots me a glance sideways, “You really have no idea how hot you are, do you? There’s no way Breaker won’t call us over.”

Sure enough, only seconds later, the man who I assume is Breaker holds up a hand and waves us over with a flick of two fingers. He’s a great beast of a man, baldheaded with a crooked nose and biceps the size of watermelons. Next to him, Venom is a small, weaselly man, with greasy hair and a thin mustache. He’s wearing a leather vest, and his bare chest is revealed to show off a giant snake tattoo.

“With a tattoo like that, you’d think he was an Iron Serpent,” I say to Bess as we walk over.

“Don’t say that to them. But you’re right. The Iron Serpents wouldn’t take him though,” Bess replies, making sure we’re not overheard.

“Well, well, well, long time no see, Bess. I see you brought a friend. She getting tired of that dry cunt of yours, and needs a real fucking?” Breaker leers grabbing his crotch for effect, as if we didn’t understand his meaning perfectly.

Bess laughs as though he’s said something funny, and I try to hide my disgust, plastering a smile on my face. “Shelly’s in town visiting from out of state and wanted to know where the best place was to party, naturally, I had to bring her here,” she replies, the lies rolling off her tongue with ease.

“Well, you came to the right place babydoll, come sit with me,” Breaker says patting his big meaty thigh.

Oh god, is he expecting me to sit on him?

I try to hide my revulsion as I smile tightly and scoot into the booth beside him. Immediately he places his giant paw on my waist, squeezing it and pulling me close to him so I’m practically on his lap.

“Tiny little thing, aren’t you?” he says approvingly as his eyes explore my body.

“Go easy on her, Breaker, she’s new to this,” Bess says as she sits down next to Venom, and I feel stupidly relieved that she’s trying to help. I didn’t think he’d be this full-on right away.

“Oh, I’ll take care of you, little bird,” he says stroking my thigh. “Let’s get you a drink, help relax you,” he says, gesturing to the waitress who immediately appears with a bottle of tequila and shot glasses, pouring us all one.

I down it, wincing slightly as the liquor hits my throat but needing the Dutch courage. Venom and Bess are talking across the table, but I can’t hear them over the music.

“Quiet, aren’t you,” Breaker observes.

“Sorry…” I reply, at a loss for words.

Turns out I’m no actress. Playing this part is harder than anticipated. Not least because Breaker stinks of stale cigarettes and sweat.

“Don’t be, I like it. The last thing I want is some broad always yammering in my ear,” Breaker replies.

Evidently, Breaker doesn’t feel the same way about himself as he proceeds to spend the next five minutes boasting to me about his sexual prowess and skills as a fighter and biker, all while insisting we knock back several shots, one after another. As he talks, he pulls me closer so I can feel his erection pressing against my ass cheeks.

Jesus, I hope Bess gets the info she needs soon.

“Hey, Shelly, Venom and I are just going somewhere quieter for a minute, you gonna be alright?” Bess asks me, concern and apology in her eyes.

I nod, trying to be brave, “Yes.”

“Course she will be! She’s got me looking after her,” Breaker shouts over me. “You to go ahead. We’ll follow you shortly.”

With one last look at me for reassurance, Bess heads off with Venom toward a back door.

“Come on little bird, drink up,” Breaker says, thrusting another shot at me. I do as I’m told. “Good girl,” he says approvingly.

Before I know what’s happening, I’m lifted to my feet. Breaker’s giant hand clamps around my wrist as he pulls me through the crowd that parts from him. I stumble a little feeling unsteady after so many drinks. “Need me to carry you?” he asks, looking as if he’d like nothing more.

I shake my head, “No, thank you. I’m fine.”

He leads me toward the same door that Bess went through just moments ago, so I happily follow. But then he takes me through an emergency exit into an alleyway outside. There’s no sight of Bess and Venom.

“What?” I say, confused and unable to form my thoughts into words.

“Don’t worry little bird. Venom called dibs on the back room, and I don’t fancy sharing. Course, as Prez I could kick him out, but thought you might want the fresh air. You’re so tiny we don’t need a bed, I can just pick you up and throw you around.”

It dawns on me exactly why he’s brought me out here.

“Let’s go back inside, it’s cold out here…” I say, trying to move toward the safety of the door.

“I’ll keep you warm,” he says, pulling me back to him, his hand like a vice on my wrist as he grabs at my breast, squeezing it painfully.

He pushes me up against the wall, the roughness scraping my back as he fumbles, his weight pinning me in place as he tries to hitch up my skirt and fumbles with his belt.

“Please, no,” I say, pushing with both hands against his chest.

“Don’t be such a fucking cock tease. You’ve been grinding on it all night like a bitch in heat. Look what you did,” he says, forcing my hand down to feel the bulge in his pants. “You know you want this. I’m gonna split that little pussy of yours in two.”

Panic sets in as I realize he’s not going to take no for an answer. “Stop, please!” I beg as I struggle but he pins me in place.

He simply laughs at my fear, spinning me around so my face is pressed against the cool stone wall. “That’s it, little bird. I like it when they fight,” he whispers in my ear.

“Help!” I scream as he tears my panties off.

There’s a dull thud followed by a clanging sound and all of a sudden, Breaker is no longer pressed against me. Dazed, I turn around to see Breaker lying on the floor unconscious, his head bloody. My eyes land on my metal baseball bat-wielding savior.

“Mason!” I cry, my legs buckling with relief.

He scoops me up into his chest as I let out a sob. “Shh, it’s okay. I’m here. But we gotta go, he won’t stay down long, we gotta get as far away from here as we can.”

“We can’t leave Bess!”

“Bess will be fine, the guys will get her out. Please, Emma, just trust me,” he begs.

“Alright,” I concede. “I can walk,” I add.

“I’m not letting you go,” he says, holding me tighter.

Somehow, his words feel like a promise. As if he won’t ever let me go.

I don’t want him to.