Page 158 of Tied to You

I don’t know.“They’re coming.”

“But you had the gear?”

He knows something’s up. I need to get out of here. What have I done? The way he rubs the scar branded down his cheek unearths a telling realisation. The last time we were here at his house, Travis was the last to leave. He went back for reasons unbeknownst to any of us. The very reason now staring me in the face.

“What happened to you?”

I know. Of course I know. I told Travis that Matthew had hurt me, so hehurt him back. He couldn’t kill him like he probably wanted to, so he messed up his face. The face now contorting with a subtle hint of rage. “Why don’t you ask your boyfriend?”

Because he left.“Matt—”

“Come here,” he barks, cutting me off.

My eyes hollow. “Why?”

“Because I said so, Mollie.”

He’s taking advantage of Dean and Travis not being here. I could handle the cocky, arrogant arsehole he used to be on my own. But not this guy. This guy I don’t know. Dealing with outlaws has changed him.

It’s not surprising. “No. Take your drugs. Pay up, then I can go.”

He smiles again, making my skin crawl. “I deal with The King. The King works with the bikers. You,” he raises a hand, stepping to the bag of coke, not looking at me, “are not a fucking biker.” He opens the bag, tipping out two blocks of white power onto the table. Then he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a flick knife, again pointing at me. It flips open with a snap, the blade catching the dim light in the room.

I look at the blade then to Matthew.

This time, blackened pits bore into my soul. “Now come here.”

My throat burns. I try to swallow. Can’t. “No.”

Matthew slices open a bag and bangs the table, making me jump. He makes his way to me, taking a handful of my hair and dragging me to the drugs. I cry out, knowing exactly what he’s going to do.

Afterall, he’s done it before.

This is punishment for being embarrassed. This is years of hating me and hating himself for what happened that night. For having to look over his shoulder every day, wondering whether I was going to oust him and make everyone turn their backs on him. I didn’t. Still wouldn’t. But he doesn’t trust me.

In some sick kind of way, given my stupidity to come here without telling anyone, perhaps I deserve some sort of punishment for thinking I could do this. For thinking I had any right to get involved in Travis’ business?Clubbusiness. They’re outlaws. Men who have suffered a social death for their refusal to be victims. If this goes wrong, I’ll be at their mercy. If this goes wrong I’ll deserve whatever they give me.

But my baby doesn’t.

Fighting his hold in my hair, I try to pull myself free.

It only serves to make him tighten his grip, forcing my head down to the table.

I brace my hands on the wood. “Please, don’t do this.”

“Shut up. Let’s see how much he really loves you.” Matthew reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone, tapping the buttons and putting it on speaker.

“Hello?”

He’s called Henry. “I have Mollie at my place. She’s a little… worse for wear. You might want to come get her.”

“What?—”

Matthew hangs up.

“Why did you call him?” I mutter, my head being angled back to look at him.

“Because all he talks about is you. I’m fucking sick of it—of hearing your fucking name! I want him to see what a waste your whole fucking life has become, Mollie!”