Page 35 of Tinsel & Chrome
WREN
The moment my older brother held me, I broke down and sobbed—all those years of dealing with the pain of never seeing him or my mother again.
I was alive.
I was home.
Atlas introduced me to his ole lady. Charlie was stunning with blonde hair cropped at her shoulders and blue eyes, and tall. She was a great match to Atlas who stood at six feet five inches. We hugged, and I felt her warmth and sincerity as she expressed her delight at finally meeting me.
My brother’s face turned grim.
“Wren, I need to tell you some things, and I think we should go talk in the back office.”
I left Joy with Charlie and Cameron and followed Atlas toward the back of the immense clubhouse to an office. When we entered, I saw a large desk with computer screens displaying live video images from the security cameras installed outside every corner of the clubhouse.
Atlas closed the door, held my shoulders, and said, “I need to tell you what happened to our mother.”
“I know our mother is dead, Atlas,”
I said, my voice monotone.
“Our father killed her. I didn’t run away. I was kidnapped ten years ago, walking home from the bus stop. He sold me. Our father, a monster, sold his child to dangerous, evil men who were monsters like him. I hope he’s suffering with every breath he takes in his prison cell.”
All the words just came out, the sound of my voice monotone, reliving the nightmare that was my life for all those years.
I felt dizzy, and my knees buckled as I howled like an injured animal. But Atlas was there, catching me, holding me tight so I could let it all out.
“I tried to kill the man once and gouged his eye out,”
Atlas said, his warmth surrounding me as he mumbled next to my ear.
“He was lucky once, and there have been a few attempts over the past few years to kill him, but they were unsuccessful. The miserable piece of shit must have nine lives. But luck’s run out for our father because next time, very soon, I’ll make sure he’s dead and gone forever.”
Atlas held me until my sobs turned into hiccups. I wiped away my tears, pulled myself together and we left the office.
But time doesn’t stand still, and the world keeps moving.
People started arriving at the clubhouse, celebrating Bike Week. Samson was there too and told me and Atlas he had checked us out of the motel. I shook his hand.
“I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for me and Joy.”
“You’re the President’s sister, and we’re the Merciless Few MC. That makes you and your kid family.”
It was a bit unsettling to be amongst the crowd of Atlas’s friends and club members, and it triggered my anxiety. The palms of my hands became sweaty, my heart racing.
Atlas understood how I felt without even asking me, so he settled me and Joy in one of the bedrooms down the hallway.
“I want you and Joy to sleep here tonight so Charlie and I can get the extra bedroom ready for you to move in tomorrow. The clubhouse is equipped with surveillance cameras at every corner of the building and the parking lot. I’ll ask Mammoth—”
“You don’t even need to ask. I’ll be here all night, too. You and Joy will be safe,”
Cameron interjected appearing in the doorway.
Atlas slapped a hand on Mammoth’s shoulder.
“Two great minds think alike, brother.”
“Thank you, Cameron,”
I said, feeling a flutter in my belly, staring into his blue eyes as he grinned at me.
Charlie came to the bedroom next with a bag of things she bought for Joy to keep her entertained.
“Thank you,”
Joy said, taking the bag before climbing onto the bed with Fluffy.
“You can never go wrong with a coloring book and crayons,”
Charlie said, smiling as Joy hummed a tune coloring.
*********
I dreamt I was being buried alive as I lay in a wooden coffin, hearing piles of dirt being shoveled into the grave. I dug my nails, clawing at the lid nailed shut, and screamed in terror.
“You’ve been dead for a long time, and you’ll always belong to the Soulless Bastards...”
I woke up in a cold sweat. Not knowing what time it was in the pitch-black room.
There were no sounds of people, bikes, or music coming from outside the closed door, so I assumed it was early morning before the sun was about to rise.
My eyes adjusted to the darkness, and I saw Joy curled up beside me on the bed, sucking her thumb, which was something I couldn’t help her grow out of, and holding Fluffy.
Needing a drink of water, I slowly climbed out of bed. Fully clothed, wearing my jeans and t-shirt to bed, I slid on my sneakers.
I walked lightly toward the door, not to wake Joy, but when I opened it, I heard a grunt as my right foot bumped into something hard.
I cried out falling to the floor but landed face-first onto a man’s hard chest as big, strong arms wrapped around me.
“I got you,”
the man’s deep voice replied.
Some light came from the clubhouse beyond the hallway, and my eyes adjusted to see Cameron’s face underneath me, smelling of masculinity mingled with the outdoors.
He released me, and I sat up suddenly, straddling him.
“What the hell?”
“Mommy?”
I scrambled to my feet and stood.
“I’m here, Joy,”
I reassured her as Cameron stood beside me.
“Just going to get some water. I’ll be right back.”
Cameron cleared his throat.
“Sorry about that.”
“What were you doing on the floor right outside the room?”
I asked, worrying for a moment that he was like the other men I knew in my life, possessive, suspicious, abusive.
“I could tell you were a bit overwhelmed with all the people and rowdiness earlier. I can’t sleep and stay awake for days, so I might as well sit outside your door just to know you’re safe inside.”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, looking apologetic, this big bear of a man who looked dangerous but handsome.
I couldn’t resist and did something I’d never have done to any man before.
I reached up and cupped the side of his bearded cheek.
“Thank you, Cameron. I do feel safe when you’re near.”