Two Weeks of Sin

“Why are you giving me my own room? Aren’t you going to chain me up in a dungeon or something?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because that’s what criminals and drug dealers do. Besides, what if I run away?” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

“I might be an asshole, but I don’t work with junkies. We don’t deal drugs and at the end of the day, we aren’t the bad guys. We are trying to make a difference in our communities,” he said, leaning against the door frame. “You’re not here out of cruelty, Alex. You’re here because that’s business,” he said. “And I’m not worried about you running. We’ve already talked about where that will lead.”

I was at a loss for words when he answered, mostly because I knew he was right. Everything he said was truth, but I wasn’t about to admit it. n

“But if you don’t deal drugs and kidnap people, then what do you do?” I asked.

“We’re vigilantes,” he sai

d. “We take care of the guys who beat their wives or hurt their kids. We make sure that the law catches up with the scumbags of our city. We’re just trying to help the people the law won’t help. You think they come out here? You think that some of these people are able to get help? Sometimes we’re the only guys who can take out the trash,” he murmured, putting an unlit cigarette between his lips. “Sometimes my men can get a little carried away like my guy, Snake - but we do our best to show everyone the right way. You’ll come to understand how we work around here.”

He watched me, clearly enjoying the shocked look on my face. He smirked and leaned in, brushing his fingers along my jaw. I hated the way the touch electrified me.

“Good night, Alex. I’ll see you in the morning.”

He left me in the hall way, stunned and flushing from embarrassment. This man was getting under my skin and I couldn’t bring myself to fight the pulsating attraction I felt for him. Not only was he incredibly sexy but I was now even more intrigued by his story about his group’s mission. They was here to actually help people? How is that even possible? A vigilant biker gang? We’ll have to see about that.

Chapter Eleven

The night passed slowly. A part of me was afraid to go to sleep; I was waiting for the other boot to drop and that fear made it difficult to close my eyes. This was all so strange. They were rough around the edges, but somehow I could see some good in here. I was stuck, so I guess I had to see some good.

I laid awake, staring up at the ceiling, my eyes wet with unshed tears as I thought about what might happen to Mike. He was a douche bag but he was my dad after all. I still hated him for giving me over to the biker gang without warning, but I was beginning to accept that he didn’t have much options. He was afraid for my life. He couldn’t hand me back to my mom because he would be left risking both our lifes at that point.

As expected, I didn’t sleep well that night despite the cool southern breeze and the soft bed. The sheets were musty and a bit unkempt, but still comfortable.

I tossed and turned all night, dozing off here and there until the sun finally started to rise. As the sun peaked over the rolling Tennessee hills I stumbled out of bed and wandered into the kitchen, my eyes red and stinging from a combination of crying and not enough sleep. I took it upon myself to go through the cabinets and locate dishes and food. I secretly thanked the universe when I saw a box of Pop Tarts shoved into the back of a cabinet.

It took some climbing, but I managed to grab them and toss them onto the counter, putting one in the toaster. Hell, I might even consider having two. These last few days had been a wild ride. I waited patiently for my breakfast, smothering the sweet treat with butter once it popped. I was practically starving.

As I ate my breakfast in peace, my phone began to ring and my heart fluttered. I was convinced it was my father, but when I looked down, I saw that it was Gina. Part of me was relieved and part of me was saddened that my father wasn’t calling. I swallowed thickly but picked up the phone and answered the video call.

Gina’s face popped up on my screen and it was clear she’d been crying. Guilt ate at my belly and I frowned a little. “Gina are you okay?”

“Did you really just ask me that fucking question?! Of course I’m not okay! We were supposed to meet for lunch and you never showed up! You haven’t been answering my texts and this is the first call I could get to go through! I know you’re mad about the biker bar, but completely ignoring me isn’t cool!” she practically yelled.

A stab of guilt made my chest tighten and I sighed, looking down and nodding slowly. “I know, I know. I’m sorry, Gina. A lot of shit has happened the last few days,” I muttered, dropping my head into my arms.

The look on Gina’s face softened and she frowned a little. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice far more understanding now.

I swallowed and wiped my eyes, lifting my head to catch her gaze. There may have been a great many miles separating us and talking to her on the phone wasn’t the same as talking to her in real life, but it was still comforting to just see her face and know that someone was missing me.

“It’s still so fucking surreal,” I whispered, laughing bitterly.

She frowned and looked at me for a long moment. “You’re starting to freak me out, girl.”

I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath. “My dad got into some trouble with bikers and now I’m living with his old gang,” I blurted out.

“WHAT?! Oh my God! OH MY GOD! Did you have to sneak your phone away? Are they holding you hostage?! I’m calling the cops! Where are you?!”

“Don’t call the cops, okay? I’m fine.”

“What the hell do you mean girl?! You’ve been gone for like three days, don’t tell me you have Stockholm syndrome already!”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “No, I’m fine. They’re not complete assholes, and I’ve had some real time to think. This is the best place for me right now. If I leave, I’ll be in real trouble and I’ll be putting others in danger with me. Apparently, there are some real bad guys after me. At least I know I’m safe here.”