Riley (Shattered Souls MC 4)

“I’ll be fine, just tell me what I can do to help,” I say, grabbing my cigarettes off the table.

“We need to see what the club comes up with first. But whenever my father got locked up, the club would get their lawyer involved and everything worked out. He was never charged with anything,” she says, shaking her head. “He should’ve rotted in jail. If he got away with his shit, I know Riley can. He’s a good man, a great man. He’d never hurt someone unless it was to protect the people he loves.”

“Your dad hurt people that didn’t deserve it?” I ask, taking a drag of my smoke.

She gives me a sad smile and nods. “Me.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry, Harper.”

I feel like such an asshole. I’ve heard stories about what a horrible guy her father was, but I didn’t realize he did things to hurt her. It makes me wonder what she had to deal with and how she did it. I’ll never ask though. You can see it’s something she doesn’t want to even remember.

“It’s my story, Gillian. Nothing to be sorry for. We all deal with shit we shouldn’t need to, but we all come out on the other side better. You and Riley will come out on the other side,” she says, squeezing my knee.

Just then the guys all come pouring out from their talk and I jump up. No one looks happy and my stomach drops. I search for Finn and when I see him, I rush over.

“What happened?” I ask.

“I can’t tell you everything, it’s club business.” I go to interrupt, but he stops me. “But, Brooks called the lawyer so we’re waiting to hear back.”

I cast my eyes to the floor and sigh. “So, we just sit here and wait,” I whisper.

He sighs, wrapping his arm around me. “For now, yes.”

It’s been three days. Three of the longest days of my life and nothing has changed. Riley is still locked up, the club is in talks with the lawyer, and I know nothing. I rarely come out of the bedroom anymore because watching everyone laugh and enjoy each other’s company pisses me off. I’m fucking miserable, lonely as hell, and scared to death. I can’t be witness to the happiness of others right now. Not to mention it doesn’t seem anyone is nervous or fighting for Riley’s freedom.

I cling onto his T-shirt and breathe it in. I miss him so much my body hurts. I have no way to contact him and I have no idea if he’s safe or hurt. I’ve been sick to my stomach since Porter got that phone call. I feel guilty knowing I can eat, drink, walk around, hell even sleep whenever I want and Riley can’t. He can’t even go to the bathroom without being watched.

I have no more tears left to cry. I want to cry, but I think I’ve dehydrated myself at this point. I close my eyes and let Riley’s fading scent surround me.

“Gillian?” Finn asks, knocking on the door.

I sigh and get up to unlock it. I pull it open and sigh. “What Finn?”

“Here, you need to fucking eat something and drink,” he says, pushing his way into my room. He puts a plate with a turkey sandwich and water down on the dresser and leans against it, crossing his arms. “I will stand here until you eat. Riley would be pissed if he knew I didn’t.”

I sit down on the bed, pull my legs up to rest my chin on my legs. “I’m not hungry.”

“Too bad, you need to eat anyway.”

“Finn, please stop. I know you’re trying to help, but the only thing that will help is knowing that Riley is safe and no one can tell me that,” I say, focusing on the ugly brown carpet.

“He’s safe, Gillian. The lawyer talked to him yesterday,” he whispers.

I snap my head up to him as my heart pounds in my chest. “He’s okay?”

He nods his head. “He’s okay.”

“When is he getting out?” I ask.

“Hopefully in the next couple days. It’s not easy getting him bailed out on federal charges,” he says, regret clear in his deep voice.

“And what happens when he gets out?”

He blows out a breath and pushes off the dresser, handing me the plate. “Eat this.”

“Answer me,” I say, taking the plate from his hands.

“Take a bite first,” he says, crossing his arms.