“Your place. But I need to do something first.”
“What?”
“I saw a shirt online I want to order right now so it’s here for our trip next weekend.”
“What kind of shirt?”
I giggle and feel the blush creep into my cheeks. “It says ‘Biker Bitch’ on the front. I think it’s cool.”
“Don’t know about ‘biker’ but ‘bitch’ sounds appropriate.” The voice behind me sends a chill down my spine and forces my heart down into the pit of my stomach.
Robbie’s arms circle my waist, and he pulls me against his bike forcefully. My knees wobble as I try to find my voice.
Natalie is standing less than five feet from me, glaring.
“Who the fuck are you?” Robbie bellows, and the chaos begins.
Cars speed into the parking lot, and Cruz jumps out of his vehicle, followed by my dad, Alex, and Aunt Chloe. Everyone’s faces are masked with distress.
When they reach us, Robbie has positioned me behind him and his body is solid in defense. I grip his hand tightly as my family surrounds us.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Natalie?” Cruz screams. “Get the hell out of our life.”
“Still have your gay bodyguard, I see. Figures you can’t even speak for yourself.” Her words are filled with venom. “I came to get money.”
“Natalie, you deal with me and leave your sister alone.” Dad’s voice is so low it’s frightening.
She finally turns her head to him, breaking our stare. “Daddy dearest, always sticking up for her. Fucking golden child… can’t fight her own battles. Looks like some things never change.”
My heart beats wildly in my chest, seeing her for the first time in so long. She’s aged beyond her twenty-six years and looks awful. Her hair is stringy and knotted, her body visibly bruised. The clothes she’s wearing look dirty and ragged. When she looks back to see me, her eyes grow wide with hate.
“Don’t fucking look at me, you bitch—”
“Shut your fucking mouth!” Robbie shouts, and her eyes grow wide in fear. “Your trashy ass has three seconds to walk away.”
“Or what, big boy? You gonna hit me? Make me leave? Ask Dad how well that worked out for him last time he fucking protected his precious Ember. Hate to see another man go to jail.”
“Oh, I won’t be going to jail. Promise you that, but make no mistake, you’ll regret the day you fucked with her again. I’ve got resources, woman, and they go deep. And know this, I don’t play games.”
She looks between all of us, and then the unthinkable happens. She starts laughing- loud, uncontrolled, and wicked laughter. We stare in shock until she slows down and looks at Robbie with a hollow glare. “You don’t scare me. This is between me and my slut of a sister.”
Robbie’s body starts shaking, and I finally find my voice. “What do you want, Natalie?”
“Told you. I’m here for money.”
“I don’t have money.”
“Ember—” Robbie’s voice vibrates with anger.
“Yeah, you do.”
“Why the hell do you think I’d give anything to you?”
“You think you’re so high and mighty, playing the victim card. But you deserve everything you got.”
“Natalie, you need to leave,” Aunt Chloe pipes in.
“Are you all stupid? Ember’s not fucking made of glass. She’s a whore. Don’t you know what she did?”