“You didn’t have to remove all the people for a swim. Normal people share things.”
“In case you didn’t notice, I don’t share well at all.”
“You’ve taken me as some kind of revenge plot. I don’t even know what you want with me, why you would even want me.” She shook her head. “You know what, there is no point in even talking about this because the truth is you don’t want me, do you?”
His hand moved up her leg, cupping her thighs and pulling her into the water.
She let out a scream but that didn’t stop him as he began to remove her clothes. She couldn’t get away from him. He captured her wrist above the ink and pulled her close. “I shouldn’t be getting this wet!” She wanted to do anything to piss him off.
“It’s all bandaged up and you’ll be fine.”
“You’re a doctor now?”
“I’ll talk to Trick. He handles everything.”
“Even death. For all I know, that’s what you want. Ugh! I want to hit you right now.”
“Then do it. Hit me. It will make you feel better to hit me.”
“No. I’m not going to be angry at everything like you are. I’m not going to hit you.” She tried to pull away again but he simply held her. “I don’t like being used as revenge.”
“Would you believe me if I told you I happened to like you?”
“You don’t like me. You don’t even know me.”
“I know you were pregnant with Preacher’s child. Bishop wanted you to get rid of it.”
“Don’t talk to me about him. He betrayed everyone, including his club.”
“It’s not on me, though. You have to understand that.”
“I don’t want to talk about this.” She tried to pull away from him again, but like always, he controlled her. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to look at him. “What do you want from me?”
“You can’t tell me you’re not having a good time.”
“Because being taken against my will and raped is all about fun.”
“I know how your body responds to me. You can’t call the rape card, not anymore.”
“Do you even care?” she asked. “You took what you wanted. I didn’t have a choice in that. You forced me and I hated it.”
He looked at her and she saw the frown on his face. It made her a little uncomfortable that he kept staring at her.
“Please, don’t do what it is you’re doing.”
He chuckled. “I don’t mean to freak you out.”
“You’re doing a pretty good job of it at the moment.” She wanted to look anywhere but at him.
“Okay, I know I’ve scared you, and I’ve crossed over the line of what you can deal with. How about I compromise?”
“You know the word of compromise? You understand it?”
He chuckled. “Believe it or not, yes, I do, and I’m going to be compromising right now. So, here is what I suggest. From now on, I won’t touch you. You’ll be free to say no to me. In fact, I won’t have sex with you, touch you, fuck you, or have anything to do with you at all. You’re free to make your own choices.”
“What’s the catch?” she asked.
“There’s no catch. If you want to fuck me again, you tell me. You come to me.”
“You’re not going to let me go, are you?”
“No, I’m really not.”
She nodded her head. “I guess I should accept that. Fine. Okay. Deal.”
****
Present day
“I don’t think I should be here,” Robin said.
Preacher glanced over at her, seeing the nerves she tried to hide. “What are you afraid of?”
“Everyone. I mean, look at them. They’re all scary and I’ve been away and all this time I haven’t come back here. What if they do hate me?” she asked. “What if I don’t live up to what they expect?” She nibbled her lip and he reached out, pulling her bottom lip from between her teeth.
“You’re really cute when you’re nervous.” He looked out of his car window to see the club. It was already dark and it had been a long time since a party had happened. This one though, was special.
After nearly nine months of being at home, they were finally celebrating her return. It felt good to be doing something positive.
He had feelers out for Reaper and now Bishop. Preacher knew his son was using Reaper to stay hidden, but it was fine. With Dog on his side, and several favors being called in, it was only a matter of time before he finally found the men responsible.
After Bishop’s disappearing act, Preacher didn’t doubt for even a second the little bastard had set Robin up, had taken her nearly three years ago.
“It doesn’t stop the nerves. Look at everyone. They look like they’re having fun. I’m going to spoil it.”
“You’re not going to spoil anything. Come on. This is all for you and you will see why the moment we get there.”