Chapter 6
Brody
We have been traveling in a very uneasy silence. I know I should have explained that Rebel was trying to take the heat off the two of us by leaving alone. I also should have told Charity that until we get back home and have her checked out that we cannot trust most of what she says. I am sure she does not have full confidence in Rebel and me either. I want to believe her, but as Rebel kindly pointed out, I do not have the best record in trusting the right women. I have an internal battle with myself of wanting to wrap Charity up in bubble wrap and keep her safe, but then the other side of me wants to push her as far away from me before I can’t walk away from her ever again. I am afraid to start small talk, because it will lead to questions from Charity, and they will be questions I either can’t or won’t answer, so I decide to ask her questions I want answers to. “Do you have a man or a boyfriend?” Charity looks at me and turns red in the face. She looks at her hands in her lap and starts fidgeting.
“I already told you earlier that I have only had sex with one man and that is also the extent of my experience with the opposite sex.” Charity looks out her window.
“It’s alright Charity. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Most men would like your inexperience.” I give her a grin. Not that she can see it looking out her window.
“Most men or you?” She finally looks at me. “What do you like Brody?” Charity is now looking at me and I see the sadness in her eyes, but I’m taken aback by the question. This subject isn’t a safe subject. I think about it for a second. I asked Charity questions first, so I need to answer her honestly.
“I have never thought about it. I guess I am attracted to the whole woman, not by her sexual experience or lack thereof. I like to get to know the whole woman and see what she is about. I am too old to be that shallow. Hot sex and a random one night together, you can find, but if you don’t have a relationship built with trust and other things in common then it will burn out. I am no angel, and I have been with my share of women, but I have only loved three.” I don’t know why I am baring my soul to Charity.
“Brody, you are one of a kind. I never doubted for a second that you have been with many women. You are sexy as hell and I am sure that many women have shared your bed, but I think, I would like to be one of them.” I pull over to the side of the road and look at Charity closely. My restraint is being tested. I know I should not pursue Charity, but her honesty is refreshing, and lord knows I can’t keep my mind from going there with her. I need to ask her one question and I do not want to hurt her feelings but the thought of hurting another woman is not one that appeals to me. I just need to man-up and say it.
“Charity, if I told you I wasn’t attracted to you, then I would be straight-up lying. There is a very strong connection or sexual attraction between us. I don’t know how to explain it, as old as I am it seems like I could figure relationships out, but I am inept on this subject.” Charity reaches for my hand on the steering wheel and I let her take it in her hand but when she brings it to her lips and kisses it, I go from semi-aroused to having a stiff dick that is fighting with my zipper to get out. I have been fighting this all day. This woman does not know what she does to me. “Charity, I will not take advantage of you. You have been held captive, abused, and to say you have been under stress, is an understatement.” I take my hand back but then I move closer and kiss Charity’s cheek. “Give yourself a few days. I’ll be around. First step is getting us back to the Demented Revengers clubhouse. I do have one more question.” I look at Charity closely and she is looking at me. “Do you have anything to do with the Hell Keeperz MC, at all or know anything that you have not shared with us, anything?” I see the hurt in Charity’s eyes. Her body slumps and I know she just shut down.
“No Brody, I don’t. Could we, please, just get back to town, so I can leave? I have things to take care of and I don’t want to be around people that don’t believe what I say. I have no reason to lie.” I see the first tear slide down her cheek. “I’m sorry I had the bad fortune to be traded to the Hell Keeperz MC. I’m sorry I had the audacity to help you and Rebel escape.” Charity’s voice is getting louder as she goes but it looks like she is trying to get herself under control. When she speaks next, I can barely hear her voice. “Can we please just get back to town, now? Forget everything I just said.” Charity turns and looks out the car window, so she doesn’t need to look at me.
“You won’t be able to leave until we clear your story and prove who you are. You’ll be a guest of the Demented Revengers MC for a few days.” I see the minute that Charity goes from calm to being one pissed off woman.
“So, I helped us get away from that house, so I can be held by another motorcycle club. I can’t believe this crap. What do you think my end game is? Think this out Brody. I don’t want to go to that clubhouse. I don’t want any contact with any motorcycle club. I won’t visit or call. We will be like we never met. What would I get from that situation? Just drop me off on some street corner when we get into town and I will be good. I’m not public enemy number one. I will be hunted by the Hell Keeperz MC, so I will stay off the grid if I want my freedom, or even to be able breath another day.” I am letting Charity get it out of her system. She is almost hysterical.
“That’s just not the way things work. You need to be kept safe. This is just as much for your welfare as it is us needing answers.” I tell Charity hoping she knows this is coming from a good place.
“I have places to be and things that need to be taken care of. I don’t have time for a bunch of bikers to decide what is best for me. I can take care of myself.” Charity says with an attitude. My patience is wearing thin.
“How is that working for you? I think you were already being held by bikers and the kind that didn’t care what happened to you or even if you lived. Just to remind you,” I look at Charity closely, so I know she is paying attention. “I am not a biker.”
“You act like a biker, all bossy and shit. Pretty sure of yourself too. Can we get back on the road now? I need to get this over with.” Charity says snottily. She is acting like a spoiled child and pouting.
“Whatever you say, Charity, just know it is going to happen just like I said. I just need to try and text Rebel.” I dig in my pocket and take the battery pack out of my back pocket and put it back in the phone and I text Rebel to make sure everything is clear for us to come into the Demented Revengers clubhouse. Everything is quiet while I wait for a response. A text comes into the phone, but it is from Cap. It gives me hardly any information at all. He tells me to lay low until tomorrow morning. How am I supposed to lie low while I’m still driving around in a car belonging to the Hell Keeperz MC? Something feels off here. I need to sort this out and I need time to think. I’m used to thinking on my feet, so I come up with a plan. I take the battery out of the phone and I know we need to ditch the car. It will give us away faster than anything. We will be too easy to locate. I look around and take in the surroundings again and I know exactly where we are. “Charity, I hope you are ready for a little hike. We are ditching this car and hitting the woods, so we aren’t sitting ducks.”
“Sounds like a plan. Let’s do it.” Charity has a forced smile on her face. This is going to be a hell of a day.