Morgan

It’s been a week since I’ve arrived at school. It’s been two weeks since I went on that terrible date with Daniel. I can’t believe he told me that it was a mistake to take me out. Not that it mattered anyway because I love someone else. I have since the first time I saw him. He doesn’t notice me though. I’m only the sister of the president of the Steele Riders. I’m in love with Ewan “Mick” McMann. We met officially two years ago, but I wasn’t even close to legal then. And even though I’m technically an adult now, he treats me like he’s supposed to…like a little sister.

I hate him. I hate Mick. It's not his fault that I'm in love with him, but it sucks so much that I’ve decided to do my best to hate him. It’s easier that way, or so I force myself to believe that. I’ve been trying to get over him since my birthday party. How is it possible to fall in love with someone with one look? Foolishly, I believed that he was attracted to me, but it’s obvious he’s just taking care of me on Boomer’s behalf.

I graduated and was fair game months ago, but he did nothing. In fact, he missed my going away party. Boomer threw a big party for me at the clubhouse with Sammie and Roxie there to celebrate with me along with all the members and prospects of the Steele Riders. Mick was the only no-show. How fucking lousy is that? The one person I wanted to see, couldn’t be bothered to show. He flew to Ireland to visit his parents. They moved back a few years ago, and I would love to have had a good bond with my parents, but that time had long since passed and I could never go back. I miss him so much that school doesn’t entice me one bit.

I’m sitting in the vast campus library where the two-dozen people in here seem to be studying hard, but I can’t concentrate for the life of me. I have my first quiz coming Monday, but I can’t think. I went to the library hoping that it would force me to read the chapters without thoughts of Mick, but I’ve got no such luck. I can’t even say how many times I’ve read the same paragraph. And for all the gold in the world, I can’t remember what it’s about. I slam the book closed a little louder than I should, catching a couple of glances of derision my way. My bitchy ass wants to flip them off, but I smile weakly and shrug apologetically. It’s my fault after all.

This week has sucked ass. My classes were a little boring, but that’s because the first days of classes we’re all “Hi my name is, and I’m from…” The second day went straight into the coursework. My brothers both called me to see how it’s going. Jackson has called me twice a day. He seems genuinely concerned for me. Not that Boomer isn’t, but Jackson’s worried about my loneliness. I think he knows I have feelings for Ewan.

I quietly pack up and walk out of the library. It's almost closing time, and my dorm is on the other side of campus, so I need to move my ass. The street lights are the only thing keeping the area lit. All around I see shadowed darkness, and immediately, I feel like it's a bad idea. But I'm too late to make a call for a taxi.

Some movement to my side turns my gaze that way, but it’s the person that comes behind me that is the real trouble. Dread coursed through me as I feel the knife at my throat. "You better cooperate, bitch or you're a dead cunt,” some guy snarls in my ear. I could feel his breath on me, and I shiver from the instant disgust. I can’t go down like this. What was I thinking of coming here? Why didn’t I listen to my brother?

I hold back the urge to cry because I won’t give them the satisfaction. I don’t know what they want, but I sure as fuck can guess. I can either pray they don’t kill me or I can go out fighting. I need a moment to try to break free, but then I'm surrounded. They dragged me into an alley, and I know that nothing good is going to come of this. My heart is pounding out of my chest, wishing that I hadn't come here in the first place. I'm going to die in the middle of an alley more than likely raped first.

Helplessly, tears well up in my eyes as I resign myself to my fate. Out of nowhere, a small woman rushes into the alley. She grabs the guy who has me and starts making some moves that I've never seen before. He lets me go, dropping the large knife. That's when I go after the other guy; I knee him in the nuts. He bowls over, and I kick him harder this time. I run and pick up the knife, ready to stab anyone who comes near me. My gaze focuses on my rescuer, and she has the one guy on the ground, kicking him in the ribs. With one more kick, the guy is entirely laid out.

While both guys are stunned, we make our way out the alley. We run to somewhere safe. It takes forever to get to the main street or at least it feels that way. Once we get inside a restaurant, she calls the cops. She’s my hero, and I don't even know her name.

“Thank you,” I sob.

“It's okay. It's going to be okay,” she comforts me, holding my hand and rubbing it with her other hand. “I'm Crystal, you are?” We’re standing inside a small café waiting for the cops. She gets me a cappuccino to go. The cops take us down to the campus police station while a few officers patrol the area for the men.

“My name is Morgan,” I squeak out. I'm shaking as the police question us.

“There were two Hispanic men. Both were average height and size. One was bald, and the other had short black hair. Neither had facial hair, but one had tear drops under his eye.” I’m so grateful that she gives them a description of the suspects because I’m shaken to the core, and I can’t think straight.

There's a slight cut on my neck. Nothing most would notice, but I know my brother Boomer and Mick would be able to tell something was wrong. I can’t tell them. I’ve gotten lucky, and I’m going to keep this to myself.

“Ma'am, do you have someone who can pick you up?” the officer asks me after we finish the questioning. I just want to go to sleep.

“No, all of my family lives out of town.” I think about Mick again. He’s the first one to come to my mind. He’d kill them in a heartbeat because no one messes with one of the Steele Riders.

“It’s okay. I’m going to take care of you.” Crystal rubs my back, and I can’t believe how amazingly kind she is. She saved me. If it weren’t for her, I’d more than likely be dead.

She takes me back to her apartment. “I have a roommate. He’s not home right now, but he’ll be home soon. I should go back to Steeleville.”

“Are you going to tell your family?”

I blanch at the thought of them finding out. “I have two brothers, and I’m sure as hell not going to say anything to them. My brother Boomer especially. He’s a fucking nut when it comes to my safety.”

We talk about her family who’s everything my family hadn’t been. We lost our parents, and my brothers raised me. I don’t tell her that my brother’s the leader of a motorcycle club. I don’t want to freak her out or make her think this is some sort of retaliation or something. I know it’s not because my brothers and the rest of the Steele Riders are on the up and up. Most of them are former Special Forces. I invite her to visit. “Okay, well if you want, I could visit. I don’t start my job for a couple of weeks. I can come back with you. I could stand to use a vacation in a small town. This place can be too much at times.” She has a smile on her face that doesn’t reach her eyes, then she adds, “Hell, I’m just worried about you.”

“I’m going to be okay. You have to promise me you won’t tell my brothers,” I harp.

“I won’t. It’s your business. I’ll leave it for you to tell your brothers.” I hug her tight one last time before she packs a bag to come with me.