Chapter One
“Ouch!” Sally winced and grabbed her finger, looking at the line of blood that began to seep up.
“Paper cuts are the worst,” Drew said, sitting beside her.
She sucked her finger into her mouth, and smiled at Drew. “Hey, you,” she said. “I didn’t think you were going to show.”
“Why wouldn’t I show?”
“Hello, you said your family kept wanting you to stay away from that rotten Skulls girl.” Sally put on her best man voice, which had Drew laughing.
“Damn, you’re a hoot, you know that.”
“You’re calling me an owl?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He smiled at her, and then down at her notebook, which had a heading in the center titled Future. “What’s that about?”
“Nothing.” She closed the book, and smiled at him. “You’re changing the subject. Was there a girl waiting for you?”
He sighed. “Yes, there was. She’s supposed to be some daughter of a businessman. A friend of my father’s. I don’t know.”
“Was she cute?” She took a sip of her water, and looked at Drew.
“They’re all cute, Sally. All cute, all beautiful. They just keep throwing them at me. I want to tell them that I’m gay.”
“But you’re not.”
“I know. I hoped they’d stop throwing girls at me.”
Sally laughed. “They’ll throw boys at you then. That would be so much fun to see. ‘Here you go, son, here’s a boy. We’re totally into the gay community and all that now’.” She winked at him.
“It’s sad what I think they’ll go to just to further their wealth.”
Sally took another sip of her drink. This was a long-running joke between them. They were unusual friends. She was the adopted daughter of the feared MC, The Skulls. He was the son of a rich man. Never would she have seen them forming any kind of friendship, but between their injuries, they had.
She stared down at her leg, the one that had a prosthetic attached to it. She had spent months learning to walk on it, and if she got too tired, she had to rely on crutches.
“Hey, why aren’t you smiling?” Drew said, reaching out to tuck some of her hair away. “I totally love this color. The purple makes you stand out in a crowd.”
“I got Mom to dye it for me. It made her feel better after nearly burning down the house, and color always makes her happy. She doesn’t like to conform like that.” She picked up a curl, and twirled it between her fingers. “Pretty neat, huh.”
“Like I said, you stand out in a crowd. I saw you a mile away.”
“Good.” Steven hadn’t seen her hair yet, but she’d not seen him in some time. It was kind of strange her feelings for him. They had kissed. It had been one kiss, but at the same time, it had felt wrong and right. She’d felt like she was breaking some kind of law kissing him. It had taken her a few days to be able to look at her dad, Whizz. He didn’t notice though. He’d been too busy dealing with Lola in Piston County to notice.
She didn’t mind though. Whizz didn’t need to know anything right now. He had other worries on his mind.
“Are you okay?” Drew asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She didn’t want to talk to Drew about Steven or about the kiss they’d shared.
“You know I’m here if you ever need to talk about anything. Anything at all.”
She stared at him for the longest time. “You’re a good friend, Drew.”
Sadness filled his eyes, and she hated being the one to put it there. They’d never crossed that barrier between friends, but she had a feeling that he wanted to. It was one of those things that she was thankful they’d never discussed. He shared everything with her, from the troubles with his parents to the fact that he missed playing ball so much. She’d tell him about her leg, and other things, but never her past. She never went back beyond Lacey and Whizz adopting her. They were her parents, and no one was going to take them away from her.
“Have you told your parents that you’re thinking of changing courses?”
“Not yet, I’m undecided still.” She had intended to become a social worker, or work in the fostering service. What she wanted to do was to be able to find people that suffered like she had to get them moved quickly. It had been a great feeling to think that she’d be able to help, unlike the people that couldn’t help her.
She’d had a nightmare of it, being moved from foster home to foster home. There had been times when she’d been happy, but of course that would always come to an end. The nightmares, she always had to do something drastic to get moved on, and that hurt her more than anything.
The nightmares no longer plagued her, which was a blessing in one way, as she got to sleep. There used to be times that she woke up in the middle of the night, and wondered what the hell she was doing and where she was. She’d be sure someone was in her room, watching her. No one ever was. But now the memories were the worst. No one could help her forget what it was like, and how it felt to be used just to get food. She didn’t know if she’d rather have the nightmares than her memories. Remembering her past was something she hated more than anything.
Placing a hand on her stomach, she grabbed the bottle of water and took a sip.
“You’ve gone pale. I don’t think this sunshine is for you.”
“It’s totally fine. Honestly, I’m just in crazy town at the moment. I’m confused. I’ve got the summer to figure everything out, and I don’t know what to do. I can’t think in this heat.”
“No one can think in this heat.” He stood and removed his shirt, and Sally glanced up at him, and heat filled her cheeks. Drew was a good-looking guy, there was no doubt about it. She’d heard many of the girls on campus were crazy about him, always saying stuff like they wanted to get under him, and other gross things she didn’t want to think about. She tended to ignore that, and just focus on everything else.
Yes, he was a guy, and she was a girl. They were best friends. That was all. She had never given him any reason to believe they could be something more, and he’d not said anything to her about feeling any differently.
Glancing across the park, she saw a group of girls giggling. She rolled her eyes. “You’ve got a fan club.”
Drew sat back down, and glanced over at them. “High school girls? Please, I’ve always been into college chicks.”
“You’re bad. Did you go with Lindsey yet? She was pouting the last time I saw her, and she wouldn’t say anything to me.”
“Lindsey and I have an understanding, and she thought she could change my mind. It’s not going to happen.”
She shrugged. “That’s vague.”
“I know, but you’re not really interested in my love life.”
Wrinkling her nose, she shook her head. “You’re right, I’m not.”
When a car horn sounded, she looked up in time to see Fighter there waiting. He’d been a recent Prospect who had finally made it full-blown member of The Skulls. “I’ve got to go. That’s my ride.”
“Wait, I thought I was taking you home?”
“No, you were at your parents’, remember? You said you didn’t know if you’d be able to make it, and I should get someone to take me home as backup just in case.” She put her stuff away in her bag, and then began to stand. When she hadn’t gotten her balance, and was about to topple, Drew caught her.
“Whoa, you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” He had hold of her arms. She took a deep breath. “Maybe the heat is really getting to me.”
Drew didn’t let her go. She glanced over to see Fighter watching them intently. She gave him a wave, and he nodded toward her. He’d gotten out of the car, and she knew he’d done it to assist if she needed help. This was why she loved The Skulls so much. They were all her family, and no matter what, she never wanted to leave them or Fort Wills.
“Here let me grab this.” Drew grabbed her bag, and then he was helping her move across the park toward the car.
“I think my leg has gone a little stiff.” She winced as the prosthetic seemed to cut into her knee. It was hurting and rubbing raw, but she didn’t want anyone to see her in pain.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Drew asked when she got to the car. Fighter took her bag from Drew.
“I can help her,” Fighter said. “You can go on home, momma’s boy.”
Sally rolled her eyes. “Will you stop with all the name calling?”
“You weren’t out there when she needed someone. I was.”
“Okay, can we just focus right now, please? Seriously, there’s not a competition. I’m fine. I’m heading home. Call me if you need anything, Drew,” she said, climbing into the car. She hoped that they’d just leave each other alone.
For several seconds they just stared at each other, and then Drew said his goodbyes and left.
“Did you need to do that?” she asked.
Fighter climbed behind the wheel and glanced at her. “That kid is in love with you.”
“No, he’s not.” He couldn’t be in love with her. He couldn’t. “He’s my friend, and I’ve never given him cause to believe that we’re going to be anything different.”
They headed back home, and she was pleased about that. She was starting to get a bad headache now.
“I really appreciate you coming and getting me.”
“I told you, anytime you need a ride, call.”
She nodded, and rubbed her knee.
“Is it hurting?”
“It’s letting me know I’m in for a rough couple of hours, that’s all. I’ll rest. It’ll be fine.”
It wasn’t long before they were outside her parents’ house. “Thank you, Fighter.”
Climbing out of the car, she smiled as Fighter also got out and grabbed her bag. “Thank you.”
“Do you need help inside?”
“No, I’m okay.” She didn’t look back until she was inside, and she could give him a wave.
Lacey, Whizz, and Daisy were at the clubhouse so she had the house to herself this evening. She did intend to veg out on the sofa, but right now, a shower was what she wanted more than anything.
****
Steven didn’t say a word as he looked at her. She hadn’t turned around yet, but this was the first time he’d seen her in a couple of weeks.
When she did turn around, she saw him, screamed, and nearly collapsed in a heap. If he hadn’t reached out for her and caught her, she’d have fallen to the floor.
“What the hell! I thought you were a burglar or something!” When she was on her feet, she slapped his hand. “What the hell were you doing?”
“Waiting for you to turn around to see me. I thought you’d like that.”
She glared at him. “I was supposed to have the entire house to myself. I’ve not seen you in days, Steven, and when I did you gave me a damn wave and walked away.” She looked down at his hands on her and pulled away.
The glare that she was giving him was so cute.
“I can’t talk to you right now. You just nearly gave me a damn heart attack.” She pushed past him, and began to make her way upstairs. He watched her ass, and knew without a doubt that she was hurting.
Gritting his teeth, Steven ran fingers through his hair, annoyed with himself. When she had made it clear of the stairs, he waited, listening for her. Glancing across the hall, he stared at the family picture that Lacey had been determined for them to have. Whizz and Lacey stood behind Daisy and Sally. Whizz had a hand on Sally’s shoulder, an arm around Lacey, and Daisy was sitting on Sally’s lap. They looked like a weird family, but that was exactly what they were.
“If you think for a second that I’m going to stand by and let you near my daughter you’ve got another think coming. She deserves better than this, better than us, and she’s going to get to live her life the way she sees fit.”
That had been Whizz’s only warning to him a few months ago, for which he’d gotten Lash to be mediator between them. Whizz was taking his type of parenting way too far. Steven respected it, even if he didn’t agree with it. Lash had told him to wait and give Whizz time. Ever since Sally lost her leg, Whizz had been overprotective of her, and for a good reason. Steven should listen to Whizz, but his heart was with that woman upstairs, and he wasn’t going to leave her, nor was he going to stop loving her.
When his cell phone began to ring, she paused on the step, and he gritted his teeth. He had no choice but to answer it. Picking it up, he accepted the call, and saw it was from Lola, Sinner’s woman, and the Chaos Bleeds’ version of Whizz.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“Devil is starting to ask questions, and I don’t like it.”
“I told you to remove all traces to you.”
“Yeah, well, he stopped by for a surprise visit, and guess what, I was surprised. I don’t know what to do anymore, Steven. I can’t give you any more details now. You’re going to have to stop.”
“There was more from that list?” Steven asked, glancing up the stairs.
He heard the static over the phone, and knew he wasn’t going to like this. “I found one of the buried statements that Sally gave as a child, Steven. It’s … detailed and not good. One of her foster parents used to pass her around among his friends. They would have fun with her, and then lock her in a cage until they were ready to use her again.”
“What the fuck! What happened to get that buried, Lola?”
Silence met his answer, and he knew in his heart the reason.
“The fucker was part of the parties that abused Sally, wasn’t he?” he asked. This just made it worse to Steven. The man who was supposed to be investigating the abusive bastards was in fact part of it.
“Steven, we need to stop this.”
“I made a vow before myself, and before God, that I would send those motherfuckers to hell.”
“You’re not religious,” she said.
He gritted his teeth. Sally, the woman he loved, had been through hell, and he was going to make sure that no one ever came near her again.
“Send me the bastard’s details.”
“No,” Lola said. “I told you, I can’t. This will come back to both clubs, and we’ve already caused enough mess. This guy … he’s in law enforcement. Please, give this up.”
Before he could say anything else, she hung up the phone. Steven stared at it, and wanted nothing more than to destroy another phone. Instead, he placed it in his pocket. There were several pictures he had on his phone that kept him sane.
Walking up the stairs, he knew where Sally’s room was, and glanced inside. She was rubbing her knee. The prosthetic was on the floor. Her eyes were closed, and he didn’t like the pain on her face, not one bit.
All thought of revenge in that moment disappeared as his only focus was on Sally. He entered her private bathroom and began to run her a bath.
“What are you doing?” Sally asked seconds later.
He looked toward the door to find her staring at him. “I’m going to run you a bath. And you’re going to relax.” He made sure there were bubbles, and that the water was nice and warm. “There, it should be perfect for you.”
She looked at the bath and then at him. “I need to get undressed.”
Steven stared into her eyes and took a step toward her.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to help you.” He reached out toward her, and she caught his hands. The clattering sound reminded him that she was on her crutches, and now she had him for balance. The crutches didn’t bother him, nor did her missing leg. She was a survivor, a fighter, and he loved her all the more for it.
“I’m not ready.” Her voice was shaky, and it broke his heart.
“I know. Nothing is going to happen here, Sally. Just a bath. That is all this is.”
“All it is?” she asked, laughing, muttering something beneath her breath.
“What did you say?” he asked.
“I’ve heard it before.” His hands fisted and he wanted to hurt everyone again. “Why do I feel this way with you? Why do I feel like I have to tell you every single one of my secrets?”
“You don’t have to. I’m here if you need me.”
“Fighter says that Drew is in love with me.”
“Fighter’s right.”
“I didn’t do anything to help that. I don’t … I’m … I’m confused.” She frowned as she looked at him. “Do I have to stop hanging around Drew?” He was the only true friend she’d ever known. All of her life she’d wanted to connect, to have a friend like him. The thought of letting him go … hurt. She didn’t want to be selfish and hurt him, though.
Steven knew she didn’t do anything to encourage Drew’s feelings, or the club’s protectiveness. He was sure a couple of the brothers held a little crush and a soft spot for Sally. She had that way about her that was similar to Angel, Lash’s old lady, but also a strength that let everyone know she couldn’t be messed with. Also, she was a beautiful woman, no doubt about it.
“Your hair totally rocks,” he said, stroking a curl back from her face.
“Thank you.” She glanced down at her hair before looking at him again. With her gaze on him, she went for the top button of her shirt. He waited as she pulled the shirt off her body, revealing a plain white bra. It covered everything as it was a padded cup, but it didn’t detract from her tits. She was a fuller woman. Since losing the leg, she had lost a little weight. He had seen it falling off her.
Lacey had also voiced her worries about Sally’s weight loss. He thought she was beautiful no matter what, but in the past year it seemed to have steadied out. From what he’d been told, Sally was struggling with the new future ahead of her.
Moving his hands to her hips, he heard her gasp. She didn’t push him away as she opened the belt of her jeans, and began to wiggle it down.
He helped her into the bath, and took a seat on the toilet. The bubbles that were in the tub covered her enough so that she was able to remove her bra and panties. He took them from her, noticing her shaking hand. “You don’t have to be nervous about me. I won’t do anything to you.”
“I know. You’re, erm, you’re the first guy I’ve gotten undressed in front of. As you can see, I won’t be giving any lap dances any time soon.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about that.”
“Is it ugly?” she asked. The question seeming to come out of the blue.
“Is what ugly?”
“My knee? Do you find it unattractive? Do you look at other women and like the set that they’ve got?”
Steven laughed. When he saw the tears in her eyes, he knew it was the wrong thing to do.