HANNAH
Eduardo snored. I mean loud, choking, thought—hoped—he was gonna die, snore. Rebecca, the Riders’ girl, had left an hour before, leaving me with him in case he woke up for round two. Carter sent me a message on my new cell, which was Carter approved and tracked, to stay put until Eduardo released me.
The only reprieve I was given was when I was handed off that bloated Mexican and Brandon hadn’t seen it. At least not that I knew of. He probably heard about it, Carter would be sure of that, but he hadn’t been there to witness the humiliation that had become my life.
I looked at the door, closed but not locked, and wondered what he was doing. Did he head to the bar to drown his anger? Or had he taken that blonde back to his room to soothe his temper?
I needed to talk with him. To tell him Carter knew—Hunter went straight to him. Carter wasn’t going to let up on the topic. Brandon was off limits, even as a paying customer. And if I didn’t comply, he'd be damn sure I’d be out of commission.
If Carter wouldn’t let us have time alone, I couldn’t explain things, and I needed him to understand. Running away from Carter wasn’t just a matter of getting some money under my mattress; he’d chase me down. He didn’t take no for an answer. Hell, Hunter had Lisa killed for saying no—or at least he ordered it done. Carter’s weird obsession with me meant I’d have the same fate if I took off. He’d find me, and if I were lucky he’d just kill me.
But really, would Brandon be any different? Sure the sex was mind blowing, and he seemed to have a good heart—at least when it came to me. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d be exchanging one prison cell for another. He was a Rider, and you didn’t just stop being a Rider because you found some chick you liked to fuck. No, taking care of myself was the only way I’d live through all of this bullshit. Stay away from Brandon, keep my head down at the clubhouse, and get through the next several months until Carter let me go. He had to let me go. Sooner or later, he had to get tired of me. I’d just have to wait it out. Then my life would start again.
My resolve weakened slightly when Eduardo rolled over onto his back and scratched his flaccid dick. He mumbled something, reached his arm out toward me, but then rolled back onto his stomach. The next few months we're going to suck.
***
When morning finally rolled around, my eyelids felt like a ton of concrete had been poured into them. I’d stayed awake most of the night, trying to keep Eduardo away from me. He woke up with the rising of the sun, gave me a pat on the head, and headed out the door. Only then did I take my first relaxed breath of the night.
“Hey.” Carter peeked his head in. “Let’s go.” He jerked a thumb. I nodded, only too happy at that moment to comply. My bed was waiting and I planned to make use of it for the rest of the day. “You look like shit. Was he that rough?” He forced a crude grin, but I could see something else in his eyes. Jealousy?
“I didn’t sleep.” I shook my head and walked past him. I could smell the whiskey on his breath as I passed.
The main bar area was clear, aside from one or two girls passed out on the couches. Sunshine poured into the room from the large picture window, giving the room an orange hue. I could see a few of our guys already on their bikes in the courtyard. Looking around, I wondered where Eduardo wandered off to. Not that I wanted to see his nasty ass again anytime soon, but it was early, and it didn't look like any of the Riders were around.
Stepping out into the crisp morning air, I squinted my eyes against the bright sun. That was when I noticed the noise. I’d grown so accustomed to the sound of motorcycle engines that I tuned them out most of the time. But there they were. Brandon sat on his bike, center of attention, giving out directions.
A black bandana held his hair back away from his face, and the sunglasses he wore hid his eyes from me, but I felt the moment they touched me. His muscles flexed as he held the bars of his bike. His mouth tensed, thinned out as I walked behind Carter to his bike. The few Soldiers who would be going back with us waited for Carter’s orders, while the others stayed to the side, waiting to head out with the Riders. Thinking it smart to stay away from club business, I had no idea what they had planned, but it looked serious. There was no joking or ball busting like there usually was when the Soldiers got together to ride out.
“You ride with me.” Carter grabbed my arm when I started to walk toward another member. I didn’t resist him—no point. He pointed to his bike, a silent dictate to stay put, and walked off to finish barking out orders. Taking a chance, I looked across the courtyard and found Brandon still staring at me. His eyes were still shielded, but the energy of his anger displayed openly with his tight grip on his bike, his pursed lips. I imagined what sort of cold glare he was emitting from behind the glasses and that alone sent a shiver down my spine.
“Looks like your boyfriend isn’t thrilled about something.” Martin walked up to me with a cocky grin. “Looks like he wants to rip Carter in two.”
I tore my gaze from Brandon and tried to look casual. “Who are you talking about?”
Martin laughed. “That man has it bad for you, baby girl. But Carter’s set on you sticking around. I don’t envy your position. And I’m not sure I can protect you if Brandon decides to put a claim on you.”
“Claim?” It was my turn to laugh. “No one’s claiming me, Martin. So, don’t worry.”
Martin looked me up and down with those steely blue eyes of his and shook his head. He put his helmet on, leaving the straps dangling down his cheeks. “You’ve been with us for months now, Hannah. You know how this works. You can promise yourself it will be different for you, that you’ll just pay back whatever Carter asks and you’ll go, but you know that’s not gonna happen. Not with Carter. He’s not that kind of guy.”
It was my turn to study Martin. He wasn’t telling me anything I didn’t already know, deep down, buried away. I knew it was the truth. But I couldn’t let it sink in. I had to get away from that club, both clubs. I wanted my life back.
“And you? You’re good with this? Him holding me prisoner? Now you’re talking like he’s never letting me go. If I leave, what’ll happen? The same that happened to Lisa? What’s so important about me?”
Martin’s eyes didn’t betray his thoughts, and Carter rounded his way back to us before I could push him to answer. “Let’s go. I need to get out of this fucking place.” He swung his fat leg over the bike and motioned for me to follow suit. Once seated behind him, I grabbed his jacket, earning me a laugh. “Put your arms around me, babe. Safety.” I put the helmet on that he handed me and did as he instructed. As soon as my arms were where he wanted them, he waved to Martin and revved his engine. The ass made a wide turn around, driving us right past Brandon.
I closed my eyes and wished myself away. Anywhere else. Just away.