I thought back to what Rider’d said as I was strapped up on the gate, unable to reply, my hands tied, my voice taken away. “You’re pathetic. Can’t even find the words to speak to your woman. Not even when she’s crying for you.”
My fists clenched and my breathing came in hard pants. I opened my mouth, breathing in the humid air, but only silence came out. It only got worse the more I tried to talk. The lump at the base of my throat swelled, choking the fuck outta me. My eyes twitched; my head ticked. I was fuckin’ losing it.
Dropping my head, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a smoke. I lit up, taking a long drag. I thought of Mae and how easy it was around her, how the words just flowed. ’Bout when I sing, playing my Fender and the words just slip from my lips. I pictured Mae’s wolf eyes watching me with my guitar, her smile fuckin’ beaming with pride at me when I talked stutter-free, You did not stutter, not even once…
She was my medicine.
Fuck. Mae.
I froze when I realized I could breathe. Wolf eyes in my mind opening up my throat. My woman had done more for me in months than therapy had done in fuckin’ years.
My eyes snapped open in shock. I could swallow. If I thought of Mae, the choking lessened. Yeah, it was still there, but it was better. Maybe it was enough. Maybe it would give me the time I needed to get it done.
I realized the whole club was watching me, just waiting, eyes wide at the notorious Hangmen Mute prepping to try and talk. Letti and Beauty were hovering at the side, Letti smirking with… what? Pride? Beauty with tears streaming down her cheeks. The bitches were hurting. They wanted Mae back too.
I cleared my throat and saw Ky’s eyes widen in shock. “Styx!” he hissed.
I glanced at my best friend and held up my hand. His nostrils flared; he didn’t want me making a fool outta myself. Ky held up his hands in surrender and shook his head, stepping outta my way. He thought I was gonna choke.
Maybe I was.
I faced the brothers. Eyes twitching, I opened my defective mouth… and spoke. “Th-th-there’s al-also a bi-bitch called S-Salome. G-goes by M-Mae.” Hundreds of mouths dropped as one. I glanced down to my own club, my own brothers. The look of disbelief on their faces said it all—The Hangmen Mute was fuckin’ talking.
Breathe. Swallow. Think of Mae… Think of Mae. Imagine you’re talking to Mae, I told myself, needing to last just that little bit longer, knowing I might not be able to speak any more.
“Sh-sh—”
I stopped. Breathe, Styx, fuckin’ breathe.
“Sh-she’s m-my old l-lady.” A rumble of anger spread like thunder around the lot. “Th-they t-took her fr-from m-me… ti-tied me u-up an-and t-took her from m-me. And I f-f-fuckin’ want h-her b-back.” I lowered my head and pinched at the bridge of my nose, my stomach tight with tension. Every muscle in my body braced, hungry for war.
Breathe. Swallow. Fuckin’ rinse. Repeat. Rinse. Repeat…
My hands curled, stiff by my sides. I snarled, anger seeping into my mind and voice.
“Y-you f-f-find h-her. Y-you k-k-keep h-her s-safe. Br-bring h-her back to m-me.”
Brothers howled. Bothers slammed their fists over their chests, signing me their support. I exhaled; my talking was done. The python wrapped itself back in its place. But I’d said my piece. I actually said my fuckin’ piece…
A rough hand slapped my shoulder. Ky.
“Fuck, Styx,” he said in a tight voice. “Shit, brother…” He trailed off, unable to finish his sentence.
I pulled him into my chest by his hand, slapping his back. “W-we get her b-back,” I said only to him.
He drew back and smiled that fuckin’ cheesy Hollywood smile. “You know it.”
I made my way down the steps toward my Harley at the front, Ky following behind. Every brother slapped me on my shoulder in support. They all had my back.
Swinging a leg over my Harley, I took a deep breath. I held up my hand and pointed forward, signaling it was time to burn up road…
…A pair of wolf eyes spurring me on.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Mae
“The guard will be right outside. Do not even think of leaving this room. Am I clear, Salome?” Sister Eve glared at me, her milky eyes stern with reprimand.
I nodded meekly. She left the room, seeming quite impressed at my show of compliance.
I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection.
Déjà vu.
A floor-length sleeveless white dress. Hair down in soft curls, sections along the top of my crown pinned back by a flower garland. The smell of vanilla oil on my completely-waxed skin—but did they make a happy bride-to-be? Not at all. What I wanted to do was cry.
The padding of feet sounded outside the door and, as I turned the handle, Lilah and Maddie were already sneaking inside.
“Be quick,” I whispered, checking the hallway was clear of guards. My sisters ran inside and I shut the door as quietly as I could.
“Oh, Mae. You look beautiful,” Lilah whispered, as I ushered them onto my bed. Water began to fill my eyes.
“Mae, do not cry,” Maddie begged, reaching for my hand.
“I cannot marry him. I have not even spoken to him. He is old and decrepit.” My hand flew to my mouth as I choked on a sob. “They will force me to join with him. I… I cannot do it. I love Styx. I will not betray him! What am I to do?”
My sisters were sympathetic to my plight.
“There is nothing to do, Mae,” Lilah said apologetically. “You are back now. They will never let you go. You must do as they command.”
Something within me shattered with the realization. A part of me died.
I looked up and stared out of the tiny window at the setting sun. “How long do I have?” I questioned.
“Ten minutes,” Maddie whispered.
I nodded numbly. “Will you be taking me to the altar?”
“No,” Lilah answered.
I faced my sisters. “Why not?” I asked, confused.
Maddie shrugged. “We were told by Sister Eve to wait here until they come for you. We were told we will not be attending the ceremony, that we are still shunned. Banned from public events.”