Shock comes over Colin’s face, then jealousy. I see it clearly before he locks it down.
“You’re lying.”
“She’s got the sweetest pussy I’ve ever been inside of. Drains a man dry and begs for more. Too bad you didn’t get a taste when you could, Colin, because she’s mine now, and unlike you, motherfucker, I protect my property.” I stand up. “Now this meeting’s finished.”
“Return her back to me and I might let you live, Skull.”
“I’ll see you in hell first,” I tell him, not bothering to turn around. “Let’s go boys,” I call to Torch and Sabre. My mouth got away from me. I know there will be blood flowing in this fucking war, but I can’t stop it. The son of a bitch is never getting his hands on my woman. She is mine, even if I’m going to fucking make sure she can’t sit down for a week.
“Jesus, when you get serious over a woman, you make sure it’s not simple, ese,” Diesel says, following us out. I don’t answer him. There’s nothing I can say because he’s absolutely fucking right.
I’m so tired that I stumble with my every step. I’ve been walking nonstop since Marker got me out of there. I kept expecting Beast to find me or one of the others out hunting for me, but so far I’ve been home free. I’m probably overestimating my value. I mean, just because I’m more than halfway in love with Skull doesn’t mean he has the same emotions. He’s told me several times that he’ll grow tired of me. He’ll probably get back and decide I’m not worth the trouble. Up ahead, I can see the bus station.
I find the sight of it brings me both relief and sadness.
I make it through the doors and go straight to the bathroom. It’s been so dry in Georgia that I can feel the dust all over my skin. I freshen up and splash water on my face. Once I make it back to the main lobby, I stare at the big map of the states pinned on the bulletin board. I don’t have a plan about where to go. If I go back to Montana, Colin and Matthew will find me and I don’t want that. Colorado? Texas? Do I pick a small town, or would it be easier to get lost in a big city? There’s so many decisions and I’m scared to death to make the wrong one. I send up a small prayer and hope I’m doing it right.
In the end, I decide to go with the bus that’s leaving the quickest. In fact, this one’s loading right now. I buy my ticket and head to the door. I’m putting my change in my purse and look up just in time to hear that voice hit me.
“Beth. Where do you think you’re going?”
My blood runs cold.
“How did you find me?”
“A better question would be, why did you disobey me?”
I take three steps backwards until I’m pressed up against the side of the building.
“You had a meeting today…”
“And it’s over. Imagine my surprise when I get a call that you’re walking along the side of a road. Let’s get in the car. We’ll discuss the trouble you’ve caused me then.”
“Colin, I don’t want to go back. I don’t want to be here. Let me go. We’re not family, not really.”
His cold face, which has always been scary to me, turns even colder.
“You are my property, Beth. You can’t leave. You do as I say, when I say it. Get in the car. Don’t make this worse on yourself,” Colin warns.
I bite my lip and the coppery taste of blood releases into my mouth. I knew escaping was going to be a longshot, but I thought I would get further than I did.
I’m about to take a step towards Colin when another voice, this one from my opposite side, stops me.
“Beth, if you take one more step, I will tan your ass more than it was already going to get.”
My heart turns over and then slams quickly in my chest, beating so fast I’m sure people can see it shaking my body. Skull.
“Skull…”
“Get over here, woman, and let’s get back home.”
“If she goes with you,” says Colin, “I’ll wipe you and your whole club out. That’s my family you’re messing with. It will not happen.”
“You shouldn’t be sporting a fucking hard-on for your sister anyway, Colin. Talk about disgusting,” Skull taunts.
My legs quake. I wonder, if I took off running, how far I would get? When Beast blocks the door back into the bus station, I figure any hope of that is gone.
“She’s not my sister, but she is mine.”
“Beth. Now,” Skull orders, ignoring Colin.
“You do, and you will live to regret it,” Colin says to me, his eyes filled with hate and every bit of it is directed at Skull.
“She’ll be fine. If I were you, Colin, I’d worry about myself, because I’m going to fucking end you. I told you, Beth was mine. I really didn’t expect this of you. Who knew you’d be so eager to get my sloppy seconds?”