20. Broken Trust

Twenty

Broken Trust

Axle

More days pass. No messages, no missed calls. I thought about turning up at Elena's doorstep again or going to her work, but I don't know if it's going to make the situation worse. Every second of every day, I'm haunted by her. I'll never forget the taste of her lips. I remember how my fingertips dragged across her smooth, soft skin, over her curves.

It's Friday night and Viper's organized a clubhouse party. I think he just feels bad for me. Everyone is outside, huddled together, talking in groups, while the music's blasting. I gaze down at my still-full beer. I am not in the mood to drink tonight. My body has had enough.

A girl sits close to me. I glance at her face. She's smiling widely. "I know you," I say, though I can't put my finger on how or where I know her from.

"I work with Elena."

Elena ... just her name is enough to cause me pain. "How's she doing?" I have to ask.

"Quiet... sad. Comes to work and goes straight home." She puts her hand over mine. "And how are you doing?"

I pull away from her, curling my lip. She's fooling herself if she thinks I'd have anything to do with her.

"I wouldn't worry about trying to get back with Elena if I were you."

Here we go ... "Hmmm... and why's that?"

"I'm sure she's getting drunk right now, trying to get over you."

My chest is tight. All senses on high alert. "What did you just say?" I sneer, hoping I heard her wrong, because Elena hardly drinks.

The girl pouts. "They're having a party at their house tonight. I was told it's going to be huge, so I'm sure she'll be finding someone to try to get over you."

She reaches for me, but I shove her hand away. Elena drunk ... her boss ... "Fuck!" The tension in my voice cuts through the air. I take a few quick steps over to the clubhouse and punch the window. It shatters with a high-pitched crack, shards of glass falling to the ground. My hand aches. Blood drips down but I barely notice.

Demon is closest to me. He walks over and looks at my hand. "What's going on with you? Is everything alright?"

The anger swells inside of me. My body is on fire. "No, I'm not. Come with me?" I pause. "I need to check on Elena, so you might get to have some fun if anyone dares to touch her."

A sardonic grin envelops his face. "I'm in."

I knew he would be. He's twisted. We're both a little unhinged. I'm reckless, but he's higher on the psycho scale than me.

Viper and Cash are watching me closely. Cash stands, but as he walks toward me, I mumble to Demon, "Quick. Let's get out of here before they try to stop us."

Demon gives me a sharp nod. "I'll get the keys. Meet you in the van."

"Get me a tea towel from inside for my hand."

As Demon walks away, I glance at Cash. "I'm alright. Demon's just getting something for my hand."

He gives me a slow nod.

I hurry along the side of the house and to the van. If Elena's boss is there with her... if he tries anything... My hands ball into fists. I swear I'll kill him.

Elena

The house is full of strangers. Some dancing and others talking. I cough from the cloud of cigarette smoke.

"I'm so happy you could join us," Lucy says with a wide smile, and then she bumps her hip against mine.

I give her a fake smile in return. I regret agreeing, but after a long week I need this distraction. I just don't want to think about Axle. He's under my skin. It pains me to know I still love him, even with all the heartbreak he's caused me. I don't regret the time spent with him, because he made me happy. No matter how hard I try, I can't hate him.

"Here," Lucy says, handing me another full shot glass. This time there's red liquid in it. She raises hers and we clink our glasses together. "To getting over Axle."

"Cheers," I say and swallow in two gulps. Instantly a sharp burn hits my throat, making me cough and my face twist into a grimace. "Oh, that one's strong." It warms my belly, but my head spins. Someone grips my shoulders, and I turn to see Cameron.

"You need to relax," he says softly, gently working his fingers into my shoulders.

My body stiffens slightly, but I'm too sluggish to move away from him. "I am relaxed," I murmur.

He laughs. "Not relaxed enough. How many shots have you had?" he asks, then looks between me and Lucy.

Lucy shrugs. "We're still standing," she says, then giggles. "Alcohol will help her forget... at least for tonight, anyway."

I peer down at the empty shot glass. "Well... pour me another."

"That's the spirit," Cameron says.

Cameron pours me another shot and reaches over to pass it to me. I blink a few times. I see two shot glasses, though I'm pretty sure my eyes are playing tricks on me.

Cameron laughs and brings the glass to my lips. I swallow the shot down.

My head falls to the side. Everything's spinning. I grab the kitchen counter to stay upright.

"Are you alright?" Lucy asks, sounding worried.

I rub my forehead. No, I am not.

"I'll take her to her bedroom so she can lie down," says Cameron.

Hmm, bed... seems like such a good idea right about now.

"Are you sure?" Lucy asks him or me. I'm not exactly sure at this point. I just want to be in my warm, comfortable bed.

"It's fine. I'll get her there safe and tucked in bed," he replies.

Cameron grabs my hips, helping me stand. "Woah..." I mutter. We walk around the bunch of bodies. I put my arm over his shoulder as we step up the stairs. He wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me tight against his body. When we reach the top, he wiggles my bedroom doorknob.

"It's locked. Do you have the key?"

My eyes are heavy, but I point to my pocket. He dips his hand into my pocket. It lingers there, and then he rubs the edge of my privates. I take a step back, nearly losing my footing. "What are you doing?" I slur.

He smirks. "Helping you into your room." He unlocks the door and guides me inside and eases me down on my bed. He leans over and brushes my hair out of my face.

"Mm," I grunt. I want to go to sleep.

He leans over me. "I'm going to make you forget that piece of trash. I'm going to make you feel good." His lips crash into mine.

Shock turns my body to stone. No... this can't be happening. I don't want him . I squirm, trying to pull away, but I'm struggling. His body is heavy. I'm drunk, but I know I don't want this. He grabs my boob roughly.

"Don't," I say, but he doesn't listen. He kisses down my neck while I'm struggling beneath him, my heart racing, my stomach queasy.

"Get off me!" I say, louder. I try to push him off, but he's so strong.

He's frowning. "What, you can take dick from a biker, but you don't want mine?"

I blink at him. Worry clutches at me. Will he hurt me ... rape me?

The door crashes against the wall with a loud thud, jolting Cameron upright. He leaps off me, eyes wide with panic, and hurriedly backs away to the far corner of the room. His voice is shaky as he protests, "It's not what it looks like."

Axle's chilling gaze is aimed at Cameron, the hostility radiating off him. Instant relief eases my heavy heart. He's here. He will protect me. Axle darts to Cameron and grabs him by the throat. Cameron's feet are dangling. "I'll fucking bury you!" Axle screams in his face.

Demon kicks the bedroom door closed. His smile is amused, and a wicked glint dances in his eyes. A dull crunch pulls my attention back to Axle. He's out of control, throwing punch after punch at Cameron's face. Demon creeps toward him, his smile curving higher. He pulls Axle off Cameron.

Axle glares at Demon. "Get the fuck off me."

Demon doesn't flinch. "I'll take care of him." He peers at me and his gaze softens. "You tend to her. I'll meet you at the van in ten."

Axle turns to me and his shoulders fall. He takes cautious steps toward me, then takes my shaky hand in his and helps me sit upright. I notice the blood and redness on his hands and knuckles. He scoops me up, one arm supporting my legs and the other my back and pulls me to his chest. His heart is hammering against me, and his breathing is heavy. He kisses the top of my head.

As we walk out, Demon says, "You're mine, motherfucker."

The terrified scream that follows makes me flinch, but I have no sympathy for Cameron because I know he would have tried to rape me if he'd had the chance. Axle closes the bedroom door behind us and carries me down the stairs. His body is stiff, as if violence is still coursing through his veins, but his need to care for me outweighs that part of him.

The screams fade away, drowned out by the blaring music. I burrow deeper into the comforting warmth of Axle's chest, choosing not to meet anyone's gaze. He kisses the top of my head again.

"I'm so sorry," he says just loud enough that I can hear it.

It's not your fault. I want to reassure him, but the words catch in my throat, leaving me unable to speak.

Outside, he opens the van door and ever so gently places me down on the seat. His eyes drift over my face and body. With a pained expression, he asks, "Did he hurt you?"

I shake my head. Physically, no... I tug at Axle's shirt, needing him to stay with me. He sits on the seat beside me and pulls me down so that my head is resting on his lap. He strokes my hair and whispers, "I've got you."

Tears well up as I imagine what might have been. Despite Axle using violence against people who hurt me, I feel an undeniable sense of security when I'm wrapped in his arms. His protective presence is unwavering, and I know he'll always be there to keep me safe.

His eyes, full of determination, meet mine, offering a silent promise that reassures me. "Don't cry, baby girl," he says softly as he wipes my falling tears with his thumb. There's a pain in his voice and I want to stop crying, but I can't.

A short while later, the front door slams shut, making me jolt.

"Shhh..." Axle says. "It's just Demon."

The van starts and we pull away. "Did you hurt him?" Axle asks menacingly.

Demon lets out a dark chuckle. "Sure did. My knife went through both his hands. He'll think twice before touching another woman against her will. I told him if it happens again, he'll be six feet under."

"Thanks, brother."

"Good times," Demon replies.