Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

RORY

“I’ve got to be the stupidest person on earth,” I mutter to myself, making my way to the lousy-looking motel.

In the middle of the night, I decided to get out of there before anyone could realize I left. I’d gotten out of the clubhouse quickly enough, but off the property, not so easily. I followed the fence line to the very back of the property and was able to climb a tree that that was situated right there near a corner with limbs going over the fence. I didn’t dare crawl up the limb, but I used it to balance myself enough to get to the other side.

My entire body was hurting, and I just wanted to go to sleep. I’d gotten as far away from the clubhouse as I thought possible. I mean, I didn’t think that they’d care either way, but just to be on the safe side, I wasn’t risking it. I couldn’t. I needed to be able to give my body a break. If I didn’t, I was going to end up hurting myself further.

To make things worse, I found someone's room and snagged the money out of their wallet. I didn’t look at the ID inside. I just took the money and ran. It wasn’t much. But it’d get me a room for the day to sleep. I can travel at night. It’d probably be best for me to do it that way. There is less chance of someone seeing me.

I quickly make my way up to the office, not surprised that the manager has a pot belly, a stained shirt, and a balding spot on top of his head.

“What can I do for you, pretty lady?” he says, grinning, eyeing me up and down.

“I just need a room,” I tell him, doing my best to ignore his leering eyes.

“How many nights are you looking to stay? We also have rooms by the hour.” He leans onto his elbow, those beady eyes of his giving me the creeps. “You know we could even make a deal, save you some money, you come on back here with me. We could have some fun.”

“Ugh, no thanks. I’ll just take a room, one night, farthest from the end that you have available.”

There’s no way I’d stay here if I didn’t have a choice, but I needed to get some rest. I hope that I don’t end up catching something from this seedy place. To make it worse, this guy was gross. No way would I want him trying to get near me. Plus, he must be a desperate jerk to think he could get some out of me. I mean, I look horrible with my face and body banged up the way it is. For freaking sake, my wrist is in a damn cast.

The manager quickly checks me in, takes the thirty dollars, talk about cheap, and gives me a key. “Don’t worry about turning that back in. Just leave it in front of the TV, maid service will pick it up tomorrow morning.”

“Great, thanks,” I tell him and get out of there as fast as possible. I find the room, unlock the door, and step inside. Thankfully, it’s much cleaner than I expected.

Locking myself in, I use the last of my strength to move the old scarred-up table in front of the door, close all the blinds, and finally crash out on the bed. Well, I crash after pulling the covers off and checking for bugs. To be on the safe side, I leave the blankets on the floor.

I curl into a ball in the middle of the bed and close my eyes.

I jerk awake at the pounding on a door. I sit upright in the middle of the bed, trying to get my bearings. The pounding stops, only to start again.

Who on earth could that be?

The options could be anyone from Roger’s men to those in the Devil’s Riot.

With my heart racing, nearly beating out of my chest, I move to the side of the large front window and peek out the side. My breathing becomes labored when I see who it is. I glance at the clock and shake my head at how long I’ve been asleep.

He looks pissed. Way, way pissed.

How did he find me here?

Worse, sitting astride their bikes were two more of his ‘brothers’.

Oh boy.

This isn’t good.

“Open up, Scamp. Don’t make me break down the door,” he shouts, not taking his gaze off the door as he pounds on it.

I pull away and glance around the room. There’s no way for me to escape. The bathroom doesn’t have a window. Even if it did, I didn’t think I’d be able to get out before he figured out what I was doing.

The only option is to open the door because otherwise, he’d break it down, and there’s no doubt in my mind he could do it even with the table in the way.

Crossing the small distance to the door, I shove the table just barely out of the way before Aries comes catapulting into the room.

“The fuck were you thinking, Rory?” he demands, glaring at me. “Have you lost your goddamn mind?”

Narrowing my gaze on him, I cross my arms, his eyes following this movement briefly before returning his glare back to mine. “Go away, Aries.”

“Answer the fuckin’ question, Rory,” he states coming closer.

“I don’t have to answer to you,” I snap.

“The hell you don’t.” Gripping my arms, he holds me in place. “You realize the danger you put yourself into by leaving the damn clubhouse?”

“I don’t need your help, Aries. I didn’t ask for it. And I refuse to draw anyone else into my problems. Now, get your hands off me,” I snap, shoving pointlessly at his chest.

“Swear to God, woman, if you didn’t have broken ribs, I’d put you over my knee and teach you a lesson.”

Oh boy.

Those words cause a tendril of sensation to course through me.

Aries doesn’t give me a chance to respond. Instead, he lets go of my arms, drops one to my not casted hand, and pulls me out of the room. “I’ll deal with you at the clubhouse instead of here, where we’re exposed. You can also explain to me what the hell you’re into with your fuckwad of a brother.”

He knows about Roger? Did Cordelia tell him? No, she wouldn’t. They probably looked into me. Does that mean he knows? Does he know the reasons for what I’ve done? Why I hurt him?