Chapter 3 Molly

“Church?” I asked, still staring at the gate after I heard Slash leave on his bike.

“You have it bad, girl.”

I did. No denying it. “There’s something about him. He makes me feel safe but also beautiful. Like he can’t get enough of me, and I’m special.”

Her expression grew thoughtful. “You know, I think you’re right. He looks at you like he can’t wait to devour you, yes, but also like he’d take a bullet to protect you. It’s intense.”

“Does it bother you?” I asked, hoping it didn’t because after that kiss, I wanted more, and I didn’t care if he was older than me.

“No,” she replied slowly, “but his life will always be crazy. The club comes first to the members. I’ve seen it with my uncle. It takes a brave woman to share her man with the MC.”

I needed to know how serious he was with me before I could consider all that. “Have you ever seen Slash like this before?”

“No, not at all. He’s never had a serious relationship that lasted long.” She cleared her throat. “Molls, he’s a man.”

“Yeah,” I teased, “I think that’s obvious.”

She bit back a laugh. “I’m serious.”

I understood what she meant. “I know.”

“He’s not a high school guy. Slash is a big, mature man. He’s rough, muscled, overprotective, and a bit possessive with you already. If you don’t want this to go any further, tell me. I’ll yell at my cousin to back off.”

She would do it, too, and I loved her for it.

“I want to see where it goes with us. I’d like to get to know him better.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Are you suggesting sexual or what? Because I can’t talk about my cousin like that, I’ll throw up.”

I swatted at her arm. “Stop. You know what I’m saying.”

She giggled. “I do.” Em stood and tugged on my arm. “We need to shower and get ready. I want to do your hair and makeup.”

If I let Embry, she’d dress me up and do my hair and makeup every day like I was a Barbie. I loved her, but not that much. Still, I didn’t mind the help for tonight since I’d be seeing Slash again in a few hours.

“What did you have in mind?” I asked, agreeing to her makeover.

She squealed as we rushed inside her house. “Yes! You’re going to love what I do with your hair. We’ll give you smoky eyes and pouty, glossy lips. I’m going to curl your hair in beach waves. My cousin is going to lose his shit when he sees you.”

A little after seven, I stood in front of Embry’s full-length mirror, staring at a girl I hardly recognized. I’d recently gotten my hair highlighted with dark red, and with the waves Em had given me, the strands fell soft and loosely curled around my shoulders. Under the club lights, my hair would look amazing.

My eyes stood out with the smoky makeup palette she used. Strikingly green, they were framed by thick lashes. My lips were a soft pink and glossed with my favorite cherry flavor.

But the outfit. That was the icing on the cake.

I wore fishnet tights, black faux leather shorts, a red halter top that laced up the front, and knee-high black boots. The boots were a masterpiece on their own, with a three-inch block heel, laces up the sides, a zipper in the back, and a buckle strap over the front. I fell in love with them as soon as I pulled them on and tugged the zipper up.

“Wow, Molls. Those boots fit you better than me. They’re gorgeous on you!”

“They’re perfect,” I agreed.

“Keep them. My gift to you.”

Usually, I would say no, but these were too fantastic to pass up. “Thanks, bestie.”

My phone buzzed on her dresser, and she glanced at it, flipping off the device as it buzzed a second time.

“It’s the asshole.”

Fred. “I wonder what he wants.”

“He keeps blowing you up. Calls and now a text.” She frowned. “It says you need to come home right away.”

With a sigh, I turned away from the mirror. “If I don’t go, he’ll only get pissed off, and then it’ll be worse later.”

“I’m going to text Slash.”

“No. Really. Just let me borrow a jacket so I can cover up this outfit. He gets bent out of shape when he sees me dressed up.”

Em flinched. “That’s super weird and creepy, Molls.”

I knew that, but it didn’t change the facts. “I’ll go home, be nice, tell him I’m staying the night over at your place, and then I’ll meet up with you at the club.”

“Molls, I don’t like this. Not after he hit you.” She shook her head, bouncing the loose curls she had just finished around her slim shoulders. “What if he gets violent again? You’ll be all alone.”

“I can handle Fred,” I promised.

“Then I’m coming with you. You’re not doing this alone.”

No way. “Em, Slash would be pissed. So would your parents. You can’t.”

She popped a hip and shook a finger at me. “The hell I can’t. I won’t leave you alone for that abusive prick to come after you.”

She wasn’t going to listen. I needed to form a plan because I didn’t know Fred’s current mood. He was unpredictable.

“How about you walk with me to the house? I’ll go in alone in case he’s cranky, and you wait by the back porch. If he’s calm, no worries. You won’t have to come in.”

“And if he’s not?”

“Then you call Slash and ask for help.”

“Fine.” She walked to her closet and pulled out a couple of thin jackets that would cover our club attire. The less attention we attract right now, the better. “Here. Put this on.” She handed me one and shrugged on the other, zipping it up until her flashy silver top and short skirt were concealed.

I zipped the blue jacket over my clothes and grabbed my purse, lifting the strap to cross over my chest. My phone vibrated again as another text came through. I typed a quick reply and hit send before stuffing it inside my purse. “Let’s go.”

“Wait. I want you to put Slash’s number in your phone.”

“Why?”

“Because if shit goes down and something happens, he can help. His club, the Feral Rebels MC, they’re the type of guys you want on your side. Slash will know what to do if you call.”

“Okay.” I added his number and saved it to my contacts.

We left Embry’s house and walked to mine at a brisk pace. I knew the longer it took me to arrive, the more fired up Fred would become. The text that I sent would help, but he would expect me to arrive within minutes, so I didn’t delay, hoping I could smooth things over fast and rejoin Em.

“Wait out back,” I whispered, gesturing to the gate. “I won’t be long.”

“Wait,” she hissed, ticking her chin toward the car in my driveway. “Who’s here?”

I didn’t recognize the sleek black Jaguar parked on the driveway. Five motorcycles were lined up on the front lawn. Fred didn’t know any bikers, and I’d never seen any come to the house. “I’m not sure.”

“Shit, Molls.” Embry’s eyes widened. “I don’t like this.”

“I have to go in. Maybe he’s so busy with whoever is here that he’ll be distracted.”

She looked doubtful. “I’m texting Slash.”

I bit my lip and nodded. “Okay. That’s probably a good idea.” Squaring back my shoulders, I left Em in the shadows and marched up the front steps, rushing into the house. The door smacked shut behind me as I entered.

Nothing could have prepared me for what awaited as I stood in the living room, staring at my stepfather as two bikers held him up. Fred’s limp body concealed the extent of his wounds until one of the bikers gripped his hair and yanked his head back.

I gasped when I saw his ballooned, blackened eye, split lip, and bruised face. His cheek was swollen, and a lump was forming on his jaw. He looked disheveled and groaned as I took a step back, fearful of the bikers and what they intended.

A hard body cut off my retreat as I smacked into it, spinning to stare at three more bikers. They all wore leather vests like the one I’d seen Slash wear, but these had different emblems: a blade and a coiled serpent.

“You must be Molly.”

I swallowed as I noticed the man sitting on our couch. He wore a dark suit and shiny black designer shoes. His dark hair had been slicked back. I could smell his heavy cologne from where I stood and nearly gagged. His arms rested on the back of the couch as he stared at me with dark, cold eyes. Black. Nothing like Slash’s eyes that held warmth like simmering coals.

His lips curled into a cruel smile. “Answer me.”

“Yes,” I whispered, clearing my throat before I spoke louder, “I’m Molly.”

“Good girl.”

I flinched at his awkward praise.

“I’m Angel Mackenzie. Your stepfather and I have come to an agreement.” He turned to Fred. “This is your last chance to change your mind.”

Clarity returned to Fred’s eyes as they boldly swept over me. “I’m sure.”

“A wise choice,” Angel agreed.

My mind didn’t want to grasp what they meant. I couldn’t believe it. My mind refused to accept that Fred could do something so horrific.

“Take her to my car,” Angel ordered.

I blinked at Fred as my mind rebelled. “You can’t do this!”

He snorted, “I’ve provided for you and your brother since your mom died. It’s about time you helped me out and made a contribution.”

A contribution? I was still in high school! What did he want from me? To work full time? I already paid bills with my part-time job helping at the library after school. I even sold a few pieces of my artwork to put food on the table.

“You can’t sell a person!” I shouted in a panic as two sets of hands grabbed me by the upper arms.

Fred sneered. “Rip off her jacket. You’ll see she’s worth the trade.”

Terror seized me as the bikers unzipped my jacket and ripped it away, tossing it across the room.

Angel stood, sauntering toward me as the bikers held me in place. “Yes. She’ll fetch a great price after I sample her.”

“You can’t sell a person,” I repeated with a shaky voice, terrified of the lust that filled Angel’s eyes.

He shot forward and circled my throat with his hand and squeezed. “You’re mine to do with as I please. The sooner you learn obedience, the easier it will become. Fight me, and I will make sure you’re bound, naked, and stuck servicing every member of the Bladed Serpents before I put you up for auction.”

My body trembled as tears filled my eyes.

Around me, a few of the bikers laughed. One grabbed his crotch and ticked his chin toward me. “I’ll break her in for you.”

Angel snickered. “I’ll take that offer into consideration.”

My knees almost buckled as Angel released me. “Take her out. I need to get to the club before the bidding starts.”

Bidding? For me? Or did Angel kidnap other girls?

If those bikers hadn’t held me in place, I probably would have collapsed from fear and shock.

Fred’s dark laughter followed me out the front door as I was hauled to the Jaguar. The door opened, and I was pushed inside. It slammed shut as I clenched my fingers in my lap. Angel joined me, closing the driver’s door with a soft click as he took his seat.

“Put on your seatbelt, Molly.”

I reached for the belt and buckled it across my lap, swallowing back bile. I had to fight the urge to retch. My stomach roiled as I tried to make sense of what was happening.

I didn’t know what to do.

As I struggled to breathe and Angel backed his expensive sports car down the driveway, I heard the engines of the motorcycles rumble to life.

That one sound sparked hope that Slash would rescue me.

I didn’t see Embry and hoped she was safe. I’d never forgive myself if they took her too.