8

"Did you know the police busted a sex trafficking ring here last year? And that several people go missing at nearly every event, never to be heard from again?" Elle questioned that evening as we prepared to pretty much ambush her brother at dinner. "Rape is rampant."

"There's a reason why I brought my gun, Elle."

"I had no idea how wild this event can get."

I release a chuckle, "Have you forgotten what being part of a biker gang is like? What did you expect?"

"I remember everything clearly, thank you." She stands from the bed and shoves her phone into her back pocket. "I guess I expected less chaos."

"That's just dumb. There's danger everywhere. But here, for some reason, this event gives people an excuse to be scum of the earth."

"I'm not dumb," she exclaims. Her expression is strained.

"I didn't say you were. I said the thought was dumb."

She smirks and rolls her eyes. "Let's go." She walks out of the camper.

"I'll be right there." I grab my jacket to conceal the weapon in the holster on my hip.

Elle seems shaken by the turn of events. "Come on. Let's get this over with."

We make our way toward the local steak house several blocks away. Thankfully, the rain has given up for the moment, though there are several large puddles of water along the street. Outside the restaurant, there's a reasonably short line. After all her online research about our location, Elle seemed far too fragile to leave alone so I sent her inside to alert the hostess of our party size.

"Hey, man," Mac says close to my ear from behind. I turn to face him and he's smiling. As much as I didn't want it to, my body reacted to his presence. The proof is written all over my now burning cheeks and I shift away from him slightly. I scan around for Janelle. He's alone and smirks, "Did I scare you?"

I quickly find my tongue, "No. I'm fine."

The air around us seems thicker as I attempt to calm my arousal for the man beside me. I had never wanted anyone so bad in all my life. The desire, the craving I have for him is immense. The crotch of my jeans is damp already and he hasn't said more than five words to me. Knowing he had this strange effect on my body does scare me. Mac makes me nervous and curious.

Elle approaches, "It shouldn't be too long of a wait." I watch as she assesses the odd situation before addressing our neighbor. "Oh, hey, Mac? What's up?"

He finally pulls his eye off me and addresses Elle. "Just killin' time before my show tonight."

Elle shrugs, "Sounds fun," she says and scans the crowd for Max, completely disconnecting from the conversation. "I'm starving." Her mind is just too busy to engage.

"I had a large piece of meat last night that filled me to the brim," he replies and smiles at me. I'm shocked at his abrupt yet subtle reply.

I quickly pull my eyes away from him and clear my throat. "Maybe we can stop by the show after dinner."

He smirks and winks, "Y'all enjoy your meal."

"Thank you," Elle says, while looking at her phone. Mac walks away, leaving me feeling uneasy for what the evening might bring.

Several moments later, our part of the line moves inside the establishment. The frazzled hostess escorts us to our table and takes our drink order. Moments later our waiter brings our drinks and a basket of dinner rolls. We decline to order until Max arrives. He seemed happy to comply as he had other tables to attend.

Elle sits silently chewing on a wad of bread while we wait, constantly checking her phone. I spend the time watching the other diners. It isn't as loud or out of control of a space that I'm used to while being here. There's no yelling, boisterous laughing, or drunken fights breaking out. Everyone seems to be enjoying the calm environment. Ten minutes later, Max finally walks in. He seems jittery. Something I had hoped wouldn't happen but it comes with the territory when you're dealing with a tweaker. He spots us and approaches.

The body odor wafting off of him tingles my nostrils and pulls my lips into a frown. He hadn't bathed since arriving at the event. His hair is greasy and he needs a shave. Though he brought two bags of clothes, he hasn't changed out of the items he arrived in. I cringe and shift uncomfortably in my seat as he sits with us.

"Where have you been?" Elle questions.

He leans back into his chair and chuckles. "I've been around."

"Obviously not bathing," I grumble.

"You saying I stink?"

I scoff and lean in closer to keep my voice down, "You look and smell like shit. Dude, what the fuck?"

"Holden," Elle scolds me but I don't care.

"What? It's the truth." I look directly at him, "You look like a homeless junkie."

Max's expression sinks. He then rakes his fingers through his nasty hair and he adjust his clothing while attempting to look presentable but it isn't working. I want so much to take him out back and hose him off like a muddy pig. I'm embarrassed for myself and Elle, not to mention all the people who are now glancing in our direction. This may not be a five-star restaurant but they came here to avoid people like Max.

"Look, if y'all invited me here just to cut me down, I can leave," he says. As he goes to stand, the waiter returns. Max settles and the waiter takes our order. When he walks away, the conversation continues.

"Don't leave." Elle leans in closer and speaks before I can, "The cops paid us a visit today."

Max scoffs and shrugs, "Ok, so?"

"You remember that girl you were with at the bar?"

He chuckles, "Which girl? There's been a few."

I glare at him, "Don't play dumb, Max. The girl you were with on our first night."

He ponders for a moment before it clicks and his face brightens, "Ohhh, the girl from the meat shack place? She was wild and willing to do anything for something to eat. Crazy." He chuckles.

"Show some respect," I snap.

"Max, she was found murdered," Elle states in a whisper.

His expression tightens, "That explains why she didn't meet me again."

"Is that all you have to say?" I ask angrily.

"What more is there to say?"

"That girl was an underage runaway, Max."

"Fifteen to be exact," I inject, feeling even more sick with his actions. Then the waiter brought our salads and more bread for the table. None of us have any interest in eating but Elle picks at hers with her fork, shoving pieces of torn lettuce around.

Max quickly grows uncomfortable in his seat and begins to worm around, "I didn't." He pauses, "Look, I didn't know she was underage. I swear."

"I assume a lot of people didn't know either but that's not the point," Elle insists. "That girl is dead and the cops are out asking questions. Plenty of people saw you with her."

He shakes his head, "Look, I know that I'm a fuck up most of the time but I didn't hurt that girl."

"Someone did."

"Not me. Nope."

His underlining tone is unsettling, "Don't you think they're gonna check security cameras?" I ask. "They'll see you with her that night."

Elle sighs, "Max, you have to tell the cops. Clear your name."

He shakes his head. "I'm not gonna rat on myself. Are you crazy?"

"I'm positive they've already done a rape kit on her, pulling any DNA left behind."

"I can't believe I even have to ask this question, considering her age. Did you use a condom at least?" Elle questions. I'm shocked at how nonchalant she's being about this situation. It's almost as if she's condoning his behavior. Looking for ways he would've covered them up.

Max sighs, "I was so fucked up that night. I don't remember what happened after the bar."

"Then how do you know you didn't do anything to that girl?" I ask in an accusing tone. As much as I wanted to believe he wouldn't hurt someone, I couldn't rule him out. "Your sister is right. You need to clear your name. Offer DNA."

He's glaring at me now. "You don't believe me. You actually think the cops will?"

"All the more reason for you to go to them," Elle says.

The waiter returns to our table with our food. "Your order shouldn't take too long now. Everything ok? Can I get you anything else while you wait? Refills?"

"No, thank you," I reply and with a curious glance at our untouched salads, he walks away. I fold my arms over my chest and glare at Max. "You will go."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I will."

Elle gasps, "No."

I unfold my arms and gesture toward her brother while adjusting in my seat. "I won't go down for aiding a possible fugitive, Elle. Call me crazy but fuck that."

"Imagine that."

Heat rushes my face and I scowl at him, "You have something to say?"

He leers, "I just find it funny that you want to rat me out."

"Max. Stop," Elle snaps.

"Like father, like son. A family of rats."

"You know what?" I quickly stand, jostling the table and knocking over my drink. Everything clatters together, drawing all the attention to us. Embarrassed and feeling defeated, I release a sigh and turn to walk away out of respect for Elle.

"Holden, wait," Elle injects and grabs my arm, stopping me. "wait…sit down."

"I need some air." I turn and slam into our waiter, causing him to drop an entire tray of food onto the floor and some on the nearest customer. Humiliation floods me even more and all I can do is make my way toward the exit. I stop at the hostess stand and slap two-hundred dollars on the podium. Her expression is that of shock. "Sorry about the mess."

I step outside and take a much-needed deep breath. I want nothing but to leave this shitty event and go back to my boring life.

My attention is captured but a large billowing flame coming from behind another building and the sound of an excited crowd. I know mac is there but have no desire to even see him. I look back and Elle is too busy trying to help the waiter with the mess to notice me. Max is chowing down on his food, not lifting a finger to help his sister. I chew my lip for a moment, contemplating. Elle hasn't been the only one who enabled someone.

My father's fuck up is what landed Elle's parents in prison in the first place, leaving her and Max alone. Watching your parents serve life sentences can't be easy. Though they were all guilty of crimes, my dad was the one who ratted on everyone for a lesser sentence, all so he could come home to me sooner. But if you rat on the club, you are treated as such. Vermin is exterminated and now I carry the stain of the weight of his betrayal on my shoulders. Elle and even Max have never pushed me into that bracket. At least, not until now. I'm the spawn of a traitor and nothing more to the Iron Dragons. Even those who weren't locked up had nothing to do with me, pushing me more into solitude. I was just an innocent kid but that's the name of the game. Even in death, my father's crimes will never go unpunished.

Guilt keeps me from living my own life. Max is one thing. He's a man and can take care of himself. But if anything happened to Elle, I would feel horrible. Which is why I've taken it upon myself to be with her all the time. Protecting her at every turn. But I can't do it anymore. I also can't keep her from making the choices she's going to make. If she wants to allow her brother to rule her life, I'll no longer stand in the way of that.