Chapter Seven

Genesis

BEING ASSAULTED AT the club has never happened to me before. Yeah, some of the customers have gotten a little too handsy as they drink and lose their inhibitions. When I tell them not to touch me and that if they want a private dance from one of the dancers, they have to arrange it with the girl, they back off and go back to watching the girls on stage dance and remove their clothes. Tonight is the first time I've had a customer not listen to me when I tell them no and continue to try to take what I'm not willing to give them. I'm all for the dancers on stage doing what they have to do to make money. I'd never shame anyone for letting a customer touch them or anything else. That's their business and I'll support any decision they make. I'm not a dancer and I never will be. My job is to take drink orders and bring them to the tables they belong at. For this asshole to think I'm going to let him touch me any way he chooses is one of the scariest moments I've ever been through in my life.

Feeling Devil's arms wrapped around me filled me with a sense of safety and peace as my body started trembling in the aftermath of the encounter. I didn't want to leave him, but he gave me no choice in the matter when he told me to come outside and calm down. Honestly, I've never seen Devil as enraged as I did tonight. His eyes were almost completely black while what I could see of his face in the dim lighting of the club was as red as a stop sign. The vein hidden by the beanie on his head was standing out and pulsing with every beat of his heart. This is a version of Devil I've never seen before and I don't want to see from him again. He's scary and if I didn't feel safe in his arms, I'd be shrinking back to hide somewhere far away from him.

After he tells me again to go outside and calm down, I realize he's right. With this fucker in the club still, I won't be able to catch my breath or stop shaking. The fear of him getting his hands on me again flows through me like a livewire as I nod in response and head for Kat at the bar. She doesn't say a word to me as I take the water from her with tears starting to roll down my cheeks. I see the pity and anger in her eyes before I leave the area and head for the hallway where the back door is already propped open. None of the dancers are outside when I carefully open the door and step outside, closing my eyes and letting the cool night air wash over my body.

Opening my eyes again, I take in the stars filling the night sky as I lean against the rough exterior of the club from the bricks digging into my back. There's a gentle breeze surrounding me, chilling my already trembling body as I wrap my arms around myself the best I can. The uniform I have to wear here at the club is thin as hell and I'm usually grateful for it because the club gets hot as hell with everyone inside. Right now, I'm cursing the small amount of skin on display. I open my bottle of water and take a few small sips so I don't feel as if I'm choking with the way my throat is closed off. This feeling is horrible and it's been a long time since I've had any kind of panic attack. They used to happen on a pretty regular basis when I was younger and actually cared what people thought about me.

Growing up, I never had friends and was constantly bullied no matter what school district I was in or how good I thought the foster home was. I never had the latest clothes to wear or all of the new electronics. All of my clothes were secondhand from the thrift stores in town and my sneakers were always falling apart. The money that was supposed to be spent on me went to whatever the foster parents wanted and very little provided what I actually needed. All of my school supplies were from free fairs held before the start of each school year and my book bag was ripped in more places than it was held together. So, all of that combined made me an easy target for the bullies in every school I was in.

Melinda never had the desire to become friends when I moved in with her family. She was too wrapped up in her friends, boyfriends, and whatever else she did each day. While she didn't outright bully me, she certainly never stopped it from happening either. I learned very quickly to keep my head down, do my work, and avoid any kind of trap that was set for me on a daily basis. Including not using my locker because I could guarantee something had been put in it, on it, or done to make me look like an idiot.

Even now I won't allow myself to get close to anyone. Morgan and Kat would be the closest I consider friends and they know absolutely nothing about me. Not the situation with Matie in full, why I never have food in my apartment, or anything else. Well, I mean, I have food now. Morgan showed up two days ago with an SUV full of food and other things for the baby and kitchen. I tried to refuse it, but she brought it all in with Deegan's help and put it all away. The amount of food filling my kitchen now is something I've never seen since I left the Pratt's house. They always had food and I was allowed to have one snack a day along with breakfast and whatever was made for dinner. Nothing more though. I don't know how I'll pay Morgan and the club back for their gift, but I'll find a way as soon as possible. I refuse to be indebted to anyone for any reason.

Taking a few more small sips of my water, I look out around the back of the club. There's a forest behind the parking lot that's kind of creepy in the dark of the night. The branches twist and turn against one another creating a squeaking noise as they rub together in the breeze. It's eerie as hell if I'm being honest. But, I'm not ready to head back inside just yet. I can't be sure the customer is out of the club and I don't want to see him again. Devil said he'd come out when he could and I'm going to put what little trust I have in him to deal with the situation and come let me know it's been taken care of. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I'll do if I have to face that table again.

All night, from the second they sat down, I knew they were going to be a problem. I'm pretty sure all but one of the men were already drunk when they showed up. Talking louder than anyone else, making lewd comments and gestures about the dancers, Kat, and finally me throughout the night. I was talking to Kat about cutting them off when I went back over to take their last round of drinks to them. The second I got within arm's reach of the asshole who grabbed me, he pounced and refused to let go. By the time I was loud enough to draw the attention of Devil and Deegan, I had already asked him to let me go more than a dozen times. Hell, I tried every trick I've mastered over the years when it comes to dealing with drunk idiots who think it's okay to get handsy. Nothing worked on this asshole as his grip got tighter and tighter every move I made. It was scary and I'm glad the guys showed up as soon as they did to get me free.

"I always knew you were a slut. And look where I find you," a familiar voice says from the side of me as I snap out of my mind and turn in the direction of the voice.

Ricky stands about three feet from me. I've only seen him a handful of times over the years, but this is definitely him. He's got dirty blond hair that's greasy and slicked back the way it always is. His light blue eyes are lifeless and colder than normal as he glares at me. The suit he's wearing is dirty, wrinkled, and cheap. Ricky is always trying to impress everyone around him and make people believe he's richer and classier than he believes. The reality of the situation is Ricky's nothing more than a low-level thug who's a sleazeball. He uses everyone around him and takes what he wants without consequences or thought to what the other person feels. Exactly the type of man Melinda was bound to fall for because she's the female version of him to a point.

"What are you doing here, Ricky?" I ask him, my voice trembling as even more fear courses through me with the thought of him being so close.

Plus, I know Ricky isn't here alone. He rarely gets his hands dirty and has goons who follow him around and have no problem beating the shit out of women, kids, or anyone else who gets in Ricky's way. For now, they're hiding in the shadows and will only come out if I don't give Ricky the information he's here for.

"Pretty sure you know why I'm here, Genesis. Where is she?" he questions me, stepping up even closer so I can smell the cheap cologne he's using to cover up the body odor because the asshole doesn't know what a shower is.

"First of all, I'm not sure who you're looking for. It could be any number of women because eventually they all get sick of being beaten and treated like a pile of shit by you. Plus, from what I've been told more than once, you don't know how to keep that small dick in your pants. You spread yourself around as if you're actually proud of the small, thin, deformed thing between your legs. Secondly, I haven't seen anyone. I come to work, go home to sleep, and come back to work. No one's been to see me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I really do need to get back inside," I tell him, knowingly taunting him because I can't stand this fucker and it's so hard to hold my tongue when he's around.

"Don't fucking lie to me, Genesis. I know Melinda has been to see you. She probably brought that little bastard she's trying to pawn off as mine. And if you want to see my cock so bad, I'll be more than happy to tear you to shreds with how big it is, Genesis. You're too fucking big for me, but I'll throw you a bone like the fucking dog you are," Ricky states, his voice getting louder and angrier as his goons appear behind me.

With a nod of Ricky's head, they each grab an arm and yank them back as hard as they can. I feel something pop in my shoulder and scream out in pain.

"Keep her fucking quiet," Ricky barks out, looking around the area to see if anyone heard my scream and will now come help me. "Move her somewhere else away from the fucking door."

Without hesitation, the two assholes drag me kicking and screaming from where I was standing by the door. One of the men lets go of my arm long enough to punch me in the side of my head. He narrowly misses hitting me in the temple as my vision starts to fade in and out. This asshole hits hard. I've never been hit so hard in my entire life and I'm thankful for that because this is horrible. My body goes limp as he jerks my arm back again and I barely scream as my legs begin dragging against the rough pavement before hitting the grass that's filled with various sticks, rocks, and other debris that continues cutting up my lower body where it drags along the ground. Ricky is cackling behind me, the sound high pitched and evil as it slowly penetrates the fog filling my head and surrounding me.

"We're far enough away now," Ricky says as my eyes open and I find myself deeper in the forest than I thought they'd bring me.

I can't see the parking lot or club any longer. The bass that's usually heard outside Enchantment is nothing more than a whisper on the wind. None of the lights filling the staff parking lot are visible and the only light penetrating the trees where I'm being held is a sliver of moonlight that's managed to break through the branches and leaves above us. Fear fills me because no one will think to look for me in the forest. Devil warns us all not to come in here when we start. It's one of the first things he growls out. I've always listened to him and never ventured too close to the area. Now, I don't have a choice as I realize this is where I'm more than likely going to die.

"Genesis, I suggest you tell me where Melinda and Mathias are. The quicker you tell me where she's disappeared with him, the easier they'll be on you. Or you can be the stubborn little skank I know you are and deal with the anger filling them. These two aren't nearly as selective as I am, Genesis. They'll fuck you without hesitation and it will be nothing to them. They will ruin you for any other man in your life and you'll be left here, alone and bleeding out from whatever they choose to do. Once they start beating the fuck outta you, I can't get them to stop. In your case, I wouldn't even think of calling them off," Ricky states, a hard edge to his voice I've heard before when he's been going off on Melinda.

"I don't know where they are, Ricky. I don't know how many fucking times I have to tell you that. I haven't seen Melinda since the day I showed up after Matie was born and then a few times after that. You were there the last time I saw her and my nephew. It was shortly after that I was banned from the trailer and you beat the fuck out of her while she was holding the baby. So, if anything, I should be asking you where the hell they are. Did you finally lose it, Ricky? Is Melinda dead and you're trying to cover your own ass so you're not the first one the police turn to when her parents make the call they haven't heard from her?" I ask, knowing it could very well be true considering I haven't heard from Melinda since the night she dropped Matie off with me.

"You fucking bitch!" Ricky hollers out, his voice once again going to that level that drives dogs insane as he reaches out and slaps me.

My head whips to the side, pulling on my shoulder that's already killing me. I'm pretty sure it's been dislocated, but I'm not a doctor. I almost miss the nod from Ricky before the two fuckers behind me start beating the hell out of me. One of them yank my arms back even farther, ripping on the one that's already fucked so I scream out in pain, my voice breaking and fading to nothing. The second fucker stands in front of me and starts wailing on me, one hit after another as he rips my shirt to shreds like it's nothing so my cotton bra is exposed. If I thought I was fading to nothing before, it's nothing compared to how I'm feeling right this second. My vision is almost completely black with only a slight bit of sight left.

I'm not sure how long the two men take turns beating the hell out of me as Ricky adds in commentary every now and then. Before the three of them leave, Ricky leans down over me. His rancid breath covers my face, making me gag.

"This isn't the last time I'll be seeing you, Genesis. I know where you work now and I'll make sure you don't keep this job for very long. None of the motorcycle's club businesses are gonna last. I'll just make sure to start with this one. I suggest you think long and hard between now and when we show up again. Next time, the three of us will show you no mercy," he threatens me, his voice almost a whine as he stands back up and brushes himself off as if he did anything.

"You hit like a girl, Ricky. I don't know anything and I'm sure the next time will be no different. Why don't you fucking die and rot in a shallow grave," I manage to get out, my voice barely above a whisper as he turns and plants his foot in my ribs landing the final blow before they leave me to die in peace.

My eyes are slowly opening and closing as I try to suck in any amount of air. It doesn't seem like my lungs want to work and I feel as if I'm suffocating. Every part of my body from the tips of my toes to the top of my head is on fire from the amount of pain filling me. By now, someone has to be searching for me since I haven't gone back to work. Devil isn't going to want to work the floor all night long.

"Genesis," I hear Devil's deep voice, faded and muffled with the rushing blood filling my ears.

"I'm here," I try to call back, but my voice gives out and the blackness that's been threatening to overtake me finally succeeds.

The last thing I hear is Devil calling for me. His voice sounds frantic and filled with fear, but that can't be right. I'm nothing more than an employee of his and that's the only reason he's out looking for me now. He wants me back inside to work the floor and take it off his hands. On a personal level, Devil doesn't give a fuck about me or what's going on in my life. No one ever does. Morgan asks me personal things on a regular basis, but accepts when I don't answer or give her vague descriptions. For now at least. Succumbing to the deep, dark, abyss, I fade to nothing and the only thing going through my mind are images of three people who are important to me for various reasons—Matie, Raptor, and Devil.