Chapter 8

LIZZY

There are times in life when you can be surrounded by people but still feel so alone, and right now is one of those times in my life. I feel more alone than I did when I was stuck in the back of my car with just my daughter for company. I have this overwhelming need to run, but I love Rock and I can't imagine my life without him, which is the only reason I'm still here.

Meli sleeps soundly in her cot as I lie on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Darius has taken control of my entire life and still continues to have this hold over me. He's always held the cards, and it makes me wonder if I will ever be truly free of him. The door opens slowly, and I close my eyes, making out that I'm asleep. It's been my go-to lately so I don't have to talk about how I'm feeling. The bed dips beside me and a gentle touch moves my hair away from my face.

"I can tell you aren't sleeping, Red." His gravelly voice draws my attention to him.

"Sorry." I smile nervously.

"You never have to hide from me," he says, his expression laced with sympathy.

"I . . . I wasn't," I lie even though I know he can read me like a book. He raises his eyebrow at me, and I let out a small sigh. "Sorry," I say again, as I twist my hands in my lap. He places his over the top of my own to stop me.

"Look at me, Red." I lift my gaze to his, and I immediately feel the tears pooling in my eyes. "You can stop stressing."

"I can't. He'll never give up. He'll never let me live my life," I cry as tears begin to roll down my cheeks. He leans over, swiping them away with his thumb. "He'll always be on my case. Maybe I'll be better off gone," I whimper. Rock lifts my chin so that I'm holding his gaze.

"Never ever speak like that again." His voice is stern, and I offer him a sympathetic smile. "You're mine now, and he will never hurt you the way he has been allowed to for all these years. You will never feel beaten down again. You're my queen," he announces, emphasising those last few words.

"Rock," I whisper as a lump forms in my throat. I have never been idolised like this before and it makes my heart swell. "I love you." He leans in, holding the side of my face tenderly, and places a kiss on my lips.

"We paid our favourite judge a little visit today, and you'll never have to worry again," he declares smugly and panic sets in. He must recognise the worry etched across my face as he quickly interjects, "Don't panic. He's still very much alive."

"And walking?" I ask, apprehensive about his answer. He gives a huge grin that lights up his eyes.

"Of course. I was on my best behaviour."

He leans over me, encasing my head with his arms as he nibbles on my ear. My whole body breaks out in goosebumps as I wiggle beneath him. He places delicate kisses along my neck, freeing my breasts from my silk vest top with his hand. I arch my back, itching for him to be closer. When he reaches down and takes my nipple in his mouth, it instinctively pebbles, and I let out a small whimper. Meli wails from across the room, and I sigh in frustration, the throb between my legs craving his touch. He releases me, kissing me lovingly before making his way over to where Meli cries out for attention. He lifts her into his arms, and she snuggles into his kutte, settling instantly.

"Princess, I love you, but could you not have just waited a little longer?" he whispers to her as he bounces her back and forth. She coos softly and wraps her little hand around his finger.

"I think you just got cockblocked by my daughter." I laugh, getting up from the bed and fixing my top.

"It's a good job I love her then, isn't it? No one else would get away with that, I can assure you." He winks across at me. "Go get that fine arse in the shower, I'll grab her a bottle." He turns and makes his way to leave.

"Rock," I shout, just as he reaches the door. "Thank you . . . for everything."

"Always," he replies before gently closing the door behind him.

I turn on the shower, allowing the spray to warm up before climbing in. The warm water flows down my body, easing the stress of the last few days. Rock always seems to know what I need to make me feel better. He could have easily gone into Darius's home and finished what he started, and I wouldn't have blamed him at all. God, I wanted nothing more than to see the prick six feet under, but I also want a life with Rock, the life I've always been destined to have. The bathroom steams up as the feelings that had been building up disappear along with the water down the drain.

This is exactly where I am supposed to be.

ROCK

Darius has left us alone for the last week, not even a murmur, and Red seems to have settled back into routine at the clubhouse again. She's no longer isolating herself and is back to that fun-loving woman who really does keep me on my toes with her smart mouth and attitude. Meli and Red have been accepted into the fold with everyone helping out, especially when it comes to looking after Meli. She's the only youngster in the clubhouse, but I have to say, it brings back memories from when we were kids and there were always little ones running around, causing mischief.

I know Meli's going to test my patience as I'm older, and Darius most definitely won't be the only man to feel my fist when it comes to her. She's like my own, and when I got my tattoo for my ol' lady, I also had a branch specifically for Meli, showing that she's mine. Blood doesn't mean anything—I will raise her as my own, and she'll be loved and cherished until I take my last breath.

I watch attentively as Red and Rochelle dance around the pool tables to ‘The Wolf' by The Spencer Lee Band, which is the most suitable song right now as she dips her arse and grinds it against Rochelle. My cock hardens just imagining her riding me.

I make my way over to her, grabbing her by the waist and turning her to grind against me. She lets out a little giggle as my cock presses against her backside.

"You little fucking tease," I whisper in her ear, and her body breaks out in goosebumps. She turns round to face me and glides her hands along my back until she grabs my arse, roughly pulling me close to her so my cock rests against her stomach. The glint in her eyes tells me she's up to no good. She bites her lip, so I lean down and grab the plump flesh between my own teeth. She groans against my mouth and clenches her legs closed, I know I'm having an effect on her, and I smile against her lips.

She moves her hand from my arse and strokes my cock through my trousers, humming her approval. I grab her by the waist, lifting her off the ground as she wraps her legs around me. I rest her on the pool table as I attack her mouth aggressively, and she pants heavily when I break the kiss.

"What the fuck are you doing to me, Red?" I ask as I struggle to regulate my own breathing. She lets out a little giggle as she looks down at my dick straining against my jeans. "If you don't stop, I'm gonna end up taking you over the table for everyone to see," I grit out through clenched teeth.

At that moment, Rochelle approaches us.

"You fucking won't cos she isn't some club whore," she snaps, defending her friend. Red throws her head back and laughs then high-fives her friend. She actually fucking high-fives her for mocking me. These two together are going to be fucking lethal.

I rest my hands against her thighs and rub small circles with my thumbs against her bare legs. Her skirt bunches up around her waist, so I pull her off the pool table, straightening out the material. I'll be damned if any of these dirty fuckers will see her exposed. I peck her on the cheek and grab her hand, leading her back to the table. I sit down next to Meli in her pushchair and pull Red to sit on my knee to cover my raging hard-on.

Meli reaches out with her little hand, so I place my finger in her palm and rub with my thumb.

"Dada," she squeals, and we all look at each other then back at Meli. "Dada," she says again, giggling.

Red smiles in complete awe. "O.M.G., Rock, did you just hear her?" She slides off my knee and takes Meli out of her pushchair.

"What did you say, Meli?" she asks, full of animation, the glee evident in her eyes at her daughter's first words. Meli reaches her arms out for me.

"Dada." She smiles, and I'm speechless. I grab her from Red and lift her in the air as she squeals in delight.

"Dada," she repeats again, and Red stands beside me, her hand resting on my shoulder.

"That's right, princess, and I'll never leave your side," I announce as I look down at her lovingly.

Red reaches in and kisses me on the cheek, tears of happiness balancing on her eyelashes. "I love you, Rock," she whispers, and it's at that moment, I know these two ladies will be my forever.

THE END