Chapter Sixteen
“What did they ask you?” Ruthie lights up a cigarette and takes a shot of liquor.
“I’m sorry. They made me swear that what was said in that room stays there.”
“Right.” She takes a drag off her cigarette. “Want one?”
“No. Thank you.”
“Want a drink?”
“I’m fine. Really.”
“Alexa, you don’t have to be strong with me. I know my father’s a bastard. I see a lot of myself in you. Why do you think I latched onto James so young and got pregnant with Rochelle? I wanted out of that house. I wanted him to pay attention to someone else if you get my drift. I knew if I got pregnant, he’d make me get married, and then I’d be free, but he...never mind. It’s in the past. It’s over. We’ll both be free. Cheers.” She holds an extra shot glass up to me, and I accept it.
“To freedom.” The alcohol burns down my throat. I glance around the clubhouse. This is my first and probably last time here. There are some couches pushed up against one of the walls. A stripper pole attached to a small stage in one corner. We’re seated at the large bar that takes up most of the room. On the wall there are framed photos of motorcycles and club members.
“I do have one question.” I look back to Ruthie. The way she is staring at me so intensely sets me on guard. “Something my father said...are you fucking my husband?”
My face pales. “What? No. No way.” I shake my head. “Why would you ask me that?”
“I’m sorry you’ve been through an ordeal. I don’t know what I was thinking. It’s been a long night. I should take you home.”
“No.”
Her gaze narrows on me. “Something wrong?”
“I can’t go back there. Not after tonight. I can’t do it.”
She starts to say more, but a man by the name of Reed comes for me. “Ruthie, you’re free to go on home to Rochelle. Alexa is wanted for more questioning.”
“But...where’s James?”
“Busy. Get on home now.” He gives her a look and grabs me at my elbow. “This way.” Ruthie scowls at my back as I retreat down a set of stairs that leads to the clubhouse basement.
It’s dark and cold down here.
Reed jerks me to a stop outside of a steel door. “Through there. Murder wants to see you.”
My heart hammers in my chest. He could be sending me to my death. I don’t know this man or what the club voted to do with James and Lion. Ruthie’s under the impression that they will side with her husband, but she wasn’t in that meeting with them. The tension in that room was so thick I could scarcely breathe.
I take a step back. “He wants to see me down here?”
Reed laughs darkly. “Sweetheart, you’ve got nothing to fear with me. I heard your story. No one here wants to put you through more pain.” He opens the door and lightly pushes me through. I jump when the door slams shut behind me.
I’m in a small, poorly lit room, but there is another door. I enter the next room, and that’s where I see him. James. Standing shirtless with his back to me.
“Hey,” I call to him. He turns slowly. At first glance he appears sweaty. Shiny even under the glare of the light bulb swinging from the ceiling over his head. “What is this place?”
“C’mere.” He extends a hand to me, and I place my palm against his. James curls his fingers around mine, pulling me in close. In this moment I realize he’s covered in blood when it rubs off his chest and onto my white tee. “Look at me, Lex.”
“Wh-wha-what is happening here? Why are you? Is that...is that blood?” my knees begin to buckle.
“Stay with me, baby. Got something I need you to see.”
“I don’t think I want to.” I attempt to break free from him, but he doesn’t let me go.
“You’re in my world now, sweetheart. There’s no backing out now. My brothers know all about us and who you are to me. No one will ever hurt you again or they’ll face Lion’s fate.”
“And what is his fate?”
He tugs me further into the room. Red. I see red liquid pooled on the floor in a puddle. It’s everywhere. On a steel table rests a single hand. A hand with a crowned lion’s head tattooed across the back. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
“In through your nose and out your mouth, babe. Breathe.”
“Is that his...his hand?”
“I took his hands.” He pulls me flush against his body covering me with more of Lion’s blood. James’s erection presses into me, but I try to ignore the fact that he’s turned on. There’s a man’s hand on the fucking table. My head spins as I continue to take in the scene around me. There’s a wall to the right with any weapon you can think of on display. Swords, knives, guns, heavy tools. Whatever you can imagine it’s there.
“What do you mean you took them?”
“See that axe?”
I gulp then nod. I see it. Covered in blood.
“Wanted you to see with your own eyes that the bastard is never going to touch you again.”
“I don’t know what to say.” My heart races. He killed his father-in-law. He killed him for me. That’s two men who have lost their lives because of me and I’m not sorry. Should I be feeling guilt or remorse? Maybe. I only have relief.
“Don’t say anything. Gimme’ that mouth.” Touching his mouth to mine, James consumes me with his kiss. Stroking my cheek, he smears blood along my jawline. “I’m going to fuck you right here covered in his blood. This is my oath to you that from here on out you’re mine, and I’ll kill any motherfucker who dares to come between us or touch what belongs to me. Make no mistake, Alexa. I protect what’s mine, and I’m a territorial son of a bitch. Lion said he fucked you.
