Unlawfully Yours (Lawless MC #1)

40

“So he’s kept you here, all this time?” I ask, loving the feeling of her hands in both of mine. It was the little things I missed the most about growing up without my mother. Simple, mundane things like having her braid my hair or even something as silly as holding her hand as she is now, it means the world to me.

Lord knows what Tobias has in store for me, I only hope I get to do more of this and that our time together isn’t limited. I can’t stand the idea of having her ripped from me so soon after getting her back.

We’re sat on the bed in the centre of the room, the plain sheets cold and itchy beneath me, the walls pale and grey, the air thick and stuffy.

My mom nods. “He found me the day your dad and I were due to take you away from Stillwater. I’ve never seen him so angry. I honestly thought he was going to kill me, and a part of me wished he had, because what he made me endure was a sentence far worse than death.”

“What did he do to you?” I ask, not entirely sure I want to hear the answer.

“He got a couple of his guys to drive me to the place I was supposed to meet your dad. He made me watch as they gunned him down.” She pauses, taking a steadying breath before continuing. “I can remember seeing you jump out of the car and run to him, holding him as he died—” Her voice cracks as a tear slips free.

My heart breaks for her. “Oh my God, Mom…”

“He did it as punishment, to show me what would happen if I disobeyed him again. He told me that it would be the last time I ever saw you.”

All these years, a thousand and one questions have crossed my mind. Did she go missing? Did she die? Did she leave me? Did she not want me anymore? The not knowing has eaten away at me piece by piece but now I know it was nothing like that at all.

She was stolen away from me, just like I was stolen away from her. Her brother made her watch as they murdered her husband and forced her into a life without either of us.

“A couple of weeks later I found out I was pregnant,” she continues. “Your dad and I weren’t actively trying for another baby, we just left it to chance and I think it was the universe allowing me to keep a piece of your dad close to me. I couldn’t hide it for long and when Tobias found out, he wasn’t happy. I didn’t know what would happen or what he would do, so I escaped. I ran away to save me and my baby, but I didn’t get very far before he found me and dragged me back. He forced me to marry one of his men as punishment.”

“And the man… your husband, is he good to you?”

She gives me a tight-lipped smile. “He’s a Cobra, honey. There’s not an ounce of good in any of them.”

“Except for Drew?” I add.

“I like to think there’s a part of your dad in him. I see it sometimes, but Tobias does his best to get it out of him, always has.” She stares off to the side, a small smile touching her lips. “God, sometimes I think about your dad and it feels like only yesterday. I miss him more and more every day. Tobias never allowed me to speak about you, or your dad. He never allowed me to tell Drew the truth of who he is. I sometimes wonder what I did to deserve this, what I did wrong…”

I squeeze her hands. “You didn’t do anything. This is all on Tobias.”

She nods slowly before shaking it off. “Anyway, tell me about you. Have you had a good life? A happy one?”

I hesitate before I answer. “Yes. Kate and Jeremy have been amazing. Despite not being able to have you or dad in my life, they were the next best thing.”

“I’m glad, I knew Kate and Jer would treat you like their own.” She forces a smile, a tinge of sadness there because she missed out on my childhood. “I’ve overheard Tobias talking, I hear you’re a cop?”

“I never wanted to be anything else.”

“And you’re seeing Myles Lawson?”

I can’t hold back my smile as I nod. “I never expected him when I moved to Stillwater, but now I can’t imagine my life without him.”

“Us women and those Lawless boys… I guess it runs in the family.” She smirks.

I laugh. “I guess it does.”

“Is he good to you?”

“He’s amazing, but whether I see him again is another matter.”

Just then, the lock on the door clicks and both our head snap to the door. Tobias, Drew and one of the big burly guys from earlier step inside the room.

My mom stiffens beside me and I shift to face them.

“I trust you’ve both had a good girly catch up. Twenty years is a long time,” Tobias says.

“And whose fault is that? Wouldn’t need a girly catch up if you hadn’t stolen my mom from me, made her watch as you murdered her husband and forced her into an unwanted marriage as punishment,” I snap, my gaze falling on Drew whose eyes dart between me and our uncle, his brow knitting together. “I’m guessing our dear uncle left out that part, Drew. I’d think back on all the shit he’s told you over the years, brainwashing you. I doubt very much that any of it’s true.”

Tobias tuts. “Allison, this is a joyous day, you should be happy.”

“I’ve been kidnapped. Why should I be happy about that exactly?”

He grins. “You’ve been reunited with your true family, of course. And today just so happens to be your wedding day, Allison.”

My blood runs cold. “My what? ”

“Tobias, no,” my mom gasps beside me, gripping my hand tighter.

Tobias’ eyes flicker with amusement. “I told you, you’re one of us now. You belong here. No niece of mine is spreading her legs for that Lawless trash. You will marry one of my men. If you behave, I might even let you decide which one.”

“Over my dead fucking body,” I spit, rising up onto my knees, positioning myself better should I need to fight.

“Don’t be so dramatic.”

“If that what it takes. I’d rather turn a gun on myself than marry one of your thugs. I’m Myles Lawson’s old lady. You make me do this, you’ll start a war.”

“With any luck. I can’t wait until I have Lawson on his knees while he watches me put a bullet in everyone he loves, that includes his little brat . Hell, I might even invite him to watch while your new husband fucks you on your wedding night.”

“I will never allow you to do this.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

Before he leaves, Drew glances over his shoulder, his eyes connecting with mine.

“ Please ,” I mouth silently, pleading with my eyes to help me out of this. His eyes drop to the floor as he closes the door, sliding the lock back into place and my shoulders deflate.

“Myles will come for you. He’ll work out where you are, I’m sure,” my mom offers.

“But what’s waiting for him when he does?”

The thought of him coming here makes me sick, knowing that it’s all part of Tobias’ plan to get rid of him and the club, but the thought of being forced into a marriage just as my mother was sickens me even more.

I don’t care what I have to do, but Tobias is sorely mistaken if he thinks I’ll be playing any part in this. I won’t be marrying anyone, certainly not a Cobra, and I refuse to lose the man I love in the process.