Wrath (Dirty Soul MC: Long Beach #2)

Chapter 13

T here’s something off with Raze. I don’t know if it’s because he’s tired, or because he went to see our dad, but he seems in a real bad mood since he;s been back. There's so much tension coming off him it makes me feel awkward, so as soon as we’ve finished eating I help Peyton with the dishes and make my excuses to leave.

“I’ll walk ya back, don’t wantcha around in the dark.” Raze stands up from the table, plants a stiff kiss on Peyton’s cheek. The way she looks at him as he heads for the door tells me she’s picked up on the same vibe as I have. I know since I’ve been here it’s hard for him to get a word in between me and Peyton’s chatting, but he’s been far too distant tonight.

“Dinner was great.” I kiss Peyton too, then picking up a seed from Reggie’s bowl, I stop by his perch and offer it to him on my way out the door. “And it’s always nice to see you,” I tell him, before following my brother out onto the sand.

We walk together in silence, there's no fire out here tonight, and the only sounds are the ocean and the low music that's coming from inside the clubhouse.

“How did it go with him, today?” I ask as we head past the club and toward the gate to the parking lot. I guess Raze wants to avoid going through the clubhouse and seeing his brothers tonight.

“He was his usual self.” The shrug of his shoulders gives nothing away.

“And did he ask about me?” I swallow my pride, trying real hard to pretend his answer doesn’t matter.

“We spoke about you a little.” He nods, still looking deflated. “Look, I don’t expect this to help at all, but I do think he cares about ya.” He stops walking when we get to the gate.

“It’s hard to believe that when he refuses to see me.” I fake a smile. Today’s been shit enough as it is without having to hear excuses.

“You know it was him who asked Jimmer to help you,” he informs me.

“How do you know that for sure?” I question him.

“Because he admitted it. Stacey told me the same thing when she came here. It was him who sent Jimmer to help ya. What she failed to tell me is that it was her who called Vex. What happened after Aaron left, Eden?” he asks.

“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head and go to move forward.

“It does matter.” He grips my elbow and stops me. “Why did Stacey think you needed help? I thought after the warehouse incident, that you left town. That you were clear of this place. If I’d known any different, it would have been me comin’ to get ya.”

“Raze, stop looking back,” I warn him.

“Why? Because I might not like what I find out?”

“Because I don’t even want to think back to that time, let alone talk to you about it.” I plead with him not to keep pushing.

“Why would Stacey lie to me, why would she cut out the fact she was the one who called Vex? Unless it was to hide the fact that you kept showin’ up here? She was savin’ you from yourself, wasn’t she? You were so hung up on Aaron that you kept on comin’ back here hopin’ to find him. Eden, what were ya thinkin’?”

“I’m not having this discussion with you. I’m tired, you’re tired. Let’s just get some rest.” I manage to get free from his hold and march my way across the parking lot.

“Wait!” He chases after me and looks a lot less angry when I turn around.

“I’m sorry, we don’t have to talk about it. I just…I hate that we wasted all those years we could have been gettin’ to know each other.” His tone is much softer now, and he nods his head at Rocco who’s back to manning the main gate, to let him know everything’s good.

“Well, I’m here now, and it looks like I’m already pissing you off like a little sister should.” We both laugh and after we step through the arch to the motel, we’re immediately greeted by the sight of Ruckus fucking some blonde girl against the fence on the other side of the pool.

“Jesus Christ, I don’t know how that fucker’s cock is still attached to his body.” Raze shakes his head as I try to ignore them and take the first step up to the second floor.

“Thanks.” I smile at him.

“Eden, it was a five-minute walk.” Raze laughs like it’s no big deal but to me, it’s way more than that.

“I meant thanks for being my big brother, and for the record, I regret the years we’ve missed out on too.”

“I know you don’t want to talk about what happened that night but you need to know that I’m sorry. I should never have taken that stupid job and got myself locked up, I should–”

“Stop, it wasn’t your fault.” I rest my hand on his shoulder.

“I’m still never gonna forgive myself. But knowin’ you're alive makes it a little easier to bear. I’ll never forgive Vex for makin’ me think you were dead. I just can’t understand why Stacey called him and not me.” I can see he’s confused and I don’t want him wasting his energy on things he can never change. I’m about to tell him that when he starts talking again. “I know things are awkward between you and Wrath, and ya got a whole amazin’ life beyond these gates, but I’m hopin’ you’ll stick around. This place is changin’, the people here are good.” Right on cue the girl Ruckus is banging lets the whole club know exactly how good, and me and Raze both smirk.

“I never thought I’d say this, but I’m really starting to like it here.” I wrap my arms around my brother’s waist and squeeze him tight. “I’ll see ya tomorrow,” I whisper before heading up the stairs toward my room.

“Make sure ya lock that door.” He points his finger at me when I look back down at him and I smile to myself as I let myself in.

I’m exhausted from today, so once I’ve locked myself in, I kick off my shoes and flop down on the bed. Staring up at the ceiling, I wonder what Aaron is doing right now, and if he’s thinking of me. I was mean to him earlier, I took all the hurt and humiliation I was feeling because of Mark out on him. Mark was out of line and should be the one I directed my anger at. I make a mental note to apologize to Aaron in the morning, but right now I’m so tired. I could sleep for days, and as I feel my eyes start to close, the memory of the night that changed everything wraps me in its hold.

“Are you nervous about tomorrow?” I ask Aaron when he pulls onto my street and cuts the engine of the cage he borrowed from the club to bring me home.

“Of course, I’m nervous. I gotta ask one of the hardest members of our club if I can date his sister.” He laughs at me.

“He’s going to say yes. I know he is. So, I’m gonna steal one more scandalous kiss before I go inside.” I lean over the console and press my lips against his and I get frustrated when Aaron pushes me back.

“Come on, not here, what if one of your neighbors sees and tells your parents?” He looks nervous.

“What if they do?” I move back in to kiss him, but he pulls away again.

“Come on Eden, I wanna make a good impression when I meet them.” He looks a little sad as he diverts his eyes away from me.

“I’m not ashamed of you. I can’t wait to tell them all about you. I just know they’ll have concerns about the whole club thing and they’ll be devastated if they thought I’d looked into finding my birth parents.” I try to explain, knowing how much it hurts him that I always make him park up the street so we’re not seen together.

“And if Raze gives us the all clear, is that gonna change?” he checks.

“Over time, of course, it will. They just worry about me, and the Souls don’t exactly have the best reputation.” I try smiling to lighten the mood but it only seems to make him sadder. “I know Jenny and Bob aren’t my real parents but they’ve been so good to me–”

“Hey, I never said that. I would never think that either. Far as I’m concerned those folks are your parents. And you're right, the club does have a reputation, but I want ‘em to know that as long as you're with me, nothin’ is ever gonna hurt ya.” His hand strokes through my hair, and then he pulls me toward him so he can kiss the top of my head.

“Now, get inside before ya have to explain why you're late home.” He flashes me that boyish grin and makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

“And you’ll call me as soon as you get out of your visit?” I double-check, as I step out onto the sidewalk.

“Babe, if Raze gives me the all-clear, we’ll be taking a ride on my bike.” He winks confidently, despite the fact he’s nervous and just the thought of riding on his saddle behind him makes me giddy happy.

“I love you,” I tell him.

“And I love you too.” He’s still wearing that handsome smile when he restarts his engine and pulls away and I swing my purse in my hand as I pass all the other houses in my street toward my garden path.

The porch light isn’t on which is strange. Mom always leaves the light on if I’m going to be out past dark, and when I notice that the Garage door is open and the car isn't there, I pull out my cell phone and check for a message from them to say they’ve gone out. It’s Thursday night, we always have pot roast on a Thursday, and my parents are not spontaneous people. I try not to worry, there are lots of reasons why they might have gone out at short notice. Mom can’t drive, maybe she needed something from the store, or perhaps there’s a problem with Aunt Delia, she’s always taking tumbles. I reach into my purse and take out my key, unlocking the door and stepping into the pitch-black.

“Shit.” I almost jump out of my skin when I feel something slip across the back of my leg and when it’s followed by a low, vibrating purr, I turn on the lamp and giggle.

“You hungry, Mr Mittens?” I place down my purse and lift him up, snuggling my cheek into his soft fur as I carry him into the kitchen. “All alone here, you must be wondering where everyone is.” I make a fuss of him, and when I turn on the kitchen light I see that the back door is open, and the broken glass from one of the square panels is shattered all over the floor.

“Shit.” I turn back around to grab my cell from my purse and drop Mr Mittens from my arms when I see two huge men blocking my path.

“What are you doing here?” I recognize both of them from the club, and as they step toward me I turn on my heels and get ready to bolt through the back door.

“Where d’ya think you’re goin’?” Aaron’s dad strolls out of the pantry and stands in front of it, with his arms folded and a sinister grin on his face.

“Mr Adams… I…em. I wasn’t expecting you.” I try my best to be polite and act normal, but I know there is nothing normal about what's happening here. Aaron hates his father, he’s always telling me how dangerous he is, and now that I’m here alone with him and his two friends, I can sense that he’s not wrong.

“Can I get you something, some coffee?” My voice trembles out of fear and as he steps toward me I sense the two men behind me doing the same.

“You're so sweet, I can see why my son likes you so much.” Cliff raises his hand to stroke my face, and feel a tear wet my cheek. “Pretty too.” He tilts his head. “You know, a girl like you could be the ruin of a man.” His smile seems almost genuine but after a few seconds, his eyes turn evil again. “Let's put that theory to the test.”

Both my arms get grabbed from behind and when I go to scream, I’m silenced by the dishcloth that’s shoved into my mouth.

“Mac, go get the cage.” Cliff looks over my shoulder and calls out his order. “Sorry, darlin’, we don’t wantcha scarin’ the neighbors – attractin’ attention.” Cliff strokes my hair as one of his men wraps thick, strong tape around my head to keep the cloth in place, and when he takes my wrists and does the same to them, I look up at Aarons's dad and shake my head, pleading with him not to go through with whatever he has planned.

“It’s okay, little darlin’, don’t be scared. This is club life sweetheart, it’s in your blood.” I get dragged toward the front door by the guy who bound me, and I thrash and struggle, trying to make as much noise as possible.

“Hey….Hey, hey.” Cliff snatches up a very disturbed Mr Mittens by the scruff of his neck, hanging him out in front of me and drawing a knife from his belt.

“You remember your manners and come quietly, or your little, furry friend will lose one of his nine lives,” he threatens, and I take a snuffly breath in through my nostrils and nod my head, trying to suppress all my fear.

“Good girl.” Cliff smiles, gently placing Mr Mittens on the arm of the couch and stroking his back as I get dragged out the house and into one of the club’s black vans.

“There are so many things I’d like to do to ya.” The guy, who holds me tight on his lap in the back, whispers in my ear as his tongue wets my cheek. I can feel him hard, pressing against my ass, and all I can do is pray that Aaron notices something is wrong and comes looking for me, or that my parents call the police when they get home from wherever they are and see the broken back door.

“You're such a pretty, little thing. It’s selfish of Aaron to want to keep ya all to himself.” His huge hand squeezes one of my tits through the cotton of my shirt and I close my eyes and scream inside my head for someone to help me.

“Rex, stop that, now.” Cliff looks over his shoulder from the front passenger seat.

“Sorry, boss, it’s hard to resist.” I hear the snigger in his tone as he keeps his hand exactly where I don’t want it.

“I can’t wait to hear ya scream,” he whispers, and I feel myself start to go dizzy. The back of the van starts to spin around me, and I don’t know if it’s fear or the adrenaline that's pumping through my blood with no means of escape that causes me to black out.

I wake up with a sharp intake of air and sit bolt-upright on my bed.

My mouth is dry, my palms are clammy and visions from that awful night are pushing to the surface. I’m still shaking, and I’m feeling so alone, that I reach for the nightstand and pick up my cell.