Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
I gave her a grateful but wistful smile. “I know you think you can. But you can’t. No one can. I can’t risk my sisters. If he finds out about any of this, he’ll do something horrible to them.” I could see Lemon processing this, wanting to say something else, but I didn’t have time for a conversation. I gently extracted myself from both of their grips. “I have to go.” Then I hurried outside to meet Hammer.
He was waiting by the curb where he always picked me up. One look at his face and I wished I’d taken Lemon up on her offer to take me back to the Iron Tzars clubhouse. I whimpered and tried to back away, but he shook his head. A warning.
Trembling, terrified beyond belief, I climbed on behind him. When Hammer took off, I could almost hear my death knell. I had to hold on. For my sisters. I had to do what he wanted so I could protect them.
When we got back to the little house he’d rented, he got off the bike, then yanked my upper arm so he practically dragged me off and inside. Where no one could see us. The second he shut the door, he gripped my hair, and pulled me close so he could stare down into my face.
“What’d you tell those bitches at school? Huh? I know you told them something. They both gave me looks that shoulda sent me six feet under.”
“I didn’t tell them anything, Hammer. They ain’t stupid. I didn’t have to say anything.”
He backhanded me then, sending me flying across the floor. “Stupid cunt! If you cost me my chance to get into the Tzars, I’ll fucking gut your sisters while you watch. Then I’ll skin them alive.”
“I heard your conversation with that man from Iron Tzars.” I was angry, bordering on reckless now. I had to be careful, but it was hard. I’d had to control my temper for so long I wasn’t sure how much more I could manage. “If you don’t get in, it’s not because of me. It’s because you refused to let them see me. Besides, if my dad knew what you were doing here with another club, and what you were doing to me he’d kill you!” I was hurt. Hurt and angry. I was so tired of being so fucking helpless! I’d never been in this situation in my life. My mother might have died when my sisters were born, but my dad had been there for us. Even when he couldn’t be physically with me, he’d made sure I had someone watching over us. Taking care of me. He’d treated me like a princess.
Hammer just laughed, the sound sinister and foreboding. “Claw is the one who gave you to me, bitch. You honestly think he cares what I do with my own woman?”
“I’m not your woman,” I spat out. “I’ll never be your woman!”
He backhanded me again, harder this time. I tasted blood as the room spun and my vision blurred.
“You are my woman. Only reason I ain’t fucked you is because you ain’t worth fuckin’. At least, not yet.” He gave me a maniacal smile, one that had me wishing I’d kept my mouth shut. “Once I’ve worked you over, though…” He shrugged. “Maybe I’ll let the guys in Grim have a go at you first. Then I’ll see if I want what’s left. You know. After they break you in.”
No matter how much I knew better, no matter how hard I tried not to show fear, I whimpered. The implication was clear. He’d beat me half to death. Then he’d do whatever he wanted with me.
I hated being this helpless. My daddy was the vice president of one of the most powerful motorcycle clubs in the country. Sure, they kept on the down low and never wore their colors outside the compound, but Claw was a powerful man. My dad loved me! All I had to do was tell him --
Hammer really did laugh then. Actually threw back his head and laughed. “Who do you think gave you to me? Huh? And your momma?” Hammer shook his head. “I wasn’t there myself cause I ain’t an old fart like your old man, but word is he’s the one who killed her. Right after your sisters were born cause at least one of ‘em wasn’t a boy. He was so enraged he killed her before he realized what he was doin’.”
I shook my head. “You’re lying.” The words came out a whisper. I didn’t believe a word of this bullshit. But part of me wondered. My dad loved me. I knew this. He might be shifty in what he allowed me to know about Grim Road, but he’d never keep something like that from me. Right?