Page 17 of Hidden

The gravel path crunched under their feet as they staggered down the row of houses that sat behind them. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked, followed by the faint thump of music drifting from the clubhouse.

Luke didn’t look back once. He had one goal in mind, and that was to get his mother out of here unseen.

Natalie would fucking love this. And so would my dad. And I saw this for the opportunity it was. If Luke was sneaking his mother around—who was clearly on some hardcore stuff—it was a chance to wound not only the Disciples, but also the Descendants.

“He’ll be back tonight, Luke. Right after the meeting, he’ll be back. And he’ll bring his friends with—”

“Mum, please—”

“He always brings his friends when I’ve fucked up. Always. But the gear stops me feeling anything.”

I smothered a gasp, recognising what was going on here.

Luke’s mother was a club bunny. I was sure of it.

My dad would have a fucking field day with this!

Letting the offspring of one of the whores into the club was almost unheard of, they were seen as strays. Oh, the clubs would pretend that one day they could make it, and the strays would believe it because they had nothing else going for them. But they would never rise past a prospect, getting all the shit jobs in the hope of a better life.

Until they were removed—one way or another.

And yet, here Luke was, seemingly best friends with Dante and Macbeth, a rising member of the youth division.

This was exactly what my dad had asked for. It was absolute gold. And for once, I would be able to deliver ammo to him. I’d finally be able to get him to look at me with something other than impatience.

Continuing to follow them, I listened as Luke’s mother continued her inappropriate talk, forever stumbling and falling, never once asking if her son was okay. A frown appeared on my forehead as I watched Luke, who never once complained.

In fact, if anything, he was an expert at placating his mum, keeping her calm when she was acting irrationally, soothing her with a gentle voice.

Even when she lashed out, shoving and slapping at him, he simply gathered her in his arms once again and continued the walk to the housing area of the compound.

Intriguing.

His breathing had grown heavier now, each exhale sharp and controlled as he tried to keep her upright. Every few steps her heels caught on the uneven pavement, forcing him to tighten his grip around her waist to stop her collapsing again.

“You don’t know shit, Luke!” she suddenly screeched, slapping her son’s face. “You’ve been hanging around those bastards too long! You think you can look down on me now, huh? You think I’m a whore? You think I’m nothing?”

“I don’t think that, Mum,” he sighed, clenching his hands into fists. “I just want to take you home. I know you want to go to the party, but what you need right now is a good night’s sleep and—”

“Don’t tell me what I fucking need!” she hissed, slapping him even harder than before, the sound echoing out through the night. “Just like your fucking father. Always… Always… You’re a burden!” she finished, her words slurring, her feet criss-crossing over each other as she tried to right herself in her ridiculous shoes.

“If you say so,” Luke muttered. And then he wrapped his arm around her waist once more, placing a small kiss on her forehead. She turned towards his affection, rubbing her cheek along his, and allowed him to walk her further away from the clubhouse.

It didn’t escape my notice that Luke discreetly pulled her skirt over her backside to maintain her dignity. She was that fucked up, she didn’t even feel him doing it. Or, she didn’t care who she did or did not flash her ass to.

“Not long now, Mum. I’ll put the kettle on, and we’ll watch the soaps together. We’ll lock the door and—”

“Oh, so you’re ashamed of me now, are you? Keeping me locked up and out of sight? You weren’t ashamed when I was putting fucking food on the table, were you, lad? Loved the money then, didn’t you? Didn’t ask where it came from then, did you?”

“Mum… I haven’t eaten a meal at home since I was seven. And I didn’t care where the money came from because I was too young to know. I’m not judging you—I never have. But I want more for you than this.”

“Lord Luke,” she hissed, shoving him with such force that he stumbled away from her, almost falling over the kerb. “Having meals in the mansion with his lordship and lady. They feel sorry for you, Luke. They all do.”

“I know, Mum. Believe me, I know.”

“So don’t you think you can—”

Her words were cut off with a scream, her body falling as she rolled her ankle, landing on the floor with a painful sounding slap.