Page 3 of Protective Biker Daddy

CHAPTER THREE

Rebecca

By the time Halloween finally came, Lydia and Chase had picked out the perfect Thor girl outfit for me, and I had finished making all the treats and food, all thanks to the help of Sarah and Lydia. It hadn't been easy, and it took several days, but it was well worth it. Everything was perfectly set up by the time the sun set on Halloween.

Everyone, even the guys, was in costume, and I was amazed at the wide variety. Some had chosen the standard policeman or firefighter, while others went for a more sexy approach, showing off their muscular bodies and allowing the girls to fawn over them. Meanwhile, despite Chase's encouragement to mingle with the party-goers, I stood by the snack table, closely monitoring each item to reassure myself that everything was perfect.

"Hey, Rebecca," Denise said as she came over, dressed in lingerie and animal ears. "Don't you think you should lay off the snacks? You'll destroy your figure." I winced as Denise, the new mean girl who ruled the compound after Joyce left, approached me.

"I'm not eating anything," I reassured her politely, determined not to let her get to me. "I'm just watching over the snacks and making sure we have more than enough for the entire party." Denise didn't look convinced as she surveyed the table.

"I'm sure the table is fine," she told me. "The least you can do is let everyone else enjoy the pitiful excuse of treats you made and go have fun." I cringed as I watched her.

"Impressive insults," I told her. "Did you come up with that on your own? Or did you have to get help?" She narrowed her eyes at me as she stood a little taller, trying to intimidate me with her height while the other girls gathered behind her.

"At least we get what we want," she snapped, her voice firm and angry. "Last time I checked, you're nothing but a little servant." Anger rose in me as I stared at her.

"Really?" I asked. "Because the last time I checked, I'm the only one here of my own free will. How much debt do you still owe before your body becomes too worn out to pleasure anyone?" The teasing smile disappeared from her face, and I knew I touched a nerve.

"You stupid little…" she began, but her annoyed expression disappeared as she started twirling the end of her ponytail. "Hey, Russel." I stopped and looked at Russel, who was standing behind me.

Russel was one of my dearest friends, and he was considered the enforcer for the Barbarians. I always turned a blind eye to what he did for the gang, but I could tell it had a much larger impact on him than usual. Nowadays, when he first came in from his long day at work, he took a beer from the fridge and headed straight to his room rather than interacting with everyone else.

"What's going on here?" he asked as he looked at Denise, then at me. Denise didn't hesitate for a second.

"Oh, we were just talking," she told him, her voice sickly sweet like honey. "Anyways, I love your costume. Who are you supposed to be?" Russel raised an eyebrow at her.

"Someone who doesn't allow bullying," he informed her before looking at me. "Is she bothering you?" My first instinct was to lie and pretend everything was fine, but I already knew that Russel would never believe me unless I told him the truth. Russel knew me too well.

"She was just reminding me not to eat all the food I made for the party," I admitted, ignoring the evil glare Denise gave me as she stared at me. "It wasn't anything I couldn't handle, though." As if getting the idea from my confession, Denise promptly burst into tears and clung to Russel, making me wonder if something was going on between them.

"Oh, it was awful," she cried, her voice carrying over the shop and causing people to look in our direction. "She was saying such hurtful things. All I asked was what her favorite snack on the table was." Russel rolled his eyes as he took her by the hands, peeling her away from his body.

"I find that next to impossible to believe," he told her. "The only time Rebecca talks back to anyone is when they mistreat her. Besides, I heard what you said." She blanched as she stared at him, frozen in terror.

"You did?" she asked, and he nodded. "Then you would know how mean she was." Growing annoyed by this conversation, Russel looked over at Chase, who was already headed towards us.

"Next time we have a holiday party, can we leave out the whores?" he asked, and even Chase winced at his harsh request. "If all they're going to do is start trouble and bully the other members of the group, I say they shouldn't be allowed to join group events." Chase rubbed the back of his neck nervously as Denise looked at him.

"I'm not starting trouble or anything," she declared before pointing an accusing finger at me. "Rebecca started it, and she lied to Russel. He's just playing favorites because he has a huge crush on her." The entire room fell dead silent as everyone stared at us in shock and disbelief while I felt my cheeks burn in embarrassment.

Russel had a crush on me? Despite the time we liked to spend together, I would never have known. When I saw the look of horror on his face, I immediately realized that it was true.

"Alright, that's enough," Chase declared as he looked at Denise. "Head back to the house. I will deal with you later." Denise looked offended and angry as she stared at him.

"But what about Rebecca?" she demanded. "What kind of punishment do you have for her for starting the argument?" Chase grew red with anger as he towered over her.

"That is none of your business," he growled as he stared at her. "Now get going." With a final looked of rage shot in my direction, she left the shop, and Chase turned back to look at me. "I'm sorry about Denise. You should enjoy yourself." Before I could say a word, he turned to look at Russel. “I do need to talk to you if you have a moment.” Russel immediately nodded in agreement.

“I can talk right now,” he stated, and the two of them left me alone.

CHAPTER FOUR

Russel

I felt bad for running out on Rebecca the way I did, but after Denise had spilled my deepest, darkest secret to the entire group, I needed to get away as soon as possible to avoid the most awkward conversation ever. Chase offered me the perfect excuse, and I was willing to take it, regardless of what I was afraid he would say. The fact that Denise knew that I had a crush on Rebecca was more frightening than anything Chase could do to me for having a crush on Rebecca in the first place.

The two of us stepped away from the party and made our way into the dirt lot that helped compose the compound. The sound of the party grew softer and softer, and I began to wonder if I was about to hear it from Chase. As soon as we were far enough away from the party, Chase turned to look at me.