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I move as fast as I can to my closet, opening it silently and slipping behind the bi-fold doors. Exhaustion sets in again, and I sink to the floor. My limbs feel heavy, and my head is foggy.
“Vivi!” Colin shouts again.
“What the fuck is going on?” Ray says after his bedroom door squeaks open.
There’s another loud sound, like someone being thrown against a wall. “I know she’s here. What did you do with her?”
“I don’t know who the hell you’re talking about.”
“Yeah, you fuckin’ do, you worthless pile of shit.”
I hear the distinct sound of a punch. God knows I’ve heard enough of those to know what it sounds like.
“Don’t lie to me,” Colin grits out.
“I ain’t lying.”
“Come on, brother,” Cy says in his distinctively deep and rumbly voice. “Let’s look.”
Boots pound the floors, going in all directions. My bedroom door creaks open, and I cover my mouth with my hand to not give myself away. Through the slats tilted just right, I can see bits and pieces of Colin as he searches my room. It’s still destroyed, but I cleaned it enough for him to realize the bed is freshly slept in.
He rests a hand on the mattress, no doubt feeling the remnants of my body heat. His eyes catch on something, and he freezes, his jaw clenching. “Motherfucker.”
I was dry, which means there’s blood on my sheets. Ray can’t be bothered by things like lube.
He scans the room, stopping when he reaches the closet. He’s at the doors with two giant steps, and I know I’ve been found out. Throwing them open hard enough to crack the wood, he looks right at me, like he knew exactly where I’d be. Even with his brows knit together and jaw clenched tight, he’s still the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.
“Vivi,” he says in a gentle tone that doesn’t match the fury rolling off him. “Why are you hiding from me?”
I push even further into the corner, staying in the shadows so all he can see clearly are my feet, calves, and knees. Shame covers me like a blanket. I tried so hard to keep this from everyone, especially him, but there’ll be no more hiding once he sees me.
“Go away,” I whisper.
“No. I’m not going to. Not ever. So you might as well let me help.” He holds out a hand.
I shake my head furiously. “No.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want you to see me like this.”
“Fuck that. I’m getting you out of here.” His hand thrusts toward me again.
Desperation claws at my throat, making my voice louder. “I don’t need you.”
“The hell you don’t.” All the gentle hesitation he’s had for me since reconnecting is gone, and in its place is the dark and dominant biker he’d been holding back. I saw it in his eyes; I knew it was there. He’d been too afraid I’d run if he let it out.
I choke on a sob, realizing there’s nothing to say or do to get him to leave. I’m pathetic and weak. I let my own stepfather take advantage of me in the worst ways just to save a woman who has never wanted to save herself, let alone her own daughter.
He crouches, snaking one arm behind my back and the other under my knees before pulling me out of the closet and standing. With that, I finally break, burying my face into his neck, not bothering to stop my tears.
“Jesus fuck. What did he do to you?”
“Nothing. Just take me home. Please.” The request is out before I realize Iamhome. This disgusting, dirty, depressive dump is my home. The thought only makes me cry harder.
“Yeah, Viv. I’ll take you home,” he whispers. His heavy footfalls carry us down the hall, where he pauses. “Gotta get her out of here.”
“We’ll be back for you, motherfucker,” a deep voice I don’t recognize growls out before I hear the distinct sound of a fist slamming into a face, followed by the crunch of bones and Ray moaning.
