“Rain, I’m your eldest sister, and you were adopted,” I said firmly, refusing to move my foot.
“Go,” Rain hissed and stepped forward, forcing me back down the path.
“No, let her in, Rain. An interesting development,” a voice spoke, and a man appeared. I took an instant dislike to the man standing there and an instant dislike to the gun he was holding in his hand.
“Let her be; I don’t know this crazy chick,” Rain said, turning his back to me.
“This crazy chick knows you, and there’s a definite resemblance. You got a sister, Rain, you’ll get me the money quicker,” the man sneered and waved the gun at us both. My feet refused to move as fear swept over me. What had I walked into?
“Dean, this girl knows nothing and is nothing. Let her go,” Rain said with a sideways glance at me. My mind was working furiously. Rain was in trouble, and even if I escaped, would Hellfire help? But with Bear having feelings for me and Clio being my sister, they would come for me. I was damn sure Bear would. Swiftly, I made my decision and shoved the car keys at Rain and stumbled forward, tripping and knocking into Dean.
“Go!” I yelled to Rain, “drive to South Dakota and Spearfish and find Hellfire MC and explain who you are.” Rain hesitated and moved to drag me away, but I shoved Rain and entangled Dean even further. A second man appeared, his own weapon rising.
“Run,” I screamed, and after a few more seconds of hesitation, Rain fled. I sobbed as Dean backhanded me and dazed my senses, but I heard the car screech away from the kerb. Rain had escaped. Dean held me furiously by the arms and shook me.
“You’ll regret that bitch,” Dean said, and the last thing I saw was a fist coming towards my face.
???
“This is not like Thalia,” Kelly insisted twelve hours later. Kelly was pacing the floor at Hellfire as the brothers watched.
“Maybe Thalia lost her bottle,” Chance said with a glower. “Maybe she is the bitch Bear thinks.”
“No, Thalia was coming to explain. Something has happened,” Kelly insisted. He gazed around the room, seeking support. Only a few of Hellfire were present, none of them Bear.
“Look, dude, appreciate the fact you got faith in Thalia, but none of us has. Thalia fucked up on Clio, then on Bear. How many chances should the bitch get?” Rooster rumbled, and Kelly turned to him.
“And you’ve never made mistakes?” Kelly spat.
“There are mistakes, son, and there’s ripping someone’s heart out,” Big Al pointed out.
“You don’t understand why Thalia reacted like she did. Thal had a reason to. And that’s hers to explain to Bear,” Kelly said.
“So, what do you want us to do? Guessing the girl fled, Thalia’s realised what a bitch she’s been and run off,” Celt said. Kelly looked around for someone to understand.
“Thal would never run away. She truly cares for Bear,” Kelly insisted.
“She’s got a fuckin’ funny way of showing that,” Bear growled from behind Kelly. “Bitch made it clear she was ashamed.”
“Not of you; Thalia cares about you. But Thal thought you wanted a fuck buddy, and when you stayed, you flummoxed her. Thalia didn’t understand how to handle it,” Kelly said impatiently. Kelly was done with this shit. Thal was in trouble, and he knew it.
“Bullshit,” Bear spat, and Kelly heard the hurt in his voice.
“Thal got screwed over by a bloke. Damon took Thalia’s virginity and her innocence. She’s only slept with two guys since then and didn’t let them stay the night. When you did, it threw Thal because her impression of fuck buddies, is they don’t do that. Thal’s got no idea how to handle a relationship. Thalia couldn’t find the words this morning to explain. Now can we return to the issue? Thal is missing, and she hasn’t run away,” Kelly said.
“Explain more,” Bear demanded, his demeanour not softening one bit.
“Thal came to apologise and explain this morning, and she’s not returned, nor did she make it here,” Kelly said.
“Not that bit, the bloke bit,” Bear said. Kelly sent Bear an incredulous look.
“Thal is missing, possibly in danger, and you want her dating history?”
“Don’t believe the bitch is missing; she’s probably hiding to garner sympathy and make us forgive her,” Chatter said. Kelly sent Chatter a filthy glare.
“Thal wouldn’t worry me like that, asshole,” Kelly shot back.
“That bitch was ashamed to be seen with Bear. You’re here telling us a different story and no proof of it. I say Thalia’s hiding and licking her wounds because she knows Clio’s going to kick her to the kerb,” Chance snorted. They were so intent on arguing they didn’t hear the door open.