Chapter One
Harley in a van and held the side of her face where Eric, her supposedly ex-boyfriend, had just viciously slapped her. In the past, she tried to break up with him a few times, but he always found her and beat her. This time was worse. This time he was out of control.
“Eric, stop!” she begged.
“You fuckin’ whore. I wouldn’t have to hurt you if you just did what I asked.”
Eric’s face was a deep red, a vein was sticking out of his forehead, and he was yelling so loud spit was flying out of his mouth. She’d seen him angry before but not to this level.
“I do. I’ve always done what you’ve told me to do,” Harley said.
The look on his face scared her enough to try to make a run for it. She jumped from the van Eric drove and took a few steps. She didn’t get very far before Eric threw her up to the side of the van and started hitting and kicking her.
“Eric, stop!” she screamed.
God, how did her life end up like this? She tried blocking as many hits as possible but was already tired.
When she thought she was going to die, Eric was pulled from her, and she slid to the ground and held her face.
She cringed when a hand touched her shoulder.
“Hey, lady, we’re here to help you.”
She blinked and looked up at one of the scariest men she’d ever seen. Her eyes widened, and she whimpered.
He lightly held her arm. “Easy. I’m not going to hurt you. Let’s get you into our truck. My brother is taking care of that asshole.”
Harley looked to see Eric on the ground crying out as a man as big as the one next to her beat the shit out of him.
“Let’s get you up.”
The man helped her to her feet. “What’s your name?” he asked.
“Harley.”
The man laughed. “No shit. That’s a cool name. My name is Rage.”
Her eyes looked up at him as he was walking her across the parking lot of the grocery store. “That’s an unusual name,” she said.
He chuckled. “I get that a lot. Let’s get you in.”
He opened the back door of the truck and lifted her in. “Hey, Mama, I got the girl.”
Harley looked at the pretty woman in the front seat who was turned to her. She saw the kindness in her expression. The woman reached out for her hand, and she gladly took it.
“Oh, God. We’ll get you taken care of.”
“Hey, Mama. Guess what her name is?” Rage said.
“What?”
“Harley.” Rage laughed.
The woman in front smiled. “It’s destiny.”
“Is there anything in the van that you want?” Rage asked Harley.
“Yes. I have my things in a few sports bags and my purse in front.”