Iris“Are you ok?”My eyes snapped to the man sitting opposite me. My date.Forcing myself to smile, I reached for the glass of water in front of me. The wine that sat alongside it remained untouched. The red liquid looked too much like blood. “Yeah.” I forced myself to smile at him. And I was. The date had started out a little uncomfortable, but I had just put that down to the fact it had been so long since I had been on one. But the man opposite me, a man who worked in insurance and had the kindest eyes I had ever seen, had been nothing but a perfect gentleman. The restaurant he had chosen was classy and romantic.Even if our table by the window made me feel like we were having a date in a fishbowl.“Yeah,” I mumbled again, wiping my hand across my lips. “Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts for a second.” Shaking myself, I crossed my legs, and my knee brushed his under the table. Scooting back, my chair rocked back on two legs as I let out a little scream. It wasn't like he had purpos
CyberI had never been happier that I had borrowed Maggie's truck instead of taking my bike in my life. There was absolutely no way that Iris could have ridden even the short distance back to the house in the state she was in.She didn't say a word the entire trip back. She just sat there and stared out the window, tears falling silently down her cheeks. I was a jerk for telling her in the restaurant, especially when I wasn't even sure that it was Violet. I should have thought before opening my mouth.Hell, there were a lot of things I should have done in hindsight.“Iris?” Slowly, she turned her head, her eyes glassy in the glow from Maggie's porch lights. She looked like a zombie, totally out of it. She was in shock. “We’re home.” She paled even more. Home. Where I would potentially shatter her entire world. Her eyes shifted up to the house. None of the lights were on, but I knew Maggie would be awake and waiting for us. “I don't know if I can go in…” Iris mumbled rubbing her ha
IrisIt was strange being in bed with Cyber, after all that time. But what was stranger was the fact that I wasn’t freaked out at all by his half naked body stretched out next to mine. Maybe I should have been more surprised that he hadn’t tried anything on. He just lay there, his arms crossed behind his head, snoring softly.It was me that wished something would happen. Me who wanted him to push me down onto the mattress and remind me of the woman I used to be. I hadn’t enjoyed sex in years. It was just something I had to endure to survive. But lying next to him, feeling the heat from his skin warming mine, rekindled something in me. Violet was alive.I was alive. And I would get her back. I would do whatever it took to get her back, but that didn't mean I had to stop living. I wanted to feel like me again. To heal.Huffing softly, I rolled onto my side. Sleep wouldn’t come no matter how hard I tried; I was like an elastic band that was stretched too tight.“Why are you moving away
Cyber“I don't have long.” Wearily, I took my seat at the table, eyeing my brothers each in turn as they turned their faces towards me. This wasn't church. This was just a set number of men who Fang trusted.I probably wouldn't have been one of them, but I was closer to Iris than any of the others, well, apart from Monster, and he was too much of a loose cannon to be involved. “You're going back to her then?”I shrugged. What kind of question was that? Of course I was going back. I wasn't going to let Iris out of my sight for long.“What have you found out?” Fang was straight down to business as always.“The kid that was found isn't Violet.” I couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped my lips. Fang leant forward. “Monster filled us in last night when he came back here. You stayed the night with her, didn't you?”I shrugged again. “She needed someone.” Why did it feel like I was being interrogated? I wasn't on trial. “So, is Fang’s hunch right? Why is she really here?”Across t
IrisI expected to be shoved on the back of Cyber’s bike. What I didn't expect was for him to take my hand gently in his and lead me across the garden. I glanced back at the house. It was my safe place. My lifeline.Catching my worried look, Cyber’s steps slowed. “We aren't going far, Iris, you don't have to worry.”“Where are we going?” If he thought he could come waltzing into Maggie's kitchen and just drag me anywhere he wanted, he had another thing coming, and I opened my mouth to tell him so.Grumbling under his breath, Cyber spun me into his arms. My nose bumped into his chest, and tears sprang into my eyes.“Jesus, woman, do you ever stop talking?” Roughly his fingers tilted my chin up. “Did you just hurt yourself?” His eyes softened, and the pad of his thumb brushed away the tears.Mutely, I pointed at my nose.“It's not broken.” Firm fingers probed gently, but it still sent shockwaves of pain through me.I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him. It might not be broken, but it
CyberMaybe it was wrong of me. Maybe I was a damn selfish fool.I wanted to be close to her, even if she did end up being my enemy. I couldn't bring myself to push her away. Not when I had finally got her back. It was more than just lust, although there was plenty of that simmering between us. When it came to her, I felt the overwhelming urge to protect. It was a strange feeling for someone like me. I had gone through life caring as little as possible for the people who were in my life. Yes, I was loyal to my club brothers, and I had known Monster since we were both scrawny teenagers, so I was loyal to him as well. But Iris. I shouldn't have felt anything for her, especially once I knew she was up to something. But I just couldn't help myself.It wasn't even the fact that she was the mother of my kid. No, Iris had been the image of my ideal woman since the moment I had seen her picture flash up on the internet years ago. She had been different to the women I usually attracted. Swee
IrisPressing my hand to the lip he had bitten, my fingertip came away spotted with blood. They were almost mesmerising, those tiny beads of red.Cyber had made me bleed. It should have made me furious. But it wasn't anger that was warming my body. It was something just as primal, but it wasn't anger, or fear.Swinging my hand up, I caught him hard across the cheek, taking him by surprise. He caught my wrist easily, forcing it down to my side.“Will you fucking stop it and listen…” “I fucking hate you!” I clawed at him, my nails scraping down the hand that tightened around my throat. “I fucking hate...” As if my hand had a mind of its own, it gave up trying to get him to let go of me. Reaching up behind his head, I pulled his face down to mine.What the hell was wrong with me? I wanted him. Even when he was manhandling me, my body craved more. I wanted that hand around my throat while he stripped me naked and explored every crevice. I didn't want him to be loving or gentle. I wanted
Cyber“How did Iris take it?” Monster stretched his back, and the noise was loud even on the busy street. Shooting him a look, I arched an eyebrow. What kind of dumb ass question was that? “How do you think she took it?” I shook my head, sometimes he really was all looks and no brain. “She was happy.”“Happy?” he repeated, a frown creasing his smooth face. “She was just happy? That kind of goes against everything I know about her.”“Ok, maybe happy doesn't quite cover it.” And it didn't. Iris had not been happy. She had been ecstatic, bouncing off the bed and throwing herself at me without any hesitation. Which had been nice. “I'm surprised she didn't want to come today.” Monster’s eyes searched my face. He had known me long enough to realise when I was hiding something. “You didn't tell her where you were going, did you?”Sometimes I hated how easily he could read me.“Why the hell didn't you…?”I didn't let him finish. “Because I don't want her to get her hopes up. It's just a lea
Gretal“You’re home.” In an instant I was off his bed and rushing towards him, yanking his head down to mine so I could kiss his lips greedily. It was instinctive, the kind of greeting I had given him in the old days when I had missed him every second that he was away from me. Before things had all gone wrong. Hansel untangled himself with a small chuckle. “Of course I’m home. I said I wouldn’t be long.” Even as our lips parted, his hands were closing around my waist, keeping me close to him. “I like the way you say it, by the way.”Craning my head up to look at him, I arched an eyebrow. “How I say what?”“Home, that I’m home. Although I wouldn’t call the clubhouse our home, not unless you want to live here of course.” His eyes crinkled as he smiled.“Anywhere you are is home, Hansel.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Not that they weren’t true. They were. I was tired of being away from him. Sure, we had a lot of shit to sort out, but we were older now, wiser. I knew
HanselHow was it possible that Gretal had disappeared into thin air? I knew it wasn’t possible, but that’s what it felt like. Like she had literally vanished. I knew it wasn’t the case but that’s how it seemed, The club was out in force, scouting the streets, making calls to any and all contacts that could help, and so far, there had been nothing. Not one damn sighting. And I hated to admit it, but I was losing hope.No Gretal and no Pope. It weighed so heavily on me that I found it hard to breathe. Slowing the bike, I ripped the bandana from around my chin and nose, sucking in a deep lungful of cool night air. It still wasn’t enough. Was it possible to suffocate from panic? That’s what it felt like. Like someone was squeezing the life out of me. That’s when I saw it. If I hadn't slowed, I wouldn’t have. Squealing to a stop, I snapped my head back, looking over the hedge to the parking lot. Pope’s bike. I was sure of it. How many years had I ridden alongside it? I would know it a
GretalPulling my phone from my pocket, I ignored the barrage of messages from my husband that flashed up on the screen the moment I switched it on. He was worried about me, mostly because he knew I was about to do something stupid. Except it wasn’t stupid. It was justice. Keeley deserved to be avenged, so did those other girls.So did I. Swiping passed them, I clicked on the camera option, checking my face out. I looked good. My lips were ruby red and glossy, my lashes thick with mascara, my hair curled around my face in soft waves. I looked good enough to eat.And I hoped Pope would think so as well. After all, if he didn’t take the bait then all of this was for nothing. He would fall for it though; I knew he would. Men like him always did. They thought they were superior. That they could take what they wanted without asking. And Pope wanted me. I had seen it in his eyes in the way he had looked at me. I had thought he was just being overly friendly, trying his luck a little. Bu
HanselIt was growing dark when we pulled up outside the Son’s compound. I had ridden without stopping all day, desperate to get back to them. To tell Fang and the others what I suspected. No, not what I suspected. I knew it was true. I didn’t need Sylvie to tell me. The evidence was written all over her face. It dripped from the agony in her voice.“Off the bike, love.” I wanted to be patient with her, but time was already running out. I needed to get her somewhere safe and then I needed to get to The Otter, I would have gone there first if the clubhouse hadn’t been nearer. I hoped to find him inside. And I could exact my revenge without having to worry about my wife and her whereabouts “Hansel, please.” Sylvie was back to begging, she had been nagging in my ear for hours. And she would have the exact same response to it as I had given her before.Nothing.I tugged her off the bike. The prospect who had been lounging by the front door smoking a cigarette straightened as she gave ou
HanselMoney swapped hands easily enough. I had done these kinds of drops often, so it was no big deal. What was a big deal was the fact I was miles away from Gretal and she wasn’t answering her phone. I had been calling her pretty much nonstop. It was one thing The Judge telling me she was fine but I wanted to hear her voice. To see her in person would have been better, but I could tell if she was really ok by her voice. I knew her well enough. Leaning heavily on my bike, I fished my phone out of my pocket. My fingers pressed the redial button without looking. I didn’t expect her to answer, so far she hadn’t, so I was surprised when she picked up. “Hansel.”She sounded breathy, like she had been crying and was trying to hide it from me. “What the hell is going on, Gretal, are you crying?” Doubt ripped through me. She was upset. I had been right when I thought something had happened but I had taken The Judge at his word that he would protect them. Had I been wrong to do that? “No
Gretal“Is she ok?” I raised my eyes wearily as Gypsy came into the small living room. She flopped down on the chair nearest the window with a sigh, her fingers plucking to move the drapes away so she could look down at the dark street below. “Yeah, she's alright. I gave her a mild sedative. She will hopefully sleep until morning.” She sighed again. “There's some…” She swallowed hard, and I could tell by her face that she was reliving her own attack. I had heard briefly what Gypsy had been through. And it had been horrific. “There's some tearing and bruising. A condom was used so we don’t have to worry about pregnancy or sexual transmitted infections. Not that it makes it better, but at least she doesn’t have to worry about that.” Yeah, I agreed with her silently. At least she didn’t have to worry about that. “God, I need a drink.” Darcie was on her feet, her voice shaky. “Yeah, a drink sounds good.” We all deserved one. And being above a bar we were in a perfect place for one. O
HanselThe clubhouse was oddly quiet when I emerged the next morning. I had expected there to be at least some girly chatter. Since Gretal had come back, the common room seemed to be filled with girly chatter. But there was none and it made me feel oddly ill at ease.One look at Fang who was pacing the length of the room, like some agitated bearded squirrel, and I knew I had every right to feel worried. Making my way over to him, I swung him around to face me. “What's happened?” One glance at his face and I knew something had, his face was twisted in misery. “Where's Gypsy?” Another look around and I was sure she wasn’t there. None of the women were, not even the club girls had surfaced yet, the whole clubhouse felt like it was grieving. There was only one thing to put that kind of misery on his face and it was if something had happened to Gypsy. “What's happened? Fang talk to me.”“She rang and said she wasn’t coming home for a few days. She sounded…” His voice broke and he cleare
GretalIt was worse than anything I could have imagined. Maybe because I had known Keeley since she was eighteen years old - the sweetest, most pure soul I had ever met - it hit me harder. She was huddled on the floor behind the counter and one look around told me she had put up a hell of a fight. There were shattered plates and glasses all over the floor. A smear of blood on the floor. A tiny amount of blood but it seemed to stand out in stark contrast. And then my eyes found her. And it was worse than anything I had ever seen before. And I had seen a lot of bad shit.Keeley half lay, half sat in the foetal position in the farthest corner. Her whole body was shaking. Her usually silky blonde curls lay limp against her wet cheeks. There was an ugly bruise on her left cheek and around her throat. Like someone had wrapped their hands around it and tried to squeeze the life from her. But it was her eyes that hit me.They were wide and haunted. I knew the look on her face because I ha
GretalLying in bed with a man who wasn’t Hansel, when I could still feel the wetness of my orgasm against my panties was pure torture. It didn’t matter that Gio wasn’t touching me, simply being next to him felt like a betrayal.All of these years apart and I was still worried about betraying my marriage vows. Sure there had been other people, for both of us, but that was because we were apart. Being back under the same roof as him was bringing up feelings that I thought I had buried. And I was good at that. Burying my feelings for him. When I had been forced to work at The Candy House, when I had been forced to sell my body, I had turned my feelings of love into those of hate. I had thought he had forsaken me, but then he came back. He had literally knocked me off my feet again, like some avenging hero and made it all better, and all the hatred evaporated. Because I loved him. I had always loved him and I always would. “You seem tense, Gretal?” Gio’s voice spoke from the darkness.