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I should go home.
I’m already wondering how in the hell I’m going to explain this to Erin. Better yet, how I’m going to bring myself to actually walk in there and talk to Lincoln, a man who will probably recognize me, and yet I have not a clue who he is. But he’s the brother of Slater, and Slater is part of a club, and they’re all strangely linked, at least, it seems like they are.
I could go directly to the club for help, but...they scare me, and I don’t think I’m nearly brave enough to have that kind of courage.
So, I’ll go to the one thing I can face. At least, I think I can face.
God.
I should go home.
I shouldn’t be here.
But, then I think of him, and I know...I just know...I need help.
I need help to make sure I don’t end up spending the rest of my life in the hands of a monster, because that’s what will happen, if he finds me.
The police have so many things to do, they’re not going to give me what I need.
But, these men...they just might.
But does that make me some sort of user? Because that’s what I feel like. I don’t remember any of them, I basically kicked Slater out of my house, and yet here I am about to ask his brother for help, which will possibly end up involving Slater himself, and I’m scared that he’ll get the wrong idea. That he might think it means I remember.
But I don’t.
And I’m not even sure the depth of the story involving the two of us.
But I will admit...I am curious.
I take a deep, staggering breath and walk towards the front of the garage. There is a lineup of cars coming out of one of the bays, no doubt all of them ready to get fixed. It’s busy, and obviously successful. I walk towards the area that says ‘office’ and step inside the door, letting off a bell when I go through. There is no one at the counter, but in a matter of seconds a beautiful brunette comes in, big beaming smile on her face.
“Hi there, can I help you?”
The office is large, and new, everything shiny, from the polished floors to the marbled counter. It’s lovely. Very welcoming.
“Hi,” I say, my voice far more timid than I’d like. “I’m...I was just wondering if Lincoln was here?”
I feel like I’m going to vomit. I have to shove my hands into my jeans pockets so she doesn’t see them trembling. I no doubt look like I’m about to have a complete breakdown, I’m that scared, but I’m more afraid of the unknown. And the unknown is the monster who is closing in on me, a monster I never want to face again in my life.
So, I’ll go with this fear.
I’ll go with Lincoln.
“He is, can I ask your name?”
“Ah...Ellie.”
She nods, studying me for a moment, and then beaming, “I’ll go and get him, please take a seat.”
I sit down, knees trembling, hands still stuffed into my pockets. I swallow over and over, as many times as I can, to try and stop myself from vomiting all over this beautiful floor. I stare down, too afraid to even look up. What am I going to say to him? Will he try and hug me? Will it be awkward? Will he refuse me? I don’t know our history, I only know I am supposedly the love of his brother’s life, and that’s it.
I don’t remember anymore.
And I hate that.
I hate it so damned much.
The door opens and I lift my head, looking up. My eyes widen at the sight of the man stepping into the office. I thought Slater was huge, and scary, but this man...this man...oh God. He’s terrifying, and yet incredibly beautiful. Just like his brother. Only on a bigger scale. His eyes are browner than Slater’s, whose are mostly black. His skin is the same olive tone, and his hair equally as dark, only Lincoln’s is cropped short, maybe only an inch long on his head, and sort of messy. He’s also covered in tattoos, they’re up his arms, down his legs, hell, there is one crawling up his neck.
But.
He’s breathtaking.
So incredibly good looking it almost hurts to stare at him.
I stand, and he just stares at me, for a good long moment, he just takes me in. “Ellie,” he says, his voice gruff, and low, and equally as powerful as he is. “Know it’s you standin’ in front of me, but still can’t fuckin’ believe my eyes. Never thought I’d see your face again.”
God.
“I,” I try to get my voice out, but it’s shaky and weak.
“Bernie,” Lincoln says, turning to the receptionist. “Give us a minute.”
She nods, and quickly leaves the room. That only makes me more nervous, because now we’re in here alone, and I don’t know what to say, or do.
“Heard he found you, also heard you didn’t remember anything. Good to fuckin’ see you, you have no fuckin’ idea how good. But gotta know, what’re you doin’ at my shop, Ellie? Last I heard, you kicked Slater out of your apartment.”
I swallow, take a deep shaky breath, and whisper, “I know. And, I’m sorry for that, but I don’t remember...I wish I did. I really wish I did, but it’s all a mess in my head. That’s not why I’m here.”
“Care to tell me why you’re here, then?”
“I...I need help.”
He studies me, tipping his head to the side just slightly. “What sort of help?”
“I...it’s kind of a long story, but to put it short, the man who had me all the years I was missing, is looking for me. And he’s got men getting very close to where I am. And I’m afraid. And I know the police don’t have what it takes to keep me safe. But...I know you do. You and your brothers...and maybe that club.”
Lincoln studies me for a moment, his face hard. “Why didn’t you go to Slater?”
“Because Slater wants something I can’t give, and I don’t...I don’t like hurting people without cause.”
Lincoln’s face softens, just a little. “Nothin’ changes, then. You always were soft.”
I swallow. Anxiety is clawing at my chest like a snake coiling around my heart. I want to run, the urge is so strong I have to take a couple of deep breaths to stop myself having a complete breakdown. I’m terrified. While I don’t feel unsafe around Lincoln, I am still putting my trust into someone I don’t know.
And that’s scary.
“Can you help me?” I finally ask, after not being able to take Lincoln’s eyes taking me in for a second longer.
“You know we’re goin’ to help you, you’re family, even if you don’t know it. But can’t do it behind Slater’s back. Gotta know that. He’s been through hell, for ten fuckin’ years, didn’t even know my own brother during that time. He was...a shell. And I only just got him back. So, you understand I gotta involve him, even if it isn’t something you want.”
My chest tightens at the thought, and I immediately go to protest, but Lincoln puts up a hand and murmurs, “Don’t panic, I’m going to respect that you don’t need any added pressure in your life. I won’t let him bother you, I’ll make it very fuckin’ clear that he is to give you space while we help, but I do have to tell him, Ellie.”
I swallow, and then rub my face. I know I don’t have any choice in the matter. And if I want to be safe, I’m going to have to compromise. The idea of being in the hands of a monster again, means I’ll take the risk.
“Ellie?”
I turn, confused at the new voice that has entered the room. I didn’t even hear the door open. I look over to see a younger version of Lincoln and Slater standing in the doorway, staring at me like he’s just seen a ghost. Then, a huge smile breaks out on his face and he runs at me. I don’t get time to move before his arms wrap around me and he launches me into his arms, spinning me in a circle.
“I knew he’d found you, but part of me just didn’t fully believe it. But here you are. Oh God, ten years, ten years!”
He places me down and I launch backwards so fast I stumble. Lincoln’s arm darts out and catches mine, and the moment his fingers curl around my upper arm, I lose it. “Let me go!” I scream, tugging my arm so hard pain rips through it. Lincoln lets me go instantly, and I practically throw myself towards the door.
“Ellie,” he tries, and the new stranger stares at me like he’s completely confused.
“No, you k-k-k-know what? I don’t need help, I don’t.”
I can’t breathe.
I shouldn’t have come here.
It’s too much.
Too much.
The man who just walked in tries to step towards me, but I throw an arm up, “Leave me alone. I don’t know you! I don’t...”
“It’s me,” he says, almost hurt sounding, which makes me feel even worse. “Damon. Your best friend.”
My vision starts blurring.
I need to go.
I wasn’t ready for this.
I shouldn’t have come here.
“I have to go. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have c-c-c-come.”
My voice is stammering, there are tears running down my face, and I look crazy. I know I look crazy.
Hell, maybe I am.
Maybe I always will be.
I turn and run out of there, ignoring the way they call my name.
I shouldn’t have come.
I shouldn’t have.