Tabitha sat up in bed as Darcy took a seat.
“I’ve been a horrible friend,” she said.
“Oh, please, you’ve been an awesome friend.”
“I don’t even know what’s going on in your life anymore.”
Tabitha smiled and touched the ring around her neck, and then she glanced at her friend. She and Darcy had always been close, not as close as she was to Daisy. The other woman was older than her, but they were able to share secrets.
She lifted the ring out of her nightgown. She hated being in the hospital, but her parents had somehow been able to wrangle her to stay until she was fully recovered. No doubt talking to Sandy and a nice big donation to the hospital to get what they wanted. They always had been able to get away with that.
“I’m married,” she said.
“Holy shit. No one else knows?”
“Daisy, Anthony, Miles, my sister.”
Darcy looked at the ring. “To Simon?”
“Yep.” She chuckled. “Who else could you possibly think?”
“I don’t know.”
“Anyway. We’re married.” Simon had been able to visit her sparingly and her dad was always around.
“I don’t know if I want to be anywhere near that revelation.”
They both smiled. “I don’t mind. After the summer, I’m heading to Piston County to be with him. It is going to be a permanent feature.”
“You’ve made your decision?” she asked.
“Yeah, I have. I decided to pick love.”
“That’s good.” Darcy sat on the edge of the bed.
She enjoyed her friend’s company, but Tiny was there to take over and Darcy hugged her tight, leaving her alone and promising to visit again real soon.
Her dad entered the room and took a seat. This time, he didn’t have a book and she stared right at him, waiting.
He ran a hand down his face. “We could have lost you.”
“You didn’t lose me.”
“What were you thinking?” he asked.
“I wasn’t thinking anything other than not to get stabbed.” She offered him a smile.
“That’s not funny.”
“I’m not trying to be funny. You want an explanation for why I tried to protect the love of my life.”
“We can’t lose you.”
“Dad, you’re not going to lose me.”
“Do you think I don’t know what has been going on?” he asked. “I see the way you look at Simon. I always hoped that this infatuation you had with him would fade.”
“Dad, please.”
“I … when you’re in Piston County, I can’t protect you and right now, I don’t think he can.”
“Do you believe that? I know Simon, and he’s already dying inside that I got stabbed. Believe me, he can take care of me and protect me. I love him. Don’t ruin that. Don’t destroy what we have.”
“I always promised I’d keep you safe.”
“I’m sure Grandpa Ned felt the same way about Mom.”
Tiny chuckled. “Damn, one moment you’re this sweet little girl. The next, you’re getting into fights and taking a knife. Getting beat up. Where did the time go? Did I miss it all?”
She shook her head. “You didn’t miss a moment. You were always there.”
Tiny moved to the bed and sat close to her.
She put her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. “I love you, Dad.”
“Oh, honey, I love you too. I can’t stand the thought of anything bad happening to you. It kills me.”
“Nothing bad will happen. I’m fine. I’m safe.”
She took comfort in her father’s arms. She would always be his little girl.
“There’s someone who’d like to see you. Lash agreed to the meeting as it’s only him.”
She frowned as Tiny got up off the bed and went to the door. Luke stood with a bouquet of flowers.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for him to be here,” she said.
“I come as a peace offering,” Luke said.
She looked toward her dad, shocked he would agree to this. “Dad, this isn’t right.”
“He’s spoken to Lash, honey. His dad has, and well, as you can see, we’re not kicking his ass. His dad is down in the main reception. I’ll be right outside the door.”
She opened her mouth to tell him to stop, but it was too late.
“I don’t like that you’re here.”
“I didn’t know.”
“What?”
“That they were going to attack you.”
“Well, your conscience is clear. I don’t give a shit what you do or don’t know.”
“Tabitha, please.”
“What happened to Ryan?”
“He’s being dealt with by his dad. I haven’t gone to see him. I didn’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
“Luke, this doesn’t change anything. I belong to Simon.”
“I know that. I get it. I saw the way he was with you the other night. It looked like he’d been the one stabbed.” Luke nodded. “It doesn’t mean I can’t apologize and bring you flowers.”
“It should mean that. Nothing is ever going to happen.”
“I know, and you’ve never given me a reason to believe it would. Can’t you just accept my apologies, and know that I come in friendship?”
“You’re a Dog.”
“I’m also just a guy. I get that we’re two different clubs, but for now, can’t you just accept I’m here in peace?”
She pressed her lips together. “Fine, but if Simon wants to kick your ass, he can.”
Luke chuckled. “In case you forgot, we’re both equally matched.”
“I did see that and no, I hadn’t forgotten.”
“Just out of curiosity, if Simon was never on the scene, would you be able to look at me … give me a chance?”
She shook her head. “No, because Simon has always been on the scene. We’ve been together since we were kids, Luke. I can’t even imagine anyone else. I’m also not going to give you false hope. I’m not sticking around Fort Wills. I’m leaving after the summer. I’m going to be with him.”
Luke nodded. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. I’m no longer feeling like I’ve been stabbed.”
He chuckled. “I better go.” He got to his feet.
“Thank you,” she said. “For the flowers.”
“Anytime, Tabitha. I know we’re different but I hope you believe I never wanted to hurt you.”
He left.
****
Getting out of the hospital was a welcome relief. The stitches had already come out, and other than some soreness from the beatdown she got, Tabitha was more or less recovered.
Simon wasn’t allowed to sneak into her bedroom anymore. Tiny constantly visited, checking to see if he’d arrived.
It was only late at night that he did, sneaking into her room. They spent every single night together.
School finished, and they all graduated.
The bruises had faded and any pain from being stabbed was completely gone. Of course, it also meant she was now on the countdown.
Simon had taken off with the promise he wanted to have everything ready for when they returned. A small apartment, work, and she had also enrolled at the Piston County local college. Lexie had promised her a job working alongside the old ladies at the clothing store, which was only growing as the years went on.
Her life was starting to roll out in front of her and rather than be nervous, she looked toward it with relish. She was more than ready to be a part of Simon’s world. He needed to start taking his prospecting seriously, and she certainly didn’t expect Devil to keep paying him to come back here. He had to make a final decision and she was ready for it.
She fingered the wedding band as Daisy flicked through the college books that had come through for her that morning.
“You’re lost in your own little world.”
“I’m just thinking.”
“Is it all about Simon again?”
“When is it not about Simon?” she said, laughing.
They both lay down, looking up at the sky.
“Can you believe we’ve survived high school? All of us?”
“Rachel and Markus have more time, then you have my little brother. That high school is in for a long time of Skulls kids.” Tabitha took Daisy’s hand.
“Promise me that no matter what happens between The Skulls and Chaos Bleeds, you and I will always be friends?” Daisy asked.
“I thought we’ve gone through this.” Tabitha turned toward her friend. “We’ll always be the best of friends. Forever.”
“And we’ll be our kids’ godparents.”
“Daisy, of course. Nothing much is going to change.”
“Apart from the fact we won’t be hanging out together or having fun.”
“Don’t. You’re going to make me cry.” Tabitha chuckled. “We can talk every single day. Not a day will go by where we won’t talk.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
“Pinky swear?”
“Pinky swear.” She wrapped her pinky finger around Daisy’s, promising to be her friend forever.
Daisy’s cell phone went off and she groaned. “It’s my mom. She says there’s an emergency.”
“It’s okay. I’m going to stay here for a little while.”
“You can’t stay here on your own, Tabs,” Daisy said.
“I know. Don’t worry. I’m only going to enjoy the sunshine a little bit more. I’m not ready to go back yet.” She took a deep breath.
“I’ll stick around.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Tabitha said. “It is fine. I’m okay. We’re okay.”
“I didn’t mean to leave you so long.” Sadness washed over Daisy.
She hugged her friend close. Daisy hadn’t forgiven herself for the ambush from Daniella and her posse. “You need to stop worrying so much. We’re both here and sure a couple of people at school were terrified of you. I say good. I don’t like it when people think they can walk all over you. It’s not fair, and you shouldn’t allow anyone to treat you that way. I’m safe and I’m walking around. I’m fine.”
“You always have a way with words.”
“Damn straight I do,” Tabitha said.
Daisy’s cell phone rang again. “I’ve got to go.”
“Then go. Don’t worry. I’m going to relax. Just breathe it all in. I’m perfectly safe.”
Daisy hugged her again. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
She watched Daisy leave. When she was alone, she stretched out in the grass, closing her eyes. She took several deep breaths, feeling a calm rush over her.
Tonight, Simon was due back and they were going to tell her parents they were married. He also intended to have Devil and Lexie in on the call. It was time for them to let the entire world know they belonged together. Besides, she didn’t like how her father kept pushing him away. It wasn’t fair.
She didn’t blame Simon for anything that had happened. There was no way she would have been able to live with herself if he’d been hurt. She’d reacted to protect him.
A shadow fell over and she opened her eyes, blinking.
It was Ryan.
“Do you think it’s funny?” he asked.
She made to sit up but he was suddenly there, holding her down. Panic flooded her body. She’d heard he’d been forced to hand in his leather cut until he proved himself a Monster Dog, or something along those lines. She hadn’t been near Luke. She didn’t believe in trying to reach out to people, especially those who had a crush, and she wasn’t going to use that to her advantage.
Ryan shoved her hard.
“Let me go.”
He wrapped his fingers around her throat, cutting off her air supply.
“Do you have any idea what the fuck you did? What you do? I’ve had to watch him fawn over you. You walked into the room and no one was more important than you. You’re all he can think about and I’m fucking sick of it. You’re not perfect. You’re a slut, a no-good whore, and I’m sick of it. In fact. I’m going to show him exactly how easy it is to use you.”
****
Anthony heard the sobbing coming from the bathroom. The clubhouse was mostly abandoned. Even his mom was out, running some errands. The sound caught at him, twisting his gut. At first, he thought it was Daisy.
He stopped, realizing it was Tabitha’s room, and he stepped inside.
Something chilled him to the core. For a long time now, he’d been trusting his instincts, and he knew something was very, very wrong.
The bathroom door was right there.
Danger like this, he’d never run away from. Most of the time, he’d been intrigued by the fear people often displayed. For a long time, he’d known he wasn’t like a lot of his friends or parents. His dad didn’t understand him, not really. The only person in all of his eighteen years who’d been interesting for him to pay attention to was Daisy. Even as kids, the sound of her voice, it was sweet music to his ears. Watching her, being near her, smelling her, it made him realize what people thrived on. How they fought for love.
What he felt for Daisy, it was deeper than love. It was stronger than any kind of obsession, but he also knew he had to be careful.
Once he stepped through that door, he had this eerie sense that his life was about to change.
He could step back.
Ignore it.
Carry on with his life.
He’d never been a coward.
Putting his hand to the door that wasn’t even completely closed, he pushed. The shower curtain hadn’t been pulled back.
Tabitha was in clear view, still in some of her clothes. Her face completely covered. A pair of panties with blood caught his eye, and he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, he just knew. Tabitha had been raped, and shit was about to hit the fan.
He texted Simon, his father, and of course Daisy.
Moving into the bathroom, he stared at her, not knowing what to do. In his mind, he had flashes of her. She was his best friend.
Climbing into the bath, even as she screamed, he wrapped his arms around her. “I’ve got you,” he said. Daisy would want him to hold her.
At first, she tried to get away.
“It’s me, Tabitha. It’s me. I’ve got you.”
Seconds passed and finally, she held on to him, sobbing against him.
His heart broke for her. He couldn’t stand for her to be in pain. It was the first time anyone but Daisy had affected him. He knew why. Tabitha was club. She’d been hurt for a second time, but this time went beyond a beatdown. She’d been violated in the worst possible way.
Lash arrived first with Angel. Next Daisy.
Sandy was called. Tabitha wouldn’t let him go.
Holding her close, they managed to get her out of the tub and toward the hospital.
It looked like a war with the Monster Dogs was unavoidable.
****
Devil had to drive him.
Simon had read the text message again and again, his stomach twisting.
How could this be possible?
“It will be okay, son,” Devil said.
“No, it’s not okay.” He put the phone away. “Please drive faster.”
“I am.”
He’d gone to get their apartment ready and to hand in her paperwork to the Piston County college. Everything had been coming together and now … what did he do? His wife, she was hurting.
Running a hand down his face, he tried to not think, but all he could see was Tabitha screaming for help. Begging him to come to her.
He’d failed her.
“Dad,” he said. “I don’t know what to do.”
“You’ll be there for her. That’s all you can do.”
“I…” He couldn’t think of a single thing to say.
Pain sliced through him.
Be there for her.
I should have been there for her.
The time passed and when they arrived at the hospital, all of The Skulls crew were there. They were waiting.
Daisy was curled up against Anthony, who looked at him.
There was pain in all of their faces. They were all feeling it.
One of their own had been hurt once again.
She’d been beaten, stabbed, and now … he couldn’t say it.
“Where is she?” he asked.
“She’s with Sandy. They’re talking to the cops,” Eva said.
“I need to go to her.” He moved toward the doors but Tiny grabbed his shoulder.
“You can’t go back there.”
He pulled away. “I can.”
“She needs her space, Simon. Not her boyfriend.”
“I’m not her boyfriend. She’s my wife!” He pulled the locket from around his neck and held up the ring. “She has been my wife since her eighteenth birthday. Ask Anthony, Daisy, even Miles. They were all there. I married her. She’s my wife and she needs me. I’ve got to go to her.”
He pulled out of Tiny’s arms and walked through the doors. He didn’t know where the fuck he was going, or where she would be. Knowing The Skulls, it would be in a private room.
Sandy was walking toward him. A police officer not too far behind.
“Simon?” she asked.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t think—” Sandy was about to say.
He shook his head. “I don’t need you to think. I need you to tell me where my wife is.”
“You mean Tabitha has had a—”
Simon glared at him. He wasn’t interested in hearing what this man had to say. “If you dare come between Tabby and me, I’ll rip your fucking throat out and shit down your neck. Do you understand?”
The officer looked ready to arrest him.
“It’s fine,” Sandy said. “I’ll take him.” She took a step back and Simon followed, not caring who he upset. His woman needed him.
Tabby needed him.
They stopped at a room. The curtains were drawn and it all appeared private.
“She’s in there. She’s not in a good place right now,” Sandy said.
He opened the door, closing it behind him.
Turning toward the bed, he saw her. She was fully dressed, her arms wrapped around her legs, and she looked up. There was a new bruise on her face and marks around her neck. He noticed she cringed.
“Simon,” she said. She pressed her face against her knees.
“Don’t,” he said. “Don’t be sad.”
“I’m so sorry.”
He went to her. “I’ve got you, baby. I’ve got you and I’m not going to let you go. I’m here.” He wrapped his arms around her. She tensed up but slowly sank against him. “I’ve got you.”
She sobbed.
His heart broke and he didn’t let her go. His woman had been hurt.
“I … it’s all my fault.”
He cupped her face and shook his head. “No. This is not your fault. None of this is on you. It’s on whoever did this.”
Her face crumbled. “It was Ryan.”
“The Dog?”
“Yes. I was out in the field and I was only enjoying the sunshine. I felt at peace. We were going to tell my parents and yours, and now. Oh, God, do you even want to be married to me anymore?” She pulled away and covered her face.
Tears filled his eyes, and he didn’t wipe them away. “I want you, Tabby. Always. Nothing is ever going to change that.”
It was Ryan.
That piece of shit.
He slid off the bed.
Tabby looked up at him. “Simon?”
He cupped her face, staring into her eyes. “I love you more than anything.”
“What are you going to do?” she asked.
Simon pressed a kiss to her lips. “What I have to.”
“Simon!”
She’d flinched away from his kisses and he didn’t doubt what he needed to do. He turned on his heel and left the room. He took the back entrance, leaving the hospital undetected. There was only one person who would know where Ryan was, and he was going to make sure he found him.