Crash set off at an easy pace, then caught up to the rest of his crew, taking his place beside Burn.They zipped through the streets until they reached the Steel Riders’ clubhouse, a much nicer structure than the one they’d just come from.Crash parked his bike in the covered parking area, since they predicted rain in the morning, and then helped Willow off his bike.She tucked her hand through his arm and he led her to the clubhouse, up the steps, and through the front doors.
He paused, letting her look around, before he walked over to the bar and motioned for her to have a seat.He took the stool to her left and Burn claimed the one on her right.If she felt caged in, she didn’t let on.She actually seemed fairly relaxed for a woman who had no idea what the future would bring, but then he supposed, depending on what she’d already been through, she might figure this would be a walk in the park.
“You can either tell your story to us first, or we can call a meeting with the Pres and you can just give the story one time.”Crash reached out and swept a strand of hair behind her ear.“Either way, we’re going to have to know why you were with the Double Deuces, and why I found you tied up.”
Burn’s eyebrows shot up.“She was tied up?”
Crash nodded.“I chewed through the ropes.”
“I never thanked you for saving me,” Willow said.“You could have left me there to die.”
“No.Our goal was to wipe out the Double Deuces, not to harm innocent women.”
Burn cleared his throat.“Yeah, speaking of that… two managed to get through the window before I could stop them.They were fairly well burnt and not looking their best, so we may not hear anything from them.They may be happy to scurry off and start their lives over somewhere.”
Willow paled.“Depends on which two.If it was Mule and Jax, then they’ll come after me.They won’t like the idea of my getting a happy ending.”She looked up at Crash.“Assuming you’re going to give me one.”
Oh ho!He’d like to give her a happy ending all right.Smack dab in between Burn and him, but he figured now wasn’t the time to mention that.Although, she’d need a place to sleep tonight and there weren’t any vacant rooms, unless Blaze went home to his mate.
“No one here is going to hurt you,” Crash said.It was the best he could give her for now.
“I’d rather just tell the story once, if that’s all right.”
Crash nodded.“Burn, why don’t you set up something with the Pres and we’ll convene in the boardroom.I don’t think we need to call Church for this, but she might be more comfortable telling her story away from everyone.”
“On it.”Burn got off his stool and went in search of Blitz.
“You want something to drink?”Crash asked Willow.“Your throat has to be sore from all that smoke.”
“Maybe some water?”
Crash flagged down the Prospect manning the bar.“Get the lady a cold bottle of water.If there isn’t any at the bar, go to the kitchen and pull one from the fridge.”
The Prospect eyed Willow in curiosity, but left to do as he’d been told.It didn’t take long before he returned with a bottle of water that was icy to the touch.Crash twisted off the lid and handed it to Willow, watching as she gulped it down.He wasn’t sure how much of her thirst was from the fire and how much was from being held prisoner.Had they fed her, given her something to drink?
Burn appeared at his shoulder and nodded toward the boardroom.
“Come on, sweetheart,” Crash said.“It’s time to tell your story.”
She curled her hand around his bicep and let him lead her through the clubhouse.When they reached the boardroom, she seemed to tremble by his side.He wanted to reassure her that everything would okay, but truthfully, he wasn’t sure it would be.Just because he wanted to claim her as his mate, didn’t mean Blitz would let him.
The Pres sat at the head of the table, looking impressive with his full-sleeve tattoos on display and wearing his cut proudly.He motioned for them to enter and take a seat closer to him than their usual places.Crash took the seat next to Blitz, then sat Willow beside him, with Burn on her other side.He wanted her protected, and it seemed his twin felt the same.
“So I hear you’re the reason some of the Double Deuces escaped,” Blitz said, staring her down.
Crash felt her tremble again and placed a hand on her knee.“It’s all right, Willow.Just tell him how you came to be with them.”
She licked her lips and looked at the President with a deer-in-the-headlights expression.Crash gave her leg a squeeze, hoping it would prompt her to start talking.He wasn’t sure what kind of mood Blitz was in, but he didn’t want to take a chance on the Pres kicking her out of the clubhouse.
“I was sold to the Double Deuces a few months ago.To sweeten a narcotics deal between the Black Daggers and them.”
The blood in Crash’s veins turned to ice.The Black Daggers were bad news, especially for women.If she’d been with them, then he was almost certain she’d been abused, and the thought sickened him.
“So the Black Daggers owned you?”Blitz asked.“For how long?”
“Their V.P., Slash, snatched me off the streets when I was about five.He kept me as a sort of pet until I turned eighteen.Then he told me that everything I’d learned would pay off.He had planned to either use me as a prostitute to earn extra cash inside the club, or he was going to sell me to the highest bidder.I managed to escape that fate for almost two years, then the Double Deuces came along and their Sergeant-at-Arms took a liking to me.But he didn’t want me just one time, he wanted to own me.”
Crash fought back the bile rising in his throat.
