Chapter 2

Jake

I saw when the man slapped her, and for some reason it pissed me the fuck off. Every time he slapped her, it made me more angry. What the hell was wrong with me?. I've never cared about what happened in other people's lives, so why now? She stood there quietly, taking the abuse, as the two women besides the man stood there smirking. I rode off and went to my place. When I got in, the housekeeper was standing there.

“Who does that first house belong to?” I asked her.

“Mr. Anderson owns most of the car dealerships in Ryedale; he's a man to be wary of, Mr. Woods." She said, looking at me.

“Who stays there?” I asked, trying not to give anything away. I guess she knew I saw something.

“Mr. Anderson, his wife Renee, his stepdaughter Alexis, and the one you probably saw being hurt or being ill treated is Avery, Mr. Campbell's daughter from his first marriage," she said, looking at me.

“Huh,“ I said, walking away.

“Stay away from Avery, Mr. Wood's. She's not allowed friends or freedom. She can't be or do better than Alexis, or they'll make her life more miserable than it already is. I used to work for them. That is why I was fired, because I tried to help Avery. Do not be seen around her," she said, which had me stopping in my tracks.

“I see. Thank you, Irene," I said, heading towards the office. What kind of life is that for someone as young as her?. Do I want to get involved in this?. I closed my eyes, and I instantly saw her face, Fuck. I picked up the phone and called Shawn.

“Mr. Woods, what can I do for you, sir?”.

“Get me someone; I want all the information on Avery Anderson by tomorrow midday," I said into the receiver.

“Okay, I'll have that done,“ he said, ending the call.

Avery

That morning, before I left at five, Sherry, our cook, sneaked me some breakfast. I was forbidden from eating dinner last night, which wasn't something new. I leave home at Five Am every single day for school; my last class was at two, and by the time I walked home, it was almost five.

After my last class for the day, I was heading out when Alexis and her Clique of Rich friends passed me in the hallway, talking about going to the mall. No one in school knew we were related. I don't know how Alexis and Renee have been hiding it, but they have. No one in Ryedale knew they were living in my house with me and my father. I didn't say anything or look at them; I kept walking. I had left the campus and started walking. When I turned the corner, Zack and his buddies were there. Bracing against his Jeep.

I kept my head down and kept walking.

“Hey Avery, wanna ride?" He said, laughing. I didn't say anything. I was about twenty minutes away from college when they pulled up beside me and hopped out. I tried to walk away, but they wouldn't let me. I saw the same bike from yesterday pass us heading towards town.

“Hey Avery, I heard you're a virgin? Wanna give it to me?” He said, touching my hair. Zach Morrison, 20 years old, tall, fair, with black hair and brown eyes, was the hottest guy on campus according to every single female on campus. He was the football captain and the son of the mayor; he was also Alexis's boyfriend. Alexis hated him talking to me, and if I said one word to him, he'd tell her and I'd be in trouble.

“She probably lost it already," Blake said, laughing. I heard the bike again. The bike stopped in front of the Jeep, and he got off. Oh Jesus, he was really tall.

“Come on, Zack, let's go," Justin said, touching Zach as they looked at the man walking towards them.

“See you later, Avery," Zach said, smiling.

They got into the Jeep and drove off. He stood there looking at me, I think. The helmet was black and tinted. He was huge and fair-skinned. He had a dragon bracelet on and multiple rings. He looked mean, but I've learned to not judge people. I couldn't help but think about what I had gotten myself into. I walked past him and kept walking. I heard the bike, and I stopped short when he rode up on the sidewalk next to me.

I stopped instantly and looked at him.

He nodded towards the bike. I shook my head. No.

“I don't know you. I may be young, but I'm not stupid. I'm not getting on your bike. You may be new to Ryedale. So please listen. Stay away from me, or you'll get in trouble and your life will become miserable. I can get into trouble just for standing next to you," I said, walking around the bike.

I heard him, and he pulled up next to me again.

“Don't make me put you on. Now get on the damn bike, Avery; don't make me say it again,” he said.

His voice was deep and commanding; how did he know my name?. Who sent him? Was this Alexis’s doing? Is this another plan of her's to get me into trouble?. I started backing away and shaking my head. I started looking around. I guess he understood. He rode off, leaving me standing there. I shook my head and continued walking.

Jake

I was jogging when I saw her. It was five in the morning; does she walk to school every single fucking morning?. Why the hell was this girl and her situation getting to me? I had no fucking idea and didn't want to get involved in whatever she had going on, but I couldn't shake the concern that I had for her. All morning I was busy with conference calls. When lunch time rolled around, Shawn sent her information. I sat in my office reading it.

Avery Amelia Anderson

18 years old.

College freshman. A straight A student.

Her major was finance, risk management, and compliance.

No friends, no social media presence, no phone number, no email address, no extracurricular activities, no jobs, no vehicles under her name; she had a license.

I almost punched my fucking laptop. She was being stifled. I continued reading. The house was her's, left to her by her mother. The woman and girl were her stepmom and stepsister. They had different names. From what I was reading, these people weren't good to her.

Shawn was good enough to include her class schedule. I checked the time and saw it was almost time for her last class to end. I left my office and got my bike and geared up. When I rode past them and saw those fuckers, I wanted to slam their faces into the pavement. When she spoke, I knew this girl was going to end me; she was going to be my fucking kryptonite. She was barley legal. Fuck, do I want this?. One look at her and I knew I wanted her.

She wouldn't get on the bike. I realized she was scared; she didn't know me, and she's probably terrified that one of them may see her. I rode back to my place and grabbed a jacket and the extra helmet I had. When I rode back, she was still waking. I pulled up to her and handed her the helmet and jacket.

“I'm not going to hurt you, Avery. Now get on,” I said, looking at her. I know she wouldn't be able to tell if I was looking at her or not. She looked at me for a minute, then she wore it. I stretched my right hand out to her, and she took it hesitantly. I helped her up onto my bike.

“Wrap your arms around me," I said, waiting for her to move. After what felt like a minute, I felt her arms around me, and that shit had my body reacting instantly. I checked the time and saw it was only three; she'd have enough time to be back by five.

I started the bike and turned around and rode off. I drove through the town and headed towards the seaside. She didn't say anything or even touch me in any way to tell me to stop or turn around. By four thirty, we were on our way back. I stopped the bike fifteen minutes away from her house; she tried to get off, but I stopped her. I got off and then lifted her off. She took off the jacket and helmet and just looked at me.

“Thank you," that was all she said and continued walking. I watched her as she walked through the gates, then I rode on. I slowed down enough to make sure what happened yesterday didn't happen again today. When I saw no one was outside, I rode off to my place.