Chapter 3

• • • Layla’s POV * * *

“She doesn’t belong here…” Who ever opened up is cut off before he can finish whatever stupid thing he was about to say.

“Oh, I get it. Her brothers and mom got in your ear, huh? Layla’s not the troublemaker here, but have fun with that. I don’t respect a president who believes a snake without investigating. Bye.” I glanced at Deacon, Star, and Rock, their faces tight with anger, mirroring my own.

I nodded to Star, who didn’t hesitate. She stormed outside, her boots stomping up the stairs, and I heard her unleash on the guy. “So, what’s your plan? Harass everyone who shows up here, or just the ones who consider Layla family? Go back to your damn party and stay off this property. This house is in Layla’s name, so be careful before we slap a security fence up to keep you from fucking with her. Get a life and leave the 17-year-old girl alone!” By the end, she was yelling, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. Star’s only 17, like me, but she’ll call out stupidity in a heartbeat, no matter who you are.

When she came back downstairs with Tanner, I leaned against the counter, the dogs at my feet. “Don’t worry about it,” I said. “In a few weeks, I’m moving back to Broken Arrow for school and to open my tattoo shop.”

Star’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded. “Fine, I won’t say anything. But if you get hurt, I won’t forgive them. Spirit MC is your family, Layla. We’ll never leave you alone.”

We ate dinner, the roast tender and warm. Deacon, Rock, and Star had to leave soon after, but Tanner and Star stayed to help clean up. We headed outside to the fire pit in my backyard, the cool night air brushing my skin as we lit a fire. The crackle of the flames mixed with the faint, drunken laughter from the BBQ across the street.

No one had come to invite me — not Mom, not my brothers, not even her new boyfriend. Normal people might feel hurt, but I’m used to being forgotten. Zero and Lady sprawled at my feet, their warmth grounding me as we sipped coffee and talked about graduation and the tattoo shop I’d been dreaming of. The firelight danced in Star’s eyes as she rambled about her own plans, while Tanner teased her about her terrible taste in music.

Then Zero’s ears perked up, his massive head swiveling toward the darkness behind me. A voice, high and cracking like it just met puberty, cut through the night. “Do you think you’re too good to come to the BBQ?”

I turned, my jaw tight, and saw a younger version of Tank — same broad shoulders, same smug look. His brother, I’m guessing. “Wasn’t invited,” I said, my voice flat. “And I was told I don’t belong, so take it up with your brother. Honestly, I don’t care to be over there. No one’s said a kind word to me since I got here, and I haven’t done shit to any of you. You’re just pissed I don’t worship you like you walk on water. I ignored your stares earlier, and I’m going back to ignoring you now. Bye.”

He stormed off, his face red, muttering under his breath. These next few weeks will suck.

I turned to Star and Tanner, the fire casting shadows across their faces. “It’s 11. I’m calling it a night. You guys can stay if you want, or I’ll see you in a few days.”

“We’ll stay and head out in the morning,” Star said, not even glancing at Tanner for confirmation. “We’ll put the fire out and come down when we’re done.”

“The couch has a pull-out bed, and there’s a bed in the second bedroom. Goodnight.” I waved over my shoulder as I headed inside with Zero and Lady, their nails clicking on the floor.

In my room, I stripped and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the day’s tension. Star and Tanner were staying because they didn’t trust the Wolf MC or my family not to pull something. I like when they are here they make this place less lonely.

After drying off, I threw on a tank top and sweats, grabbed a cup of hot tea, and sank into my bean bag chair. I pulled out my sketchpad, finishing the dragonfly tattoo for my birthday and sketching five more designs for the shop. The soft scratch of pencil on paper was soothing, a tether to something I could control.

Sleep doesn’t come easy most nights. Nightmares haunt me — flashes of my ex, Bobby, his fists, his voice telling me I shouldn’t be upset about Dad’s death anymore. That weekend he locked me away was worse than the beatings. He did things I can’t let myself dwell on. Deacon, Star, and Tanner were out of town when it happened, and no one in Spirit MC knew where I was. When they returned and realized I’d been missing, they found me, broken and bruised. Deacon took me to his mother Etta’s cabin to heal, far from prying eyes. Mom introduced me to Bobby, called him a “good guy.” Did she know what he was really like? I wonder. He’s sending threats now, saying he’ll do worse if he finds me. He’s too scared to look, though — I’m not hiding. Spirit MC taught me to fight, to use weapons, to never be a victim again. I forwarded his latest message to Tech at Spirit MC. They’ll track him down. Let him try me now.

Tanner set up gym equipment in the dining area earlier. I don’t need two dining spaces, just the breakfast nook for me.

I couldn’t sleep, so I hopped on the treadmill, the steady thump of my sneakers drowning out the noise in my head. Star and Tanner heard me and came in, their faces soft with concern. They know I don’t want to talk about the nightmares, so we geared up to box instead.

Star went first, trading easy combos with me. Left, right, hook, kick, repeat. We moved back and forth, sweat beading on my forehead. Then Tanner tried to surprise me, lunging in, but I was ready. He took me to the floor, but I let him, slipping into side control. I transitioned fast, wrapping my arm under his chin, grabbing my other bicep, and locking him in a choke until he tapped out. Only then did we talk, their laughter pulling me out of the dark for a while.

The next night, it was just me and the dogs. Star, Tanner, and the others had work and meetings, and I was fine with the quiet. I took the trash out, leaving Zero and Lady inside, their eyes following me through the window. The air was cool, the street silent except for the distant hum of the Wolf MC’s clubhouse.

I was tying the bag when a shadow moved behind me, too fast to react. A sharp prick stung my neck, and the world blurred. Hands grabbed me, dragging me into darkness.

Days bled together in a haze. I was in and out, my body heavy, my mind trapped in fog. Pain came in waves, I feel the pain I knew they were raping me they left my face alone its like I was in and out but could never wake up enough to know who is here. There were points where I knew I recognized there voice but I don't know from where.

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