Page 47 of Hell & Back

He tapped his lower lip, his eyes narrowing as if in deep thought. “I don’t understand why I continue to allow you to see your nephew. This arrangement was supposed to have some give and take in it. So far, all I’m doing is giving and you’re not returning the favor.”

Her heart sped up at the thought of not seeing Oliver again. Crockett was always threatening to keep him from her and being the president of a motorcycle club, she imagined he had all kinds of ways of making that happen. What would she do if he didn’t allow her to see her sweet, sweet nephew?

As she waited for him to finally spit out what he’d more than likely been plotting for sometime, she silently prayed. Please, please don’t say she had to become one of their club whores. She could do almost anything, but not that. Just the thought of whoring herself out to those filthy disgusting men he called brothers would break her. But then again, who was she trying to kid? She would even do that if it kept her close to Oliver.

He pushed himself away from the door. “I know what you can do. You can take this pill.”

“What?” What pill was he talking about? RIP’s hand came into her line of sight, a tiny white pill on his open palm. “I’m not taking that pill. I don’t even know what it is.”

“It doesn’t matter what you want anymore.” Crockett took a threatening step closer to her. “It’s like this. You will take this pill or I will give it to Oliver. Which is it going to be?”

Well, shit. She had no choice. Her mouth formed a thin line as she glared at Crockett. She’d like to say he was bluffing, but honestly didn’t know. Unable to take the chance, she reached out with a shaking hand, and picked it up. “I need water.”

Crockett tipped his head toward the bathroom. “RIP, take her in there and make sure she takes the pill and doesn’t flush it.”

Feeling like each step she took closer to the sink was a step closer to losing all control, she mentally freaked out. What would this pill do to her? What if she overdosed? What would happen to Oliver? Who would take care of him? Would Nickle and his old lady get to keep him? They seemed to genuinely care for him but if Crockett forced them to give him up, what could they do? Would they stand up to him? Run away with Oliver?

Shit. Shit. Shit. This was so messed up. Why was it necessary for her to take the damn pill?

RIP motioned for her to get on with it, apparently not appreciating the time she was taking to have a mini breakdown. She turned the water on and dipped her head under the faucet to get a drink. She stood with a mouthful of water, tipped her head back and dropped the pill into her mouth. She swallowed and felt any hope she may have had that she could get out of this disappear.

“Open up. Lift your tongue.” RIP motioned with his finger.

She resented being treated like a child but did what he said, lifting her tongue to prove she’d taken it. How long until she felt the effects? She had no idea what to expect. Her heart racedin anticipation which probably only served to speed the drug through her system even faster. She told herself to calm down, but that only made things worse.

“Come on. Time to go.” He gripped her by the upper arm and steered her toward the living room where everyone else had gathered, including Oliver. God, her precious Oliver. She wanted to cry at all the unfairness of everything going on.

Evidence of the butterscotch pudding he’d eaten was ringed around his mouth. She giggled. What the hell? “Um, Oliver, honey, you need to wipe your mouth. You’ve got pudding all around it.” She slapped a hand over her mouth when another giggle slipped free.

Oliver looked at her funny, like even he could tell there was something wrong with her.

“Uh, come on, Oliver,” Nickle turned him toward the kitchen. “Let’s get your mouth wiped off.”

“Keep it together in front of the kid,” RIP leaned down and whispered in her ear from behind, causing her to jump. His hands settled on her upper arms, keeping her steady. Damn it. Something was definitely fucked up. She wasn’t even protesting his hands on her. Was this that new drug Jed was telling her about? EZ Lay? Oh shit! What if it was? Would she have sex with RIP even though she’d rather die than let him touch her?

She shook her head as a wave of fogginess filled her head.

“Time to go,” Crockett announced, leading the way outside.

“Are we going to the clubhouse so I can spend time with Aunt Sadie?” Oliver looked up at Nickle.

“Um, I’m not sure.” He pushed him out the door.

RIP herded her out the door before she could decide on whether or not she needed to grab her purse. Did she needed her car keys? Did someone lock her front door? Did RIP really shoot a rat? Was Jed dead? She hoped not. She kind of liked him despite the fact he was being a complete dick to her.

She’d thought about the lap dance she’d given him that turned into a little more than either had expected and let herself wonder what it would be like to be with a man like him. Because of her brother’s lifestyle choice and her exposure to the MC he was a part of, she’d vowed to herself that she’d never be with a biker. Then she’d met Jed and couldn’t help but wonder if things could be different with him. That fantasy was completely ruined when he showed up today and was a total dick.

RIP opened the front passenger door of Nickle’s car and waved her in. While he was situating her seatbelt around her, Nickle was securing Oliver in a booster seat in the back.

Out the front window she could see Crockett and RIP mount their bikes. Nickle started his car and pulled out behind them. From the route they were taking, it appeared they were heading to the clubhouse. Her cheeks heated as she felt a sudden wave of need roll over her. What the hell? Hoping to quell the intensity, she squeezed her legs shut. She ran a hand along her neck and asked, “Is it hot in here?”

Nickle frowned and shook his head, mumbling, “This isn’t right.”

“What?”

“This isn’t right and if you tell anyone I said that, we’ll both be in trouble.” Nickle took a left turn and sped up to catch up to Crockett and RIP.

“Trouble from who?” Why couldn’t she think clearly? Her hand skimmed past her neck, down her chest, brushing against her nipple. She sucked in a sharp breath and bit her lip.

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