Page 51 of Cup of Lies

Someone takes LuLu’s empty seat and I glance over to see Koyn. They all call him Prez, but I think that’s a stupid name. I just avoid saying his name altogether.

“Hey,” I grunt out before taking a swallow of my now-warm beer.

Koyn passes me a new one and it’s ice-cold. “You know you don’t have to linger in the shadows, man. If we didn’t think we could trust you, you’d be decomposing in the woods right now.”

“Comforting.”

He chuffs out a small laugh before chugging nearly his whole bottle of beer in one long gulp. “Seriously, though. No one is going to gut you in your sleep. You can relax.”

“I’m sure Dragon is waiting for me to let my guard down.”

As if on cue, I notice the good-looking freak show staring at me from across the fire. Cove sits in the grass at his feet while Dragon strokes his hair.

“Nah, Dragon likes you.”

This time, I laugh. “Fuck off.”

“He’s the one who defended you.”

My eyebrows fly up. “What?”

“Once we learned about all this happening to you when you were like fifteen, something in him changed.” Koyn swallows the rest of his beer. “That man has been through some terrible shit. May not have been the mental raping you endured, but he was violated just the same.”

I’m starting to understand these bikers better. They’re dead-set against trafficking and sex crimes and any abuse of children whatsoever. Immediately, they saw LuLu as the victim she was. At first, I was the alleged perpetrator until they learned more about me and realized I’m not my father or the people he associates with.

“Wanted to give you a heads-up,” Koyn says, voice turning businesslike. “We’ve narrowed down some locations. Bermuda will pinpoint something concrete. After the girl has been reunited with her parents, we’ll be ready.”

“Ready for what?”

“War, Johnny. We’re going to war.”

Romy

“Mommy, wake up. Wake up, wake up, wake up.”

I crack my eyes open, smiling when I see Kaitlyn’s sweet face peering into mine. Her hair’s been pulled into pigtails and the blond whisps curl at the ends. It also means Seth has already been up and got her ready for the day.

“Good morning,” I rasp out. “Where’s Daddy?”

“He said you were tired because of the baby, so he’s making us pancakes.” She grins at me. “Wake up so we can eat, Mommy.”

The last thing I want to do is face that man this morning, but I know I have to.

“Why don’t you go see if he needs help?” I suggest. “I’ll get dressed and be there in two minutes.”

I pull her to me for a quick hug and kiss, then send her on her way, thankful that the handcuffs are gone. My entire backside aches and burns from bruises and welts from the belt lashing Seth gave me last night. There’s no need for Kaitlyn to see what he did. The last thing I need is for her to be afraid of him and somehow put the spotlight on her. If I can keep his attention on me, everything will be okay. I just have to make it to tomorrow.

I’m desperate to soak under the hot spray of the shower, but I know Seth won’t like me dragging. I need to get quickly cleaned up, dressed, and in there to assess where we stand.

After a speedy washcloth bath, I turn and catch a glimpse of my bruising in the mirror. It looks horrible. That man is a monster.

Tears flood my eyes, but I blink them back. I hate how my emotions are so out of control with pregnancy. It feels like it’s obvious when my mood changes. Not good when you’re wanting to pretend everything is perfect to convince a psychopath.

I escape the bathroom to dress and pull on some comfy leggings and a T-shirt. I’m suddenly aware all my shoes are now missing.

He thinks I’ll run away and is making it more difficult.

Dread consumes me. It takes every effort I can muster to force myself out of the bedroom and across the house to the kitchen. Kaitlyn’s joyous chatter fills the kitchen as Seth dutifully asks all the right questions. An outsider would think he’s an attentive father.

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