Page 13 of Emily's Essence

“Your swelling has gone down.” He didn’t mention she was still mottled with bruises. “We’ll be at the place I’m taking you tomorrow.”

“Can you tell me a bit about it?”

“It’s an MC club. They’re friends of ours. There are several women like you living there.”

“Like me?”

“Yes. Sweet and normal.”

“How long do I have to stay there?”

“If you like it, forever.”

“They won’t care?” Emily asked.

“No. You’ll have to help the women in the kitchen, but they seem to enjoy working together.”

“What if they don’t like me?”

“I guarantee they will.”

“Are you going to stay there, too?”

“The man and I are discussing our options right now.”

“Oh. I’ll be able to leave whenever I want, right?”

“Yes, but it would be a stupid move. You’re safer with them than anywhere else.”

He studied her when she looked away. He couldn’t make the woman stay. There wasn’t much he could do about it, especially if he wasn’t there.

“Why were you running?” he asked.

“I wasn’t happy where I lived.”

“Tell me the truth,” Hawk said.

Emily sighed. “That is the truth. I lived with my father. He’s an alcoholic and abusive. I worked two jobs so he could sit home and drink all day. I was tired. So, I left.”

“Did he know you were leaving?”

She shook her head. “No, I packed a bag, threw it out my bedroom window, and left for work. I grabbed the bag before I left the yard. I really didn’t have to work because I had already quit both places. I wanted a head start just in case he tried to come after me.” She touched her hair. “I even dyed my hair as an extra precaution. He wouldn’t be looking for a brunette.”

“If you’re an adult, there’s nothing he can do.”

She nodded. “I know. I just don’t want to deal with his bullshit. I’ve been saving up money for the last year, so I knew I had time to find a place to live.”

“You planned ahead?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Let’s see how you like the club I’m taking you to.”

“I will.”

“Good. Go to sleep.”

She rolled over. He heard her breathing even out and deepen.

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