Page 9 of Chains

I tried to play it off as nothing. But by the look on Lexie’s face, tells me she wasn’t buying it.

“What the fuck’s going on in your home life that you have your husband’s work colleagues following you wherever you go?” she demands. But I felt paralyzed. Scared shitless now at what awaited me when I got home.

I silently retrieve my phone from my purse, choosing not to answer her as I type a quick message. Anger boiling inside me, he would do such a thing.

Me: You had me followed?

I wouldn’t call Caleb with Lexie in front of me as a witness.

I made the foolish mistake of ignoring his calls and texts. Wanting just one day of freedom from him, but he wouldn’t even let me have that.

“What the fuck was that all about? And don’t try lying to me, Zoe, I saw their badges.”

Lexie growls, looking to me for answers. But I didn’t have any. I had no idea Caleb had me followed. But it didn’t surprise me, since it wasn't the first time something suspect like this had happened.

It was my fault for not expecting it. He’d bugged my phone without my knowledge and followed me to a job site which was for the Devil’s Carnage MC. He’d admitted in front of Chains that he’d bugged my phone. The asshat had no shame. But that was well over a year ago, I thought we’d gotten past all that shit?

I ignored Lexie’s questions as my phone buzzed. And I felt my knees almost give out when I saw his reply.

Caleb: Did you think I was going to trust you on your own? Get the fuck home. Now!!!

I school my features into what I hope is one of nonchalance. There’s no way I’m dragging my best friend, and by extension the club, into my mess. I shrug as if it’s no big deal.

“He’s just worried for my safety,” I reply as calmly as I can muster; as if having your wife followed everywhere she goes is the norm.

“That’s not creepy at all.” Lexie mutters. “And I thought you said he’s working late tonight?”

“He is.” I don’t mention the text where he tells me in no uncertain terms to come home.

“Has he ever hurt you?” Lexie leans in, lowering her voice, even though through the noise of the club no one could hear her, anyway.

I look down, unable to lie to my friend and look her dead in the eyes.

“That fucker,” she spits. “You know the club could take care of him, don’t you? Want me to tell Kick? Better yet, Chains?”

“No!” I reply a little too harshly. Rationally, I know they’d be able to help me extricate myself from Caleb. But I haven’t been thinking rationally for a long time now. Coupled with that, he has reach everywhere. I don’t want anything to happen to them because of me.

He’s not only threatened the club, he’s threatened my father. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything happened to any of them.

Lexie looked like she wanted to argue with me, but she reluctantly drops the subject, the relief I feel is palpable.

“Come on, I’ll take you home. But you have my number if you need me for anything.” I smile and hug her.

“Yes, I’ll use it if I need it.” I tell her, ignoring the way her face falls at my words, because I have no intention of calling her.

But, at that moment, I wasn’t aware just how prophetic my words would become.

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CHAPTER FIVE

Zoe

I stood on the verge, watching Lexie leave with a sense of foreboding, and wishing I could call her back so that she could take me back to the clubhouse with her. Complete darkness shrouded the house, with not even a flicker from the porch light. Though I had turned it on when I left.

Taking a deep breath, I quickly unclip the necklace I’m wearing around my neck. It’s a silver ring I keep on a chain with an onyx background and a big silver B engraved on it. Chains had given it to me before everything imploded between us, as a promise ring. I don’t know why I still wear it, but I like knowing it’s there against my heart. But when Caleb is around, I keep it in my jewelry box in a false bottom I had created.

I force my legs to move one after the other towards the front door. Ignoring my shaking hands as I spent a few minutes trying to unlock it, I slowly walked inside, bracing myself for what was about to happen.

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