Page 7 of Shadow

A motel sounded like a much better alternative, offering a sense of safety and freedom that had eluded her for so long. It would make Camilla feel less like a prisoner, and for that she was grateful.

As they arrived at the Lemon Lime Motel, the bikers efficiently made arrangements and paid for the rooms. Shadow remained by Camilla’s side, which she didn’t mind one bit. She couldn’t help but wonder if she had developed some sort of savior complex when it came to Shadow.

Scrubbing her face tiredly, Camilla resolved that what she needed most was a long shower and a good night’s sleep to clear her mind.

Shadow received a motel key for a room on the first floor from one of his MC brothers.

“Let me escort you to your room,” he offered gently.

Too weary to argue, Camilla simply nodded in agreement. As they entered the room, she observed that it was worn-down but clean. The sight of the bed made her envious. It felt like ages since she had last slept in a proper bed.

“Shadow, what’s going to happen next?” Camilla couldn’t help but ask.

“Well, I was going to ride into town, maybe drop off some dinner at your doorstep before heading back to the clubhouse,” he replied.

Sensing her unspoken question, he nodded in understanding.

“Once you and the others are settled in, we’ll work on contacting your loved ones and friends. Are you up for that task now?” he asked, glancing at the hotel phone.

Camilla shivered at the thought of facing her brother again. Would he even bother looking for her? Or had he already written her off as dead?

She had left the house that day after a terrible argument with Fernando. He had wanted to marry her off to a rival drug lord, and she had vehemently refused, standing her ground despite the consequences.

Realizing Shadow was waiting for a response, Camilla shook her head. “Not today,” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. “Tomorrow maybe. Today still doesn’t even feel real.”

“I understand,” Shadow said. “You must be tired. I’ll let you settle down. I’ll still be making a food run, for you and the other women. I’ll leave the food on the steps, you don’t have to answer the door.”

“Okay,” Camilla replied, her exhaustion weighing heavily upon her.

Despite the temptation to collapse onto the bed, she knew she needed to feel clean first, to wash away the remnants of her captivity.

As Shadow turned and walked toward the door, Camilla called out to him.

“Shadow … thank you, for everything,” she said.

“Everything’s going to be better from this point on,” he told her.

With that, he exited the room, leaving Camilla alone with her thoughts.

“I’m not sure about that,” Camilla whispered to herself, dreading the call to her brother. With a weary sigh, she dragged her tired body to the bathroom.

Camilla stood under the cascading water, the sound of the rushing stream drowning out the mess in her mind. She scrubbed furiously at her skin, trying to rid herself of the lingering dirt and grime on her body. For a moment, she didn’t think she could ever feel clean again.

The rumble of a motorcycle engine outside snapped her out of her reverie, and she froze, her heart pounding in her chest.

“It’s just Shadow,” she murmured to herself, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

Camilla finally turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in one of the plush robes provided by the motel. She dumped the rags she wore in the trash.

As she emerged from the bathroom, a knock sounded at her door, sending a jolt of anticipation through her veins. With a mix of nervousness and excitement, she peered through the peephole before opening the door.

“Hey,” Shadow greeted her, his grin lighting up his face.

He looked at her flushed cheeks to the rest of her body and back again, and she felt a rush of warmth at the intensity of his gaze. Nice to know he seemed attracted to her … and didn’t look at her like a victim.

“I got you some burger and fries,” Shadow said, holding up a takeout bag in his hand.

Camilla’s stomach grumbled in response, and she couldn’t help but let out a groan.

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