Page 14 of Cheshire

“Can you walk?” Cheshire asked. “I realize you’ve made it this far, but… no offense, you don’t seem too steady right now.”

Why was he being so nice to me? I gave him a nod. “I can make it.”

He held out his hand, and I hesitantly took it. Cheshire led me over to the bikes, and my heart pounded with a mix of fear and hope, each beat a reminder of the risk I was taking. But in that moment, it was a risk I was willing to take.

“All right, then,” Hatter said, breaking the silence. He gestured toward an empty bike next to him. “Hop on.”

“Are… are you sure?” I asked, glancing nervously at the imposing machine.

“Positive,” he replied, his voice steady and reassuring.

Cheshire came closer, and without sparing me a glance, threw his leg over the machine and settled on the seat. With a shaky breath, I lifted my leg over the bike, settling down onto the worn leather seat behind him. I gripped the sides of his leather vest, worried I might fall. He tensed but didn’t say or do anything. I had to admit, I was glad he was the one I’d be riding with.

He started the bike and the motorcycle’s powerful engine rumbled between my thighs, sending tremors through my body.

“Ready?” Hatter asked, his hand on the throttle. I looked into his eyes, finding a strange sense of comfort in their depths.

“Y-yeah,” I stammered, gripping Cheshire tightly. “Let’s go.”

“Good,” Hatter said with a nod. “Whatever you do, don’t let go.”

“I’ve got her, Pres,” Cheshire said. I felt the light touch of his hand against mine. For some reason, I found that small gesture reassuring. What was it about him that made me feel like everything would be fine?

Hatter pulled off first, and Cheshire fell in behind him, pulling up next to him after we were a block away. The world seemed to blur together as we sped down the road, the wind whipping through my hair and tearing at my clothes. For a moment, I felt free -- free from the pain, free from the fear.

But as the road stretched on before us, I couldn’t help but wonder what lay ahead. I had placed my trust in these men, in the Underland MC, but would it be enough? Or was I simply trading one hell for another?

“Eliza,” Hatter shouted over the roar of the engines, snapping me back to reality. “Don’t look back.”

“Why? Is he behind us?” I asked, my heart pounding.

Cheshire patted my leg. “Everything’s fine, Eliza. He means to look ahead and forget your past. Your dad can’t hurt you now.”

And so, I didn’t. I looked forward, into the darkness, and let the night swallow me whole.

* * *

By the time we reached the clubhouse, my adrenaline had worn off. Fatigue pulled at me, and every part of my body ached. Riding on a motorcycle probably hadn’t been the best idea considering how battered and bruised I was. Cheshire helped me off the bike and my knees balked. He put his arms around my waist and led me into the clubhouse. A few people were inside and they stopped to stare. They probably wondered why he’d brought home a stray.

“Take a seat for a minute,” Cheshire said, guiding me over to a couch.

I sank onto the cushions and nearly groaned from how much I hurt. Someone brought over a bottle of water and handed it to me. I accepted and stared at it for a moment.

“It’s safe,” Cheshire said. He took it from me and cracked the seal, then tipped his head back and poured a little into his mouth without letting it touch his lips. “See, no drugs in it.”

My cheeks warmed. “I wasn’t thinking that.”

He smirked. “Liar. But it’s understandable.”

Hatter came over and clapped Cheshire on the back. “Watch over her. I’ll get someone to make sure the empty bedroom has clean sheets and towels. I’m sure she’d like to lie down and rest.”

He was right. That sounded like heaven. “Thank you. Are you sure it’s not too much trouble? I honestly didn’t think much further than getting away from my dad. Where I’d stay, how I’d pay for things… I never really sorted it all out.”

Cheshire hunkered down in front of me, taking my hand. “You don’t have to worry about all that. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want. And there’s no charge for anything you need or use.”

It seemed almost too good to be true, but I gave him a nod before swallowing some of the water. Hatter walked off, leaving me alone with Cheshire, and the stares of two people over by the bar. I wasn’t sure who everyone was, but it didn’t matter right now. Even if they told me, I wouldn’t remember. My brain felt all fuzzy. Too much had happened today.

Hatter returned a short while later. “All set. I’ll let Cheshire show you where to go.”

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