Page 14 of Angel

Will they ever go away?

I slink back down and clench the comforter to me, while the cold sweat tickles my face and a tear slips free. It always feels so real. I hate that it always feels so real. As if I wasn’t punished enough growing up, I have to relive everything in my sleep. His words have been replaying in my mind since the day they left his mouth. I can’t escape him, or them, no matter how hard I’ve tried. They haunt me and always will. I’ve wanted to prove him wrong, show him that I am something. But I’ve done nothing but prove just how right he is. You thought I was a whore of a daughter, well, just look at me now. Guess you were right.

I try to fall back asleep, but it’s nearly impossible. My room is cold, empty, and lonely. Even with the bareness of the walls, the enclosed space still suffocates me, boxing in the terror.

I lie there, staring out my window, waiting and watching the sunrise. It’s beautiful, the way it shows itself every morning and falls each night. No matter what, the days keep going, forcing us along with them.

The adrenaline of today lets me forget about my exhaustion and the lack of sleep from the night before. The clubhouse is quiet. The air is tense, silent. We all exchange looks of worry. We know letting Venom go is a test of morality. One that doesn’t want to be played by anyone here. Most of us would love to see him buried for his sins. But unfortunately, we have a person of interest to find.

Chain walks in and heads straight for me, not taking his eyes off mine. He only stops when my body won’t let him go any farther. The smell of his masculine bodywash fills the space around us. Spice and rain. He’s telling me not to do it. Not to go. His silence says it all, without words, though they’re soon to follow. “You don’t have to do this. You proved to me you could roll with the big guys. I get it—point taken. Now, tell me you want out, Angel. Fucking tell me, beg me not to send you in there.” There’s desperation in his voice. But I will not bow down.

“Relax. I’ve got this.” I smile, clocking him with a playful fist, which hurts more than I thought it would against his strong arm.

He sighs. “All right, fine. Let’s do this then.” Chain leads the way with Bullet at his side… followed by me, Tank, Hush, Throttle, and Charger.

My heart races.

We all march like soldiers, out the back door and into the pit. Our boots pound with every step; our chains rattle and clink with every beat.

They’re all such strong men, but women can be powerful too. I can be powerful. Just wait and see.

FIVE

Venom

Flick. Flick. Flick.

My chest is tight, heavy. It’s getting harder to fucking breathe, and with each ticking second, it gets worse. I need to get out of here before I lose my damn mind.

Fatigue is setting in. My joints ache, my muscles are begging to be challenged, and there’s only so many more times that leaky pipe is going to save my sanity. And I swear to God, this chain is making my brain spin. The PTSD is worse than I thought, but this is the first time I am reminded of my past in such a way. I’m actually reliving it.

Deep thumps—lots of them—thud from above. Now on the stairs. And light from the open door casts down like the stairway to heaven. Maybe this is it. My last breath here on Earth. I should have repented for all my sins. Then again, it probably wouldn’t have mattered. I’ll just take my chances.

I raise my head, looking into the eyes of each of the members standing before me. All the Steel Valley Chains. They tower above my almost-lifeless body still on the ground, as I lean against the cold stone wall. They all despise me. It’s written all over their faces. I can see it in their eyes.

What would it have been like if I joined a club like the Steel Valley Chains, instead of the Skulls? I try to picture if my life would be any different. If I’d end up with a woman like Jules… A woman who I might have actually deserved.

I scan each of them, one by one, their hateful stares setting me ablaze. At the end of the line, I lock eyes with Angel. I don’t know why, but hers—her sheer disdain—it cuts me deeper than the rest. Maybe it’s because I have this sick fascination with wondering what her mouth tastes like, or what her lips feel like. She looks sensual, standing there with her tight-ass jeans and leather. She hates the fact that I’m staring at her like I want to rip her clothes off. But, oh, baby girl, I do. That pretty little cunt of yours is mine.

Jesus, being down here must have really made me lose my fucking goddamn mind.

Her cold expression causes my heart to beat a little faster. I love the way she loathes me. I want to feed off it. Feed off her hatred.

Good. She should despise every part of me. But even with that chilled, dark stare, she seems to burn with curiosity.

I’ll take the hint—for now.

Their President is a mean-looking dude, and he’s also a wall standing directly in front of me. I’ve heard stories about him, the man they call Chain. The difference between him and Scorpion? One flies with white wings and the other with black.

Is he going to say anything, or are we just going to stare at each other all day?

“The suspense is killing me.” I smirk.

He doesn’t take his bitter eyes off mine as he crouches down, returning the same one-sided grin I gave him seconds ago. “As much as we would love to gut you right here and now, we decided on something else.” Guess I’m not entering the pits of hell today. “What are the chances that your piece of shit President is still in communication with your club? And keep in mind, failure to cooperate will lead to my fist in your jaw.”

He’s serious. It’s fine. I can take a blow to the face. But it really doesn’t feel like a good time to prove it.

I shrug. “I’d say the odds are pretty good.” The only sound is the bottom of my boot scraping along the ground as I raise a knee, resting an elbow on it. “He’s not one to go rogue, without needing a fix of his little power trip.”

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