Page 11 of Spider

“Are you okay?” I ask softly.

Spider doesn’t answer. He just stands and faces me, his eyes searing through mine. He walks towards me, like a predator hunting their prey. I stumble back until my back hits the wall. He slams the door shut before he pins his body to mine, caging me in against the wall. My heart races so fast in my chest, it feels like it’s about to explode.

“Why are you here?” he asks, his voice low and threatening.

“I told you. I’m looking for Nash,” I answer, my voice shaking.

His eyes assess me as he leans in, his cheek brushing against mine. He inhales, breathing in my scent. “Liar,” he growls.

“I’m not lying!” I snap, feeling the last fleeting bit of bravery I have. I shove at his chest and he stumbles back briefly, butbefore I can move away from him, his hand is around my throat, pinning me back against the wall.

“I know you’re lying,” he grits through his teeth.

“How? I don’t even know you,” I retort.

“Because your family is fucking dead,” he seethes.

I squint my eyes, assessing him. “How do you know that?” I ask. His jaw is gripped tight, his eyes burning into mine. I panic. Does he know? Does he work for him? Is he an associate of his? Did Acid search for me and find out? But if he did that, then he would have come for me. He wouldn’t have left me there. Would he?

“Fuck!” he roars before stepping back, gripping his hair tight through his hands.

I don’t move. Watching him, I can see him fighting some inner torment. “How do you know?” I repeat.

His cold pained gaze lands on mine. “I just know,” he states.

I step away from the wall. “My family are dead, but I’m not,” I clarify.

He shakes his head. “Until there is proof, I don’t believe a fucking thing you say,” he spits angrily.

I push my shoulders back. I’ve fought worse than Spider before. I need to stay here. I need their protection. I am not about to be bullied out of here. I have fought this hard to stay alive. I’m not about to give up now. I push my fear and panic down to the pit of my stomach and walk towards him. Stopping just in front of him, I square my shoulders.

“You can choose not to believe me, but know this. I have fought all my life to survive. I’m still fighting now. I won’t back down easily, so you can keep trying to bully me around, but from this moment on, I won’t be such a pushover. I’ve tried to be nice, and I’ve tried to understand where you are coming from, but no more. You know that all my family have died. How is that? Maybe it’s not me hiding the truth, but you,” I challenge. Hisjaw is clenched so tight I’m surprised it hasn’t snapped. Looking down, his hands are clenched into tight fists. “You going to hit me? Do it. I dare you,” I goad. Truthfully, I want to run. I want to cry and scream and run for the hills, but that’s the problem when you have nowhere else to go. It makes you fight for your survival. Standing up to Spider now, this is me fighting for my survival.

Spider takes a step forward, and I take a step back. His eyes are fixed on mine, but he doesn’t say anything. He just continues to step forward, forcing me to continuously step back, until he again has me pinned back against the wall.

“So, you’re alone. No family, no one to look out for you, no one to turn to when in trouble. Because that’s what you do when you need help. You turn to family,” he states. I try to keep my face expressionless, but he just smirks. “So, what kind of trouble are you in? What trouble are you bringing to my club?” he presses. He leans in, his lips lightly brushing my earlobe. “I bet I could find ways to make you tell me.”

I swallow, my mouth becoming dry. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. Opening my eyes, I meet his stare. “So, let’s see who cracks first,” I suggest. He pulls his head back slightly, his breath tickling my lips, his eyes searching mine. “I want to know how you knew about my family,” I state. “Whoever breaks first confesses all,” I challenge.

His gaze alights as he glides his tongue teasingly along his bottom lip. “Who would have thought this kitten has claws?” He leans in closer, our lips millimetres apart, our breaths mingling. “It’s game on, sweetheart,” he says smiling, before quickly stepping back. He opens the door and walks out, leaving me reeling.

“Maybe we shouldn’t follow them,”Josie sighs next to me in the truck.

Maggie spins around from the front passenger seat. “I’ve been dying to know where they go. They won’t speak of it in front us, but they always exchange looks. It’s like they have a stupid code.” She huffs.

“What if Josie is right? I mean, we could be encroaching on their bonking time,” Dixie adds.

I raise my brow and look at her. “She means bonding. It happens, you’ll get used to it,” Star says from the driver’s seat, wearing a pair of night vision goggles.

“Um, do you think it’s safe to be driving at night with no lights on?” I point out.

“Of course, I have night vision,” Star says, like I’m the silly one for asking the question.

“Hold up, hold up. They’re turning into the old tyre factory,” Maggie states, pointing ahead.

“Why? That closed down months ago,” Josie states as Star follows them.

“There are lots of people here,” I point out. Star pulls the truck over and parks it out of sight. We sit and watch them all get off their bikes and walk inside.

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