Page 81 of Taken By the Biker Daddies

Why did I come here? A voice in my head told me that Clyde could not be trusted, that he would just hurt me again, but I decided to take the risk and make a deal with Clyde just the same, thinking I could protect Jake, Wade, and Max. I should have known there was nothing I could do for them. I’d always been weak, stupid, and helpless. What made me think I could be some kind of hero?

I was just a fool, and thanks to my stupidity, the three men I loved were in even greater danger. I had dragged them into this whole mess, and now, I would likely get them killed.

Just the thought of losing them made my chest feel like it was being shattered into pieces. If they hadn’t met me, they would have been able to get on with their lives in peace. Jake would go on happily leading Black Storm, doing tattoos and occasionally tinkering with bikes in his garage. Max would finally step up to the plate as CEO and become one of the world’s youngest, most successful businessmen. Wade would find the peace he’d always wanted. I could very well take that away from them all because I foolishly thought I could keep them safe.

In the end, they had given me everything, but there was nothing I could give them.

As despair weighed heavily on my mind, my tear-filled gaze went to the paperweight on the desk. If I could break it in half, I’d have something sharp to cut myself with, and I suddenly felt like I wanted to. There was no point in living if Max, Wade, and Jake were gone, just like my parents. Besides, death was better than living as Clyde’s prisoner, his slave, his toy.

I walked to the desk and picked up the paperweight, but as I was about to smash it, I caught a reflection of my pendant in the glass, then a memory flooded into my mind—a memory of my mother explaining to me that butterflies were a symbol of hope, something she told me never to lose.

I put the paperweight down and wrapped my fingers around my pendant, clutching it like it was the most precious thing I owned. And it was precious. It was a gift from my parents, a lasting reminder of their love. It had gotten me through so manytimes when I was so nervous I didn’t know what to say or do, giving me just the right dose of courage I needed, and right now, it was making me remember wonderful things. Magical memories from childhood. Time spent with my parents. Meeting Jake, Max, and Wade. The first time I had sex with each of them, and that amazing night all four of us shared. The sound of their laughter. The tenderness in their touches. The passion in their kisses. The love in their eyes. I couldn’t just throw those memories away.

Then there was the future, the chance that I could be carrying Jake, Wade, or Max’s child. I didn’t know who the father was, of course. I didn’t even know if I was pregnant for sure. I hadn’t had the opportunity to get a test yet, but the mere possibility of being pregnant was enough for me to keep holding on. Yes, right now, things were bleak, but there was still hope that things could get better, that something wonderful was waiting on the other side of this catastrophe.

I closed my eyes, feeling that hope swell in my chest. My lips curved into a smile as I thought of Max, Jake, and Wade. If they could see me now, they would tell me not to give up because they would never give up on me.

And I didn’t want to.

I went to the bathroom to wash my face. When I looked in the mirror after, the eyes that stared back into mine glimmered with determination.

What was that Clyde had said? That I was a little spicy now? He had no idea just how much stronger I’d become.

I squared my shoulders and grinned at my reflection as the wheels in my head started to turn, concocting a plan.

This fight wasn’t over yet. In fact, it was just beginning.

When a maid came to my room in the morning to deliver breakfast, I put on my best behavior, treating her nicely and trying to get as much information as I could out of her without making her feel alarmed, then after she’d left and I’d eaten to regain some strength, I threw the glass of water on the floor and let out a cry, knowing it would catch the attention of the guard standing outside my door. After he barged in, I used one of the moves Wade taught me to knock him unconscious, then I slipped out of the room.

I could head straight to the front door, but I knew it would be guarded, so I decided to create a distraction first. I went to the frog room, having confirmed it still existed from the maid, and remembering where it was from the last time I was here. I opened the door and scooped up some frogs into a pillowcase I had taken from my room, then I scattered them out in the hall. I brought just one with me as I quickly, but stealthily, made my way to the front door, putting it down on the floor near the guard.

When the frog croaked, the guard immediately turned around, and I nearly laughed as such a big guy nearly had a fright upon seeing the slimy, spotted creature.

“What the hell?” he muttered.

Upstairs, someone screamed, “Frogs!”

As I heard all hell break loose upstairs, I grinned.Well, Clyde, how do you like my idea of payback?

In the midst of all the chaos, I found the chance to slip out of the house, hopping on a bike that was in the garage. Remembering what Jake taught me, I twisted the throttle, kicked the bike into second gear, and sped off, hoping that by the time anyone realized I was gone, I’d be far enough away, or at least, I’d have reached the diner the maid mentioned as the closest place to the house. Then, I could make a phone call and let Jake know I was safe.

I’m on my way home, Jake, Wade, Max. Please be okay.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jake

“Lauren’s okay,” I told Max and Wade after hanging up, letting out a breath of relief.

Ever since Max said she was missing, I hadn’t been able to stop worrying about her. I was barely able to get a wink of sleep last night. I was afraid if I closed my eyes, I would see that bastard Clyde doing things to hurt her, things I promised myself I would never let him do.

I was just failing people left and right, wasn’t I?

At least, Lauren was safe. For now.

“Where is she?” Wade asked.

As far as I knew, he hadn’t slept as well, even though he should be resting. He was supposed to still be in the hospital, in fact, but as soon as he heard the news about Lauren, he insisted on getting discharged and coming back to the Shelton mansion with me, both of us making the trip after I’d spoken to Black Storm to let them know about Clyde. It was a shorter meeting than I had wanted, but I’d just have to talk to them some more later. For now, making sure Lauren was safe was the most important thing.

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