Page 23 of Shadow and Skulls

“You don’t have a key?” Tank uses the toe of his boot to lift the sunflower welcome mat. Like my dad would leave a key in such an obvious place.

I bite my bottom lip to keep myself from crying out in frustration. “I must have left them …”

No matter how hard I try to control my emotions, my tears have a mind of their own. They fall silently down my cheeks.

He turns me around gently by the shoulder when I don’t finish my sentence. His green eyes soften when he notices I’m crying. “Hey, we’ll go back and get them.”

“I … I don’t want to go back there,” I say to his chest, unable to control the tremor in my voice.

He guides me over to the porch swing. “Stay here. Ash and I will be right back. No worries, okay?”

I offer him a tiny nod, sitting down. He removes his jacket and drapes it over my shoulders.

“I’m okay,” I argue, shifting forward to shrug it off.

“Take it,” he orders, backing away.

My gaze follows him to the truck. Ash and he have a brief discussion before they finally pull away.

Guilt gnaws at my gut that they have to go back to Matt’s for me.

I didn’t realize Jason and his friends were so … so disgusting. They’ve never acted that way around me before. It was the first time I truly felt unsafe since coming to live here. Tonight was so much worse than the way Jason coerced me the other night. This was … scary.

Ash was absolutely right; Iamlucky they followed me.

There’s no way I can go to school tomorrow. I’m not sure why the school hasn’t called my parents to report my absences, but I’m sure it has something to do with Tank. He said my principal used to be a stripper. I don’t know how he knows that … I shake my head to clear my thoughts. It doesn’t matter. I don’t care how he knows.

My fingers curl around the leather jacket keeping me warm. I inhale deeply, groaning out loud as his scent rolls over me. It takes me right back to the day he kissed me on the hood of my car. God, why does he have to smell so good?

I guess I’m glad he gave it to me. I would be freezing by now if he hadn’t. I’m always cold. I hug my legs to my chest and allow myself a moment to think about him. His dark hair and those green eyes. I’d be lying if I said he hadn’t caught my attention when he and his club arrived at the warehouse. It would have been impossible not to notice him. He stands out from the other bikers. He’s different. Maybe he is a spy.

Honestly, I didn’t give him much thought after the first time I saw him. He was trying to eat, and Charlotte was talking his ear off. For one, he’s older, and besides that I already know club men are off limits to me. My dad would never approve. But for some reason the universe keeps putting him in my orbit.Or he keeps putting himself there.

Nothing feels right anymore … everything is changing.

Mom says it will be better when I get to college next year. That once I’m back with the boys, everything will fall into place. My head drops to my knees. When the boys first left, that was all I wanted. But now … now I don’t know what I want.

The thought of leaving here makes my stomach tight with anxiety. Their college is hours away. I know eventually I’ll have to leave this place. It’s what you do. You graduate high school, and then go to college. After that you go out into the world and pursue your dream.

Whatismy dream?

I’ve only ever had one. And that was to have a family. I’ve got that now. I don’t need anything else.

I’m so wrapped up in my thoughts, I don’t notice Tank has returned. That is until his hand lands on the back of my head and he speaks.

“I’ve got your keys, sweetheart.”

“Oh.” I jump up, shrugging out of his jacket.How did I not hear the truck?My gaze bounces across the driveway. “Where’s Ash?”

Tank unlocks the front door, turning away from me. “He had some business to take care of. I’ve got my bike. It’s parked on the other side of the trees.” He points down the road.

He doesn’t want anyone to know he’s here.

He opens the door, holding it open for me. When I hesitate, he doesn’t flinch, just continues to stare down at me.Ash knows he’s here.I’m sure I’ll be safe with him. I take a step forward, but then I remember he was in my room.He stole my panties!

I begin to back away.

“Get inside, Kelsie.” He sighs, rubbing his hand over his eyes tiredly.

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