Page 33 of Broken Skulls

Elizabeth lets out another little sob.

“Shh,” I comfort her, running my hand over her back. “It’s okay.”

Tank folds his arms across his chest. “Is what Jesse saying true?”

“There’s no lock on the door. She was never locked in. Jesus Christ, get off my dick.”

Elizabeth’s breath catches, and she stills in my arms.

Jackson and Elijah both head inside to see if what I’m saying is the truth, Jesse hot on their heels.

Lily looks at me sadly.

“I took the lock off when I brought her here,” I say, doing my best to ease my friend’s worries.

Elizabeth slowly lifts her head to look me in the eye.

We’re still staring at each other when the trio returns from inside.

“He’s not lying. There’s no lock,” Jackson tells the club.

“I don’t understand,” she whispers. “I thought …”

“You never tried to get out,” I explain to her.

Her brows pull together as she thinks about her stay in my basement. She slowly looks around the group, her gaze landing on Tank. “I want to go back to my room now,” she says quietly.

I sigh loudly because I know the club isn’t going to allow that to happen. Not until they understand why I have a room like that in my basement and why I brought her here.

“Maybe you could stay with Kelsie and Tank for a little while. Just until I have time to explain everything,” I encourage.

Her fingers curl into my t-shirt in a death grip, and I’m not going to fucking lie … I like it.

“No,” Tank says, holding his hands up. “I’m not disrespecting Kelsie that way.”

Dan grunts in agreement. “She can stay with us.”

Lily steps forward. “Yes, why don’t you stay with us? Just until we figure this all out.”

“She’s staying with Willow and me,” Jackson orders, crossing his arms over his chest.

Elizabeth starts shaking her head back and forth, tugging me with her toward the house. “No.”

“Help her pack her things while I run home and get my truck and my wife.” Jackson says, ignoring her pleas. He brings his fingers to his mouth and whistles, signaling everyone to head out.

Jesse grabs his arm. “I’m not leaving until I know this woman is safe.”

“Fine. You and my sister can stay, but be nice.”

She huffs, whipping her hair as she turns, storming inside my house. Lily follows her.

Everyone else gets on their bikes and begins to pull out of the driveway.

“I want to go back to my room.”

My gaze bounces over her frightened face. She’s so different than everyone had described in all the reports and news articles. Everyone painted her as crazy … terrible … someone who loved a monster. They all painted a picture of her that wasn’t true.

No one ever came even remotely close to getting it right.

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