Page 13 of Big Red

Something happens in that moment. We get locked in each other’s eyes, and I notice a few flicks of gold in those hazel eyes. I also take in his smell—wood and leather. He pushes the fallen strands of hair from my face and tucks it behind my ear.

The sound of the other door opening has him jumping away from me as if he had just been burned. I feel cold instantly. I miss the warmth and safety of his arms.

I need to get myself together. Now is not the time to develop a crush.

Red straps me in and closes the door before racing off to his bike. I watch him until he mounts the bike and starts it. When I turn away from the window, Cara and Sara are both watching me with smirks.

I duck my head to hide the blush I’m sure is coating my cheeks.

Sara giggles, and Cara pulls out of the driveway. I have no clue where they’re taking me, but anywhere would be better than being stuck with Declan. They ask me to explain what happened, and by the time I’m finished, we’re pulling up to the clubhouse.

Everyone in town knows of the Warrior Clubhouse. All the guys want to party there, and all the women want to claim a Warrior.

I remember in high school, girls would try to get fake IDs to get in. None of them ever succeeded, though.

I’m snapped out of my thoughts when Red opens my door, unclicks my seatbelt, and lifts me in his arms again.

You can blame it on the raging headache for what I do next, but I couldn’t stop myself from tucking my face in his neck. I hear his sharp intake of breath before his grip tightens slightly.

“Doc, she needs to be checked out,” Red says.

“Alice?” I hear a familiar voice ask.

“Dr. Crawford?” I know my eyes are the size of saucers. The last time I had seen him, Declan had beaten me badly. I ended up in the emergency room.

“You two know each other?” Red asks.

I stare up at Red and notice the glare he’s giving Dr. Crawford. My brows scrunch in confusion, but still, I say, “Yes, I met him a while back when Declan beat me, and I had to go to the emergency room.”

Red stiffens and his lips flatten. He follows the doctor down a hall and into a room that’s set up with medical equipment. Red lays me down in the bed and takes a step back. He looks as if he doesn’t want to leave me but is torn.

Cara and Sara walk into the room, and it’s as if the decision has been made for him. He walks out without a backward glance.

Doc begins to look me over, and when he’s confident nothing is broken, he gives me some pain medicine to help with my back. After Doc leaves, Cara and Sara sit beside the bed.

“Look, we just want to let you know you’re safe here. The clubhouse has plenty of cameras and gates. There isn’t anything either one of them can do to you here.” Sara grabs my hand, giving me a small smile.

“Thank you. I promise not to stay for too long. I just need to get a job so I can save and get as far from Declan as possible.”

“I’m not sure running is the best solution, Alice,” Cara says.

“What do you mean?”

“Men like Declan are like predators. You run and they will chase.”

“Well, what am I supposed to do?”

“Do you really truly wish to be free of Declan? And by free, I mean live a life that you don’t have to always look over your shoulder,” Sara says.

I nod my head as tears build in my eyes. That sounds like a dream. I know Declan will make this as difficult as possible, but I’m willing to do anything to be free of him.

“Yes, but how do I do that?”

“First thing you’ll need to do is… file for divorce.”

Chapter Six

ALICE

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