Page 51 of Saving You Losing Me

I laugh, although it has no humor in it. “You know, my husband’s intrigued by you. You’ve rattled him, which then intrigues me.”

He says nothing and just smirks as I edge closer. “He can’t decide whether to kill you or offer you a job.”

I touch his arm lightly. “I love a man who can stand up for himself. Especially one who challenges my husband. You’ve got balls, I’ll say that for you.”

He pulls away and raises his eyes. “Your point is?”

“I want to offer you something. Shall we call it a business opportunity?”

“You can call it what you like, there is no we.”

I shake my head, “Tut, tut, biker. Never say never. I mean, you don’t know what I’m offering.”

He stands and, leaning against the wall, says with a sigh, “Then tell me.”

I reply bitterly. “It’s no secret that I hate my husband. Hell, most people do. The only one who doesn’t is him. The trouble is, I’m stuck with the bastard all the time he remains unchallenged. Men have tried and paid the price. I need a man who’s not afraid to try and is likely to succeed.”

He says nothing and, encouraged by his silence, I continue. “I can make it easy for you, biker. I’ll pay you more money than you’ve ever seen to alleviate me of my problem. I may even throw in a few benefits in kind for myself. What do you say? Are you interested?”

His reply is cool. “You want me to free you from your husband and take a father from his kids? What happens if I do?”

I’m encouraged and smile. “I get to live my life as a free woman. No more looking over my shoulder and waiting for the cops. I won’t detect the scent of a cheap whore on the clothes of my husband as he kisses me goodnight. I won’t be forced to fuck a man I can’t stand who makes me wanna hurl and couldn’t care less about what I want. I’ll be set free to find a real man who’ll bring happiness back to my life. You see, living with Michael Santobello is hell on earth. He uses people and schemes his way through life to get rich and couldn’t give a fuck about anyone else.”

He shakes his head. “Then divorce him.”

“We both know that would never happen. He’d kill me first. No, I want him gone, out of my life and out of the life of my little girls. What hope have they got of living a normal life and growing up in a happy home? It won’t be long before they see the monster within. They’ll realize that mommy can’t stand daddy and he treats her like shit. I will no longer be able to disguise the sound of daddy hitting mommy when he’s had a bad day and the sound of him punishing her for daring to challenge him onanything. You don’t know what it’s like to be me or how lonely it is. I have no friends because everyone keeps their distance. There’s nobody to confide in because I can trust no one. My parents don’t want to be involved, and I’m trapped in a loveless marriage to a clinically insane bastard. I’m being driven mad by despair and can’t see a future.”

I hate that my eyes fill with tears as the mask slips. My lips tremble and my voice catches, “Please, biker. I’m begging you. I’m desperate. There is nobody else I can ask, and you’re my only hope. Please help me before it’s too late.”

I hate that I sob and it obviously touches him because he wraps a strong arm around me and says in a low whisper, “Leave it with me, darlin’. I’m not promising anything, but I’ll see what I can do.”

I never understood the power of relief, but I’m experiencing it now. He heard me. He understood, and it took a lot for me to confide in him. For the past ten years, I’ve had nobody. That cares about me, anyway. I wasn’t kidding when I told him my friends and parents wouldn’t want to know. They don’t. If anything, they keep their distance because of who my husband is. I’m trapped in a loveless marriage and terrified for my little girls. They won’t escape their fate if I don’t do something to help them. I must change their future to make it a good one and until this biker came to town, I didn’t have a clue what to do about it.

Then he stood up to Emilio. Nobody ever stands up to Emilio. He is a cruel, heartless bastard who deserves his position by Michael’s side. Between them, they rule over this town and take what they want and this biker is the first person I’ve ever seen stand up to them.

He whispers huskily, “Just tell me what I need. Anything you find out, you know where I’ll be. Right here—understand?”

I nod gratefully. “I’ll try my best.”

As I turn to leave, I say in a low voice, “Thank you. I mean that, biker. I won’t forget this.”

As the door closes behind me, for the first time in ten years, a spark of hope lights my world. Maybe this could be the day when my patience pays off.

CHAPTER 28

ATOM

We had word the biker is at the studio and, seizing our chance, we head on over there intent on only one thing. Running him out of town.

As the bikes comes to a stop outside the building, the parking lot is deserted but a light shines from the window

“How do you know he’s in there?” Razor asks, a spark of excitement lighting his eye.

“One of the prospects came in with the information.”

Razor nods knowing it would be more than the guy’s life would be worth to lie and as I lean on the handlebars of my bike, the door to the studio opens.

The man in question heads outside and it must be an intimidating sight, seeing what must be thirty bikes set in a semi-circle surrounding the entrance to the studio. The men that sit astride them are dressed to instill terror. Shades cover their eyes and the insignia on their jackets designed for fear. The Dark Angels. The local club that runs on animosity.

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