Page 57 of A Love Like Venom

As I release my final breath I push the onslaught of memories to the back of mind, locking them away to only be unlocked on another day.

But that day will not be today.

Grabbing my keys that also has a little administer of pepper spray on the key ring I head out the door and make the travel to Hell's Gates.

The ride doesn't take long. With the summer heat bringing its awful humidity I can already feel a sheen of sweat coat my skin as I walk towards the entrance. Even at nighttime one can't escape the blistering heat. It still feels close to ninety degrees.

Glancing around the parking lot I only notice four motorcycles that belong to The Crowned Devils. Out of the four I see Razor's. A deep crimson machine with a vintage style that draws you in but only offers death.

Peeling my eyes away I shake my head softly, righting my shoulders as I do and push the door open to Hell's Gates.

The club is not opened yet and only a few other workers are here. The floor waitresses, who wear practically nothing, are all sitting at a booth as they wait for their time to begin. Though I have seen the members want a piece of them before the night starts. It's always disgusting to see. These men take these women like they mean nothing and use them for nothing but theirpleasure. I watch it happen every single night that I work here. My heart breaks for the girls. No woman should ever be treated like that.

This place literally is Hell and The President, Fiend, is their king. He is the only one who the members of The Crowned Devils MC will listen to. What he says is law. He holds all of the power, and he makes everyone's life who isn't a member a nightmare.

I don't see him here tonight which means his right-hand man, the man who thinks he can own me holds all the power for the time being.

For me that's incredibly dangerous.

Walking fast I keep my eyes ahead of me and away from them. The last thing I want is for Razor to call me over to him now with all his brothers. He will want to make a statement in front of them. Show them what he did to me.

Counting to ten is not enough to prepare me for that.

Keeping my keys with me this time I don't head towards the lockers. I'll guard them with my life in my shorts pockets before I ever store anything in the lockers again. Instead, my legs carry me right behind the bar. For the moment being here is the furthest distance from Razor. I'm hoping I can keep up that distance for the remainder of my shift.

A girl can hope.

"What happened to you?" I'm so lost in my own little world that Grace's voice startles me.

Gasping I jump back and lay a hand on my fast-beating heart. I look up to find Grace in front of me wincing. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," she apologizes.

"I didn't see you, that's all. Next time maybe a warning?" I ask of her once my heart rate has calmed down.

She nods her head. "I really am sorry, Alice. I thought you knew I was already here. It's not like you to space out whileat work. Something is wrong, what is it?" Her concern has me wanting to confide in her. Gracie Mae is just about the only person who I can trust these days. But telling her this . . .

I don't want her to get in any sort of trouble because of me.

If something were to happen to her, I don't know what I'll do.

So, I find myself saying, "Everything is fine. I'm fine. All is fine." My voice is a bit too high pitched for her to believe me. To be honest evenIdon't believe me.

She places her hand on her hip as she studies me. Then she gives me a face that says,cut the bullshit. "You said fine way too many times to be fine. Seriously Alice, what is going on?"

My eyes shift nervously around the club, and they make brief contact with Razor. His dark blue eyes are already pinned on me. He sits in the middle of the booth with his brothers on each side. Casually leaned back against the worn leather his eyes are anything but. They're hungry, unwavering and set on me with a mark of ownership.

I suppress a shudder as my body wants to immediately recoil away from him. Even this far is proving to be not far enough.

Breaking our stare my eyes return to Grace with slight fear. She doesn't miss a beat as her eyes bounce from him and then to me. Her eyes hold the same amount of fear that I have but mixed in those baby blues are signs of worry.

"Did he do that?" She tips her head towards the gauze above my collarbone. I nod my head, my throat clogged with emotions. "Fuck, Alice. What else?"

"He grabbed my throat and slammed my head against the lockers. I felt his rage, Grace. I thought he was going to choke the life out of me.” My voice breaks at the end.

Her eyes well with tears. "I knew I shouldn't have left," she whispers with guilt.

"Grace, this didn't happen because of you," I tell her adamantly. She shouldn't feel responsible.

"But maybe if I had stayed, he wouldn't have laid a hand on you," she argues.

---