Page 86 of Ruckus

“I guess he was in love, makes us all do crazy shit. Club’s been busy, we didn’t even notice he was gone.”

“And was it that same, crazy shot that brought you here? You never told me what you wanted with her, but you were determined to talk to her.”

“I came here to take her home, she doesn’t belong here, and she didn’t belong to him.” I look toward the door where Cam’s body is still lying on the bed.

“I think Cam would disagree with that if he were breathin’.” Hound looks hurt, and I can’t decide if he’s in on this shit or not.

“I spoke to Freya while you were rounding everyone up. She told me that Josh killed his own brother, he was obsessed with her. You saw for yourself what he was about to do when we walked in.”

“He killed myfuckin’president.” Hound raises his voice.

“And he was gonna rape my girl!” I stand up and tower over him. “I served justice, no more needs to be done.”

“That girl belonged to Cam, she was his old lady.” He looks a little shaken as he looks around him and tries to save face.

“Well, she ain’t anymore.” The door behind me clicks open and when Freya steps out wearing clothes she borrowed from one of the hangouts, I smile at her and take her hand.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” I purposely clip Hound's shoulder as I step past him, and when I get Freya out into the fresh air, I lead her straight to my bike.

“Wait, you can’t ride out of here lookin’ like that, you look like you ju…”

“Killed someone.” I smile as I take my saddle. “I ain’t trusting you with any one of them while I clean off. I got a motel room a mile away from here, I can grab a shower and then you can explain what Cam was usin’ against ya.” I watch her face turn red with shame.

“It’s bad, Ruck,” she admits.

“It better fuckin’ be, because it made you run from me, twice.” I start my engine and wait for her to climb on the back before I pull away.

Istand by the window, chewing on my thumbnail and waiting to see a sign that they’re coming for us.

“You still there waiting?” Ruckus comes out of the bathroom, ruffling one of the towels through his hair before tossing it at the bed.

“Josh was from your charter and he killed their president,” I point out.

“Josh was a prospect, and I killed him,” he reminds me, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking hold of my hips so he can turn me to face him.

“Now, you need to tell me what Cam knew. No more secrets.”

I drop my head because I know he’s right. I can’t run from the past anymore.

“Why did you come here, Ruckus? Why do you do things that make me feel like I’m special?” I’m so confused.

“Because youarefuckin’ special. Freya, I told you I loved you, what more can I do–”

“Well, you could stop taking whores to the lifeguard tower.” I wait for his reaction and when he starts to laugh, I stare down at him and let him see how hurt I am.

“How is that funny? Ruckus, people who love each other don’t sleep around.”

“I was with Sinner in the lifeguard tower all night, and I can promise that we weren't doing that. We were talkin’ about you.” He still looks amused and I move my lips but nothing comes out.

“But Cam said…and you. Were you really with Sinner?”

“Why would I lie to you? I was mad at myself for being jealous of you and him, though it turns out I was kinda right to be.” He makes a valid point but I don’t acknowledge it. “I was mad at you because I know you’ve been keeping shit from me. It’s time to be open. Don’t be scared.” He smiles at me, and I feel my heart beat faster.

“I’m not who you think I am.” I take in the way Ruckus looks at me one last time. Once he knows the truth, he’s never going to look at me in the same way. “I knew what my father was involved in, sometimes he’d have the women at the house. Chop would come in a cage and take them away,” I admit, resting my hands on his firm shoulders while I find the strength to go on.

“One night, I came downstairs and I recognised the girl who him and his friends were raping.” My eyes blur with tears and when Ruckus goes to wipe them away, I shake my head and step away from him.

“It was Eden,” I admit, as tears catch in the back of my throat. “She was out of it, but I knew she was there against her will.”

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