Page 41 of Filthy and Dirty with the Bikers

Molly

I always thought I’d have empathy for Tyler. I felt bad for his dark upbringing, that he grew up in violence, that he never knew what honest love looked like. I mean, a start like that sets a person up for failure. I’m sure Holden could back me on this one, but without therapy, a traumatic childhood only leads to a life of misery. Tyler never learned the skills he needs to love or properly communicate.

Maybe that’s part of the reason I’m so dumb. I really believed that. I really believed that he wasn’t to blame for his poor choices. I really looked at him like that kid who’d been hurt, and I wanted to help him. Even when I left that house, I still wanted the best for him.

As Maverick herds the crowd outside, I walk even closer. It’s hard to believe just a few days ago we lived together, and now, the closer I get, the more terrified I am. How could this be the same person?

He looks toward me with a wide grin, as though he’s satisfied with himself. “See you’ve met my boyfriend. Maverick here was so in love with you, Molly. He was telling you all kinds of shit he wanted to do.”

“You fuck! You don’t know when to stop, do you?” Maverick says as he closes the front door and begins to cock his fist, but Tyler is one step ahead, pulling a gun.

He aims it toward Maverick and laughs.

Oh my God! Oh, my fucking God! A wave of spots takes over my vision, and my chest is so tight that I can barely breathe. “Don’t hurt him, please! You’re—”

“You stupid fucking bitch. Are you proud of yourself? You did this, ya know? He’s going to die, and it’s all because of you.” Tyler steps closer to me, spitting when he talks. “You do the meanest fuckin’ shit and act like I’m a fuckin’ asshole for noticing! Not anymore, princess. Not anymore.”

My fingers tingle and my toes go numb as my skin flushes and my body shakes. When he gets like this, I don’t recognize him. It’s why our life was so confusing. One second, he’d be the guy on the bed with the strawberries, I’d think I could open up to him, and then he’d start to turn.

There was a pattern. You’d see his jaw clench first, then his voice would change, and finally his eyes would squint with a dark focus.

I moan out with an involuntary whimper, pleading him to stop.

He laughs, shifting the gun back to Maverick. “Would you have loved her as much if I told you how much she cries? Just so you know, she cries a lot.”

Maverick steps forward and swings his fist, but Tyler’s gun goes off.

The room spins and I’m gasping for air as Rosie grips my arm and tugs me behind the counter.

“I’m so sorry, Molly. He came in with this stack of paperwork saying he owned part of the shop. He said you were leaving him and that you wanted the place closed. I told him to leave but he…”

Another gunshot pops.

What the fuck?

The warm scent of sunflowers and lavender that I love so much in my shop is tinged with an acrid scent I can’t define.

Rosie and I dip to the ground, covering our heads before Tyler hollers and another gun fires. I want to look. I need to look. I need to know if Maverick is okay, but I’m motionless, frozen against Rosie, holding her tight in my arms as we rock back and forth repeating the words…it’s okay.

I know the things Tyler is capable of, but I never thought he’d do something like this. I never thought he’d put my shop up for sale and hold my friend at gunpoint. I couldn’t imagine he’d use naked photos of me online to make money. It’s all so—

“Come on, girls,” Holden’s voice echoes in from behind us, forcing me to jump.

“Oh my God!” I turn toward him, my skin prickling. “How are you here?”

“I was on my lunch, stopped at the diner for a piece of pie, and heard the commotion. But right now, we gotta move.”

“Maverick!” I’m panting, heaving for air.

Holden glances down. “I’ll come back for him. I want you out now!”

I don’t like the way that sounds. I don’t want to come back for Maverick. I want to know he’s okay.

Why haven’t I heard any other gunshots. Why don’t I even hear them fighting anymore?

Holden looks at me sternly. “We have to move now!” He hooks into my hand as I hold tight to Rosie, and we shuffle toward the door like three people in a war-torn country who got caught in the crossfire.

Tears fall down my face and the room spins in circles.How is this happening?Our tiny shop of flowers… rose petals scattered, bouquets knocked down, a birdhouse busted in half, a half dozen vases broken in the frenzy.

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