Page 5 of Declan

She has a thing for the club, and I don’t mean Twisted Souls. She’s obsessed with being close to Shattered Souls MC. The power they hold, the undeniable sex appeal they carry, the bad-boy confidence that drips off them like a second skin. It’s a turn-on for her. The thrill, the danger, the adrenaline rush of it all. The way they own a room without even trying, the effortless confidence, the smirks that promise trouble but make you want to chase it anyway.

I get it. Hell, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t understand. But for me, sometimes being around them is too much.

Because every time I step into that world, I risk seeing Declan. And that? That guts me.

Jeanne watches me closely, her teasing demeanor fading into something softer. “This is about Declan, isn’t it?”

I stiffen, my jaw clenching. “It’s not?—”

“Don’t lie to me, Lee.” Her voice is gentle, but there’s a knowing edge to it. “I see the way you look at him. And I see the way you look when he’s with someone else.”

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. It’s not like I’ve ever admitted it out loud, not even to myself in a real way. But Jeanne has always been too damn perceptive.

“He doesn’t know,” I murmur, voice barely above a whisper. “And it doesn’t matter.”

“Bullshit.”

I glance up at her, and she crosses her arms, her expression serious. “It does matter, Lee. But you won’t do anything about it, so instead, you’re torturing yourself. Hiding from him won’t make it hurt any less.”

She’s right, but I can’t bring myself to agree.

I shake my head. “I just can’t do it tonight, Jeanne.”

She watches me for a moment, then sighs dramatically, throwing her hands up. “Fine. But I’m getting a drink somewhere, with or without you.”

I smirk faintly. “Go cause trouble without me, then.”

She huffs, but there’s a glint of amusement in her eyes. “You’re no fun.”

I don’t argue, because if she knew the weight pressing on me, she wouldn’t be saying that.

“I’m more fun than most can handle, just not tonight.”

She rolls her eyes as she heads into her bedroom to change.

I wish I was as carefree as she is.

I’m wokenup by my phone ringing and banging on my door. Fear grips around my throat as I sit up on the couch. I passed out shortly after Jeanne left, and it appears she forgot her key. I ignore my ringing phone and swing open the door.

“Too much…” My words are cut off when I see it isn’t Jeanne.

He hangs up the phone and leans against the door frame. “You’re a hard girl to get ahold of.”

I swallow, or at least I try, but my mouth has gone completely dry. “Yeah, I’ve been kinda busy.”

“Busy getting my money?” He gives me a smirk I don’t like that sends a chill down my body. “Or are you thinking of paying off your debt in a different way?”

I cross my arms, trying to protect myself. “I’ll have your money.”

“Lena, I’ve been patient, but I need that fucking money.” I go to interrupt, but he grabs my arms and slams me against the open door. “No more fucking games. The money you owe me goes to others, Lena. If I don’t have my money tomorrow, you will be my payment. I’m sure these guys will be happy to take you in exchange for cash. They’ll probably pass you around and fight over your tight pussy, but hey, maybe they’ll just kill you in a jealous rage.”

Tears sting my eyes as I stare into the depths of his icy, cold ones. “Please,” I whisper, feeling the tears roll down my cheeks.

“Begging is good, Lena. I’m sure those guys love it.” He tightens his hold on my arms, so tight that I have no doubt he’s leaving me bruised. “You have until tomorrow. If I don’t have the money in my hands, I’ll be handing you over. You fucking understand?”

I nod, incapable of speaking. If I try to speak, I will either throw up or cry out in fear.

“Answer your fucking phone,” he says, letting go of my arms and grabbing my cheeks, squeezing them against my teeth. It hurts, and I taste blood from the amount of pressure he’s using to make his point. “I’m not playing, Lena. When I call, you fucking answer.”

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