Page 11 of Seized By Solo

He didn’t come back to his room. He didn’t sleep here.

My stomach tightens as I wonder if he found one of the club girls after he left and spent the night with her. The idea of him touching someone else makes my skin crawl as nausea settles in my stomach.

Nigel’s words creep into my head, telling me I’m fat and ugly, that no other man will want someone like me, especially with two bratty kids.

Not only would Nigel hit me, but he beat me down mentally also. His words hurt just as much as his hits. His favourite thing to do was to see me crying on the floor. Then he would spill food and drink over me, and tell me that I’m rubbish and I shouldclean myself up. He made sure that I would never leave him. My friends stopped trying to help me, even most of my family left me to my own devices, except my sister, Jade. When I could get away, she would meet with me and was always happy to see the kids. She has two of her own, a girl and a boy.

Pushing from the bed, I step into the bathroom attached to Kane’s room and take a quick shower. I need to find my babies.

Once dressed in a simple pair of black leggings and an oversized sweatshirt Una and Adele acquired for me, I leave the room, tying my almost dry, dark hair up in a messy bun. With a pair of flip flops on my feet, I go in search of the kids.

Stepping into the large kitchen, I smile when I see them both eating beans on toast with some scrambled egg, and a mountain of cheese for Ricky.

“Morning, Mouse.” I kiss the top of his head, then move to Ruthie. “Morning, Flower.”

“Morning, Mummy.” They greet at the same time.

“Okay, that shit was creepy.” Kink shivers, making me giggle.

“They do that from time to time. It used to freak me out, but it doesn’t bother me now.” I make myself a cappuccino from the machine they have.

“Elsie, I hope it was okay to bring the kids down for breakfast?” Nadine asks me from her seat next to my daughter.

“It’s fine, thank you. I must have needed to sleep.”

“We are always here to help. Just say the word.”

I give her a grateful smile. “Thank you. I hope they didn’t give you too much trouble.”

“They are little angels.” She winks at me.

“Hiding their horns,” I reply, making everyone laugh.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed by me that Solo is missing from the group. Dutch has Una on his lap, and Kink is standing behind Adele, his arms around her waist as she leans against him.

If you remove the leather cuts, they look like a big, happy family. Looking at everyone enjoying their breakfast, I take in the banter and the connection between everyone. My chest tugs with longing. I want this.

It hits me that you don’t need to remove the leather cuts to see it. It’s the cuts that add to the family loyalty and respect.

When the club saved me months ago, I was still nervous and scared to be around them. It was only because of Adele, Kink and Solo that I allowed them to help me. I saw them over the months, even though I’m pretty sure Solo thinks I don’t know that he had people watching over me.

After the kind of life I have led, you learn to look over your shoulder, to be observant to what is happening around you.

“Solo informed us that he told you that you had to stay put for the time being.” Kink’s voice breaks through my thoughts.

I blink and look to him. He smirks when he sees the annoyance on my face.

“He did, and like I told him, I am over being told what to do by a man.” I grip the mug in my hands on the table.

“He’s only doing it to keep you safe, Elsie,” he replies, but I see understanding in his eyes.

He was there when I was beaten so badly, I wasn’t sure I would survive it. I hated that for my kids, but also for myself. I knew then that I had hit rock bottom and I needed to escape. That is where these people stepped in to help me.

“I get that, Kink, but there is such a thing as asking a person what they want. I know that might sound ungrateful, but it really doesn’t take much to ask someone what they want.”

“You don’t sound ungrateful, honey. You are right. Solo should have asked you what you wanted, or maybe found a different solution,” Nadine chimes in to help me, glaring at Kink.

He holds his hands up in a surrender motion, grinning. “You know what Solo is like.”

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