Page 18 of Holland
“If there was any other way to get you back home, I’d do it, I’m sorry.” I didn’t want her uncomfortable, but at the same time she didn’t have the option of being picky right now either. Finally, she relaxed her stance a little.
“Fuck, fine I’ll ride with you. Let’s get this fucking shit show on the road. The next stop I need a shower, food, and some sleep.” I saluted her like she was in charge and we left the hotel room to join the others. It was time to go the fuck home, and fast.
Chapter Fourteen
Bella
Sitting behind Holland, feeling the heat of his body against mine, brings back memories of our night together. He looks different, and smells different, but he feels exactly the same. There’s a reason I snuck out while he was sleeping, I didn’t want to leave. He felt like home to me, and that was dangerous. I swore I’d never let another man have control over me, and Holland had the power to break me in ways Cain never could.
Cain broke me mentally, Holland could break me emotionally, and there was no way I was letting that happen. Especially now that he’s in the Hades Rejects, those guys weren’t known for being cute and cuddly bikers by any means. If the rumors were true, they had blood on their hands, and lots of it. They were lethal and took retribution for any slight against their club. No, staying away from them sounded like a great plan.
Before his death, Cain’s club had the same reputation. They would retaliate against anyone for anything they saw as an insult. Whoever the person was who wronged the club had to pay for the insult with blood. Sometimes it was just beating them up, other times it was a bullet in the head. Cain used to say if a man didn’t have the respect of those around him, he at least needed to have their fear. Because fear is what makes people obey you. Something he taught me very early on in our marriage. I wouldn’t go back to living like that again, not even for Holland.
I’d let him and his little band of merry men take me to Crimson. Right now, I was safer with them then on my own and I had no way of getting to Crimson without their help. I didn’t like feeling like I owed them. Luckily, my good sense overruled my guilt over owing them for my rescue. Lorenzo would be looking for me and being with the Hades Rejects pretty much guaranteed he wouldn’t fuck with me currently. The question was after I left the safety of their club what would happen. I needed a plan to keep me and Crimson safe, while avoiding anything else to do with the Rejects in the process.
Before long, we were pulling into a motel parking lot. It didn’t look like much, but it did look clean and well maintained. Hopefully that meant no bugs and fresh sheets. Honestly, I just wanted a shower and some sleep. It felt like I’d been in a boxing match, all my joints and muscles ached. Between being in the trunk of Victor's car and whatever Lorenzo gave me, I was like one giant bruised body. A long soak in a hot bath would do wonders for my achy body.
Holland held his hand out to help me slide off his bike. Good to see he didn’t lose his manners when he put on that Reject’s patch. I had to admit he made one helluva profile in his leathers with his hair spiked and his shades on. He was wearing a muscle shirt so I could see the definition in his arms with his tattoos flashing in the waning light of the sun.
“Like what you see beautiful?” He smirked, catching me staring at his ink.
“Just wondering what happened to you. When I left you were a clean-cut cop, now you’re…” I wave my hand to encompass his whole body and the bike he’s still sitting on.
“Things Bella, things happened.” There was a pain-laced note to his voice, which only made me curiouser to find out what happened. Whatever hurt him enough to turn his back on being a police officer must have been pretty fucking bad. I clenched my fists ready to battle whatever or whoever had caused him pain.
“Calm down hellcat, no need to ruffle your feathers.” I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Your thoughts are just like Crimson's; they're written all over your face. There’s nothing you can do now to change the way things happened. I’ll explain later, once we get you home and we can talk.” At the mention of Crimson, I smile thinking about how right on the money he is. Crimson couldn’t hide her feelings if you paid her to, they were always written right there for everyone to see.
“Home, what home? I don’t have a home to go to these days.” Holland sighed and ran his hand over his Mohawk like he was frustrated with me or something.
“We’ll talk when we get to my place. How about that?” Crossing my arms over my chest, I tapped my foot and stared at him.
“Don’t do that Bella, this is not a discussion we can have while on the road. There’s too much to say and not enough time to say it the right way.” I was just about to demand he tell me everything when Bart came back to the bikes with room keys.
“Alright double up and get some shuteye.” He handed Holland a key card, gave me a wink and then headed over to where Matt was standing.
“He doesn’t seriously expect you and me to share a room. Does he?” Holland just shrugged while he rummaged through his saddlebags before turning back to me. I stomped off toward the front desk, determined to get my own room when Holland’s arms circled my waist, pulling me against him.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked barely above a whisper against my ear, sending chills down my spine.
“I’m going to get me a room, put me down.” I said turning around in his arms.
“With what money sugar?” Shit.
“I thought so. Come on there are two beds and we both need some sleep after traveling so long.” I couldn’t be alone with him in a room with a bed. I’d never make it through the night without being tempted to jump his bones again. Fuck my life.
“Fine.” I huffed out as I followed behind him to our room; I made a mental note to deball his buddy for sticking us together. Not that I’d want to share a room with any of his little biker buddies, but at least then I could avoid being alone with Holland. Of course, his buddy thought we were together or some shit.
So now I’m stuck in a room, alone with the man who fucked me six degrees ‘til Sunday not that long ago. A man, given half a chance, I’d climb again just to feel a little of what he had to give. Walking away from him the morning after was the hardest thing I’ve done in my life. I needed to get my head on straight, I needed to pull my girl panties on, make sure they stayed on, and woman up. He came after me because of Crimson, not because he cared about me.
Stepping through the motel room door I took in the cheap, but clean bedspreads. They looked like something out of a seventies porn all brown and patchwork quilt looking. It smelled like bleach and pine cleaner inside, and upon inspection of the bathroom, the tiles shined like diamonds in the light. It wasn’t fancy, but whoever owned the place definitely took care of it.
“I call dibs on the shower.” I yelled as I made a mad dash inside the bathroom sticking my tongue out at Holland. His deep laughter could be heard through the door.
“Hey, I have some clothes for you to change into if you want them.” He sounded a bit unsure of himself.
“It’s not much.” I crack the bathroom door so I can look at him. The uncertain look on his face says he’s ready for me to reject whatever he has for me.
