Page 9 of Banshee
I slowly walked toward the backyard. Diesel stayed by my side, his ears perked up, watching, searching for any danger. I hadn’t been alone outside my room since I came to the clubhouse over a week ago.
Looking over my shoulder, my eyes sought out Haizley. She sat in a chair with a book in her lap, talking to King. When they looked my way, I waved, letting them know I was okay.
Only I wasn’t okay.
I walked a little further, always keeping Haizley in my sight. I had Diesel, but if someone came after me, I needed to know she’d see me. I needed to know where to run.
I wondered if I’d ever feel safe again.
I felt safe with him.
I would forever remember the way he stood up to my father that day.
2018 Little Rock, Arkansas.
“Banshee, get your ass in here!”
I sat quietly next to my father as Steele yelled out into the main room. I didn’t want to be here. If Zeus were here, would he help? Would he stop my father from doing this?
“BANSHEE!”
“I’m coming. Keep your drawers on, for fuck’s sake.”
The sound of his voice sent goosebumps up my arms. It was deep and rough. I’d been in love with him since the first day Isaw him. The Silver Shadows were our allies. My father didn’t tell me much about how things worked in the club, but my brother did. He wanted me to know there were clubs that would help if I ever needed it.
When my older sister disappeared, my family was never the same. My father pulled the reins tighter, while my brother seemed to loosen them whenever he could. With information. He taught me everything I needed to know about motorcycle clubs. How they worked, and who to watch out for.
“What’s up?” he asked. I didn’t dare look up and draw his attention. I could feel the blush heating my face.
“Kronos has a proposition for you,” Steele said.
It wasn’t a proposition. It was a demand. My father didn’t expect to leave here today with me. He made me pack my things and pile them into the truck. He was giving me away. Without a word from me.
Or my mother.
She didn’t know what he was doing. He’d told me not to tell her or Zeus. As far as they were concerned, we were just taking a little father/daughter trip. A weekend away to spend time together.
It wasn’t uncommon. I took trips with my dad all the time. After Diana disappeared, he made sure to always make time for me. I loved my father; I really did. I just hated what he was doing.
I’d recently graduated from community college. I wasn’t allowed to go away to university. Not after Diana. My father forbade it, and after losing her oldest daughter, my mother agreed. She allowed him to tighten his control.
She said it was for my safety. She said she couldn’t lose another daughter. And I understood, kind of.
I was eight when Diana went off to college. It was the last time I ever saw her. I didn’t understand why she hadn’tcome home. As a child, I thought I had done something. Zeus and Diana were ten years old when I was born. When they were teenagers, they always left me behind, and of course that meant when they were around, I was always looking for their attention.
After Diana disappeared, Zeus always made time for me.
“What kind of proposition?” Banshee asked, pulling me back to the present.
“Banshee, the Gods of Mayhem has built a solid reputation with the Silver Shadows. I’ve been watching you for a while now, and I think you’d be a good fit for my baby.”
The room was silent. I wondered what his reaction was, but I kept my head down, my eyes focused on my hands.
“What the fuck does a good fit mean?”
“It means I am trusting you with my youngest daughter.”
“Kronos, you’re gonna have to spell this shit out to me, ’cause it sounds an awful lot like you trying to sell off your fucking daughter.”
