“You fuckin’ walk out that door, I’ll make you wish you didn’t,” Cade warns.

“Whatever, biker,” I snap.

“Addison, you best fuckin’ do as he asks,” Jackson growls.

I spin around glaring at both of them. “What are you going to do, tie me up?”

They both look at each other, and nod. Cade stands, stalking towards me. I throw my hands up.

“Cade, I swear to fucking God, if you try and stop me…”

He steps forward, leans down and lifts me, throwing me over his shoulder. I scream, pummeling my fists into his back.

“You asshole!”

“You think I’m fuckin’ jokin’ when it comes to your safety?” he growls, turns and walks towards the stairs. “Well, I’m fuckin’ not. You’re not goin’ to walk out this door, sugar. End of fuckin’ story.”

“You can’t do this!” I protest, pummeling my fists over and over on his back.

“Ah, yeah, sugar, I can and I am.”

When he reaches the top of the stairs, he turns and begins heading toward my room.

“I can take care of myself,” I growl.

“That’s good to know, still ain’t changin’ my fuckin’ mind.”

“CADE!”

He walks into my room, and drops me on the bed.

“You fuckin’ leave this house, sugar, and it won’t be pretty.”

“You…asshole!”

He grins at me. “Said that already babe. Now, get some sleep yeah?”

With a smirk, he turns and walks back towards the door. When he reaches it, he gives me one last glance.

“Oh and sugar? Try to escape, I’ll put my hand on your ass.”

Then he’s gone. Fucking wanker.

I brood for a good hour, before deciding that I don’t care what they said, I’m going to do what I want. Jasper doesn’t frighten me, I’ve lived years with him. I walk over to the old window, and peer out of it. I can see that I could easily climb down. Quietly, though? I don’t know. I slide the window up, and I can hear Cade and Jackson talking downstairs. My heart hammers as I climb out, gripping the large drain-pipe beside my window. I hope this sucker doesn’t break. Using all the skills I learned over the years, when having to get out of tricky places, I latch on and begin slowly lowering myself down. It takes me a good fifteen minutes to get to the bottom, and by the time I get there, I’m shaking.

That will teach them to lock me away.

I lived long enough like that.

I sure as shit won’t be doing it again.

CHAPTER 14

PRESENT

“Another beer,” I yell at the bartender.

After much debate, I decide the bar is the best place to go. I’m not going to the compound, and I’m certainly not going to Cade’s place. I figure the bar is a good choice. I need a break and I need to breathe, just for a moment. I know at this point Jasper doesn’t know where I am. I’m safe for tonight. The bar I’m in is your typical biker bar. Most of the people in here are undesirable, but that’s fine by me. I’m not here to start any fights. I’m just here to take a break. It’s nice to be served for once, without having to do anything to earn it.

“Here ya go, girly,” the old, burly bartender smiles.

“Thanks,” I return the smile then spin around on my chair and watch the room.

Most people are sitting, making out, smoking, doing all the usual things. Some are playing pool on the old, well-worn pool table in the corner. A few are on the dance floor, wiggling and singing to the music. I lean back and sip my beer, and that’s when I see them. I didn’t notice them before, so they must have only just come in. It’s Spike and a few of his club members. Most people are giving them a wide berth, and it doesn’t surprise me considering how intimidating they look. They certainly aren’t a group you would pick on. I take another swig of me beer, and watch as Spike lays his eyes on me. He grins, and it’s wide and proud. He stands, sauntering through the crowd until he stops in front of me.

“Well, precious, you’re the last person I thought I’d see here. Where’s your bodyguard?”

I shrug, putting the beer down. The alcohol has hit my head now, and I am feeling relaxed and completely content.

“He doesn’t own me.”

Spike smirks. “Messin’ with Cade ain’t a wise idea.”

I return his grin and stand. “Could say the same about myself.”

I walk out onto the dance floor, and shove through the people until I find my own dancing spot. Then I begin dancing, throwing my hands in the air and wiggling my hips. Spike shoves through the crowd, stopping in front of me and tilting his head to the side.

“You ain’t like anythin’ I’ve ever seen. You had your life threatened today, and here you are dancin’ like it don’t matter,” he says.

I smile at him. “I’ve had far worse than what you delivered to me tonight. I move on. I survive. This here, it’s me surviving and doing what I have to do. Now, are you going to stand there staring at me, or are you going to dance with me?”

Spike grins, real big, then he reaches out and grips my hips. Girls nearby sigh as we begin to move. I know Cade will hate this. I know if he walked in right now, he would lose his shit. That’s the point though, I’m trying to prove that no one owns me. Cade sparks things deep inside me, things that make me want to spend every waking minute with him, but that’s just not enough for me to become the kind of girl that’s ordered around and made into some pathetic little housewife that does as she’s told. Yeah, that’s never going to happen.