I’d said my piece, whether it was my place or not. A hand grabbed my arm roughly. I panicked for a second before my gaze locked with Cade’s.
“What the fuck, babe? I’ve been searching for you everywhere and you’re off in some dark corner will Bull?” he hissed, eyes dark with rage.
I smelled alcohol on his breath and wondered if he was drunk. Did he and Ginger share a bottle of Jack?
I ignored his hurtful words. “Don’t let him out of your or the boys’ sight,” I ordered sharply.
Cade’s eyes snapped to attention.
“Why?” he barked.
“Just don’t. And make sure he isn’t armed,” I continued and understanding flickered in Cade’s eyes.
“Fuck!” he bit out, completely sober.
I nodded in the direction of the fire. “Go sort out your brother, I’ll go home with one of the girls.”
“No, you’ll stay here, in my room, I’ll show you there now. Wait for me,” he ordered. “Can’t be without you tonight, baby.”
I smiled a sad smile and began to nod, that was until I saw lipstick on the side of his neck. I wasn’t wearing lipstick. I didn’t want to make a scene, distract him from helping his brother, but I sure as shit wasn’t sleeping in the bed he most likely fucked Ginger in either. I’d probably catch Chlamydia.
I pulled on his arm. “Just have to say a quick goodbye to the girls, won’t be a sec.” I quickly pecked his cheek and scampered off, knowing he was hot on my heels. I reached the table where Amy was currently chatting up Dwayne.
“Well, there you are! Cade’s been looking for you everywhere, he is not a happy chappy!” Amy chanted.
“You drive?” I asked quickly.
Amy caught my tone and nodded. “Couldn’t drive now, though. I’m three sheets to the wind, girlfriend,” she sang.
“Give me your keys,” I commanded holding out my hand.
She grabbed them out of her purse and threw them to me.
I saw Cade approaching out of the corner of my eye and I gave Amy a hug while whispering in her ear, “I’m taking your car, don’t say anything in front of Cade, just goodbye, text me if you need to be picked up.”
She frowned at me as I released her, but she nodded.
“See you, girl,” I said loudly, then turned to the rest who were looking well and truly hammered, I blew them kisses. “Bye, ladies!”
“Bye, Gwen!” they all yelled over my shoulder as Cade dragged me into the clubhouse.
We marched into the entryway, then through into a huge bar/living room where more partygoers were drinking and getting a bit friendly on the couches. I blushed and glanced away. I caught a glimpse of double doors with ornate carvings on them and the word “Church” above the doors.
Cade’s hand around my waist directed me out of the room and into a long hallway with various doors off it, some very distinct moans coming from behind the closed doors. I screwed my nose up, thinking I was going to have to hear people going at it while planning my escape in Cade’s room. But we went up some stairs and the sounds quieted. He unlocked a door at the top of the stairs and led me into his room. It was more like a mini apartment. Again, like his house, it wasn’t tidy, an unmade bed lay before us. My stomach clenched at what probably went on between those sheets not long before. He expected me to sleep in those soiled sheets? Prick.
Tears welled up in my eyes and I quickly blinked them away, stepping out of Cade’s grasp to survey the room. There was a dresser with the club’s emblem framed above it, a small fridge and cabinets to one side. What looked like doors to a balcony were on the left of the bed and an en suite to the right.
Cade leaned against the closed door, watching me circle the room, a carefully blank look on his face. Suddenly, without warning, he shoved off the door and was on me in two strides. I was plastered against his hard body and his mouth attacked mine, his hands everywhere. I couldn’t help my body’s initial reaction, but my mind caught up, eventually. I stiffened, trying my hardest not to pull away and kick the asshole in the balls.
Cade sensed my anger and drew back, gray eyes intense. “Babe?”
I mentally shook myself, knowing I had to act normal. I wouldn’t put it past him to lock me in here if he knew I wanted to leave.
I stroked his cheek. “Go to Bull, Cade,” I whispered. “He needs you.”
Cade frowned, knowing something wasn’t right, but I could feel his concern for his brother.
“Okay, Gwen, but I want you naked in my bed when I get back,” he commanded. “And after I fuck you, you’re going to tell me how you knew about Bull.”
I barely restrained an eye roll, him ordering me about came too naturally.
“Okay, Cade.”
He stayed rooted on the spot, not taking his concentrated gaze off me.
“Go,” I urged, pushing him away from me.
He nodded sharply, walking towards the door. When he made it, he turned, hand on the doorknob.
“Lock this behind me, baby. The party might get a little out of control, and with the boys from other charters here, I don’t want someone stumbling in here by mistake.”
He waited for my nod before leaving.
I heard him pause outside, so I walked over to the door, clicking the lock in place. Only then did I hear his footsteps leave. I slowly sank down onto the floor, hands in my face, feeling like shit. Firstly, telling Bull about my suicide attempt was hard. No one knew. Except Alex. Somehow, that strong macho man saw what was coming and stopped me from ending my life. I was forever grateful for that. He still called me almost every day to make sure I was coping. The only way he wouldn’t tell anyone was if I agreed to therapy, and I did, even had Skype sessions since I had been here.
And secondly, even though I was trying hard to deny it to myself, I really liked Cade, felt it down to my core. And it hurt like hell that he just went and fucked some slut with me outside, drinking with his brothers and his sister. My breath hitched a little as I cried through my silent pity party.
“Pull yourself together, Gwen.”
I pushed off the floor, took a deep breath and grabbed my purse, which Cade had thrown on the bed. I slowly unlocked the door and peeked out. I could still hear the dull rumble of music and voices, but upstairs seemed quiet. I slipped out, making my way down the stairs, trying not to listen too hard at the goings on behind slightly open doors.
I made it through the hallway, now the tricky part, how the heck was I going to make it through the huge party area full of people? The room was relatively dark, I guessed people were using it to get lucky in lieu of beds, so I crept past unnoticed. I slipped out the front door and into the shadows, away from the party, to Amy’s car, which was thankfully parked out of the way.
I sighed a huge sigh of relief once I was in. But shit. The compound gates. How was I meant to get out? Did I have to have some code word or secret handshake?
“Darn it!” I whispered angrily, smacking my hands on the steering wheel.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the headlights of a couple of motorcycles heading towards the gate. Luck was on my side. I quickly pulled the car out and followed the bikes out of the now open gate and into the night.
Faces. Blood. So much blood.
A man’s head exploding in my face, I felt pieces of brains on my cheek.