For the first time in a long time, I trust him. Something about him and the rest of the club gives me hope. That’s something I haven’t had in years. My trust isn’t something that is given freely these days, but sure enough, Rascal is slowly breaking down my walls.
Letting me out of his embrace, he hands me a small duffel bag I didn’t even notice he had with him. “I need you to pack some necessities in this bag. I can’t tell you where we’re going, but you’ll need some warm clothes.”
“How long will we be gone?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. Pack what you can and we’ll wash our clothes as needed,” he tells me.
I nod my head. I glance around the room. I’ve been here less than a year, but this has been the first place I’ve felt at home since my mom died. Something about this whole situation feels like I won’t be coming back and it leaves a pang in my chest.
“Mar, everything is gonna be alright. You gotta trust me.”
I turn to him, flashing him a small smile. “Believe it or not, I do trust you. Being here, at the clubhouse, I’ve felt the safest I have since before I was kidnapped.”
“I’m glad you’ve felt safe. I want to make sure you stay safe.” He places a soft kiss on my lips, then stands from the bed. “We’ll leave first thing in the morning.”
“Where are you going?”
“To pack my own bag,” he tells me.
“Oh, okay.” It comes out more sad than I intend.
“Do you want me to come back when I’m done?” The corner of his mouth tips into a half smile.
“You do seem to keep the panic attacks at bay.” I smirk.
“If you need anything before I get back, you know my number.”
“Thanks, Romeo.”
“I’ll be back before you know it.” He covers my lips with his in a sweet yet passionate kiss before he leaves my room. Once he’s gone, I grab the duffel bag, setting it on my bed and start packing.
I grab some pants out of my dresser. A mix of jeans, leggings and sweats. Also grabbing multiple pairs of socks and panties, hipsters and boy shorts. I fold the pants in half then roll them up so they’ll take up less room in the bag. Moving to my closet, I flip through all my shirts, trying to decide what I want to take. I grab a few hoodies, a mix of t-shirts and some tank tops that I usually sleep in.
While in my closet, I grab my lock box off the shelf. Blaze let me live with him rent free, so I was able to save most of my money. I have quite a bit of cash saved up for situations like this. After I pack my shirts, I unlock the box and put my extra cartridges and edibles inside and lock it again. I grab a couple pairs of shoes and slide them in the bag before moving to the bathroom to collect any toiletries I’ll need.
I finally finish packing, change into some sweats and a tank top and am about to lay down when there’s a knock at my door. I move to open it and grin when I’m met with Rascal.
“I came back.” He glances at my tits and flashes me a sly smirk.
I smile, shaking my head. “You did. Come on in.”
“You make sweats look sexy as hell.” He closes the door behind himself, pulling me into his arms. I swat at him playfully. “How are you feeling?”
“Honestly?”
He nods his head.
“I’m sad and scared,” I tell him.
“Sad about Chains?”
“Yes. He was a good friend to me.”
“I was jealous of him at times,” Rascal admits.
“No way. Why?”
“Because of how close y’all were. As much as I tried to fight my feelings for you, I really couldn’t. I’m glad you had him though,” he tells me. “I’ll miss the little fucker, too. Come on, Princess, let’s get some sleep. We got a long day ahead of us.”
21
Rascal
The next morning, I wake up to Marley cuddled against me with her leg thrown over mine. I smile to myself. I could get used to this. I kiss her forehead, causing her to stir. I softly run my fingers up her back, under her shirt until her eyes flutter open.
I grin. “Mornin’, Princess.”
“Good morning, Romeo.” Her sleepy voice is fucking adorable. “What time is it?”
“It’s early, a quarter after six. We need to get on the road no later than eight.”
“Sounds good.” She sits up, stretching her arms above her head before climbing out of bed. My eyes are glued to her as she moves around the room. Even in sweats and a tank top, she’s sexy as hell.
“Stop staring at me and go get ready,” she tells me without looking my way.
I chuckle as I roll out of bed. “Yeah, yeah. Is your bag ready to be taken to the truck?”
“Mhm, it’s by the dresser.”
I move closer to her, pulling her into my arms. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I bring my lips down to hers. Pulling away with a giggle, she playfully swats at me.
“Go, let me get ready,” she demands.
I back away from her, biting my lip as I do. She’s fighting back a smile, shaking her head. Before I turn around, I wink and blow her a kiss. She loses the battle as a smile breaks out across her face.
I turn and grab her bag. “See you in a bit, Princess.”
Walking into the hallway, I damn near run into Saint.
“Fuck, man. What are you doin’ up so early?”
“Never went to bed,” he tells me.
“You doin’ alright?”
“I don’t even know right now.” He keeps walking, straight to the main room. I shake my head, walking the opposite way toward my room. Something is going on with him, that’s for sure. Once in my room, I set Marley’s bag on my bed and change my clothes.
When I’m ready to go, I grab my bag and Marley’s and head out to my truck. Bull doesn’t want us to take our bikes because they’ll draw unwanted attention to us. As much as I hate riding in a fucking cage, I have my truck for when I can’t ride my bike. It’s better than any of the Riders’ tiny ass cages, plus I’ll be the one driving. Raze and Minx are taking his truck, too.
I lock up my room, walk through the clubhouse and out the front door toward my truck. Tossing both our bags in the back seat, I lock up the truck and head back inside to wait for everyone. Saint is sitting at the bar, head hanging between his shoulders.
“What’s goin’ on, brother?” I sit next to him.
“Nothin’ I wanna get into right now.” His voice is void of emotion.
“Whatever it is, you don’t have to go through it alone. You have a clubhouse full of brothers that have your back no matter what,” I remind him.
He nods but doesn’t respond.
“You ‘bout ready to go?” Raze walks up with Minx by his side.
“Yeah, Marley should be out any minute.” As soon as the words leave my lips, Marley walks into the main room. Her dreadlocks are gone, leaving her hair to fall to her collarbone.
“Girl! You look great but where did your dreads go,” Minx asks her.
“They were faux dreads. I thought it would be a good idea to take them out so I wouldn’t be so recognizable,” Marley explains.