“I’m perfectly happy with my life. We have a hearing in two weeks, I’m sure Harry has told you that we’re going to be working on the documentation to present to the judge.”
While I’m talking, I take my cell phone from my purse beneath the table. I’m adept at using one hand for things like this. A couple of years ago, dad got me to install an app on my phone. It’s one that connects directly to three people in the MC and tells them I need help. It’s not something I’ve ever used before and this is certainly not an emergency situation, but I don’t have a car tonight. Harry brought me.
My guess is, they’re expecting Vance will be giving me a ride home, or somewhere else. With men like Vance, it’s difficult to say no and I’m walking a fine line with him as a client and a pig.
On the pretense of adjusting my napkin on my lap, I hit that SOS button. It’s on the home screen to make it easier to find. I can use it to get me out of here, it’s not that I’m scared.
“You really find it hard to switch off, don’t you Cassie?” he wipes his mouth with his napkin and sets it down beside his empty plate.
If there is one thing I can be grateful for about these expensive restaurants, it’s that the meal portions are so small.
“This is a business meeting, isn’t it?” I point out. I won’t say his name, that is what he wants.
“We can mix business with pleasure though, can’t we?” he leans back and one of his hands lowers beneath the table.
I’m about to fire back something that is probably going to show my hand when my phone rings. I glance down and see my brother’s name. He’s the first one to see the SOS. I excuse myself again and rise. Vance doesn’t hide his irritation. I’ve got no fucks to give for his feelings.
“What’s wrong?” Ransom asks before I even get to speak.
“I’ve got a situation I need to get out of,” I say quietly. “This isn’t an emergency. I’ll explain when you get here but I need you or someone else to come and get me within the next five minutes.”
“Where are you?”
No questions asked. I love my brother right now. We may not be members of the MC but we’re a part of it. We’ve grown up understanding questions can always be answered later. And Ransom knows I would not hit the SOS if I didn’t need it. I tell him where I am and fortunately he is nearby and says he will be five minutes.
He will also call dad and Dirt, otherwise, they will start calling, or dad will track me and show up here.
“Call dad first before he does something we’ll all regret.”
Ransom laughs but it’s short-lived. “I’ll be there in three.”
“Don’t break any laws, I really can’t spare the time to get you out of a speeding ticket.”
“Be safe.”
“Always.”
Ending the call I close my eyes. I hate using this to get me away from Vance. It begins to cement it further in my head that this guy is bad news. This is more than a feeling. This is a certainty. This man is guilty, not just of this current situation. I’ve got to see the darkness in people being around the club.
There is no doubt in my mind this man has not only hurt women, he’s a fucking killer.
“Did you actually think mom was going to let you go home after this?”
“It’s not that serious,” I look out of the window.
Vance wasn’t happy when I said I had to leave. He hid it behind a quip about both of his lawyers running out on him. I offered to pay, even though Vance is richer than most people. He made a halfhearted attempt to argue but let me do it. Harry can take the hit on this one. I used the company credit card.
Ransom gives me a look. Mom will tear me a new one if I don’t explain. Fine, I can explain, to a point. Despite my feeble attempts to say I’ll call, he shoots that down with another look.
What I don’t like is the direction Ransom is taking. He’s heading straight for Sussex. My protests about it being late are met with a stone wall.
“I’m not taking the wrath of mom if you don’t go there. She said you can spend the night.”
There is a house on the compound that girlfriends use. They’re usually the only ones allowed in, together with the kids from the club who are looked after there when school lets out. Club whores have never set foot in there and it’s rare a brother goes in, unless his old lady is there.
It’s not that bad, but it also means there is a chance I can run into Handlebar.
Ever since I fucked Mace, I’ve thought more about Eli. For the woman who swore off bikers, I’m working my way through them far more than I would like.
