“I-I…” I’m lost for words, too confused to form a sentence. I knew when I walked in on whatever they were doing in that back alleyway it was bad news. And maybe now that Cruz has come home with stab wounds, there is a little fear creeping in that these guys are involved in some shady shit, but it didn’t have to include me. “I will stay out of your way,” I whisper, the intensity of his glare making me feel small.
“This is what’s going to happen, flower. You go take your fancy new clothes from the sales assistant, then you walk out of this place with me and get in my car. I will drive you to the club, where Asher will watch over you until it’s time for your shift to end, then, he will bring you home. There will be no catching the bus or putting yourself into dangerous situations because you are too blind to see what is right in front of you. At home, you will always have one of us with you. If you leave the apartment, you will leave with one of us at your side. Am I clear?”
Hell no, I’m not being trapped in another prison controlled by ego-hungry men. “What? No! I’m not having you three follow me around everywhere, why would I? I’m a free woman in a new town. I’m going to live my life and do whateverI want with it.”
His lips twist up at the sides. “I won’t negotiate on this, flower. You made your choice, deciding to stay when I asked you to leave. Now you’re my responsibility.”
My eyes widen as I stare back at him, my mouth falling open. What is actually going on here? “I’ve changed my mind. I’ll go find some other place to stay,” I mutter quickly, fear creeping its way under my skin.
Delight dances in his eyes like he was just waiting for me to say exactly that. “Too late. You should have thought about what you were agreeing to when you so cheekily decided to defy me.”
I swallow the lump that’s formed in my throat. “You’re serious?”
“Deadly, baby.”
My heart races like crazy as I stare back at him. What on earth have I stumbled upon? Is he just being dramatic because he’s a controlling ass and he didn’t get his way with me, or is this more serious? I couldn’t be that unlucky to go from being trapped in my horrendous marriage, to being stuck with three bikers.
Reluctantly, I follow him out of the fitting room, shaken but trying not to show him how much. I move toward the cashier. She has my bags all lined up on the counter ready to go. So, I get my wallet out to pay.
A knowing smirk plays on her lips as she glances back at me. “Your boyfriend already sorted out the bill, lucky girl.”
What? No. I spin back to him, and he’s grinning at me like the crazy motherfucker I’m starting to realize he is. I thought Cruz was mad, but Jagger is a whole other type of irrational.
Faking a smile, I snatch up my bags and thank the lovely girl for all her help.
“Make sure to come back next time you need to shop,” she calls after me as I make my way out of the store.
I storm past Jagger with him hot on my tail. “How dare you,” I spit when we are out of earshot of the girl.
“How dare I what?” He plays all innocent. Opening the back seat of the car, he takes the bags from me and places them in the back.
“Pay for my stuff. I don’t need you to help me out in any way. I have my own money.”
He huffs a laugh. “I take care of what is mine.”
He opens the passenger-side door of his Range Rover for me. But I don’t get in, I’m too busy glaring daggers at him. “I’m not yours in any way,” I snarl.
He grins. “Get in the car, flower.”
I force my chin up defiantly. “No.”
He lowers his face toward me. “Get in or I force you in. You don’t want to ruin that nice lady in the store’s opinion of us, do you? She was so happy when she thought I was your sweet boyfriend. She said a girl like you deserves a man like me to take care of her, and I reckon she just might be right.”
Irritation snakes its way down my spine. He has to be kidding me. “You’re an asshole,” I spit back, collapsing into his oversized car, not wanting to make a scene in front of her.
“Good, you’re working me out,” he says way too lightheartedly as he steps around to his side of the car and starts up the engine.
With my arms crossed over my chest, I stare out at the road as he takes off, trying to work out what just happened. I didn’t leave when he told me to, so now he’s holding me hostage twenty-four-seven. What on earth kind of logic is that? The insane kind. I also don’t fail to notice that his car has extra-black tint on all the windows. I can’t help but wonder if that is a safety thing as well.
The entire drive to work is silent. I literally have nothing else to say to him, because anything I do say will only end in a screaming match.And he’s clearly done making his ridiculous demands of me. Doesn’t mean this is the end of the argument.
When we arrive at the club, I go to get out, but when I try to open the handle, I realize I’m child-locked in. “Asshole,” I grumble under my breath.
“You’re adorable when you curse.” He smiles cruelly, getting out his side and coming around to let me out. That’s when I notice Asher is waiting at the back door. Oh my God, he wasn’t kidding. I’m going to be shipped from one Stryker babysitter to the next. Why?
I get out of the car and storm off to the back door, glaring at Asher. He’s on my shit list now as well just because he follows his asshole brother’s instructions. At least Cruz does what he thinks is right.
Chapter 16
