CHAPTER SIX
Starlet
Ireach Shreveportby one o’clock in the afternoon via Greyhound. Though it’s not my first choice in transportation, I didn’t have an option. I made an anonymous call to a tow truck company to pick up the rental car before I bought a ticket for the bus. I step off the bus and look around. Light rain is falling and the sky is cloudy. The station is located on Fannin Street, in the heart of downtown, only a couple blocks away from the Red River.
I’m starving and spot a restaurant sign hanging on the front of the brick building. I wouldn’t mind grabbing a sandwich and soda before I call Juanita. She’s my only contact in the outside world, an ex-old lady like me. There’s an underground network that aids women who escape the life.
She used to live in Alabama, too, but after her old man got another woman pregnant, she fled the Devil’s Crusaders and never looked back. We secretly kept in touch all these years. Once she found out Sammy died, Juanita convinced me to leave. My future prospects were bleak. I couldn’t handle another ten years of being a punching bag for another brother. And what if I got pregnant this time? What if I talked back or did something wrong?
Nine years of marriage with Sammy taught me many things… I never want to be a slave again. I don’t want to be told what to wear, how to act, what to say, or who I can be friends with. I want to make mistakes. I want to live my own life. I want to enjoy myself, free to experience anything I want—like Brick. I shiver at the thought. Dangerous or not, the man could make me change my mind about being an old lady again. All the more reason to stay away from him.
I step inside the station and see the food court to the right. I rush to one of the counters and order a grilled cheese sandwich and a Sprite. My stomach growls as I take out a ten-dollar bill and hand it to the girl at the register.
“Your order will be ready in about ten minutes,” she says.
I find a quiet spot off to the side. My cell rings and I check caller ID. The number is blocked. I know who it is. One of the bothers is calling. I shouldn’t answer; I don’t owe them anything. But out of habit, I accept the call.
“Starlet?”
Checkers.I roll my eyes, he’s the meanest enforcer we have. “What?” I ask.
“Where the fuck are you?”
“Not there.”
“No shit,” he says. “You need to get back here. Now. We elected a new president. He’s already claimed you.”
I swallow the bile down, shocked at how quickly they’ve replaced Sammy. Usually it takes a week or two to fill a vacated seat. However, my husband was a dividing force. So maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. The chapter needs better leadership. “I’m not coming back, Checkers. I’m done with it. Done with you. Done with the club.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Did I stutter?” I don’t know where this inner-strength is coming from, but I like it.
“Jesus Christ,” he says. “Did you drink too much last night or something? I know you miss, Sammy. All of us do. Silver is willing to give you some time to mourn. It’s understandable. The wedding will be in August.”
Honestly, I can’t hold the bitter laughter in. It’s June, and he expects me to marry Silver in a few weeks? “Mourn? Who? Sammy? That sadistic sonofabitch deserved to die. I’m happy he’s gone.”
There’s a long moment of silence.
“If that’s how you feel, I can arrange for the wedding to be moved up to next week.”
“Checkers, listen to me. Fuck you. Fuck the Devil’s Crusaders. Fuck the life.” I’m just about to disconnect.
“Get your little cunt back to the compound, Starlet.” He gives me a humorless laugh, as threatening as anything I’ve ever heard. “You don’t have a choice. That property of the Devil’s Crusaders tattoo on your shoulder should be enough to remind you of where you belong. As the only living relative of our founder, you have a responsibility to carry on your father’s bloodline. Silver isn’t an older man like Sammy was. The brothers kept that in mind while we considered who to vote in as president. If I have to tie you down myself, you’re gonna marry him and have babies. Lots of ’em.”
I close my eyes and imagine Silver dressed in a tux. He’s tall and blond with blue eyes, twenty-seven years old and violent. Yeah, he’s good looking, but I’d rather shoot myself in the head than marry him. “Screw you, Checkers.” I hang up just as the woman at the counter motions for me to pick up my food.
After scarfing down my sandwich, I head outside and call Juanita.
“Where are you?” she sounds so worried.
“Standing on the corner of Fannin and Edwards.”
“Stay put,” she says, “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
A black Jeep Liberty pulls up to the curb. Juanita rolls down the window and smiles at me. “Get in. I don’t want you out in the open right now.”
I do as she asks, climb into the passenger seat, then twist around and give her the biggest hug ever. “I can’t believe I’m here.” Tears burn my eyes.
