Tiny's Sweet Obsession

49: Coming Clean

Lily POV

The nap on the drive to the hotel was perfect. I woke up feeling better, but seeing the hotel we were staying at had my heart racing. It was elegant and luxurious. A massive staircase sat opposite a seating area with a beautiful crystal chandelier above. Hawk said we were on the top floor without batting an eye, and my jaw dropped.

This cannot be cheap. How do the Phoenix Riders afford places like this? There is no way a tattoo shop, garage, and bar can bring in enough money to stay here!

Windows lined most of the walls in our room, and I looked out, taking in the sight below. I have never seen a city view before, but it's breathtaking. Hawk said something about taking the couch for the night, pulling me out of my trance. I wanted to argue, but he walked away before I could say anything.

Hearing Tiger nearly bite Gears' head off from hunger made me laugh, but stopped. I looked around, but no one seemed to notice, and I reminded myself, here I can be myself without worry of consequences.

You are not a captive. Breathe and keep pushing forward.

Tiny came up behind me, engulfing me in his arms, and I melted into him. He kissed my head, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Do you want to go lay down or eat? Whatever you want to do, we will," Tiny stated.

I just took a nap, and I don't think I can stomach anything. I know Tiny said I didn't have to talk, but I am tired of living with this weight.

"Um, I think - can we talk, maybe?" I whispered. "I want to get this over with."

Tiny looked worried and asked me again, but I didn't want to wait anymore.

Everyone sat in the living room, and Tiny gave them a stern talking-to, which I appreciated. His large hand engulfed mine, giving me the strength I needed.

I recounted how I found the phone and ended up at the Disciples' clubhouse. However, I wasn't expecting Tiny to admit to knowing I was with Sean the night I left.

I pulled my hand out of his and faced him. Angry.

They all knew I was with the Devil's Disciples and Sean the entire time, and they left me there! This whole time I've been holding onto the hope and prayer that they did everything in their power to find me as quickly as possible, and it was all a lie.

"What do you mean you knew? You knew that night, and you never came for me?" I asked, furiously wiping the tears that fell.

"No...well, yes, but it wasn't like that," Tiny argued. "Sunshine, please let me explain."

"I don't know if I want you to," I whispered, looking out the window behind me, not wanting the others to see me break.

"The night I left, I broke into their clubhouse and got caught. When I came back, you were gone. I was ready to go back and risk it all if it meant you were safe, but the guys wouldn't let me. We never stopped looking for you, and I told them if we didn't have you after two days, Gears and I would go back. We went back the day you were..." Tiny stopped, unable to say sold. "I was within minutes of finding you, but I lost you again."

Tiny's eyes were misty, but he refused to let them fall while I let mine flow. My mind processed Tiny's words, and some gaps started to make sense.

Sean and the Disciples took longer than they said they would get to Redemption Diner. On the ride home, Slasher got a phone call and said if someone didn't fix the window by the time he got back, he would kill the other man...

"Did you break in through a window?" I asked.

"Yes. Slasher's office window," Tiny breathed.

Gears cleared his throat. "I know this is hard to believe but-"

"I believe you, Tiny," I said, looking at him. "Slasher said something about fixing a window on the car ride back to his clubhouse."

Tiny visibly relaxed, but my shaking started, knowing I hadn't told them the worst part.

"Sean kept me locked up the first three days and said he needed to 'retrain' me for my disobedience and new haircut," I recalled, not looking at anyone. "After that, they forced me twice to perform quality control on their drug shipment. Cocaine. I became addicted, just like the other girls there, and I hate myself for it," I admitted, still shaking.

They were disgusted with me. How could they not be? I became a drug addict, and now they may not want me.

"Lily, I know it's hard right now, but none of us blame you for anything that happened. Or if you enjoyed it. The point of drugs is to become addicting, and you didn't have the choice to say no," Tiger assured me.

I nodded, knowing she was right, but I still felt ashamed. Tiny and the others remained silent, keeping to Tiny's promise.

"The only other thing I want to say is that Sean and the Devil's Disciples lied to the men they sold me to. They forced me to say the marks on my arms were from an IV because I was sick, and I hid the bruises. Once here in Atlanta, I realized why they bought me; sex. I panicked and admitted to the drugs and beating, which is when they said I was 'unfit' and 'dismissed' me. I walked to the local diner and called Redemption Diner," I breathed, relieved to get everything out in the open.

Hawk nodded and returned to the office as the doorbell rang with everyone's food. Gears and Tiger answered the door, allowing Tiny and me some space.

"Thank you, Sunshine," Tiny whispered, offering me his hand, not wanting to take it without permission. I saw the sincerity behind his green eyes and placed my hand in his, earning a smile and a wink.

We spent the rest of the night hanging out, watching my favorite British baking show, and munching on the snacks in the minibar. I asked if we had to pay for it, but everyone waved me off. After a few hours, I could feel my eyelids getting heavy, and I wanted to go to bed, but my uncertainty about sleeping alone or with someone kept me from going to bed.

Eventually, Tiger paused the show and said she was going to bed. "I'll leave my door cracked. Just in case," Tiger said, looking at me, and I gave a weak smile.

I watched her disappear into her room, but the door remained slightly ajar. Gears nodded to Tiny before heading to the third bedroom. I realized Tiny and I were the only ones up, and uncertainty settled in.

"Whatever you want, I will respect," he whispered.

What do I want? To sleep peacefully, but I'm worried I won't be able to.