VICE Crimson Tears MC (STANDALONE)

Chapter 1

Never again.
I vow this as I pull myself up from the floor. Every movement screams through me. My left eye is swelling making it hard to see out of. My ribs, which very well might be broken are making it difficult to breathe. There's bruising on my shoulders and neck where he's viciously grabbed me.
Well no more.
Head throbbing I fear I'm going to vomit. Surely a sign of concussion. I can't let that hold me back. I'm getting away from Wesley O' Hare and his abuse. I need to find my phone.
Giving myself a count of three, I painstakingly get to my feet. Biting the inside of my cheek I can hear him opening and slamming drawers in his office. I don't know how much time I've got so I have to move. Now.
Forcing one foot in front of the other, every step feels like lighting bolts and it takes everything not to collapse back onto the floor.
You've got this Fawn. You've got this. Keep going. The pep talk helps me make it into the library. My phone sits on the ottoman. I'd been reading a classic before I heard his car pull in. Limping over, I can just barely bend to pick it up. Hand shaking, the sound of his fist striking the desk has me jumping, heart pounding.
Tapping my phone screen, it brightens. The face recognition doesn't work causing me to take precious time to put in my code. Once done, I get into my contacts. There's a total of two. Wesley and Pizza. Which isn't actually pizza.
Stephanie is our part time house cleaner. She'd pressed a scrap piece of paper with her number on it with the words "When you're ready" written under it. Our bond had been forged then.
Starting a new text, I'm suddenly paralyzed. What if she's too busy to help? What if her phone is dead? What if?...no. Scolding myself I take a deep breath. I'm doing this.
Starting to type, a hard knocking comes from the front door, causing me to startle. Wesley only ever has anyone over at dinner time. To have someone over in early afternoon...
Knowing if I stay where I am, I'm in direct line of sight and I can't stand the idea of whoever this is seeing me in this bad of shape. Limping to the door, I move behind it. Keeping my phone pressed against my leg, I listen as Wesley storms from his office, cursing. This is another level of agitation I haven't seen from him. Hearing another man's voice, I peer through the crack as the front door is slammed closed and their footsteps approach.
Walking quickly past, I catch a glimpse. He's on the shorter side. No more than five-eight. Dark hair in a mullet style and dressed in a charcoal suit.
Wesley starts in on him immediately. Moving from behind the door, I lift my phone to continue my plea for help when Wesley's associate says something that has me riveted. Tapping out of the text message I open the recording.
"Wes. I've got this. In five days the Crimson Tears MC's guns will be in Victor's possession. Everyone is in place to make this go off without a hitch. We're set to make a killing with this. You've got yourself all worked up. Relax man. Once this is done you can take your pretty wife far away from here."
My stomach does a slow roll. Yeah, that's not happening buddy. Maneuvering myself into the hall, I see that the door isn't completely closed. If I can snap a picture...the plan I've formulated is utterly insane but it could just be my ticket away from Wesley O' Hare permanently.
I'm going to have to get the door open just a bit more if I'm going to have any chance of success at this. Raising my hand, it's trembling. Stopping the recording, I switch over to the camera. I know I've only got once shot at this.
Swallowing hard, I push the door ever so slightly, willing the hinges not to make a sound. He'll kill me if he catches me. No matter that someone else is in the house.
They're talking in hushed whispers now and I can't make out their words. It's fine. What I've recorded is plenty. Crouching, I get my the phones camera in far enough I can see both. Zooming in, I snap off two. Pulling my hand back, I check the quality. They're good. Holding my breath to keep from hissing in pain, I get back to my feet. Pulling the door back to its original position. I take slow steps back.
Getting away from the door, I need to get shoes on and grab my purse. Going back to my text to Stephanie I try to type as quickly as I can that it's time for me to go. Now. Hitting send, my heart is in my throat.
Her reply comes seconds later.
"On my way. Slip out the back, I'll be waiting around the corner. Meet in five."
Pressing a hand to my chest I'm incredibly thankful. I'm getting out of this nightmare. Finally.
Getting my feet into the first pair of shoes I find, I scurry best I can to the mud room. My purse is hanging on the hook. The clock is ticking but I have to make sure he didn't rifle through it. Unsnapping it, I look inside. My wallet and pepper spray are still there. Good. Listening, I don't hear footsteps meaning I'm still in the clear. Turning the knob, I slip out, closing the door as quietly as possible.
Running is hard with a limp, but I make it around the house to the sidewalk. Luckily none of our neighbors are out.
At the corner I see her. Waving at me through the windshield, I make my way over. Climbing into the passenger side of her Honda Civic, tears well in her blue eyes.
"Oh baby. Look what he's done to you," she whimpers.
I appreciate her concern but,"We need to get out of here Steph. I'll tell you everything on the way."
Hands shaking she pulls from the curb. "Where am I taking you baby?"
"Have you ever heard of the Crimson Tears MC?"
Shaking her head she looks at me incredulous. "Baby I know nothing about an MC. That's where I'm taking you?"
"It is." With that I hit play on the recording. Her eyes are saucers as she listens.
"This is dangerous shit baby. You're going to the MC with this? Wouldn't it be better to go straight to the feds?"
Probably but I've made up my mind. "I'm doing this my way. I need to find their location. You can drop me off somewhere close by. I'll walk the rest of the way."
Looking them up isn't easy. I manage though and get Steph in the right direction. Her knuckles are white on the steering wheel and guilt grips me.
Coming off the expressway, she turns right onto the first street after the light.
Her eyes keep flicking to me waiting for me to back out. I'm not going to. When I know we're close I have her pull over. I don't immediately move to get out. I'm nervous.
"You give them the recording. What do you get in return?"
Looking her in the eyes this is a monumental moment. She's likely to lose it when I tell her. "I'll give them the recording with the photos in return I'm seeking their protection." It's not the whole truth but I find I can't tell her the last bit.
"This is so far from what I had in mind in getting you away. Are you sure about this? You can still go to the feds."
Giving her a weak smile, I pull her into a hug. "I'm sure. Thank you. I don't know how I'll ever repay you but I'll find a way." Pulling back she holds my face, pressing a kiss to my forehead before letting me go.
"Be safe baby. You need me, you call. I'll come."
Nodding, I climb out. Giving her a final wave, I start for the Crimson Tears MC and hopefully the protection I can trade for.
By the time I make it to the massive chain link fence, I can barely stand.
"State your business," a voice calls out.
Jerking, I lean my head back, shading my eyes with my hand. There's a man. Correction, biker leering down at me.
"I need to speak with your President. Business proposition. He's going to want to hear it."
Hesitating, he brings a walkie talkie to his mouth. I can't hear what's said. As long as it gets me in, that's all that matters.
A moment later the gate pulls open. Two men of similar stature glare at me. Both wearing leather cuts. The one of the right has President stitched in while the other has Vice President. Pulling my shoulders back, this is apparently amusing to the VP.
"I assure you. There's nothing amusing about why I'm here."