In the Dark (15 page)

***Raven***

I thought Lonnie would still be passed out when I got home, but I find her sitting on the couch watching a
novela
. I kick off my heels and drop down next to her, a huge smile on my face.

“I got the job!”

“Good. You can start helping out with the bills around here.”

Bitch
.

“You really know how to kill a mood.”

She finally tears her eyes away from the TV and turns her head toward me.

“You don’t like it, move out.”

Like I asked to come to Stony View, a.k.a. Small Town, Georgia. If it was up to me, I would have stayed in Miami. A few measly months and, by law, I have to have a guardian. I wish I had other family. I definitely would not have chosen Lonnie, but she’s the only family I have left. She came down after Daddy died and stayed just long enough for my last class and to tie up some legal issues, then we shipped out. I didn’t even get to go to prom or graduation. I had to leave my life behind; all my plans, my friends. I miss Toni the most. We’ve been best friends since forever and I can’t stand being so far away from her. I hate that I have to be here, but until I turn eighteen, there’s nothing I can do.

“You think I don’t know what’s in those papers you signed? Dad’s lawyer may be handling everything, but I know you’re getting a stipend for me.”

“So?”

“So I shouldn’t have to pay you anything.”

“Like I said, you don’t like it, move out.”

“Don’t worry. As soon as I
legally
can, I will. Then everything Dad left me comes directly to me. Enjoy it while it lasts.”

She seethes, narrowing her eyes at me, but I stand my ground. She doesn’t scare me.

“Fine. Half the utilities and your own food.”

“Fine.”

I agree because I don’t want to make the next three months more unbearable than they need to be. We’ve never been close; barely tolerated each other. I don’t know why but it always seemed as if she just didn’t like me. At first I thought it was because we had different mothers. She would constantly taunt me about my ‘
gringa madre
’ but I’ve never even met the woman. Daddy was the only parent I had. Shit, I practically took care of him after Lonnie moved out. He always worked nights, so I had to grow up real fast with practically no one to watch me. His parents died when I was a baby and God knows who my maternal grandparents are. Whenever I did have a babysitter, they pretty much let me do whatever I wanted while they made out with their boyfriends on the couch or talked with their friends on the phone the entire time. Let’s just say I learned a lot watching and listening.

Whatever Lonnie’s reason is for hating me, time has done nothing to abate it. If anything, her hate has intensified. Since I moved to here, I’ve noticed she’s become worse. I have no idea what’s happened to her in the seven years since she moved away that’s turned her into the raving bitch she is now. I can’t wait to get out of here.

She turns her attention back to the TV, and I decide to head to my room and call Chrissy. We hit it off even more on the bus, so we exchanged numbers. I can’t believe how much we have in common. She likes music and books just as much as I do, even the same genres. She and Chris speak Spanish, too, because their parents are from the Dominican Republic. She’ll want to hear about the hot doctor I met at the diner. I know he’s a member of the MC, but he seems nothing like the other minions. He was
clean
…from his slicked-back dark hair to his cute baby face. His warm, hazel eyes looked spectacular, even behind his black-rimmed glasses. And his body? Good Lord – tall and lean.
He can examine me anytime.

“Hey, how’d you get home last night?”

Now she asks. I could have been dead in a gutter somewhere and she wouldn’t have realized I was missing. Should I lie? She didn’t take too kindly to what Deena told her. No, she’s my sister. If she has a thing for Gage, she’ll just tell me, and then I can assure her that I have no interest in him. Then again, maybe she won’t be that civil. She already despises me.

“I was walking home, but your friend was passing by and gave me a ride.”

“What friend?”

“The tall, blond one. The one you introduced me to.”

Her head snaps toward me so fast I think I hear her neck pop.
Uh oh.

“Gage?
Gage
gave you a ride?”

“Yeah, him.”

I hope I sound indifferent. I need her to realize it was nothing, because I don’t like the look in her eyes right now. She stands and slowly makes her way toward me.

“On what?”

“What do you mean?”

She grabs my arm, sinking her nails into my flesh.

“Ow!”

“Don’t play dumb with me,
puta
.
On
.
What
?”

“His bike! Now let me go.”

She slams me into the wall and suddenly the pain in my arm is nothing.
What the fuck?

“His bike?
You
were on his bike?” she shouts in my face.

“Lonnie!”

She grabs my neck, pinning me to the wall. My eyes widen in surprise. I’ve never seen her like this before. Her eyes are wild and she’s breathing heavily. Slowly, her fingers tighten around my neck.

“Gage is mine, do you understand? It’s taking me longer than I thought, but I
am
going to be his old lady. Stay the fuck away from him. ¿
Comprende
?”

She squeezes tighter and I can barely breathe. I grab at her fingers, but she’s surprisingly strong. I can’t get any words out so I just nod, hoping it’ll be enough. She loosens her hold and I gasp for breath. I push her hand away and stare at her in shock.

“Jesus, Lonnie! He’s like, ancient. Besides, I told you I don’t want anything to do with you and your stupid MC.”

She scoffs and moves back to the couch, watching her
novela
as if she didn’t just try to kill me. I pick up my shoes and trudge to my room. Tears begin to form, spilling over as I close my bedroom door. I fall into bed, burying my face into the pillow.
Three months. Just three months and I’ll be free.

Another all-nighter. Shit, I’m getting too old for this. Who would have thought I’d be saying that shit at thirty-two? E rolls up next to me and gestures to his stomach, making me realize I’m starving, too. He points toward Millie’s and rides ahead of me. Millie’s. Fuck. For the last month, I’ve avoided that place like the plague. I told myself I’d leave her alone and I have. The problem is she’s still a permanent fixture in my thoughts. She’s built a fucking house and moved the fuck in.
I guess I can’t hide forever.
I signal to the guys and pull in next to E’s bike. He’s still sitting there waiting for the rest of us.

“You sure you up to it, man?”

He knows I’ve been trying to stay away from her. Hell, he even encouraged me; told me I was doing the right thing. I take a deep breath and run my fingers through my hair. I’m about as ready as I’ll ever be. “A man’s gotta eat.”

I push the door to the diner and the chimes announce our arrival. She’s behind the counter making coffee, but her back is turned to us. A few people glance nervously in our direction, a couple leaving hurriedly. It surprises and amuses me in equal measure how scared some people are of us. We’ve never given them a reason to be. This is home, so we keep our shit outside its borders.

“Welcome to Millie’s. Just sit where you like and I’ll be with you in a sec.”

Her voice. It’s like the sound of a brand new Dyna to my ears. Not the most romantic analogy, I know, but I’m a biker. Deal with it. She hasn’t even turned around yet and she’s having an effect on my bone-tired body. My cock twitches.
Shit! Stop it, Gage.
Crow, Motor, and Razor slide into a booth, while E and I take another. Our eyes meet when she finally turns around. She gasps and touches her fingers to her neck. I expected a little surprise, but I see something else in her eyes. I’ve seen it enough to recognize it even at this distance. It’s fear.
Why would she be afraid of me?
She quickly regains her composure and walks toward our table, head held high. She passes the menus around and removes a pad and pencil from the pocket of her apron, all while she avoids looking at me.

“Can I get you all something to drink while you decide?”

The guys at the other table order coffee and then she turns to me and E.

“The usual, Dr. Emerson?”

“I’ve told you a million times, Raven. Jon is fine, or Einstein; that’s what everyone calls me.”

A million times? Jon?
I narrow my eyes at E and he shrugs. She smiles weakly and jots something down on her notepad.

“Coffee, cream, no sugar. And for you, sir?”

E snickers. Fucker.

“Sir? You talking to me?”

She takes a deep breath and finally looks at me. The vibrant girl I met a few weeks ago is nowhere to be seen. She looks tired, worn out. There’s no fire in her eyes. She looks pale and…defeated. That’s the only word I can think of.
What the hell happened to her?

“Are you okay?”

She tilts her head to the side and furrows her brows.

“Of course. Why would you ask that?”

“You just don’t seem like yourself, is all.”

“How would you know? You don’t know me.”

Ouch. Harsh but true.

“What can I get you?” she asks, with a little impatience.

“Coffee, black.”

“I’ll be right back.”

I watch her walk away before turning to E.

“What was that all about,
Jon
?”

He chuckles and raises his arms in surrender.

“Hey, I get my coffee here every morning. As for the rest, she’s been like that for a while now.”

I watch her intently as she comes back with the mugs and the pot of coffee. She moves methodically, more out of practice and routine than anything else. After taking our orders, she disappears, only surfacing when some other customers come in. Millie serves our breakfast, so Raven doesn’t come back to our tables until she brings the check. As usual, the guys left me to pick up the tab, so I’m the only one here when she returns.

“Sit with me for a minute.”

“I can’t. I’m working.”

“I’ll take care of that. Hey, Millie!”

Millie smiles and makes her way over. She’s Aunt Nita’s age, but you’d never hear her admit it. She says she dresses the age she feels, which most of the time looks like twenty. Her hair and lipstick are always a matching shade of red. She’s probably been with half the guys in the MC. Not me. I’m not into cougars. Plus, she’s Nita’s best friend. Millie’s a good woman, though, and a keen business woman.

“Can I borrow your waitress for five minutes?”

Raven’s eyes widen in annoyance and she turns to Millie, ready to argue.

“Sure thing, honey. I can manage. Besides, Sheila will be here any minute.”

She turns on her heels and walks away, leaving us alone.

“Please, just leave. I need to get back to work.”

“Raven, sit.”

She opens her mouth to protest and I narrow my eyes at her.

“Sit.”

She sighs and glances around nervously before sliding in opposite me. She lowers her gaze, staring into her lap.

“What’s going on with you?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t give me that. Are you sick, or in some kind of trouble?”

“I’m fine.”

“Look at me.”

She slowly raises her head and gives me a dead stare.

“Why are you acting like we’re strangers?”

“We are.”

“We may not be friends, but we’re far from strangers, Raven. What’s going on?”

“Nothing. For the last time, stay out of my business. Just go play with your stupid bike and leave me the hell alone.”

She slides out of the booth and marches back to the counter. Before she gets there, she stops, shakes her head, and then runs out the rear exit. Fuck, I knew it. Millie stops me before I can follow her out.

“She tell you what’s going on?”

“No. You?”

“She won’t say a word no matter how many times I ask. Go on. If anyone can fix what’s wrong, I know it’s you.”

God, I hope so.

***Raven***

Stupid grease monkey! Why couldn’t he just stay away? I haven’t seen him in weeks and now, all of a sudden, he’s back and in my business. Ugh! I swipe at my tears with the back of my hand and lean against the wall. I hope this doesn’t get back to Lonnie. She’d surely kill me this time. She’s been on me like a hawk even though I’ve been dating Christopher. He’s a great guy and all, but I only agreed to go out with him thinking it would get Lonnie off my back. I’ve accepted that’s not going to happen. I just need to get through the next two months. I’ve already lined up an apartment and saved enough for the deposit.

“Jesus Christ, Raven!”

Fuck
! I turn to him, shaking with anger, and ready to give him a piece of my mind. He takes my hand, pulls me into his arms, and instead, I fall apart. His arms tighten around me as I begin to sob uncontrollably. This is the most dangerous place for me to be right now, and yet I feel so safe. I slide my hands under his cut and around his waist, pressing my face into his chest.

“Don’t worry, baby doll. You’re going to be okay. I’ll take care of you.”

“No, you c-can’t.”

He cradles my face and stares into my eyes with steely determination.

“I can and I will.”

“You don’t understand!”

“Then make me!”

I tear myself from his hold and turn my back to him, hugging myself tightly. “I can’t. Just leave me alone, Gage. Please.”

He pulls me back against him and squeezes my arm lightly. I flinch and draw in a ragged breath. Fuck.

“Raven?”

He takes my hand and when I try to pull away, his grip tightens.
No. Please, no.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t get away. “Let me go.”

“In a minute.”

He takes my sleeve and pushes it up to my shoulder. I close my eyes as fresh tears begin streaming down my face.

“What the fuck? Who did this?”

I don’t have to look at him to know he’s angry. I hear it in his voice. He’s fuming.

“Nobody.”

“Nobody? Your arm is fucking black and blue!” he shouts. Taking a deep breath, he places a gentle finger under my chin and tips my face toward his.

“Talk to me.”

I stare at the ground because the look in his eyes is too much to bear. I’ve only seen that look in Daddy’s eyes. It’s that scared but overprotective one he’d get when he thought I was hurt. I can’t look Gage in the eyes and lie. I can’t tell him that Lonnie punched me in the arm for using the milk she bought. She’s always been a bitch, but since that day she found out about Gage giving me a ride home, she’s been downright violent. The smallest things tick her off, and she takes it out on me. She left such a nasty bruise on my neck, that makeup and scarves became my best friends for two weeks.

“I walked into a door.”

He releases me and I push my sleeve back down.

“Bullshit. Who’s putting their hands on you?”

“You wanna help; I get it. I appreciate the concern, but there’s nothing you can do. Just forget it. Forget
me
.”

I move past him and make my way back inside. After washing my face and getting myself back in order, I return to work. Gage is nowhere to be found, thank God. I can’t get away from Millie, though. She grabs my hand and pulls me to her office in the back, closing the door.

“Well?”

She places her hands on her hips, tapping her foot impatiently.

“Well, what?”

“Are you going to let Gage help you or not?”

“Help me with what?”

“With whatever it is that’s got you walking around here like a zombie. Don’t be afraid to let someone in, honey. I’m here. And MC business aside, Gage is very resourceful. We can help you.”

“What I need is more hours. You don’t even have to pay me. I’ll just work for tips.”

She leans on her desk and crosses her arms, narrowing her eyes.

“Money? What kind of trouble are you in?”

“I’m not in trouble. I’m just saving up for my own place. The extra hours would really help.”

“I see. Let me sleep on it, and we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Millie. I really appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

She reaches into her pocket and hands me a hundred dollar bill. Fuck that. I asked for more hours, not charity.

“It’s not what you think, girlie. It’s the tip Gage left you.”

“But…that’s a hundred dollars!”

“Guess he
really
liked the service.”

She smiles and places it in my palm, closing my fingers around it. She taps my cheek softly and leaves me staring down at my fist. The service was not that good. In fact, it was horrible. I served him coffee, insulted him, cried all over his shirt, and chased him off. I tuck it into my pocket with the intention of giving it back to him. I’ll just give it to Dr. Emerson when he comes in for his coffee in the morning. That way, I don’t have to see Gage.

By the end of my shift, I’m in a better mood. If Millie comes through for me, I’ll reach my goal even sooner. As I’m wiping down my last table, Christopher walks in. He gives me one of his gorgeous smiles and it lifts my spirits even more. Whatever my reasons were for dating him, I don’t regret it. He slides an arm around my waist and kisses my cheek.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hi.”

“You ready?”

“In a sec.”

I remove my apron and toss it in the laundry basket, say my goodbyes, and we head out.

“How was work?”

“Good. I talked to Millie about giving me more hours. She didn’t say no, so I’m hopeful. You?”

“Great. I think I’m starting to get through to the kids.”

I listen to him talk about the kids he’s tutoring as part of a summer program, and admire the passion in his voice. He’s going to be a great teacher someday. He and his sister both took a year off from school – him to teach, and her to party. They are the poster children for twins with opposite personalities.

“I bought you those strawberry and cheese pastries you love.”

He dangles the bag in front of my face and I snatch it from his fingers. I waste no time opening the container and taking a bite of one. I close my eyes and moan as I chew. These things are heavenly.

“What the –?” Chris exclaims.

I turn to Chris and see him being pulled into the alley we were passing.

“Chris!”

I drop the pastries and run back to the alley, only to see him against the wall, a few feet off the ground. The worst part? The hands fisted in his shirt belong to the last person I want to see – Gage.

“Gage! What the hell? Put him down!”

He doesn’t even acknowledge me.

“Did it make you feel like a man? Huh?” Gage growls.

“What are you talking about?”

Gage pulls him forward and slams his back against the wall again.

“Gage, stop it!” I shout.

“Putting your hands on a defenseless girl. Is that what gets you off?”

Holy shit. He thinks it was Chris.
I meet Chris’ shocked and confused stare.

“I swear, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Chris says in a panic.

“I’m talking about the bruise on her arm, asshole!”

Chris turns his head toward me and the hurt in his eyes gets me moving. I punch Gage on the arm and push at him until he finally releases Chris. He turns to me and I have to avert my gaze. The rage in his expression is just too much for me.

“Are you okay?” I ask Chris.

“Fine. What’s he talking about, Raven? What bruise?”

“Let’s just go.”

“Not until I know what he’s talking about. And why he knows and I don’t.”

“He saw my arm today in the diner. He’s got this crazy notion that someone’s hurting me, but just like I told him, I walked into a door.”

“Show me.”

I watch the muscles in his jaw work as he clenches his teeth. All the time, I’m still aware of Gage observing us.

“Cut the bullshit innocent act. Just tell me it was him and let me kick his ass,” he seethes.

Chris steps forward and gets into Gage’s face.

“This is none of your business. If she’s hurt, it’s my problem to deal with. She’s
my
girlfriend.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, it is.”

“Well, you’ve been doing a bang-up job so far.”

I grab Chris’ arm and try pulling him out of the alley. He shrugs from my grasp and turns his anger on me.

“Show. Me.”

I sigh and pull up the sleeve of my blouse. He reaches out to touch the bruise but I cover it back up.

“Raven, what –?”

“Let’s go. Please.”

“Okay. But we need to talk about this.”

We start to walk away but I turn back and approach Gage. He looks down at me and I see that his anger has turned to concern again.

“I promise, Chris isn’t hurting me. No one is. Just stop.” I fish the hundred dollars out of my pocket and hand it to him. “You left this at the diner. I don’t want to see it or you again.”