Chapter Twenty-One
Wren
WALKING OUT OF theclubhouse is one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time.This time I’m doing it in front of people I care about and I know it’s hurting them.When Fury walked up and gave me a hug, it felt as if the weight of the world settled on my shoulders as he held me like I was about to disappear on him.He told me he missed me and that if I ever needed anything to call him and he’d be there without question or hesitation.Fury also said Millie’s been asking about me and wants to get together for lunch or something if I’d be up for it.I definitely will get lunch with her.Millie seems like a really great girl and someone I can see myself letting in as we become friends.Before I left, Fury told Tristan and Zach to make sure I have his number along with Demolition, Vulture, and Millie.Death and Talon also told me to get their numbers because even if they aren’t anywhere near me, they want me to call if I need anything.They’re happy about the babies and I know these little ones will have the best uncles in the world.
Judge didn’t come to the diner for a few days and I can admit I miss seeing him.When I walked in and saw him at the table with his family, I wanted to go over and wrap my arms around him.No, I haven’t forgiven him for what he said about me and I don’t know if I’ll be able to.There’s no reason for him to say such vile words about me.Today he’s wearing a shirt that shows off the muscles in his arms and the smooth, tan skin.I honestly debated going to the clubhouse to tell him anything about the babies, but I figured it would be the only chance I had to say what I needed to.When I say I don’t want anything from him, I mean it.I’m not about to have someone in the lives of my children who doesn’t really want anything to do with them.Money might be tight, but I will figure out a way to take care of them and provide everything they want and need.Going to college will allow me to earn more money so that’s the first thing I have to start looking into.
When I saw the confusion in Judge’s eyes the second I mentioned babies instead of baby, I wanted to laugh.He doesn’t want anything to do with one baby so I knew there was no way he’d blindly accept the fact that I’m having twins.It’s a shock and I was surprised when the technician was giving me the ultrasound.For a minute, I didn’t know what to do or think.All I knew was that I was going to have two humans depending on me for everything as they grow up.I’ll have to teach and guide them every single day.Most days, I don’t have my shit together and now two babies will look to me for every basic need they have.However, I’m strong enough to do this on my own.I'll get into a routine and stick to it.
Just after we get out of the clubhouse, Tristan tells me he has to run back in to grab something before we head out.Yes, Zach and Tristan are following me back to my apartment because they don’t want something to happen and I end up stuck on the side of the road somewhere.I understand where they’re coming from, but I really don’t need an escort.It’s a four hour round trip for them.
Zach walks to his bike as I start to make my way across the parking lot toward my car.Today I didn’t park close to the door, I parked near the fence because there’s a little bit of shade.It’s hot as hell and I don’t want to get in a roasting car.My air conditioner isn’t working the best and it takes forever to cool the car down.I’m thinking of Judge as I take each step knowing I’m walking away from him for the last time.I won’t come back to the clubhouse again.If anyone here wants to see me, they’re more than welcome to come to me or we can make plans to meet up somewhere in the middle of us.
“You’re a hard bitch to track down,” I hear a woman say and look to my left to see Karmen.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Karmen?”I ask her, sliding my keys between my fingers so I can use them as a weapon if I have to.“I haven’t seen you in months and now you show up out of the blue?”
“I came to get you, of course.See, you owe me.You lost our apartment and took the only source of money I had available to me.You thought I didn’t know about your little hiding spots in your room and all that other bullshit, but I did.It’s a wonder what cameras pick up,” Karmen says as she steps closer to me with a malicious smile on her deranged face.
Karmen’s been on a bender again.I can smell stale alcohol on her along with body odor and sex.Her hair is a rat’s nest and the make-up she usually wears is smeared and caked on more than normal.Karmen’s clothes are rumpled and there are holes in them as if someone tried to rip them from her body.I’ve witnessed her like this a few times during the time we shared the apartment.She’s been out drinking, doing drugs, fucking anyone willing to jump in bed with her, and gambling at whatever table had the richest men sitting at it.That’s her game and she doesn’t think those men see right through her.They’re not as dumb as Karmen is.
Out of the corner of my eyes I see Zach get off his bike and start to make his way over to us.A glare is on his face as his steps start to move quicker when Karmen takes a few more small steps closer to me.I really don’t need his help dealing with this bitch because she can’t fight.I’ve seen her attempt at The Hide Out and she’s a hair puller.I know how to fight with my fists.If it’s a fair fight, I can see myself winning against her even while I’m pregnant.
“I don’t owe you a damn thing, Karmen.You stole my money, clothes, and didn’t pay the bills in the apartment for four months.I’m the one who had to deal with the landlord because you simply vanished.You’re the one who fucking owes me,” I yell at her as she lifts an arm and I realize too late she has a metal pipe in her hand.The pipe slams into the side of my head and there’s an instant explosion of pain before my vision fades and I feel myself collapsing to the ground.I don’t notice Zach running toward me as two men enter the compound holding guns.
***
Waking up, the firstthing that hits me is the smell.I’m surrounded by the stench of stale alcohol and mildew.There’s a slow drip of water coming from somewhere near me and I can feel my dress sticking to my upper body.Opening my eyes, my head starts pounding even more than it was a second ago, but I need to see where the hell I am and what’s going on.The light in the room I’m in is dim and I can hardly make out details further away from me.They’re all blurry and I can’t focus on anything.My heart races and I have a hard time slowing my breathing down when I feel my arms tied behind my back.
“Wren, is that you?”I hear Leah say and I instantly whip my head around to see her face covered in blood and her hands tied in front of her.
“What are you doing here, Leah?Are you okay?”I ask her, trying to move my body closer to hers as she lays in a crumpled mess on the floor about seven feet to the right of me.
“I don’t know why I’m here, Wren.I was in the kitchen when these two men rushed in and bashed me in the head with one of my own damn pans.I fought back against them, but I was out numbered.They hit me with brass knuckles and a bunch of other stuff,” she informs me as I look at her and try to take in all the injuries she has on her body.
“I’m so sorry, Leah.If I can get loose, I’ll get you out of here,” I promise her, starting to move my wrists around and find the rope tied around me loose.It’s not loose enough to pull my wrists free, but I can maneuver my hands and loosen it even more.Whoever tied me up had no clue what the hell they were doing.
“You worry about getting yourself free, Wren.You’re pregnant and have your entire life ahead of you.I’m an old woman who’s lived better than a lot of others,” Leah says as I glare at her because that’s not going to happen.
I can feel the skin on my wrists becoming raw as I continue moving them around.While I’m trying to get free, I look around the room I’m in again.My vision is still blurry, but it’s cleared up a little bit.We’re in a basement somewhere.The walls surrounding us are cement and I can see where the dripping water is coming from.There’s a window about five feet in front of me that’s large enough for Leah to get through.To the left of the window, I see stacks of alcohol boxes and a few kegs sitting along the wall.On one of the boxes it says The Hide Out in bold letters so that tells me where we are.The dim light is coming from the window so I know it’s at least day time still.There’s grime and spider webs covering the window blocking out the full potential for the room to be brighter.
“You’re finally fucking awake,” Karmen says as she enters the room and I turn my attention to her while continuing to work my hands free.
“What the fuck are you doing?Why are we here?”I question the bitch as she steps up right in front of me and glares down at me as if I’ve done her wrong somehow.
“Well, that old bitch isn’t supposed to be here.I was told you were working at some diner a few hours away and sent some guys to go pick you up.They brought her back here instead.Told me she was the only one there so I knew you were somewhere else.I just happened to see you in town with those guys.You’ve really become quite the slut since I last saw you.Fucking multiple men at the same time and bringing them out in public with you,” Karmen says as if her words are going to hurt my feelings or something.“Do you even know who the dad of your baby is?”