Even though something deep within knew she wasn’t with them, I still couldn't help but look behind them at the door, hoping that she was a step behind and would be walking in right after them. Dani must have caught the look because she gave me a sympathetic look and then shook her head,No.
I rubbed at the spot that had a constant ache in my chest, the pain sharper now.
Angel took another step back, scanning his sister, his eyes stopping on a wrap on her wrist. “What the fuck happened to you?”
Mara pulled out of his reach, stepping back with Dani and Meg, lifting her arm. “Oh this. This is just one of many gifts left by yourbrother, Razor.”
A wounded growl sound came from Angel. “What the fuck do you mean?”
Kori laughed from her seat, and all eyes moved to her. “She was Razor’s favourite punching bag.”
A mix of emotions moved across Angel’s face, and then he made a choked sound as he looked down at Mara, almost as if he were hoping she’d deny it.
When she didn’t, he stepped back, running his hands through his hair. “Wha… why didn’t you tell me? I would have fucking killed him.”
Now it was Mara’s turn to laugh, “Oh ya, like you did when I went to you and told you he was fucking everything that moved in front of me and I wanted him gone. Or when I tried to tell you and you told me you were too busy with club business to deal with my relationship drama.”
Angel stood there stunned, watching Mara. He looked frozen.
After a while, Mara just shook her head and walked towards the rest of us. “I thought running would make you look closer at the reason why. I needed to get somewhere safe, so I went to the one person who I thought would help me without question. And she did.”
She let that sit for a moment before turning to me. “And you fuckwads repaid her loyalty to me… with what? A public interrogation? Humiliation?” She laughed again, shaking her head. “You dragged the most loyal person in this whole fucking place over the coals and then let Razor get his hands on her.”
I closed my eyes, unable to control myself, and I felt a tear run down my cheek.
I did this.
“Ya you should be ashamed.” Mara snarled.
I opened my eyes because she was right. I am ashamed; I can’t hide from what I did to Bex. What I allowed to happen. And if Mara knew what happened to her, I had to find out.
“Where did you go? We couldn’t find a trace of you.” Angel asked.
Mara shook her head, looking tired and frustrated. “Bex made sure I ended up with someone who would keep me safe. A place where I was reminded of my worth, of who the fuck I am. I may not have a dick or be a brother, but this is my dad’s legacy too… this is my club.”
She turned and moved towards Kori, grabbing a chunk of dirtybleach-blonde hair and pulling it back so Kori had to look up at her. “You wanna know why this bitch knew I was his punching bag?”
Angel made another choking sound, but Mara kept going.
“Because one of his favourite things to do was to fuck one of the whores in front of me and if I reacted he would put me in my place… while they watched.”
Torch stood so fast that the bar stool crashed to the floor behind him, causing Lacey to jump back.
That drew Mara’s attention, “What’s wrong?” She sniped eyes locked on Lacey who was backing up. “You were one of his favourites too, weren’t you?”
“What the fuck is she still doing here?” Dani asked.
Lacey looked like she was about to cry, “I… I didn’t have a choice.”
Mara’s voice was frigid, “We all have choices to make. You chose to spread your legs for a psychopath inmybed and watch him punish me for crying.”
Lacey started to cry and Cypher turned to her, murmuring something quietly.
“Cypher… wha… Are.. are you comforting her?” Meg choked out. “Are you… Have you….”
She couldn't get the words out before she turned and ran from the clubhouse. Cypher looked shocked, then… he looked down at Lacey confused and then ran after Meg.
What a fucking mess.