“What happens now?” I asked looking over at Duke. “We wait. Wait until she can tell us exactly what happened.” I couldn’t just sit there waiting. I went into the kitchen to get the bottle of Jack and noticed her phone on the side. Picking it up, I took it into the living room along with the bottle. I poured two drinks and started to look through her phone. I noticed that she had a few unread texts from myself, Amy and Diesel and that another number had text her recently but wasn’t saved under a name. I read the messages which didn’t reveal much. Nothing bad, just a few messages about her being missed.
“What is it Spike, you have that look on your face.” Duke leaned forward resting his chin on his steepled fingers. “She has texts sent to her but addressing her as Princess. Diesel named her ‘Ink’ so it’s nothing to do with our MC. Maybe Diesel will know something when he arrives.” We sat there for what felt like ages. The silence was broken by Dukes phone. “Diesel…That’s great, thanks for your help with that, look where are you?…okay, make your way to Harlow’s…Just make your way here and I’ll explain when you arrive.” Duke turned his phone off and returned it to his pocket. “Diesel’s on his way. We’re gonna need another drink.”
Diesel
I drove like a fucking lunatic trying to get to Ink’s apartment. She’d been the only thing on my mind since Saturday, well tell a lie, she’d been the only thing on my mind since the day I met her at the shop. The girl meant everything to me and I wasn’t wasting any more time. The next time I saw her, I was going to tell her that she was mine.
I arrived at her apartment and went rushing in to find Duke and Spike sitting in the living room. “Where is she?” I said looking around the room franticly. “Sleeping. Look there’s no easy way of explaining this man, she’s been assaulted.” Duke stood as he told me holding my gaze. I stomped to her bedroom and found her asleep on the bed. She looked so peaceful, like she did the night I took her to Spirits Point. I sat next to her noticing the bruising and scratches on her beautiful face. I moved the cover slightly, trying to see if she had any other injuries. She had bruising on her arms like she had been grabbed with force. Even in her sleep she was holding her side and I wondered if there was any further damage. I covered her back over and kissed her softly on her head, leaving her peacefully.
“Does someone want to fucking tell me what’s been going on? I’ve only been out of town for a day!” I was shouting at the President of our club and I didn’t give a shit. “We probably know as much as you at the moment. Spike came round here a couple of hours ago because Harlow had called in sick.” Duke tried to explain but I was looking directly at Spike. “So you thought you would just pop round to see if she was okay? Trying to save the day again were you Spike.” I said with venom in my voice. “Easy VP, he was looking out for your girl and a good job too.” Duke stood between us trying to prevent another fist fight.
“Do you know who calls her Princess?” Spike asked not listening to my last spiteful comment. Princess! I tried to think of a time when she’d been called Princess. The altercation in the cafe sprang to mind. That rancid Patch called her Princess and so did Flex. “Skulls! The Skulls call her Princess. Must have been her dad that gave her the name, sort of see why.” Spike and Duke glanced at each other. “What aren’t you telling me?” I asked anxiously. Duke placed his hand on my shoulder, “She had texts on her phone addressing her as Princess. I think the Skulls paid her a visit.”
We needed to call church to discuss our next move. We decided to do this tomorrow morning so that I could stay the night here with Ink. Duke and Spike got ready to leave. “If you need anything, just give me a call.” Duke patted me on the back and they left closing the door quietly behind them. I stripped down to my boxers, folding my clothes neatly and hanging them over the back of the sofa. I took my knife and gun into the bedroom, once I had secured the apartment. Ink was in the same position as I’d left her earlier. I pulled back the duvet slowly and got into the cold bed behind her. I gently stroked her head, taking all of her hair away from her face. God this girl was beautiful.
I must have disturbed her because she rolled over slowly with a slight grimace on her face. Harlow opened her eyes and I saw something deep inside. I couldn’t make out if it was fear, anger or desire. “Diesel, why are you here?” She said in a whisper. “I’ve come to look after you babe and I’m never leaving your side again. You have to learn to trust me. I will never let anyone hurt you again.” She didn’t say a word, she just snuggled into me which made me feel whole. We laid there in comfortable silence when she looked at me and said “Thank you” before she fell back to sleep. I lay there listening to her heavy breathing and could feel the swell of my heart.