The Trouble He Always Wanted: Devil's Reach MC

Nothing happened

(Harlow)

The bar wasn't as busy as I'd expected, but I didn't care. Music played while I sat with a drink and checked my phone. Asher hadn't called again, which surprised me more than I wanted to admit. I expected at least three angry messages by now.

I took another drink and looked around. Coming here alone had seemed like a great idea when I was arguing with Asher. Now I was sitting at a table by myself while everyone else had someone with them. Maybe I hadn't thought this through.

My phone lit up, and I grabbed it too quickly. It wasn't Asher. Cassidy's name appeared on the screen instead, and I opened her message. She wanted to know if I was busy tomorrow.

I called her instead of answering.

"That depends. Are you inviting me somewhere fun?"

Cassidy laughed.

"No. I need your help."

"That's less exciting."

"I have some things to finish for my course, and I wanted to ask you about something."

I smiled when she mentioned the course. I'd helped Cassidy get started when she decided she wanted to work in real estate. I knew the agent I'd introduced her to would point her in the right direction. Seeing Cassidy actually stick with it made me proud of her.

"What do you need?"

"I'll show you tomorrow. It's easier than trying to explain it over the phone."

"Fine. But you're buying lunch."

"Deal."

I ended the call and put my phone on the table. Thinking about Cassidy's course reminded me of work more than I expected. I hadn't shown a property or dealt with a client since everything happened. There were days when I missed it.

I pushed the thought away and picked up my drink. I wasn't spending tonight thinking about my old job. Cassidy was doing something she wanted, and I was happy for her. That was all that mattered.

A man stopped beside my table a few minutes later. I had noticed him looking at me earlier, but I'd ignored it. He smiled and pointed toward the empty chair across from me. I already knew what he wanted.

"Can I sit?"

"No."

He seemed surprised.

"Waiting for someone?"

"No."

His smile returned.

"Then why can't I sit?"

"Because I don't want you to."

He stood there for another second before finally leaving. I watched him walk back toward the bar and shook my head. Apparently, sitting alone meant I was accepting applications. Asher would've lost his mind if he'd seen that.

The thought made me reach for my phone again. I almost sent him a message just to tell him about it. Then I imagined his reaction and decided I valued whatever freedom I had left. He'd probably find a way to get here on one leg.

I finished my drink and ordered another. Staying here for a couple hours had been the plan. I wasn't going back early and giving Asher the satisfaction of thinking he'd scared me home. He'd never let me forget it.

About an hour later, I decided I'd had enough. Going out alone wasn't nearly as entertaining as I'd convinced myself it would be. I paid my bill and headed toward the exit. At least I'd gotten out of the compound.

The air outside felt cooler against my skin. I reached into my purse for my car keys while walking toward the parking lot. A few people stood near the entrance talking, and cars moved along the road beyond the lot. I found my keys and headed toward my car.

Then I saw the van.

It was parked several spaces away from me. There was nothing unusual about it, and I knew that. It was just a dark van sitting in a parking lot. My body didn't care.

I stopped walking.

For a moment, the parking lot wasn't where I was anymore. I remembered hands grabbing me before I understood what was happening. I remembered hitting the floor inside another van and the pain that followed. I remembered knowing nobody knew where I'd gone.

My keys slipped from my fingers.

The sound brought me back.

I stared at them on the ground before bending to pick them up. My hand was fine now, but I still remembered how much it had hurt after I landed on it. I hated that something so simple could bring all of it back.

"Get over it," I told myself.

The van hadn't moved.

Nobody was coming toward me.

I walked to my car and unlocked it. My fingers shook when I opened the door, which only made me angry. Tyler was gone, and the men who took me weren't waiting outside some random bar. I knew that.

I got inside and locked the doors.

For several seconds, I didn't start the car. I sat there staring through the windshield and tried to get myself together. Going back inside wasn't happening. I wanted to go home.

Home.

I hated how quickly that word made me think of Asher.

I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. The van stayed exactly where it was. I checked my mirror anyway. I checked it again at the next light.

My phone rang through the car.

Asher.

Of course.

I answered.

"What?"

"You're supposed to call me if your plans change."

I frowned.

"How do you know they changed?"

"Because you said a couple hours."

I glanced at the time.

"I didn't realize you were counting."

"I'm always counting when you're gone."

Something about that answer bothered me less than it should have. Normally, I'd tell him he was being controlling and start another argument. Tonight, I didn't have the energy. I just wanted to get back.

"I'm coming home."

He went quiet.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Don't give me that."

"I'm driving, Asher."

"Are you okay?"

I looked in the mirror again.

"I'm fine."

He didn't answer right away.

I knew he didn't believe me.

"I'll see you when you get here."

"Okay."

The call ended, and I kept driving. I should've felt better the farther I got from the bar. Instead, I kept checking behind me even though the van hadn't followed. I hated myself for doing it.

When Devil's Reach gates came into view, relief hit me before I could stop it. I drove inside and parked near the clubhouse. Asher was waiting near the entrance. Apparently, his injured leg hadn't stopped him from coming out to meet me.

I got out and grabbed my purse. He watched me walk toward him without saying anything. I could tell from his face that he already knew something was wrong. I decided he wasn't getting the truth tonight.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Harlow."

"I said nothing happened."

I walked past him and went inside. He didn't grab me or try to block me. That should've made things easier. It didn't.

I could feel him watching me.

And I knew this wasn't over.