“They could be whores.” Spliff points out. I think about it quietly as the brothers’ voice their opinions.

“This morning Grim found some useful intel from Bomber.” Dad interrupts everyone. Everyone looks to our VP to hear what he has to say.

“Bomber told me that Strike has a sister.” Grim reveals. “Not a lot of people know, not even Demon knew because Strike keeps her hidden. A good idea because of who he is, but Bomber is one of the few who found out about her. I think she will be good leverage.”

The room quickly becomes split with what to do.

“We can’t hurt a woman.” Baby complains.

“Fuck that! She’s probably going to be just as bad as Strike!” Duke shouts.

“We will be just as bad as The Devils.” I try to reason with Grim.

“Enough!” Shouts dad, as he stands. “Do you think they had a big discussion like this when they took Elise? Or when they tortured all three of those girls and then took Lauren away from us just as we promised her a safe life?” We all stay quiet in response.

“No they fucking didn’t!” He screams. “Now, this news is perfect and it gives us insurance.”

“I’ve told Bomber to get a few photos of his sister, and then Strike will know we know about her.” Grim adds.

“What makes you think he even cares for this sister?” Scrappy asks.

“Why would he have her locked away and not told his club brothers about her?” Grim asks in return.

He has a good fucking point. Why keep someone locked away out of sight so nobody could find out about her? Strikes a fucked up man, but he could have a tiny piece of him that actually cares about someone. If he cares about her that much, then having him know that we have found out about her could be the perfect tool to save the girls.

The next morning Lauren and I have planned to go and visit Marie and Nelly and Elise is going to be meeting us there. When we’re in the car, I turn to look at Lauren and see her biting down on that lip of hers. “You’re worried they will mention you being a role model again.” I observe.

Lauren frowns for just a second, but I see it. “I just don’t like the responsibility.” She sulks.

“Well deal with it.” I laugh. “You have it whether you like it or not.”

Lauren heavily sighs. “I was thinking of going to talk with Laura.”

“Good idea, she’ll know what you’re going through.” I reply.

Lauren parks outside Marie’s house and the front door bangs open. The little girl we met the other day called Lorena, runs out to the car with a huge smile. She’s only five and small as hell but she sure seems happy to see us. I get out the car first and Lorena wraps her tiny arms around my legs, squealing in delight. When Lauren walks around to our side, Lorena does the same to her and Marie appears in her doorway.

“I’m so glad you’re here!” She laughs. “Lorena hasn’t stopped talking about you.”

We walk inside, Lorena in the middle and holding both of our hands. We manage to not break the chain as we make our way into the living room. Elise greets us when we arrive, looking rather relieved we’re here and when I see the young boy sat on the other side of the room staring at her, I realise why.

This must be Marie’s oldest son, Travis. Marie told us she had a fifteen year old and by the looks of him, he has a liking to Elise. I can’t blame him because Elise is gorgeous, but it’s funny to see.

“Travis!” Marie shouts. “Stop drooling and get your room cleaned boy!”

Travis frowns at his mother and it’s then I see the resemblance to his dad, Spliff.

“It’s clean enough.” He sulks like a typical teenage boy.

“Get cleaning or I’ll tell your father!” As soon as Marie mentions Spliff, he gets off his ass and runs up to his room.

When he’s out of sight Marie apologises and makes us some drinks. Karl, her ten year old, helps her with some snacks and I dig in.

“Thank.” I grin.

“Tasha loves her food.” Elise laughs at Nelly’s shocked face.

“Sorry.” I giggle. “After not being able to eat whatever I want for so long, I jump on it.”

At my reasoning Marie’s eyes widen. “No don’t explain yourself darling. You eat whatever you want, there’s nothing better than a woman with a healthy appetite. I don’t like all that skinniness the girls think is fashionable now.”

“Besides, you need to keep your strength up if you’re going to keep up with Devlin.” Elise laughs quietly, but not quite enough.

Damn Elise and her loose lips.

“Devlin?” Nelly asks.

“Elise!” I screech but all she does is quietly laugh to herself.

“So, you two will officially be sister.” Marie adds with a slight smirk.

“Aww.” Lauren bounces in her seat with Lorena on her knee, causing the little girl to laugh.

“There is no me and Devlin.” I argue.

“Oh really?” Lauren asks and I dread what she’s going to say. “So I didn’t see you kissing yesterday.”

“It was innocent.” I lie.

“And he didn’t visit you out the blue with food and almost miss church?” Elise asks.

How did she know that? Forget it, Elise seems to always know everything that goes on around here. I don’t bother answer. Instead, I stuff a biscuit in my mouth and keep silent.

“You’re bringing out his soft side.” Nelly sighs happily.

“And he nearly missed church for you.” Marie adds. “That means he really cares about you because Franky would not have liked that.”

Oh no. “Really?” I ask.

“It’s one of Franky’s’ number one rules.” Nelly says as she places a wriggling toddler on his feet in front of her. That must be what he rushed back for after Lauren showed up. Why did he put himself in trouble like that? I will try to speak to Franky about it when I meet him about the salon.

The next morning Lauren is busy working in the new office Grim arranged for her, so I thought I would go to the gym. The only gym I know of around here is the one in the clubhouse so why not?

I put on some tight bright pink leggings that spells out WORK OUT down the side of my right leg with a plain white top with thin straps and my hair tied up. Grabbing my water bottle, I’m good to go. I do think about running to the clubhouse but that’s a good fifteen minute drive and I haven’t ran in a long time so I decide to drive.

It’s really early, so I’m not shocked to see that there’s no men around but I spot Throttle and Flex as I enter.

“Hi Natasha.” Flex grins over at me.

By looking at her, it’s obvious why she’s up so early. Most of the brothers have their way with the women and then chuck them out of bed. Flex, short for Flexible got her name for obvious reasons.

“Hey Flex.” I return her smile as I go toward the gym. “Is the gym empty?”

Both Flex and Throttle’s eyes widen.

“Erm, I think so.” Throttle finally replies. “Although Canyon was in there last night.”

“Ok thanks.” I quickly answer and walk away.

Too much detail, I shouldn’t have asked and I’m going to have to be careful with what I use while I’m in there. Maybe I shouldn’t have decided to use the clubs gym. It’s obvious some of them would use this as another room to fuck in.

I warm up, just like I used to before my life was taken away from me and I was given the gift of this better life. After that I get on the cross trainer and work up a sweat as Drake blasts in my ears as loud as possible.

I lose all track of time, I zone out and work my leg muscles. I may be mad, but I enjoy the burning I feel when I work out. So when two large hands grip my sides, I scream as I jump out my skin.