Page 54 of Bloody Bones
He wouldn't have a choice but to speak to me if I was there.
A smile spread across my face.
Tonight I would get dressed up as sexily as I could manage and go to the club house to surprise him. I would beg his forgiveness on my knees if I had too.
* * *
“Hi.”Stepping out the cab outside the closed gates of Tommy's clubhouse compound, I smoothed the dress down my thighs, suddenly nervous. I gazed at the man leaning against the chain link fence, a cigarette hanging from his lips.
He stared at me, appraising me over the glowing orange ember. And he must have liked what he saw because a small, crooked smile made his lips twitch upwards.
“Hi, beautiful.” He puffed away, his eyes undressing me.
I shifted from one foot to another.
Why hadn't I thought this far ahead? I had been so excited about seeing Tommy that I hadn't even contemplated that the gates might be locked and under guard.
“I'm here to see…”
He didn't let me finish, flicking the butt of his cigarette away he ground it out under his feet.
“For the full moon party right?” Again his eyes swept over me, lingering a little too long on my bare legs. “I have to admit, beautiful, you aren't like the usual girls we get around here on nights like this.” He took a step forward, his hand outstretched. It fell short when I stepped back, keeping myself just out of reach.
“No need to be shy.”
“I'm not shy. I'm just here to see Tommy.”
Laughter filled the air. “Ah a Tommy groupie.” He shook his head, his grin growing. “Why am I not surprised? Still you aren't his usual type, and he isn't the only man here who could look after you.”
His hand curled around my hip, tugging me forward with strength that I couldn't fight against. The arms that encircled my waist and plastered me to his chest were like two steel bands.
“Let go of me.” I struggled uselessly.
Panic made my blood run cold. His hands were cold, like Acco's hands had been when he pawed at me. I fought back the rising hysteria. This wasn't Acco. This was one of Tommy's friends. One of his men. He wouldn't hurt me.
My face was smashed up against a solid chest, and the smell of leather and stale cigarette smoke overpowered me. I gagged. Vomit rose up my throat in a rush.
“Let me go. Please.” I begged. I shouldn't have gone there. It was a mistake. “I came to see Tommy.” The words ripped themselves out of my throat.
“Tommy will be at the party. He will be having a good time.”
My heart fell. Was that the reason why he hadn't come to me? Because he was at a party?
“So why don't we have a good time right here? Believe me I can do anything that Tommy can do.”
“Briella?” The voice was loud. Turning my head I watched as a shadowy figure came running across the compound. It wasn't until he had hit the flood lights by the gate that I breathed out a sigh of relief.
Raze.
“Is there a problem here?” His eyes darted between my face and the man clutching me to his chest.
“She wanted to see Tommy.”
“Then why the fuck is she in your arms and not inside with her man?” Raze's voice was cold, the threat of violence bubbling up under the surface.
“Her man?” My admirer’s Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that's Briella. You must have heard about her, prospect? She's Tommy's woman.”
