Chapter 5

“I was calling you to tell you we will meet you in Broken Arrow on the day of your birthday, and we want to see you. We also want to help you pick out a house. Nana said she has the perfect one, hell, she might have got it already. I heard her on the phone discussing security, a panic apartment, and a 25-foot electric fence being put up. If you don't like it, I understand we can change it whatever you want, but it has 200 acres with it.” Papa tells me like that women didn’t already do it. We both know she did.

“That sounds perfect. Is it staying in Nana’s name?” I asked, curious about her plan. Nana was a force, always ten steps ahead. “I’m happy we’ve reconnected since Dad died. I feel like I have family again.”

“No, we’re putting it in a false name so no one can find it if you don’t want them to,” Papa said. “Me too, princess. I’m glad Rick found you. I love you. Nana loves you too. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight. See you in a week. I love you and Nana too.” I hung up, a rare warmth spreading through me. For the first time in years, I felt anchored, like I wasn’t drifting alone.

I took a quick shower, the hot water easing the ache in my ribs, though the wolf ring brand on my shoulder still burned under my skin. Wrapping a towel around myself, I sat by the window, the cool glass pressing against my forehead. Across the street, the Wolf MC’s party was in full swing, laughter and music spilling into the night. Mom — not Mom, I reminded myself — was there, surrounded by her new life, never once glancing my way. My brothers were there too, basking in her attention. Then I saw Lisa storm up to them. Her voice cut through the noise. “You’re all awful people! I’m moving back in with our parents. Tank, Dad will be pissed when he hears how you’re acting — this isn’t how he raised us. I’m embarrassed to call you my brother.” She spun around, her car loaded with boxes, and peeled out, tires screeching.

I raised an eyebrow, an idea sparking. If Lisa’s dad was getting involved, he’d want security footage, all the footage, from my house and the Wolf MC’s clubhouse, especially from the night I was taken. That could expose Tank’s brother, maybe even Bobby. I filed it away, my mind already spinning with plans for the week before I moved to Broken Arrow.

Then I saw her — Mom, standing under the clubhouse lights, a new patch on her jacket: Property of Vengeance. My stomach twisted. She’d been claimed the weekend we moved here, the same weekend I was drugged, raped, and branded. Well, hell, she hadn’t told me, hadn’t invited me, hadn’t even checked if I was alive.

My phone buzzed again, pulling me from my thoughts. Uncle Rick’s name lit up the screen. “Hey, uncle, how are you doing?” I said.

“Sorry to call so late, princess,” he said, his voice rough from travel. “I was in a meeting, then on a plane. Just got off. I’m calling to say congratulations on graduating, and I’ll be there next week to go over what your dad left you and celebrate your birthday. He protected you, baby girl. I love you. We’ll catch up then.”

“Thanks, uncle,” I said. “I saw you at graduation, in the back. I know you couldn’t come up till next week. I can’t wait to see you. These people don’t even know I exist. Nana got me a house already, so we’ll see what she’s been up to together. Papa says she’s building a compound.” I laughed, and he chuckled too, both of us knowing she can do too much sometimes.

We talked a bit longer, before saying goodnight. I tried to sleep, but my mind wouldn’t settle. The laptop’s revelation gnawed at me. Why had they left me with Mom? I got up, grabbed a cup of hot tea, and opened my sketchpad, letting the pencil’s scratch soothe me. I was working on a new tattoo design when I heard voices outside, slurred and bitter.

“I bet that stuck-up bitch is home. Don’t know why she thinks she’s too good for us. Her mom needs to set her straight. All those invites she gave her, and she still acts better than us.”

Fine, guess I will go set them straight tonight. I got up, dressing with purpose in black jeans, a tank top, and a leather jacket. My sword hung at my hip, my 9mm tucked under my jacket, and knives slid into my boots. I was done letting them paint me as the problem. As I stepped into the living room, I froze. Twisted, my cousin, was sprawled on my couch, his boots propped on the coffee table, Zero and Lady wagging their tails like he was an old friend.

“Uncle sent you, huh?” I said. “My favorite cousin. Let me guess — Rick found out about the Wolf MC patches raping me and holding me for days. I’m still healing from the brand on my shoulder and cracked ribs. If he wants a clearer picture of it, that can wait. Let’s go have some fun. Mom’s spreading lies again, and I’m in the mood to set things straight. Oh, and the only reason Bobby got me was because he drugged me from behind. I’m assuming you’re staying for the week? Spare room’s yours. But stop breaking into people’s homes, Twisted. Next time, you might get shot. You’re lucky the dogs like you.” I shook my head at him since he could have knocked or called, so I knew he was here.

He grinned, standing with a nod. “Got it, cousin. Let’s do this.”

We crossed the street, the clubhouse lights casting long shadows. I marched straight to Mom and Vengeance, her new man, and planted myself in front of them. “Congrats on the claim,” I said, my voice cold. “What day was that?”

“The weekend we got here,” she smiles at me like I should have known about it.

“Oh, when I went missing?” I shot back. “And no one looked for me. I was found by Tann and Star raped and branded with a wolf ring. I wonder who that could have been. Thank you for caring about what happened to me, Mother. Don't worry, Uncle Rick sent Twisted to be my bodyguard. He also said, since you can't be a mother to anyone but the boys, he will make sure I stay safe.” I don’t tell them the whole truth because it's not the business.

Twisted stepped forward. “Who was talking shit near my cousin’s room?” he demanded, eyeing the prospects who’d gathered. “Who said her mom told her about this BBQ or the claiming?”

“Her mother did,” one prospect mumbled, shifting uncomfortably.

I pulled a cloned phone from my pocket and tossed it on the table in front of Tank. “Have your tech guy check it,” I said. “See if she sent me anything about invites, the BBQ, or her claiming. It’s a clone, so you’ll see whatever she sends, now or later.” Rick had wiped anything sensitive from it, leaving only what I wanted them to see. Everything but these idiots message me on the phone that my uncle sent. Tank grabbed the phone, his frown deepening as he scrolled through it.

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