The Biker's Plaything (Straight to Hell MC Book 1) by Sam Crescent (learn to read books .txt) 📗

This wasn’t what hewanted to talk about. She was more than just a plaything. He knew that and hebet most of The Skull Nation knew that as well. Rather than argue with her, he remainedsilent for the rest of the journey.

He turned down adirt road, going in the direction of Rancher’s. Several cars were parked in thedriveway and the man himself was already waiting.

Without a word toAlly, he parked the car, climbed out, and grabbed her case. Rancher was alreadywalking toward him, holding out a hand, which he shook. “I didn’t think I’d carefor your ugly-ass face, but damn it is good to see you.”

Ally climbed out ofthe car.

“Wow,” Ranchersaid.

“Please, take careof her.” He handed the case to Rancher as Ally joined them. Without another backwardglance, he climbed into the car, and left the ranch, knowing he’d made the bestdecision he could. He couldn’t let Ally go, but for now, he could at least keepher somewhere, he knew she was safe.

****

The following day,Ally made herself useful by helping Betty with the daily chores, which includedlaundry, cleaning, and cooking. Rancher didn’t work alone. He had a smallworkforce. All of which Betty cooked for, including their three kids. Ally tendedto the vegetable garden.

Betty talkednonstop all day and Ally enjoyed the distraction, but for now, she wanted peaceand quiet to be able to reflect on the past twenty-four hours. She wasn’t inthe best of moods, that was for sure.

She’d known embarrassmentand humiliation her entire life because of her father. The way Lord had treatedher yesterday, well, she had no doubt he wanted to be rid of her. He hadn’tkissed her goodbye. He hadn’t said anything to her. She was nothing but a hindrance.

“I don’t know whatmy runner beans have done to upset you, but if you’re not careful, you’ll ruinthe entire crop,” Rancher said, pulling her from her thoughts.

She didn’t evenrealize she’d been brutalizing the tree before he started to talk. “I’m so sorry.I didn’t mean to do that.”

“Don’t worry aboutit. Runner beans are quite resilient.”

He perched againsta small wall that enclosed the garden.

“I was only tryingto help.”

“And stay out ofBetty’s way. She said so.”

“Oh, I didn’t meanit like that,” she said.

He chuckled andheld up his hand. She noticed his arms were covered with ink and some peekedout beneath the collar of his shirt.

“My wife knows shecan talk better than anyone. I swear she could have been a lawyer. The womanknows how to keep on talking.”

“She’s reallynice.”

“And sometimes youneed to escape to be able to think,” he said.

“I hope I haven’t upsether.”

Rancher shook hishead. “It’s impossible to upset her.” The smile on his lips as he thought abouthis wife made Ally slightly envious. He clearly loved her.

“I never saidthank you yesterday. For taking me in and for the lovely room. The food. All ofit.”

“It’s not every dayLord calls. In fact, this is the first time since I left the club that he ever has.”

She glanced down atthe bucket of runner beans. “I don’t mean to be trouble.”

“You’re not the trouble,Ally. Those assholes that want to take out the club wouldhurt you.”

“He didn’t move outany of the other women,” she said.

“That’s becausethey don’t matter. Half of the women are there for the easy life. All they’vegot to do is give up their bodies to the men, and they don’t have to do anything.”

“Apart from whatthey’re told,” she said.

“Again, not a badlife considering the alternative. The women know the score there. They’re not victims.They seek out the club, not the other way around.”

“I didn’t seek outthe club. I was taken. Lord was supposed to kill me.” She squeezed her handstogether. “I don’t know if I was supposed to tell you that.”

“Instead, Lordfell for you?”

“Lord didn’t fallfor me. I’m…” Her cheeks started to heat. There was no way she could tell thisstranger what uses Lord had for her.

“I can imagine whatmy good friend would say and do to get what he wanted,” Rancher said. “Lord’srough around the edges. There was a time I didn’t think he had a heart, then Iwas proven otherwise.”

“How?”

“I’m here. Aliveand well. Living a life I never thought possible. I’mhere because of him. You’re here because of him.”

“You don’t have tosing his praises.” The last thing she wanted to hear right now was how goodLord could be. She wanted to hate him. It would be a lot easier if she did. Evenwhen he said he couldn’t get rid of her, he had.

“You love him?”

She looked up atRancher. “I don’t know what I feel.”

“I’m guessing youhate him a great deal right now.”

“I don’t want totalk about it.” She picked some more runner beans and decided she’d ruined thatplant enough for now, and so she went to go and use some of the peas. Betty hadgiven her a list of vegetables that were needed for the next couple of days.Being out in the garden wasn’t something she considered fun, but it beat beingin the house missing Lord. At least outside, she could pretend to live a normallife.

“He’s a hard manto love.”

“It’s just an arrangement,”she said.

“You’re pissed athim?”

She snapped off afew pods and threw them into the basket with the other beans. “You really wantto talk to me?”

“I consider Lord agood friend. I worry about him.”

“Then why don’tyou go and help him? I know this stuff with the Skull Nation is getting to him.”Even as she wanted to hate Lord, she couldn’t help but be worried about him.Who wouldn’t be? The life he led brought nothing but danger.

There was no wayshe could help him. She hadn’t been able to help herself.

“It’s not myplace. I just don’t want you thinking bad of him. He’s doing this for your own goodand what’s more, the fact you’re the only one he moved speaks volumes.”

She stared at himfor several seconds but didn’t say a word.

“I’ll let you getback to your picking.” He nodded at her and then left the garden. Alone with herthoughts, she blew out a breath.

Snapping each newpea pod, she filled her bucket and then carried them into the kitchen whereBetty waited with a sink full of