Chance

It's been a week since Abby came home from the clutches of that stranger she was forced to kill. Austin and I spoke and agreed that it was best that I stuck around for Abby. Not only for protection but because she desperately needed to be around someone.

Bone came home two days after Abby was home and since then, I have been keeping my distance. Abby was tempting while watching over her. Her small smiles and light whispers made me hard around every corner, but I knew I couldn't act on any of the fantasies I jerked off to in the shower each morning. Abby was the kind of beauty that never saw it for herself. Her confidence was there, but not enough to see herself as sexy. I wanted to change all that, and had I been any other man, I would have. But she deserved more, deserved better. As much as it fuckin' pains me to admit that, I know it's the truth.

I pull up to the compound and park my bike right next to Shane's. Ripping off my helmet, I place it on my lap and take in my surroundings. Today we have a church meeting going over everything. Austin wanted to wait for Bone to get caught up and now that the fucker is up and walking, and getting hammered almost every day, I'd say it was damn time we got this meeting going.

Thinking of Bone and his drinking reminds me so much of Abby and once again my dick is hard. Abby has always had a soft spot for her old man and I for one, never believed he deserved even one ounce of that affection and admiration. What I wouldn't give to able to receive that love, but it's another tease I can never allow myself to act on.

I'm no fool. I've seen Abby's love for me in full force, but I was always the one to pull back at the last possible second. We slipped once. Years ago after Candice was attacked and brought to our compound. The same thing had happened then that happened last week. I ran off not able to control my inner demons from coming out. We had been shot at, and memories flooded from that dreadful day. Austin found me, since he was the only one to know where to look and told me to check on Abby since she wasn't answering her phone.

I found her in the kitchen, scrubbing a single pot until her red raw hands couldn't take it anymore. Her tears were fresh, and I knew that her and Bone had gotten into it again. She had confessed that she was tired of being weak and allowing pain into her life. I had kissed her, softly at first but it quickly escalated into something more powerful. We released everything into each other in a single kiss. All her worry and fear of being alone. My anger and resentment for the way I was. Everything was poured into that one single motion. But just as quickly as it came, it ended. I had pushed her away and just like that night, I hated doing it last week.

My phone beeps in my pocket and I take it out and look at it just before walking into the compound.

Ghost: Here. She's asleep.

I push my phone back into my pocket without responding. I had left Abby with Ghost since I was needed at church. Ghost wouldn't be the only brother missing today. Ghost was one of our prospects but was patched in a year ago. He's got some demons stronger than mine, but he's made amends with them. The kill with bare hands type of amends.

I hated leaving Abby this morning. She's been distant since Bone came back home. I'm not sure if it's the presence of her father, or if she is going through the stages of grief from everything that happened to her. She doesn't want to talk about anything that went down or what she went through. She won't eat or drink much and I know sleep eludes her because I have woken to her screaming through her nightmares more than once. After learning that she killed someone, I know it's something she has to get through, but I make a note as I walk into the compound, to speak with her.

Walking into the room for church I nod my head at a few brothers and head straight for my chair. Looking around the room, thousands of memories hit me. The best one is the time I was patched in. I thought I was alone in the world. I had no one and liked it that way. Austin saved me, taught me that no matter what my sins were, I still needed some kind of permanent sturdy thing in my life. The Nightmare Warriors became that for me. I was finally a part of something that didn't see me as the survivor from the school shooting. They simply saw me as Chance.

I don't know if I still have that feeling. The feeling of loneliness has returned in full force and not matter what I do, not matter who I surround myself with, I can't shake the feeling that I no longer belong here.

My eyes land on the small set of frames scattered around the far wall. Thomas Stone and the rest of the original members, including Shane's father, stare at what they created. Judging by how Austin, Max, and Shane turned out, I would say they did a damn good job.

I spot Bone walking in as he slumps down hard in his seat, causing others to look over to him and shake their head. Bone has always been a booze head, but these last few years has been even harder for him. I don't respect a man that could easily hurt their daughter. More than once has Abby tried to get him home or at least eat something and all he does is disrespect her in return.

"Alright guys, let's get this meeting underway. Bone, good to have you back brother. Scared the shit out of us old man." He smirks causing everyone to pound on the table and pat Bone's shoulder.

"Good to be back. Ready to give those fuckers hell that dared put their hands on me and my daughter.

Everyone nods and returns their attention back to Austin.

"Agreed. Shane, got somehtin' for us?" Shane stands and walks over, placing a piece of paper in Austin's grip. "So you all heard about Abby coming home safe and sound. She's a little beat up but will be okay. Ghost is watching over the house and I've got some brothers on the other women. For the time being, we remain on lock down. I want everyone to stick their noses to the ground. Any peep about fuckin' cops lookin' into us, you bring it to the table."

A few grunts meet his demand and he continues.

"Abby stated that she saw Alberts. So we know for a fact that fucker is still behind this shit and is still gunnin' for us."

"How do we know she really saw him? What if she was delirious or some shit?" Bizz states. Anger spikes and I stand up, ready to punch him in his face but Max beats me to it.

"Watch your goddamn mouth Bizz. Slice checked her over, not a concussion or anything that would render her vision or her mind. She was kidnapped, hurt and forced to kill a man at point blank range, show some goddamn respect."

At that, Biz shuts his mouth and I sit, nodding my heat at Max. I knew if I were to fly off the handle I would get shit for my actions from Christmas Eve, I can't afford that right now since I'm still on thin thread.

"Max is right. I'd believe Abby any day and since it makes the most sense that Alberts is behind this, we are going to act accordingly. I'm ready to end this shit, I have too much going for me right now to let this fucker, who most likely has no connections left, to decide my fate."

Shock fills me as I watch Austin look around addressing the room once more. I briefly wonder if Candice has told him about the baby. I can still remember the first time Laurie told me she was pregnant. Those happy moments counteract with the heart wrenching ones that surround my mind with yellow tape, officers screaming for me to stand back, and what used to be my happy home.

"¡­Went by there and found the body. Torque did some missing persons reports, no one is missing this guy. Information came back, name's Aaron Summers." He finishes, passing the piece of paper to Max intending for it to go around.

When it comes to me, I stare down at it hard. Shane and I went down to the house and did the cleanup ourselves. I hated that the fucker who laid his hands on Abby had a quick death. He should have suffered more, something I intend on making Alberts do when we get our hands on him.

"Anything on the guy?" Slice asks when I hand him the paper next.

"Not much. Torque couldn't find an address or any criminal record, but we did connect some dots and found something."

We all listen in as Austin makes eye contact with me and then Bone. Whatever he is about to tell us, he is making sure neither of us reacts badly. This can't be good.

"He's considered a scout. He goes where he's needed and does what he's asked. The man in charge of him, runs the largest sex trafficking ring along the East Coast."

"What?" I shout but Austin simply keeps talking, making my skin feel like it's going to come off.

"He was going to trade her. We might have a bigger problem than we originally thought."