The Stripper Woman

Most of the time, most days, I don't feel anything. Not today.

Today, fear has a choke hold on me. It makes my stomach churn with nausea.

Did I kill him?

I hope I did.

Because if I didn't....

If Gregorio isn't dead, I will be.

Tucking my dark hair into the hoodie and pulling the hood up, I weaved through the people on the street. Pushing against the sea of people I move further from the apartment.

I need to get out of town, now. Today.

I tossed my phone in a trash can around yhe corner, knowing they'll track me through it, before heading to the bus station. Keeping my head down and footsteps hurried I rack my brain over where to go. All I know is that I need to leave Angelfall. The fifty bucks I snatched on my way out of the apartment along with my father's diary, the only thing I have of him, burns a hole in my pocket.

The station gets closer by the second and my panic rised. I need to figure shit out fast. Come on, Alex think. I urged myself to find a solution.

You could always go home. A little voice at the back of my head whispers.

No, I can't. RIGHT? That'd be stupid. But know one would know to look for me there. I never told Gregorio where I came from and he didn't care. I should have dumped his ass a long time ago but when I met him, I had nothing. Quite literally. I lived in an apartment, with five other girls and three guys, that was ready to collapse on top of all our heads.

I worked as a bartender in dingy bar that barely paid enough to feed me and had me kicking a different guy's ass who couldn't take no every night. Not the safest job but the only one I could get back then. The other girls where strippers or prostitute, same with the guys, and I couldn't go back to doing that again. Stripping that is, luckily, I've always managed to get by without being forced to sell my body to survive.

Gregorio and some of his buddies came into the bar one night, looking so out of place in their expensive button ups and thousand dollars shoes. He took a glanced at me and decided I was going to be his. Greg was charming and nice at the start. His short dark blonde hair and bright green eyes weren't hard to look at either. When people started hearing I was dating him I got less trouble at work.

Being his girl gave me protection. So, when he asked me to move into his penthouse apartment, I said yes. Things were great. Until we had our first fight and he pushed me into a table.

The next day he was so sorry and swore it wouldn't happen again if I'd just behaved. I realized now what a manipulative jerk he is. In one breath he could tell me I was his everything while also calling me a worthless slut. It fucked with my head. I was so starved for love that I didn't care if he beat me from time to time.

And as those times drew closer and closer together I didn't notice. Being beaten is something I know how to live with. If the other kidd at the orphanage didn't beat you the Miss Lana did. There we starved most of the time and was beaten almost daily. So, living with a fully belly in a luxurious penthouse is great in comparison in spite of the abusive boyfriend.

A therapist would probably have a field day with my selfesteem issues along with all the other ones. Daddy, mommy, trust, abandonment, you name an issue and I've probably got it. I stayed with Gregorio because I'd rather face the devil I know than the one I don't and there are too many of those out here.

Shaking my head, I halted my mind before the memories of the last twentyfour hours can creep in. I'll deal with that later.

"Where to?" The man selling tickets asked from inside his booth. He eyes my bruised eye but doesn't say anything.

Making a split decision I buy a ticket to a city five hours away, two hours from home. From there, I'll take another bus to King's cove. If or when Greg comes after me it'll lead him in the wrong direction first, buying me more time. Hopefully enough time to get in an out as quickly as possible.

I'll find some quick easy work to get by during my stay, figure out who from my past is where and how best to avoid them then I'll find where the treasure my father's ancestors buried somewhere is, take it and get the hell out of the country.

Should be easy enough.

Shit. I am in such deep shit.

Markus Johnsen.

So, that's the last name I was given. Not that it means anything to me. It's just a name that belonged to someone who didn't want me. Therefore, the abandonment issues. Told you.

It doesn't matter now anyway. I gave Mr. Rux the notebook I'd witten down some school crap in, quickly scribbling some ideas of where the treasure might be, as if I'd tried to break the code, before handing it over.

Leading them to the wrong place hoping they'd give up after that assuming I'd been wrong. Turns out most of our friendship was a lie. But at least, for a little while, it was a beautiful one.

That was a little over ten years ago. They probably wouldn't even recognize me now nor them. I hope. Still, I wonder what to do about my hair. The chocolate brown color needs to be renewed my natural color peeking out at the roots. But if I keep it dark Gregorio could pick me out in a crowd. The smart thing would be to change it.

To something that doesn't stand out too much of the course. If I go natural, I'll be recognizable to my past. I could always go red. Though I doubt it would look good on me. Especially not in my place where it's summer almost year round.

My pale skin has never taken to the constant sunlight. If I'm not careful or covered in sun lotion I'll turn red within five minutes.

So, if I become a red head, I risk my skin and hair matching. I scratch red from the list. We have a lighter shade of brown, my natural ashy blonde or a cold nearly white or silver blonde.

First of all, I need to find a place to sleep, which should be easy enough I've slept under a dark blue star filled roof morr than once, a job to get some money and then I can head to the salon to fix my hair.

My heart hammers in my chest as I get on the next bus. Two more hours and then I'll be back home.

Home.

I shouldn't think of it like that anymore but no other place has ever felt so much like this. They say home is where your heart is and I left mine in King's cove ten year ago. Returning to it is terrifying.

We pass the border and enter the outskirts of town. We drive fast and rich summer houses. Even though it isn't summer the houses aren't left empty. Other people live in them and take care of the gardens while the owners wherever they spend the rest of the year.

The security on these places is rediculous. But I suppose they are aware of the gang running this town and won't any chances.

The kitchen and the living room would be one big space with no walls between them. The kitchen would have dark brown cupboards while everything else is white.

There would be a kitchen isle in the middle with four bar stools on one side. To the left of the kitchen would be the stairs leading up to the bedrooms. Five in total.

Mine would of course the largest with a queen size bed and a bookshelf with all my favorites on it. One of the windows looking out to the ocean would have a window seat where I can sit and read. The connecting bathroom will have a builtin bathtub that sits beneath a round window.

To the left of the living room there'd be an office and library that everyone would share. There, I'd have all my other books kept safe and put prettily on display. The days we decide to work from home we'd spend in there running whatever business we'd settle on. Of course, by the time we'd have enough money for this we would have already travelled the world and seen everything we wanted for while getting our degrees.

It was a nice dream. But that's all it was. All it will ever be. A dream.

The bus rolls to stop. Ten bucks lighter I step off. Taking a moment to breathe in the ocean scented air and listen to the people busting about. Heading home for the day or going shopping. The bus stop sits in the rich part of town that's relatively safe from gang business so I don't have to worry about running into anyone familiar up here.

Sadly, to find work I have to head over the border into pack territory. Praying that I don't run into any wolves I make my way into the rougher part of town. Restaurants, small shops and bars litter the roads closet to the sea. It looks mostly the same. People mill about, thankfully none are familiar. I catch sight of the wolf tattoo that marks members of the pack on a few people I pass and duck my head going unnoticed.

I head only to the only stripper joint in town. Not daring to try for a bartender gig in one of the bars since wolves are more likely to hang out there. Few of them frequent the balck peony.

Those wolves that are there will likely be too distracted to look closely at my face. I doubt anyone would recognize me even if my face was inches from theirs but I don't want to take any chances.

The place is quite empty. The door was open so I just walked in but its clear they're not open yet.

"Hey!" A voice calls from the right where a long bar strands against the entire wall. Bottles of different kinds of expensive liquor sits on the glass shelves at the back. "What are doing in here?" The figure behind me the bar questions eyeing me suspiciously. His eyes are framed with eyeliner and he wears a tight black button up drawing attention to the thick muscles beneath. His dark skin gleams under the spotlights lighting up the place.

Giving him a sweet smile that isn't forced at all because this guy is really fucking hot. "I'm sorry, the door was open so"

"You just wandered inside," he finishes for me.

Nodding sheepishly, I walk closer adding a swing to my hips. His gaze travels down my body openly checking me out. "Yeah, sorry. I was just wondering if you're hiring?" I lower my hood and pull my hair out letting it tumble around my face. The strands are looking and in desperate need of cutting.

"You're a stripper?" He questions looking slightly surprised. Eyes wandering over the bruise sadness shining in them.

"Yeah, and a bartender," I add just in case they're in need of that too. Looking over me one more time he nods and puts the towel in his hands down on the counter. Elegantly he hops over the counter landing on his feet next to me. The graceful movement and effortless show of agility makes my mouth pop open. Releasing a low whistle of appreciation, I let my eyes trail over his tall form.

He grins knowingly ta me. "Alright then. Come on, I'll take you to boss."

He leads me backstage down corridors lined with doors. Some are marked as costume or workout rooms others a bathrooms. We pass one marked "dressing room" before reaching the end of the hall.

BOSS is written on it, plain and simple. The hot bartender raps his knuckles against the door leaning one shoulder on the frame. A short burly man in his forties drag it open. His dark beard is short cropped and his green eyes stand out against his tan skin.

He gives the bartender a lopsided smile. "What can I do for you, Max?"

The hot bartender, Max, nods his head back at me. "Girl wandered in said she's looking for work. Stripping or bartending apparently, she does both." Max kicks off the frame and steps back letting boss get a look at me. His eyes imme go to my eye.

Nodding he motions for me to come inside his office. Max gives me a wink before heading back the way we came. Closing the door behind me follow boss to his desk where he slumps into a brown leather chair.

"Sit, sit," he murmured motioning at the two chairs in front. Boss watches me closely as I sauter over as if calculating my every movement. "So, you've worked before?"

Nodding I look at his office. There's not much except for the desk in it. It's littered with papers. By the window to the right there's a cart with some whiskey and a couple of glasses on it. That's about it. The walls are bare the tapestries an empty dark blue.

"I haven't stripped in a few years since I've been bartending but I'm sure it'll come to me quick. I've got old routines I can do to begin with and am comfortable on stage." I tell him trying not to sell myself short.

"Well, you're not hard to look at." He stared and it doesn't sound creepy or like a compliment just a fact. "May I ask how old you are?"

"Twentythree." I supply without hesitating. "Sixteen when I started stripping and eighteen when bartending,'' I add knowing that's his next question.

"Sixteen." He breathes. "That's young." His eyes go distant lost in thought. Boss opens a drawer pulling a oack5 of cigarettes out. "You mind?"

Shaking my head in answer I watched as he places one in between his lips lightening it before offering me one. "I don't smoke," I declined it and he gave me a smile.

"Don't start. It ain't good for you." He puts the packet down and huffs out some smoke. "Tried to quit a few times but failed every time so I gave up on trying." Boss says conversationally turning the cigarette in his hand over. "Now, my back to the matter at hand. I don't force my dancers to do anything they don't want. Most of them make up their own routines and you make you own rules.

You want to add private dancers, do it. This establishment doesn't offer any other physical services but some of the boys and girls are escorts on the side to earn some extra and they all have my protection no matter that it isn't connected to working here. So, you'll have my protection and help to get out of that sort of work if you should ever need it."

"I don't, but thank you. Private dancers are where I draw the line," I tell him happy to hear he looks after the people working for him. This can be a dangerous business to be in and not all bosses are like this one.

"That makes things simple. You set your own hours but if there's extra hours I hand them out equally. Can you start tonight?" He stands holding out a hand.

"Absolutely, boss," I responded taking it.

"Great, I'll draw up your contract first thing tomorrow morning. Come in some time around lunch to sign it and get your schedule."

I nodded relieve at how easy this was. "Thanks, boss."

"Call me, Ken."

Ken showed me to the dressing room, which is huge. The space is filled with vanities littered with makeup. The mirrors have built in lights rolling garment racks are bursting with outfits and fill the room. I follow Ken inside weaving between the racks.

"Lexie, this is Maddy, She'll get you ready for tonight and make sure music and everything's ready." Ken hands me off to a tan freckled woman with strawberry blonde hair and Jed eyes.

She gives me blinding smile throwing her arms around me. "Hi! It's so nice to meet you." She exclaimed stepping back. Maddy looks over my shoulder at Ken. "Don't worry, boss. We'll take good care of her."

Nodding, ken gives us wide smile before heading back to his office. Maddy leads me over to a tiny kitchen in a corner filled with a group of men and women chatting amongst themselves.

"Everybody!" She claps her hands getting their attention. "This is Lexie our new colleague. She's dancing tonight so I want everyone to pitch in showing her the ropes," she said making me sound like an amateur. "You'll learn all the names in time," Maddy murmured pushing me into a chair and settles down next to me.

People call out hello's and are genuinely very nice.

"So, since our biggest clientele are heterosexual men all nights except Tuesdays and Saturdays, we girls dance and serve while the boys bartender. Tuesdays and Saturdays are girls nights so the boys dance and we do the rest." Maddy explained as people separate from the group heading away to get ready for work. Maddy doesn't seem to be in a hurry though, so I don't stress. Taking my time to breathe everything in and learn the way they run things here.

Two girls turn their chairs our way, joining the conversation. "I'm Bella, that's Jasmine." The Almond skinned woman with short light brown hair, Bella, said. Her eyes are captivating. Narrow and sultry. Jasmine smiled brightly at me. Her long dark curls tumble down her back and frames her pretty face.

"Hi, I'm Lexie," I said smiling back.

They offer their tips and warns me from certain patrons that can get a bit too handsy or doesn't have the best hygiene. We exchanged stories and chat easily for a while and listen closely to everything they have to say about the Black peony.

"So, what brings you to King's cove?" Jasmine asked once the conversation starts to die down.

I chuckled uncomfortably not knowing what to say. "Long story short, I grew up here and felt it was time to come back." Not a total lie.

"Where'd you use to live?" Bella asked excitedly.

"Oh, uhm, you know that the orphanage?" She nodded. "Around ther," I answered vaguely. If people hear about a woman name Lexie that lived at the orphanage, they'll start putting two and two together so vague answer it is.

"Oh my god. I grew up on the east side in one of the townhouses by the park," Bella responsded and I nodded remembering the area well enough.

Shade and Hunter grew up there. Both of their mothers were single and stripped to get by. I think they even worked here. The small townhouses are a bit ragged and could use some paint but it's neighborhood with a lot of families and single mothers so it was a relatively good place to grow up. We used to hang out there a lot. Shade's mother always baked us cookies. Well, she heated up bought cookies and pretended to have made them.

That woman really couldn't cook. Hunter8 mom could though. She made the most amazing stew. My heart aches at the memories and I chased them away before the girls noticed my dip in mood.

"Does the pack still run things?" I asked already knowing the answer but curious to hear about it. I need to know about the boys so I can avoid them and Mr. Rux.

"Yeah, Rux is still running this city. Though Ryder Rux hepls him now," Bella said eyes glinting at the mentioned of the son. "Him and his friends run a gym and bar on their own. Fronts for the gang business." She leans in lowering her voice.

Jasmine sighed her eyes drifting away. "They're so hot.. it's so sad they never come here." Thank fuck. I think to myself as Jasmine goes on. "They're like the avengers but tattooed and morally ambiguous."

None of them ask about how I got the bruise, but I read on their expressions I can talk them if I need to. I give them smiles that reassures them I will if I need it. "Any of you know anymore who's in need of a roommate?" I wonder changing the subject. I've heard what I need about the boys. Talking about them more will make the ache in my chest worse.

Bella frowns before perking up. "We'll ask around but you're welcome to sleep on our couch until you find a place. It's really comfortable."

Jasmine nods and I figure they're living together.

"Thank you." I breathe. "You're life saver." They both smile warmly at me and follow Maddy as she ushers me in front of a vanity exclaiming at how the time flies by. Bella and Jasmine help with my hair, curling it in long flowing waves.

Maddy expertly covers up the bruises on my face and neck. She eyes the hand prints for a a moment before getting back to work. My face now looks alive and stunning. My gaunt cheeks have turned into high cheekbones and the dark circles under my eyes are gone making me look bright and healthy. The false lashes add some volume on my own and that cat eye makeup gives me a dark sultry look. My lips are painted red drawing focus to them

They've always been one of my best assets, naturally big plump. The red lipstick only enhances that.

Maddy and Jasmine hype me up as they noticed that I'm in need of it. Their words make me relax a bit and walk on steady feet onto me relax a bit and walk on steady feet onto the stage. The beat of music takes over the drum of my heart. It sinks into my skin and flows through my veins as I start to move. I realized that I've missed this.

That I for the first time in years feel somewhat like myself again as I move under the spotlights. Forgetting everything except the movement of my body to the music that fills up every empty space inside me.

Shade pov

"Will you shut up if we come?" Hunter snaps at Dylan who keeps prattling on about a "guys night." The man's as loyal as they get and a hell of a sharpshooter but he talks nonstop. He's been trying to get us on to come with him to the Black peony for years.

"Sure dude." Dylan answers distracted by something on his phone. "Tonight's the perfect night." He exclaimed face lighting up. "They just posted that a new dancer's on the stage tonight. Let's go check her out." He bounces in place like an excited over grown puppy.

Jeremy shrig8 not against going. He's the more social of us and can stand Dylan's incessant chatter. I'll go if the others do, I don't really care either way.

Hunter makes a show of looking pissed, which he does most of the time. He rarely smiles anymore. He mostly works and keeps to himself.

Ryder looks to me and I give him a shrug that says it's up to the others. He's the unannounaced leader of our group. Though we try to be a democracy, Ryder's the one who makes the split decisions if there's no time to discuss. I can see the thoughts churning in his head, always calculating. He's probably thinking that going with some of the younger wolves, and one or two of the pups, to the strip club will strengthen our bonds with them and strengthen the pack.

"Alright, let's go." Ryder nods to the park9 lot and Dylan squeals jogging to Jeremy's truck.

"Don't blame the bike, you're only as good as you drive," I teased as Jem parks next to us. Ryder lunges for me wrestling my head under his arm and ruffling up my dark hair. Shoving out of his grip I stumbled away chuckling.

The light are dimmed and takes a while for a guard keeping the crowd at bay to recognize us. His black immediately strengthens and head dips in respect as he let us pass.

We're led by a waitress in high heels and a short black dress to one of the tables that sit front and middle. Two pups and give of the other wolves our age sit there, drinks in hand. They make room for us and people rush away to get our order.

Closer by nine inch nails blasts through the speakers as a girl in a red lace set moves around the pole. I sink into my seat, eyes locked on her as she dances. She's absolutely stunning. The way she hits every beat and comes alive to the rhythm. As if they're one and the same. It doesn't hurt that her ass is fucking perfect. I'm not normally a fan of places like this but I'd come here every night just to see her.

Anger rises unbidden as I noticed every other guy in this place watching her every move. Hunter's glower is gone replaced by absolute awe. Jem's drooling and Ryder's leaning back hit thumb resting against his lower lip.

Dylan stops one of the waitresses carrying our drinks and asks "who is she?"

The waitress looks up at the stage and smiles wide. "She's made quite the entrance, hasn't she?" She muses as she appreciates her new colleagues moves. "Lexie. Her name is Lexie." She added before walking away.

Lexie. I nicknamed a friend that once.

Alexa.

Her name strikes a chord in my chest in my chest which echoes through my head. I try not to think about her, but sometimes the sky reminds me of her eyes or I imagined I hear her a laugh in a crowd and I can't help but remember. Then there's the songs that none of us listen to anymore.

They come on the radio and Ryder changes the channel. Sometimes, when I'm alone, I torture myself by playing them over and over again. I have a feeling Hunter and Jem do the same. She broke something vital in all four of us the day she took her fathers diary and skipped town without even leaving so much as a note. Hunter became obsessed with finding her and I don't think he ever stopped searching. Not even when Ryder ordered us to stop. I don't think Ry could take coming up empty again.

Her eyes flutter open and locked with mine.

Everything stops. The air in my lungs dissipates. My muscles lock and I can't hear a thing.

Lexie.

She's here. On stage. Stripping. My lexie is dancing on stage in her underwear being watched by over a hundred men.

She's here.

Lexie.

My lexie.

"What did you just say?" Ryder snarls. His black eyes are furious. Jem and Hunter are all staring at me. Jem's expressions is sad, worry shining in his grey eyes. Hunter's face is a carefully blank not an emotion shows on his features.

I look at my friends. The fear of being wrong, of my eyes betraying me. Creeps in. But I'd know those eyes anywhere. It's her. I know it is. "Lexie. She's here."

My own feelings are reflected back at me in their faces. Shock and hope mixing in their eyes.

"Where?" Hunter snaps back first. He turns in his chair searching the room for her famili6 ashy blonde hair. His gaze is frantic, the way he snaps his head around desperate.

I tilt my chin at the stage in front of us. "Up there."

Their brows furrow as their expressions start to fall with disappoinment. All they see is a grown darkhaired woman. But as they look closer at her face, they noticed what I did. Jem's gaze falls on her stomach as his face lights with hope. He's looking for the tiny round birthmark that sits right above her navel.

"It's her." Jem turns back to me a choked laugh bubbling out his throat. Right there, above her navel is the mark.

I take in the black and white flowers tattooed over her right shoulder. The delicate leaves end right beneath her key bone and it seems to climb behind her shoulder too. A black lily climbs its way up the side of her left hip. The same lily in white is wrapped around yhe the black one snaking down it.

I remember the day she got her first tattoo. I kept telling her that she could squeeze my hand as hard as she wanted too. That it'd be over quick and anything else I could to reassure her she could handle the pain. When the needles pierced her skin, she didn't even flinch. She sat there gazing stead8 at me not moving a muscle. She said it fucking tickled. Jem had groaned and nearly broken the bones in Hunter's hand as he got his first. But she took it like a pro.

The word thats marring all of our skin burns where it sits over the elbow pit of my left arm. My fingers trace the letters over the fabric of the black shirt I wear. Knowing them my heart.

Ryder's voice snaps me back to reality. He's waved a waitress over. "We want a private dance with Lexie." His tone brokers no argument making the waut8 shuffle her feet.

"I'm sorry, sir, it's her first night I don't know if she'll do private dances tonight." She responds, eyes wary.

"Then find out." Ryder bites through clenched teeth. The womam scurries away on her high heels while Ryder turns back to Lexie. His fists are clenched and shoulders tight as he fights the urge to pummel the man who slips a dollar bill into Lexie's thong.

"She's a stripper." Huntet stated talking to himself more than us. He stared at her in disbelief pain twisting his features and worry darkening his forest green eyes.

"Not anymore." Ryder growls eyes never leaving her.

We've all dreamed of her. Of seeing her again. Of getting her back. Wondered what she looks like now. Where she's been and what she's doing. If she's okay. If she'll ever come back.

Now here she is. Hair dark and dancing in a fucking strio club. Doing a great job at it too. This isn't her first time on stage. I wonder if this is how she's gotten by all these years. How young she was when she had to resort to stripping to survive.

Not that there's anything wrong with the profession but there are establishment that are wrong. Worry over what else she may have done to survive. All of it leads me back to the question it always does:

Why did she leave?

Shade pov

The waitress returns turning all our heads.

"She'll be expensive. A lot of people have requested private dancers before you."

Ryder sucks his cheeks in biting on the inside of his mouth. "We'll pay whatever you want in order to move to the stop of that list."

The waitress nods quickly. "Yes, sir. I'll come fetch you when she's ready." She curtsies before hurrying off strawberry coloured Ponyta swishing as she goes. It doesn't take long before the lights on the main stage darken and Lexie slips off the stage. Men boo and call out for her to come back while another dancer takes the stage.

Ten minutes later, the swishing ponytail came back and leads us to a private room off the left. The four of us follow her walking stiffly. We look as if we're heading to our execution. Faces grim and postures rigid. We're all scared. Terrified that it won't be her. Equally terrified that it will be. Longing for answers to our questions and afraid of the answers.

The room is dim. There's a small round stage with a pole on it in the middle of the room. A black couch sits in a half circle against the wall. I stay standing as Jem perches on the edge of it.

Ryder leans back folding an ankle onto his knee. Hunter paces back and forth impatiently. New drinks are already waiting for us on the small tables spread out in front of the couch.

Hunter downs his one swoop. Tossing the whiskey back and slamming the glass back down without making a face before resuming his pacing.

It feels like hours before the door opens and Lexie saunters in. She heads for the pole slipping of the see through red tinted robe she wears as she goes. Tossing it to the ground she takes to the stage. She looks so goddamn professional.

The music stops and Lexie abruptly halts her movements, her back to us. I can't help but admire her ass. Then my gaze falls on the black and white lilies on her left thigh. I eye the faint scar beneath it. It's not really visible under the tattoo but the flowers aren't as long as the scar which goes all the way down to her knee.

A flood of memories from that day surfaces. The way of my heart stopped as she pushed past us and jumped. How seeing her disappear beneath the waves made me sick with worry. How I went to jump after her but Hunter being the rational one stopped me.

All of us raced to the beach and sprinted to the water. I've never felt such strong relief as I did when I spott her swimm toward us. We released a collective breath of relief. Our instict was to get her to a hospital but Lexie couldn't be able to afford it.

So, we went to the den where one of the wolves that's ex military and has stitched people up before took care of it. With only oainkill in dull the pain Lexie gritted her teeth and cried silently as he brought the needle in and out of her skin.

I remember wishing I could take her pain. Feeling useless I sat down and started talking about the Harry Potter books. Lexie used to love them, she could talk about it for hours and got me and Jem hooked. Ryder and Hunter only read them and got invested for her sake. I talked and talked, tried to make her laugh even as she cried and did anything to get her mind off of the pain. We went back to the beach afterwards, stole some choc ice cream which is Lexie's favorite and watched the sunset.

Pushing the memory back I draw my gaze away from the scar.

Slowly, Lexie turns on her heels meeting each of our gazes. The blank mask on her face could rival Hunters. It reveals nothing.

"Hello, boys." She drawls her voice deep and sexy as hell making my cock jump to attention. "Long time, no see." Her eyes rake over us. Noting all the changes. They linger on Hunter's long nearly white hair pulled back in a bun. Jem's little muscled form. Ryder's tattoo in his left arm. My height and hazel eyes.

"What did you do to your hair?" Jem blurts returning to the shy boy with zero game that he was the last time he set eyes on her.

She huffs out a short cold laugh. "It's been ten years and the first thing you're going to ask is what I did to my hair?" Her voice is icy and cuts sharply.

"It was the first thing I could think of," the poor msn mutters in defen lower his head defeatedly.

"Where have you been?" Hunter snaps stalking forward before coming to a halt at the edge of the stage. Lexie turns her icy blue gaze on him. Hunter meets the challenge in them head on.

"A lot of places, non of them good," she responds her lips curling up in a cruel smile. It makes my heart clenched. This isn't Lexie. This is not the girl we once knew.

"What happened to you?" Hunter snaps back his eyes scanning her face searching for the smiling girl who used to dream big. She always found the good in the world. In us. Brought it out too. Made us dream right alongside her. Our dreams were often the same as hers. They still are. Though it seems as if she's got new dreams now. Or none at all.

She sighs and turns away avoiding our eyes. Then she snaps her gaze back to Hunter. "Long story short; I survived."

Hunter's nose twitches the only outside sign of his aggravation. He resumes his pacing right in front of the stage and Lexie's narrowd eyes follow him.

"By stripping," Ryder speaks for the first time drawing Lexie's focus to him. She lifts one shoulder in response. Seeming totally unfazed by the dange power oozing fron the man. "Why are you back?" He questions. The man on the couch isn't my friend Ryder. It's Mr. Rux future leader of the pack and business man.

She shrugs again, "Was no better place to go."

His gaze narrows on her scrutinising every word. "How long are you staying?" Ryder goes on knowing when to push and when not to.

"Who knows," she raises a brow at him completely unbothered.

"Where are you staying?"

"None of your business."

Ryder nods realizing how this conversation will go and switches tactics. He rises from his place on the counch, Jem following. The three of us close in on Ryder recognizing the set of his shoulders and glint in his eyes. "Have you signed a contract?"

Her brows furrow slightly creasing the skin in between them. "What do you care?" Her voice is laced in suspicion.

That's a no. Quick as a viper. Ryder lunges grabbing her behind the knees and tosses Lexie over his shoulder. He wraps an arm around her thighs right beneath her ass keeping her locked in place as she kicks and slams her small first into his back.

"Ryder put me down!" She strikes sounding so muck like the Lexie I know that it brings a smile to my mouth. She's still there somewhere. We just need to draw her out. Hunter pulls his jacket off and hepls Ryder stuff it around Lexie's middle covering her almost naked form. Her fists swing for him and Hunter barely avoids a punch to the face.

Striding out of the room with a shrieking stripper on his shoulder Ryder pushes through the crowd with Hunter, Jem and me in tow. Workers and guests alike stare as we pass.

The commotuo has drawn Kai out of his office and he square off against us by the door. Protecting his dancers from anyth and anyon. "Put her down, Ry," he orders staring Ryder down. "I don't give a fuck that your father owns this town, you do not touch my girls." I admire that the man sticks by his morals even as he's faced with a man like Ryder.

"Alexa Johnson doesn't work for you anymore," Ryder states calmly and Ken's face flashes with a recognization at the name. Everyone who lived here when we grew up knows about our friendship with the beautifully wild orphan girl.

"What?" Lexie shrieks kicking her feet. "You can't do that!"

Ken sighs amd steps aside. "I'll send a check for tonight."

Ryder nodd pleased with that answer as Lexie shouts "traitor!" at Ken who only murmurs a "good luck" at us before going back to the office. He knows we'd never hurt her. Knowd that she's in good hands with us.

Excitement mixes with concern as Ryder dumps Lexie in the back of Jems truck who slips inside along with Hunter and locks the doors so she can't jump out. Hunter barks at her to put her seatbelt on fron the oassen seat. Lexie sticks her tongue out him and holds up her middle finger before crossing her arms and glaring out the window. For the first time tonight, Hunter laughs.

Hoping onto my motorcycle I wonder how Lexie will react when we get home. What she'll say when she sees the white house that she built in her imagination for us. There's always been a piece missing within those walls and it's finally being filled. Ryder and I exchange a knowing look. Both feeling the same thing as we start up our bikes and pull out of the parking lot behind the truck. Heart hammering in my chest, I race home.

Alexa pov

What the actual fuck?

My heart beats out of rythym as my gaze falls on the entire house. Big black double doors sit above a small halfmoon staircase that leads to the front door. Jem, veers the car to the right and a black garage door opens. A narrow road tilts down and leads us underground to a massive garage. Multiple cars and bikes, all expensive as hell, is lined up facing the wall in a neat extremely expensive row.

The engine turns off and Jem hops out pulling my door open with a flourish.

"My lady," he drawls and bows at the waist.

Tentatively I scoot to the edge of the jeeps seat peering out. Ryders jacket is still around my middle I climb out of the jeep and walk along the line of vehicles looking at them all with wide disbelieving eyes.

They're rich. The four boys who used to steal croissants from the small bakery down by the beach for me are fucking rich. My mind can't really wrap itself around them here. I always imagine. It's the same house. The one I wanted to buy and renovate. They bought it. Renovated. Live in it.

Without me.

They took my dream and made it their own.

A fist wraps itself around the organ slamming against my chest protecting it from any further harm.

Four pairs of eyes watch me closely as I move closer to a door at the end of the line. The air is thick with tension and when Jem slips past me to hold the door open, he looks almost nervous. Silently, I move through the basement. Noting the gym on the right and a closed door to the left of a staircase that leads up into the house.

Jem walks ahead of me. He swiftly enters a code on the keypad which blips and opens the door. Jems tall lithe frame blocked my view of the pad keeping me from seeing what numbers he pushed. Mentally cataloguing to find the member combination later, I step into a living room.

To my right, there's floor to ceiling windows looking over a dark wooden deck with a pool, bar and grill. The ocean sits beyond it and I can see the cliff peak to the left from here even in the dark.

Inside to my left is the wide expanse of the living room. White couches sit in front of a flat screen TV with a massive speaker system. On the TVs right side is another door that, if this place is built like I imagined it to be, leads to the office/library.

Ahead of me is the dark brown and white kitchen. Isle, barstools and all. Mouth open and body numb I take in everything from the wooden floor to the large photograph hanging on the wall next to the staircase that leads to the second floor. It's a blownup polaroid picture.

Of me.

Hunter took it years ago with a stolen instant camera. The body twirling in the blue ocean is blurry. Blonde strands block out the young girls face but a hint of a wide smile can be seen. Worn jean shorts and a white flowy longsleeved top covers her skin. There's a bandage around her left thigh starting at her knee and disappearing behind the storts.

My fingers skim over faint white line beneath the tattoo. It never faded completely, the wound deep enough to scar.

That photo was taken the day I turned thirteen. We'd been celebrating with a picnic on a cliffside on the other side of the city. The beach there is made up of huge rocks and continues onto a cliff smaller than one here.

"What do you think?" Jem questions a bit hesitantly.

Turning I find all four behind me standing shoulder to shoulder creating a wall of muscle and intense gazes. "What the fuck?" I snap glaring at each and every one them.

They look a bit taken aback by my reaction. All except Hunter who's face remains impassive.

"That'swhat?" Jem stutters looking from me yo the others confused.

"You stole my house!" I throw my arms out enveloping the space. "What the fuck!" I shout anger rising in me. They live in the house I created for all five of us and they built it for themselves.

"Stole?" Ryder drawls raising a brow at me. "We bought and built it just the way you always wanted to." His voice is steady and slow as if he's explaining something to a child. It makes me want to stomp my feet. Like a child. My muscles bunch as I resist the urge.

"For you!" I point at him accusingly. "You took my house and built it for you!"

Their brows furrow in confusion. Ryder shakes his head at me. "No," he says calmly, "we built it for you." He clarifies pointing his own finger at my forehead. "This house belongs to you just as much as any of us. More even. It's yours. Your home."

"I don't have a home," I mutter under my breath on instinct.

"Yeah, you do." Shade snaps back. "You always have."

My head throbs. I can't wrap my mind around this. They're the ones who had me sent away. They wanted me gone so they could take the treasure and split it four ways instead of five. Yet they built this house that I dreamed of saying it's mine. My home. I drag my fingers through my hair turning my gaze to the floor. Trying to piece this together is giving me a headache.

"Come on," Shade always holds a hand out, "today's been a lot. Go get some rest and well talk more tomorrow." He says noticing the growing ache in my head. Always so attentive and turned in to the people around him.

Shaking my head, I take a step back. "I'm not staying here."

My protest falls on deaf ears. Ryder steps forward stalking after me as I back away. My back meets the wall. Caging me in Ryder swoops his arms low and tosses me over his shoulder again. I don't even fight as he carries me up the stairs and down a hall. Four doors face each other and fifth sits right ahead. Ryder opens that one and carefully sets me down on my feet inside.

A large queensized bed stands in front of me. The bedsheets white and at least ten pillows are learning against the dark brown wooden headboard. There's a small nightstand on the left and right side of it in the same wooden color. Lamps and vases with fresh flowers standing on them.

A dark wood peeking out where it ends. The right wall one large window. There's even the window seat decorated with plush pillows that I always wanted. A glass door next to it leads out to a balcony. The wall next to the door we stepped through is a built in dark brown bookshelf.

The wall opposite the window is bare except for the two doors sitting far apart.

Ryder points to the one farthest away. "Closet," he states before moving to the door closest to us. "Bathroom."

My head is spinning as I roll my eyes over the space. It's fully decorated in my favorite colors. The bed made and the flowers blooming in the nightstands. It sits untouched but still cared for. Someone must clean it and keep it from becoming dusty as its6 left unused. It's clear no one lives here but still ready for someone to move in.

It's as if they've been waiting for its owner. For me. My eyes burn and my stomach aches as I stand completely frozen by the threshold.

"Get some sleep." Shade repeats leading me over to the bed when my feet don't move. He tosses the covers back and I climb in.

"Holy fuck. This is the most comfortable bed I have ever lain in. It's soft but not too soft. It's like a big hug. The pillows fluffy beneath my head. Like soft clouds.

Sighing deeply, I sink into the mountain of them. Grabbing one to hug as I sleep precisely like I always do. Turning on my right side I draw my legs up, flip the cover up so it wraps under my feet and tucking a piece of it between my thighs. I don't even notice that my bra and makeup is still on. Mind's too scrambled from the day's events. Forgetting my protests about staying in this house I close my eyes and slip into a deep slumber.

I wake up to the smell of pancakes, coffee and croissants. Mouthwatering, I slip out of the cloud and I slept on and stumble into the wardrobe.

Which isn't empty. There's some pyjamas, shorts, shirts and workout gear in the rectangular room. Empty hangars fill both sides intercepted by short shelves where folded clothes lay. Beneath the hangers are rows meant for shoes and on the wall facing the door is a full body mirror.

Finding some clean underwear, I slip out of the stripper ones and into the panties forgoing a bra. I drag an oversized white tshirt over my head and slip my legs into some chocolate brown track shorts.

The bathroom is white with a builtin bathtub beneath a round window. A shower sits against the far wall, a rack with shampoo and body wash inside. The cabinet over the sink has a toothbrush, toothpaste and a couple of bottles with night and day cream as well as sun lotion.

Leaving the doors it open I take some makeup remover and wash my face. Then add some sun lotion onto my face before heading downstairs. Following the steps to where the smell of delicious food is coming from. My stomach growls loudly and realized I haven't eaten anything since the night before yesterday.

I find Ryder behind the stove flipping pancakes and Jem setting the table whilst the coffee is brewing. They're both bare chested and in sweatpants. One balck the other is grey. I admire their asses from my place on the stairs. It's a nice view.

Ryder's shoulders are broad, his back and arms corded with muscle. Jem's slightly shorter and his muscles learner but just as defined. They grew up to be hot. As in steamingmounthwateringpanty dropping eyes popping out of my headhot.

"Goodmorning," Jem greets cheerfully, "sleep we" his words stop on his tongue as he turn around.

Ryder

Following his line of sight, my eyes fall on Alex's face. My blood turns to ice the spatula freezing in the air. A dark blue and purple bruise surrounds her left eye. That side of her face slightly swollen. She must have hidden it beneath makeup yesterday. My gaze trails down to her neck where a bruise that looks a hell of a lot like a big handprint sits as a necklace on the fair skin.

Jem whirls and slams his hands down on the counter the muscles in his back bunching with contained anger. Closing his eyes, Jem inhales through his nose and slowly releases the air through his mouth containing his rage.

"Who did this to you?" my voice is low and calm. Far more collected than I feel. A swirling storm of fury, fear and guilt tears through my insides nauseating me. The storm spreads through my body making my muscles tense as if preparing for a fight.

"Who did wha" she breaks off, her hand flying to her face as if only now remembering the bruise marring the skin there.

Stepping up to the kitchen isle I brace my hands on the stone counter staring her down.

"Who?" voice taking on the tone I use when a pack member doesn't give me the answer I want. I'm not backing down on this. One way or another I'll find out who dared lay a hand on my girl and tear them limb from limb.

Unless she'd like to do that herself. Then I'll drag them to her feet in offering before watching Alex destroy whoever hurt her.

The door to the garage opens Shade and Hunter stepping through, both sweaty from their workout. Their voices die down as they feel the air thick with tension. My eyes don't leave Alex but I hear my brothers coming closer.

"What's going on?" Hunter questions eyes bouncing between Jem and me searching for an answer.

Shade always so fucking observant halts by the corner of the kitchen isle his eyes landing on the girl in front of us, sucking in a sharp breath his body goes stiff.

Hunter follows our eyes. Cursing vividly, he stalks to where Alex sits, spins her chair around and grips her chin between his thumb and index finger. He turns her head to the side and inspects her eye before tilting her head up and checking her neck. Hunter brushes back her hair tracing the handprint with his fingers.

"Who?" I press when Hunter steps back releasing her. She looks between all of us noting the murderous expressions we all wear.

"It doesn't matter." She mutters turning her attention to the pancake becoming burnt on the pan behind me. "Can we eat? I'm starving." She deflects her gaze moving to the coffee hot and ready in the pot.

"You don't eat until you've given me a name." I snap levelling the spatula at her.

She leans back in her seat crossing her arms over her chest. "Fine, then I guess I'll starve." The set of her mouth tells me she really will. She can be so fucking stubborn. I suppose that hasn't changed.

Sighing I turn and toss a pancake onto a plate before placing it down in front of her. The idea of her starving not one I can stand. Jem places bowls of strawberries, blueberries, cream and Nutella down on the isle before handing out plates to the rest of us.

Silently, I hand out pancakes tossing away the burnt one and finishing the rest of the batch. We all watch Alex wolf it down. She moans as she chews and it makes my cock stand at attention. The noise far to sensual to be brought on by a pancake. Discreetly I rearrange my hardening cock and turn the stove off grabbing a pancake for myself pouring some berries over it.

Alex snatches a croissant of a plate. She rips off a piece and places it in her mouth. Exactly like she used to do. Her eyes close as she chews slowly savouring the taste.

"When's the last time you ate?" I ask watching her every movement. Searching for anything and everything familiar and drinking it in. Savouring the small pieces of the Alex I used to know like she's savouring that croissant. I have never wished I was a croissant before but in this moment I do. Fucking hell, I'm jealous of a pastry. But that pastry is currently being put in Alex's mouth.

"Dinner the day before yesterday." She answers through a mouthful of food her voice muffled. My heart clenches and I toss another pancake onto her plate. A silent order for her to keep eating. Why the hell hasn't she eaten in that long? I wonder if that happens a lot. Wonder how many times she's starved in the last ten years.

Why haven't you eaten since then?" I question keeping my tone innocently curious. Changing my tactic and hoping that the food is distracting her enough to slip up.

Alex shrugs placing another piece of buttery flaky pastry on her tongue. "Shit happens." Her gaze flicks up, meeting mine, a knowing glint in her ice blue irises. She knows what I'm trying to do. It'll be harder than that to get answers out of her, but I'll get them.

Jem opens his mouth to say something but she stops him with a raised finger. "I'm fine.

You don't look fine." Hunter snaps. His breakfast sits untouched on the plate in front of him. His arms crossed as he stands like a watchdog prepared to bite.

Alex flicks her gaze to him lazily. Swirling the chair and putting her feet up on the barstool next to it. "Then don't look." She drawls narrowing her eyes on him. Hunter grinds his teeth frustrated with this whole situation. I watch as his eyes dip to her bare legs and his shoulders tense even further. Hunter's gaze goes to me and he dips his chin in silent conformation. More bruises.

"Alex." I start getting her attention back on me. "Let us help you. Tell us who hurt you. We can't protect you from them if you don't.

Her eyes harden turning into two blocks of ice freezing me out. "I can protect myself." She snaps stuffing the last piece of the croissant into her mouth.

Chewing, she swings her legs off the stool and hops off her chair before turning. Heading for the front door. The four of us move as one blocking Alex's way and caging her between us. We only just got her back no way in hell are we letting her go.

Not again. Never again. Sighing, she places her hands on her hips giving us an exasperated look. "Seriously? You're keeping me prisoner?"

"You can't be a prisoner in your own home." Jem notes making her roll her eyes and tilt her head to look over at him.

True, only this isn't my home." That makes us all bristle. This is her home. Has always been her home. Will always be her home. Here, with us. "So, I'm not allowed to leave. Am I allowed to go outside?" she turns to me. "Let me guess, I'm allowed one hour of outdoor exercise a day." Her glare's burning full of rage. I don't know what has her so angry at us when she's the one who up and left ten years ago.

We're the ones who should be pissed. But we're too happy to see her to feel anything other than relief. This really isn't the reunion I had imagined but I'll take it.

"You're allowed to go wherever you want." She starts to make some snarky retort and I interrupt her. "You want to go into town let one of us know and we'll drive you.

She scoffs shaking her head. "So, I'm allowed out on a leash. So, long as I have a guard with me, I can do what I want, is that it?" At my nod she goes on. "A gilded cage is still a cage, Ryder. I'm not a pet to be kept. I'm a grown woman who can do whatever the fuck she wants.

I've made it this far on my own I can make it a bit further." She steps right into my face spitting the words at me. "Look at you." I snap back eyes roving over her battered body. "As long as whoever hurt you is out there, we're not letting you out of our sight.".

Huffing out an irritated breath she pushes past me and stomps up the stairs. Seconds later the sound of her door slamming closed echoes through the house. My brothers and I exchange equally angry, frustrated and slightly amused glances.

Alex has been in this house for less than twentyfour hours, out of which she's spent most of them sleeping, and yet it already feels that much more alive. That room has been sitting empty for far too long. Waiting for her to come home.

Where's Lexie?" the woman turns and her eyes fall to her friends' stuff in our hands. "Uhm, I don't think she'd appreciate you going through her things." she scolds halfheartedly afraid to piss us off but also wanting to stand up for her friend. Alex can keep this one. She'll need some girl friends to do girl stuff with and rant about how much we piss her off too. Or gush about how handsome we are. Either way she'll need people who have her back apart from us.

Alex!" Jem shouts making the young woman jump in fright. "You have a visitor!" Rolling my eyes at him I move to put the dishes away. Shade immediately goes to help while the other two hooligans eye our guest. "What's your name?" Jem wonders giving her that smile that always makes the one it's pointed at weak in their knees. Her lashes flutter and a soft smile tug at the corners of her mouth as pink spreads on her round cheeks. "Maddie." She murmurs ducking her head at Jem's wide smile.

Maddie?" Alex comes bounding down the stairs her lips splitting into a wide smile as she sees the red head. Seeing her smile like that both pleases and pains me. The two mixing beneath my skin. I'm happy she's smiling but wish I was the one to bring that light into her eyes. "What're you doing here?" my girl asks pulling out of the woman's arms.

"Bringing you your check and things." The woman nods toward the table. Alex's eyes darken as she notices her few possessions spread out in front of us. The smile fading away as her eyes fall on her father's diary lying in front of Shade.