Renegade Lady Read Free Page B

you got enough bruises already.”
    I nod my head and slowly back away from him.  I look around at the deserted rest stop, and my fear starts to build.  “Why did we stop here?” I ask in a shaky voice. 
    He swings his leg from the bike and takes a step towards me.  “I can’t stop somewhere that has people around with you wearing nothing but my shirt, and I knew you’d want to clean up a little. Also, I thought you might be hungry, so that’s why we’re here.  They’ve got vending machines, so you can get you some chips and a drink.  It ain’t much, but it’ll fill that hole in your belly.”
    I haven’t eaten anything since early yesterday morning, and just the thought of food has my mouth watering.  “Thank you.”
    He lifts his chin and turns to walk into the building.  I trail behind him, my hunger overriding my fear.  He motions towards the bathrooms.  “Go ahead and get cleaned up. Ill grab you something from the machines.”
    I rush to the bathroom and do my best to scrub away the filth covering me.  As soon as I’m done, I walk out of the bathroom and see the guy that took me away from Timmons talking to another man.  As soon as I lay eyes on them, I freeze.  Visions of what Timmons and Rig were just doing to me earlier re-play through my brain.  The fight or flight instinct immediately kicks in, and without another thought, I start to run. 
    I barely make it a few feet away from them when a pair of strong arms surrounds me.  I immediately start to fight him.  I scratch at his hands while biting into his arm.  It takes a few minutes before I realize that he isn’t fighting back.  He’s just restraining me and doing his best to avoid hurting me.  Finally, I admit defeat and go limp. Tears tumble down my face as harsh sobs begin to rock through my body. 
    My captor places his lips near my ear and whispers, “Shhh now, sweetheart.  No one’s going to hurt you.”
    I look over my shoulder towards the unfamiliar voice and see that it’s not the man that helped me.  “Who are you?”
    Still whispering, he replies.  “I’m Reese.  I’m gonna make sure you get somewhere safe.”
    “I never told you my name either, did I, darlin’?” the man that saved me asks as he steps in front of us. 
    I shake my head in the negative. 
    “I’m Chipper,” he says.  “Now, it’s your turn.”
    “I’m Jenna,” I hesitantly reply.
    “Okay, Jenna.  I know you’re scared as hell, and I don’t blame you, but I promise you, there’s no reason for you to be scared anymore.  I swear that you’re safe with us.”
    Slowly, Reese releases me and takes a step back.  Chipper walks towards me and hands me some chips and a drink.  “Why don’t you eat, and then we’ll talk.” 
    I take the food and walk to one of the wooden picnic tables at the front of the rest area.  While I eat, I watch the two men talking.  Both seem angry, and I’m not sure why.  I don’t think it’s me that they’re pissed at though.  I hear Timmons’ name said a time or two, and each time, Chipper seems to grow more agitated. 
    Two bags of Fritos and a Dr. Pepper later, Chipper leads me back to his bike.  “We got to talk, darlin’.”
    “Okay,” I whisper out.
    “I know you’ve been through hell, and you probably don’t feel like talking about this shit right now, but I need to know how in the hell you got to the Mateland clubhouse.”
    I look towards the ground and stay quiet, fearing the truth may cause him to send me back.
    “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t have to know,” Chipper says in a calming voice, just as Reese walks up to stand beside him.
    Chipper’s gentle voice soothes some of my fears, but not all of them.  I know I have to tell him something; I just have to choose what I say carefully. “My mom died.  My dad didn’t want me anymore, so he gave me to Timmons.”
    “Why did he do that?” he asks, sounding both confused and pissed.
    Again, I stay quiet, but he