"Holy fuck, Lou, you're fucking gorgeous."

Even though my feet had been moving towards Zane, they completely froze when I heard his comment. Beaty had been watching me out of the corner of her eye while she embraced her Old Man. When I stopped in a spot that was halfway between those where Zane stood and she was still being held by Tank, Beauty turned her full attention towards me.

"See Lo? I told you so," she said with a smug smile on her face.

I felt my cheeks hear up as I squirmed in my spot. Zane approached me and quietly said, "Dude, I'm so sorry, I didn't..."

"Don't," I interrupted just over a whisper. My eyes flicked in the direction of my sister and her Old Man "You don't need to apologize."

"I do be..."

"No," I replied more assertively. "You don't." I then forced myself to stand taller in my spot and take in a deep breath. Even though I was still feeling uneasy, I tried not to let it show as I stated loud enough for Tank and Beauty to hear me, "Thanks, Zane. I think Beauty's a magician."

Zane chuckled. "Nah, you're just used to hiding under a baseball cap."

I blushed and dipped my head shyly. "It's a lot faster and easier than trying to do my own makeup like this before class."

Beauty wrapped an arm around my shoulders causing me to jump in my place because I hadn't heard her move at all, let alone towards me. "I can teach you some tricks that are simpler than everything Stella's taught you."

"Thanks, Sis. That would be awesome."

I turned to hug her with my arms around her waist. Even though we had only been reunited a few hours ago, I felt like I never wanted to let her go. This was my new safe haven, the protective cocoon of her embrace, and I was quite fine with never leaving it.

"So, gentlemen?" Beauty started as she tucked me into her side. "Why'd you interrupt our sister bonding time?"

Tank was now standing beside Zane. The younger man was fidgeting in his spot, looking truly uncomfortable. That didn't faze Tank at all. He elbowed the young Prospect's side and motioned for him to speak.

I could tell that whatever information needed to be relayed to us, my friend didn't want to be the one to do it. But he was a Prospect for the Hades Hangmen MC. That meant that he had to do anything and everything if ordered or instructed by anyone who wore a full patch in the club. It was one of the rules he and Ash had told me about and I knew Beauty was well aware of it as well, so we waited patiently for him to speak.

After what felt like an eternity, I almost told him not to worry about it, but the quick, pleading look Zane gave me kept me from speaking. When he saw me silently retract my comment, he gave me a grateful smile.

Zane then centered himself and took in a deep breath. "We just had a visit from the police."

"Oh, shit," Beauty breathed out against my head as she hugged me impossibly tighter.

I leaned into Beauty's embrace quietly asking, "You...? You didn't get in trouble because of me, are you?"

"No, Lou," Zane replied with a hearty chuckle. "They weren't here for us."

"Then who...?" I stopped mid-sentence when a terrible thought hit me. I felt myself start to shive as I timidly asked, "Me? What do they think I did?"

Zane had a sad smile on his face as he answered, "Stella called you in as missing when she realized you hadn't made it back to her place this morning."

"Oh... Shoot," I gasped out, feeling all the color drain from my face. "I... I'll go down and talk to them."

"No need," Zane replied as he stepped out to block my path to the door. "I told him I didn't know where you were, so he left me this."

I took the card he was holding out as I asked in a quiet, scandalized tone, "You lied to a police officer?"

The three of them let out a full-bellied laugh at how naïve I sounded. Thankfully, Zane saw my distress and very kindly explained, "I've never been to Tank and Beauty's apartment before, so TECHNICALLY I didn't know where you were. But don't stress too much about calling Coop, you should call... well... text Stella first to let her know you're okay."

"Of course! I can't believe I didn't think of that before now!" I turned towards Beauty's room, but quickly turned back to ask Zane. "Do you know where I left my phone?"

"At school," he answered as he passed me his phone. His whole facial expression softened as he added, "Coop said he'd hold onto it today and lodge it as property at the end of his shift if he doesn't hear from you. I can drive you there when you're ready to speak with him and pick it up."

I sniffled in a breath because Zane's kindness and consideration never ceased to amaze me. "Thanks Zee. You are the ABSOLUTE best."

"Speaking of," Tank chimed in. "What's the story you're gonna give the cops about your face? You ain't gonna tell them about the little cunts, are you?"

"No, of course not," Zane and I answered at the same time.

"I... I guess I could say that it happened in the auto shop?"

The three of them just stared at me blankly because I had phrased it as a question instead of a resolute explanation. I then quickly added, "They don't need to know it happened last night, right? Zee has helped to patch me up when I've been dumb enough to get hurt before, so it isn't that much of a stretch."

"Oh Lo," Beauty breathed out with a soft chuckle as she pulled me in for a tight hug.

Tank nodded approvingly. "Fine. But what about last night?"

"Last night?" I repeated while I gathered my thoughts. "I'm guessing it would be bad to say I stayed here because that opens us up for a bunch of questions about why Zane didn't get me when the officer was here..."

"Right," Tank confirmed. "So?"

"Oh... well... There was an afterparty a bunch of kids were going to... I could say I went to it and stayed at a classmate's house. Jason and Pete said there would be plenty of alcohol, so I feasibly could have gotten drunk and slept it off."

"Feasibly...?" Tank replied with a deep frown. "Fuck, whatever. That's a good enough cover story."

Beauty squeezed me in her arms to get me to focus on her. Once our eyes met, she kissed my head then said, "Just keep it simple, Lo. Went to an afterparty and crashed there. You called Zane to pick you up because you felt bad Stella wasn't invited. Coop doesn't need to know any more than that."

"Alright. I can definitely tell him that."

"I know you can, my L'il Lo." She made a point to look down at my hands then asked, "And Stella?"

I let out a soft chuckle and answered, "She doesn't believe it's me, even though I used our codeword. But it's fine. I'll smooth things over with her when I get my phone."

"Okay, good. And I texted you my number while you were hiding in the bathroom."

I ducked my head to hide my fierce blush under my hair. I didn't get a chance to whine about her teasing me though. Zane held out a red and black plaid shirt towards me with a quiet, "Thought it might be too cold for you to go out in just a tank top."

"Thanks Zee. You really are the absolute best friend a girl could wish for."

After I had pulled it on, Beauty let out a loud scoff. She then winked and playfully scolded, "Way to fucking ruin the outfit, Zane!"

I walked over to her to kiss her cheek. "I love you, Big Sis. I promise I'll annoy you with how much I text you."

"I look forward to it, Lo."

As Zane and I passed Tank, I just awkwardly waved at him. He chuckled, then quickly turned his attention to Beauty. Zane kept his eyes forward so he didn't witness any of it, not that he would say anything or tease me about it if he had.

Once we were out of their suite, I just followed Zane silently to his truck. As I had predicted, my new hair and makeup had attracted a lot of attention. I can only imagine how much worse the cat calls would have been if Zane hadn't loaned me his flannel shirt. I retreated into the oversized shirt with every lewd comment and catcall directed my way. For the most part I kept my eyes securely trained on Zane's feet, but I saw his arms moving quite animatedly every so often. I didn't have the courage to look up to watch what he was doing, but I was fairly certain he was presenting the other men with obscene hand gestures based on their reactions.

I hid a smile into my shoulder thinking about how some of the first signs I had taught him were ways to tell someone off. It surprised him I would know them so well, but you couldn't be friends with Stella without knowing their meanings.

Zane slowly pulled up in front of the police station asking me yet again, "You sure you don't want me to go with you?"

I started to nod then quickly shook my head. "I should be fine on my own, right?"

"Yeah, of course you should. But I don't mind going with you if you want."

After he slipped his truck into park, he turned so that we could easily make eye contact. When I saw the sincerity in his eyes, I couldn't help but to smile. People were constantly asking me how I was friends with him and Ash. They were going to be big scary bikers, why would I chance being friends with them? Well, this was why. Zane NEVER acted like that with me. We genuinely cared about each other and did whatever we could to help each other out.

I'd be lying if I said there wasn't the odd time that I wished that Zane and I had feelings for each other. Romantic feelings that is... Because he would be a great boyfriend. Caring and protective. Just what any girl could want. But that wasn't us in any way shape or form. And I felt no ill will towards Stella for unknowingly staking a claim on his heart.

I gave him as strong a smile as I could muster answering, "You know I appreciate that more than I can put into words right now, but..." I sighed heavily then continued, "But I think it will look better if I do this alone. Hopefully, Constable Cooper won't have many questions for me, and I can just quickly tell the story like Beauty told me to do."

"That's true, it should be a quick in and out. I'll wait for you here. But don't hesitate to let me know if you need me."

"I promise, I'll SOS you if there's any trouble."

He gave my hand a quick, comforting squeeze and then sat back to watch me slip out the passenger's door. I forced myself not to look back at Zane's truck as I walked towards the front doors because I knew he wouldn't abandon me. He said he would wait for me, so no matter what his truck would be there when I was done inside. I didn't need to check or see it to know that was the truth.

After I stepped through the doors, I took a moment to take in a deep breath to compose myself. I COULD do this, so I WOULD get through this. Zane, Beauty and the Hangmen MC had helped me during what could have been the absolute worst night of my life, so I could cover for them to keep the cops from interfering or harassing them because of it.

"Can I help you?"

I took a couple of steps forward answering in a very polite tone, "Yes, Ma'am. I was hoping to speak with Constable Cooper."

"Is he expecting you?"

"No, Ma'am, not really," I answered softly.

I swear you could almost hear the eye roll she wanted to give me as she asked, "Fine. Will he at least know what this is about?"

"Oh, yes, Ma'am," I answered more confidently. "It has to do with a missing person's case he's investigating."

"Alright, fine..." She seemed to center herself before she asked, "And you know where to find them?"

"In a manner of speaking." She had started to walk way but immediately turned back and glared at me. Realizing my mistake, I quickly added, "I mean, yes, Ma'am, I do. Could I please speak with him?"

"I'll go get him." After she stepped around her desk, she fixed me with a glare and made a point of scrutinizing my outfit with a disapproving eye. "You better not be here to waste his or my time."

"I swear to you, I would never... that I'm not, Ma'am," I promised just over the volume of a whisper towards her back as she walked deeper into the department.

It had been a while since anyone had spoken to me with so much distrust and contempt in their tone. But it never took much for me to revert back to an apologetic, fearful girl who would do anything to please the person in front of me. It was a state that I had live in nearly twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week after Suzie ran away in order to try to keep the peace between my mother and myself. Thankfully, it had worked, for the most part, back then like it did for me today.

"Miss? I was told you wanted to speak to me?"

I mentally shook away the thoughts that had me momentarily distracted so I could focus on the task at hand. As I turned towards the owner of the voice, I made sure that I had an easy smile plastered on my face. "Actually, Constable Cooper, I heard a rumor that you wanted to have a word with me."

He took my offered hand to shake it with wide, surprised eyes. "You're Chloe-Faye Kent?"

"Yes, Sir, I am."

I couldn't help the soft chuckle that passed over my lips at how shocked he sounded he caught onto my amusement quickly and let out his own soft huff of a laugh. But he also shook his head then more somberly replied, "From the photos I was shown, you aren't what I was expecting."

"Oh... yes... This isn't how I normally dress. And if it was Stella showing you... well... I only look like that at pageants. My friend that loaned me a change of clothes kind of went overboard doing my hair and makeup."

"I see that. So? If you don't mind me asking, why didn't you make it back to Miss Bellemont's home last night?"

"There was an afterparty and things... well... I felt bad she wasn't invited because she left early, so I crashed at someone else's place."

He gave me a knowing smile saying, "I can understand that. But you didn't think to message her to let her know about your change of plans?"

"Honestly, I didn't at the time. Then when Zane got a hold of me, I couldn't because..."

"Your phone!" He finished for me. "Of course, it was... Anyway, let me go get it for you."

He turned to walk away without waiting for a reply, but I still said a quiet thank you. So far everything had been going as planned, which was better than great. Now I just had to get my phone and Stella's purse back and then I could pretend that none of this had happened. Well, not none of it. Seeing my sister again was a dream come true, but I still hated that I my being drugged and nearly raped could have any positive connotations with it.

"Here you go, Ms. Kent" Officer Cooper said as he passed me the purse.

"Thank you. Is...? Do you need anything else from me, Sir?" I asked that question with instant regret. Why didn't I just take the purse and run?

The smile on his face made me think he had been able to read the thoughts running through my mind. "No, Ms. Kent. I remember what it was like my Senior year of high school. I'm just relieved that your 'disappearance' didn't fall into any of our worst case scenarios."

"Me too. Thank you for everything you did. I do appreciate you looking out for me."

"You're welcome. Take care of yourself, Ms. Kent."

He then turned to head back to wherever the receptionist had found him. On his way he stopped when he saw a man at the front counter slam his fist on the counter top. I hate to admit it, but I became frozen in my spot when I heard the man's angry outburst. Some might say it was morbid fascination that cemented me to my spot. In reality, it was pure, unadulterated fear that had done it. I'm sure it was an unconscious reaction to protect myself too. You know, maybe if I don't move, the big scary monster won't see me?

"Mr. Schmidt," the receptionist pleaded in a placating tone. "If you would just..."

"NO! I WANT ANSWERS NOW!" He bellowed over her words.

Constable Cooper cautiously and silently inched closer to the irate man. When I realized the man with the temperament of the Incredible Hulk would have to go through the armed officer to get to me, I made my break for the front door.

Unfortunately, I made my move at the same time that the Officer tried to attract the angry man's attention away from the receptionist. I don't think that he really saw or heard Constable Cooper at all. Instead, he saw me backing away towards the exit.

"YOU!" He shouted in my direction. "YOU WERE THERE! WEREN'T YOU?!"

I just shook my head because my words got stuck in my throat. The man moved towards me, but thankfully Constable Cooper blocked his path. I didn't wait to see if the officer had fully engaged with the man yelling at me before I finally bolted for the door.

As soon as the fresh, outdoor air hit my face, my feet slowed down. Don't ask me why I thought I was out of harm's way because I have no rational explanation beyond the fact that I just did. I took a couple deep breaths to compose myself before I moved towards Zane's truck because I didn't want to worry him any more than I already had so I wanted to at least look like I was calm, even if I wasn't feeling that way.

As soon as I took a step towards the sidewalk, I was abruptly halted by a strong hand taking my arm into a bruising grip. I think he said something to me. I think he tried to question me again, but I couldn't hear a word he said. All I heard was my own blood curdling scream.