Zane flipped through his text messages while he waited for Lou to finish in the police station. Since Coop was one of the MC's "officers", he didn't expect their conversation taking very long. But even if it was short, that didn't mean he couldn't use this time to put together his latest 'To Do' list.

He knew everyone who wore the Hades Hangmen logo on their cut had done their time as a Prospect, but FUCK did they all just forget how shitty it was once they got their patch? They MUST because HOLY SHIT! Ky wanted him to... oh sweet Hades in the Underworld, he had never gone to the drugstore for... oh gods... Not even his aunt had asked him to pick up... SHUDDER... tampons.

Quick! How do you get out of this? Or better yet, who could he pawn this task off to? Maybe Slash could get that club slut who's been panting after him to do a Walgreens' run.

Zane beamed at that brilliant idea until he heard the familiar rumble of motorcycle engines approaching. He instinctively rolled down his window to wave at the brothers as the passed and was somewhat surprised when one bike rolled to a stop beside him. It wasn't that someone stopped that he found surprising, it was WHO had pulled up beside him that caused him to do a double take.

He quickly tucked his phone away and stammered out, "H-hey man. Nice day for a ride, huh?"

Smiler just moved his eyes to give the prospect a disapproving frown, but he didn't wait to see or hear Zane's reaction. Instead, his eyes quickly moved back to watch the front door without him saying a word. Zane squirmed in his spot for a second then quickly stumbled over his words to say, "She... she says sh-she's almost done. Coop kept her phone charged so she was able to text and..."

Zane's sentence trailed off when he saw his stoic brother go completely rigid in his seat. It took some effort for Zane to move his eyes to follow Smiler's unrelenting gaze because for some reason he didn't want to take his eyes off the biker.

The second his eyes landed on the spot that had Smiler so transfixed, Zane let out a quiet, but passionate, "Fuck!"

Lou looked completely panicked as she ran out the front door. I appeared to him like she had to pause to pause to catch her breath before she continued on her way. SHIT! What could cause her to flee a Police Station in such a state?

Zane turned to ask Smiler that exact question, but all he saw was an empty space where Smiler had been seated on his bike. Just as his brain was trying to process the scene, he heard Lou let out a scream so loud that it threatened to shatter glass.

"FUCK."

The hand on my arm tightened its grip, but I didn't stop screaming until I ran out of air in my lungs and could no longer make any noise. As soon as I took in a breath, it turned into a whimper because his vice grip was so unbearably tight.

"Please..." I finally got out just over a whisper. I tried to calm myself down enough to complete my plea, but between my far and the pain he was causing, I completely lost my ability to breathe and speak.

I tried to take in another stuttered breath to try to once again beg for my freedom when suddenly I was falling towards the ground. Mercifully two hands caught me just before I hit the pavement, face first.

"You okay, man?"

Zane didn't wait for a reply or hesitate to sweep me up into his arms to get me away from my attacker. I tried my best not to move too much, but I had to look over his shoulder to see what was happening. I gasped in a surprised breath at the scene that was unfolding behind us. Two burly men wearing leather cuts with the Hades Hangmen logo on their backs had thrown the irate man form inside against the wall. One had him by the throat in a grip so tight that my attacker's eyes were bulging out. But even with the hand blocking his airway, the man was still trying to speak.

After making sure his brother had my attacker under control, one of the Hangmen turned to face Zane and me. The scowl on his face normally would have terrified me, but I recognized him as Zane's uncle AK, so I knew he wouldn't hurt us. Plus, as soon as our eyes met, his entire face and body relaxed.

"Zee? I... I think your uncle want to talk to you... err... us."

"My uncle?" Even though he sounded confused, Zee still placed me on my feet so that he too could face AK. "What...? Uhh..."

AK took a couple of steps forward then asked, loud enough for the two men behind him could hear, "Lou, do you know anything about what happened to this man's son?"

I shook my head emphatically as I answered, "No. I... I don't even know who his son is."

AK looked over his shoulder and gave a quick nod. Smiler eased up his hold against the front of visibly distraught father's throat as he leaned in to say something against the dad's ear. Although his eyes went wide, his tone was even when he replied, "Jason... Jason Schmidt."

I know my eyes widened involuntarily before I could get my facial expression under control because Jason's dad tried to lunge at me. Smiler used his hold on the older man's throat to slam his body against the wall and pin him in his place again. The dad bared his teeth with an angry hiss before he struggled to yell out, "You know something! I can tell! What happened?"

"I... I honestly don't know," I answered in a weak tone. My whole body was shaking so badly that I was worried my knees might give out on me.

"YOU KNOW!" He bellowed as he struggled to release himself from Smiler's hold.

I didn't have to try to come up with an answer because AK winked at me then turned to help Smiler keep Mr. Schmidt tight against the wall. He had his hands on the man's shoulders while Smiler pressed against his Adam's apple to keep him from trying to interrupt his brother. "The lady says she doesn't know anything about your boy."

"Bu-but he-her eyes," he choked out.

AK smirked as he replied, "From what my nephew told me, word spread fast about the dumb ass jocks who wrapped their daddy's car around a tree. Ain't her fault your meathead son decided to go for a drunken ride and nearly got himself killed."

"She..."

"Has NOTHING to do with your piece of shit son's accident, so lay the fuck off it. Understand?"

"But..."

Smiler then got into Mr. Schmidt's face. The biker kept his hand pressed against the front of the father's throat as he leaned in to whisper something in his ear. Mr. Schmidt's face lost all color, and I knew it had nothing to do with the lack of oxygen I knew he must have been feeling in his lungs. Smiler had to have said something terrible to the older man. I shuddered at the thought of what that could possibly be.

After he saw the reaction to his words, Smiler smirked then gazed over his shoulder to give Zane and AK a pointed look. AK nodded then placed a gentle hand on my shoulder to turn me away from Jason's father. Zane caught on to what his uncle was doing quickly and took over corralling me towards his truck. "Come on, Lou. I'll get you over to Stella's now."

"Alright," I agreed without paying attention to what was being said to me. Instead, I had turned to look over my shoulder. When my eyes met Smiler's steely gaze my heart skipped a beat and I found myself stumbling over my own feet as I walked beside Zane. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach while I felt an unfamiliar tightening low in my abdomen. I wasn't completely naïve, I knew this was an increasingly intense feeling of arousal. I had felt it once or twice before, but it hadn't happened for a very long time and I had never felt it so strongly before today.

"LOU!" Zane yelled as he shook me by my shoulders to keep me from falling and to get my attention. "DUDE! Please talk to me."

I blinked slowly to clear my vision. Once Zane's face came into focus, I scowled asking, "Zee, what's wrong? Why do you look like you saw a ghost or something?"

"Because you scared the SHIT out of me. You just stopped after you almost fell into me and let out this freaking weird groan. What the fuck is wrong, dude?"

I felt my cheeks heat up with an embarrassed… no, MORTIFIED blush because I knew what that moan meant. Of course, Zane had never heard such a noise pass over my lips because he was like a brother to me. I had never felt the slightest tingle of attraction to him or Ash or any of the boys in our classes so it was easy just to be one of the guys with them and never act like a love struck loser.

Darn it! Now I needed a cover story. I gave him a sad smile then answered, "I just… What would I do without you and your friendship? The way you look out for me and… everything. I just… I don't know how I can ever repay you."

"Lou, it's noting. You're Beauty's sister, so that makes you family."

I continued to blush as I gave him a quick hug then said, "I like the sound of being a part of this family. Thank you, for watching out for me Zee."

I peered out the windshield of Zane's truck with a quiet, 'Shoot, I thought Stella was home."

Zane chuckled at my ultra-mild curse then asked, 'Didn't you text her?"

"I did, but I didn't expect Jason's psychotic dad to delay us for so long."

"Oh… fuck… I hadn't thought of that."

I pulled out my phone to text Stella again to let her know that I had arrived at her house. Seconds after I hit send, mercifully her front door opened. I let out a loud, relieved sigh and then a soft chuckle at the confused frown on her face.

"Thank you again for everything, Zee," I hurriedly said as I pecked his cheek.

Stella still had a fairly angry look on her face until she saw me emerge from the passenger side of the truck parked in front of her house. I made sure I had the plastic bag with her dress, shoes and purse before I shut the door and waved goodbye to Zane. He lingered for a few breaths, I'm sure to check out my best friend, before he pulled away from the curb to continue on with his day.

"Who was that?" She signed as I got closer to her.

I couldn't help but to give her a cheeky smile as I answered, "Zane Deyes."

"Zane? Shit! What that HIS cell?"

"Yeppers. Now y'all can text each other and leave me out of your flirting."

She rolled her eyes dramatically as she took the bag I was holding out from me. It looked like she was going to say something about that, but then her eyes became laser focused on my forehead. "What the actual fuck, Lo?"

"It's kinda a long story. Let's go inside and I'll… I tell you all about it."

Stella led me into the kitchen where she had been making a pot of tea. After she poured a mug for each of us, she sat down across from me at their kitchen table. Once she was settled in her seat, she motioned for me to go ahead and tell my story. I quickly signed the high and low-lights of the night after she left the dance while she just sat and listened. I was surprised she didn't interrupt me even after I told her about Beauty… Susan and the confrontation at the altercation at the police station.

Once I was done, I picked up my mug to take a few sips from it. Stella mirrored my actions while she digested everything I had told her. I could tell that she was trying to get her thoughts in order, so I just waited patiently for her eventual response.

"The Smash Brothers did that to you."

"Kind of. But…"

"They slipped you something then you passed out and got hurt, so they did it." She interrupted with an angry glare. "And then Suzie loaned you those clothes and did your hair and make up?"

"Yeah."

"Shit. Wow. And Jason and Pete…? Zane…?"

"And the MC made them pay. I don't know specifics, but the cops think their injuries are from a drunk driving accident."

"Fuck. I missed ALL the fun!" Now it was my turn to roll my eyes at her. "So… Zane saved you, got you a doctor to fix you up and was your chauffeur today?"

"Yep. I told you he was a total catch."

She narrowed her eyes at me asking, "But not for you?" I shook my head then focused my attention on my cup of tea. "Lo! What aren't you telling me? Have your feelings for Zane changed?"

"What?! No! I love Zane like a brother. Anything else…" I let the fierce shudder that ran up my spine finish that thought for me.

"Alright, not Zane. But there's someone. Spill, Lo."

I blew out a breath then answered, "It's one of the members of the MC… I… I don't know what it is about him, but… I can't stop thinking about him."

"OH… MY… GOD! You like a bad boy too!"

"Too? Wait! Are you finally admitting…?"

"I admit nothing!" She answered over my question with a cheeky grin. "But let's get back to Suzie. She's been here this whole time?"

"For the most part. You know that store we used to dare each other to go into? Y'know, the one with all of the Hangmen merchandise?"

"Yeah."

"She runs that store."

"Holy shit! That is so insane! So…? Are you two…?"

"She said I can visit and call her, so I think she wants to hang out."

"Lo! That's awesome! Are…? Are you gonna tell your mom about her?"

I shook my head answering, "Beauty… Uhh… Suzie made her choice, so if she ever wants to reconcile with mom, that's totally up to her. I know Mom has changed a LOT since she met Dad… uhh Trevor, but… Suzie's wounds are deep and if she doesn't… well, y'know… But either way I can't wait to finally have a relationship with her again."

"I get that. Now, we'll HAVE to go in and get a couple of outfits from her shop."

"You're right, we will."

"God. I can't fucking believe I missed so much. And I swear to God, the next time I see those douchebags…"

"Stelle… From what I saw on IG, they won't be back to school for a while."

"Serves them right. But you do know that even with those stitches, you look absolutely gorgeous."

"Even if my makeup's a little over the top."

"Don't say that. You're fucking gorgeous and your sister let it show."

"If you say so. But… Would…? Would you mind if I hop in the shower quickly so I can redo all of this and feel more like myself?"

"If you must."

"Stelle…"

"Really. Go ahead. But I have to get going…"

"Going…? Oh… Oh no! I can still go with you. I won't take long."

She stood up while shaking her head. She then kissed my forehead by my cut then signed, "You've had more than enough excitement, so you rest. I'll take care of Bingo on my own. You can come with me next week."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. Plus, you show up at the old folk's home with THAT and they won't stop until they get the real story out of you."

"True. And Stella? I'm sorry that I worried you so much. I honestly didn't mean to."

"Just don't let it happen again, okay? I love you."

"Love you too."

After my shower, I reapplied a light layer of makeup to cover up some of the bruising around my eye. I braided my hair then topped it off with my favorite Texas Rangers ball cap. My outfit didn't look all that different, but now I had on a pair of jeans instead of leggings and y own oversized blue, red and black flannel shirt over the tank top Beauty had loaned me.

Now when I looked at my reflection, I actually saw myself in the mirror. Although I have to admit it was kind of like playing dress up with Beauty, but that wasn't the real me. I wasn't used to being the one who turned heads when they entered the room. Not that I minded when I felt Smiler's eyes following me whenever I was moving inside of the clubhouse.

"Stop it," I scolded myself as I finished packing up my belongings.

There's no way he's interested in a naïve high school virgin. I let out a soft sigh at that thought because it was so painfully true.

Time to go back to your pathetic reality.

Once I made it out to my truck, I packed my bags and just sat behind the wheel. Suddenly, I wasn't sure where I was going. I was supposed to be at a retirement home doing volunteer work with Stella today, so going home would open up a can of worms. I really didn't want to get into an argument with my mom, so I opted to just drive around town for a while. I debated going to Beauty's store, but I wanted to wait for Stella to be with me when I finally went there. That place had been such a mystery to us for so long that I want to share the experience of stepping inside for the first time with her.

Yes, I was sentimental… and lame and…

Hasn't that truck made all the same turns as me?

I couldn't see the driver and the truck really didn't look familiar, but I swear it had been behind me for nearly fifteen minutes. Since I had been driving around aimlessly, I tried to convince myself that we were just going in the same direction as a weird coincidence. But three left turns later, he was still right behind me and not hiding the fact, in any way, that he was tailing me.

SHIT!