Shadow, page 2
“Consider everyone enemies until they’ve proven themselves to be your allies,” her brother often liked to say.
“No one’s ever going to hurt you again,” the biker insisted, his voice steady and reassuring.
Camilla couldn’t bring herself to believe his words. Promises were just empty words, easily broken and forgotten. Still, something in his demeanor gave her pause. He seemed genuine, his intentions clear as he waited patiently for her response.
Slowly, hesitantly, she reached out and grasped his hand, her fingers trembling slightly with uncertainty. With a gentle tug, the biker helped her to her feet, his touch surprisingly tender.
“My friends call me Shadow. What’s your name?” he asked, his voice soft and gentle.
Camilla’s shoulders shook with emotion, her breath catching in her throat as she struggled to find her voice.
Shadow waited patiently, his gaze unwavering as he offered her a comforting presence amidst her turmoil.
Unable to hold back any longer, Camilla felt the walls she had built around her heart begin to crumble. With a choked sob, she allowed herself to break apart, her tears flowing freely as she buried her face in the chest of this stranger.
It felt surreal, this moment of vulnerability shared with someone she barely knew. Was this a dream, a figment of her imagination born from the depths of her despair?
Or perhaps she had died in her cell, and this was the afterlife she had always feared. Shadow reached out to stroke her hair with gentle reassurance, and she knew with certainty this was indeed reality. In that moment, she found solace in the simple act of human kindness.
After awhile, Camilla silently berated herself for falling apart, forcing herself to take deep breaths to regain control of her emotions. She couldn’t afford to break down now, not when there was still so much at stake. Shadow didn’t know who she was yet and that was a blessing in disguise.
Summoning every ounce of strength she possessed, she finally found her voice.
“My name is Camilla,” she said, hating the slight tremble in her voce.
“Camilla, okay. It’s nice to meet you,” Shadow replied. “Now let’s get you and the other women out of this hellhole.”
****
Shadow and Camilla were the last to emerge from the prison. Camilla insisted she could walk on her own, but as they began to climb the stairs, her steps grew unsteady, wavering with each upward movement.
Shadow could see the disbelief in her eyes, lingering traces of fear and uncertainty. He couldn’t even begin to imagine being in her shoes, trapped in the darkness with no hope of escape. Wordlessly, he offered her his arm, and after a few moments of hesitation, she accepted, her grip firm yet fragile against his own.
There was something about this woman, something different from the others Rooster and he had rescued. She carried herself with a quiet strength, a resilience that belied the horrors she had endured.
Judging by the the state of her clothes and body, she had been here awhile but somehow, Camilla had maintained her dignity and pride.
As they emerged into the light, Shadow watched as Camilla blinked several times, her eyes adjusting to the bright building lights.
Rooster stood nearby, flanked by the five other women they had freed, who huddled together in a corner, their faces etched with a mixture of relief and disbelief.
Shadow’s mind wandered back to the moment he had found Camilla, isolated from the others, kept apart as if she were a special prisoner.
The thought made his blood boil with anger. Why had she been singled out? What made her different from the rest? The questions swirled in his mind, unanswered and unsettling.
“What’s this commotion I heard?” came Priest’s voice, breaking through the silence.
Shadow turned to see Priest and three other MC brothers standing before them, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity.
Camilla tensed beside him, her grip tightening on his arm, and he felt a strange surge of protectiveness wash over him.
Shadow just met Camilla today, and yet in that moment, he made a decision. Whatever secrets she held, whatever darkness lurked in her past, he vowed to stand by her side and protect her from harm. She may have been a stranger, but in that moment, she felt like so much more.
“This is an unexpected complication,” Priest remarked, his brow furrowed in consternation as he rubbed his forehead as if nursing a headache.
“We can’t leave them here, Priest. The Reapers would just put them back in their cells,” Shadow argued.
“I agree with Shadow,” Rooster interjected. “I know we’re on a time limit, but—”
“We are,” Priest cut Rooster off abruptly, his tone firm and commanding. “Butcher just made contact. The Reapers’ reinforcements are on their way.”
He remembered Butcher as the one assigned to watch the road leading to the compound.
“Besides, we don’t have transport for these women,” Priest continued, his gaze sweeping over the group of freed captives.
“We can use the Reapers’ vehicles. I spotted two trucks outside the building,” Shadow suggested, his mind already racing with plans to ensure their escape.
The Reapers likely used them for transport, and now they could serve a different purpose—a means to freedom for those who had suffered at their hands.
Camilla clung to him tightly, fear palpable in her trembling body. Shadow felt the urge to pull her close, to offer her some semblance of comfort in the chaos, but he resisted. It wouldn’t be appropriate, not with Priest watching their every move with a keen eye.
“Fine, we don’t have much time. Let’s do this quickly,” Priest said, much to Shadow’s relief.
With a sense of urgency, they sprang into action, knowing their window of opportunity was rapidly closing. They had to move fast if they were to escape the Reapers and bring these women to safety.
As they sorted out the logistics of who would ride in which vehicle, Camilla reached for Shadow’s hand, her grip firm.
“I’m going with you,” she said.
Shadow nodded in silent agreement, feeling a sense of responsibility settling over him.
Minutes later, Rooster pulled up with their truck, now laden with crates of stolen goods.
Observing Camilla’s shiver as they waited, Shadow couldn’t help but feel another surge of concern toward her.
Initially contemplating riding up front with Rooster, Shadow reconsidered, opting instead to join Camilla in the back. He held the back door open for her, allowing her to slide into the seat before him. There was a trust between them, a silent understanding he couldn’t quite explain. Plus, he harbored a curiosity about why the Reapers had singled her out from the others, a question he hoped to find answers to during the journey.
As they began the ride back to Hanging Grove, Camilla leaned into him, her head finding its place on his shoulder.
Shadow couldn’t deny the warmth that blossomed in him at her proximity. He wrapped an arm around her, providing what comfort he could during the ride.
Her story could wait. For now, all that mattered was ensuring her safety and well-being.
Chapter Three
Camilla’s eyes flew open, her heart pounding in her chest as she scanned her surroundings, half-expecting to see Rigs standing above her with that malicious grin plastered across his face.
Instead of the cold, unforgiving walls of her cell, she found herself in the back seat of a truck. Her breath came in ragged gasps as the remnants of her nightmare lingered, threatening to pull her back into the depths of fear. Then, someone grasped her arm, and she recoiled instinctively, ready to lash out at whoever dared touch her.
But when she looked up, she was met with a familiar and concerned face—Shadow. Relief flooded through her at the sight of him, his presence a comforting anchor.
“You’re safe, Camilla. Just a bad dream,” Shadow said.
She took a moment to steady her breathing, allowing his words to sink in. This wasn’t her cell, and Rigs wasn’t lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce.
She was free, and this was her new reality.
Blinking away the remnants of sleep, she glanced out the truck windows and saw another truck, filled with the other women. She sighed in relief. They were all safe, free from the clutches of their captors.
As the realization washed over her, Camilla reached out and pinched herself, the sharp sting of pain confirming this was indeed reality.
Camilla couldn’t believe she had let herself fall asleep in a stranger’s car, especially after everything she had been through.
As she sat beside Shadow, she felt a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude for his presence. Camilla couldn’t put her finger on it, but with Shadow beside her, she found a strange sense of comfort.
“I can’t believe I fell asleep in a stranger’s car,” she confessed. “The last time I let my guard down like this…”
She trailed off, memories of the past flooding her mind. Despite the presence of another biker at the wheel, it felt as though it was just the two of them, sharing a rare moment of intimacy.
“Yeah?” Shadow’s gentle prodding encouraged her to continue.
Camilla hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something in Shadow’s gaze urged her to continue.
“I left the house without telling my brother or anyone else where I was going,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just wanted to go jogging at the nearby park, clear my head, you know?”
Instinctively, she drew her knees to her chest, seeking solace in the familiar gesture of self-protection. But then, with a surge of determination, she straightened her posture, refusing to appear weak or helpless any longer.
“What happened next?” Shadow’s voice was laced with genuine concern.
As he reached out, placing his hand over hers, Camilla felt a warmth spread through her, banishing the lingering chill of her nightmares.
He stroked the exposed skin of her knee, his touch gentle yet reassuring. She allowed herself to lean into his touch, to enjoy it, because it was temporary. Whatever this strange connection they had formed, it wouldn’t last.
“I started on a less-used path which ended at a parking lot. I was refilling my water bottle when a black unmarked van pulled up…” Camilla trailed off, the memories of that fateful day flooding back with painful clarity.
Shadow could probably figure out the rest, so she didn’t continue.
“I’m sorry for everything you and the other women have gone through,” Shadow said, his voice filled with genuine empathy.
Despite his reassuring words, a seed of doubt began to gnaw at her insides. Outside the window, they passed a sign welcoming them to Hanging Grove. Camilla couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty about Shadow and his motorcycle club’s motives. What if they were just pretending to be benevolent saviors, only to turn out like the Reapers?
“This town serves as our base,” Shadow explained, probably sensing her apprehension.
His words only served to heighten her anxiety. Were they taking her and the other women to their MC headquarters?
Camilla needed to know what was going to happen next, needed reassurance that we wouldn’t be subjected to the same horrors they had escaped from.
“The thought of that frightens you,” Shadow observed, his keen insight unsettling.
“I don’t want to be in unfamiliar territory,” Camilla confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.
“That’s a good point. Let me give Priest a call,” Shadow said, surprising her with his willingness to address her concerns.
Camilla found herself listening in on his conversation, the tension coiling in her stomach as she waited for his response.
“We’ll put you and the other women up in a motel near town,” Shadow finally said, his words soothing her frayed nerves.
A motel sounded like a much better alternative, offering a sense of safety and freedom that had eluded her for so long. It would make Camilla feel less like a prisoner, and for that she was grateful.
As they arrived at the Lemon Lime Motel, the bikers efficiently made arrangements and paid for the rooms. Shadow remained by Camilla’s side, which she didn’t mind one bit. She couldn’t help but wonder if she had developed some sort of savior complex when it came to Shadow.
Scrubbing her face tiredly, Camilla resolved that what she needed most was a long shower and a good night’s sleep to clear her mind.
Shadow received a motel key for a room on the first floor from one of his MC brothers.
“Let me escort you to your room,” he offered gently.
Too weary to argue, Camilla simply nodded in agreement. As they entered the room, she observed that it was worn-down but clean. The sight of the bed made her envious. It felt like ages since she had last slept in a proper bed.
“Shadow, what’s going to happen next?” Camilla couldn’t help but ask.
“Well, I was going to ride into town, maybe drop off some dinner at your doorstep before heading back to the clubhouse,” he replied.
Sensing her unspoken question, he nodded in understanding.
“Once you and the others are settled in, we’ll work on contacting your loved ones and friends. Are you up for that task now?” he asked, glancing at the hotel phone.
Camilla shivered at the thought of facing her brother again. Would he even bother looking for her? Or had he already written her off as dead?
She had left the house that day after a terrible argument with Fernando. He had wanted to marry her off to a rival drug lord, and she had vehemently refused, standing her ground despite the consequences.
Realizing Shadow was waiting for a response, Camilla shook her head. “Not today,” she whispered, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. “Tomorrow maybe. Today still doesn’t even feel real.”
“I understand,” Shadow said. “You must be tired. I’ll let you settle down. I’ll still be making a food run, for you and the other women. I’ll leave the food on the steps, you don’t have to answer the door.”
“Okay,” Camilla replied, her exhaustion weighing heavily upon her.
Despite the temptation to collapse onto the bed, she knew she needed to feel clean first, to wash away the remnants of her captivity.
As Shadow turned and walked toward the door, Camilla called out to him.
“Shadow … thank you, for everything,” she said.
“Everything’s going to be better from this point on,” he told her.
With that, he exited the room, leaving Camilla alone with her thoughts.
“I’m not sure about that,” Camilla whispered to herself, dreading the call to her brother. With a weary sigh, she dragged her tired body to the bathroom.
Camilla stood under the cascading water, the sound of the rushing stream drowning out the mess in her mind. She scrubbed furiously at her skin, trying to rid herself of the lingering dirt and grime on her body. For a moment, she didn’t think she could ever feel clean again.
The rumble of a motorcycle engine outside snapped her out of her reverie, and she froze, her heart pounding in her chest.
“It’s just Shadow,” she murmured to herself, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
Camilla finally turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, wrapping herself in one of the plush robes provided by the motel. She dumped the rags she wore in the trash.
As she emerged from the bathroom, a knock sounded at her door, sending a jolt of anticipation through her veins. With a mix of nervousness and excitement, she peered through the peephole before opening the door.
“Hey,” Shadow greeted her, his grin lighting up his face.
He looked at her flushed cheeks to the rest of her body and back again, and she felt a rush of warmth at the intensity of his gaze. Nice to know he seemed attracted to her … and didn’t look at her like a victim.
“I got you some burger and fries,” Shadow said, holding up a takeout bag in his hand.
Camilla’s stomach grumbled in response, and she couldn’t help but let out a groan.
“I could eat a burger,” she admitted, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.
“Have you eaten? Would you like to come inside?” she offered.
Shadow hesitated, his gaze searching hers for any sign of discomfort. “You don’t mind the extra company?” he asked.
“Not if it’s you,” Camilla replied, her heart skipping a beat as he widened his smile.
“Then I’ll let myself in. I was planning on eating in the parking lot,” Shadow said, stepping past her and into the room.
As Camilla closed the door behind him, she couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in his mind.
Camilla sat on the bed, the aroma of the freshly delivered food wafting through the air. Her stomach rumbled. Nothing good could come out of this, she knew.
Shadow had no knowledge of her family connection, no understanding of who she truly was, and strangely, she found solace in that ignorance. To him, she was just some girl who had found herself caught in a bad situation.
“You’re not afraid of me?” Shadow’s question broke through the silence, drawing Camilla’s attention away from her food. He had taken a seat at the desk.
She paused, considering his words carefully before responding. “I feel safe with you, and I’m aware of how foolish that sounds,” she admitted.
“It’s not foolish at all. There’s something about you I can’t quite put my finger on either,” Shadow confessed. “A better man would probably let you have a quiet evening alone, but—”
“You’re a good man, Shadow,” she interjected.
“You don’t know a thing about me.” Shadow chuckled good-naturedly.
Under the dim motel light, he looked amused and sexy at the same time. Again, she wondered how his lips would feel against her and his callused touch on every inch of her.
She swallowed, dismissing the image of Shadow above her. Her nipples hardened and she felt a little moisture gather between her legs. An inappropriate reaction, given the situation. Good thing the robe she wore was fluffy and thick. She focused on their conversation again.
