Page 5 of Big, Bad Biker Daddy

CHAPTER FIVE

Beth

I wasn't sure how long it took, but I explained everything to Chase from why I left Texas all the way to what had happened when I realized that I was in danger. The whole time I told him the story, I felt the judging look that he and the other man, who turned out not to be Amanda's uncle, gave me, and I understood why they were skeptical. They knew absolutely nothing about me, and my story did seem incredibly far-fetched.

By the time I had finished, Chase leaned back in his chair his arms crossed across his chest as he stared at me, seeming to determine whether or not he believed me. I looked over at the other man and saw that he was giving me the exact same look Chase was. While I knew they weren't going to hurt me because of Amanda and Megan, I was still frightened of what was going to happen. After a long silence, Chase finally looked over at the man, who was already waiting to see what Chase would say.

"Any news from Megan or Amanda?" he asked, and the man shook his head.

"None so far," the man said.

"From the sound of things, you're planning on staying here for a very long time," he said. "Is that correct?" Even though I hadn't given it much thought by that point, I realized that he was right and that I should stay in Colorado for a while, even though I had already drawn the attention of a human trafficking ring.

"Yes," I said. Chase nodded as he considered this for a moment.

"Normally, I wouldn't do this," he said as he smiled at me. "But, since you're a friend of Amanda and Megan, I suppose there's no harm in letting you stay with us until you decide what you're going to do."

"Thank you so much," I said in relief. "Are you sure it's not a problem? I don't want to be a bother."

"It's no trouble at all," Chase said. "Granted, we will ask that you maintain a certain level of privacy when interacting with people outside the compound, but I don't see you causing any problems just by being here. If you want, I know plenty of people in the club who are looking for people to help them with their businesses around town. You would be paid for your work, and you could live here on the compound with the rest of us until you decide on your next move."

While I was concerned with the fact that he said that the group was a motorcycle club, I didn't see a problem with staying with them. After all, they seemed nothing like Jackson or his friends. From what I had seen, they were all good people who weren’t going to hurt me.

The fact that Megan and Amanda knew them helped me make a decision. The last thing I wanted was to be in a new area without any form of support system, especially if Jackson and the others came looking for me. After considering this for a moment, I looked back up at Chase.

"Just out of curiosity," I said, "what if people came looking for me?"

"What exactly do you mean?" he asked, and I felt my heart start to sink.

"I have a feeling that my stepdad isn't going to take too kindly to me running off to a different state," I said. "He's also part of a motorcycle club, and his friends tried to do things to me, which is why I ran. What if they came looking for me?"

"Like I said, it's not a problem at all," he said. "We have history with a few motorcycle clubs back in Texas, and I highly doubt they know about us being up here, but, if they come looking for you, we're not going to let them hurt you. That is a promise." In the corner of my eye, I saw the man who had brought me here sit forward, seeming interested in the conversation. Ignoring him, I smiled as relief washed over me.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me," I said, having finally made up my mind. "I would like to stay here f until I can get on my feet."

"There's no rush at all," he said as we shook hands. "There's lots of people living on the compound, and we have more than enough room for everybody. If you decide to stay here permanently, we are willing to welcome you into the group. All we ask is that you don't betray us."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said. "In the meantime, what can I do to help the group?"

"Well, what exactly can you do?" he asked.

"I worked in fast food up until I left yesterday," I said, shrugging. "If you know anybody who needs help in fast food or in a restaurant, I'd be more than willing to take a job there. Otherwise, I'm a very fast learner, and I'm willing to take up any job I can."

"Let me see what I can find," he said. "I'll talk to a few people and see if where someone needs hlep. For now, we'll go ahead and have Eric show you to your room so you can get settled before lunch."

"Who's Eric?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"That's Eric," he said, motioning to the man sitting next to me. To him, Chase said, "I want you to go ahead and show her to one of the guest bedrooms. I'll send someone to find you when lunch is ready."