Why the fuck am I hiding in my closet? I know they'll find me. I should be protecting Max. My phone is still in my hand so I send a text to the only man who I feel safe with. After what I went through I didn't feel safe with the police they had him and they let him go 'lack of evidence'. I hope he can help me.

I hear the men enter my room and head straight for me. Sitting on the floor I look up at the tall muscly man in front of me. His dark eyes glazed with anger. I've seen that look before.

"No point in hiding bitch" he growls at me, grabbing my hair in his fist and dragging me down the stairs by my hair. I don't know if I can survive this. They can do whatever they want to me, but if I get raped again, after the suicide attempts and the self harm I fought back from. I can't fight that fight again.

He pulled me into the dining room and tied me to a chair using Max's leads. He punched me square in the mouth. The metallic taste of blood in my mouth and the throbbing from my lip brought back memories, the rush of pain, he punched me again, this time hitting my nose and I felt the blood run. Suddenly realisation hit me, my legs are tied too. He's not going to rape me, he's going to beat me. I couldn't help the laughter that left my lips and he looked at me stunned

"Why you laughing crazy bitch, this not enough for ya?" He hit me again, this time harder and got my eye, I could feel the blood flowing and the pain but it was ok, I can take it, I can survive this. He pulled out a knife and ran it down my arm, the scars on my leg prove I can cut better than that, the laughing kept coming.

That's when he saved me, I knew he would, he's the only person I wanted to see coming through the door. I love him.

I sat in the garden with Max, the throbbing from my wounds comforted me to know that's all it was, just a few hits. My hand is hurting like a bitch but it was through and through, he didn't hit anything, just needs stitching. I felt two strong arms envelop me and he pulled me close, he pressed a gentle kiss on the nape of my neck and whispered

"You ok beautiful? That was some fucking crazy shit, you took that beating better than some of my guys" I turned to face him and saw the concern in his eyes but the smile on his face.

"Once I knew this wasn't the same as 8 years ago I was happy, physical pain is nothing" I said returning his smile.

"You should come back to the club house, I can keep you safer there and the doc can help you with that hand of yours" he said looking deep into my eyes, I've never felt safer in my life, yes I've just taken a beating because I'm associated with him but hell, I'll take 100 more just to stay in these arms.

"Ok, let me clean up the house and I'll get my Mom to come and take Max" I could see the relief flood his face when I agreed. We headed inside and I noticed a man in my living room, he wasn't tall like the others, but he looked just as dangerous, I took a step back and hit Adrian's solid chest

"You're ok beautiful, this is BFG, he's a prospect, helping guard the house while you get cleaned up" I looked back at the man in front of me BFG is clearly ironic, he came over and smiled at me, all the evil in his eyes melted away

"Pleasure to meet you Cordelia, you're one tough chick, taking the beating like that" he said with a strong accent. I cleaned up my dining room, Adrian helped, seen as I was doing it one handed, called my Mom, told her I had been called in to work and asked her to come for Max.

We headed out and I realised I couldn't drive with my hand, Adrian put his arm around my waist and pulled me to the curb as BFG pulled up on Adrian's bike "we parked a street away so they wouldn't hear us coming, come on you can ride with me" he said reaching into his saddle bag and handing me a helmet, he helped me fasten it then got on the bike, I climbed on behind him and wrapped my arms right around his chest. We headed off through the streets, this was amazing, I've never been on a motorcycle before but I already love it. Holding Adrian close, the wind in my hair and the rumble of the engine, makes me wonder why I ever got a car. Right now I feel safe and I feel free.