Rubbing the cream over her freckles, Melody watched a part of herself disappear. One more night of painting on a stranger's face. It was Friday night and she was looking forward to when Oak got into town tomorrow. He had stopped for the night and would be up early to wake her or so he said. She wasn't much of a morning person and hoped he made it late morning at least. The week had gone by fast, her nights filled with the new bar and days exploring Montana with Coal and Wyatt. The crowd had gotten bigger each night they crept closer to the weekend and Melody couldn't be happier at the progress of the Devil's Den.

             Finishing her makeup, she looked at herself in the mirror as she slid a purple button up shirt on and left it loose hanging over her black leggings and knee high, riding style boots. She had ignored Kaden's advice to wear something skimpier and made sure the other women didn't go overboard with their wardrobe choices.
      Heading out to the living room, she found Coal and Wyatt just returning from their walk.
     "Ready to go?" Wyatt asked as he took in her appearance.
     "All set. Go eat good boy, we'll see you later." Melody kissed Coals head as he trotted by her to his food dish.
      They made it to the bar and parked out back with the others.
     "I'm going to finish up in the office, come get me if I don't make it out by eight?" Wyatt nodded his confirmation as they split up.
     Slipping into the office, she sighed as she noticed nothing had been done in her absence during the day. She had been switching their paper system over to computers and the process was slow. Kaden has stated their club treasurer would be helping out with all the paperwork and billing. Shaking her head, she should have known better and quickly set herself up behind the desk and got to work.
     Hours went by before a knock sounded on the door. Glancing at the clock she frowned as it only read close to seven. She had told Wyatt eight, who else could it be?
     "Come in," she called out, a slight edge to her voice at the interruption. Not taking her eyes off the computer, she heard the door close behind whoever had entered.
      "Good to see you again, Melody." Startled, she sat back and took in Chuck's smug face as he crossed the room to stand in front of her. What the fuck?  He was sporting his VP cut, an unlit cigarette at his ear and disheveled, dark hair stuck up in all directions. Had Oak already spoken to him about what he had done before?

      "Chuck, what can I do for you?" Melody hated the feeling of unease she felt around him. She knew there would be times she would still run into him but had hoped it wouldn't be this soon. At least her .357 sitting in her back holster gave her comfort.

    "Nothing really. Just checking in with my cousin and to check out the new and improved bar. Gotta say, I am impressed with all the changes." He looked around the office, noticing the piles of papers and new computer that she was currently using.

      With a tight smile, she nodded. "Thank you, though the club did all the work. Is there anything else?" She wasn't here to be friends with the club and that included Chuck.

       "Had an interesting conversation brought to my attention the other day. Someone looking for a red head from Boston that may have moved out to Denver. Said she owed a debt?" He didn't elaborate further as he walked over to the window with drawn blinds, peeking through before turning to face her.

        Her heart was racing but she kept a cool mask of indifference on her face as she stared at him blankly.

      "Is that so? I didn't realize you and your club were such gossipers, Chuck. You are aware of my situation so what is this about?"

     Placing his hands flat on the desk, he stared down at her with a calculated look that had her puzzled.

        "This guy is also looking for two missing detectives who were last known to already be in Denver. Why are there three of you being searched for and what is this debt? I don't like being lied to and if the Silent Warriors know more than they are letting on, my president won't be happy." Melody felt the panic escalate but she shoved her hands in her lap to keep the shaking from being noticed. She knew questions were being asked but it meant trouble if inquiries were arising from Bryce and Greg's disappearance. Knowing she had to keep the lie up, she faked confusion.

         "I don't know anything about a debt or missing detectives. I have not seen or heard anything myself. Maybe it's their way of trying to get more information out of people. The last time I heard anything was when my ex left threats on my answering machine." Melody felt the old fear creep in as she realized how close her father's enemies were getting. Knowing what they had in store for her made the fear real in her voice and she didn't bother hiding it from her face.
Chuck seemed to accept her response as he sighed and stared down at her.
          "Maybe, it is. Oak will be here tomorrow, I'll be sure to check in." Chuck stated.
Melody nodded as her mind raced. How long before the other club figured out the truth? How long before the cartel found her? Would it be better for both clubs to know and work together? She needed to talk to Oak as questions continued to race unanswered. Wait, he had talked to Oak if he knew he'd be here tomorrow.

            His knowing look as her eyes snapped back to his had her frowning as he moved around the desk.
            "Oak had words with me before I left to come up here. But for the life of me, I can't seem to stay away." His voice dropped and she could hear the bafflement in it.

           "Chuck, stop. Don't make this worse." Melody stood up to face him behind the desk. Didn't Oak's claim mean anything? Yeah, just as good as a wedding band on her finger would, who was she kidding? Some people didn't let anything get in their way of what they wanted.

        He stepped quickly towards her, making her stumble back into the chair and sit down. His hands gripped the arms of the chair as he trapped her in, his face close to hers.
           "Just one kiss, I'm sure Oak won't mind." Melody glared up at him. What about if she minded? She was sick of assholes feeling like they could get what they wanted out of her and she would just go along. Two could play this game.
          Replacing her anger with a coy expression, Melody tugged on Chuck's cut to bring his face closer. He looked surprised before it turned superior as he figured he was winning after all.
               "He may not mind but I sure as hell do." She hissed before pushing him away, but he held the chair firm.

             "I get it. You don't want to come off too easy like most of the club girls. I like that." Melody squealed in surprise as he suddenly gripped her neck and hip, dragging her up towards him. His mouth fell on hers, his tongue trying to gain access as she pushed against his chest. One hand moved and squeezed her ass making her gasp in outrage. Giving him the opportunity to plunder her mouth. 

             She felt his excitement pressing against her stomach as tears pricked the back of her eyes. His grip tightened on her neck, digging into her skin and leaving bruising marks behind. His other grasping her naked hip under her loose shirt and forcing them closer. Biting down hard, she tasted the hint of blood before he stumbled back and released her. She spit the disgusting taste from her mouth while simultaneously pulling her gun , wiping her mouth as she looked over at him testing his tongue for injury.
      "I don't know what the fuck your problem is but don't ever do that again. No means no and don't ever forget that. It won't be Oak you'll have to worry about next time. Now get out." Melody held the gun in front her without pointing, seething with rage as she fought her own hysteria down.
         Chuck spit blood onto the floor before wiping his own mouth as he looked at her but she looked past him to the door.
      "Alright, Ginger. We'll play it your way for now." He closed the door behind him before she fell into her chair and laid the gun facing the door on the desk. She shouldn't let what just happened affect her so much but she couldn't stop the tirade of emotions and memories from invading her mind. Her hand went to her throat as she felt the bruises, unable to stop pressing and rubbing the tender flesh that reminded her of darker days.
———————————————
            Wyatt found her staring aimlessly at the computer at 8:30, instantly seeing the blood stain on the light grey floor. He looked around the room for any sign of danger but only saw her still form behind the desk. 
            "What happened?" His eyes narrowed as she drew her hair around her neck and looked up at him tiredly.
            "It'll be nice to have Oak around again. I miss him." She smiled as she rose and ignored his question. Sliding her shirt over her gun, she turned the computer off and moved past him.
             He stopped her with a gentle tug on her arm. "Why is their blood on the floor?" He searched her eyes as she kept her mouth shut.
           "Mel, what is going on?" Wyatt searched her eyes, but what he didn't see scared him more. She appeared emotionless, her eyes blank as she smiled unseeingly up at him. What the fuck? Pushing her back towards the desk, he cupped his hands around her face and brought her gaze in line with his. 

          "Melody, can you hear me? What the fuck happened?" Wyatt looked around, searching for anything that would clue him into why she was reacting like this. She shook her head in his hands, her hair falling back and exposing her reddened throat. 

        "Shit, Melody, who did this?" Wyatt racked his brain, knowing he had been keeping a pretty close eye on the hallway leading to the office. Then he remembered the back entrance and groaned as he realized his stupidity. Fuck, why couldn't he get this right? Red finger marks were plainly visible around the sides of her neck from a larger hand.

    "Fuck, Mel. I'm sorry. I'll fix this, I promise. Just tell me who." He closed his eyes as he saw hers look away, his own fear at the answer.

         "Chuck." Was  all she whispered as she slumped back against the desk, withdrawing into herself.

         "Don't move," he pointed a finger and gave her his meanest glare before she nodded. Spinning around, he moved quickly out the door and through the throng of people, searching for his target. Stupid motherfucker stuck around.

        Wyatt spotted Chuck laughing with some of the other local Red Devils and didn't even think about the possible danger. His fist made a satisfying crack against the side of Chuck's face before he followed through with his second fist to the other side. 

         Someone screamed as they both went down, but Wyatt only made contact once more with his fist before he was pulled up and off him. He saw red as he flailed at whoever was holding him before he was slammed on a pool table and his arm jerked back. He stilled, heaving in lungfuls of air as he waited for retaliation. 

    "Stop! Office now!" Her voice was sharp and loud as Wyatt felt himself heaved up and pushed toward where he could see Melody standing. She had her arms crossed and a pissed off look on her face as she watched him walk past and then motioned for Chuck to do the same. 

          He felt relief at seeing the Melody he knew and not the dead mask she had on earlier. It reminded him of that day Greg had snuck up on him and the look in her eyes as she had stared over at him, knowing she was about to be raped. He stumbled into the office, moving towards the desk before spinning around and facing Chuck. 

       Already, a prospect had gotten Chuck ice as he smirked over at him while he settled against the wall. Wyatt wished he could wipe that smirk right off his face but remained standing where he was with clenched fists. Melody marched in behind them and waited for the rest of the members to leave.

            "What is wrong with you both? Fighting in front of everyone like that?!" Melody paced between them and Wyatt almost laughed at the situation. This fiery, little redhead making demands of the club as if she was the president, ordering them all around. 

     He narrowed his eyes as he watched Chuck following her every move, licking his lips and not masking his apparent interest in her. 

          "I'm sorry, Mel but that fucker had it coming. He did something to you and I wasn't going to sit back and let him get away with it." He remained leaning against the desk as Chuck's gaze fell on him, his head slightly cocked as if he was considering something.

             "Wyatt, I appreciate that, truly. But, I had already handled it. Isn't that right, Chuck?" Melody glared over at him, her hands fisted at her hips as she waited for his reply. 

        He only nodded before switching the ice on his face to the opposite side. 

          "Now, you've made it everyone's business and Oak will want an explanation when he gets here tomorrow. I had hoped to avoid that." She chewed her lip and looked at both of them. Wyatt felt so stupid, rushing the situation like that and not realizing how much it had made it worse. He hung his head, glad that Oak would be taking over and he could return home. He needed to get away and work on not fucking up every time.

          "I'm sorry, you're right. I wasn't thinking." Wyatt turned his face in shame, wishing he didn't always act first and think later. 

        "No, it's fine. I forget how young you are sometimes." Melody sighed as he cringed at her response. He wasn't a stupid, young boy but a member of a motorcycle club and gaining responsibility everyday. As soon as Oak got here, he was gone and he wasn't sure if he was coming back. He needed to refocus on the club and earning his patch. 

          "Fine, we're going to finish this night out and start fresh tomorrow. Chuck, I don't want you anywhere near me unless it is related to club business. Otherwise, keep your distance and I won't let Wyatt finish where he left off. And Wyatt, next time you want to play hero, make sure the damsel needs it." He felt it was unfair, did she not realize how she had looked when he had found her? Maybe she didn't, but he had felt such rage that Chuck had put that look there he didn't regret what he had done. 

           Chuck slinked out wordlessly after nodding his comprehension. Wyatt moved to the door, stopping to look back once more at Melody.

      "Do you need anything else?" She looked at him, smiling slightly.

       "No. You did plenty." He shook his head and smiled before making his way back to the bar. 

                  Catching Nora's eye, he winked and watched her scurry off as she hid her flaming face. He had been flirting off and on all night with her and wondered if she was the type he could persuade for a quick bathroom break. Grabbing a beer, he decided to find out as he followed her and kept an eye out for Melody who was now walking the floor of the bar. Fuck, he just wanted to get laid before dealing with whatever tomorrow was going to throw his way.