The Four Stages of Loving Dutch Owen - Debra Kayn Page 0,23

at the world. She'd be a thirteen-year-old child who was dealing with a past of rape, abuse, and not able to see that she was lucky to be alive. At the very least, she would've followed her mom's choices and stuck a needle in her arm to escape the harsh life she was given.

"I'm taking her away from the house for a while." He looked at his sister. "I'll bring her back tonight."

"Where are you going?"

"To do what needs to be done."

Rachel closed her mouth and slowly nodded. His sister wasn't happy with how he chose to take care of the problem, but she knew her place and would allow him to do what he thought best without giving him a fight.

He walked down the hallway, knocked on the bedroom door, and opened it before Marla Marie could answer. She sat on the bed with her eyes closed. Her lack of response caused by the headphones over her ears plugged into an old radio beside the bed.

Striding across the room, he was halfway there when she opened her eyes and reached up to uncover her ears. Her lack of surprise or excitement slowed him down.

It was as if she had no feelings at all.

No matter how she acted with Rachel and Skull, she'd always welcomed him back.

He glanced at her bare feet. "Get your shoes on and grab a coat. You're coming with me."

She unfolded her legs and slid off the bed. Her jaded response at seeing him pissed him off. Whatever was going through her head was going to stop. She had a home. A family. There was nothing going on in her life now, except news of her mom's death, that would cause her to mope around.

His sister wanted to pussyfoot around Marla Marie. Rachel couldn't compare their childhood to Marla Marie's life and take pity on her. Marla Marie needed discipline, guidance, and love. Now more than ever.

Everything Rachel was doing was done for the girl. Marla Marie needed to see what was right in front of her face.

Once she was ready, he walked out of the house. He handed her the helmet that he usually carried on the back of his bike unless he traveled through a state that required him to put the brain bucket on.

She never eyed him curiously for letting her ride. Besides the one time he'd brought her back when she ran away after putting her with Rachel and Skull, he'd always refused to let her ride on the back of the Harley and had strict instructions that nobody else in the club was allowed to take her for a ride.

Big enough to hold on and follow directions, she could go with him. He gave her instructions on what she needed to do. Then, he straddled the bike and flipped the footpegs down. She climbed up and wrapped her arms around him. Making sure she settled; he started the Harley and rode away from Bellevue.

When he'd arrived, he had no plans on where to take her. He only knew she needed a break from living at the house where they tended to coddle her. She needed a fast wakeup to see that she had a better life with Rachel and Skull.

Over the first few miles, he paid attention to her arms, her slight weight pressed against his back, her short, slim legs molded around his hips. She seemed too little to sit a motorcycle properly, and he worried that she would let her mind wander and let go for a second at her age.

A second could kill her.

Three hours later, after several stops to let Marla Marie stretch her legs and dealing with her giving him the cold shoulder, he arrived in Moses Lake.

It wasn't until he was halfway through town, next to McDonald's golden arches, that she understood where he'd brought her.

Her arms tightened around him, and she was almost able to touch her hands together in front of him. Now that he was here, there was no protecting her. She needed to see where she came from.

Going down the main street, he passed the pool hall where the Moses Lake Chapter had their clubhouse. An MC brother dipped his chin in front of the building, and Dutch held out two fingers, not here to handle business.

He was on his own time and had something more important to take care of today.

As he followed the road with the field to his left, Marla Marie's body stiffened behind her. Despite her young