The Four Stages of Loving Dutch Owen - Debra Kayn Page 0,25

dried grass. Ripping open the door of the shed, he thrust her inside.

His stomach curled, and he turned away at the stench rolling out of the small eight feet by eight feet space. Hardening his resolve, he stepped inside with her.

"Look around." He eyed the filth spread to each corner. "This is how you lived. This is how you took care of yourself."

Rats had spread what little items she'd kept and had obviously died in what they thought was their utopia. The toilet paper he'd once found balled up in the corner with her shit was long gone. Even the face of a doll, half-chewed off by rodents, wasn't left untouched.

"You have a nice room, a comfortable bed, food in your belly, and a family back in Bellevue." He put his hands on her shoulders, standing behind her. "They want to love you."

"I don't love them."

"That's your freedom to decide who to love." He exhaled. "But, you're a kid. How long do you think you can live on your own before someone sees you roaming around town or stealing food before they call the cops? You'll find yourself in kid jail or stuck with a family that only wants the monthly check they get from the state for having you in their house. You're growing up. Do you know how many men are out there waiting to take advantage of a pretty young girl like you?"

"Nothing is going to happen to me." She crossed her arms.

"Nothing has happened yet, because I saved your ass. On your own, I won't be there. Rachel and Skull won't be there. The club won't be there." He stepped outside, needing fresh air. "I'll be out front, waiting at the Harley, when you've made up your mind."

He walked away, leaving her to think she had an option. Knowing that if she ran or made the wrong choice, he would still put her on the back of his motorcycle and take her back to Rachel and Skull.

She was hurting. Probably worse than she'd ever felt, and he could understand that. But she was too young to make decisions she'd regret later.

An hour later, Marla Marie walked toward him with her chin pressed against her chest. When she reached his motorcycle, she looked up at him.

The unhappiness he'd put her through clung to every inch of her. He could remember being her age. One minute believing he could take care of himself, and the next, wanting his mom.

He reached out and stroked her cheek. "You won't always be sad," he said softly.

She swallowed and pressed her cheek into his hand. He lifted his chin, motioning her to get on the back of the Harley.

"Let's go home, Marla Marie."

She let him put the helmet on her and then climbed up behind him. With her arms wrapped around him, he rode off. Needing the open road to clear his head.

Part Three

Dutch belonged to her.

Chapter 12

ALYSSA ROLLED THE PASSENGER side window down and motioned her hand to hurry. Marla ran barefooted over the wet grass, holding her high heels in her hand. Excitement bubbled through her, and she held her middle finger up in the air, ready for a night of adventures.

She opened the door and climbed onto the seat. "Go, go, go."

Gravel flew from underneath the back tires as Alyssa stomped on the gas pedal of the Ford Truck. Marla held on to the dash and slid her heels on.

"You're late. I was getting ready to call you," she said.

Alyssa glanced at her. "Amber's home and wouldn't get out of the shower. Then, she wouldn't finish with my straightener, so I could use it."

"I thought she was working the night shift." Marla gathered her hair over her shoulder and ran her fingers through the long strands. "What's she doing home?"

"Sore throat or something. But I think it's an excuse because mom and dad are at the clubhouse, and of course, won't be home until early morning. When I was leaving the house, I passed Caleb driving up the driveway in that junker he bought." She laughed. "Now, I'm really glad you got permission to come with me tonight. I don't want to be around them."

"It's going to be so much fun." She rolled down the window and let the night air inside the cab.

Alyssa turned up the stereo. Marla grinned, singing along with the song.

The party at the clubhouse gave them a reason to see each other. For the last three months, it'd been impossible to sneak away from