Allison

I must have slept all night, when I feel someone's hand on my shoulder I startle awake. Looking around my eyes immediately search for Lilith and my dogs. Once I see them still in the back seat of the truck my panic dissipates. Feeling the heat of someone's hand still on my shoulder, I look to my left and see a smiling Grayson.

"You slept all night Alley Cat. You must feel at least a little comfortable with me." He winks, and before I can open my mouth to say something sarcastic, he's opening his door and climbing out. I watch feeling a little dumbfounded as he opens the back door, unstraps Lilith from her booster seat in the back.

To my total amazement she gladly goes with him, the sound of her giggle as he closes the door echoing in my ears. I sit there a moment, as I hear him call out, "You coming? I'm sure your dogs would like to come out of there at some point." His words have me shaking my head as I look behind me.

Both of them are staring at me with their heads tilted to the side. "Right. You guys' probably have to go to the bathroom really bad." I mumble below my breath. Opening my door, I climb out. Opening the back door, both beasts practically have me falling on my ass, as they jump out of the back seat, running to the nearby grass to do their business.

Luckily, a hand catches me by the arm. Looking up I see a man twice my size, with black hair and green eyes smiling at me. "Have to be careful there darling. Wouldn't want you to fall on that beautiful ass of yours." He winks at me. His words causing me to pull my arm away and glare at him as I face him head on. My attitude does nothing, he simply laughs out right at me. Hand on his chest as his head falls back.

Once he gets a hold of himself, he gives me a little bow of his head, "Names Hammer darling. Didn't mean to frighten you. I just wanted to make sure you didn't hurt yourself." Studying him from head to toe, I can see just how big of a man he is. He is built an awfully lot like Grayson, wall to wall muscle.

If I didn't know any better, I would think these guys were on steroids, but I know Grayson better than that. "Thank you." I mumble to him, as I hear a loud whistle from behind the truck. "You dog hungry?" I hear a gravely, clearly older gentlemen's voice asks from behind me. Within seconds, my dogs are running towards the big building we pulled up to just moments ago.

"Come on, I'll walk you in so you're not afraid." Hammer holds his hand out in front of him toward me. Instead of taking it, I roll my eyes, and walk right around him. I hear his light laugh come from behind me as I hear his obvious steps following close by.

Looking up, I take a closer look at the building I'm about to walk into. It's on the outskirts of town. There's nothing but grass and trees behind and to the side of the building. The windows are boarded up, and it's at least two stories high. I pause mid-step, a little taken aback at the appearance. If Lilith wasn't already in there, I'd turn around and run as fast as I could away from the place.

"It's okay. I promise it's not a foreboding as it looks." Hammer whispers close to my ear, causing me to startle. I whip around his way, looking at him with the confusion held deep in my eyes. I look from him to the door, and back, biting my lip. I feel tears welding behind my eyes, but I fight them back. I don't want nor need to look weak in front of these strangers.

"Alley Cat, are you doing, okay?" I feel the soft touch of Grayson's hand on the arm of my skin. Goosebumps instantly grow along my skin, and my heartbeat stutters. Closing my eyes, I try my best to not let him affect me. I turn to face him, not realizing just how close he was to me. Our noses are touching, the feel of his breath along my lips, and his obsidian eyes look both soft and demanding.

I have to swallow down the things I want to say to him. Kiss me. Hold me in your arms and never let me go. These things aren't the best things to think about. Especially, at a time like this. I barely know him. Sure, we knew one another as children. Back then I was the annoying six year his junior little girl that followed him everywhere. I was so enamored by him, I just wanted to be around him all the time.

I need to remember those times he was rude to me as a child. Yelling at me to go home and to leave him and his friends alone. Laughing at my expense. It's the only way I know I won't become too attached. It'll be easier once everything is said and done. Then, Lilith and I can leave and start a normal life, all our own, and maybe be happy.

I lick my lips with my tongue, his eyes following the motion. I have to squeeze my thighs together. I'm feeling things I haven't felt before. Usually, sexual needs don't apply to me. In my world its nothing but degrading, pain, and what the man wants. At least that's how it's always been with Drake. The only man I have ever been with, and that wasn't by choice.

I take a slight step back, as I look behind his shoulder. "Where's Lilith?" If my dogs weren't in that building with her, I'd be more worried. They are loyal to her and me, meaning anyone tries in the slightest to harm her and they will attack.

"Follow me." He clears his throat, he turns around. He takes a hold of my hand, waiting for me to step next to him, to know I'll follow willingly before we both start walking. Once inside, I can see Hammer was correct. The place isn't what it seems from outside. It's clean surfaces all around.

There's a bar on one side of the main room, four big screen televisions against the walls, a few booths, and tables in the center. On the other side of the large room, there are pool tables, and even some game systems. Looks more like an arcade. A slight smile forms along my lips. "This looks different." I say honestly. It looks nothing like when my father was president of the club.

"Yeah, I wanted to clean shit up." Grayson says from beside me. I look at him out of the corner of my eye. Seeing him look around, his arms folded over his chest. I can tell he is proud of what he's accomplished here. "The living quarters and bedrooms are all on the top floor." He turns to the side, so he can see me better. Reaching for his arm, he nods his head at me.

I follow close behind him, taking in my full surroundings. "That there is Jackie, you may remember him from when we were kids." He points to the older gentlemen sitting behind the bar, cleaning glasses with a towel. At the sound of his name, he looks over at us, a big smile on his face.

"Well I'll be damned." He says below his breath. He stands from his chair, moving quite fast for an older man. He walks around the bar to stand in front of me, his eyes wide in shock. "It's really you darlin." He has a southern drawl to his voice. Studying the older man I get a feeling of familiarity. Then a memory comes to the forefront of my mind. Me at five years old coming home from school with my mother. I ran ahead of her knowing Jackie would have a lollipop waiting for me.

I darted into the warehouse where we used to live, and ran past everyone else, as they cleared a way for me. Jackie was always sitting on a stool at the bar, lollipop in held out in his hand, a warm smile on his face, and his kind blue eyes watching for me. Without realizing what I'm doing, I wrap my arms around the older man, and hold him close to me.

At first I think I may have done something wrong. Like, he may think I'm crazy, but instead he wraps me in a tight embrace. "It's okay darlin. We are here for you now. Nothing bad is going to happen from here on out." The words he whispers in my ear have tears falling freely from my eyes.

"Damn straight no one will hurt her. I won't allow it. She's home." The sound of Grayson's voice has me pulling away to look at him over my shoulder. He has a fierce look on his face. Walking closer to me his hand shoots out to touch my chin. Holding my gaze, he tells me with a look of determination and honesty shining through his eyes. "You two are home now. This is where you have always belonged. You are our family."