Volume 1: Finding myself

Aria had just finished cleaning up a table when she got a text from her best friend Amber. Who not only was a bikini model and known all around in Denver but also her roommate.

Aria put the cups and plates in the bin and went inside the kitchen disposing the dishes in the sink. Her long brown hair fell in front of her face as moved. Her hazel green eyes flashed to the sink and she started washing the dishes as the other waitresses came by leaving their dishes and running back when they heard the bell ring to serve the costumers.

Her shift was over at 2 p.m. So she had to hurry. She had a side job as a michanic working for King. She had just finished the boat load of dishes when her boss yelled at her.

Aria froze and everyone stopped what they were doing. She turned around and smiled at her boss.

She smiled wryly at her boss. "You were going to leave without saying goodbye?" Mia asked with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She was scowling at her.

She signaled everyone to keep on working and the kitchen was loud again. "I'll see you tomorrow and tell Emilie that she has to pay for the shots tomorrow." She said and Aria laughed.

"Bye Babe." Aria said and she hugged Mia goodbye. Her faint accent could still be heard and any man around her would fall for that sexy sweet low-pitched voice. She was just leaving when she heard Mia shout to move their asses faster.

Aria snickered and walked out the restaurant. Her Uber arrived and she got in the backseat. She looked up to see her best friends restaurant MIA'S. Not only was her restaurant famously known but it was also known for being pretty expensive. Mia was a great cook. Her family also has their own restaurant but that's in California. She remembered that restaurant when she used to live there.

Because of the circumstances she had to run. Again. As long as they were safe she didn't mind.

***

Her Uber dropped her off at the shop and she walked up to see Kings bikers hanging around and drinking. There giant muscled body's were leaning against the walls while some drank and some were smoking. She greeted them and some ruffled her hair like a little kid as she walked in the basement.

King isn't really part of the MC gangs. Yeah he's a biker. But not so much in the hard core killing stuff. Some of the guys that hang out her do. But they lay low. They don't cause problems. Plus I'm not there type in anyway possible. Aria is innocent. Sassy at times but that's it. The real her is completely different. She just had to stay a bit longer and she would have to leave again. The difference now is that... she didn't want to go. This time she carelessly made friends. She let her guard down and she could drop it any lower.

She changed into her navy blue coveralls in the locker rooms and hurried out to fix a family van. She remembered the family that came here a young women came with 3 little kids pulling on her and her husband on the phone the whole time. Seemed like a total asshole.

Aria looked into the engine and she was neck deep into the hood when King called her. She looked up to see a 34 year old man staring back at her. He had blonde hair up to his neck. His blue eyes stared back at her and his broad shoulders were crossed across his chest. King was young but he was a man of his word also very confident. He was a foot or more taller. She was short and she knew it. Five foot Six. She trusted this man with her life. Especially because he knew everything. Including about him. He would visit regularly since she had a house up in the mountains outside the city.

"So have you thought about buying that car?" King asked as I searched into the tool box.

She shrugged. She was still deciding on it.

"It would be easier when your visiting. You know I'm not always going to be free. I'm a busy man Aria." He said seriously and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Busy doing what? Getting laid during the weekends at Steve's?" She said mockingly and King glared at her.

"Don't forget I'm your boss." He said and she smile mockingly.

"Oh my bad. What are you busy with? Making passionate love during the weekends?" She said in a mocking tone.

"Aria you know you need a car. Especially for visits. You know I have personal things I need to do in my life." He said and she rolled her eyes yet again.

"Yeah like getting yourself a girlfriend or an actual wife." She said and he just glared at her.

"The only person I actually cared for left. I screwed it up and I lost everything." He said surprising her. He doesn't say much about his personal life.

"Well... your right but... you know I'll be leaving sooner or later. It would be too much work to get rid of the car." She said and King agreed.

"How about this? You give me the money and we out it under my name. If anything happens you pay but it's under my name so no one can suspect." He said and she stayed silent contemplating.

"Okay but nothing to fancy just something that I can use and cheap." She said and Kind just stared at her.

"But you have a fortune of money." He said and he was right but she couldn't make any irrational decisions. She knew he was watching her bank account.

"Just a small SUV. To take them out sometimes and not waste my money on Ubers." She said and he nodded.

As the time passed they finished work and she finished cleaning up. They had agreed on what she would buy at the dealership and he dropped her off in his motorcycle. She went up the giant apartment complexes.

Her roommate and best friend Amber lived in a luxurious apartment on the second to last floor of the rooftop. When she opened the door she was greeted to the smell of olive oil. She turned around and saw Amber grumpily stapling at her home salad with a fork as she sat criss crossed apple sauce on the couch watching T.V.

"Hey." Aria said as she took off her boots and put on her slippers.

"Hey." She angrily as she stabbed some more at her salad.

"Whoah. What did the lettuce do to you?" She said as she walked up to her and kissed the crown of forehead and they hugged.

"Not much. Mario said I need to watch my diet. I have a summer campaign coming up and need to loose five pounds at the most. So that means none of Mia's sweets or your amazing food." She said and I laughed.

"Don't laugh."She pouted and I shut my mouth almost choking on my saline to stop myself from laughing.

"But your so skinny." I told her and anyone who saw her knew it.

"I know right." She responded and stabbed some more into the bowl.

"By the way Emilie is paying for tomorrow." I informed Amber. I knew she would happy since tomorrow was Saturday and it was a day off to the the pressure. But instead she shook her head.

"I can't. Alcohol is going to add more to my weight." She said and I looked at her.

"Your kidding, right? Just don't drink." Aria told her but her wouldn't budge.

"But you know that for me being at a bar always means drinking." She said. Anyone around Amber would know shes stubborn. She hated that about herself because she resembles her Mother. And God knows how much she hated the resemblance to her Mother. She didn't hate her but she hated that they were alike.

"Okay then. We'll just stay home and watch a movie." I said and took my phone out to text the girls but Amber stopped her.

"No don't let me ruin your plans." She said obviously unhappy that we were all going to change our plans for her.

"You sure?" I asked her and she nodded. I just texted the girls and they both said okay.

I went inside my room to take a shower. Aria could feel the oil and grease in her hair and she smelled like it too. Especially like smoke from the ciggerates. At first Amber had a problem with it because of her past but she then got used to it. Alcohol and ciggerates were never okay with her but she became accustomed to it because she knew that being a model meant many party's which included Alcohol and Ciggerates.

After she walked out she took out her burner phone and dialed the number before checking outside the door to her room and locked it. She went inside the bathroom connected to her room and locked the door to it as well.

She pressed the call button and after two rings the call connected.

She spoke for a while with her until she heard his voice she relaxed and wished him a good night and gave him a kiss over the phone.

She thought about him and then when she closed her eyes she went back there. The worst day of her life. The day he left and the days that followed into the never ending hell. The only reason why she was alive was because he depended on her and she lived for him.

Katarina got up later than usual since Alice needed her shift so she didn't have to work for the rest of the day and it was refreshing.

She got up and started making breakfast. Amber got up a few minutes later when she smelled the bacon in the air. She got up and hurried downstairs of the apartment to the kitchen and her mouth watered when she saw Katarina. She watched as Katarina served herself.

Katarina looked up now, "Oh Good Morning." She smiled and Amber smiled back, Mornin." She instantly frowned when she saw Katarina walking past her with the plate of homemade waffles a small cranberry salad bacon and sausages.

"Wheres my food?" Amber said and Katarina pointes to her own cranberry salad, avocado toast, and egg whites. Amber whimpered remembering about her diet.

"This isn't fair." Amber argued as she grabbed her plate and headed to the island and sat down on the tall chairs. Katarina was used to her fussing. This was a habit now.

Katarina made her coffee while she gave Amber her white tea. Amber was near tears when Katarina dumped syrup all over her pancakes.

They ate and it was torture for Amber. She felt like dying. Katarina could care less. Her friend at always been over dramatic. Ever since they met.

After cleaning up the place it was still early so Katarina left to go shopping while Amber stayed home to sleep. She had a busy schedule coming up.

She went to the mall and bought herself an outift for tonight since the girls were going out. She was passing by ready to leave the mall when she saw a giant toy shop. She went inside ans bought dinosaurs for him and books to read. He wasn't a fan of cars or disney things. They once watched Cars the movie and he fell asleep on her lap. She bought them and hid them inside the bags when she arrived 'home'. Well she wished it was home. Its was just a temporary roof for her.

She was heading upstairs when Emelie texted in the group chat that shes not going to be able to make it. She was going to have to take extra rounds. Since Emelie was a nurse she was usually very busy.

So it was just her and Mia. It was still early so Katarina just hurried up the stairs and decided to ride around the garage to find some information.

She saw the guys in front of their bikes and smoking cigerrates. She put her hoodie over her head and walked towards Max. They discreetly walk behind the garage and into the parking lot.

"Any news?" I asked. Katarina was nervous Max could feel it. She had every right to be.

"No. So far everything's quiet. But your going to have start looking because you know he doesn't stay quiet for long. So far hes found you every single time you ran and things cant happen like. a few years ago." He said demandingly and she shivered. She still had nightmares and she knew she always will.

Katarina looked up at him as the sun was glaring at her. His shiny blonde hair was spiky and his piercing dark blue eyes stared at her. He was in his early 30s. Katarina was 29 going onto 30 in a few weeks but no one knew.

Max got closer and put his bufg arms around her, "Dad misses you. He knows you cant visit but he misses you. Also... hes losing power of the gang." He said and Katarina looked up.

"How?" She asked shocked. Dad was a man who no one could mess with and if he was losing power of his gang than that meant he was losing territory.

"Some new guy is trying to take the gang. None of us want Dad overthrowned but turns out we had moles in the gang. Dad was furious and you know hes not getting any younger." He said and Katarina understood.

"How is she?" Max asked and Katarina stilled.

Max was alert now. He knew that it was a sore topic so he didn't ask much but he was nervous. He hadn't heard from her. No one has.

"I talked to her a few weeks ago. She finally listened to me and took therapy." Katarina said and Max sighed in relief.

"She wants me to head over there with her but if hes still after me than everything is going to collapse. She sounds strong but I don't know. You know she took off after she broke up with that cheating scum." Katarina said and Max's jaw tightened.

If only they knew who that man was than he would be dead by now. She was so broken. She tried commiting suicide. Whoever hurt her was the only person that kept her safe. Although she still suffered being with him.

"Are you gonna start looking for a place? You know you cant stay for long." Max warned and Katarina nodded.

"I know but I haven't looked into it. Usually whenever you bring the topic up that means you've got a place. So talk." Katarina and Max grinned.

"Well I've got two places. One in manhattan and the other in Wisconsin. I've got friends there. One has a family with kids. It would be good for him." He said and Katarina nodded and hugged Max tighter.

She bid goodbye and told Max she would think about it. She didn't want to go. Not at all.

It was getting late so Katarina headed to Ambers place. And got ready she didn't put on any make up and she left her long surly brown hair in a messy tail and put on a matching outfit with a baggy black tank top and jeans with studs with boots. She didn't want to call to kuch attention and she knew that the bar that they were going to was a bar where people hooked up.

She was getting ready when Amber knocked on the door. Amber opened it and gawked at Katarina. "You look amazing but you know you can do better than this." She said and sat on her bed and watched Katarina get ready.

"Yeah I know but were going to Divine Hell. And you know its famously known for one night stand and meaningless fucks. And honestly Im not looking into that." Katarina explained and Amber understood.

"But what if today you met your special someone." She teased and Katarina rolled her eyes.

"I dont care about those things"... because I already had it.

After Katarina got ready she left and went inside the bar. She went to the long island in front of the barista to wait for Mia.

*But little did she know that this night her life was going to change forever.*

Katarina was waiting for a while now so she called Mia. After three rings she answered.

"Mia where are you?" Katarina interrogated. "Oh no we were supposed to meet up weren't we?" Mia said feeling completely bad.

"Yes where are you?"Katarina said completely irritated. "Im at the restaurant. Todays saturday and not a lot of people are here. Im so sorry Rina." Mia apologized. Katarina sighed, "Its alright. Don't worry. See you at work tomorrow." She said and Mia apologized once again before saying goodbye and hanging up.

Katarina sighed and ordered herself a drink.

At the other side of the bar, in the booths Liam, Jay, and Nick. Nick was 'talking' to a blonde on the dance floor. They both knew where this was going. Jay already had a chick on his lap and Liam was looking around. By now he would have already been at his office or at one of his crash rooms. That was one of the privileges of being a bar owner.

Nick had already made an 'appointment' and Jay was ready to take the girl on his lap back home. They were caught up in their own world when they realised that they're best friend was still sitting their with now one on his lap or by his side.

"Whats wrong with you?" Jay asked while the skinny girl om hus lap with leaving kisses on his neck.

"Don't know. I'll just look around." Liam said obviously annoyed. He didn't know what was wrong with him.

"Dude can you get us some drinks?" Nick asked as he was grinning at his single friend. Usually on saturday nights when it was a full house Liam was the first one to get laid. None of them were into serious relationships. Life screwed them up. And bad.

Liam rolled his eyes but still went. He walked past the swaying hips and the crushing body's before finally making it to the bar top. It took him a while to finally get some assistance from Matt. His bar tender and best friend.

Matt came up to him, "Hey." He said but seemed distracted. Matt kept staring at the other side of the bar top and he realized every other man was looking at that direction as well.

He looked at the commotion and that's when he saw her. His eyes widened and his pants became tighter. She was gorgeous. Different from what hes used to but beautiful nonetheless.

There was a loney women just drinking there. She had gorgeous brown curly silky hair, hazel green eyes, and a cute heart shaped face. Her lips were plump and inviting. She had big luscious breasts just the perfect size for his giant hand to hold onto as he ****** into her. A round butt but what caught his eyes the most was her neck. Just so slim and beautiful he didn't know he had a thing for necks until now.

Matt looked at him and knew exactly what he was thinking," Not your usual Liam." He said teasingly and Liam glared at him.

"Shut up." He said. "Give me three beers." He said and Matt grinned at him and got them. He uncapped them and gave them to Liam. Liam stocked off to her and she seemed like she was in a bad mood. Probably a break up or work or left behind.

He sat at the stool next to her and she turned to him. She flashed him a small smile that really meant get away from me. He was surprised by that. He'd seen other women do it to men trying to get them into bed but never has anyone done that to him.

He found it interesting and refreshing. He just stayed there and sipped on his beer in awkward silence. Girls came up to him suggestively hinting him and if it weren't because he had his eyes on someone he would have gotten in bed with one of them already.

Finally after some time dhe finally looked at him, "What do you want?" She asked him. She had a sweet and low pitched voice that blew him away.

"Who says I want anything?" He answered low and gruff in a sexy manner. To his surprise again shr didn't seem turned on in the slightest.

"Okay then. Im leaving." She said as she got up and he panicked.

"No wait." He grabbed her wrist and she tensed up. He let go and she turned around to look at him.

"I just wanted to ask if you wanted to play a match of pool. My friends would but there getting busy if you know what I mean." He said and pointed at the table of his friends and she nodded.

She looked at her wrist watch and sighed, " I guess but I've never really played before." She said shyly and he grinned.

"That's alright." He said and they walked to the pool table. Some were surrounded by people. They got one before another group of people could.

He started chalking up the sticks for the girl and he realized that he hadn't asked what her name was.

"So what's your name?" He asked her as he set everything up and she hesitated before answering, "Lily." She said and he knew she was lying but he didn't push. "Lily." He echoed but he didn't notice how her body responded to his voice

"What about you?" She asked and he cleared his throat, "Liam."

"Liam." She echoed and he suppressed a groan as his pants became tighter again when his name rolled off of her sexy lips.

Katarina was confused when he first sat down next to her and she knew when a man went up to her for some fun.

He seemed fine and nice so she didn't question him and a bunch of people were here so if anyone tried anything then she would have help.

She lied but she knew it was the safest for both of them. He was hot no doubt about that. He had blonde thick blonde hair and had the body of a bodyguard. Buff arms and hot chest in that tight v neck shirt. He had luminous blue eyes. They were high spirited from anyone elses point of view but from experience she saw behind those eyes he was also haunted by something.

She knew how to play pool. When she lived in ohio a few years ago she would play pool and get money out of it.

She got closer to him and he slowly explained the angles and how to hold the stick. He helped me hold the stick but he didn't take advantage of the situation and grind himself on me. He actually kept his distance in a way. I felt his breath fanning my neck and I could smell him. He was all musk and sandalwood that attracted her very much.

Unconsciously she sniffed him and tensed up on her. He stared at her and she blushed. He chuckled, "I've never been smelled at by a woman." He said and despite herself she laughed.

He helped her hold the stick and after some time she "got" the hang of it.

"So Lily, why'd you come to a bar like this out of all places?" He asked and she just shrugged.

"I was supposed to come with some friends but they all backed out. By the time I found out I was already here." Katarina said and Liam nodded.

"Oh." He said and scratched the back of his head not knowing what to say. Katarina thought that was cute so she just chuckled at him. He blushed which surprised him. He didn't know why he did. He felt nervous around her and she hadn't done anything to him.

Soon women were going up to him and suggestively telling him to go meet uo at the back room. She instinctively tightened her hand on the stick digging her nails into the wood.

She saw how some of the women groped him and he looked nervous. Katarina went up to him, grabbed his chin and kissed him. She was a bit territorial. Although he wasn't her it didn't mean she didn't get to him first.

Liam was shocked his eyes were wide until he grabbed the back of her head to bring her closer. The women who were in front of them scoffed and backed off.

Katarina pulled away confused. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She had never felt like that when she kissed a man and they were few. She felt butterflies in her stomach and warmth pull down her panties. She was so scared she only felt like this with him.

Liam just watched her. He saw her battle with her emotions until she looked up at him and her eyes were blank. She grabbed his face and kissed him again. He didn't know how to react. He didn't know much about her but she seemed like she was going through it.

She bit his lips and pulled away licking her lips and the bulge in his pants was visible. She noticed and smirked. She palmed him then gripped him. For Katarina this was the first time she acted without thinking. She let her emotion lead the way.

But for Liam he was used to it and he almost asked the same question he always asked to any women, 'Lets go to the back rooms.' But instead he said. "Lets go to my place." He whispered into her ears and she nodded.