by KJ Dahlen
He collapsed as he rolled over onto his back and brought her with him. He took some heavy breaths and for a few minutes, all he could do was breathe.
Then he sat up and led her to the shower. Without saying another word, he washed them both and then dried himself while she dried her own body. Then he led her back into the bedroom and sat down with her on the bed. “You need to sleep. I can’t have you wearing a hole in the carpet anymore. It isn’t good for you or the baby. He wrapped his arms around her. “Just let me hold you and you sleep now.”
“I... love you Harry...” she muttered then fell asleep.
Harry smiled. He knew what would help her at least for now. He loved this woman beyond measure and he was determined to finally reunite her with her sister. Then they could help Becky and be a family. A happy one.
Some hours later, they all sat in the main room having coffee and breakfast.
Tate’s phone rang but before he answered it, he looked over at Nita.
Nita swallowed heavily and nodded at him.
“You got Tate.” His eyes then widened as he listened for several minutes. When he hung up, he looked over at Annie and Harry. He walked over to them slowly and everyone waited with baited breath.
He looked at Annie and took her hand in his. “Honey, they found her. She’s alive but she’s hurt pretty bad. The last three months have been very hard on her. All she knows about herself is her name.” He smiled. “But she remembered your Marlin with the painted skulls.”
Annie had tears running down her face. “But she’s alive? She’s really alive?” Swiping her tears away, she smiled and fairly beamed. “I can work with that.”
Tate looked around the room. “He wants as many of us over there as we can spare for the upcoming battle, but he wants the two of you for sure. Now honey, I know you can’t wait to see your sister again but I gotta warn you about something. Cobra said that she has no clue who she even is let alone anyone else. She’s been brutalized every day for the last three months. Her brain shut down to help her cope and she was beaten within an inch of her life just days ago. It might be harder than we thought to bring back the girl you knew.”
Annie smiled gently at the other man. “I know her battle isn’t going to be an easy one. It never is coming back from any trauma but that girl is stronger than anyone gives her credit for and I know that best of all.” She chuckled. “You guys think you know stubborn? You ain’t seen stubborn yet but you will and stubborn’s name is Becky Lowel.”
Harry wrapped his arm around his woman and kissed her temple. “Let’s go get your sister.”
“Yes please.” Annie grinned.
Five hours later, unseen eyes watched as several vehicles pulled into the parking lot of the Savaged Souls MC compound. He stood in the shadows of the tree line surrounding the clubhouse. He wasn’t sure why these men were here but he had a feeling Gunner was building his numbers for the upcoming battle he wouldn’t win.
His group might not have the numbers an MC had but they had something more valuable. They had men who fought to win.
The man watched as a woman got out of the truck. His eyes widened as he recognized her and he growled under his breath. He knew who she was the same, as she knew his face. She might not know his name, but she knew what he’d done three years ago. She had gotten away from him back then but she was here now and this time, he wouldn’t miss taking her out. This time he wouldn’t miss putting a bullet in her head.
He’d been here all day waiting and watching for some sign his sister was inside and while he hadn’t seen any sign of her yet, he couldn’t discount that she was nearby waiting for the opportunity to make the first strike. It had been fortunate he was in place today and had seen someone he’d been looking for. Hell, he’d been hunting her for the last three years. This bitch could undo everything he’d been working for, for the last three years and he’d wanted to kill her to keep his secret.
Then he thought a minute more on the situation. Maybe he had nothing to fear from her after all? Maybe he could get the cartel involved and let them take care of his loose end for him. As far as he knew, they still had a price on her head. A price he might have put there on purpose, by lying to the cartel about who exactly did the deed she was blamed for. He had rolled the body into the river then watched as the river took it away so there was no evidence what really happened that night. So he had been free to spin his lie and blame her for his deed.
Even covered in a dead man’s blood he told his lie and the cartel had believed him. The man with the scar on his face grinned in the darkness. Yeah, he would call the cartel in and have them take care of the nosy little bitch, as he would be busy taking down the MC with his sister.
The Vory V Zakone had plans for this area and it was now time to set them in place, but first he had to find Yvette.
Annie walked through the clubhouse doors and found herself surrounded by men.... Big men. There were some women there as well but most of the people in the clubhouse were men. A few she knew but not many. She reached for Harry’s hand and sidled up next to him.
Harry nodded at Cobra as he and another man joined them.
Tate and Creed joined Harry and Annie.
Annie now felt safer with Harry’s people around her.
“Everyone, this is Gunner, President of the Savaged Souls,” Cobra introduced the other man. “Gunner, this in Tate Young, his son Creed, his son Harry and this is Becky’s sister Annie.”
Gunner nodded at them and turned to Annie. “I know you have no reason to trust us, but before I take you to Becky you and me, have to come to an understanding.” He looked very serious as he glared at them all.
Annie frowned and looked at Harry then back to Gunner. “What kind of understanding?”
“If our Becky really is your sister then I can’t have you upsetting her. She’s been through hell. Our medic, Patriot has been helping her heal for more than a week and she is still weak as a baby. Whatever Blacky did to her has traumatized her mind and body. She may not want to see you and if that’s the case, you have to respect her wishes.”
Annie stared at him for a long moment then told them quietly, “I know she’s been used and abused. I know she’s lost in a world of her own right now, but I also know my sister. I’ve been the one constant in her life since the day she was born. I’ve been there for her everyday she’s been alive. My mom tried, lord knows she really did, but there were circumstances beyond what she could control. Most days, it was all she could do to just get by. You may or may not understand that statement but until I talk to Becky, I can’t say any more about it. I know she’s had a very tough three months but I promise you I have been looking for her every single day that she’s been missing. I’m not here to hurt her. God knows I could never do that but I just need to see that she’s all right.” She paused then added, “Please let me see her? That’s all I ask.”
Gunner nodded. He raised his hand and the motion caught Annie unaware. She gasped and stepped back covering her face as if she was afraid he would strike her.
Harry growled and wrapped her in his arms to protect her.
Gunner froze and looked down at the girl with concern in his eyes. Then he looked up at Harry with a frown.
Harry shrugged. “Big men scare her. Nothing against you or yours but she’s been through the mill and big men like you scare her.”
“I would never strike a woman. I hope you know that,” Gunner said softly. “That’s not how we roll here.”
“Good to know.” Harry nodded. “Can you take us to Becky now?”
Gunner still looked a bit troubled but he turned on his heel and walked down the hall.
Harry grabbed Annie’s hand and they followed him down the hall.
Tate and Creed joined Cobra.
Cobra shook his head. “I hope Annie’s not expecting much. That poor girl may never come back.”
“Bonner beat her that bad?” Creed growled.
Cobra shook his head. “Bonner sold her to a man n
amed Blacky, almost as soon as he got her. Gunner found her by mistake when Blacky went after his daughter Winona. Poor Becky was damn near dead at that point.”
“Son of a bitch.” Tate swore under his breath as his fingers curled into fists, so tight his knuckles were white. “Is this the same man that sold out this MC to the fucking Russians?”
“The very man.” Cobra nodded. “The same man locked up in the basement awaiting a tribunal death by hanging for treason against the club.”
Tate looked pissed as he motioned toward the hall. “I want to see if this is Annie’s sister.”
They went down the hall in time to see Annie’s first meeting with Becky.
Chapter Four
Annie stood at the door and just stared at the woman lying on the bed. Her eyes were closed and she appeared to be sleeping. Annie stood there in shock. She was barely breathing as she took stock of what had been done to her gentle sister.
Tears ran down her face as she took note of the different colored bruises on her face and arms. She took a step toward the bed as her eyes traveled from Becky’s head to her feet. When she got to the edge of the bed, Annie slowly sank to the floor and reached out a shaky hand to touch Becky’s forehead. She didn’t quite touch the girl but her fingers followed the contour of her face to her cheek. “Oh Becky, what did he do to you?” she whispered as her eyes took in the damage. She dropped her hand and gently picked up Becky’s hand. Raising it to her lips, Annie gently brushed her lips against her sister’s fingers. “You wouldn’t know it but she had long hair three months ago. She hadn’t cut her hair since she was a kid. It almost reached her butt and it was so thick and shiny.” She touched Becky’s short spikey curls. “I’m so sorry baby girl.”
Becky slowly opened her eyes. She didn’t look fearful, she simply stared at the woman holding her hand. “Do I know you?” she whispered.
Annie smiled through her tears. “Yeah baby girl, you know me and I know you. You are my sister. I’ve been looking for you for so long and I finally found you.”
Patriot and Gunner moved closer to the bed, as did Harry and Creed.
Becky’s eyes widened as she stared over at Patriot. Reaching out her free hand to him, he took it and moved to the head of her bed.
“Can you prove she’s your sister?” Gunner asked quietly. “I don’t mean any disrespect, but she doesn’t seem to know you.”
Annie nodded. “Yes, I can prove it and thank you for being so concerned for her wellbeing, but I would never hurt this girl. She’s my sister.”
“Prove it then.” Patriot demanded, as he definitely acted protective like all of them did.
Annie sat back on her heels and looked at Gunner. Tears ran freely down her cheeks. “If you look behind her left ear just inside her hair line you’ll see a small tattoo. It’s the outline of a butterfly with the initials R and A on the wings.”
Gunner nodded at Patriot and they waited until the other man checked for the tattoo. When Patriot stood up again, he nodded. “It’s there, boss.”
Becky stared at Annie and asked, “How did you know about that?”
Annie reached for her sister’s hand and smiled. “I told you, you’re my sister. I was there the day you got it. We both got them the same day, in fact.” Tears ran down her face. “You cried like a baby but you didn’t stop. You told me if I could stand the pain of the needle so could you.” Annie dropped her eyes to her own arm and found the same tat on her skin. With her finger, she pointed out where her matching tat was. “We got those seven years ago. You weren’t quite old enough to legally get one but I lied to the artist and told her you were eighteen.”
“What does the R and A mean?” Creed asked.
“That’s a long story,” Annie replied. Looking over at Becky, she smiled slightly. “Maybe one for another day.” Leaning forward, she put her forehead on Becky’s and whispered. “I’m so glad I found you. You are my heart, Rueben James.”
Becky’s eyes widened and she stared in shock at her sister. “What did you call me?” she whispered shakily.
Annie sat back on her heels and frowned. She was at a loss.
Suddenly, Becky cried out and brought her hands to her head. It was as if a dam had burst inside her head and memories began flooding her mind.
Gunner grabbed Annie and pulled her back.
Harry immediately grabbed Annie from his grasp.
Everyone watched in shock as Becky cried out and held the top of her head as if trying to keep it in place.
Gunner turned to Annie and snarled at her, “What the fuck did you do to her?”
Becky’s screams echoed in the room and everyone was helpless to assist her.
Annie didn’t answer him, she couldn’t. Her heart was breaking as she watched her sister fall apart.
Gunner turned to move Annie out of the room but met with a wall of resistance in the form of the Young family.
And standing in front of them was Cobra. He raised a brow at Gunner as if to say ‘just try it.’
Finally, Becky passed out and the silence left behind was haunting.
Annie was sobbing and Harry held her close in his arms.
Gunner crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Annie. “What the hell was that all about?” he snarled.
She sniffled and wiped her checks. Turning in Harry’s arms, she looked at the men standing behind Gunner. “When we were little, Becky found an old record. It was the only vinyl record either of us had. It was a 1970 Kenny Rogers copy of Ruben James.” She chuckled brokenly. “She played that damn thing fifty times a day until it wore out the record. She said she wanted to be someone’s Rueben James. I told her she could be my Rueben James and that I would love her always. That’s what I told her, I told her I love you Rueben James.” She shook her head. “I had no idea she would freak out like that.”
Boone stepped up and asked, “You said the R and the A were the first initials of your names. But that can’t be, your name is Annie and hers is Becky. What’s up with that?”
Annie stared at her sister and felt her heart breaking. Then she looked over at Harry and Tate. “Where do I even begin?” she whispered.
“Let’s move out to the main room,” Gunner suggested as he noted the expression Patriot wore on his face. He would be kicking them all out in about two seconds anyway. “We’ll have more room out there. And we won’t disturb her.”
Everyone walked quietly out of the room.
Only Patriot stayed behind. Even Dana who had been in the other bed followed. She had been pulled into Becky and Annie’s story too.
Harry sat down and pulled Annie onto his lap.
The rest of the Lost Sons gathered close by.
The Savaged Souls sat down on the opposite side of the main table.
Everyone waited for Annie to begin.
“My family consisted of my mom, my dad, my sister and me. My dad was not a good man, he never was. He was lazy and just plain no good. He never worked a day in his life but he always had money. Money he didn’t want to have to share with his family but he always had enough to buy his beer and weed. We barley had food to eat but he always had a pocket full of cash. Why my mom got with him is anybody’s guess but I know she hated him in the end. My dad’s name was Randy Sheen.”
Gunner’s head snapped up when he heard this name.
Annie noticed and nodded her head slowly. “Yeah, that one.”
Boone looked over at Gunner and asked, “What am I missing here? Who is this deadbeat?”
“Randy Sheen stole a flash drive from the Four Horsemen MC and set them up against the cartel,” Gunner told his men. “The same cartel he stole over a million dollars’ worth of profit from. All of this happened like fifteen years ago.”
Annie went on, “That was my father, a thief and a bastard. Then instead of coming home to pack up his family, he just left town. We didn’t even rate a thought in his mind when he realized what he did. He just got into his car and drove away, away from us, away from the MC he had j
ust betrayed and the cartel he’d just shafted. We barely made it out of town before the MC burned down our house. Only four members of the MC were still alive when the cartel got done with them. But each one of them swore they would kill him if they ever saw him again.” She shook her head. “I’d been watching my father for years at that point, expecting the worst, and praying he wouldn’t betray us in the end. I was twelve years old that summer and it was the last time I saw my dad. I swore then I never wanted to see him again and I haven’t. My mom tried for a while to keep us together but after a lifetime of being beaten down by a bully, she just couldn’t do it anymore. She mentally checked out on Becky and me long before she finally gave up on life and passed away.” She swallowed hard.
Harry held her hand tightly as she spoke.
“I was twelve the summer my dad left town and Becky was nine but we both grew up fast. We had to, just to survive. We had to change our names and hide who we were and we survived for another five years after that. Then mom made a mistake. She thought she saw my dad and went looking for him again. The cartel found her then tortured her to get information on my dad and she ended up dying at their hands. I grabbed my sister and we ran for our lives. I knew what she was going to do and I knew we couldn’t help mom anymore...I suppose we did the same thing to her that dad did by leaving her behind. I was almost seventeen by then and Becky, she was only fourteen. I begged her not to go after that worthless bastard but she wanted him to pay for abandoning us. For the first time in her life, our mother grew a spine where my dad was concerned and she’d wanted him to pay. I knew then she would be the one to pay, with her life. But I had to protect my sister so I grabbed her and we ran away. I became Annie and she became Becky. We lived below the radar for years, just getting by but I found my passion for computers and we somehow survived. That’s when I began looking for not only my dad but into the cartel that killed my mom. The more I got into it, the easier it got. I found out how to navigate the web and soon, I was gaining more than I was losing.”
