by Lane Hart
Roman’s phone rings, the tone jarring in the otherwise silent room.
“Unknown number,” he mutters before answering in a cold, dejected tone. “Roman here.” His eyes suddenly widen before he pops up from his seat. “Charlotte! Where are you? Are you safe?”
Cannon and I both jump to our feet to get closer, hoping to hear something about Madison and Rita.
“You did what?” he asks. “Why haven’t you called? Okay, just stay right there and wait for us,” he tells her. “They’re both in surgery. That’s all we really know right now.”
He says a few more words before pulling the phone away from his ear.
“They’re okay?” Cannon asks based on what we can hear from the one side of the phone call.
“Leroy took Rita from the café. Charlotte and Madison are fine,” Roman explains. “The crazy women decided to flag a man down in a car at the scene and follow the truck Leroy stole, keeping back far enough that he wouldn’t notice them on the highway. They didn’t have their purses or cell phones with them and didn’t want to stop until he did. Once he pulled down a dead-end road, they parked on the shoulder and waited to see if he would come back out. When he didn’t, they found a nearby gas station, and that’s where she was calling from.”
“So, they’re safe, and they know where Rita is?” I ask to be sure.
“Yes. Charlotte said they knew he could take her anywhere, and the only way to find them was to follow, even knowing how dangerous that would be. Madison did what she could for the prospects while she flagged down a witness, who called the police and paramedics.”
“Then let’s fucking go!”
“You, me, Cannon, Conrad, Hugo and Abel will go find them,” Roman says. “Marcus, Winston, and Verek, you three stay here and wait for news on Leo, Jake, and Lucas. Call me when you know more. I’ll reach out to the Emerald Isle crew and ask them to send some guys with their sniper to the address. Maybe we can sneak up and Miles can find a shot. Sound good?”
“Yeah, now, where the hell are they?” Cannon asks.
“Roseboro. It’s in the middle of nowhere and about two hours from here.”
I’m already pulling it up on the GPS on my phone. “Got it. Let’s ride.”
As we start toward the parking lot at a jog, Roman says, “Nolan, you know we can’t just go in there guns blazing. He’ll just turn his gun on her, use her as a hostage.”
“I know that. I’ll try and wait, but I won’t do it forever.”
Rita
I’m trapped in Leroy’s arms as the little spoon. He said he would wait until I wanted him, and so far, so good other than the tongue bath he gave my face and neck. I’m just not sure how long it will be before his patience runs out.
His breath becomes more even, the warmth of it blowing on the back of my neck before the snores start up.
My body is tense as I try to move a limb at a time slowly to try and slip out of his grip. It’s not easy since I still ache all over from the bruises of being dragged down a flight of stairs. I bite my lip so hard I taste blood to keep from making even the slightest whimpering sound.
And then, on top of everything else, I hear the creak of floorboards right above us.
Someone else is in the house?
One of the Rebel Henchmen?
That’s doubtful since Leroy claimed to have killed them all. I don’t think he would lie about something like that. And I can’t say I’ll shed a tear or grieve for those perverted bastards either.
Which means, someone else is upstairs.
Nolan?
That’s impossible, no matter how much I wish it were true. I know he would do everything in his power to try and find me, but it would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack out here in the middle of nowhere!
Still, a tiny part of me prays it’s him while the other hopes it’s not. If by some small miracle Nolan did find me, it’s too dangerous for him to be here. Doesn’t he know Leroy has a gun and isn’t shy about using it after how easily he took out the prospects?
Oh God. Those poor boys. They were so young, and they’re either dead or hanging by a thread right now, all because of me.
I thought Nolan was being overly protective and paranoid, and that Leroy’s crush on me would fizzle out eventually. I had no idea he would go to these lengths to be with me.
I wonder if his gun is still on him. Probably. I roll over to face him, ducking my head away from his foul-smelling breath and then peek inside of his leather cut. There doesn’t seem to be a shoulder holster. So, he probably stuffs the gun behind him like Nolan, using his cut to hide it and allow easy access. I rub my hand along Leroy’s hip before reaching around to his back.
“Getting frisky already?” his deep voice asks without his eyes opening. “I knew it wouldn’t take long.”
His arms become steel bars around me as his face nuzzles my chest.
“I, um, I think I am ready. Just let me go upstairs and get a shower, brush my teeth to freshen up for you, and then we’ll…” I trail off.
His lower body rocks against mine, making me realize another part of him is also wide awake.
“You can’t get out of the bathroom window,” he tells me. “So we may as well just stay and make love down here.”
My shirt is yanked over my head a second later, which is when I have enough and push his face away. “No! I, ah, I feel so gross. Let me take a quick shower? You’ve waited this long, right? What’s a few more minutes?”
He sighs heavily before he lifts his head. “You do still smell like him. Go wash him off of you.”
“O-kay,” I agree and hold my breath until he finally lets go of me. I scramble off the mattress as fast I can with my aches and pains to start up the stairs with Leroy right behind me.
Please, don’t let this decision get Nolan killed if it is him upstairs.
And if it’s not Nolan…well, my bluff is going to wear out soon.
“We’ll shower together,” Leroy announces, making me nearly trip up the damn dark steps again.
“What? No!”
“Yes!” he shouts, making me jump.
“If you shower with me, it’ll lead to…other things. Shouldn’t our first time be in a bed? A real bed?”
When he doesn’t say anything, I reach behind me and grab him through the front of his jeans, making him hiss.
“It’ll be better in a…clean bed with sheets. I’ll enjoy myself more, and so will you.”
“Fine,” he huffs. His big hands both reach around to grope me like I’m being inappropriately frisked, all greedy and no gentleness before they, thankfully, disappear and I hear the jingle of his keyring. He pushes me aside to unlock the door, and then finally there’s daylight again, shining through the windows of the rundown home.
“Just be patient!” I say to Leroy, and to Nolan if he’s inside before the basement door closes behind Leroy. “I’ll make it worth the wait, I promise,” I assure him before I spot the bathroom and hurry inside, locking the door behind me with trembling hands. Once it’s done, I lean my back against the wood and try to calm down my racing heart. At least I’m safe for a few more minutes.
Before Leroy grows suspicious, I turn on the shower. That’s when I get close enough to the small window to see the metal bars over it. Jesus. He wasn’t kidding about not being able to get out. Even if I did get out, there’s nothing but flat lands with few trees that goes on for what looks like miles and miles, no other houses in sight.
Something in the yard moves behind the gas tank, catching my eye. A dark head pops up, one that’s familiar!
Hugo!
Oh, I want to scream in relief and in concern, but I don’t make a sound. As if sensing my emotions, Hugo puts a finger to his lips in the universal sign of keep quiet. I nod my head in agreement and then wait.
This may not be the first time that Leroy has brought a woman back here to hold against her will, but with a little luck, hopefully it will be the last. I just hope the psychotic giant is the only o
ne who gets hurt.
A scream rips from my throat when the unforgettable sound of a gun being fired again and again goes off in the house before I slap my palm over my mouth.
Oh God. This is it!
One thing is for certain — Leroy will die. I just pray the Savage Kings take him out before he shoots Nolan or anyone else.
Chapter Thirty-One
Nolan
Despite Roman telling me to wait and not go inside the house, I had to. He would too if it was Charlotte in here with that big son of a bitch.
But no, thankfully, Charlotte and Madison are safe and sound in a diner, waiting for us with Cannon.
The house was dark and quiet when I came in before dawn in just my socks, hoping to be quieter than stomping around in my boots. Even in the socks, a few boards squeaked, making me cringe each time. For a moment, I thought the place was empty since I was expecting to hear Rita’s screams. I worried that he had left the truck and taken Rita away in another vehicle. Then I found the locked door in the hallway that I figured was a basement.
Everything in me wanted to bust down the door and go down after her, even knowing it would be a stupid decision and probably get me killed.
So, I forced myself to wait just a little longer.
And what do you know, they finally came back up. Hearing Rita’s calm voice was a huge relief. Then I recognized her words mentioning being patient, and I didn’t think she was just talking to Leroy. So, I tiptoed over to the pantry with its single thin wooden door to wait.
Hopefully, our sniper, Miles, will get a clean shot on the big bastard or he’ll get hungry soon.
My gun is cocked and ready in a two-handed grip, waiting.
The floor creaks, and then it sounds like a door is being opened, then quickly shut, probably the fridge.
I raise the muzzle up a little higher than normal for the kill shot just before the pantry door swings open wide and there he fucking stands. I fire off three shots, hitting him in the upper chest while his mouth falls open in shock. When he doesn’t go down, I lift the muzzle to put a bullet in his head, followed by another, which finally puts him on his ass. At least half of his head is vaporized; but with his one remaining eye, the massive demon focuses on me, and from where he’s sitting, his hand reaches behind his cut. Then, as I step forward to empty my clip into his face, he finally falls backwards with a crash that reverberates through the entire, run-down home.
Jesus.
Even now I’m not certain the big motherfucker is actually dead. I wait a few more seconds, wishing my hearing would come back before I leave the pantry.
Stepping over him, I look down at his face, finding his sightless eye staring up at the ceiling. Movement from my left startles me before I see it’s Roman and Abel coming in from the back door.
Both of their mouths move, but I can’t hear anything but soft whispers just yet. I do recognize the word Rita on their lips and follow their pointed fingers down to where I remember seeing the one small bathroom.
Hurrying over to the closed door, I bang my fist on it. “Rita? Are you okay, baby? You can come out now, it’s all over!” In my head, it sounds like I’m quietly murmuring the words, but I know it’s only temporary until my hearing comes back.
The door flies open, and then the tall, beautiful woman is a blur as she throws her arms around my neck, staggering me backward thanks to my socks on the hardwood floors sliding before I catch my balance. Someone takes my gun from my hand, freeing both of them so I can hold her.
“You’re okay!” Rita exclaims loud enough for me to hear while clinging to me.
“Isn’t that my line?” I ask her softly. I hold her for several more moments but pull away when I hear her grunt of pain.
“I’m okay,” she says as my eyes rake down her, noticing for the first time she’s only wearing a bra and her shorts. Huge dark purple bruises cover her literally from head to toe, all up and down the front of her body, and her beautiful face is discolored and swollen in places. “The bruises are my own fault for trying to run away. He caught me on the stairs.”
“I wish I could kill him all over again,” I grit out.
“I’m just glad he’s really dead,” she says. “How in the world did you find me?”
“Two crazy women,” I explain. “Charlotte and Madison basically stole a car to follow you.”
“Wow. They are nuts! They saw him shoot the prospects…” she trails off, biting her lip as if afraid to ask.
We got the call in the middle of the night while planning our rescue attempt. “They’re both out of surgery, and the doctors think they’ll make a full recovery.”
“Oh, thank goodness! I’m so sorry they were hurt.”
“They’ll heal. It comes with the territory. Hell, now they may change their minds about whether or not they want their patch or if it’s worth the trouble.”
“What about you?” she asks as tears swim in her blue eyes and she hiccups. “Am I too much trouble?”
I smile at her and shake my head. “Never, Cherry Pie. Never. Now, let’s get you home. To our real home.”
Epilogue
Nolan
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the preacher says. “You may now kiss your bride.”
“About fucking time,” I mutter before pulling Rita to me, planting a kiss on her mouth that’s so deep and probing our friends and family sitting outside the gazebo whistle and cheer.
We waited a few weeks for everyone to recover before planning another ceremony in the gardens, during the daylight this time. Jake, Leo, and Lucas are still slow to get around but healing. Roman agreed with my logic about waiting to see if they wanted to patch in until they can ride a Harley again. I think he’s worried both of the prospects may say “no, thanks,” and then we’ll have to start the prospect process all over again, waiting years before patching in new members. If he gives them time to put distance between nearly dying, well, maybe they’ll want to be a part of this life. If not, then unfortunately they were never ready for it in the first place.
The Savage Kings MC may not be the most ruthless, violent club around, but it’s still dangerous to be a member. The crowned skull king patch on our backs can garner respect or make us a target, which is sometimes scary as shit, especially now that I’ve got someone to come home to. But it’s worth it, knowing that whatever comes our way, our friends, my brothers, will be there and always have our backs.
When Rita and I finally come up for air, she hugs me close and says, “We did it. We actually did it!”
“You’re finally my wife, Cherry Pie.”
“It’s hard to believe we got here because of that lie,” she replies with a grin.
“We were always going to get here; we just had a bit of a detour.”
She laughs. “Just a little, tiny one.”
Someone clears their throat, obviously trying to get our attention. I should’ve known it was the redheaded brat, also known as Cory. I knew Rita had invited her brother, but he had so far had the good sense to keep a low profile.
“Hey, ah, I just want to say congratulations and that I’m sorry for the mess I caused,” the kid says. “You’re a good man, Nolan. And I hope I can be more like you from now on.”
“That is a great goal to have, little brother,” Rita says as she gives him a brief hug. “But you’re still going to have to work on making this up to me.”
“And you’re going to pay every penny of college your sister fronted for you back, aren’t you, kid?”
“Yes, sir,” he agrees with a nod before offering me a handshake. I take it, cutting him more slack than he deserves, but knowing he’s Rita’s family, her only family. I don’t want her to lose him in her life, even if he’s sometimes a jerk. I wish I still had my family.
But I guess I do have one here with the Savage Kings now.
Speaking of which…
I pull Rita to me, kissing her lips, her cheek, and her neck before kneeling down in front of her, getting an even clo
ser look at her gorgeous white gown as I lift the hem.
“Nolan!” she exclaims as her face reddens with a blush.
“Don’t worry, baby, my head will be back under here later. For now, watch this…” I lean forward to bite into the white, satin and lace garter around her upper thigh and use my teeth to pull it down. Rita finally lifts her foot in understanding as I pull it free.
A few of our friends notice the tradition and are whistling when I stand up. My two best friends have their backs to us, though.
“Yo, Hugo! Abel! Catch!”
I slingshot the elastic garter from my fingers right into their direction. Both of them spin around and make a grab without realizing what they’re attempting to catch.
Abel is the lucky winner. His fist wraps around the material, then he opens his hand to stare down at it for a second before closing his eyes in regret. “Aw, fuck!” he mutters.
Hugo, now realizing what he missed out on, claps his hands together and throws his head back with a cackle. “Ah! Tough luck, motherfucker! You’re next!”
And even though the two men have so far refused to fall in love, I hope it comes for them both soon. It would be a shame for them to miss out on something that feels so damn good when you finally find it.
The End
Coming Soon
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Secrets. Redemption. Hard truths.
In one night, three souls become entangled in ways none of them expected…
