Branding & Saving Lily Box Set: Books 1 & 2 (Jacob and Lily's Duet)

by Gracin Sawyer

  He searched my face intently. “What other guys?”

  “There were always two other guys that came to check on things, especially when Knox was gone. They helped him keep us there. But I don’t know their names. They used different ones around us each time.” He picked up his pace. “I can walk, you don’t have to carry me.”

  “Actually, I do. I have to know for myself you’re safe, and right now having you in my arms is the only reason I’m staying as calm as I am.”

  I loosened my hold around his neck. “I’m sorry, Jacob. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  He held me tighter. “You did not upset me. I obviously have a weak spot with the men and I’m going to fix it.”

  The way he said fix it worried me. I didn’t want him to get hurt. I knew what Knox alone was capable of, and one on one with Jacob, Knox wouldn’t stand a chance. But what if all three of them ganged up on Jacob? “You’re going to kill them.”

  He nodded. “I won’t hide who I am from you. You already know I’ve killed people.”

  “But what if they find you first? We don’t even know who they are.” I couldn’t lose him. I chided myself, he wasn’t mine to lose.

  “You don’t worry about it. There is no way someone like that is going to find me first.”

  And yet, I doubted it. Knox held both my mother and I captive on Jacob’s property for five years. He obviously knew Jacob well enough to have an upper hand.

  “I know this is a sensitive question, but what happened to your mother?”

  Up ahead, I could see the faint lights of the houses and knew our time alone was almost over. His question hit nerves that twanged inside of me, but I was happy because I got to talk about the one person in my life who loved me. “She was everything to me. She taught me as much as she could with what we had. She kept me as safe as she could even in the hardest situations, even taking most of the beatings and all the other stuff. I would have to turn away because I couldn’t watch that. Not that she wanted me to.” I hesitated. Some memories were worse than others.

  “Sometimes the other two guys would join in and then come after me, but her screams would fill the cabin and they would beat her for making so much noise. But they left me alone.” My eyes welled up with fresh tears. I didn’t think I’d have any left from earlier. But there would always be a reserve for when I thought about my mom. “About six months ago, she didn’t wake up after they beat her. Knox took her and tossed her somewhere in the woods, I don’t even know where.” My body jerked as the memory permeated my tears.

  Jacob stopped again, just short of the barn. “Lily,” he said, looking into my eyes. “I’ll find her. She’ll have a proper resting place.”

  I sniffed and tucked myself back into the crook of his neck. Being so open and vulnerable really had a way of wearing a person out, and I’d done more than my share of that tonight.

  “Boss!” Flapjack jogged over to us. “I was worried about her.”

  I noticed his statement wasn’t directed to me, leaving me from the center of attention, but letting me know he was concerned. His thoughtfulness was appreciated.

  “Go get Jax and Diesel, tell em’ we’re going hunting.”

  I stiffened. He couldn’t leave me yet.

  Flapjack nodded. “Riding, driving, or flying?”

  “Riding.” Where I was hunting, a truck wouldn’t work.

  “You got it, boss.”

  Inside the house was warm. I hadn’t realized how chilly the evening had been until then. Jacob took me all the way upstairs to my room and sat me on the end of the bed, taking my hand in his. “I won’t be gone long.”

  I held onto him tightly and tugged. Using his strength against him, I pulled harder, leaning back on the bed until he was over me, one arm on each side of my head.

  “Lily,” he started, his husky whisper flowed between us like syrup. His lips crashed down on mine. The scent of the woods mixed with his fresh aftershave, mingled together, creating a wonderful, lightheaded experience.

  His lips were soft at first, teaching me the dance, then as I picked it up, he pressed harder, deeper. His tongue slipped past to my mouth and it surprised me, but I complied, opening my mouth for him. It was such a sensual feeling, having his tongue caressing mine. It created a need in me to do the same and I didn’t stop myself from bravely seeking his.

  I may have been inexperienced, but my body seemed to react to his naturally, telling me what to do. And it must be right because he gave a deep-throated moan that sang to my soul.

  “Is everything okay?” I asked between kisses, just to be sure.

  “Everything is perfect. You are perfect.” Jacob lowered himself so he was on his elbow, half on his side, and half on me, careful of my stomach. His free hand grasped the back of my head and held me close. His kiss was dangerously on the side of making me feel like ripping my clothes off.

  Some day, I hoped to make him feel the same way. Everything he teaches me, I will devour and use until I create the same raging fire in him.

  All too soon, he lifted himself and pulled me back to sitting. “I won’t have our first time be a quickie. It will last all night long and I’ll savor every inch of you the way a woman should be loved.”

  I squeaked, wanting to protest. My body burned, needing him to fix it like last time. How could I possibly just lay there all night like that?

  “I’ll be back, but I made you some promises, and leaving right now is me keeping them.” Jacob leaned over and kissed my forehead before leaving me to burn alone on the bed.

  Chapter 18

  Jacob

  Having Lily pull me in for a kiss surprised me, but I wasn’t going to waste a single taste of her lips. Especially when she offered them so freely.

  But the things she told me tonight raged through me. And she deserved better than a branding claim for her first time. Angry sex had its place, but not tonight. Especially when my anger wasn’t directed at her.

  In my room, I grabbed both holsters, belting one around my waist and clicked the other over my shoulders, stuffing each one with pistols from the safe in the corner of my room. My favorite rifle felt right in my hands. A Tactical Remington 700 AAC with my preferred muzzle break had enough power and precision to hit my target within an inch at a hundred yards, easily. It has taken down many targets over the years and held my complete trust, knowing it wouldn’t hesitate when I squeezed the trigger.

  I made sure the buttstock ammo band was full and pulled a box of cartridges out to fill in the empty spaces on my holsters for the Glocks. I was going with the intent to kill, and I refused to go underprepared.

  Outside, Jax sat in his saddle, leading Lady to the house for me. He wore his own battle worthy weapons. We each had our favorites to hunt with and in this business, I wouldn’t try telling another man what to shoot with. Each of us carried our own sins and guns.

  Sliding into the saddle, I slipped my rifle into the scabbard. Lily’s bedroom light was on and she stood in the window, her silhouette reminding me why I was in the saddle and not upstairs making her mine.

  “Where’s Diesel?” I clicked my heels into Lady’s side and turned from the house.

  “He’s waiting for us at the tree line.”

  Spurring into a run, we met Diesel and took off, weaving through the trees. I knew the way and wasn’t slowing down.

  At the cabin, I jumped off Lady and marched my way to the door.

  “What are we looking for, boss?” Diesel was right behind me while Jax watched our backs. We’d hunted for years together and trusted each other implicitly.

  “This man has been here for five years and we didn’t know. Lily said two other men helped him.”

  “You thinking we have a snake problem?”

  I walked around the filth and scooted things over with my boot. I was no longer surprised by how or where I found clues.

  Diesel started in the corner by the couch. “Well, I’ve never hunted our own before, but if there’s a traitor, I have no remors
e.”

  “I have none either.” That’s one thing about Diesel, he would be loyal until death. I could trust him with my deepest secrets. There was a reason he was my right-hand man.

  I had to get my mind in the game. There was more than enough here to tell me something, I just had to see it.

  The bed where Lily spent five years bound to it by ropes fueled the need to find this bastard.

  Taking inventory of what was around me, I started noticing the tracks Knox left for me to find. I grinned. His time on this earth was limited.

  The malted liquor bottles scattered around the room were all the same brand. Dark amber glass with a white label.

  “Hey, Diesel, you like malt?”

  “Nah, I’m a whiskey man myself.” He stopped to pick up an empty bottle and a wicked grin spread across his face. “But I know an old man who does.”

  Damn it, my suspicions had to be right.

  “Boss, we’ve got company,” Jax said at the door. “Horses are already hiding in the trees, so we’ll have better cover in here.”

  I grabbed the handle of my Glock and pulled it from the holster. All three of us backed up to the wall, close to the door. I used my fingers to ask if Jax saw one, two, or more visitors.

  Jax held up two fingers.

  It shouldn’t, but the thought of them coming to us excited me.

  Outside, voices of men I knew filtered into the cabin. “Shit, if Jacob finds out, there won’t be anywhere to hide. Knox really screwed us over.”

  “Just shut up and make sure there’s nothing here to tie us to him.”

  They really were making this too easy for me.

  Gun ready, I confidently walked around the door to greet them. “Well, you’re right. Knox really did screw you over.”

  They reached for their guns, but Diesel and Jax had my back and trained the ends of their barrels on them. Jax sneered. “I wouldn’t do that. You should know better than to draw against the boss.”

  I replaced my gun and walked to them, taking their guns from their belts, stuffing them in mine. “Nash, I’m surprised to see you as a traitor, but Smokey, I’m really not shocked at all.” His love of the malt liquor gave me a head’s up or I might have been stunned.

  Smokey worked for my father back when he was a young gun. When I took over, he pledged that life was behind him and would change to stay with us.

  I scratched at my chin, rough stubble reminded me of the long days I’d had since Lily came. Then my thoughts went to her and these men standing before me. They betrayed me and hurt her.

  Drawing my arm back, I thrust my fist into Smokey’s face. He wobbled backward and covered his eye and cheek.

  I gestured to him. “You can shoot the bastard. He’s been around too long and won’t talk. He’s gonna die anyway and he knows it.”

  Jax wasted no time squeezing the trigger, his aim straight and true, leaving no possibility of life.

  “Oh shit!” Nash backed up, his eyes wide as Smokey fell to the ground.

  I chuckled. I liked seeing his discomfort. “This one though, hasn’t been with us long enough to know how things work.” He wouldn’t be given a second chance, and I knew both Diesel and Jax knew that, but I needed to play with Nash a bit to get information.

  “Jacob, I’m sorry.” He took another step back, watching Diesel and Jax.

  “And yet, you don’t even bother to look at me while apologizing?”

  His stare flickered to me. “Boss, please. I’ll tell you anything.”

  Diesel sneered behind me. “Fucking snake. I hate snakes.”

  In one stride, I was grabbing him by the collar, pulling him to me. “You’re damn right you’re gonna tell me everything, you pathetic son of a bitch.”

  I dragged him inside the cabin and threw him on the bed, taking the rope that had been left tied to the posts, I wrapped them around his wrists and pulled them tight. My rage roared thinking of him doing this to Lily.

  I snarled. I had no compassion for men like this. It didn’t matter that he worked for me, if anything else, that made it entirely worse for him. “Everything you did to Lily and her mom, will be done to you. You don’t deserve anything less.”

  “Oh, hell no, please don’t. Boss, just let me talk,” Nash said, struggling with the binding around his wrists. His panic said so much, too much. He didn’t need words to convey his fear.

  Diesel kicked Nash’s feet. “So, what? A piece of shit like you can dish it out to an innocent woman, but you can’t take it? Damn, boss, this snake is a fucking coward.”

  Jax found a jug of gasoline outside and brought it in. It could be a good scare tactic, but I was thinking of a slower death. Although in the end, it might just work.

  “Strip him,” I said, lifting a leg while Diesel grabbed the other one. He bucked and kicked out, but was no match for both of us. The scrawny son of a bitch might be able to pin down a woman but was a pussy with real men.

  Jax grabbed the waist of Nash’s jeans and yanked, ripping them off the man, then grabbed his shirt shredding it as well until there was nothing left but skin. Diesel and I took the remaining rope and tied his legs to the bed so he lay naked on his back, unable to move.

  I grabbed the small stool and pulled it up to sit on. I could do this all night and wanted him to know I was in no hurry, even though I was. I wanted this to be over so I could get back home to Lily. “Where’s Knox?”

  Nash’s nostrils flared. “Fuck you! You’re gonna kill me anyway, so why should I tell you?”

  Jax chuckled. “Hell, he doesn’t know how long this can be dragged out. This’ll be fun.”

  “Hey, boss, it looks like this snake hasn’t been circumcised. How ‘bout we do that for him?”

  “Not a bad idea. I haven’t done that before, but it can’t be that hard.” I pulled out my knife and popped the blade. “I think you can hold his dick with the fire poker while I cut.”

  “Oh shit. No. Shit. Jacob, don’t.” Nash couldn’t talk fast enough. He bucked and tried to get free but I just smiled at him.

  Jax grabbed the iron poker and stabbed Nash through the tip of his foreskin. Nash’s screams sailed down the mountain, but I had no mercy. I could picture Lily tied to this very bed, scared and abused. Her mother beside her, trying to protect her while these guys forced themselves on her.

  Nash’s eyes rolled back and his shrieking died. Passing out wouldn’t save him. I could wait until he came to. It didn’t take long before his eyes opened and tears poured out of him. He shouted at us to stop, begging us. He was breathless and if Jax moved slightly he would yell out again. In between breathes, he finally started talking. “Knox, goes to Tahoe, in-between days, to talk with, Garcia. Please, stop.”

  Tahoe. Garcia.

  Holy shit. I knew who Knox was.

  The knife in my hand dug into my palm as I tightened my grip. Everything made sense. How he was on my ranch, how he stayed hidden, why he did this just so I’d find out. Fuck.

  “Finish him.” I no longer wanted to torture him. I had what I needed out of him.

  “Gladly,” Doc’s voice filled the cabin and I spun around to see him just before he squeezed the trigger on his Glock.

  Nash’s body jerked, but Doc didn’t miss.

  “What the hell, Doc.” Diesel growled.

  Doc stared at Nash, his gun still smoking.

  Something was off. “What in the hell is going on, Doc?” He had a lot to explain.

  Doc lowered his gun. I’d never seen the old man as furious as he was, standing there, seething in rage. “They killed her. Rachael. My daughter.”

  Oh, shit.

  Chapter 19

  Lily

  The morning came and went, but still no Jacob. I paced the upstairs hall, from one window to the next, waiting for some sign that he was okay. I wasn’t sure if he understood the kind of man he was going after.

  Noon came and Flapjack found me staring out the hall window, searching the horizon for Jacob.

  “I bet you’v
e never had a Monte Cristo.” His voice startled me. I hadn’t heard him come up the stairs.

  “I don’t even know what that is.” But if he made it, it was bound to be amazing.

  “Come on, Jacob will kill me if you don’t eat.” He gestured toward the stairs and I hesitantly left the window.

  “Do you think he’s okay?” I took a step down. At least it hardly hurt to move today, so descending the stairs was a lot faster than before.

  Flapjack laughed. “Jacob? Oh, he’s fine, no doubt. But the guys he went after? They are definitely dead, or on their way.”

  “How can you be so sure? Those men are merciless.”

  We reached the bottom of the stairs and Flapjack touched my shoulder, to stop me. “Lily, let me tell you, just to ease your worry, that Jacob is scarier than all those men put together.”

  A lump in my throat formed, making it hard to swallow. “Should I be scared?”

  I couldn’t imagine being afraid of him again. The way he kissed me, touched me. The way he talked to me. It was the first time I realized that I truly was beginning to feel safe with him.

  Flapjack chuckled. “Lily, if something happened to you, I’d be scared, because you are the one person he’s decided to protect with his life. But you, no, you will never have to be scared of him.”

  I smiled softly. Flapjack was turning into such a good friend. I couldn’t imagine having this talk with anyone else. Except for my mother. “What’s your real name, Flapjack?”

  “Carter.” He ducked his head like a small boy. “No one calls me that though.”

  “Well, Carter, I’m glad I met you.”

  He smiled. “You sure are something. I can see why the boss has taken a liking to you.” He nodded to the kitchen. “Now let’s get you some food. I like feeding you, it’s always a new surprise and I love seeing your reactions.”

  It was my turn to laugh. “I bet I could out cook you with a rabbit. We’ll have to try it one day. Then we can see who’s surprised.”

  “You’re on, Lily.” He held his hand out for me to seal the challenge. I took it, a bit of excitement rushed through me at the thought of doing something fun.