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

by Gracin Sawyer

  “Shit,” I said, hitting the dash with my palm. I didn’t know what to do. Usually I had a plan and confidently carried it out. I knew what to do and had a plan A, B, and C. I had never been afraid of failing before. But then again, I’d never had something of my own hanging on the line. I hated second-guessing myself. “Drive east.”

  Flapjack hit the gas and we sped off down the old roads. We didn’t have any other direction but east. How in the hell would I find her now?

  The small homes were like blobs of color as we passed by. I couldn’t understand why I was here and not headed toward the city. This was not a place Red would go. He wasn’t a manly man who liked to get dirty. I doubted he ever left the confines of the city and the lavishness his private housing offered.

  I’d never been close enough to his personal residence, as all of the girls were located far away from him, but I knew how to find it.

  Up ahead, a woman pushed a pram with bare feet. A small dog followed dutifully beside her. Flapjack slowed and lowered his window asking the woman if she’d seen a white van.

  She tensed and her eyes went wide. Flapjack reassured her we weren’t there to hurt her, but needed to know to help a young woman. It was obvious she was scared, but I wasn’t certain if it was from us or if it was the fear of what Red would do to her if she spoke. Finally, she gestured down another road but then took off with her stroller full of water without saying anything.

  Flapjack took the next left and traveled past more dilapidated homes. The poverty level on this side was hard to witness. I had so much to give, but it wouldn’t fix anything. I could give money all day long and it wouldn’t change the world they lived in.

  The farther we drove into the slum housing, the more I was certain Red wouldn’t be here. We all watched out the windows looking for any sign of a white van.

  “There’s nothing here, boss,” Bear said solemnly from the back seat of the truck.

  A black dot moved in my peripheral vision. I focused on the SUV, watching it leave a gated home. It stood out among the old, run down, barely moving cars on the side of the roads. The shiny wheels probably cost more than these people made in a year.

  I pointed to the car. “There, go there.”

  Flapjack swerved and took the next right, flinging the truck around the corner. Our tires kicked up rocks and debris off the half-paved, half-dirt road. A plume of dust trailed behind us. Usually we were stealthy and quiet, sneaking up on our enemies, but today I wanted them to know I was coming.

  The SUV picked up speed and tried to lose us, but Flapjack wasn’t about to be shaken. He stayed on the tail of the vehicle and got close enough to touch the bumper, pushing the SUV slightly.

  A man from the other vehicle slid out of the window, sitting on the edge and began shooting at us. Flapjack swerved and the bullets hit the side of my door and down the bed.

  Diesel was already out his window, blasting a clip of ammo into their back windshield. “You mother fuckers! You don’t fucking shoot at me, fuckers!” He was in his element, letting his rage loose. I was glad he was on my side. I’d hate to be on the receiving end of his anger, yet he was as gentle as a baby lamb with the women.

  I pulled my gun from the shoulder holster and aimed through the broken glass for the driver. A head shot was the only way to hit him, but fuck them. If they had Lily or knew about her, I didn’t care who I had to kill. I squeezed the trigger and the SUV jerked to the left, running off the road, smashing into a clay wall.

  Like fire ants, men climbed out of the wreckage firing their weapons at us. Flapjack turned the wheel and slammed on the breaks so the truck stopped with its side toward them. He jumped out and used the hood as a shield and began firing back. Ducking, I found my way over the middle console without being shot and found my place behind the cab of the truck with Diesel, Jax, and Bear, using the bed as a guard.

  Fox jumped out and hid behind the driver’s side door. I tossed him an extra pistol I had tucked in my jeans. “Use it!” It was an order. If he was here, he worked.

  He swallowed hard, and with wide eyes, he nodded, turning around by Flapjack and began firing.

  The other car seized fire and one of them began to laugh.

  I held my hand up to stop my men.

  “I told Red you’d find him.” I knew that voice. It was one of Red’s personal guards.

  “Where is she?” I didn’t give a fuck about Red. I’d find him later.

  “I think you’re too late.” More laughter. “Yeah, last time I saw her, she was naked and ready for Red to fuck her.”

  My blood boiled so high all I saw was red. Fuck him, fuck Red, fuck them all! I jumped up into the bed of the truck, then over the other side and started firing into the SUV. I didn’t care about my safety, all I cared about was Lily. I could hear my men backing me up as I made my way to the vehicle.

  Two men lay on the ground dead, and the driver was obviously gone, but Jude sat on the ground, squeezing the trigger of his empty glock, as I descended on him

  He had been shot in the shoulder, but I wasn’t going to let him live much longer. I grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up. “Where the fuck is she?”

  He spit out blood and coughed. “Fuck you.”

  “No, fuck you.” I pressed the barrel of my gun to his cock and squeezed the trigger. His screams filled me with the need for more. He had seen Lily naked. I couldn’t think of him touching her. “Where is she?” I yelled, but it was useless. He’d passed out.

  I dropped him to the ground and let him bleed out. He didn’t deserve anything better.

  Diesel slid around the corner of the SUV, his gun drawn and ready to fire. His eyes darted to Jude. “Holy fuck, boss.”

  I leaned over Jude to peer into the vehicle. Red wasn’t in there. Damn it. “It’s a decoy.”

  “Come on, we’ll find her.” Diesel ran over to the truck and jumped in the back of the bed. He thumped on the roof. “Flapjack, go back to where that piece of shit came from.”

  Bullet holes decorated the side of the truck like mesh netting. I slid into the passenger seat and watched the wreckage and bodies disappear in a cloud of dust as we took off. I didn’t feel an ounce of guilt for leaving Jude to die like that. He deserved more in my book.

  Flapjack slowed and stopped the truck about a block away from the house we saw the SUV pull away from. I wanted to go in guns blazing, but I had no way of knowing if Lily was in there and I wasn’t about to endanger her more.

  Just like a natural routine, we found our places and didn’t talk as we made our way to the gate. I led the party, crouching low in the overgrown vegetation to watch for the guard. If Lily was here, there will be at least one at the gate. If Red was here, there might be even two more.

  Finally, I saw one guard stop next to the gate and light a cigarillo. He puffed on the small cigar and let the smoke roll off his tongue. The rich scent rolled through the air.

  I held up one finger and shifted closer to the wall. Jax snuck up next to me, slipping a large knife out of its sheath on his back. He gave a curt nod before creeping around the wall to the corner where he scaled it quickly, dropping down on the other side behind a shed. Not a sound came from his stealthy movements.

  I watched and waited as he came up behind the guard and slit his throat. He caught the man’s body as he fell and lowered him to the ground to search his pockets for the key to unlock the bolt on the gate. He quietly cursed when he came up empty handed and dragged the man to the shed, hiding him from immediate view.

  With the gate locked, I couldn’t wait and scaled the wall with everyone following behind me. I landed on the other side just as quietly as Jax.

  Crude laughter echoed from the house. I couldn’t make out what they said, but I knew there was more than one man inside.

  Inching my way closer, I stayed close to the wall. Bear took the other side, following my movements like a shadow. I didn’t have to look to know Diesel was right behind me and Jax would tail Bear. Flapjack would go betwe
en us, keeping our backs. I just hoped Fox stayed out of the way. I didn’t have time to worry about the kid.

  Red’s voice carried through the small courtyard and I stiffened. That son of a bitch was here. That meant Lily had to be here too.

  Bear made it to the house before me, peeking into the one room. He held up four fingers and I nodded. We could take four. Hell, the way I felt I could take on four hundred.

  He continued to survey and tensed. His face fell and my heart stopped. He looked at me and nodded. But I didn’t heed him after that. My world raged. My life and only purpose for living was behind that door.

  I pulled out both guns and strode through the door like I was bullet proof. I aimed at the first man I saw and fired. Bear came through the door next, pressing the barrel of his gun to a man’s head. Diesel and Jax followed through, Jax pinned a man up to the wall, his knife held firmly to the guy’s throat.

  I saw a blur of white and spun to see Red with a gun to Lily’s head.

  My beautiful Lily was gagged and stripped naked, hanging from the wall for everyone to see. But the gun pressed to her temple had me begging and pleading for a divine intervention. I wasn’t a church going man, but I’d sell my soul to save her if I could.

  Her eyes locked with mine. I wanted to tell her that everything would be okay, but I couldn’t lie to her. I didn’t know if I could keep that promise.

  “Cardosa, what a surprise.” Red grinned and pressed the gun harder to her head. “If you think she’s going to make it out alive, you’re fucking stupid. It’s better this way, though. You can watch while I blow her fucking brains out.”

  My stomach twisted and I couldn’t breathe. Fuck. What could I do?

  I looked back to Lily. I hoped she couldn’t see my fear.

  “Red,” one of his men tried saying before Bear snapped his neck.

  It all happened so fast, I didn’t understand what was happening until I saw Fox’s frame sneaking through the back window and slip up behind Red. He lifted the gun I gave him earlier to Red’s head. “No, you’re the one who’s not making it out alive.” Fox pulled the trigger and jerked back with the recoil.

  I ran to Lily and unhooked her from the wall, her limp body crumpled against me and I held her tight. “I’m here, honey. I’m here.” I couldn’t believe I finally found her. She was here, in my arms. I kissed her head and sucked back the massive tears I wanted to cry.

  I yanked the gag off her and kissed her mouth. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Jacob,” she said weakly.

  I wiped at her face, moving her hair to look into her amazing blue eyes. I never wanted to stop searching them to see inside her soul. I looked over my shoulder to Bear. “Fucking kill them all.” I shed my shirt to place over Lily while holding her in one arm. “I’m so sorry, honey.”

  Her body trembled and tears flowed freely down her cheeks. “Jacob.”

  “Shhh, it’s okay. I’m here.” I pulled her close to my chest, letting her bury her head in the crook of my neck.

  I turned to Fox. He stared at Red’s body. It was obvious shock was taking over. “Hey, kid. I’m damn proud of you. Thank you.” He would be one hell of a man someday.

  He looked up at me and reality snapped back into his eyes. “Is she okay?”

  I nodded. “I think so.” Hell, she was alive, that’s all that mattered to me.

  Chapter 8

  Lily

  Jacob was here. His strong arms held me tightly to his bare chest while his shirt covered me. I clung to him afraid he would disappear and let him carry me away from the awful house.

  Outside, the sun was setting, casting shadows all around us, but I kept my face buried in his neck, not wanting to see anyone. I hated that they saw me like that.

  “I’m gonna get you out of here, honey,” Jacob cooed against my ear.

  I was too weak, tired, and emotionally drained to answer. I knew as long as Jacob was here, then I was safe.

  “Somebody break this damn lock.” Jacob’s voice was deep and strained, but it sounded wonderful as it resonated through his chest.

  I jumped as a gun shot rang out and the bullet ricocheted off metal.

  “Shhh, it’s okay. It’s just Flapjack shooting the lock on the gate. I promise, you’re safe.” Jacob kept trying to reassure me, but I didn’t think I’d ever relax again.

  The way those men tried touching me had my stomach rolling, and against my will, I began dry heaving. I couldn’t look at Jacob again. He’d never want me again after seeing me tied up naked in front of other guys. Tears sprang to my eyes, afraid of being rejected by the man I loved.

  Jacob lowered me to the ground in the courtyard and held me as I gagged. I hated those men and what they wanted. The tears fell harder with each heave. They were so close to raping me. I didn’t want anyone to ever touch me like that but Jacob.

  One of the men even had his pants down, rubbing his manhood against my leg when the boss wasn’t looking. More dry heaves. How could Jacob even stand to be around me now?

  When Jude told the boss that Jacob had been spotted at the airport, the boss sent them as a decoy, sending Jacob off the trail. Knowing Jacob was close gave me the courage I needed to stand there without crying as the boss touched me. His fingers never found the one spot that still remained Jacob’s, but I couldn’t shake the way his touch revolted me.

  Jacob’s hand softly ran down my head through my tangled hair. “It’s okay, honey.”

  I shook my head and sobbed. “No.”

  “Is she okay?” I recognized the voice from inside the trunk. Tipping my head slightly, I saw a young man about my age watching me with wide, scared eyes. He was the one who killed the boss.

  “Not yet.” Jacob’s sincere remark had me crying harder. “Honey, let’s put this shirt on you and get you out of here.” He picked up his shirt and held it to shield me from the others as I slipped my arms through the sleeves. He buttoned the large shirt, letting it hang almost to my knees.

  My heart still cried, but I had used all my reserve energy to cry the last tear.

  Jacob stood and scooped me back into his arms. He carried me to a truck with bullet holes peppered along the side. He climbed into the front passenger seat and cradled me in his lap, keeping me safely pressed against him.

  Carter jumped into the driver’s seat while everyone else filled the back seat. I was embarrassed that they saw me so vulnerable, but they were like family and I was secretly glad they were all there. And no one had yet acted as if they saw anything. They were like real brothers.

  “Airport?” Carter asked.

  Jacob took in a long breath. “I refuse to let Lily out of my sights right now, but Knox needs to be found and dealt with.”

  Bear leaned forward. “Just say the word, boss.”

  No. My heart raced. I don’t think I could handle being separated from Jacob again. Besides, no one hated Knox more than me. “I want to kill him.”

  Jacob rubbed the small of my back. “Honey, it’s not safe for you here.”

  “It’s not safe anywhere without you.” My voice cracked and hurt my throat. “I don’t want to leave you.”

  Jacob closed his eyes and kissed the top of my head. “I won’t ask you to.”

  Diesel leaned up and rested his elbows on the back of the front seats. “Boss, she’s safer with us than anyone else in the world. We could hunt the bastard with her. She deserves to have some fucking closure too. Besides, there ain’t a single one of us who wouldn’t die for her.”

  Jacob growled. “I’m not risking her life again. Knox has already put her through hell and back.”

  Diesel nodded his dispute. “Which is why she should be there. We can all keep an eye on her, nobody is gonna hurt her again. Fuck that.”

  “Please, Jacob,” I whispered, looking up at his cringing face.

  “Lily, I can’t fight you, but I will protect you.”

  The guys broke out in whoops of excitement. “Let’s hunt the mother fucker!” Diesel cried out, cle
arly excited.

  Jacob lowered his head so only I could hear him. “But I swear, Lily, if Knox gets you and there isn’t another way, I will kill you myself. I won’t let him have you again.”

  I’d rather Jacob kill me than at the hands of Knox. The vile things those men wanted to do had me wishing for death. “Promise?”

  “I can’t lose you again.” He rested his forehead on mine. “I have to know, did they… Did they…”

  He didn’t have to finish. I knew what he asked. “No. They touched me and hurt me, but you came before they could do more.”

  His jaw clenched and his entire body tensed. “I’m so sorry, Lily. I should have been here sooner. I shouldn’t have sent you with Garcia. I should have been with you.” He pulled me in tight. “I’ll never forgive myself.”

  The heat of his body and the roar of the truck made my eyes heavy and I couldn’t resist the need to close them. I was safe enough to sleep for the first time in days. I was with Jacob and I knew he’d watch over me.

  When I opened my eyes, it was dark out and we were deep in a city. Tall buildings and bright lights lit the sky.

  I was still cradled in Jacob’s arms as we pulled into a circle driveway to one of the tallest buildings. Carter put the truck in park and got out. I wasn’t sure what was going on and watched curiously as he disappeared behind the glass doors. It didn’t take long before he came back and drove the truck under the building to park.

  It was a little daunting to be in such a strange underground area. The last time I was in a parking space close to this, I was trapped in a trunk. I shuddered and closed my eyes to shut out the memory.

  After the truck was parked, Jacob got out and continued to carry me through the garage to an elevator. Carter wasn’t far behind us and I was glad he was here. Besides Jacob, he was my only real friend.

  I almost smiled at the badassery that followed us to the elevator. Bear, Diesel, and Jax looked menacing and dangerous with their guns and ammo strapped to their bodies. The way they walked was with confidence and purpose and I caught how their eyes watched everything and everyone around us.