by Rye Hart
My truck was lurching violently, trying to move forward on its three good wheels. The rim of the busted wheel was digging into the dirt now and it was slowing us down. I started to panic a little, knowing we wouldn’t make it far on three wheels. Even though my panic was building, I knew I had to keep moving forward.
I was just a mile or so from the complex something emerged from the distance. I instinctively knew this was the Cavalry. They weren’t shooting at us and I recognized the truck. It was Ryan’s. As he approached and pulled up next to us he threw the door open, using it to block the bullets.
“Get in!” he shouted.
I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed Chloe and dragged her behind me, pulling us both into the truck. Once we settled in I cursed and kicked the door closed, climbing over into the passenger seat, gun in hand. Ryan grabbed me and tried to pull me out of the passenger side window.
“What are you doing?” he yelled at me.
“Let me go! You think those fuckers are just going to stop? They’re coming for the compound!” I snapped as I lifted the gun, holding it steady.
The lights were just a flicker in the distance now, but as they got closer and closer to the truck I bided my time. I knew the exact spot I needed to hit. When they were close enough I aimed at the engine and pulled the trigger. In one massive explosion, the truck lit up the night sky, taking out at least the first wave of bikers that were following us.
I settled back into the truck and sighed, wiping my brow. My hand was shaking but I was trying to stay calm. Ryan glanced over at me, his gaze hard and angry.
“They weren’t coming for the compound, idiot,” he spat.
I shot a glare right back at him, not really appreciating the insult. “What were they after then?”
“You.”
Chapter Four
I stared at Ryan for a long moment, my arms wrapped around Chloe who was sobbing uncontrollably. She clung to me, shaking her head back and forth as she whimpered, the tears pouring down her cheeks.
“What do you mean they were after me? How could you possibly know that?”
He slammed on the breaks and stared at me. “We did recon. How do you think I knew to come get you?” he snapped.
I just glared at him as the truck came to a stop in the parking lot of the bar the gang owned. It acted as a meeting place and hangout for the people who lived in our community. Apparently, there was a meeting going on. I was pissed at Ryan, despite the fact that he’d probably just saved me, but that didn’t mean he suddenly got to treat me like a child.
He led us into the bar, throwing the door open. I followed him inside, my arms still wrapped around Chloe. She was shaking and crying as she held onto me, stumbling through the doors. Chloe hadn’t really had to deal with anything like this since her kidnapping and that was years ago. I didn’t really blame her for being shaken up.
Damien was sitting on the edge of one the pool tables while the gang started to mill around, mumbling under their breaths about whatever was going on. I felt a bit out of the loop and I didn’t like it. Damien hopped off the table and walked over to me and Chloe. He wrapped his arms around Chloe first, holding her for a moment.
She shook in his arms, holding him tight. She refused to let him go and didn’t release him until he gently put her hands to her side and led her to the pool table, sitting her on the edge and kissing her nose. One she was settled on the edge of the pool table, he walked over to me and pulled me close, holding me tight and kissing my forehead.
“Sis, is everything okay?”
I wrapped my arms around him and nodded slowly, looking up at him when we parted from our embrace. “I don’t know what happened. We were at the shooting range and everything was fine,” I whispered, my voice cracking just a little.
“I know. May was listening to the CB and she caught some chatter on the line. It was Uroboros talking about you.”
Uroboros was one of our rival gangs and one of the biggest in the area. They were the bad guys. They were the drug dealers and the criminals. We got involved with them when we caught them selling drugs in our area. We didn’t let that shit happen so we went after them. I was a part of that mission and I was the one who took out their leader.
That’s how you took a gang down after all. Killing the leader was like cutting off their head. Without him they couldn’t function – at least that’s what happened most of the time. Since I’d taken out their leader, it only made sense that they were after me. I frowned a little and nodded, sighing.
“That makes sense, I guess,” I murmured.
“They have a new leader and they’re organizing. It’s clear they aren’t interested in taking you hostage. They want you dead.”
I frowned deeply and crossed my arms over my chest. “Well they’re going to have to try harder than that,” I murmured.
Damien frowned and gripped my shoulders. “Don’t take this lightly, Kisha. These guys mean business.”
“So do I,” I said simply. “I’m not going to freak out because some bikers came up with a half-baked plan to kill me. It’s clear they’re unorganized,” I pointed out.
“They’re getting more and more organized by the day. You know how important you are to this gang. You know how important you are to me,” he said firmly. “I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you. Do you understand me?” he asked firmly.
I sighed and brushed his hands to the side. “Yeah, yeah. I know.”
“You aren’t taking this seriously,” he admonished.
“I am! Jesus! What do you want me to say?” I snapped, pulling away from him. “Do you want me to break down in tears and sob? What do you want?”
“I want to know that you understand how much danger you’re in!” he growled back, slamming his hand on the pool table.
Chloe jumped and I could tell all the yelling was upsetting her. I turned Damien and took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down a little. Things were getting heated and I knew I needed to bring us back to reality.
“Alright. Okay. I get it, Damien,” I said softly, reaching up and touching his arm. “I’m taking the threat seriously. I promise I am. I’m running on adrenaline, alright? I just got shot at.”
That seemed to calm him and he nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Okay.”
I stood up straight and smirked a little. “We aren’t going to let these bastards get away with it though, right?”
He looked over at me and frowned. “No. We aren’t. We’re going after them.”
“I’ll load up my stuff then,” I said.
“No. You aren’t coming with us this time.”
I looked up at him, my eyes wide. “What?” I asked, hardly believing what I was hearing.
“You can’t be a part of this. It’s too dangerous.”
“What are you talking about?! I always go on raids with you guys!” I said, starting to panic. The idea that my brother might take the gang head long into a battle with dangerous men without me, made my heart stutter. I couldn’t let them risk their lives while I was back at home.
“You aren’t going this time. You’re going away from here. It’s too risky for you to be here. They know where you are and they’re going to come for you.”
“And you think I’d be safer somewhere else?! You can’t send me away! Who is going to watch my back?” I knew how to take care of myself, but I had to remind him that I would be left alone so that he could change his mind about me staying behind.
Damien looked at me seriously. “Ryan.”
Chapter Five
“What?” Ryan and I screamed the sentiment at the same time.
Damien nodded. “You’re absolutely right. It would be dangerous for me to send you away without any kind of protection, so I’m sending Ryan with you. He’s going to keep an eye on you and keep you safe.”
“I don’t need him!” I spat, glaring at the handsome man across the room.
“Really? Seems to me that you would have been road kill if I hadn’t come al
ong and saved your ass,” he retorted.
The comment made my blood boil and I had the sudden urge to run across the room and clock him as hard as I could in the jaw. Damien blocked my view of him and looked down at me. “This isn’t negotiable, Kisha. You’re going to Gatlinburg with Ryan.”
My stomach turned at the idea. Gatlinburg was beautiful. It was full of people and of things to do. I’d been there a few times when I was younger and I remembered it being rather romantic. I didn’t want to go on a romantic cabin get away with Ryan. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hold myself together.
“Can you imagine how upset our father would be to hear you arguing with me like this?” Damien whispered.
That made my blood run cold. I looked at him for a moment, my eyes glassy. The words felt like a betrayal, but I knew he was right. They cut deep and I had to swallow against the tears that burned behind my eyes. I missed Dad, but Damien was right. Dad always said that you didn’t argue with the leader. Damien took on the responsibility of everyone’s safety when he accepted this role. That responsibility came with respect.
“I’m going to walk you home so you can pack. You and Ryan are going to leave on one of the trailers so no one can see you, do you understand?”
I nodded slowly. “I don’t need you to walk with me,” I whispered. “Just let me be alone for a few minutes.
He set his jaw and it was clear he didn’t like the idea, but I didn’t really care. He wasn’t going to give me this and I wasn’t going to fight him for it even though I deserved this. My entire life was being snatched away from me all of a sudden.
Chloe looked up at me, her hands had finally stopped shaking and she actually looked calm. “Can I come with you?” she asked softly.
I sighed but nodded. “I guess.”
She nodded and slid off the pool table, kissing Damien’s cheek. Damien led us out of the bar and down the sidewalk, taking us to the small house I lived in. I had lived with Damien until Chloe came into the picture, but when they got together, I felt like I was imposing. They were young newlyweds and I’m sure they wanted to do things I didn’t want to see.
I told Damien I wanted to move out and he helped me move my things in the small one-bedroom cabin on the edge of the community. It butted up right to the woods, which I loved. I could spend my mornings on the back porch, reading and listening to the bird’s sing. I treasured those times more than anything.
I went up to my bedroom, leaving Damien at the door. Chloe settled on my bed as I grabbed a suitcase and started to pack the basic necessities. I didn’t want to pack much because I didn’t plan on being on this little trip for long. I was sure that Damien would lead a charge right into their hide out and take them out in a blaze of glory. I had to believe it, or I’d go nuts.
“Are you okay?” Chloe asked softly.
“No. I just got shot at and then my brother dumped me off on a man who used to be my best friend but started ignoring me when we hit puberty. I’m pretty fucking far from alright,” I snorted, throwing clothes in my suitcase.
“Maybe you two can try and work out whatever problems you have,” Chloe suggested.
“I don’t want to work them out! Not with that asshole!” I snapped.
“Kisha, you have to stop being so angry. People do weird things for weird reasons.”
“Well, no reason is going to make up for what he did,” I whispered.
A silence fell between us and Chloe studied me for a moment. “You cared about him, didn’t you?”
“Absolutely not,” I said simply.
She frowned and sighed. “You know, at some point you’re going to have to stop lying to yourself.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Chloe just shook her head slowly and stood up, starting to grab things that I probably never would have thought to bring for myself. She handed me some books and a necklace I liked. “At least try to enjoy yourself a little while you’re out there, okay?”
I looked down, feeling guilt well up inside of me. How was I supposed to enjoy myself when I knew my friends and family were putting themselves in danger to save me? I couldn’t. I swallowed and shook my head. “Don’t worry about it, okay?”
Chloe sighed and wrapped her arms around me. I pulled her onto the bed with me and tried to hold back the tears. I was being so stupid and so stubborn but I couldn’t help it. It was the only way I knew how to protect myself.
I eventually fell asleep curled up with my friend, my face buried in her shoulder. I felt safe here. I felt like I could let my guard down and so as I dozed off a single, solitary tear fell down my cheek. I was going to have to face the thing I had been avoiding for so long and that scared me.
I was going to have to face why Ryan and I never worked out.
Chapter Six
Early the next morning Ryan and I trudged out of our houses, bags slung over our backs. The sun wasn’t even up yet and we were already being loaded into a work trailer. It was the kind of trailer a contractor might have to carry his tools around; it wasn’t fancy, but that was the point. They didn’t want anyone to figure out the cargo it held.
The trailer was backed into a barn and Damien turned to me, wrapping his arms around me for a moment and hugging me close.
“Stay safe, okay?”
“I’ll stay as safe as I can,” I murmured, running a hand through my hair.
He nodded and released me so I could get in the trailer. A small group of women had gathered and were sobbing and offering Ryan gifts for the trip. Some of the trashier ones even offered him copies of Playboy. I rolled my eyes but was silently thankful for the food they handed him.
Jealousy started to rear its ugly head, but I ignored it and settled on the floor, crossing my legs and leaning against the side of the trailer. I didn’t like getting up this early and I was thankful that it was going to be a long ride. I didn’t really have any intention of talking to Ryan, so I planned on sleeping.
I pulled my blanket out and put It over me, sighing softly, ignoring the stare Ryan was giving me.
“You’re just going to sleep?” he asked incredulously.
“Sure. What else would I do?” I murmured, closing my eyes.
He just shook his head and pulled a book out of his bag. I opened one eye to see what he was reading and my heart stuttered just a little. He was reading a book by one of my favorite authors, Joe Hill. Hmmm, at least he had good taste in books. Not that it mattered.
I dozed off shortly after we left. I didn’t dream. I never dreamed. Sleep was just a warm comforting silence, an escape from my day. When I was awake my brain was always going. It was always running laps around itself, and it seemed that there was always something on my mind. I was the type of person who fell asleep thinking and woke up thinking. It was a curse.
I slept the entire four and a half hours it took us to get to Gatlinburg. I woke up briefly once when we stopped for gas, but I fell back asleep right away. When I woke up for good, Ryan was standing over me, shaking me gently.
“Hey. Wake up,” he said.
I blinked at him, opening my eyes and staring into his face blearily. He was so beautiful and I actually found myself smiling a little. He cocked a brow at me.
“You alright? You have a creepy smile on your face.”
I sat up straight, quickly wiping the smile off my face. “No I don’t,” I answered quickly.
I grabbed my bag and started to stand up, but I moved too quickly and stumbled. I would have fallen flat on my face if Ryan hadn’t caught me. His arms were strong and it took every ounce of will in my body not to lean into his touch. I forced myself away from him and he frowned.
“Are you alright? You’re acting strange.”
“How would you know how I normally act?” I grunted, throwing my bag over my shoulder.
He frowned but followed me, opting to stay silent, which was probably the smart thing to do. The men who’d brought us here said their goodbyes and handed Ryan the keys to the cabin an
d the car that had been left for us. The cabin was a short walk up the hill and I started without him, tapping my foot as I waited at the door.
When Ryan opened the cabin door my jaw nearly hit the floor. I had been expecting something dank and dingy like an abandoned bunker or something. Instead we were greeted with a warm vacation home, complete with a fire place.
All of the furniture looked relatively new and very nice. There was a kitchen, and as I walked through the cabin I had the sudden urge to relax and actually enjoy myself, which surprised me more than a little. I thought I would feel guilty being up here having a good time.
Ryan set his bags down and looked around, whistling a little. “I didn’t really expect them to put us up in a place like this,” he admitted, looking around.
We started exploring the cabin and he followed me upstairs. My palms got a bit sweaty when I realized there was only one room. Ryan poked his head around and sighed. “Well. Looks like I’m sleeping on the couch.”
Something about him being a gentleman made my blood boil. I didn’t want to have any reason to like him. “It’s okay. I’ll sleep downstairs.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he murmured. “Those guys are after you. You’re more of a target if you’re downstairs. At least this way there’s a door between you and them. Gives you more time to prepare to fight.”
I was about to start arguing with him but he turned away and headed down the stairs, pulling his shirt off. The sight of his smooth, tanned, muscular back made me feel wet. I had to grab the door handle to stay on my feet. My eyes lingered on the simple black tribal tattoos that decorated his back and the scars from countless fights.
As he walked away from me, I knew right then that I wasn’t going to be able to able to keep it together long.
