Freedom

by KC Kean

  “I— I have no idea what you need to ask me,” she whispers back weakly, but we all know that’s a load of shit, and so does she.

  Maverick doesn’t even acknowledge her response. “Where did Frankie Winters take Jessica, Gina?” Her eyes widen as her pupils dilate, and her face pales even more.

  “I... I have n-n-no idea wh—who that is,” Gina whimpers in response, tears slowly starting to trail down her face. Maverick doesn’t speak or move his gaze, but he nods, which Luna takes as her signal.

  Luna steps forward, sending her fist flying at Gina’s face from the side as Roman leans back, and I watch as Gina’s head snaps to the side from the impact. She cries out with a sob, her jaw instantly starting to bruise from the hit. Her glasses fall to the table beside her, the frames being the only part still intact.

  Oscar reaches his hand out, lacing his fingers with Luna’s. There’s heat in his gaze as he brings her red knuckles to his lips. If I glanced down right now, I’m sure he’d be sporting a semi.

  Roman tightens his grip on Gina, making her hiss, but she doesn’t beg for it to stop. I notice the glimmer in her eyes, the snake inside of her desperate to surface, but she wants to play the quiet little victim for a little longer.

  Violence and pain aren’t going to help us with her twisted mind, and the way Maverick glances over his shoulder at West tells me I’m right. Her eyes follow Maverick’s to West, and everything clicks together in my mind.

  Rubbing my hands down my pants, I inhale deeply and step forward. This is where I come in. I can see what Gina wants, and it happens to be my specialty. But I have to calm my own rage because I want to kill her myself. Someone has to do it before we leave here, just after we have the details we need.

  Taking another deep breath and giving myself an internal pep talk, I push past the disgust already rolling over my body.

  “Hey, Gina,” I murmur, forcing myself to make my voice husky, seductive, and her eyes flicker to mine. I feel her assess me, and I wet my lips. Just like I expect, her gaze follows the movement. In all this danger, and her attention is on the hope of being seduced.

  Dumb bitch.

  “I get it. I do,” I continue. Roman frowns at me over her shoulder, but I don’t react. Explaining myself will give it all away.

  “What?” She murmurs in response. Her eyes flicker to Maverick, but she quickly glances back at me. I definitely have her attention.

  “Which one is it? Maverick or West?”

  She holds my gaze, biting her lip in a way she must think is seductive, but it only makes me cringe inside.

  “Both.”

  West squeezes my arm as I move further forward, but I meet his gaze, hoping he can see what I’m trying to relay.

  Trust me.

  Relaxing his grip, I step up right behind Maverick, resting my hands on his shoulders. He doesn’t stiffen under my touch, but he’s probably wondering what the fuck is going on.

  “She got in the way, didn’t she?” I mutter, leaning a little to prop my chin on his head. “Jessica was taking what was yours, wasn’t she?” Her eyes stay focused on me as she nods. That's when Maverick stiffens beneath me, and I hear West's sharp inhale behind me.

  My soft voice seems to be working, encouraging her to open up. So, I decide to push on with my theory. “That’s why you wrote the letters, isn’t it? You warned her, and she just wouldn’t listen, right?”

  Maverick is practically thrumming with pent up rage beneath my touch as she bites her bottom lip and nods again.

  “I’ll fucking…” whatever Luna is about to say is cut off, and I can only assume it’s Oscar stopping her from killing this bitch. I can't look at them because I refuse to lose the connection I have with this psycho right now, especially since we seem to be getting answers.

  “They’re mine,” she finally bites out, her pleading eyes begging to be understood as Roman tightens his grip. “I had them first. Both of them. Together.”

  If she expects a reaction, she won’t get one here. Not from them sharing someone, but I cringe internally that they had shared this bitch. I’d love to hear their excuse for that. “Tell them, Ricky, baby.”

  I step around him before he can respond, crouching down in front of her. If I let him speak right now, any progress I've made will go to hell. I need to push on, give her what she wants, so I can get what we need.

  “He wants you, Gina, don’t worry about that. That’s why she stormed out of the Weaponry Hall and straight into you,” I coo, hearing Maverick grunt behind me, but I don’t stop, letting the lie give me the exact reaction I want from her. “But there is a little more at play here, and it’s vital we get to Jess as soon as possible. The Ring members are involved, and the man who has her is a threat to the whole organization,” I add, reaching my hand out to trail circles on her bare thigh with the tip of my finger, goosebumps rising.

  So fucking predictable.

  “We wouldn’t want that, now would we? This puts us on the brink of war, and what would you rather be doing, battling or fucking?” I emphasize the purr in my voice, and she sucks in a breath.

  Don’t be sick. Do. Not. Be. Sick.

  “N—No, I don’t want that.”

  “Good girl,” I praise like she’s the student, and I’m the tutor here. “So, tell me where Frankie Winters has taken her, then the rest of us can leave. Giving you the alone time with Maverick and West that you desire.”

  Her eyes burn into mine, likely searching for a hint of my lie, but she won’t find it. I know how to use sex and desire to get what I want. It’s my mask, but this is pushing me to my limit.

  “They’re not far from here,” she whispers, and my heart pounds in my chest, waiting for her to divulge more. It takes everything I have not to dig my fingers into her skin and demand answers. “Frankie had me meet him at an abandoned warehouse on the other side of town. A fifteen-minute drive or so.”

  “Can you give me an exact location?” I ask softly like I’m not a vulture wanting to destroy her right now. She rattles off the address she’d used to get there, and I smile wide at her, making sure she can see how pleased I am. “Oscar, I need you to check that with Kai for me, please,” I say, not wanting it to be Maverick or West that check because that would show they care. I hear Oscar murmuring into his phone as the rest of us sit in silence, and Gina squirms in Roman’s grip.

  Winking at her, I turn my gaze to Maverick, mouthing the word gun, and he moves his hand to his hip, giving me his answer without alerting Gina.

  Rising back to my feet, I hold my hand out in her direction, and Roman’s frown deepens as he stares at what I’m doing. “She’s been a good girl, Roman. She deserves a treat,” I murmur, and with great reluctance, he releases his hold on her, likely struggling with the fact he has to trust me.

  Slipping her hand in mine, I swipe my other arm across the table, knocking the forgotten cup of hot chocolate to the floor with a crash. Grabbing her waist, I lift her to lie on the table, and she goes willingly, clearly liking the alpha moves. Letting her robe fall to her sides, she’s completely naked beneath it, and her legs fall open.

  That’s it. I’m definitely going to be fucking sick. I can feel bile burning the back of my throat, but I’m thankful no one is questioning me right now.

  Placing my hand on her arm, encouraging her to stay still, I look over to Oscar, who meets my eyes and nods. She was telling the truth. The others may want to grill her for more information, but there is just one thing I want to understand.

  Leaning over her, I slide my hand to her throat, not adding pressure. Yet.

  “How did Frankie get to you, Gina?” I murmur, and I feel her gulp against my hand.

  “I followed her and Maverick to Petersburg. When they left, I got lost in a bottle of vodka and him.”

  Him being Frankie, and he saw her as the easy little whore she is.

  “We’re all set,” Roman says, gaining my attention. “Kai just ran a surveillance check, and the same SUV is parked at the wareho
use. We need to leave.”

  My body wants to sag with relief, but we’re not done here. One look around the room and I know we must all be in agreement. Maverick and West come to stand beside me, making her think she’s getting what she wants, and I bring my lips to her ear, whispering, “I hope you rot in hell, you cum-guzzling gutter whore.”

  Standing to my full height, Luna links her arm through mine and pulls me from the room. A part of me is relieved, but the other wants to see her die to make sure.

  “You don’t need to be there for that, Aiden, not if you don’t need to. Trust me,” Luna mutters, and I nod in acknowledgment.

  “No! No, wait. Please!” Gina begs at our retreat, and it’s a sickly sweet feeling to continue walking. Letting her know there is no one here to save her, unlike Jess, who has everyone fighting for her.

  Coming to stand in front of the elevator, it doesn’t look like it’s moved since we got here. Which probably has something to do with the fact it’s so late. The sound of a gunshot jolts me, even though I knew it was coming. A moment later, Maverick and West are stepping from the room, no blood on their clothes, but they’re both wiping their hands. I can’t tell who did it, but I know it won’t be the last life we’ll take tonight.

  “You did good back there,” Roman says quietly, and I raise my eyebrow at him, surprised by the praise, and Oscar pats my shoulder in agreement. God, that must have killed him, but I'll take it without goading them.

  “My skill set may not be the same as yours. But I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back.” I mean every word.

  Luna’s hand on my arm squeezes tighter. “I like you more and more every time you open your mouth, Aiden Byrnes.”

  I’ll take that as a win. Offering her a quick smile, I cut my gaze to Maverick. “You better have wrapped your shit when you were dipping in her honey jar because your dick has been inside Jess and my mouth. I will not let your soggy peen give Jess any STDs, and my face is too pretty for herpes.”

  I hear Roman scoff from beside me as Maverick grunts. “That’s all you have to say after we just killed someone?”

  “Well, duh. I have my priorities in the right place. Sooo...” I respond, but Maverick doesn’t say a word. His facial expression is the only answer I need. Shaking my head, Luna manages a small chuckle beside me before I lose my fun vibes. “Seriously though, I feel like I can’t breathe with all the worry inside of me. I don’t care what we do. I just need her.” I can’t stop myself from rubbing my palm on my chest to try and ease the pressure building inside.

  “Me too,” Luna whispers, and Oscar nods.

  “We’re all the same, Aiden. But we’ll get through this together, and as a team,” West murmurs as Maverick squeezes my shoulder.

  We’re coming, beautiful, just hold on.

  Jess

  My body aches. I feel like I’m living through the worst hangover in the history of mankind, and I don’t think I’m going to survive it. The throbbing in my skull makes it impossible to open my eyes as I start to wake up. Even with my eyes closed, it feels like the room is spinning. Nausea has me holding my body still, too scared a sudden movement will make me actually vomit.

  Trying to clear the fog from my brain, I attempt to retrace my steps. I remember being at the party, celebrating Luna and her Aceholes, but it gets blurry from there. And like a freight train, my memory hits me all at once.

  West omitted to tell me there was some form of bloodline agreement put in place, which means we’re to get married. At his lack of honesty, the pain in my chest beats through me just as it did then. I remember storming from the Weaponry hall, needing some space, when Maverick pinned me against the wall, kissing the worry away until Oscar showed up.

  The fight, falling to the floor, the calls from people around me at the time, assault my mind. I can almost feel the bitter bite of the night air as I stepped outside, and Gina showed me to an SUV sitting idly. The relief I felt as I sat in the back of the SUV was short-lived as I opened my eyes and came face to face with fear.

  Frankie Winters.

  With a wicked grin and a flicker of evil simmering in his eyes, his face was the last thing I saw as one of his men smothered my face with a rag covered in chloroform. I can almost feel it again. The sickly smell haunting my senses.

  Taken, kidnapped, and helpless all over again. But this time, I’m not part of Featherstone’s schemes. This is real life and very fucking dangerous. The flashback of Frankie only heightens my fear.

  Prying my eyes open, they feel heavy, almost glued together. But I push through the discomfort to fight against the bright light shining above me. As I turn my head to the side, my cheeks brush against material beneath me— a mattress. I’m lying on a mattress.

  But where the hell am I? Why did the guy I saw down at Petersburg when Maverick had his bare-knuckle fight take me from Featherstone Academy? I’m a nobody. He must surely know that. Unless I’m here because of Maverick?

  Without any natural light shining through the window or anything to tell me the time, I have no idea how long I’ve been unconscious. But I know I need to figure a way out of here as soon as possible.

  As I try to swallow and wet my parched lips, I start to panic when I realize something is stopping me. My hands fly to my mouth, but I freeze when I see two zip ties securing my hands together. Slowly lifting my fingers to my mouth, it feels like duct tape, and I have to steady my breathing before I hyperventilate and pass out again.

  Pushing up on my elbows, I notice my ankles are sealed together with more duct tape before I glance around the small square room I find myself in. Dirty off-white walls line the space, with what looks like a bare concrete floor beneath me. There’s enough space for the mattress I’m lying on and a metal chair by the door— no windows, not even a vent.

  My heart feels like it’s in my throat as I try to assess the overall situation I find myself in. How the hell am I supposed to get myself out of here in one piece? Does anyone even know I’m missing, or are they all still too busy fighting for ridiculous reasons?

  I don’t think I have ever felt so alone in my entire life.

  I’m scared. But I can’t rely on the hope that someone will find me.

  I have to calm my breathing and get my damn brain working. I don’t know when someone will step through those doors, and I don’t know what actions they’ll take when they do. All I can focus on is, today is not the day I die. Not at the hands of these people, not when my heart aches for other reasons too. I have too much unfinished business to deal with to go out like this.

  With that, I replay every single lesson I have ever had with Luna, Roman, and Maverick. Combined, they’ve taught me so much about self-defense and getting out of dangerous situations. Now, I need to put it all to good use.

  Twisting, so my back is leaning against the wall, I stretch my legs out in front of me. My bare feet touch the cold floor, and I recoil in shock. My dress is a mess, my stunning sparkly sequin dress is creased and covered in dirt. How the fuck did it get so dirty?

  I’m thankful for the long sleeves, but I’m still starting to feel the chill in the room.

  The moment I start trying to remember what Roman told me about getting out of duct tape and zip ties, the sound of a key turning in the lock catches me by surprise before it swings open, and Frankie Winters himself stands before me.

  Dressed in a fitted charcoal grey suit, with a matching shirt and shiny black loafers, he looks every inch the mafia mobster he believes himself to be. Under his scrutinizing gaze, my heart pounds in my chest, the reality of what’s happening to me kicking in.

  I’ve been taken, and now I’m at Frankie Winters’ mercy. Not a safe place to be at all.

  “I’m glad you’re awake, little bee,” he murmurs, and a shiver runs down my spine. There is a manic glint in his eyes that sets me on edge, making it hard for me to understand what he plans to do.

  I hold myself frozen in place, and with the duct tape on, I can’t respond.

  The do
or clicks shut behind him as he takes a seat on the chair, looking entirely out of place. Flicking his eyes around the room, I can tell he wants to get out of here as quickly as possible, and I couldn’t agree more. This place is fucking disgusting.

  “It’s a pity we’re meeting under such unfortunate circumstances, but it had to be done.” His brown eyes see mine as they darken. “Maverick Miller has to pay for Featherstone’s mistakes, for thinking they could outsmart me. Pretending to fight in my matches to get into my inner circle? It’s not a unique infiltration strategy.” He tuts with a wag of his finger before continuing. “I hope, for your sake, little bee, that he does exactly as I say.” Frankie slowly crouches in front of me, leaning on the mattress with his fist while gripping my chin with his other hand. “Otherwise, I’ll be sending you back in pieces.”

  I can feel myself shaking under his touch, and the grin he sends me lets me know he feels my fear. I barely keep my tears at bay as he stares me down. I will not let him see me any more vulnerable than I already am. He doesn’t deserve my emotions, my pain.

  In the blink of an eye, he’s standing and leaving the room. No offer of using the restroom, a drink of water, or even a glance at a clock.

  But that’s okay. It’ll give me more time to devise a plan because I will get out of here, even if it is in pieces.

  I’m sick of the same four walls staring back at me. The stains on the off-white paint are starting to drive me crazy, and I’m close to almost offering to clean them.

  I have no idea how much time has passed, but no one has been back, and if I don’t pee soon, I might cry with desperation.

  My mind has been on repeat. It’s crazy how some alone time in a tiny room, with no form of distraction, can help put things in perspective for you. I’m scared. Frightened that I’ll never get to see anyone else again. I want to be able to hug Luna and my dad. Maybe even the Aces, and most certainly Juliana.

  Then, there’s my guys. Maverick. Aiden. West. Their names play on repeat in my head. I want to scream with every passing breath I’m not with them. Even fucking West and his shitty lies. All this quiet in here makes me feel ready to listen to him. I know I heard the desperation in his voice at the party before I stormed out.