Bound by Ravage

by Ryan Michele

  Ma and Princess come walking to the table and Pops stops and smiles. “Hey boys. Here ya go, eat up.” Ma says putting plates of food in front of each of us. Princess leans down kissing Cruz.

  “Casey still asleep?” She asks me pointedly.

  “Yeah. Wore her out.” I laugh shaking my head.

  “I want a chat when you’re done with your run.” She says walking away.

  “What the fuck was that shit?” I bark to Cruz.

  “Don’t ask me.” He shovels food in his mouth. “I’m sure you did something to piss her off.”

  “I’m sure I did.” After eating, we set off to find Dewey.

  Casey

  I am in the epitome of adult hell. It has to be. It has to be a place where adults go when they’ve done something terribly horribly wrong to pay their penance. I don’t know how the hell I got roped in to coming here. I don’t know how the hell I allowed myself to. I take that back I do know how. A pair of baby blue eyes that look so full of hope and want that I couldn’t say no. Now I’m paying for it.

  “What the hell is this place?” I stare in wonder looking around at all the huge ass contraptions that are filled with air and bouncing all around. On one wall is a huge climbing wall with ropes hanging down from the ceiling and kids climbing up. In the far corner, games line the walls with lights flashing. Colors. Holy shit. I’ve never seen so many colors in one building.

  “This… is Fun Time.” Princess answers sighing in defeat. “I only bring Cooper here every once in a while.”

  “I can see why. This is insane.” The noise billows out from everywhere, screams, music, whistles, horns… everything.

  “He’ll only play for about an hour and then he’ll be tuckered out and sleep for a while.” She smiles. “It’s my bonus for putting up with this shit.”

  We walk in and my eyes scan the entire area. Kids run in every different direction with adults in black and white referee shirts trying to get them to stop running to no avail. Some parents pay attention to their kids while others are on their laptops without a care in the world.

  “Aunt Casey… You pay with me?”

  Cooper looks up at me and I have no choice but to answer. “Of course.” And take his small hand. We walk through the maze of kids, parents and toys and people turn and stare at us. I have no doubt it’s not to see mine or Harlow’s beautiful faces or Cooper’s adorable one. No. It’s the two brooding men standing behind us who got suckered into coming.

  Tug and Buzz walk with their hands in their pockets, scoping the place with scowls on their faces. When we decided to go, G.T. and Cruz were already working and since we are not able to go anywhere without guys, Buzz and Tug got the short end of the stick. Damn do I feel bad for them. Shit. I feel bad for me. I am happy though that Tug and G.T. worked out their issues, makes life a whole lot easier.

  Cooper pulls my arm. “Come on!” He yells and we take off.

  After what feels like hours instead of the few minutes we are actually playing, Cooper turns his sights to Tug and Buzz pulling them into the mass of bodies.

  “I like bringing you three. Less work for me.” Harlow laughs eating her nachos.

  “Yeah. Next time I’ll know what my answer will be.” I smirk. I watch all the little ones run around and have fun. It’s seriously a lot to take in. A little girl with blonde pigtails runs in front of us falling to the ground. I leap up and pull her up as she starts crying. “Are you okay?” I ask. Worried that she has hurt herself.

  “Mommy!” She screams as loud as she can and a large woman with blonde hair comes directly in front of me. Somehow Tug is right behind me in a moment.

  The woman eyes me bends down and picks up the little girl. “You alright, baby?” She coos.

  “I falleded.” She cries.

  “It’s alright.” The woman looks at me. “Thank you.” And leaves. I try my damnedest to tap down the thoughts of Mia, it proves difficult, but I do it and smile at Harlow.

  “You okay?” She asks grabbing my hand as I sit back down.

  “Yep.”

  “Hey what do ya say we go out tonight and have some fun?”

  “Like what?” Fun sounds good.

  “We’ll go over to Studio X, have a few drinks, learn a few new tricks and the guys can come hang out when they get back.”

  “Sounds good.”

  We move from one noisy place to the next, but at least this one has booze and lots of it. I throw back my shot, slam my glass on the table and watch the woman slide up and down the pole.

  “She new?” She is nothing like what was here before I left. This woman is timid and shy to show her body. If that’s the truth, she’s got the wrong job.

  “Yeah. Only been here about a week. Still getting the hang of it.”

  I nod and watch as the woman’s hands shake as she unclasps her bra. As soon as her song is finished, she gathers her clothes faster than I ever thought possible and exits out the back. I raise my eyebrow at Princess.

  “Told one of the other girls I’d give her a chance. This is it.” She shrugs. “Blaze is next.”

  I smile. I hadn’t seen her since before I left for school and it’s no one’s fault but my own. Just like everyone else, I didn’t call. I should have. Next to Harlow and Bella, she’s the closest thing I have to a friend. The thing I love about her is she’s so self-contained. She’s strong, independent and doesn’t take shit from anyone. And she doesn’t sleep with brothers. Shit, she probably goes a few towns over if she wants some just in case.

  She’s a very savvy business woman and seriously smart. When I left she only had a small bit of college left, I’m sure by now she’s graduated. She told me once that if men wanted to pay for her school, let them. And she has. Music begins booming even louder through the speakers and out walks the famous Blaze, but in real life Taryn McKnight is only known by a few.

  Her body is curved to perfection, boobs spilling out over her top. What gets me about Blaze is the confidence she radiates while she’s up on the stage. It amazes me that she has that same confidence when she walks off. Drives the men wild. Every single one of them right now would give every penny they have to spend one night with her. But she never has.

  Blaze’s body sways to the music. Her hands move up and down her body from the tips of her toes to the top of her breasts and into her brunette hair that cascades down her back. She wraps her leg around the pole and does these twirls and slides, proving just how damn strong her legs and arms really are. She has to have the whole room panting because I’m right there with them. G.T. can’t get here soon enough.

  Blaze’s clothes fall to the ground piece by piece. I look over to a very enthralled Tug, who is adjusting his jeans and smile. To me, those two would make an ideal couple, not that I plan on being matchmaker any time soon. Hell, I barely have my own shit together. Blaze finishes her dance and the lights on the stage go black. Cheers and whistles bring the house down and Harlow smiles.

  “She’s something. I want to go say hi.” I yell over the noise. Harlow takes my hand and pulls me through the sea of men trying to get a piece of Blaze. Even I know that she’s already locked up backstage so none of them can get to her.

  Harlow nods at the bouncers and pushes through the doors. She greets the girls and heads straight to the back door that is shut. She knocks.

  “Who’s there?” Blaze calls.

  “Your girlfriend!” I yell back and the door flies open.

  “Casey!” She screeches and pulls me into a hug, the silk robe she wears clings to her sweaty skin.

  “Hey girl. How the hell are ya?”

  “Good, really good.” She pulls away and looks me up and down. “I heard about your baby. I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you.” We enter the room and she locks the door behind her. One would think that she is paranoid, but with all the men that want a piece of her it is for her own safety. It’s something she has to do to protect herself, along with carrying a 9mm. I sit on her couch with Harlow by my side. Bl
aze sits in front of us in the chair; legs crossed appearing to be the perfect lady.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t come. Princess told me about the service, but it was for family and it didn’t feel right.”

  It is like déjà vu hearing those words come out of her mouth. Didn’t I just say them a few weeks ago? “You are family. Anything you can come to, I’d…” I stop and look at Harlow, who lifts her chin. “We’d love for you to be there. Did you finish school?” I ask.

  Her face brightens. “Yes. The degree is mine.”

  “You’re still gonna work here?”

  “For a while. Money’s too good to give up and the more I save now, the better. But I’ll be figuring something out soon.”

  “I’m sure you will.” It reminds me that I need to find out if I can get my job back at the shop. With everything going on, I haven’t had a chance. I need to make it my top priority.

  “Hey Princess.” Blaze turns to her. “Some of the girls were saying that a woman’s been coming here every night looking for you. Shaina. You know anyone by that name?”

  “Yeah. Diamond’s kid. She didn’t leave on such good terms with the club, probably wants to see if she can smooth it out on my side.”

  “She’s been pretty adamant and drinking, a lot. Cali said that he had to escort her out one night.” She shrugs. “But this is all hearsay. I didn’t see any of it.”

  “Because you’re locked up.” I laugh.

  “Damn right. I can’t be too damn careful.” Blaze has had men follow her home from the club, write her letters, send her all kinds of gifts, some worth thousands of dollars. It’s quite nuts. But Blaze handles it with grace and saves all the gifts as a savings account. More power to her.

  Banging at the door pulls our attention away from our conversation. “Yeah.”

  “Cali.” He grunts and Blaze opens the door. Tug stands with his arms crossed next to him.

  “Princess got a visitor. Someone named Shaina. Please do something with her or I’m gonna fucking make sure she never comes back here again.”

  “Thanks Cali.” Harlow says standing up. “Wanna come?”

  I look at Blaze. “I have another set I have to get ready for. Go ahead and we can talk after.” She smiles.

  “Sure.” I hug Blaze and follow Harlow out to the main bar. Shaina is sitting with her legs crossed staring down at the bar. She jumps when Harlow touches her arm.

  “What do ya need?” Harlow asks politely.

  “I need the money from my dad.”

  “I don’t know anything about money honey. You’ll either need to talk to Pops or your mom. I haven’t got a clue.”

  “You have to get it for me. You have to.”

  The fear in her eyes is evident and swarming. “What’s wrong? And who do you owe it to?” Harlow asks as if she inquisitions people every day.

  Shaina looks away. “Come on.” Harlow says pulling Shaina’s arm and bringing her into her office. Shaina sits down in the seat across from Harlow, I sit in the other.

  “Spill.” Harlow says lacing her fingers together in front of her, her body screaming power.

  “Not a big deal. Just need the money my dad put aside for me, I’ll pay it and it’ll be done.”

  “Not good enough. Who and how much?” Shaina looks to me.

  “Hey. If you want her help, you gotta answer her questions.” I shrug and she sags slowly breathing in and out.

  “About three months ago, I got involved with this guy. He’s part of a club outside of Sumner. We were dating for that time and then he disappeared. He owed the club twenty-five grand and they want their money or they’ll kill me.”

  “What club?” Harlow asks sitting up in her chair.

  “T-Darts.”

  My heart rate picks up and I ask the next question. “What was his name?”

  “Jace.” My heart plummets.

  “Alright. Let me get this straight.” Harlow continues as if the ground didn’t just shatter underneath me. “You dated Jace, he disappeared, and he owed T-Darts money and now they are after you.”

  She nods.

  “Who’s after you specifically?”

  “There have been quite a few that have come by. Guns, Montgomery, Taft and Paine.”

  My heart plummets. Nowhere in the time that I knew Jace did I think he knew Paine in any kind of way. The man had no tattoos on his body at all. His attitude was more of a business man than the men I grew up with. Things are not adding up.

  “You’ve met face to face with Paine?”

  “Yeah. Several times. He’s threatened me in more ways than one.” She shivers and rubs her arms up and down. I look at Harlow and she stares back at me conveying the same message without speaking. If Paine wanted her dead, she’d be gone, especially if they were alone. He either wants her to come to Ravage or this is a set up. I’m hoping for the first.

  “I’ll talk to them, but they’ll want to talk to ya. Leave me your number.” Shaina’s eyes flash up.

  “I need to stay at the club. They’re going to kill me.” Harlow pushes out of her chair.

  “Then you shouldn’t have gotten mixed up with them. I said I’ll talk to them, but that’s about as good as you’re gonna get right now.”

  “What do I do?”

  “Watch your back. Go.” Harlow orders. Shaina reluctantly gets up from her chair and moves to the door.

  “Diamond would want you to protect me.” She says opening it, walking out, and shutting it behind her.

  “Something’s not right.” I say immediately. Harlow puts her finger over her lips to shush me and I follow. She opens her door and Shaina is gone.

  “She leave?” I hear her ask Tug.

  “Yeah.”

  She closes the door and walks back over to me falling into the chair that Shaina just sat in. “No something’s not right at all. It just happens to be a coincidence that she hooked up with Jace and now owes them money? She is Diamond’s daughter and Paine’s not stupid. And, Shaina wants nothing to do with the club, so why now?”

  “You think she’s a rat?”

  “Could be.” Harlow reaches for her phone punching in some buttons. “Hey baby. What’s the plan? You still comin’ here or you want us to meet you boys at the clubhouse?”

  “That’s fine. Hey when we get there, we gotta talk about some stuff. Can you get all the guys?”

  “Nothing’s wrong. Shaina just came by and we need to talk.”

  “It’s long and you need to ride. I’ll see ya in about an hour.”

  She hangs up the phone. “Well, that’ll get me a spanking, not that I mind.” She laughs.

  After explaining everything to the brothers, they say they’ll handle it. Which for me is good. That’s one thing that I love about this club, they handle all the problems. I don’t have to.

  As I lay in bed with G.T. wrapped around me tight, I feel safe, protected and loved. Something I’ll never get tired of.

  “Wake up Angel.” G.T.’s words whisper in my ear and my eyes flutter open to the most beautiful blue ones I’ve ever seen.

  “Morning.” I whisper and grin.

  “We’re going out riding today. Get ready.” It’s been so long since I’ve been on the back of a bike. G.T. was cleared to ride a while ago, but he didn’t want me on the back yet until he got his bearings. I’m guessing he got himself together. Excitement races through me. “Damn girl. Don’t break your damn neck.” He jokes watching me pull out my jeans and leathers practically falling to the ground. I dash into the bathroom braiding my hair down my back and wrapping it up tight. I apply just a bit of makeup, knowing I’ll more than likely sweat it off.

  Walking out of the bathroom, G.T. pulls his boots up and laces them. His eyes meet mine and a sexy whistle caresses his lips. “Damn Angel. You look fucking hot.” I blush, my body getting flushed. “But there are two things missing.” I look down at my leathers; boots and jacket are all exactly where they should be. Nothing is missing.

  “What?” I question and l
ook over to G.T. on bended knee in front of me. I gasp my hand slapping my mouth, tears spring to my eyes and my gaze falls onto a very sparkly ring in G.T.’s hand. “Oh. My. God.” I mutter, my eyes focus on his. Inside of them, love is bursting through, sucking me in like a vise.

  “Angel. I love you. I’ve loved you for so many years and I need to make this official. I want you by my side always. I want you in my bed next to me every night. I want you to be my wife. I need you to be my wife. Will you marry me?” I stand there stunned. My lips try to move, but nothing comes out and I think I may have forgotten how to breathe. Years, I have loved this man and now he will really be mine. I never thought this day would come. Never thought he would want this step. Always dreamed he would, but never thought it would be a reality. And here it is, staring me in the face. G.T.’s eyes are pleading with me, but there is one thing that needs to be clear.

  “It’ll be only me from now on. No one else touches you, ever.” I say with all the confidence I can muster, but it comes out breathy, the shock still evident. But he needs to answer this question. It’s too important.

  “Absolutely baby. There is no one else for me. You are it. You are the reason I breathe. You are the reason I live. I love you.” He smiles and my breath leaves my body again and I suddenly feel a bit dizzy. I close my eyes pulling myself back together, as much as I can.

  “Yes.” I find my voice, but it’s quiet and croaky. My entire body shakes and there is no way to control it.

  He smiles showing me his beautiful dimples and I want to lick them. He reaches out and grabs my shaking left hand pulling it up to his lips and kissing my ring finger. He slides the gorgeous ring on to my finger and I breathe in deep, blowing it out slowly. The diamond is square and encased in the band which is either white gold or platinum, I’m not sure which. Small diamonds are embedded in the band going all the way around. It is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.