TAKING HIS SEED

by Zoey Parker

Rowan tried to get to his feet to chase him. Flames had broken into the room.

  “We need to get out.” Nate reached down and took his hand to pull him to his feet.

  Rowan coughed and looked back at Abram.

  Flames crept along the doorway opposite the one Rowan and Nate had come in. It was now lined with orange and yellow flames, reaching toward the ceiling. The heat made sweat run down all their faces. Abram looked at the flames and sat up, now that his hand was free from Nate’s weight. He put his hands down and slowly pulled himself up until he was standing.

  Rowan held out his gun and shot Abram in the leg. He cried out and grabbed his leg, falling back to the ground.

  Abram looked to the doorway again, this time fear clear on his face. “Come on, man,” he pleaded with them. He got to a crawling position to drag his leg behind him, but Rowan kicked him in the ribs, hard enough to break a few. Abram fell to his side, clutching the ribs and groaning in pain.

  “Get out!” Rowan said to Nate. Abram had no gun and two gunshot wounds. Rowan wouldn’t need back-up now. “Make sure everyone is out.”

  Nate took off at a run out the door and around the building.

  “Don’t let me die here like this,” Abram said. “At least shoot me in the head or something. Anything but burning alive.”

  Rowan shook his head and smiled. “You tried to kill me. You threatened my girl, then took her and her kid. You deserve far worse pain than this.”

  He kicked him in the face. Abram’s nose cracked and blood gushed down his mouth and chin. He slumped back for a moment, then started coughing. Rowan shot his other leg for good measure. He needed to make sure he wouldn’t escape. Abram wasn’t moving, but sat against the cabinets, going pale, coughing, and groaning in pain.

  Rowan ran out the door and looked for his guys and for Becca.

  He saw his four Rebels off to the side of the house, several hundred feet away, near the woods. Ricky had a shirt tied around his arm, blood seeping through. There were some bruises and cuts among them, plenty of coughing from the smoke, and a few blood smears. But all in all, they looked okay. Alive, mostly unhurt.

  He didn’t see Becca, Emma, or Nick. He took off running into the woods.

  “Rowan!” Nate called after him.

  “I have to get Becca!”

  He heard footsteps behind him. They were coming to help. But he was several hundred feet ahead and not stopping. His lungs were in agony with every breath. He couldn’t breathe deeply and if he tried, he ended up coughing. He took fast, shallow breaths, panting as he ran. But running was difficult, too. His legs felt heavy and the trees tilted slightly around him. He shook his head to clear it.

  He had to keep going, even if his ears still rang and he wanted to collapse. If Nick had Becca and Emma, who knew what was happening. Were they still in the woods? What if he’d taken them and run off? Rowan may have lost her again. That idea was too much to consider. He’d just gotten her back. They were supposed to be safe now. Supposed to get away and be in the woods waiting for him and be safe. Then they could leave and go home and he could protect them. And they’d be together.

  If Nick were here, did that mean he’d been working with Abram for a while? Abram had certainly helped him back in the house when he told him where Becca and Emma were. How in the world did that happen? Now he wished he’d talked to Becca more about Nick. Where had they lived exactly? How violent was he? And what would he do if he ever found them? He reached back and made sure his gun was still secure in the back of his jeans. If he got the chance, he’d take the guy down. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about him. There would be no more fear of him showing up.

  He wondered for a minute, though, if Becca would be mad if he killed Nick. He was Emma’s dad after all. Maybe she wanted Emma to get to know him later, when she was older. Or maybe Becca was hoping Nick would change and they’d get back together some day. For now, he just had to find them. Then he’d worry about the rest. He was so outraged at all Nick had done to his family and those he claimed to love, it might be worth angering Becca just to get the chance to kill a man like that. The world was much better off without him.

  Rowan glanced behind him. He could see two of his guys running after him. They were far back, but they’d be a big help when they caught up to him, assuming he’d found Nick by then.

  He picked up his pace, forcing his lungs to work harder, until they screamed at him stop. He forced them to work anyway, ignoring the pain. Then he heard a faint shouting.

  Becca. She was shouting something that he couldn’t make out. A deep man’s voice answered her, low and steady.

  She sounded upset, hysterical maybe. Rowan ran toward the sound. He saw something in the woods ahead. Something white and blue and purple amongst all the green and brown. It had to be them.

  When he grew closer, he saw Nick first. Then Becca a few feet from him. Nick turned and Rowan saw Emma. Nick had a gun pointed at her head.

  Rage ripped through him again, fresh and raw. What kind of a low-life father held their own kid at gunpoint? No wonder Becca sounded hysterical. Even his own worthless father had never stooped that low. Whatever hesitation he’d had before about killing Nick, it was completely gone now. Even if Becca never talked to him again, he would kill Nick. He wanted to rip him to shreds and set the pieces on fire. He wanted to beat his face until it was mush. He wanted to twist a knife deep into his chest and pull out his stone heart to crush it in his fist. He wanted to make him suffer like he’d made Becca and Emma suffer.

  Chapter 14

  Becca’s head snapped to the right at the sound of footsteps in the woods. Rowan was running right for them. She almost fell to the ground in relief. He was here. He would save Emma. He would find a way to get them away from Nick.

  The hot panic that made her heart race started to fade slightly. The tears dried from her eyes. He was here to save them. Now that she knew there was a way out, her fear became determination.

  Nick looked over, too, and saw Rowan. He pressed the gun harder into Emma’s head and she whimpered. Tears continued to stream down her face. She looked at Becca, desperate and terrified. How could Nick do this? Hadn’t he done enough damage to them already? Now to put Emma through this. Just when they thought they were safe. Just when they thought everything was going to be fine.

  When Rowan had shown up in the farmhouse, she’d felt the same relief she felt now. Her gratitude washed over her like a wave coming to sweep away all the anxiety and tension. When he tore the pipe from the wall, she wanted to tell him right then that she loved him. That she’d love him forever and would give herself to him fully. Any man who would do that—that would risk himself and his guys and go to such effort to save her had to be worth it. Had to be good. There could be nothing bad in this man.

  But then Nick had shown up, just when they thought they were rescued and all was well. They’d been running, so happy to be free. Emma gripped her neck tight with her little arms and cried happy tears. The loose handcuff, its other end still tight around Emma’s wrist, had banged against Becca’s back as they ran, but she barely noticed. She could still hear Emma saying, “Mommy, Rowan saved us. Can he be my new daddy? I like him much better.”

  Now she wanted to say, “Yes, Emma. He will be and he will take care of us forever. He will always come for us, always protect us. Always make sure we’re safe.” She would do anything for him. She could never repay him, of course. But she could spend a lifetime trying.

  They’d slowed their run to a walk after a while. They didn’t want to get too far into the woods so Rowan could find them easily. When they’d heard footsteps approaching, someone coming to get them, Becca had turned around toward the farmhouse, her face beaming and her heart full of joy. She’d taken two steps to run toward Rowan, to fling herself into his arms and never leave. But then she’d seen his face. It wasn’t Rowan coming to find them and take them home. It was Nick coming after them, a gun pointed at them as he ran.

  The terror was so sudd
en, the shift from joy to horror so abrupt that she froze for too long. Emma had to say, “Mommy? Is that Daddy coming after us?” before her feet loosened and she bolted farther into the woods. But she couldn’t run fast enough, especially not while carrying Emma, and he’d caught up to them.

  She’d felt the kick to her back and she’d fallen and sent Emma flying, landing hard on the ground. Emma was crying several feet away, and Nick was right here, on top of her. He punched her in the jaw, then pulled her to her feet by her hair. He’d let go of her for a brief moment to yank Emma to her feet by her arm, and that was when Becca had fought back for the first time in her life.

  She kicked him as hard as she could in the knee. It had sent him to the ground, but not for long enough. She’d grabbed Emma and run, but he caught them quickly. This time when he reached them, he tore Emma from her arms, and held the gun to her head.

  “Freeze,” Nick said. “Or I will shoot her.”

  “That’s your daughter, you monster!” Becca had shouted, hot tears filling her eyes and spilling over.

  “Then I guess now’s a real good time for you to start apologizing.”

  Becca shook her head.

  “Let me hear it!” he screamed. “Nick, I’m so sorry I left you. I didn’t know how good I had it. Nick, I’ll never leave you again. I love you and I can’t wait to get home and suck your dick all night long. Nick, I just want to please you for the rest of my life.”

  Becca clenched her jaw.

  Nick pressed the gun harder against Emma. “It’d be a real shame if Emma had to die for your pride, don’t you think?”

  She’d forced out the words and each one tasted like acid. “I’m sorry for leaving. I just want to please you.”

  “How? Say it.”

  Her face was hot with shame. “I want to suck your dick all night long.” She squeezed her eyes closed.

  “Oh, you do?” Nick laughed. “Well, that’s mighty nice of you. That’s how a wife should be, now shouldn’t she? You’ll come home with me, you’ll do whatever I say, and you will make this up to me. Right?”

  She nodded, eyes still closed.

  “You will fuck me all day and all night and clean up the mess of a house and cook me a nice dinner. You’ll tell me how much you love me and how much you missed me and how stupid you were to ever think of leaving.”

  “Okay!” Becca couldn’t look at her daughter. She didn’t want to see the fear there in her little eyes. But she could see Cuddles still clutched tightly in one hand. At least she had her bunny to comfort her. “Let go of my daughter.”

  “Not a chance. Start walking.” Nick nodded with his head toward the farmhouse.

  “Take the gun away from her head first and I’ll go with you.”

  “You think I’m that stupid? Walk!”

  She’d turn to walk and that was when she’d seen Rowan. Running right to them.

  Now here he was, coming to save them from Nick. And coughing. Why did he keep coughing like that? It worried her. This wasn’t a cough from a cold. He’d been in the smoky house, sure, but there hadn’t been enough smoke to make him cough like that. What if he had asthma? He might be in danger physically of collapsing or passing out. She would watch him carefully and make sure he was okay. She didn’t like how deep the cough sounded, and she needed him now more than ever. If something happened to him, if he couldn’t save them and protect them, she had nothing. It was all over. She’d have to go back with Nick because she’d have no choice.

  They’d all stopped walking when they saw him approaching. Nick still held the gun to Emma’s head. Becca’s eyes met Rowan’s and she tried her best to show her love and appreciation in her gaze. He was all determination, running as fast as he could, sweat bubbling on his forehead, soot smeared across his face. And he looked so amazing in that moment. So perfect and beautiful. Her heart burst with thankfulness and peace.

  Rowan didn’t pause or hesitate. Nick turned to face him, still holding the gun to Emma’s head. Before he could decide what to do, Rowan tackled Nick. He dove into the air, his hands grabbing Nick’s arm to pull the gun away.

  Nick landed hard on his back. Becca dashed over and snatched Emma away from him. She turned and crouched down. “Go hide in the woods. Mommy or Rowan will come find you.”

  “No!” Emma shook her head, tears glittering on her cheek. “I’m not leaving.”

  “Emma, baby, I know you’re scared, but I need to keep you safe.”

  Becca looked up. More footsteps. But these belonged to two men wearing Jagged Rebel jackets. Rowan’s men. She pointed to them. “Those men are Rowan’s friends. They’ll help you. Go to them.”

  Emma looked, but shook her head again.

  “Go, and I’ll be right behind you.” She nudged her forward.

  Emma ran off, sobbing and looking back at her mom every few feet. Becca made eye contact with the men and pointed at Emma. She watched one run to her and scoop her up. Now that she knew Emma was safe, Becca turned her attention back to Nick and Rowan.

  Nick was still on the ground and Rowan sat on his chest. Their hands were locked together in struggle. Rowan held a gun and Nick was trying to wrestle it away from him. She watched just long enough to realize it wasn’t Nick’s gun they fought over. It must be Rowan’s. So where was Nick’s gun?

  Becca looked around. He must’ve dropped it when Rowan tackled him. She searched near them, but not close enough for Nick to be able to reach her. Then she saw it. A few feet away in the grass. Nick’s gun.

  She inched over to it, keeping her eye on the men to make sure they didn’t see what she was doing. She snatched the gun up. Neither had seen. They were still wrestling, Rowan gaining the upper hand. He almost had the gun pointed at Nick.

  Becca wasn’t entirely sure what to do. Nick would never dream of allowing her to learn how to use a gun. That might mean she could fight back. She could kill him in his sleep. And why hadn’t she? All those years he’d hit her and abused her. She should have fought back much sooner. Should have found a way to learn how to shoot or fight. Should have done something, anything, to get away from him. She shouldn’t have waited this long.

  She looked down at the gun. It had to be loaded. Nick wouldn’t bother with pretending. Was there some sort of safety? She inspected it more closely, but couldn’t find anything that seemed like it would move or slide to turn off the safety. Maybe this gun didn’t have one, then. She had seen Nick and people in movies pull back the top part of the gun before they shot. She tried to think. Had Nick done that already? And if he did, would it mess things up if she did it again? Well, only one way to know for sure.

  Becca pulled back on the top of the gun. Part of it slid and she heard something click into place. It seemed like something had been ready. She’d have to take the chance. If it didn’t work, it wasn’t like things could get much worse.

  She looked over toward the direction she’d sent Emma in. One of the men was running back to the farmhouse, carrying her. The other was still coming to them. Good. More back up.

  She could just wait. She didn’t have to try to shoot Nick. With him and Rowan all tangled up, she might hit Rowan instead. But she wanted to. She needed to. There had to be some way for her to feel like she’d finally fought back against him. When she’d kicked him earlier, the rush she got from it was so strong, she wanted to keep kicking him. And hitting him. She’d let her fists fly all over him. Except then he had put the gun to Emma’s head. But now Emma was safe. She was away from here where he couldn’t get her. Couldn’t hurt her anymore.

  Becca looked carefully at the men, trying to find the best place to shoot. She didn’t think her aim would be good at all, so she’d need to be very close. Nick was on his back, legs stretched out. Rowan sitting on his chest, his feet at either side of Nick’s rib cage. There was no way she could get to Nick’s chest or head. Not even his hands or arm, since they were intertwined with Rowan’s. But his legs were free. And shooting his leg would keep him from getting away, right? It woul
d at least slow him down.

  Nick and Rowan were so focused on their struggle that they still didn’t see her. Whatever progress Rowan had made toward getting the gun to face Nick, he started to lose now. The gun pointed sideways, into the trees. She had to do it now, before Nick won. If he shot Rowan…well, she couldn’t even consider that possibility.

  Becca stepped closer, held the gun just an inch from Nick’s knee, and pulled the trigger. It was harder to pull that she thought and when she squeezed it, her hand had moved slightly. The shot didn’t hit his knee, but right under, at his shin. The recoil of the gun made her arm fly back and she stumbled. She tripped over her own feet and her butt hit the ground.

  Her ears rang from the shot, but she could hear Nick clearly. He screamed in pain, grabbing toward his leg. Rowan had climbed off him, the gun in his hand, pointed at Nick’s face.

  Rowan looked at her, a crooked smile on his face. He nodded at her and pulled back the slide on his gun.