Rebellious

by Gillian Archer

  I froze in place as I listened to his taunting. I was just as afraid of his words as I was that he could hear me moving and find me. Oh God, what was I going to do?

  I calmed a bit after reminding myself that it was doubtful Joker knew what a promise meant. He’d probably made plenty to Rhonda, wherever the fuck she was. Taking a painful breath, I crept along the side of the building until I reached the front of the garage. My heart sunk at the view. There was no way to get inside the garage from this side. The huge rolling door was closed. Even if I could’ve gotten it open, nothing would scream my location louder than a huge hunk of metal screeching as the door rolled open. Dammit. I continued around the far side of the building and Joker kept up his taunting.

  “You know you’re bleeding like a son of a bitch. That kinda thing tends to leave a trail. I’m gonna find you, and when I do…” He laughed psychotically.

  My stomach dropped and I froze. Oh God, he was going to find me. I bit my lip to keep my whimper inside. I didn’t want him to hear me and know where I was hiding. Oh God. I didn’t want to die.

  My heartbeat thrumming in my ears, I closed my eyes and remembered Reb’s words. Ten minutes. I could do ten minutes. After one more shaky breath, I pressed on.

  I reached the back of the building and heaved a painful sigh of relief at the normal-sized door that was slightly a jar. Looking around, I still couldn’t see any sign of Joker or Rhonda, so I made my way in. I wanted to be careful not to touch the door and leave a bloodstain, so I used my shoulder and bumped the door open.

  And immediately wished I hadn’t.

  Instead of a regular garage with car parts and motorcycles, I must’ve stumbled onto his psychotic killing grounds. Small game hung from the rafters in varying stages of skinning. Through shafts of moonlight from the windows and the door behind me I could see the grim outlines of raccoons, rabbits, a deer, and even a cow strung up overhead. And the smell. The stench of dead, rotting carcasses was overwhelming. I gagged and about lost it. Only the thought of Joker hearing me puking kept me from heaving my guts out. At least here he wouldn’t be able to track my blood. There was so much pooling here and there he wouldn’t be able to tell it from mine.

  I swallowed my nervous laughter at my twisted thoughts. I had to keep calm and find somewhere to hide. Spying a large wooden crate in the corner, I ducked around the hanging carnage and crept over to the crate. The best place to hide would be inside it, but I was half afraid that what was inside was worse than what hung overhead. Instead I ducked down and crawled into the small space between the crate and the wall. I wedged myself in and waited.

  I didn’t have to wait long.

  The door I had entered through made a huge, ominous creak, then I heard boot treads inside the building.

  “I know you’re in here,” Joker said in his sickening singsong tone. “I saw the blood outside and it’s fresh. Fresh and sweet. I could smell it a mile away. So fucking good. I can’t wait to taste it from the source.”

  I held my breath as he came closer to me.

  “Maybe I’ll suck it from your little wounds while I push myself into your tight little cunt. How does that sound, sweetie? Ever had someone lick your blood while they fuck you?”

  You mean rape me? I bit down on my lip and tried to hold my whimper at bay. Oh God, he was so close. I could hear the heavy thuds of his boots on the concrete floor. He had to be only five, ten feet away from me. Oh God, he was going to find me. Then he’d do every sick thing he could think of. I was going to die, but first he’d torture me. Maybe he wanted to hang me up there with his dead animal collection.

  Oh God. Oh God.

  Just when I thought for sure he must’ve seen me, given how quiet he’d gotten, the building started to vibrate. A telltale roar rumbled up from the road.

  I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Was it Reb? Or more Saddletramps?

  Either way, it got Joker’s attention. I heard him run out of the building, and I took a huge, trembling breath. The vibrations continued. There must’ve been a whole army out there. But were they my guys?

  It took everything inside me, but I stayed put. Reb knew I had the phone on me. He’d either find me or call when the coast was clear. The motorcycle engines continued to roar as more and more bikers no doubt showed up. Then shouts, and more engines revving.

  Three long, agonizing minutes later, the phone clutched in my hand rang. I answered it with a sob. “Reb?”

  “You can come out, baby. I swear everything’s okay.”

  I didn’t even reply. I pushed the crate away and ran. I didn’t look up, left, or right. Slamming open the door, I raced through and around the building. The sight waiting for me took my breath away.

  The whole driveway heaved with True Brothers and motorcycles. And at the front of the pack was my man. Reb stood looking toward the house, but turned when I cleared the building. I’d never seen Reb move quicker than a slow, rolling walk but today was a day for firsts. He tore up the driveway at a dead run. I met him almost halfway.

  He enveloped me in his arms and I wept. Fear. Relief. Nerves. Adrenaline. Love. It all poured out of me. I tried to talk, but I was sobbing so hard I couldn’t form a coherent thought let alone a sentence. I was safe. In Reb’s arms again. Oh thank you, God. I heard more than felt Reb peppering my head with kisses.

  “Christ, baby. I was so fucking scared. Thank God. Thank God, you got away. If they’d—” He broke off and kissed me a few more times. “I don’t even want to finish that. You’re here. You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

  He held me by my shoulders and set me back slightly so he could look at me. I couldn’t stop the moan of pain that erupted from me. Reb let go of me and took a step back, looking at me from my head to my toes. His gaze lingered on my jaw and his eyes grew steely. His eyes lowered to my arms, and he looked positively murderous.

  I’d never seen that look in his eyes before. My body started trembling. I know the look wasn’t for me, but I didn’t want any more bloodshed today. I just wanted to curl up in bed, let Reb hold me, and forget this day ever happened.

  “Tank! Get your ass over here!” Reb barked over his shoulder.

  Before I could say anything to Reb, Tank broke through the pack and stood at Reb’s side.

  “Take my girl to the doctor. Get her checked out and stitched up. And for God’s sake would someone get me a clean sweatshirt or bandages or something? She’s bleeding all over the fucking place!”

  I grabbed hold of his vest. “Reb, please, I don’t want—”

  “Baby, I’m so sorry they did this to you. They’re going to fucking wish their mamas had swallowed instead of spreading their legs. I will make them regret they were ever born. They will bleed every drop of blood they’ve got in their veins.”

  I didn’t even have time to respond. Tank took me by the wrist and led me to his truck at the bottom of the driveway. The last time I saw Reb, he was kicking his way through the back door, a huge, gnarly knife in his hand.

  Chapter 26

  Reb

  SEPTEMBER 9

  Reb washed his hands in the sink and watched the water turn red, then pale pink, before finally running clear. Joker’s hoarse screams still rang in his ears. But unlike countless times before, it wouldn’t be the killing tonight that’d keep him up. No, it was the thought of what Emily had gone through. The sight of that basement and her blood spattered everywhere. He’d done this to her. He brought her into this lifestyle. She deserved so much more than the miserable life he could offer her.

  Zag came up behind him, and Reb stepped aside so his friend could wash up.

  “Any sign of Rhonda?”

  Reb shook his head as he took out his cell and checked the screen one more time. Not that it mattered; she’d left behind her purse and cellphone. And they hadn’t been able to get any info out of Joker. He could’ve killed her, or she could’ve run off. They hadn’t heard a word from her or found any sign of her or her car. She’d just disappeared.
<
br />   And he felt…nothing. He’d spent the better part of twenty years with her, and she was gone. A tiny part of him would always wonder what had happened to her. And he’d have to figure out what he’d tell Tucker, but that was a headache for another day.

  “Did the guys get Joker to the abandoned mine okay?” Reb asked. Their typical method of body disposal when they didn’t want it found for a long time—if ever. Normally Reb wouldn’t give a shit, but he didn’t want Emily tangled up in an investigation. She’d suffered more than enough at Joker’s hands.

  “Yeah. Helps that it’s close. I’ll have a few guys stop by later to clean up the basement, but I’m beat. I wanna get home to my baby and soon-to-be wife. And I know you’re probably dying to see Emily’s all right.”

  “Yeah,” Reb said softly. “What, uh—” He had to stop and clear his throat. “What hospital did Tank take her to?”

  Zag turned off the tap and threw Reb a funny look as he wiped his hands on his jeans. “Hospital? Why would he take her to the hospital?”

  “Because she was fucking stabbed? Are you fucking kidding me?”

  Zag’s eyes grew wide. “She didn’t go to the hospital.”

  “WHAT?” Reb grabbed Zag by the collar of his shirt and pulled him close. “Tell me that’s your idea of a sick joke.”

  “No. She’s at the clubhouse. In your bed. Tank texted me earlier. She’s fine. Doc’s checking her over.”

  “Bullshit!” Reb pushed Zag away in disgust. All the cathartic torture he’d inflicted over the past two hours faded away. Now he wanted to pound someone senseless, but the only other person in the house was Zag. So instead he let his friend have a large piece of his mind. “She was supposed to go to the hospital. I told Tank—”

  “You told Tank to take her to the doctor. So he did. She saw Doc at the clubhouse, and she’s fine. He stitched her up and gave her some pills.”

  “That’s bullshit, and you know it. They stabbed her. Over and over. She needed to go to the hospital and see a real doctor. Not our back-alley buddy, Doc. That’s bullshit.”

  “No, that’s the life. That’s what we do. If she showed up in the ER looking like she did, we’d be in the shit. So we took care of it the way we always do—protect the club.”

  Reb hung his head as Zag’s words penetrated. “I know. I’m sorry, man. It’s just this whole thing with Emily—”

  Zag held up a hand. “You don’t gotta say another word. Been there, my friend. I went to hell and back when it was Jessica. I get it.”

  “Thanks.” Reb scrubbed a hand over the back of his head. “I never went through this with Rhonda. Christ, she’s the cause of this whole clusterfuck. How do you do this? How do you live with the fact that we put them in danger?”

  “I just…” Zag shrugged. “It’s not easy, man. But for some twisted reason they figure it’s worth it. Being with us—loving us—is worth the price of admission. Welcome to the club, my friend.”

  “That’s practically poetic.”

  Zag grinned as he flipped Reb off.

  And it was just what Reb needed to hear. Emily did love him. She said as much every time they went to sleep. Or a variation of it. Usually with a scream afterward. Reb smiled and grabbed his shirt and vest off the counter. After pulling them on, he looked at Zag. “You ready to head home?”

  “Fuck yeah. Let’s go check on your woman.”

  —

  Reb stood outside his bedroom door at the clubhouse. He’d already talked to Doc—all superficial wounds; Emily would be fine after some time and healing. The bruises on her jaw should fade in a week or two and the stitches on her arms would dissolve. She would be fine. Was fine. Safe, all tucked up in his bed.

  So why couldn’t he go inside?

  The guilt over this whole fucked-up night ate him up. She wouldn’t have been terrified, tortured, and stabbed tonight but for him. How could he even begin to make this up to her? But Reb wasn’t one to ever run from a fight—or a woman. So after taking a second to steady his nerves, he opened the door.

  Emily lay asleep in the middle of the bed, her arms covered in gauze and tape, her bloody clothes tangled in a pile in the corner. But most telling of all—she wore one of his True Brother tees. The soft white cotton shirt rose and fell with every breath she took. Reb stood in the doorway and drank in the sight. For the first time in as long as he could remember, he didn’t want to join the gorgeous, mostly naked woman in his bed. He’d rather stand here and watch her breathe while he thanked God that she was still alive. Christ, he’d come so close to losing her tonight.

  Much like the Grinch’s, his heart swelled until it felt like it might burst. Fuck, he loved this woman. Would do anything for her. Shit, now he was starting to sound all sappy.

  He stepped into the room and gently closed the door behind him. Emily moved slightly and moaned in her sleep. Reb held his breath, but she didn’t wake up. The pills Doc gave her should keep her asleep for a few more hours.

  Not wanting to disturb her, he pulled one of the plush chairs close to the bed. Reb collapsed in it and rested his legs on the edge of the bed. The last thought he had before he fell asleep was that he really hoped Emily would forgive him. He didn’t know how he could ever begin to make it up to her.

  —

  “Reb? Reb? Are you okay?”

  He blinked the room into focus. The clubhouse. His bedroom. Emily.

  Emily!

  Shit. Reb sat up with a start. “Fuck, baby, are you okay? Do you need anything? Water? Painkillers? I can get Doc back in here in a second. Maybe a—”

  “Reb, I’m fine. I’m just wondering what you’re doing way over there. I want you in bed with me. Holding me.”

  “I, uh, didn’t want to wake you up. Or hurt you. Fuck, baby, I’m so sorry.”

  “Sorry? What are you sorry about?”

  “Are you kidding me? Last night? Getting abducted and tortured? Does any of this ring a bell?”

  “Well, yeah. I kinda have the marks to prove it.”

  All the blood drained out of his head. She might as well have slapped him.

  “Oh God. Reb, I’m so sorry. That was supposed to be a joke. It’s okay. I’m all right. See?” She held her arms out to her sides. “Fit as a fiddle. Doc swore there was no lasting damage. This time next month, it’ll all just be a memory.”

  “I’m so sorry, baby. If I could, I’d take all your pain away.”

  “Well, Doc did a pretty good job with his pill supply.”

  Reb closed his eyes briefly, then looked down. “I’m sorry about that, too. The guys were supposed to take you to the hospital. Get you checked out by real doctors in a sanitary environment.”

  “Tank tried to.”

  Reb’s head jerked up at Emily’s softly spoken confession. “What?”

  “Tank tried to take me to the ER, but I told him no. I knew there would be questions I couldn’t answer, and the cops would be called. I wasn’t going to be the one to turn your club on its head. I’m in it, Reb. With you.”

  “Christ.” Reb’s eyes inexplicably filled with tears. There couldn’t be a more profound statement of love ever. Emily knew the way straight to his heart. He leaned over the edge of the bed and gave her a soft, gentle kiss. “I love you, too, Emily Marie Clark.”

  “I love you, Rebel…Do you know I don’t even know your first name, let alone your full name?”

  “It’s Rob. Robert Allen Gifford.”

  “Rob? Seriously? I was expecting something epically awful. It’s so…normal. But okay. I love you, Rebel Robert Allen Gifford.”

  “Damn, that sounds so much like that first day you brought Tucker to the clubhouse. I’ll never forget your proper little voice calling me Mr. Gifford. Christ, that memory still gets me hard.” Reb groaned against her lips before kissing her once more.

  After a few moments, Emily pulled away with a whimper. “We probably shouldn’t. I don’t know that I’m up to any…extra-curricular activities just yet.”

  “You don�
�t need to do a thing. I’ll take the heavy lifting for the next little while.” Reb moved to the bottom of the bed and crawled up between Emily’s legs. “Let me show you how much I love you.”

  “Reb!”

  That was the last coherent sound Emily made for a while.

  Epilogue

  Emily

  SEPTEMBER 19

  ZAG AND JESSICA’S WEDDING

  The wedding went off without a hitch. My cuts were on their way to healing, and the light cardigan I wore helped hide the worst of my injuries. I certainly wasn’t feeling a twinge of discomfort as I twirled around the dance floor.

  Although the magic of Reb’s arms around me might’ve been to blame for my high. Or the three glasses of champagne I’d already had. What? This was a night to celebrate—Zag and Jessica tied the knot, I was alive, and Nicole got a promotion at work. Things were definitely looking up.

  “What’s got you grinning so hard? Or do I even need to ask?” Reb whispered as he rubbed the proof of his arousal against me.

  I laughed as I swatted him on the shoulder. “You cut that out. We’re in public, and there’s no way I’m leaving before they cut the cake. It looks yummy.”

  “You just want to stick around and catch the bouquet.”

  I couldn’t stop the snort of laughter that escaped. “No. God, I hope Jessica doesn’t do the lining-up-the-single-women thing. It’s so embarrassing.”

  “Don’t you want to get married?”

  “Yes. Eventually. One day. But I don’t get the whole spectacle of the bouquet toss. And we’re supposed to fight over a clutch of flowers? Ugh. Pass.”

  “I guess that told me.” Reb’s hand brushed over his coat pocket, and my heart sank.

  Oh God. Was he going to…Did I just ruin his whole proposal plan? My scalp prickled as my face heated. We’d only been dating for two months. I wasn’t ready for a proposal yet. Oh God. I didn’t know what to do or say. Should I accept? I couldn’t just humiliate him in front of all his friends, but I really wasn’t ready for that. I mean, we were barely, kinda, sorta living together. What was I going to do?