by Marie Wathen
I stab him in the forearm wringing my neck. The thug screams then removes his arm and I twist my body around, facing him. I randomly and repeatedly strike his body with the glass as fast as I can. He pulls away ultimately freeing me from his clutches, and I crab walk backwards, seeing him grip the side of his neck. He stalks toward me with blood pouring down his neck and into his shirt collar, as I hear one of the men scream for him to grab me.
Already outrunning a race horse, my heart suddenly slams against my ribcage with a fear that increases my adrenaline rush, thinking the others are going to come help him. I force my body to move faster away from him, but I have backed myself against one of the concrete columns and I’m cornered. Rushing toward me, he grabs for my head. I kick and punch at his neck, but it doesn't halt him. His fingers dig deep into my hair and he snatches me forward.
A loud rumbling noise echoes through the garage and one of the men yells that we have company. He twists my body so that I am trapped under his arm as he forces me to walk backwards. He begins dragging my combative body with one hand in my hair and the other squeezing around my neck, preventing me from yelling for help. He barks at me to stop, but I fight harder. His stride picks up as the rumbling noise gets closer. My mind screams that if I want to live I cannot get in that car with them.
Craning my neck over his arm, I see a motorcycle coming up the ramp fast. I pray that he lets me go when the driver spots us, but he doesn't. Glancing over his shoulder, he dismisses the motorcycle and continues to drag me toward the black sedan where the other men are already inside.
My attacker picks up his pace and begins running faster with me. The motorcycle driver sees us and guns the throttle on the bike, coming straight at us. Taking a chance that the last remaining energy that I have will be enough to save me from being taken by him, I lean forward planting one foot hard against the ground and then twist my other leg behind him, sticking it between his moving legs. Our tangled bodies cause me to fall forward and as he releases me he tumbles face down on the concrete.
Not realizing how close the motorcycle is, I inadvertently roll my body directly in its pathway. The driver swerves, narrowly missing me. Tucking my head into my arms and curling my body inward, I can’t see if it's going to hit me or not, but I hear a loud skidding sound followed by a thunderous crash. A few moments later I hear total chaos, the men yell followed by four popping sounds. Panic consumes my entire body, my muscles go ridged, but I manage to tighten my arms around my head after hearing a guttural animal like scream, echoing off the walls. I realize that the inhumane noise is coming from me.
“No, no, no, no, no, no.” My screams continue rumbling off the walks.
Anxiety washes over me while fear causes me to breathe hard and I struggle to get air in and out of my lungs. Within seconds I start hyperventilating unable to calm my breathing. Two strong hands grab my upper arms causing me to freak out more. Without a cognizant thought left in my head, my arms and legs automatically begin flailing around violently, trying to get free.
“Stop it! Dammit, stop it now! Fucking, stop kicking your damn leg!”
I can't think beyond fighting against their hold, so I continue thrashing around wildly. Screaming indistinguishably, I keep struggling against the hands that hold both of my arms. Finally looking at him, I realize he is not the guy that was beating me earlier because this guy is wearing a motorcycle helmet. I finally grasp that he is the driver of the motorcycle. Still unsure of where the other guy is, I pull back and crawl away from him.
Spotting a gun in the front waistband of his jeans, I quickly flip onto my knees, struggling to stand so I can run away. The motorcycle guy allows me to retreat, but yells again, stopping me dead in my tracks by calling my name. I twist around as he removes his helmet and I realize this is no man. The driver of the motorcycle is a woman and I know her.
“Breesan, I need you to trust me. You have to calm down. I know you don't know me, but my name is Sam, Samantha Walker. I'm Marcus' sister.” Sam raises both hands in the air, a sign of surrender, letting me know that she's not going to hurt me. She cautiously takes a few steps toward me. I look around the parking garage and don't see the black sedan or my friends anywhere. They're gone. Anna and Waverly have been taken from me.
Rushing over as I drop to my knees, Sam reaches me in time to catch me, preventing me from hitting the ground. I hear a muffled sound and see her talking on her phone. She shoves it back into a pocket then jerks me up, pulling me to my feet. I am aware that she is speaking, but my hearing is now dull and I can't understand a word she is saying. My mind is buzzing with a numbing sensation. My vision begins to distort with blind spots eclipsing Sam’s face. I want to slip away so badly.
“You keep your shit together.” Shaking me hard, Sam screams loud in my face. “Do you hear me? We have to move. Now! Move your ass Breesan, we're leaving.” She drags me toward the bike, lying on its side. Lifting it with a loud grunt followed by kicking a leg over it and straddling the seat, Sam starts the loud beast and turns toward me. “Breesan get the fuck on the back of this motorcycle now or so help me god I'm going to slap the shit out of you.”
I can’t move. I’m frozen in a strange hypnotic state that keeps me from doing anything. Sam reaches a hand out, grabs the collar of my shirt and roughly pulls me toward her. I mechanically climb on the back and wrap my arms around her waist. Soon Sam rushes us down the ramp and out of the parking garage. Reality is too much for me now. Sam screams something else at me, but I lose all fight and my mind slips into oblivion.
Chapter Nine
Marcus
Rushing through the city center wanting to get back to Breesan, I take the last turn that leads to the hospital. Signaling to the trailing vehicle of my upcoming turn into the parking garage, I slow down while turning in. Suddenly, I hear a loud noise and spot a motorcycle matching Sam's, descending from the top of the exit ramp.
Distracted by the bike, I turn too soon and feel my right tire bump the curb. Quickly shifting my attention back, I am two seconds from running over Raithe. I jam down hard on the brakes just in time. Raithe is panting breathlessly, pointing toward something to my left. I look back in the direction of the exit ramp again and realize Raithe is pointing at the motorcycle.
It is Sam. She's not wearing a helmet and she has Breesan riding on the back. What the fuck?
Noticing me at the same time, Sam waves me to follow. Throwing my Jeep into reverse, I back out into traffic and after a few quick maneuvers without incident I am on the road leading toward Rhys’ house. Breesan's body is draped over Sam's back and an all-consuming fear rushes through me. As we speed through town in the pouring rain, my heart rate increases too. Wrecking that motorcycle with both of my girls on it would be the death of me.
The gates to Rhys compound stand open allowing our three vehicle fly through, one after the other. Sam rests her bike practically inside the front door and kills the switch, just as Raithe and I park.
“What the fuck Sam?” I yell running over to them. “Is she hurt? What happened to her?”
Breesan's head rests against Sam's back, eyes closed and body unmoving. Her clothes are drenched, caked with dirt and her body is covered in blood. Not waiting for an explanation, I reach and pull her off of Sam.
“No!” Fighting against me, Breesan begins screaming in a strangled plea, “No! Leave them alone! Get your hands off me!” She waves her arms not wanting me to touch her. I can't stand her fearing me, and only want to comfort her, so I reach out for her again.
“Wait Marcus,” Sam yells. Twisting around to Breesan, Sam takes hold of one of her violently thrashing arms. “Breesan get off the bike.” Sam orders and Breesan obeys, dropping her arms loosely to her sides. After they're both off the motorcycle Sam draws Breesan into an embrace. Breesan’s eyes are open, and glazed over. The level of despair in Sam’s eyes isn't something I would've ever expected. “Here,” Sam passes Breesan over, depositing her into my arms.
Bringing her into a tight e
mbrace with her head tucked against my chest, I let out a heavy sigh feeling relieved the moment our bodies connect. Breesan wraps her arms securely around my waist and I relax more now that she is receptive to me.
“Son of a bitch.” Bending over at the middle, placing both hands on her knees, Sam lets out a string of cuss words. Frightened by her yelling Breesan's body crushes into mine, trying to put space between her and Sam.
Lowering my mouth against her ear, I whisper, “Baby, I've got you now. Shhh, it's okay, I promise nothing is going to happen.” Pressing my lips on her forehead, I trace several kisses down her face.
Sam lifts her head hearing my words, followed by arching an eyebrow and then the sides of her mouth curl upward. Breesan trembles uncontrollably. Seeing her so distraught causes my heart to beat frantically and my mouth suddenly goes completely dry. I can't stand to see her hurt or scared. Gripping the back of my shirt so tight in her fist, she buries her face into the middle of my chest.
“She’s…” Still struggling to calm her breathing, Sam pants, “in…shock….Passed out… on me… pulling out of the hospital.” She takes a deep breath, “I had to hold her up while steering my bike…so I could get us the hell out of there.” She blows out another heavy breath, “Damn I'm fucking worn out.” Raithe wraps an arm around Sam’s shoulders, helping her straighten up.
Panic and anger begins building inside my chest as I growl, “What the hell?”
“This storm is getting nasty and I'm soaked to the bone.” Sam glances at Breesan. “Let's get her inside before she gets sick. Rhys and Kole are on their way to the compound. Take Breesan upstairs to the empty guest room, first door on the left. I'll grab her some dry clothes to change into.” Sam adds, “And before you ask, I'm only telling this story one time so we're waiting for everyone.” She turns her back on us, walking into the house.
“Better do as she says.” Raithe shrugs his shoulder then says, “You know Sam’s stubbornness is epic. I want to know what the hell happened too, but it won't do a bit of good to argue.” I nod fully aware of my sister’s temperament. Lowering his eyes, Raithe adds, “Sorry I fucked up Marcus.” I nod, but can’t say anything in response to his apology.
I pull on Breesan's arms wrapped around me, trying to loosen her grip, but she won't budge. Speaking softly into her ear again, I somehow manage to reach her in the darkness that she has mentally escaped into. Finally, Breesan’s arms drop slack. Bending down, I lift her legs into my arms and sweep her body against me, carrying her inside the house toward the guest room.
Not giving a damn about getting the bedding wet, I place Breesan in the middle. Without hesitation, I climb in beside her, pulling her damp body into my arms. She snakes her legs around mine and buries her face into my neck. Feeling her searching out comfort in me relieves some of the knotted up anxiety in my chest. As I begin making shushing noises, hoping to soothe her, Breesan relaxes her hold and begins taking deep breaths, but she’s still lost to me.
The cold chill in the house causes goose bumps to rise all over her body. With my foot, I manage to scoot the blanket from the end of the bed up. Reaching it with my free hand, I cover us and where her flesh touches my flesh warmth begins to soothe both our bodies and minds. The storm outside is raging while inside we seek comfort in this embrace. I need her. Breesan’s soaking wet body shakes violently in my arms, but all I can think about is she's safe and I am never going to let her go.
Finally, Breesan’s trembling slows until she becomes completely still. For the past half hour I’ve been talking to her, but she hasn't responded once. Loud voices and stomping footsteps quickly ascend the stairs, coming toward our room. With wild eyes Breesan jerks her head up followed by pulling her body away from me. When I yell at Rhys and Kole to shut up it causes Breesan to draw further away. I reach for her arm, but she resists at first. So I slide my body across the bed moving closer to her. I know Breesan is in shock, but I fucking hate seeing her like this and being unable to reach her mentally is damn near killing me. I need her to come back to me.
“Sorry Marcus.” Rhys says walking into the bedroom followed by Kole, Raithe and Sam. “We need Breesan to tell us what the hell happened up there.”
All of them come over and stand next to the bed. Sam places clothes on the counter in the bathroom, and then sits on the edge of the bed behind Breesan. Reaching a hand up, she begins tenderly smoothing Breesan’s hair down her back. Her eyes hold the same concern that mirrors mine. Sam gives me a questioning look and I shake my head, knowing that Sam wants Breesan to come back too.
“Not right now Rhys.” Sam says, keeping her gaze on me. “She's in no condition for questioning.”
“Again? Mother...” Pacing the room, Rhys is pissed. “How long is she going to need this time? I mean seriously this shit is getting out of fucking control. I think I've had enough of the drama that surrounds this girl. What the hell are we supposed to do in the damn meantime?” He stops in front of me and says, “We need to know why the hell some guy was beating the hell out of your girlfriend, but we won't know that answer until she decides to return to the land of the ....”
“Dammit Rhys she's in shock.” Sam interrupts his rant. “I'll tell y'all what I saw. Then when Breesan is feeling up to it, she can fill in the holes.” Rhys grunts and I nod in agreement with her idea. Still running her hand over Breesan’s hair, Sam sighs, “As I was cresting the top of the ramp on the second level I noticed a car backing down the middle of the garage at a high rate of speed with the back passenger door open. I slowed down slightly hoping they would see me and prepared to go around them if they didn’t. In my peripheral I noticed a guy coming from behind one of the large columns and he was carrying a girl.” Sam’s eyebrows draw in and she corrects herself, “More like dragging a girl. She was under his arm and he was clutching her around the neck. Terror was written all over her face. Hoping to intercept him and prevent him from hurting the girl, I gunned the throttle on my bike.”
My gut wrenches as she recounts the scene and what terror Breesan must have endured up to the point of Sam’s arrival.
“Apparently Breesan came up with a plan too.” The corners of Sam’s mouth tips up. “The next thing I know, her leg tangles between his and I see them trip. He rolls one way and she falls…right in front of my damn motorcycle.” She shakes her head. “I swerved to miss her and dropped my bike on its side. As I was crawling out from under the bike I hear another guy yell at Breesan’s attacker to move his ass. I am fairly certain that he called him JV. I drew my gun and yelled for him to freeze. He didn’t and then I saw the second guy get out of the front passenger side, drawing a weapon too. He fired off a couple of shots at me before they took off. But…I did hit the first guy.”
Pausing just a moment to take a deep breath, Sam averts her eyes and focuses on Breesan. I stretch my hand out and she takes it before continuing her story. “It was a mortal shot Rhys. He won't…” She glances at Rhys, and then looks back at me. “He won’t last long. I hit him on his spine or very near it just above his right ass cheek.” She curses under her breath. Tears filling her eyes, Sam looks up to Rhys again. I also look over to him and see that his anger has been replaced with sympathy. He looks like he is battling a demon himself. He knows what she is feeling because he has been in her situation before. Although Sam's been in law enforcement for several years she's never shot someone and if it turns out to be a mortal wound there will be an investigation.
I can only imagine where her mind is going with this whole situation. She's most likely thinking about the hell our father is going to raise about ruining the unblemished Walker family name. We have both heard Barret’s shit about what being in law enforcement means or doesn't mean to him. He doesn't see it as an honorable career the way Sam and I do.
Facing Rhys, Raithe clears his throat and says, “Rhys, I'll alert the shift supervisor to be on the lookout for the vehicle. We're looking for three suspects, right?” Sam nods. “Okay, well, it's unlikely that they will take tha
t fucker to the hospital, but just in case I’ll notify the ER.” Speaking to Rhys again, “Also, I think I'll run down to the docks. Maybe we’ll get lucky and I will find them trying to slip away. If I do I'll call you.”
Raithe walks over and stands in front of Sam extending his hand. She accepts and he pulls her into his arms. Glancing over at Rhys her body stiffens, but relaxes after a moment.
“Sam, we'll get these bastards. Just don't worry about what happens next. Okay?” Sniffling, Sam bobs her head against Raithe’s shoulder. “Honey, if I was the one shot at, I would have done the exact same thing. It could have been you Sam and that's just not acceptable.” He pulls away, lifts her face with his finger under her chin and stares into her eyes. “Understand me? If it's you or him, then he gets it in the ass every time. A storm brews wildly behind her gray eyes, but she nods her head then sits back on the bed with me and Breesan. “Yeah?” Raithe asks her, needing confirmation.
“Yeah,” Sam whispers. “Thanks Raithe.”
“What was she doing with those guys, Marcus?” Leaning with his back against the wall in front of me, next to Sam, Kole stares at the floor with a fierce determination etched on his face before glancing up at me. “You've been watching her for a while now. Do you have any idea who the men are?”
An angry growl deep in my chest forces its way out, but not wanting to scare Breesan again I speak through gritted teeth. “Hell no, I don’t know who they are! Breesan doesn't spend time with anyone other than Anna and Tristan.” Breesan begins moaning and her body tremors start up again. I watch her facial features contort into pain as she whispering Anna's name repeatedly. “What the hell?” I ask solemnly, staring at Sam who also appears puzzled.
