by Lauren Hunt
Kids were beating the hell out of me daily. None of the adults cared. It wasn't until Ian took me under his wing and taught me how to use my fists, that I learned self-reliance.
This spot in the back of the boarding school was where I fought back for the first time in my life. The bullies stayed away from me after I sent that boy to the hospital. I had solved my problem with my fists and I didn't regret it for one second.
I knocked a couple loose bricks out and knew I'd hit the right spot. I reached my hand in as far as I could, straining and stretching. I pulled out a small rectangular tin box—the same box that I kept under my bed when I was kid.
I wiped the dirt off the top and opened it. A few ziploc bags full of cash were inside. I didn't even know how much was in there. I had stopped counting a long time ago. A guy in my line of work couldn't keep their money in a bank. If I were ever sent to jail, the cops could confiscate all my assets. This tin box was my little secret stash that nobody knew about—not even the O'Malleys.
I stuffed the bags of cash into plastic grocery bags and carried them back to my car. That should be enough to get Tempest and I started in a new country. Mexico would be good place this time of year. I imagined Tempest and I sipping margaritas on the beach, listening to the crash of the waves, enjoying the beautiful sun.
But we had to escape first.
I raced back to my apartment, doing my best to stay under the speed limit and not break any laws. I couldn't afford any heat at this point. If the cops stopped me with all this cash in the passenger seat, they'd surely bring me downtown to ask some question. Better to be safe than sorry.
I parked my Dodge a few blocks away from my apartment in an alleyway where nobody would find it. When the O'Malleys started looking for us, they would start with my car since it will be missing from my house. That will allow Tempest and I just a little bit more time.
I came upstairs to my apartment to find the door wide open. My heart jumped into my throat and my hands curled into fists. “Tempest?” I called out. The front door had been kicked in. I raced through the apartment clearing each room. I spotted my old duffel bag sitting on the bed. My shotgun lay on the floor in the bathroom. I picked it up and examined the gun. It hadn't been fired or loaded.
A spot of blood lay on the cracked wood floorboards.
The O'Malleys had taken Tempest.
Tempest
A blinding pain in the back of my head woke me from sleep. I felt groggy—like after a long night of partying. I opened my eyes and realized that I wasn't in Ryker's apartment anymore. I tried to move my hands but they were tied behind my back.
My memory came barreling back to me. I remembered two men breaking in. I tried to shoot them with the shotgun but it wasn't loaded. Mental note: Get Ryker to teach me how to use a gun. Then I was hit over the head.
Could this get any worse?
I was sitting in what looked like the living room of a log cabin. The walls were wood and big beams were exposed up above. A large fireplace stood in the center, a fire crackling inside. The place was full of taxidermy: dead squirrels, fish, and a giant bear in the corner. Where the fuck was I?
I tried again to break my restraints but the more I forced it, the more they cut into my wrists. “Hello? Is anyone there?”
A bald man poked his head out of the bedroom. “Russel, we got a live one.” His accent was distinctively Irish. He had to be one of the Murphy brothers.
Two tall and buff men came out of the bedroom walking together. They had very different builds than the ones that kidnapped me from Ryker's apartment. The one on the right was the bald guy from before. Gold rings glittered on every finger of his right hand. From Ryker's description, he had to be Ian. The other guy was a little older, had long brown hair, and tattoos covering every inch of his skin except for his face. Definitely Russel.
“Welcome back,” Ian said, kneeling down in front of me and rubbing his cue-ball head. “I can see now why Ryker wanted to keep you all to his self.”
“She's one hot piece of ass.” The other brother ran his finger down my cheek. I snapped my head to try and bite him but missed. “This one is feisty. I like that. Keep that attitude for when we have a little fun later. I love biters.”
“What the fuck do you want?” I asked.
Ian laughed and settled on a evil grin. “What do you think we want?”
They both looked hungry. They looked me up and down, eyeing me like a piece of meat. They'd take my body before the day was done. I had to do whatever it took to stop them.
“Please I don't know anything.” I shook my head, trying to keep from crying. I had to be tough. Tough for Ryker.
Ian palmed my chin and squeezed my cheeks until my tongue rolled out. “This mouth looks good enough to fuck, doesn't it Russel?” He turned my face so Russel could get a good look.
“Looks nice, but I think I'd rather fuck those big tits of hers.” Russel grabbed at my blouse and ripped it down until my breasts in a black bra were exposed. “God damn, those need to be sucked.”
“Please don't,” I begged, trying to speak with Ian still squeezing my face. The tears came out and I cried at just the fact that I couldn't stop myself.
Ian let go of me. “Just tell us where the dealer is and we won't touch you. Simple as that.”
“I already told Ryker everything I know.”
Russel glanced at Ian and then back at me. “We both know that Ryker has a soft spot for women. He wouldn't lay a finger on you. But don't think that we'll give you the same courtesy.”
“I don't know where he is,” I blurted out.
“Wrong answer.” Ian backhanded me, his gold rings catching my lips. I saw stars for a moment. Blood trickled from my mouth and dripped onto the floor. “Tell us where he is!”
“I don't know!” I screamed out through my tears.
Conner knocked Ian out of the way. “We could sit here all day and beat the living shit out of you. But that gets boring after awhile. We're going to take our turns having you over and over again. That's going to happen no matter what. But we can make it easier on you.” Russel produced a baggy from his pocket. The grayish powder was instantly familiar: heroin. “Tell us where the dealer is and we'll take all the pain away.”
The veins in my arms craved it—pleaded with me to take it from them and inject it immediately. It had only been a couple days since being clean and it was the longest I'd been clean since I started. With a high I'd be able to deal with whatever they were going to do to me.
But I couldn't go down that dark hole again. No matter what they did to me. I wasn't that junkie anymore. I was Ryker's girl now.
“No thanks,” I replied, spitting in Russel's face.
Russel wiped my saliva from his cheek. “I'm liking this chick more and more. You'll be moaning my name soon enough, bitch.”
“Now we're trying to be nice here,” Ian said. “Tell us what you know about the dealer or we'll shove this junk down your throat.”
Russel bent down and opened the baggy in front of my face. I couldn't let them do it. I needed to buy some time. “All right, all right. I'll tell you where he is.”
“Good girl.” Ian smiled, waving Russel away. Russel closed the bag of heroin and walked away.
“Jenkins is in California.”
“California?” Ian asked. “What would he be doing in California?”
“He told me once when we were high, that if he ever got a big score, that he'd retire in California.” It was all bullshit, every word. I never spoke much with Jenkins. Just let him do whatever he wanted to my mouth in exchange for a high.
“California's a big state. Your information doesn't help us much.”
Sweat was dripping down my temples. I knew Ian would want more info. I'd never been to California before and the only city I could think of was Hollywood.
“He said he wanted to move to Hollywood where all the movie stars live. If you give me a map I can show you exactly where.”
Ian slapped my cheek
lightly. “Now see, that wasn't too hard.” He turned towards Russel. “Find me a map of Hollywood.” He glanced back at me and grabbed his balls. “Don't get too comfy now. The real fun is about to begin.”
They both left the room and I finally let out all my breath. I needed to escape. I'd rather die than let them take my body. I struggled with the restraints some more but it was no use. They were tied to a pipe behind me. How was I going to get out of this?
Ian returned and I knew it was all over. “I get you first,” he announced, the most devilish grin stretching across his face.
“No...please don't. I did everything you asked.” I pulled on the restraints as hard as I could trying to break the pipe. “I told you where Jenkins is. Now let me go!”
Where was Ryker when I needed him most?
“There's no use struggling,” he said, walking slowly towards me. “This is going to happen whether you like it or not. And I know your going to like this.” Ian unzipped his pants and unveiled his hard boner. I shut my eyes and turned my head out of disgust. His cock was only inches away from my face. The thought of biting it off came to my mind. There was no way in hell I was going to let him near me with that thing.
“Ryker will come for me,” I said defiantly.
Ian cackled. “Oh I hope so. He needs to pay for his betrayal. I might tie him up and make him watch as we take our turns with you. Then I'll slit your throat right in front of him. I'll only end his life when he's endured enough suffering.”
A crash behind us delayed the activities.
“Oy Russel, what the fuck you doing back there?”
Ryker came out of the room dragging Russel's body limp body behind him.
My hero had come.
Chapter Eight
Ryker
Tempest was gone and the O'Malleys had her. I was so stupid thinking she would be safe at my apartment. I ran all the way back to my Dodge Charger, not paying attention to my labored breathing or burning muscles. All that mattered was Tempest. I'd do whatever it took to get her back—even if it meant my life.
My car raced through the streets, weaving in and out of traffic. There was only one place Tempest could be. The O'Malleys and I had a fallback plan in case the cops were ever on to us. We were to go to the log cabin on the edge of the lake. It was a remote area and far from civilization. I'd been there a couple times with them, securing the place and making sure we had everything we could possibly need in the event that we had to stay for a long period of time.
I pulled off the freeway and navigated through the wooded area on a dirt path. My knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel too hard. I was going to kill the O'Malleys if they touched Tempest. Breaking their necks with only my bare hands would give me no satisfaction. These men were my brothers for so long. But they had crossed the line.
When the log cabin came into view I parked to the side of the road. I needed to approach it on foot. I was most likely walking into a trap. I needed to be careful. I wasn't going to let my rage mess this up.
I hid behind some dense bushes and watched the log cabin. I counted two of Murphy's henchmen, holding AK-47s. One guarded the front door while the other made the rounds around the cabin. Only two men? Surely the O'Malleys thought more of me than that. I'd have to take them out quietly. Couldn't afford raising the alarm.
I sneaked around the back of the log cabin and waited in the shadows for the the one goon to come around. I'd only have one chance at this. If the man screamed, my surprise would be blown. I listened carefully and heard his footsteps coming closer. The sound of leaves breaking and twigs snapping increased. I pulled out my switchblade and popped it open.
The man came around the corner and I sprung into action. My left hand covered his mouth while my knife slipped under his chin, slicing his throat open. The man squirmed in my grasp, blood spurting out of his neck. I slowly lowered him to the ground and he was dead. I picked up the AK and slung it over my shoulder, knowing that I wouldn't be able to use it.
I rounded the cabin and peeked around the corner at the guard by the front door. He had no clue what was about to happen to him. I picked up a rock and threw it about fifty feet in front of the guard. It made a loud crack as it hit another rock. The guard became alert and drew his AK. I waited patiently as the guard tiptoed forward. I came up behind him and did the same to him as I did to his buddy. I dropped him to the ground and blood gurgled out of his mouth as he tried to speak to me.
I looked through the window and spotted Ian and Russel talking alone. I wouldn't be able to take them both at the same time. I needed to wait for them to separate. But where the fuck was Tempest? I didn't have much time before they realized their guards were all dead. I crawled on the ground and peered through the window that looked into the living room. There she was. Tempest was sitting against a wall with her head down. She was still alive.
Ian came into the room and I ducked out of the way. I'd take out Russel first. I quietly opened the front door and turned to my immediate left to the bedroom. Russel had his back turned to me, looking at a map on a laptop. I had to kill him before he saw me. It wasn't the death he deserved but it was the only way.
I popped up behind him and clenched his head with both hands. I twisted with all my might. Russel's head snapped around and made a pop. His body became lifeless instantly and dropped to the ground.
“Sorry old friend,” I whispered to him. I dragged his heavy body out of the bedroom and heard Ian calling out.
I came into the living room and dropped Russel to the ground. I drew my AK and pointed it right at Ian's chest. All I had to do was pull the trigger and this entire nightmare would be over.
But Ian was pointing the end of his pistol right at Tempest's head.
“Don't even think about it, Ryker. One move and I'll blow her brains out. Put your gun down.” Ian forced his pistol against Tempest's temple. I did my best to avoid any eye contact with Tempest. One look from her and I'd go weak in the knees. I needed my whole focus on the task at hand. Our lives depended on it.
I placed my boot on Russel's dead neck and pressed down just a little. “Let Tempest go and I won't kill your brother.” Ian didn't need to know that his brother was already dead. He looked like he could be passed out. I didn't leave any visible marks on him.
“Let's not get too hasty here, Ryker. How are we going to settle this?” Ian was beginning to sweat. He knew I was just crazy enough to kill Russel. And he was right because I already did it. But I also knew he was evil enough to kill Tempest and not feel a thing.
“We settle this like we did back in school. No weapons. Just our fists,” I proposed.
Ian grinned the same way he used to back in school when a fight would break out. He loved the sound of bones crunching and the feeling of beating a kid within an inch of his life. I know because he told me. Ian tossed his gun to the side and I could hear Tempest breathe a sigh of relief. I lifted my boot off of Russel and dropped my AK to the ground.
Ian cracked his knuckles and raised his fists in a defensive stance. “Last time we got in a fight, I nearly killed you, Ryker. What makes you think this time will be any different?”
I craned my neck to side until it cracked and jumped on my toes to loosen my body up. “Last time I let you win. Wouldn't be good to beat the boss now would it?”
“Fucking liar,” Ian growled, charging at me and throwing the first punch. He was fast. But not fast enough. I ducked under and sent my fist flying into his stomach. Ian doubled over and bull rushed my legs. I lost my balance and fell over, crashing backwards onto the ground.
“You son of a bitch! You betrayed me!” Ian climbed on top of me and battered my face with blows. Every hit brought me back to the schoolyard. Those bullies used me as a punching bag everyday. Ian saved me from them but I realized that all I did was trade one bully for another.
Time to take back my life.
I brought my knee up with all the force I could muster and knocked Ian off. My head felt dizzy and I ha
d to use my knee to lift myself off the floor. Ian grinned as he stood up to meet me. He always loved a good fight.
“This ends here, Ian. I won't be your bulldog any longer.”
Ian laughed. “You think you've already won? I taught you everything you know, Ryker. And I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
This time it was my turn to charge Ian. I gathered all the rage in my heart and channeled it into my fist. I swung hard and fast, aiming for Ian's head. His arm came up for a block and deflected my blow. Ian returned with an uppercut to my chin that sent my head rocking back. The dizziness became more apparent. I didn't know how many more blows I could take to the head.
