Lark (Carter Family Book 1)

by Roxanne Greening

  Slipping from the black Cadillac I smoothly open the trunk. The array of weapons I could use spread out before me. Bats, knives, guns, brass knuckles a classic, crow bar, tire iron, grandees, piano wire, rope, duck tape, screw drivers, hammers, cigar cutters, and so many more.

  Reaching in I grab three .45 glocks with silencers. Slipping them into the shoulder holsters I place the other in the holster flat of my back.

  Slipping a knife into each boat and one up into the sheaths attached to my wrists. Running my fingers over the grandes I let the want rise.

  It's been some time since I’ve used one of these and honestly, it was a beautiful thing to see. The smoke as shrapnel flew was an art most didn’t understand.

  I knew how this goes the boss was Brandons the rest well they were mine. Slipping into the shadowed bushes I slowly stalk towards the kitchen door.

  My movements calculated as I blended into the environment around me. Opening the door, I let my amusement rise. No one was in the kitchen not a cook or a soldier.

  They were all this fucking cocky something I never understood. You keep the house guarded men everywhere and yet the kitchen was always open.

  Vanity was most man's undoing. Dumb fucks think they're invincible like no one would dare come for them. I guess in a way there were right, I'm not just a man I'm death.

  Men pissed themselves at the mere thought of facing me of being on my list. My silent movements kept the house, unaware of my presence.

  The dinning room was guarded the man had his back to me grabbing him from behind I press my hand into his throat crushing his windpipe.

  His attempt to warn the others cut off before it could leave his thoughts. With a twist of my hands, his head turned with a vicious snap.

  The sound of his neck breaking and the life leaving him was the only sound in the kitchen. Dragging him to the kitchen I slowly lower his body to the tile floor.

  “Van?”

  The silence was his answer.

  “What the fuck man you know the boss will be pissed if you're snaking again.”

  Turning I eye the man lying silently on the floor. The slight pudge in his abdomen confirmed the man was a snacker.

  “Van come on man..”

  Wrapping my arm around his throat, I place my hand under his chin and the other on the back of his head and twist. The crack of his neck effectively ended whatever he was going to say. Pulling him away from the door I place him on the floor a few feet from Van.

  This was taking too long. Bethy was in bed waiting for me all her smooth tan skin begging for my touch. Slipping into the dinning room, I pick up the pace.

  Grabbing another solider I press my arm into his neck cutting off any sound he may make I pull the gun from my right holster with my left hand.

  Shooting his partner in the knee before putting a bullet between his eyes. The silent shots drew in another man. He took two to the chest and one to the head.

  Placing the tip of the silencer against the man I was holding's head I pull the trigger. Blood splattered on the wall next to us. A few drops landed on my black shirt.

  The house was warm and inviting as I made my way through the rooms. Taking every man who stood between myself and their Don.

  Walking into a room of five had pleasure rising. Shooting the furthest I pull a knife and slam it into the closest man to me. Up through the soft flesh of his chin.

  I could feel it pierce his tongue before slipping into this brain. It was over in a second, but it felt like minutes. Grabbing the idiot charging at me, I remove the knife from his friend and place it in his eye.

  The soft tissue gave way easily as it slipped into his brain. Shooting the man by the window as the blade found its home, I quickly turn and fire another round into the foot of the next man.

  His shot hit the man I was holding his dead weight a shield as I killed all the remaining men in the room. The bodies dropped with a thud.

  I thought for sure the sound would alert the others, but the silencers on the other weapons concealed the sounds of our shots. Each shot made a slight whistle sound almost as if someone was trying to whistle and failed.

  The sound was beautiful and whenever I heard it, I thought of death. Walking into the hallway, I come face to face with a shocked man.

  Placing a bullet between his eyes, I watch as he hits the door at his back and slides down it leaving a trail of blood. Turning I shot the next in the chest right in his heart.

  His eyes became big right before the bullet hit. The one behind him, took a bullet to the knee and then to his heart. Running I grab the man trying to flee and twist his head hard.

  The body count was rising as I made my way through the house. It wasn’t long before I was standing in the don's office. He was completely unaware of my presence.

  Engrossed in the porn he was watching. I wanted to sink my blade into the back of his head. I wanted to feel his spinal column separate as it made its way into his throat.

  Slipping up behind him I place my blade to his throat pressing slightly. A bead of blood welled as my blade slipped under a few layers of skin.

  “Fuck!”

  His heavy accented Russian scream was comical really.

  “No one can hear you.”

  His body stiffens as my voice washes over him I could almost feel the realization of the situation sinking in.

  “Lark?”

  “You fucked up. Going after a sons of the apocalypse old lady not a very wise move on your part.”

  It's not like our affiliation with them was unknown. He knew what he was doing and the cocky bastard thought he was untouchable.

  “Please forgive my momentary lack of judgment.”

  “I'm not here to take your life.”

  I could feel his relief as his body relaxed into the plush leather chair, he was currently sitting in.

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me. Your life belongs to another.”

  And just like that his relief vanished and his body tightened. My blade sunk deeper into his flesh.

  “I will pay you double what they are paying you.”

  “Double of nothing? It was a direct request one I gladly took.”

  I hated men like him. They thought the world was their playground that all things in it were there for them to play with. The numerous lives they steal and snuff out had my fingers tightening on the blade.

  Woman and children among them. They had no rules skin trade was were most of their income came from. I hated the thought of innocent children and woman being sold into slavery.

  My sister could have been among them. I have yet to find her. I felt new hope when Jaxson and Jason found Emilia. I thought I would find her my little Ariella.

  We lost so many of our female children years ago and still we search for them. Emilia was the first to be found and now we have a new place to look.

  Foster care. Something we had overlooked.

  “Pease Lark we have worked together many times.”

  “Yes and the pay was lower than most.”

  “Is that what you want more money?”

  “I already told you I get paid nothing for this job I’ve wanted to kill you for years, but your life is promised to another.”

  Removing the knife I slam his face into the desk hard. Reaching for the duck tape and rope sitting on his desk, I secure him to the chair he was siting in.

  He had these on his desk in plain sight that meant one thing. Someone was here and I had a feeling she wasn’t here willingly.

  “Where is she?”

  I watch as he spits blood onto the desk.

  “Go fuck yourself.”

  I would find her with or without his help. Grabbing his hair I slam his face into his desk again. Without a word or a backwards glance I make my way from the room.

  The staircase loomed in all its marble glory. It was tacky as fuck. Swiftly I climb them, I had a feeling I knew where she was. Passing all the doors I come to the double solid cherry wood doors at the
end of the hallway.

  The hell that waited behind them hidden behind their gloss exterior. Pushing them open I watch the woman chained to the bed, scramble as she tried to make herself invisible.

  She looked bruised but her clothes were still intact a good sign.

  “I’m not here to hurt you.”

  Her blue eyes poured tears as she tried to hide her face. Looking at the wall behind the door, I grab the keys hanging from it.

  She would have been enabled to see them. It would have taunted her. Freedom so close and yet unattainable.

  “What's your name?”

  Her eyes widened as I closed the space between us. Her fear written all over her posture. Placing the key into the cuff I turn and watch as it slowly dropped from her wrist.

  “Kayla.”

  Her soft voice warmed my ears.

  “Can I trust you Kayla?”

  She slowly sank into herself again.

  “Can you keep what happened here a secret?”

  Her nod had my shoulders loosening.

  “Are they dead?”

  “Yes.”

  “Who are you?”

  “My names Lark.”

  Grabbing her hand, I slowly pull her to her feet. She was malnourished and weak. Swinging her up into my arms I walk from the room.

  “You may want to close your eyes Kayla.”

  “NO! I want to see I want to see them all dead!”

  Respect. I felt a small amount of respect for her as we picked our way through the bodies to the kitchen door. Not once did she turn away not once did she make a peep.

  “I have a place I can take you to a safe place.”

  I waited for her protests, but her nod told me all I needed to know she had no place to go. I thought of handing her over to the brothers of the sons of the apocalypse mc maybe even the blazing devils.

  But I knew of another MC. The Aces and particularly Kevin. The other boys have their hands full. She needed care and protection.

  I wanted to make sure she was the only focous.

  “Do you have a problem with bikers Kayla?”

  “No.”

  Her whisper was full of uncertainty.

  “I wouldn’t save you only to hand you over to another piece of shit.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She's sorry?

  “Don’t fucking apologize you did nothing wrong.”

  Setting her in the passenger seat I close the door. I will leave her with my number in case she needed anything. I had a feeling Kevin was going to take good care of her.

  Climbing into the driver's seat the black leather creaked under my weight. I look at her. Kayla was stunning. Her long blond hair and blue eyes reminded me of an angel.

  Oh yeah, he was going to have his hands full.

  Chapter 18

  Bethy

  The breath stilled in my lungs as his dark eyes met mine. He was leaving. I wonder how many would die tonight. I wanted to ask questions, but I could see it written all over his face.

  He needed to leave and I couldn’t hold him back. Something in me whispered he would stay if you simply wished it. I couldn’t do that to him.

  “How long?”

  “It may take all night.”

  His lips crashed into mine in a biting kiss. Reaching around his head, I press myself into him. Kissing him deeper, kissing him harder.

  “Will you come here?”

  Holding my breath I wait for his response. I wasn’t so sure I was ready to hear. What if he didn’t? What if he did?

  “Yes.”

  And just like that my heart melted. Closing my eyes, I let the air tell me where he is. Each movement categorized by the shift of fabric.

  Soon it was silent and I knew he was gone. Lying back, I drift between the here and now and the peace sleep brings.

  The house phone ringing had my body jerking. Sweat formed on my body as if I knew the call was bad. Like I feared picking up the line. Was this a dream?

  “Bethy?”

  The whispered plea had my stomach clenching as it sank to my feet.

  “Joycelyn?”

  Oh god, please let this be a dream. I could hear the terror in her voice. Her fear almost a rancid taste in my mouth.

  “There are men here. I don’t know what they want Bethy.”

  “Where are the girls?”

  “In the closet imunder the bed.”

  I wasn’t so sure I liked that they were separated.

  “Why are you under the bed?”

  “It seemed to be the smart thing to do.”

  Smart thing? Was it? I couldn’t think all I knew was someone was in the house with my Lilyanna and I was here where I couldn’t protect her.

  “Bethy what do I do?”

  “Call the fucking cops!”

  She did that right? That was common sense. This was Joycelyn I was talking to.

  “I should have done that.”

  Oh, I was going to kill her. Peel her overly tan waxed skin from her body if anything happens to my girl. Reaching for my pants I place the phone between my shoulder and ear.

  “Behty?”

  “Yes?”

  “I can hear them their outside the door.”

  Her voice was barely a whisper.

  Turning I look for my cell phone. Lark programed his number in there I hope. Running I grab it and look through my contacts it was taking too long.

  “The doors opening…”

  “Listen to me keep quiet and don’t move I'm coming okay?”

  “Yes.”

  Her hesitation spoke volumes. She didn’t have faith in me, not that I blamed her. Pressing the cell to my ear I try to focus on her labored breathing as I begged Lark to answer.

  “Bethy?”

  “Lark I need you.”

  “Bethy..”

  “There are men at Joycelyn’s house.”

  I spoke so fast my tongue scraped my teeth painfully. I was bitting it in my need to tell him everything and keep my ears on the other line.

  I could feel the cold over the line as his anger surfaced.

  “Listen to me Kitten. Do not fucking move do you understand me? Don’t fukcing leave the house I'm coming.”

  He wouldn’t make it, I could hear the unspoken words in his voice.

  “Lily..”

  “Will be fine, I'm coming.”

  My instincts screamed to listen to, believe him, but the mother in me roared drowning out all sane reasoning.

  “Bethy…”

  Joycelyns screamed my name as the phone hit the floor. I could hear her body as it dragged across the floor. The sound fist meeting flesh was followed by another scream.

  Then the sounds of little girls crying and men laughing. I broke. Something inside me crumbled and turned to dust. Dropping both phones I curl in on myself.

  Mentally, at war. I needed to move to run to her to save my baby, but my mind checked out as if it closed in on its self. I couldn’t face it.

  My instincts came roaring back. Slipping into my cloths I reach into the night stand. Joe left a gun and I wasn’t naive enough to never figure out how to use it.

  Whenever he left and Lily was away, I would go practice. I never knew if I would need to use it on Joe and I didn’t want to be a statistic.

  Running from the house I push with everything in me. The sound of my feet hitting the cement walkway as I ran sounded like gun shots in the night.

  A darkness ate at me. Was I going to make it?

  Chapter 19

  Lark

  Kevin had yet to remove his eyes from Kayla. The more he stared and refused to answer, the more I wanted to punch him in the face.

  It was a simple question. Would he take her in and keep her safe? It was a simple yes or no. If he didn’t hurry it the fuck up I was going to make a few changes to his pretty boy look.

  “Yes or no?”

  My fingers clench as his focus remained on Kayla. It was comical at first but now it was pissing me off.

  “Ke
vin.”

  The coldness in my voice should have been an indicator. Sure, I could dump her and walk away something I would have done before.

  Before her, before Bethy. She changed me. The thought this could be her has kept my feet planted in place. My rock solid patience running a little thin.

  I get what had him a little out of it. Kaylas tiny frame accompanied by her long blond hair threaded with gold and her deep blue eyes gave her the fallen angel look.

  She held no candle to my Bethy. The very woman waiting for me right now. What little restraint I had left snapped. Reaching for Kevin I could almost feel his neck in my grip.

  The sound of my phone ringing had me pulling back. He's fucking lucky someone liked his ass because he just got bought a few extra minutes.

  “Bethy?”

  I listened to her quick inhale and everything in me froze. The words she said next had my blood boiling and every dark hidden spot in me rising to the surface.

  My phone creaked under the pressure of my fist.

  “Lark man?”

  My eyes connect with Kevins who finally pulled his head out of his ass. I didn’t have time for his bullshit Kayla was his I had to go.

  “Hey man wait the fuck up.”

  I wasn’t waiting for no one I was done with this shit. Without pause, I keep walking anger was controlling my every move.

  “What the fuck man.”

  Kevin grabbed my shoulder. Stopping I look at his fingers.

  “I suggest you remove them before I take them.”

  He knew I would. I don’t care how long we’ve known each other.

  “Lark I just want to help.”

  “Lily needs me.”

  “Who the fuck is Lily?”

  The way he said it had my hackles rising. Grabbing his throat, I give it a slight squeeze.

  “Mine. My family.”

  “Fuck man I didn’t know.”

  Releasing him I continue walking.

  “I'm coming man, but what the fuck are we walking into?”

  I couldn’t answer that because I was going in blind.

  “Shit! Fuck! Okay, if I die today I’m haunting your fucking ass do you hear me?”

  “I wouldn’t lose any sleep.”