A Ride or Die Kind of Love

by Chelsea Camaron

  I screamed as loud as my hoarse voice would let me. Even though my mouth was duct taped, the sound was enough to travel through and strike a nerve with Frankie.

  “Cut the bitch’s tongue out!” he screamed at Crazy who looked a little skeptical, but walked towards me, pulling his knife out of the holster. I screamed louder, pulling on the ropes that had cut into my wrists, but I felt no pain.

  Out of my one good eye I could see the excitement in Frankie’s face. Out of my one good nostril, I smelled the revolting scent of Dennis’ breath. Out of my two ears, I could hear my screams and Frankie’s laugh. I could hear Dennis’ harsh breathing and the sound of Crazy’s footsteps, but above all of that, I could hear the rumble of motorcycles.

  The realization hit Crazy first. His face fell as his ears perked up, making sure that he had not been mistaken by the sound. He turned to Frankie whose smile had turned into a grimace. Both men shared a silent moment between each other as they weighed their options.

  “Another time, Dennis,” Cutter snapped turning and heading for the door. He turned before he got there and gave a chivalrous bow. “Until we meet again, Miss Dallas.” He ran out the door with Crazy and Dennis close behind him.

  As the door swung open, I could see motorcycles speeding across the yard. When they stopped, I could hear Luke’s voice barking orders. “Don’t let them get away!” I started screaming and crying at the wonderful sound of my rescuer. My staccato screams sounded nothing like a scream due to the hoarseness of my throat, but I tried anyway.

  Luke busted through the door that had swung shut and I cried harder at the sight of him. His face was contorted with worry, disgust, failure and pity, but the one emotion that outshone the others, was love. He ran towards me but even when he was right in front of me, I couldn’t stop screaming.

  “Shh, baby. I’m here. I’m here.” His voice was so soothing and calm that it made me cry harder. He flipped open a pocket knife and rushed it towards my face, causing me to scream and move out of his grasp. I knew he wasn’t going to hurt me, but the sight of the knife scared me. I wanted it nowhere near me.

  Realization hit him and anger flooded his face before it changed to compassion. He held his hands up, as if trying to coax a wounded animal.

  “I’m just going to cut the tape off of you, baby, and let your hands free, okay?” I nodded my head, still crying and whimpering. I looked up to see Regg coming through the door at full speed. When he saw me, he immediately lowered his eyes and slowed. I watched as he removed his cut, and then his t-shirt and walked up to Luke with it.

  “Help me, Regg,” Luke said with desperation.

  “Cut her hands down first,” Regg demanded.

  Luke cut the ropes that were confining my hands and I fell into Regg’s waiting arms. I could feel the blood begin to circulate through my body. My hands had turned purple and were swollen. Luke threw the knife to the floor and carefully grabbed me from Regg’s arms. My head lulled back onto his arm and he readjusted, trying to make me more comfortable. I had absolutely no strength left to move.

  Regg retrieved the knife and came back over to us. “Alright, Dallas, I’m gonna cut this tape from around your mouth first, and then we will get it out of your hair, but it’s tight so I need you to hold really still.” I tried to nod my head, but instead I blinked my one good eye.

  Regg slipped the tip of the knife under the tape and with one quick movement, pulled it from my mouth. I thought as soon as the tape was off that I would want to suck in a deep breath, but I didn’t have the strength to do it. Regg covered me as best as he could with his shirt, then Luke carried me across the yard and into the house. I didn’t pick my head up to look and see if the others were still here, but all was quiet when we entered the house, so I assumed that they were not close by.

  When we got to the kitchen, Luke sat me down on a barstool and asked for some scissors. I could hear him talking. I wanted to answer him, but my mind would not function enough for me to tell him anything. Regg began digging around in drawers while Luke looked at me with pain in his eyes.

  “I’m gonna take care of you, baby. I think you’re in shock right now, but you will get through it, okay?”

  I continued to stare blankly at him. My tears had stopped and I felt like nothing but a blob of blood, guts, and bones. I had no feelings. I was completely numb. Regg must have located some scissors, because he and Luke were trying desperately to cut the tape away from my hair, salvaging as much as possible.

  “I’m going to bathe her, Regg. Will you see if she has some hot tea or something?” Luke asked. His voice was pleading and fighting for control, but it was slipping.

  “Sure thing, brother,” Regg answered and began digging through the cabinets in search of tea.

  I knew what was going on. I could see the events happening before me, but I couldn’t react. It was like I was frozen. Luke scooped me up into his arms once again and took me to my room. He sat me on the bed and walked into the bathroom to begin running water. I knew that he was only in the next room. I could see his shadow from my bed, but not having him touch me, filled me with panic. If I couldn’t see him, then he couldn’t see me. I needed him to be with me. He could leave if he chose, later, but not until I knew I was safe.

  Tears poured down my face and harsh sobs shook my body. I tried to call out to him but it came out as a squeak. “Luke! Luke!” He walked back in to see me shuddering, sobbing, and crying. I wanted to stretch my arms out to him, but they were so sore that they wouldn’t go past my waist.

  “I’m here, baby. I’m here. I won’t leave you, I swear. Baby, I am so sorry that I wasn’t here, but I’m here now and no one is going to touch you. I promise that I will kill anyone who comes within a hundred yards of you,” Luke said his own eyes shining with unshed tears. “Come on, baby, let me get you cleaned up.”

  He picked me up and placed me in the hot water. I didn’t realize how dirty I was, until the water darkened with the dirt from my body. Mud and dirt caked my legs and feet. My fingernails were dirty and torn from clawing at their skin. My wrists were chaffed and bleeding in some spots, but what made me feel the dirtiest was where their hands had touched my body.

  I began to scrub my breasts with my hands, trying to erase the feel of their touch. Luke watched me intently. Understanding my movements, he leaned up and let the dirty water out. He adjusted the running water once again and yelled for Regg, causing me to jump. “What you need, man?” Regg asked from the door. He turned so his back was to us when he saw that I was in the tub.

  “Can you grab me a big plastic cup?” “Yeah man, be right back.” Luke turned back to me and swallowed loudly. “Baby, did they touch you?” he managed to choke out.

  My answer was another sob and my head in my hands.

  Luke gently pulled my head to his chest and held me while I cried. “It’s okay, baby. It’s okay,” Luke soothed.

  Regg walked back in and discreetly handed Luke a cup, then disappeared. Luke was on his knees beside me at the tub. He began rinsing my body while I kept my head on his chest. He gently pushed me off of him and gently bathed me. He wiped my face, being careful around my swollen eye and mouth, and then continued until I was clean. I noticed how he paused while bathing my most sensitive areas, but I never moved. I just stared like a zombie straight ahead.

  Once I was clean, he dried me as much as possible in the tub, and then lifted me. My limp body was not helping him, but he managed to dry me completely. When he sat me on the bed and went to leave to find me some clothes, my hands gripped his shirt with just enough force to stop him.

  “I’m just going to get you some clothes, baby. I’m not leaving.”

  I shook my head in response, not letting go of him. He nodded knowingly and picked me up like a child, wrapping my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. I laid my head on his shoulder while he walked with me latched around him into my closet to get me some clothes.

  “Will you sit here for me and let me dress you?” h
e asked as if he was talking to a small child.

  I nodded in agreement and he sat me in the chair at my vanity table, then dressed me in some panties and a sleeveless satin nightgown that fell to just above my knees.

  “You look so beautiful in satin, but I prefer you in my black t-shirts,” he said smirking.

  I wanted to smile at his comment, but I couldn’t. Once I was dressed, he carried me out and place my on my bed. I kept a hold on his hand while he undressed. He wore shorts under his jeans and I wondered if it was because he dressed in a hurry. It was difficult for him to undress while holding one of my hands, but he never complained. He slid me over to the middle of the bed then crawled under the covers behind me, pulling my back to his stomach.

  “I know this is a stupid question, baby, but are you okay? I mean, do I need to take you to a doctor or call someone?” I shook my head and closed my eyes. I was safe. I was in Luke’s arms and he would not let anyone hurt me. Regg was in my kitchen and he would not let anyone hurt Luke. The club was close and they would look out for one another and us. It would take some time, but everything would be okay.

  Before I fell asleep, I thanked God for everything he had given me. I asked him to forgive me for blaming him when my parents died, and for selfish reasons only, I prayed for Luke to never leave me.

  I’m looking down and I see big red feet, a clown’s feet. They are large and at the top of them sit leather chaps. I raise my face to see that the chaps have been painted blue, red and yellow; the colors of a clown.

  The clown is dancing, moving his feet from side to side as if he is stepping on hot coals. He doesn’t wear a shirt, only a vest-a leather vest with orange patches. Luke is dressed like a clown. I smile as I raise my eyes to meet his blues ones, but they are black and belong to a face that has a big scar across it. I scream.

  “Shh, baby. It’s just a dream. I’m here, Dallas, I’m here.” Luke was rocking me, holding my sweaty body close to his and whispering reassurances in my ear. I turn over and sob into his chest. “I got you, baby. You are safe. No one is going to hurt you. I swear on my life. I love you, Dallas.” That’s all I needed to hear.

  Chapter 26

  I opened my eyes and found myself in my bed. Luke’s arms snaked around me. I’m not hanging from the rafters in the barn. I couldn’t see if it’s daylight or not because my right eye is still swollen shut. I tried to swallow but my throat was on fire.

  “Luke,” I whisper. His eyes immediately flash open. They’re still ocean blue, but are outlined in red and they’re blood shot.

  “You okay?” he asks, his voice full of sleep and concern. “Do you have something to drink?” I whisper to him hoarsely.

  “I can get you something,” he said moving to get up.

  “Don’t leave me,” I said louder this time.

  “Regg!” Luke called. Within seconds, Regg is at the door. He was freshly showered, dressed and looked like he has been up for hours.

  “What ya need, brother?”

  “Will you bring Dallas some ice water and orange juice, please?” Luke asked looking at me.

  “Absolutely.” Regg left and I turned my attention back to Luke.

  “How you feeling this morning?” he asked moving my hair from my face and tucking it behind my ear.

  “I’m scared, Luke,” I admit. I was scared of Frankie, Crazy and Dennis, but most of all; I was scared of Luke leaving me. Our whole relationship had been a lie. What if he didn’t feel like he said he did?

  “I know, baby, but you’re safe. We won’t let anything happen to you.” Regg came back carrying a tray with juice and water. I sat up in bed, then feeling exposed, I quickly covered myself. Regg was gracious enough not to comment, he just turned and left. Luke handed me the glass of water and I drained it without stopping.

  “Juice?” he asked sitting up beside me. I nodded my head and he handed me the glass. I managed to get down about half of it down before handing it back to Luke. I scrambled out of bed and walked to the bathroom. I was about to make my way inside when I realized that there were cabinets in there that people could hide under. The shower curtain was closed and I couldn’t see behind it. I started to breathe heavier. I placed my hands on the doorframe trying to steady myself, but before I could control it, I was hyperventilating. Luke was with me in an instant.

  “Just breathe, baby,” he said from behind me. He placed his hands on each side of my waist and held me until I regained my composure. “Come on,” he said taking my hand and leading me into the bathroom. I never let go, even as I sat on the toilet to pee. He held my hand the entire time that I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I knew I was being a little over the top, but anytime he wasn’t touching me, I panicked. I pulled him back to the bed and slid under the covers. He never hesitated as he laid down beside me and pulled me back to him, never letting go of my hand.

  I wanted to talk. I wanted to get this out there and off of my chest, but I knew that I wasn’t ready for it. But there was one thing that I had to know.

  “Will you leave me?” I asked him. I was facing the wall so I couldn’t see his face, but I knew he would tell me the truth.

  “No, baby. I’m here forever, if you will have me. I love you. I have never lied about my feelings for you.” I nodded my head, then closed my eyes letting sleep take me once again.

  Chapter 27

  When I woke, it was storming outside. The lightning and thunder were loud and competing with the sound of the hard rain hitting the metal roof. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was six-thirty in the evening, and my hand was empty. I turned over in bed to see the spot where Luke had laid was empty. I looked around the room and no one was there. They were under the bed.

  I sat up and closed my eyes counting to ten and telling myself that I was overreacting. I could hear voices from the living room. They were mumbled, but audible. Who was it? Our guys or the other guys? I couldn’t breathe. It was happening again. My chest constricted and all I could see was Frankie the Cutter dancing around me and placing his hands on me. My heart beat so hard that I was sure they could hear it in the other room. I decided the safest place at this point was under the covers. I dove back under the covers, pulling the blankets up over my head and tried to control my breathing.

  “Dallas? Baby, you okay?” It was Luke. He was in the room, but I was too scared to look. “Hey,” he said softly pulling the covers back from over my face. My body was shaking and I had broken out in a cold sweat. “Shit, baby, I’m sorry. I just went to the kitchen to grab something to drink. I’m here.” He climbed in beside me and took my hand bringing it to his lips.

  “Promise me you w-will take me with you next time,” I demanded still shaking.

  “I promise, baby. I won’t leave your side,” he said without hesitation. “You hungry?” My stomach growled on cue. I was starving.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, come on and I’ll feed you,” he said smiling and piecing my heart back together.

  “I need some clothes and the bathroom,” I said looking at him trying to express my need for patience.

  “Okay baby, whatever you need.” He started to stand and I pulled his hand back. He looked at me expectantly; ready to jump at my every command.

  “I’m not crazy, Luke,” I said shamefully and not very convincingly. He pulled me onto his lap and softly ran his hand down the good side of my face.

  “I know you’re not crazy. You have every right to be upset right now. This will take time, but I’m here for you.” He leaned forward and when his lips were an inch from mine, he paused looking into my eyes, searching for permission. I leaned into his kiss. Luke had kissed me many different ways. I can always decipher what mood he’s in when he does it. This time, there was nothing but love. This man cared for me and I knew it. He would go to the ends of the Earth for me. I felt it in my heart.

  He had a lot of explaining to do, and a lot of holes to fill in, but there was no doubt in my mind that he loved me.

  “I love
you, Dallas Knox. I will tell you everything, whenever you’re ready.” I smiled my best smile. The one he loved. The one that he compared to Christmas morning.

  “Okay, but you have to feed me first.”

  I was dressed and ready to face the day. I had a lot weighing on my brain, but my plan was to take it one day, one story, and one step at a time. Luke held my hand, as promised, when we walked to the kitchen. I stopped in my tracks when I saw that my living room and kitchen were filled with people. Every club member and ‘ol lady was there for me. They all stood and took turns hugging me and telling me that they loved me.

  Even Lindsey was there. Maddie was sitting in the corner of the room. She didn’t stand to hug me, but gave me a small smile. I knew she didn’t want to be here. I smiled weakly back at her, then looked around the room at my family. These people loved me. They were willing to fight and put their lives on the line, just for me. I had stumbled through life thinking that the best things could be bought with money. I had put relationships, families, and friends on a back burner just to climb the ladder of success. I was a different person now. I had a family that loved me, a best friend that was irreplaceable, and a man who I would give my very own life for. I had prayed for a damsel-in-distress moment once. Little did I know, that one defining moment in my life, saved me from myself.

  ABOUT AUTHOR

  Kim Jones is a writer with big dreams and a creative imagination. Her infatuation with the MC lifestyle inspired her to write a short story about a love affair between a prestigious young woman and a bad-ass biker. After falling in love with her characters, she turned the ten-thousand word short story into a novel. Juggling her writing and her role as ol’lady to her husband, Reggie, her first novel, Saving Dallas, was published in May of 2013. Saving Dallas Making the Cut, the sequel to Saving Dallas, was published in September 2013 and she plans to release Saving Dallas Forever, the final book in the Saving Dallas trilogy, in February 2014.