My hands went back to shaking as I worked on getting her loose from the chains now that she was no longer bound to the radiator. With every snip of the cutters into the thick iron chain links her body would twinge in some small way, letting me know that she felt it. I had to concentrate on what I was doing so that I didn't cause any more damage, bring her any more pain. The room started coming in to view then and I realized just how filthy the surroundings were, even more so than my little preview out in the hallway. That she'd been left here like this was a slap in the face. Whether he knew who she was or her connection to us, I didn't really care, this shit was personal. The question begged to be answered, if I had taken her up on the coy smiles and come hither looks, would she be in this hell right now? A resounding 'no' was my answer to myself. There's no way. If I had taken my head out of my ass sooner, she would be home right now safe and sound. U
I kept my hand on her as we drove through the quiet streets; she seemed to need the contact as much as I did. Now that she was out of there and I had eyes on her I could breathe easier. Still I fought back the bitter anger that threatened to crawl up my throat with each moment that passed. Every once in a while I would say something soothing to her, but her deathly silence was beginning to worry me. Was it because she was hurt, or because she blamed me? And why not? I blame myself. I couldn't help thinking that that last night she'd been at the compound had I been more receptive she wouldn't be broken now. Why had she been there, what had happened between the time she left us and ending up in an animal's hands? Where did they take her? Had she even made it home? So many questions. Shit, I didn't even know if she had any family, anyone I should call to let them know that I had her. It seemed strange that I didn't know. But that just goes to show how muc
"Baby can you hear me?" Her silence was beginning to scare the shit outta me. I've seen more than my share of traumatized people in my life, and I know that the next few hours can make a difference in the way she heals. It didn't matter what she'd been through no matter how horrible, I couldn't let her disappear in her head, couldn't let her escape there though it might seem like the best thing for her. I didn't want her blaming herself the way I did all these years, for something that was no fault of hers. Something a monster had brought about. Of all the things I would've shared with her, my legacy wasn't one of them. How fucked was it that we now had this in common? That for the rest of our lives these memories will be a part of her, just as I'd carried mine all these years? Right then and there I made a promise to myself, no matter what it takes, I'll get her through this. I was through running, I hope to fuck I wasn't too late. Fuck that no!
I didn't realize I was crooning to her as I took care of her, the way I'd learned to do with Zakira when she needed settling. I looked down at her poor abused face, trying to find the laughing, flirty young girl who had caught my eye, but who I was too chicken shit to acknowledge. Why was it so easy to let myself feel now, when I had fought it from the beginning? Now when it might be too late I accepted the fact that none of it mattered, that I had been a blind fool these past coupla weeks. I wasn't in the market for what she was selling, or so I'd told myself. I didn't want what my brothers seemed hell bent for leather to find. That shit just wasn't for me, though some days I yearned. I knew though that if I was ever going to take the plunge it would be with her. But I wasn't there yet and didn't know if I would ever be, until right now. I'd rebuffed her at every turn; anyone else would probably have given up long ago. Maybe the third or fourth time I'
I caught up to them just before they entered the door. "Okay listen to me, she's in a really bad way, I need you to prepare yourselves, no don't cry Dani if you cry I won't let you in there and I need you in there." I willed her with my eyes on hers to suck it up. I saw the struggle the two of them had as they fought back emotions. I'd forgotten how close they all were, that even though I'd been shutting her out, she was already a part of our family in her own small way because she knew the girls. That too had changed in the twinkling of an eye. Now she had an even greater claim to us, to our home, she was mine. No longer just a friend, an outsider, but one of the fold. "We straight?" they both nodded and I studied them to make sure they weren't bullshitting me before opening the door and leading them inside. "Baby I'm back, I brought the girls to take care of you." Just as I expected, they didn't ask any questions when they saw the bruised and batter
There was enough speculation surrounding us as it was, but this shit was not going to go unanswered. If the town's people chose to believe their assumptions as to what kind of men we were I give a fuck. Half of them believed we were a renegade biker gang anyway so what if what I was about to do convinced them of that? Meanwhile ever since we landed we've been knee deep in bullshit that had nothing to do with us. All we'd wanted was some peace and quiet. This seemed like the perfect place to do that, a fresh start. It had been the commander's childhood home, a place he'd raved about to us more than once, so when he left it to my brothers and I we felt the love that the gruff old bastard had never quite put into words, but had been felt nonetheless over the years. But ever since we got settled it seemed like life was destined to keep us in the midst of bullshit. It might not be the fucking deserts of Afghanistan, but it was just was worrisome to us, and much clos
I'm not gonna call Lo on his shit again, he's just reaching now. We all have the utmost respect for Lo's leadership skills, but he knows this shit has nothing to do with combat and his command. "Well there's one thing wrong with that bro, we're not in the zone right now.""Oh yeah well that won't stop me from kicking your ass." Ok so now he's pissed, fucking A, but do I want to take this shit out on my brother? I was slipping, I know I was, and even having them here wasn't making that shit any better. I'd held the shit in too long and now I needed an outlet. "You can try fucker..." I made a play for him and felt Con's arm tighten around my neck. "Alright hold it both of you. Let's remember that we're all on the same side here. Ty get in the fucking truck because you know none of us are gonna let you go in there like this." Connor placed himself in front of me and refused to budge. I drew in my breath and willed the haziness to clear from my vision. My
The two of them were surrounding her little form on the bed as she slept. "Thanks sis." I kissed each of them on the forehead before dropping my gear on the chair. "I'll watch over her now, your men are out there and thanks for snitching." They both looked guilty as hell though there was no real heat in my voice. I couldn't be too mad at them. If it had been one of my brothers I probably would've stopped him from making that move too. The difference between my brothers and I, and the thing I was sure at least Con and Lo would be on the lookout for, is I won't stop. I might be cool now, but past experience have taught me that it won't take much to set me off again. They both kissed my cheek before filing out to go to their men. I'm sure they were exhausted and probably a little scared that this could happen to someone they knew. I pulled the chair up close to the bed so that I could hold her hand as I watched over her. Tiny as fuck, that's what I saw. Sh