On that thought, my phone rang I reached to the nightstand, glanced at the display and answered.
“Hey, Mum,” I greeted, happy to hear from my mother.
“Hi there, sweetheart, not catching you at a bad time am I?”
I sat up in bed, leaning against the headboard. “No, I just woke up.”
“Oh that’s good dear, how are you? How’s Amy? How is your brother? Gosh I miss him, we hardly ever hear from him. The day he retires from the Army will be the day I sleep sounder,” she stated, sounding emotional after her quick-fire questions.
I sighed and set out to quell my mother’s worry, if that was humanly possible.
After a long conversation and a quick talk with my father, who was a man of few words, I rang off feeling emotionally lighter. Talking with my family somehow made me feel better even if I hadn’t told them what was going on.
“I think I’m ready for a beer. Or five. And I need to sleep in my own bed, how long is this lockdown shit going to last? My patience is like, worn the fuck out,” Amy complained, collapsing on the couch at the store. It had been another busy day, and we were exhausted.
I looked up from counting the till with sympathy. “I feel you, sister. There is only so much time a girl can spend in a biker clubhouse, especially with limited wardrobe options.” I sighed, thinking of my walk in back home. “If we don’t get this shit sorted by tonight I’m going to hunt down these fuckers and give them a beat down,” I declared, feeling feisty.
This earned a snort from one of the prospects, who had pulled babysitting duty for the day. I glared at him, not for the first time. I didn’t like him at all.
He leered at Amy all day as well as anything walking into the store wearing a skirt. He had a shaved head, beady eyes and a gross goatee that made him look like a sleaze bag, which by his actions today, was a right assumption. He had ignored my glare to take a phone call.
Amy met my eyes. “Before we beat down any rival gangbangers, can we start with him?” she asked pointing her eyes in Taylor’s direction, currently outside talking heatedly with someone.
“He is seriously sleazy, his beady little eyes have been creeping me out all day.”
“You and me both,” I replied, gathering up the cash I had counted. “I’ll go put this in the safe then we will get to those beers,” I called over my shoulder, walking out the back.
I started towards my office, then noticed the back door which led to the back alleyway was open. Something settled in my gut. I didn’t leave that open, in fact, it had been locked. Shit. I turned to call to Amy and came face to face with the scariest looking guy I had ever seen.
Tattoos everywhere, even on his face and a distinct spider crawling up his neck. I had never seen someone with tattoos pretty much covering his entire face, they were meant to intimidate, and by the look on his face, this guy definitely meant me harm.
I dropped the cash, opening my mouth to scream as well as preparing to kick him in the nuts. None of this happened, the goon just smiled, holding something up to my neck, and then everything went black.
Chapter Fourteen
I woke up slowly, feeling groggy and confused. It took me a moment to remember what happened and another second to realize I was tied up.
My hands were bound over my head and I was somehow hanging off the ceiling, my feet barely touching the ground. My dress had been taken off and I was clad only in my bra and underwear.
Panic began to set in, memories flooding back to the last time I had all my power taken away from me. It took all of my effort not to hyperventilate. My breathing was already laboured from being in this position.
I slowly lifted my head to survey my surroundings. I was in a garage by the looks of it, a tool bench was directly across from me, scary looking instruments were scattered atop it. I gulped, seeing what looked like dried blood covering them.
“I see the princess has awoken.”
Scary man strolled into my vision and a couple of equally scary guys stood behind him, arms crossed, glaring at me.
Fuck, this situation was all too familiar, and I was terrified beyond belief. Fear a physical thing taking over my nervous system.
I took a breath. No, this time I had someone who would come for me. Cade would come for me.
Scary guy stood so close to me I could smell his rancid breath. He stroked my cheek and I flinched away, trying to stay balanced even though my wrists were burning and my legs were jelly.
“Don’t know how Cade landed a high class piece like you, can’t wait to find out what you taste like,” he drawled.
My stomach lurched as he ran a hand down my torso. “Well, basic hygiene was a start, you seriously need a tic tac,” I replied sarcastically, with false confidence.
He glared at me, pulling my torso flush towards his, so I could feel his erection. “You’re not going to be so smart after I’m done with you, bitch. Although I do hope you have a little more fight than the last one, the fun was over far too quickly for our liking.”
He leaned in and licked my cheek.
Bile rose up in my throat and I struggled not to throw up. Fire ran through my veins as I realized he was talking about Laurie. This is the man who killed that poor girl, the man that almost killed Bull and scarred the club. The fucker.
Fury replaced my terror, fury at this disgusting excuse for a human, someone who thought he had the right to hurt people, to ruin lives. I brought my knee up to connect with his crotch with as much force as possible. He doubled over, grunting in pain.
“Get your filthy hands off me, you piece of scum,” I hissed, relishing in the fact I caused that sick man pain.
He straightened, and without me realizing it was happening, his fist connected with my face. My head cracked to the side and pain pulsed through my skull.
“You bitch!” he snarled, punching me again and I felt my lip split.
My eyes watered, but I’d had worse than this, I could handle this. I spat out blood that had flooded into my mouth.
“That the best you can do, you pussy? My grandmother hits harder than that.” I smiled at him and watched as his tattooed face turned red.
I was prepared for the next punch that landed on my stomach, but the pain still surprised me. I hoped he hadn’t cracked a rib, those took ages to heal. I was forced to stay upright, my binds making me unable to fall. My ribs were on fire, but I didn’t let it show.
He smiled, the same smile he gave me back at the store, before turning his back to me. “You obviously have some problems learning when to shut the fuck up, don’t worry, I’ll teach you, and I’ll enjoy it too.” He turned, holding a very scary looking pair of pliers. “Maybe I’ll start by ripping some teeth out, then you won’t be so inclined to mouth off.” His voice was ice.
I began to tremble. Shit, this is bad. This guy was obviously a psychopath and by the looks of those bloody pliers, he had done this before. Before he could take another step towards me, all hell broke loose.
The doors, which must’ve lead into a house, crashed open and the two goons who had been quietly watching pulled guns. The sound of gunfire rang in my ears and I saw the two men go down.
I watched in horror as Scary Guy pulled a gun and started shooting at the door where Bull, Brock, and Cade were standing, guns drawn. Scary Guy was standing in front of me, which I guessed was why none of them shot back, in fear of missing him and hitting me. Instead, Bull rushed forward, in the path of bullets, and tackled my would-be torturer to the ground. He wrestled the gun out of his hands and commenced in beating the shit out of him.