They did something though. My brow furrows. Her reaction, the way she was sick, I hope all they did was make threats toward me. I can take anything as long as she’s safe.
“What did they say, Cat?” When she’s slow to respond, I repeat with a growl to my voice, “What did Gun tell you?”
Her face turns to meet mine. There’s no animation at all in her normally sparkling green eyes. From somewhere she seems to gather the strength to tell me. “They made me stand against a wall and…” she swallows hard, “photographed me. They were fucking joking about finding a buyer for me. Someone who doesn’t mind a bit of extra weight.”
A buyer? Fuck no. If that’s their plan, they’re not getting away with it. “That’s not going to happen, Cat. I promise you.” I’d willingly give up my life before they sell her as a fucking sex slave, which is clearly the implication.
I’m at a disadvantage. Fuck, I should have taken my chance before when most of my body still worked. Have I got something to trade? Information to give to Gun?
Betray my club?
My conscience pricks. Cat’s worth the world to me, but can I balance her against honourable women and men? I can be clever, give Gun something. If, that is, I’ve anything he wants. Give up Pip?
Pip offered to sacrifice himself to save Swift. He’d understand.
I’ll do anything. “I’m going to get you out of here, Cat.” Even if it means giving up myself, and one of the men I respect most in the world.
My determined tone gets through to her. Her face rises and her eyes land on me, then she shakes her head. Her words are both mocking and sad. “You’re hurt, Stormy.” Fuck, her eyes are full of sympathy as she tells me the truth.
I’m hurt, badly, I know, and there’s already far too much blood on the floor. But if there’s a way that’s humanely possible, I’ll get us both out of this. Cat doesn’t deserve this to happen to her.
Day turns to night, night turns to day. We sit, each restrained in our separate chairs. Cat drops off into an uneasy sleep, jerking awake quickly. I want to tell her I love her, tell her I’d go to the ends of the earth, deep into the depths of Hell itself to save her, but I don’t want to give too much away. The camera’s still on us, and I won’t give Gun more ammunition. Putting us together was clearly a ploy, hoping we’d let something slip. Whatever I’ve got to use, I will. But it will be in my time, and when it’s best to save her.
The next morning they return.
When Gun releases her, she drops to the floor. “Get up.”
“Please, no.”
We’ve got time, haven’t we? They won’t move her until they’ve got the truth out of me. Let her go, I scream inwardly.
Gun sighs, giving off a fake vibe he really doesn’t want to do what he’s about to instruct. “Hit him again.”
It makes Cat cry out immediately. “No, I’ll come!”
Don’t. I’ll take anything if it keeps you safe.
“Cat. No!” I try to scream, but it comes out more as a grunt.
It’s too late for both of us. Meekly and stiffly, she drags herself to her feet and walks out without one look my way.
If her intention was to save me from further punishment, it doesn’t work. As Cat is led out and I’m wondering whether I’ll ever see her in this life again, Gun stays behind. He uses his fists, the baseball bat and his knife. I’m more dead than alive, but still conscious as he intended when at last he steps back.
“I’m going to take a little trip with your woman. When I get back, we’ll finish this.”
“Don’t do this, Gun.” Somehow I get the strength to push out the words. “This isn’t you. You’re a SEAL.”
He shakes his head. “You never knew me at all, did you? Don’t worry, I’m not letting you die. Yet. We’ve still got to have a conversation. And you will talk. You know as well as I do what I can use to encourage you.”
He won’t. I can withstand any torture.
But it’s a promise for the future. Now the baseball bat comes into play again.
The world goes dark.
25
Swift…
I sit back on the couch, one hand holding tight to Road’s while the other gently strokes App. It’s good to be home and to have my man back with me.
He’d returned earlier than I, me only two hours ago. The time since, we have spent wrapped in each other’s arms. I’m feeling content and satisfied now.
“Can’t you two keep your hands off each other?” Bolt barks a laugh as he walks past. If I had a free hand, I’d show him my finger. Just one, I don’t have the energy to move two right now. Yeah, my man’s fucked me good. And I fucked him right back.
Road’s already updated me that as expected, his mission went without a hitch. It was mine that had proved more interesting.
Taking a seat opposite, Cowboy asks, “So how was San Diego?”
But the prez interrupts, “If everyone’s here we can move this into church. I was just waiting for Swift and Road to re-emerge. Bolt’s ready and waiting for the debrief.
“Yeah, we had to wait until after you two fucked,” the man in question calls out.
“Come on.” Road moves forward putting his weight on his feet. I let him pull me up, but don’t let go of his hand. I’ve missed him, and I’m going to make the most of being back.
Homecoming never felt so welcoming before I had him on my side. I only let him go when we move to different ends of the table.
Snatcher waits until everyone’s seated before banging the gavel. “I know Swift and Road have business to attend to—”
“Think they’ve already done that, Prez.” Thor barks a laugh.
Prez glares at his VP, turns back to the table and continues, “So this meeting will be quick. I’d just like to know how it went in San Diego.”
Slipping into professional mode and sitting forward, I start, “You all know what Lost and his crew were up against, a particularly deviant pornography ring.”
“Yeah, we did the leg work on that,” Honor, sparing a nod toward Duty, interrupts. “Work is still progressing to bring it all down. Feds are grateful if bemused about where the information is coming from.”
“Yeah, thanks for that.” I give credit where credit’s due.
“I was looking for more of your gut feel on how it was working with another club,” Snatcher clarifies.
I purse my lips, trying to put my thoughts into words. “Better than I expected, to be honest. Oh, I got some shit at first due to the lack of a dick, but they overlooked that fast.”
Bolt chuckles loudly. “I don’t think they now see that as a drawback,” he states, making me grin.
I raise my chin toward him, “I kind of thought we’d have to swoop in and take over their problems. I know you told us to work with them, Prez, but I’ll be honest, I didn’t think they’d have what it takes.” I pause and glance around the table. “I have to say, I was wrong. I’d be happy to work with them in the future, and if the other chapters have half the calibre of men they have there, I’d not hesitate to do the same with them.”