Making the Cut (34 page)

“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 humanely 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’s 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 am 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 sleazebag, 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, who was 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 lead 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 I came face to face with the scariest looking guy I have 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 however, the goon just smiled holding something up to my neck, and then everything went black.

Chapter 14

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. I also realized that my dress had been taken off and I was clad only in my bra and underwear. Panic began to set in, and memories started flooding back to the last time I had all my power taken away from me. It took all of my effort not to hyperventilate. 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 are scattered atop of it and I gulped seeing what looked like dried blood on 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, I felt terrified beyond belief. 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 felt like 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.

I felt my stomach lurch 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 that 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 some blood that had been flooding 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 at my ribs, but the pain still surprised me. I hope he hadn’t cracked a rib, those take 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 by the looks of those bloody pliers he has 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. Cade appeared in front of me taking my scantily clad body and battered face in with a mask of fury and concern. Quick as anything his face changed and he gazed at me with an expression so gentle I almost cried. Yes this is what made me cry, not the man who had just punched me in the face and was about to pull put my teeth. I was so weird.

“I’m going to get you down okay baby.” He murmured in a voice so soft it was hard to believe he had possibly killed two men.

He reached up with a long knife and cut me free of the rope holding me to the ceiling. I collapsed into his arms, unable to hold my weight. His arms circled around me, holding me tight. Brock appeared in front of us, shrugging off his cut then his shirt, handing it to Cade who grunted thanks.

“Arms up baby.” Cade ordered quietly.

I obeyed silently and he pulled the shirt over my head covering me. He cupped my neck with his hands, face thunder looking at my no doubt battered face. He gathered me in his arms and glanced at Brock.

“I’m getting Gwen out of here.” Cade grunted.

Brock just nodded.

“You two on cleanup, the boys are on their way.” He barked before striding towards the door. I regarded the bloody scene clinically, none of it sinking in.

Brock gave Cade a hard look, then directed a softer one at me.

That was all I saw before Cade took us through a dirty house and out onto the street. We were in a seriously dodgy neighborhood, nowhere that looked familiar, and I wondered where the hell these bastards had taken me. I didn’t have much time to contemplate this as an SUV screeched in front of us at the curb. I jumped for a moment, thinking it was more of the Spider’s.

“It’s okay baby it’s the Lucky.” Cade told me quietly.

Lucky jumped out of the drivers seat and hissed when he saw me, his normally carefree face marred with fury.

“Those fuckers dead?” He barked at Cade, his voice almost feral.

“Yep.” Cade clipped. “You take my bike, I’ll take Gwen in the cage.”

Lucky nodded tightly, starting to the house. He stopped in front of me, stroking my cheek softly before continuing.

Cade opened the passenger door, depositing me carefully on the seat before buckling me up. Our eyes locked for a beat, something passing from him I didn’t entirely understand, but something important. I didn’t get long to scrutinize it as he closed my door and rounded the car. He took off quickly, weaving through the streets at speed.

“Where are we?” I whispered, trying to find a familiar landmark.

“Barnett, next town over.” He replied, eyes focused on the road.

That would make sense as to why I didn’t recognize where we were. Silence descended as we left the town behind, the road looking all but abandoned. I felt overwhelmed, but numb at the same time, my brain not being able to handle all the crazy shit that had just happened. My face was hurting like a mother fucker, not to mention my ribs which felt like they were on fire. I gingerly touched my lip, wincing at the pain that erupted. Cade must’ve seen this because he slammed on his breaks and pulled off the road. He was out of the car and by my side at lightening speed before unbuckling me and turning my body to face him. He lightly touched my face, eyes hard.

“You hurt anywhere else?” He asked evenly, voice flat.

I gulped and glanced down at my torso, not being fooled by his flat tone, I knew he was barely restraining his fury but he would see my ribs sooner or later. His eyes followed mine and he lifted the edge of Brock’s tee up to expose my ribs. I heard his hiss of breath as his eyes encountered the purplish bruise already forming. His stare came level with mine, eyes glittering with caged fury.

“They touch you?” He managed to grind out, I knew how much he feared the answer, looking like he was barely holding on.

I clasped my hands around his neck, pulling him between my legs. “He didn’t touch me, you got there in time. I knew you would.” I spoke softy.

His eyes focused on my lip, the bruise that I knew was already forming on my cheekbone, his huge palm spanned my ribbed touch feather light.

“I didn’t get there in time, the fucker put his hands on you. Had you hanging off the fucking ceiling in your underwear.” His voice was almost a snarl. “He marked you. You’re
hurt.
”

“You don’t get it Cade, I knew you would come. I have been in that situation before, and I was paralyzed with fear last time…” Cade’s eyes became midnight at my words, body stiff. I tightened my grip on his neck. “This time I wasn’t paralyzed with fear, I didn’t feel hopeless. Because I
knew
you would come for me.” My voice was fierce.

Cade stared at me for a second as if he was mentally pulling himself together. He closed his eyes then plastered my body into his, my butt left the seat and I had no choice but to wrap my legs around his waist. He held me tight, face in my hair.

“Fuck baby when I got that call you’d been taken. I never want to relive that moment as long as I fucken live. You were gone for four hours, longest four hours of my life. Knew the boys were one step away from locking me down, but I couldn’t have that. I knew how terrified you would’ve been, not knowing what was happening to you, the way we left things. I walked through that door, not knowing what I was going to find, but if you hadn’t been whole baby, I would be Bull, breathing, existing, but not
living
.” He pulled his head back, resting his forehead on mine. “Need you Gwen, like I need air. This life is fucked, it ain’t what you deserve, but I am going to clean this shit up now. It will never touch you again.” His voice was firm, resolved and I believed him.