Six (7 page)

Chapter Ten

Blade

How in the fuck did I not know it was her?  Now everything she does reminds me of that little girl that night.  It must be her vulnerability.  She didn't act like that before tonight.  In fact she was quite the opposite, strong willed and independent, so I know she has some spunk left in her.  That fucker fifteen years ago may have tried to kill her inside, but I'll be damned if she didn't prove he had failed miserably.

I'm watching her closely tonight trying to see how she's taking tonight's insanity.  I can see her struggling with a few things, but with a little help from a few of us I can see her getting through this.  I can also feel my protectiveness kicking in.  My mind is searching for shit I need to do to make sure she's safe and we get these guys.  

What happened tonight is fucked up and I'll be finding out who did this shit.  I'll take them to trial.  My trial.  Where I'm the mother fucking judge who decides what their payment will be and I can guarantee you, they won’t pay with anything less than their lives.  I'll be sure to make it extra painful.

I glance down at my phone to see a message from Beast.

Beast:  I've pulled a few guys and I'm heading to the Inferno MC on a lead I have.  I'll let you know what I find out.

Blade:  We're taking the girls to the clubhouse, so stop by there after you're done.

Beast:  Got it.  See you tonight.    

There's no doubt in my mind that he'll bring me back any information he finds.  I'm going to try to focus on talking to the girls to see what they remember.  I'm hoping something will trigger another clue so I can find these fuckers.

"What do you remember?" They're both trying to get comfortable on my couch.  Piper looks at me first and starts explaining.  

"They entered after we did and one of them instantly harassed us at the bar.  We turned him down, only to have another try it on the dance floor.  When we went to the bathroom, they drug us out the back room and into the alley."

"Why in the fuck were you at the club in the first place?  Two women like you shouldn't be out by yourselves!"

"Excuse me.  You had your gorillas on us, so we should've been safe."  I lean against the bar when my sister snaps back.  I decide to switch the focus back to figuring out who the guys are while the girls have it all fresh in their minds.

"Did you recognize any of them?"  Piper turns to Tori, not responding right away.

"I didn't, but they seemed to know T."  

'Why do you say that?"

"Because they were mostly focused on her, and they said a few things to us that made us both think that."  

"Tell me exactly what they said and what they did.  Did they touch you?  Where did they fucking touch you?" Because this will tell me how bad I’ll torture them before I watch them die.

I take a deep breath and wait for the words that will torment me for the rest of my life.

"There were four that went inside.  At least four waited in the back.  Your guys managed to run off a few when they first got out there, but it got bad real fast."  Piper is the only one talking, but I listen because I want to hear them both before it’s done anyway.  

"Tori stabbed a few of the guys with her knife trying to get away when the jackass ripped my shirt open."  She stops as tears fill her eyes.  Closing her eyelids, she lets the tears begin to run down her face.  Tori stands and walks to the bathroom before Piper goes on with a forced whisper.

"The guy who had me last told me he couldn't wait to fuck us both like he did Tori's mom.  Evan.  I can't stand thinking about what would’ve happened if you didn't get there when you did."  Switch and I both look at each other over Piper’s shoulder when I pull her into my arms to comfort her.  The murderous feeling is mutual in our faces and we silently vow to avenge this nightmare right there in that moment.

"And I'm so worried about her.  Can you even imagine living through all that she has as a kid, trying to get over it your whole life, then getting slammed in the face with it so many years later all over again?  I have to be here for her, Evan.  We have to help her."

"I plan to, Piper.  I'll do everything I can to make sure she's safe."  I leave it at that for now.  I don't feel like getting into everything that happened so many years ago with her; hell, Switch doesn't even know about that night.  I need to spare her the details of her brother killing someone.  Not that he's the only guy I've killed in the past.  He was just my first.  I'd do it all over again.  Every single one of them deserved to die.  I won’t kill unless it’s justified by some horrible act.  Many have forced me to cross that line, but most have met me for a lesser punishment.

I watch the bathroom door, waiting for Tori to come out while Piper continues talking.  "She doesn't deserve this.  I'm so fucking mad, Evan.  She has done so much to become a strong person in spite of her terrible past.  Hell, she's saved my ass big time with her fuck off attitude."  I catch the hint again.  This time I want to know what she's talking about.  I'm tired of the fucking stories without the details that I need to fucking know.

"What are you talking about?  Piper tell me what happened.  I want every detail."

"We were at a party our last year of high school.  I was drinking more than I should have.  This guy pulled me to a bedroom and we were making out.  Everything was good one minute, then I remember waking up to Tori shaking me."  I sit up, trying to prepare myself for what's coming.

"I guess I had passed out and he wasn't stopping.  He raped me.  Tori got a guy to bust down the locked door and stopped him.  She said she could tell I was out of it and when he locked the door and I wouldn't answer her, she knew something was wrong.  Evan, she made his life hell that night.  He had stab wounds in his back and a concussion from the huge vase she hit him over the head with.  I guess it brought out an anger deep inside her and I'm so glad it did.  She about ripped his head off.  I wish I could've done it myself, but she was there for me that night.  She went crazy.  In fact, the guy that helped her had to pull her off of Zack. It was right after that when she shared some of her stories with me."

"Where is Zack now?"  Switch interrupts her.

"I haven't seen him since that night.  The word is, he moved back to his dad’s the next day.  She left the house shortly after he did, saying she needed some air.  The guys said they went looking for her and found her walking down the street."  The sound of the door opening breaks her train of thought.  Tori walks out, looking around the room like she's looking for something.

"What are you looking for?"  Piper stands to meet her as she walks around my office.

"I'm thirsty, do you have some water or something?"    

"He's got a bar downstairs.  Do you want me to get you a real drink?"

"I could really use one.  Do you mind?"  Piper is moving before I have a chance to.  Switch steps out of the room with her and I take this opportunity to talk to Tori.

"We need to talk tonight."  She turns to look at me with her eyes piercing me deep.  I'm so glad to see some fire in them, because I'm not sure most women would after a night like this.

"Can we please wait until later?  I don't want to talk about it all right now."

"No.  I need to fucking move on this and I need to know everything you know so I can try to find these fuckers."  I move to her.  I need her to hear me and understand that I mean business.

Facing her, I try to reason with someone who is trying to process the hell she's going through.  Her breathing isn't steady and I can see her heart beating in her chest. 

"Let me help.  Tell me what I don't know so I can find them and finish this.  I should've done it fifteen years ago, but I had no idea there were more guys."

She looks down, pulling away from my grip, turning to walk away from me.  Piper and Switch walk in and hand us both a drink.  I down mine and decide I need more time alone with Tori.  I need to get her to talk before Kyle gets here.

"Switch, will you find out when Kyle will be here and take Piper to their house to get what they need to stay for a few days?"  I'll have to deal with the specifics of their move later because they will be moving.  I'm not sure where I'll feel that they're safe, but I'll have to figure that shit out soon.  They need to be closer.  I may just have to add on to this clubhouse and let them move in with me for good, although that goes directly against what I want to happen with my sister's involvement with the club.  Fuck. 

"Tori, do you need anything specific from your house?  I'm sending them to get your things."

"No I'll go.  I need to grab my things." 

"Six.  I need to talk to you tonight."

"Blade.  I need to go to my apartment.  I need a fucking shower and I need to get new clothes.  I can't even think straight right now, so you're going to have to wait."  She begins walking with Piper toward the door as Switch and I both look at each other.  I think he's waiting to see how I react to a woman telling me what is happening, but in this instance.... I'm going to let her.  She's earned that after the shithole night she's had.

Chapter Eleven

Six

I walk next to Blade as we enter our apartment, Piper following right behind us.  This is the one place I was hoping to finally call home after a lifetime of never really having one.  My father couldn't hardly stomach what happened to Mom and I'm pretty sure he blames me for her death.  In fact, he's said it before.

He's never been an affectionate father; hell, I don't even get a call from him on those 'special' days of the year.  It works best that I've disappeared from his life.  I know I feel relieved that I've escaped the glares and neglect of all of those years.  I was just hoping to forever escape that night.  I just can't seem to ever break free from it; no matter where I go, it replays in my nightmares and then tonight it became a reality once again. 

I have nowhere to turn.  No one to run to.  Hell, I don't even know who to run from.  It's hard to think about what happened tonight and feel safe.

"Get your things.  I'm taking you both back with me."  I look up at this bearded, heavily tattooed man giving me orders and realize he is my only hope.  Not that I'm complaining.  I'm actually very thankful he was there tonight. 

"How much should we bring?  It's only for a few days, right?"  Piper asks exactly what I'm thinking.  What do I even grab? 

"Yeah, just get a few things.  We'll decide what to do in the next few days.  Maybe we'll get some information before then."  Blade is looking at our pictures very closely in the living room.  I walk over to see what has him standing so still.

He's running his finger over the frame of a picture of Piper and I that was taken the first time we went away to camp together.  He holds it out to set it back down just as I walk up.

"I missed this picture the other day.  I would've known it was you if I would've seen this."  He's looking down at the rest of them.  The look on his face is pure torturous sadness.  I know Piper has talked about her brother feeling guilty for what happened to her family so many years ago, but this intensity is harsh.  I feel awkward watching him look at our pictures.  It's like I'm interrupting his stroll down memory lane.   

"This one was when she was thirteen.  My dad's new wife sent me extra money that month so they wouldn't have to shop for my birthday.  Piper and I had one of the best days that day."  He takes the frame into his hand as I keep talking.

"It was well worth the trouble we got into for sneaking out of the dorm early that morning.  We both said one day we'd be able to do what we want, when we want."  He sits it down beside the other.

"That one.  Look how bad those school uniforms were.  I can't even believe I was forced to wear that shit."  His smile finally breaks through.  

"This looks recent."  He's pointing to the collage Piper had made.  She insisted on a current selfie to take up the center spot around the smaller ones from years past.

"That was the first night I stayed here a few weeks ago."  He continues to study them.  I know I can never help him fill that gap in everything he missed out on, but I have an idea of what it's like to dislike your past and wish there was a way to go back and do a few things differently.  Maybe that's something we can work on together.  If he wants to talk about things that I remember, I should be able to ask him stuff about his past at the same time.

"I'm going to get my things together."  Piper walks into the room with her hands full of laundry just as I step away from him.

"I'll hurry."  She drops the clothes on the bar, letting a few of them fall to the ground.

"Tori.  We're gonna get through this.  I'm so sorry this happened tonight."  Her arms squeeze me tighter as she continues to talk.

"They will pay for what they did to your mom.  Just please don't bottle it all up.  I need you to talk to me."  I hold back the tears knowing once they start, they may never stop.  That's something I learned many years ago. 

"We'll get through it all together."  She releases her hold and grips both of my arms as she continues.  "Or we'll die trying."

"I know."  What did I do to deserve her?  She's truly been my rock over the years.  She's the sister I never had and I would never trade her for anyone.

"Hurry your ass up so we can get out of here.  Shhhh.  Don't tell my brother, but I'm kind of looking forward to spending a little time with his friends.  He'll get pissed off, but I think it'll be fun getting to know them some."  I laugh at her.  She's always looking for a way to make a tough situation fun.  Hell, with a house full of those guys, it's bound to be insane with her doing what she does best.

"You two can make out later.  Let's get the fuck out of here.  I need to get back."  Blade's sharp tone startles me as he walks up behind us.

"Jesus, Blade.  Why the fuck are you yelling at us?  You scared the shit out of me."

"Get used to it.  You'll be dealing with my ass until I think it's safe, so get what you need because we're leaving now."  I start walking to my bedroom and rush around the room to grab the few things I'll need.  I'm not really too worried about it because I can always come back to get anything I've missed.  I toss it all into a backpack and step out into the dining area again.  I'd give anything for that shower now, but I know that's pushing it.

"Okay.  I think I have everything."  Blade doesn't wait for another word from me before he's opened the door, standing there looking at us both with an urgency on his face.

"Blade.  What are you not telling us?  Why are you acting like this?"  Piper stops in front of him in a demanding way before I step out behind them both.

"I just need to get back."

"You really need to chill out some.  You're gonna die at a young age with all the intensity you carry around constantly."  Piper rambles as she walks down the hall.  "I mean, shit.  If I didn't know better, I'd think you need a good fuck, but I know my girl has you covered in that department."

His eyes lift to mine when she says that, but his face doesn't give a single clue of how he took it.  I have no idea if he's pissed at me for telling her, but I might strangle her when we're by ourselves for that little stunt.

We both turn to walk at the same time, not acknowledging Piper's comment in any way whatsoever.

The drive back to the clubhouse is filled with Piper asking him questions about the members.  Blade doesn't give her much information, only replying with the simplest of answers when he has to.  I can already tell she is going to drive his overbearing ass insane with her constant desire to live for the moment.  It's what I love most about her, but in this instance, she's going to test the ever living shit out of this man.  It should be fun to watch.

"I'd like to shower as soon as we get back."  Blade looks at me through the rear view mirror, continuing to watch me with those blue eyes that I only noticed when I met him at Turbulence.  It's not a feature I remembered from all those years ago.  It was dark and what six year old remembers details like that?

He finally nods with a lift of his head as he rubs his hand over his chin, listening to Piper some more.  Switch hasn't said a word back here in the back seat of the truck with me.  He's a quiet one.  I let my eyes wander over to him as the street lights pass, trying to catch a better glimpse of his features.  I can't make out the tattoos on his arms, but can tell he's covered.  The heated feeling of being watched has me turning to look out the window until we get there.  I think he just caught me looking at him; either that or Blade did.

Blade pulls the truck into his large garage.  The one I'm very familiar with from the other night.  Piper and Switch step out of the truck as soon as he kills the engine.  Blade moves so that our eyes meet again in the mirror.  Watching his eyes like this is so raw and real.  He's pulling me toward him and I'm not even sure I want to fight it.  His deep voice grumbles through the cab.

"You can use my shower upstairs and then it's time we talk.  I want you to tell me everything."  Nodding, I reach for the door handle and make my way into the clubhouse.  He follows me inside and motions toward the stairs for me take to his room.

I don't hear his footsteps following, so I know I'm alone as I enter the only door to the top floor of the clubhouse.  It's huge and so different than downstairs.  I didn't get to see this part of the house when Piper had me in here last night.

If his bedroom tells me anything, it's that he's a perfectionist.  Everything is in its place and the bed is even made.  Hell, I don't even make my bed every day.  I sit my bag on his bed and begin to walk around the giant space slowly, trying to get to know a man I feel like I've known my whole life.