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Blue
Waking in the morning, I feel like a train has run me over. I reach out in the bed to stretch out the aching muscles. I need to train this tense shit out of my body and I make a mental note to start wrapping my switchblade up in my hair so, if the fucker gets me alone, I can finish just what I started. Feeling the bed for Knox, I open my eyes when I feel the bed cold in the spot where he was laying last night. Pulling myself up I scan the room until my eyes fall on his frame by the window asleep in a chair overlooking the grounds below. This man takes my fucking breath away. Pulling myself up from the sleep filled slumber, I realize that sleep so much better when he is around. Walking over to my very own Mr. Dark, I lean down and place the softest kiss on his forehead. Looking out to the grounds below I see just how beautiful it is out here, Bonnie and John turned this place into something special. Makes me think of doing up the old-school villa on the land I bought up at Dove’s Peak. I just might get onto that.
Breaking into my thoughts, Knox’s strong arms snake around my waist. “Morning beautiful.” Smiling down at him, he pulls me into his lap.
“Why did you sleep all the way over here? On night watch for monsters in the dark, were you?” I ask, though I know the answer.
Kissing my forehead, he replies in a sleepy tone, “You know it baby.” Falling back onto him, I soak up the feeling of ‘safe’ he pours out around me. I want to keep him forever, but I also know that Viper won’t stop, and Knox will be in the crossfire, he knows I have Knox’s protection now, so he will try his hardest to get me away from him, it has me thinking.
“Hey, let’s shower and head down to have breakfast. I need to tell you some things if Viper takes me. I need you to know just where you should look cos he won’t keep me here. He’ll take me to his home turf where he has the advantage.” Standing up I look back over my shoulder, to guage his reaciton. “I’ll cook, I know I can find the kitchen in this damn massive house you seem to have acquired since you joined the Reapers.”
Jumping to my feet, I smack her ass as she walks away, I am left smiling after her. This woman has stolen so much of me, I can’t even handle the fact that I can love two completely different souls at one time. Sarah-Jane, my angel, she was the good, quiet, laid-back girl who intrigued my senses and tantalized my soul. Blue, well, she’s a firecracker. She is just as broken as I am lost in this world. She captivated me, drew me into her soul, holding my senses locked into this fiery being that she is. But this Viper guy threatens to take that from me and the thought makes my blood boil. After hearing the horror that he placed onto her soul already has me plotting twenty different ways to kill him and slowly very, very slowly. This new feeling and need has me wanting to rip him to shreds first before I remove him from this world and feed him to my demon.
After my shower, I follow the sweet smell of food. Heading into the kitchen I see she has opened the double doors out to a massive deck overlooking fields filled with wildflowers and I can hear the sound of water. She’s out there setting food down on a big round glass table. Walking up behind her I wrap my arms around her waist. “Hey, good looking, what you got cooking?” Laughing, she turns in my arms kissing my lips. My heart stills, she feels like home yet it still scares me.
“Nothing too fancy, cooking was never my strong point. I leave that up to peeps who know their shit. Fighting is what I do, and I’m gifted there.” Pulling me into a headlock, she swings herself up and around my back wrapping her legs tight around my waist.
Tapping on her forearm, I gasp out in mock choking, “I surrender, Celtic goddess, I surrender.”
Sliding down my back, she laughs. “Jeez, you pussy, that was the easiest, fastest submission ever.”
“I was being kind. My Nan always said, ‘don’t hurt a lady with your hands, tongue or words,’ and, well, my tongue? That’s a different story, but for now I’m being kind.”
“Biker boy, really?” Winking, she heads into the house. I sit down at the table looking out at what will now be my place, my haven. I’m going to have to invite Nan and Pa around before shit gets too crazy and fill them in. I’ll win Nan over with my pasta bowl in this impressive kitchen, I’m sure I’ll pull it off. Blue said she couldn't cook, so I’ll be flying solo. I don’t know how Nan will take me being in a gang, she is still getting over the fact I went to jail and came out this huge impressive fighting monster with a bad rap for breaking women’s souls and spirits.
After breakfast, Blue showers while I clean up and look around this place, I still can’t believe it’s mine. I need to make a few phone calls. Sitting on the arm of one massive oversized chair in the lounge room, something catches my attention. I look up, practically bouncing down the stairs is the ever so intriguing Blue-James drying her hair, “Hey you wanna smash out some walls today up at the villa?” she blurts out carefree and casual as.
“Sure baby you’re a woman after my heart. Food, even if it wasn’t edible and demo, not to mention fighting and sass, is just what every bloke dreams of.”
With a smirk she balls up the wet towel throwing at me. “Well, be a man after my own heart and put some washing on will you, you have a pile upstairs and we’ve only been here twenty-four hours.” Walking behind her as she takes the steps two at a time I wait for my moment. As we walk into the bedroom I gather up the washing in my arms, looking up at her as she goes to tie her hair up in her messy bun . a glint catches my eye. I walk over to see her wrapping what seems to be a switchblade up in her long locks. I lean up against the door frame and look at the worry sitting into her eyes, I can see it in the mirror.
“Baby, what are you doing?”
“What?” she snaps.
“What are you doing?” I say again.
“I’m tying my hair up what does it look like I’m doing?”
“I can see that, I’m not dumb!” Now you’re pissing me off, Blue. looking at her.
“Well don’t ask dumb questions if you can see what I’m doing.”
“What I meant was, what did you put in your hair just now?” I asked, anger now evident in my tone.
“A fucken hair tie, Knox, to tie it up.” Looking over at him with shock my heart hits the floor did he just see that how did I not feel him watching me. As I push past him to leave he reaches out, grabbing my arm.
“Babe I saw you put, what looked a lot like, a switchblade in your hair.”
Letting out the breath I was holding I pull my fingers through my hair and bring out the blade. “This?” I ask
“Yes, that, what the actual fuck Blue?” he snaps out all harsh.
“It’s for protection. He’s coming whether we like it or not. He’s going to get me, and this time, I want to be prepared for it. I need this to get out... to get free. I need this to finish what I started.” Pulling free from him I fall onto the bed. “God’s sake look at me, I’m a goddamn basket case. What do you think when you look at me?”
“Like fuck you are! You’re strong and your fucken fire burns deep. I swear I won’t let him take you” I hear the yeah right in her breathing.
“Knox, you can swear all you like, he will take me and I know it, best you believe it. He’s watching, I feel him everywhere.” Looking around then back at my very own beast standing at my feet I continued, “I know he’s not far away, I’ll do what I to free myself from him, and I’ll wait for you to come in with the goddamn army, coz that’s what you’re going to need.” I can’t help the crack in my voice as I look into his eyes. I see it all flash through them in that instant. I see the fatal blow to her head sending her down and out and him into this tailspin of darkness. Patting the space next to me I prepare him, “Here, baby, sit. I need to tell you what you’re going to have to do.” Looking into his eyes as he sits down on the bed, I feel the coldness he is dispelling. The hate he holds for Viper already runs strong. When I am taken one thing I know for sure is that, if I don’t kill him, Knox sure will.
“He’ll take me to Dublin. He has a private jet called Whiskey Venom. He has a club in town. It’s a cigar and fine whiskey bar. He uses it as a cover for all his dodgy shit that he does, it’s called Own and the compound is just out of town on the outskirts. You need to go straight to my Mom’s. I’ve sent her all the info already. She knows him and where he hides out, she knows you will all be coming and so you will have all you need in the basement. Go to Own first, down in the cellar is a door. It looks like a chiller. Go inside and you will see crates of liquor, behind them is a passage, it leads to a number of secret rooms where he holds meetings and all the illegal cigars and drugs. It has a lock on the door, the passcode is 666-999. Devil and dust, it’s their motto. If I’m not in there, I’ll be at the compound. My Mom has a map of it and all the places where there are cameras andwatchtowers. There are only two of them, along with armed men, housing, themain part of the compound and all the outbuildings. He will no doubt have me locked in the dungeon under the main compound, but for the element of pure surprise, there is a tunnel leading to that under the cave, sitting in the hills to the left of the grounds. As you drive up you will see it, it's marked with a temple of rocks, but he will have that watched also. He’ll know that I’ll tell you guys things and places that I know, so be ready. You will want men everywhere; he owns half of Dublin’s underworld. He has men ready and waiting at all times, be smart not cocky. Come in, guns a fucken blazing, and I will do all I can from the inside, but don’t fuck round.” I close my eyes, that was so much info to just blurt out like that but I feel better knowing he knows. Now that a plan is in place I can finally breathe.
Rubbing my hands over my day-old stubble, I let out a massive lung full of air. Shaking my head, I look at her. So calm and collected, like we are just talking about the news, “Whoa Blue, that’s a lot of info in such a small space,” I am trying to sound calm and shit, but fuck this shit is unreal.
“Well, you need to be ready, I keep telling you all I got it, but none of you fuckers listen to me.”
Standing up I pull her up by her hands, hands that I notice are always shaking. Pulling her into me, I wrap her in my embrace, “I listen baby, I just don’t show it. You blow my mind baby girl. I’m still just trying to figure that shit out.”
Kissing the top of her head I breathe her in, her scent is so fucking alluring it stills my blood. “He takes you, and I’ll kill him, he hurts you, I’ll kill him again, it’s that simple. It’s a loss for him and a fucken win for us, baby.” Looking above her head and out the window I know that I am right, but at what cost? She already lives with the scars and nightmares from the last time he held her captive; I hope Angel keeps her safe in this life till I get there.
Then I remember, fuck, I don’t have a fucken passport! I’m still on fucken suspended sentence and a good behavior bond. I can’t leave the country even if I tried. Shit, I’m going to have to mention this to Bray. I was not going to tell her that though.
“Let’s go smash shit eh baby? Gotta swing by Nan’s on the way back for supplies. Tammy was there this morning telling her this is where I am, as she was having a panic that I hadn’t been home. Women eh?” I say smirking at her, she punches me in the ribs.
“Watch yourself there biker boy. I’m a woman, and your Nan...? Well, she just freaking amazing.”
Blue
Pulling off onto the winding road leading up to Dove’s Peak, this ride brings back a lot of memories for us both... for such different reasons. Heavy silence fills the pickup as we drive. I see Knox turning the white dove charm he carries around his fingers inside his pocket. He plays with it a lot, she will never be far from his thoughts. I just hope there is enough space in there for the both of us.
Pulling into my drive and, rolling down the window of his pickup, I smell the familiar smells of the place that holds my heart. Bumping along down the dirt track we head to the main villa, well... run-down shack now, but once it was an impressive villa built with love for a family. Rolling to a stop, I see all the people there waiting at the ready with all that is needed for a demo and house reno. “What the fuck” I breathe out, shocked. I look over at Knox. “Surprise, baby.”
. Lilly runs over ripping my door open.
“Hey beautiful about time we got this place up and running.”
I can’t believe it. All my dreams for a future, all the hope for peace, are finally coming true, my family are all here at this one place that holds my soul.
Jumping down from the pickup into Knox’s arms, he swirls me around as a family filled with friends fall into an easy mix of chatter laughter and construction. Could this be any better? I think not.
Grabbing a sledgehammer from the deck of the pickup I head around the back of the home. The first thing I’ll be doing is smashing a massive hole in the master bedroom wall so I can install French doors that will lead out to a lavish deck. A deck that will house a big bath so I can watch the stars.
After god knows how long I head around the front wiping sweat from my face with the bandanna I had tied around my neck. I spot Lilly watching Kash, Knox’s twin brother.Walking over to the cooler I grab out two bottles of water, “Lilll you wanna come for a walk?” I holler out to my friend who near jumps out of her skin.
Laughing at her and shaking my head as she drops the tools she wasn’t using for anything, I smile. “Sure I can spare a couple of minutes I know the boss,” she winks at me with a huge Lilly grin. Linking hands we walk down to the edge of the property which overlooks just about all of New York. There is a big old tree at the edge that I love to sit under and I think it’s the perfect place for Lilll and I today.
I sit down I vow to place a remembrance seat here, for my brother. Pulling Lilll down to sit by me under the shade I state, “You know Lilll? It's always just been you and I against this big world. Damn sister, we have been through a lot together. Bray brought me back from the devil, now he’s in the midst again, and Knox? Well he brang me back from being too far gone. I’ll fight to stay right here and find love with this broken soul.” Turning so I can look in her eyes I continued, “But Lilll, you need to put out your heart, to take a leap of faith in a man that holds all your attention. He has big shoulders and he will keep you strong. I see it in the way you both look at each other, he adores you Lilll, but he’s a shy soul too, like you. You're as sweet as strawberry wine, Lilll, and you deserve to be treated like gold. Yhe love you're so afraid of can bring you so much more.”
Wiping the tear that rolls down her cheek my heart breaks for her. Then her words haunt me even more. “Love brings pain and death! Broken hearts, tears and vengeance. I see it everywhere: Mom and Dad, Bray and Raven, YOU! Shit, look at the state of Ghost, he’s unhinged as all hell. And then there’s Arlam. Look at how he has sabotaged his soul and body from the hurt and torment from loving someone too much brought his ass. I won’t sign up for it sister no way no how, so save your breath.” Pushing herself up with so much anger, she begins to stomp off.
Fuck that. I pull her back down into me. “You stop right fucken there, lady! I love you, I want you to be ok in this fucked up world. You need love, Lill.”
“I do, I have a dad and the Reapers, and you of course. That love is safe, well for now, anyway.” She starts picking at her nails, the way she does when shit’s getting real and she doesn't wanna listen.
But I was determined to make her listen. “Oh, fuck off, Lilll, you know what I mean. I’m going soon, he’ll take me. His evil thirst to destroy me will win and I’ll be gone. The boys? They will be gone, but that boy back there, he won’t be. He’ll still be here watching you from his top storey window in the moonlit nights, wishing you were closer than the fingertips reaching your way as you sit on your rooftop talking to the moon.” Pulling her face into my hands so she has no choice but to look at me in the damn eyes too, I continue. “The current is getting stronger, Lilll, let him save you.”
Pulling free from me, she turns her head, “Hmmm and what? Let him be the end of me or me him? I’m a biker princess with a price on her head.”
Reaching out for her hand I whisper out in a voice I don’t even recognize as my own, “Don’t let the fear win, Lilll.”
Anger flickers across her eyes. “Well, it’s too fucken strong, Blue, even for you.”
Letting out a breath I lean back looking out over the horizon. “I’ll be back. I will, this love won’t die.”
I hear her push out the air in her lungs through her teeth. It sounds forced and pained. “I hope you're right, Blue. But look at what he did last time, and you hadn’t cut him then.”
Sadness mixed with shame washes over me as a prick of heat licks at the back of my neck. I know how much I fucked up. “I got this, baby cakes, you’ll see. I’ll come out of it ok. I’m the fucking goddamn Celtic goddess.”
We both look at each other and laugh, my humor wins out all the time. “Yeah ok Blue that you are, you crazy bitch. You don’t like to be normal do you? and just do mundane.”
Shaking my head at her with mock shock, I reply. “Pfft come on, Lilll? Me mundane, shit chick, you know that’s not in my DNA. It’s why I have you to mellow out the mother fucking crazy in me.” Winking at my sister from a way hotter mister, who gives the devil himself a run for his money, I smile. “Kash is on my hit list. I shall have to talk to that punk before the fuck bag Viper comes.” All Lilll does is roll her eyes at me as we walk back to the Villa. The rest of the day was amazing we talked, worked, ate and drank. Knox’s family is coming over to his place tonight for a cookout, and Knox wants to tell them about Viper and him patching into the Reapers. It is not a night I am looking forward to.
They arrive not long after I finished showering and I’m shit scared that his Nan is going to hate me, so much so, it has me staying up in the comforts of this big ass bed, locked up high above them all in the master bedroom. The bedroom itself is to die for. It has massive glass windows and huge French doors that open out onto a deck. I can see all of the compounds from up here. I am aware that this was John and Bonnie’s home before the kids came and they used to use this to escape the confines of the compound but still be able to see it all. Looking out of the doors from the bed I relish the cool breeze washing over me. I wish I could stay like this forever but, like all things amazing that come my way, they soon get fractured and taken.
Closing my eyes and breathing in deep, I start to condition my mind for what’s to come. Pain, a fuck load of it, and anger. I need to be mentally stronger this time. What better way to start than now!
Waking to small circles being drawn on my back, I realize I must have dozed off. Mmmm, it feels so good, like the velvety touch of hot taboo running through my body. Turning over against the touch, blinking the sleep from my eyes, I stare up at the God who is mine.
“Hey baby everyone is here. You wanna come down?”
“Arghh shit, um ok, I was hoping that I could hide from them.” I groan and admit looking up at him from under my lashes.
“Cute, babycakes, cute, but not happening. They will love you. Anyway, they want the best for me, and you are what’s best for me, this is just a bump in the road.”
Groaning again I flick my legs over the side of the bed, preparing myself for what lies ahead.
“Yeah, a bump, that’s a nice way to put the fucking hurricane called Blue and Viper’s death story.” I snap out as I walk away from him. He comes up behind me as I head to the bathroom, and he embraces me.
“Babe, it will be his death, not yours.” He says it like he knows him, knows what he’s like, knows how fucken crazy this shit will get. I have no words for the man who is so blind to the war coming, so I do my normal Blue thing and fucken agree. It’s all I can do going up against Knox.
“Yeah ok. Right... well, give me fifteen ok?”
Kissing my forehead he slaps my ass as he heads out the door. How can he just keep on going the way he does? Like this is just a walk in the park.
Heading down the stairs, I follow the sound of laughter and old Italian voices, as his Nan and Pa tell stories of their past. Pure and easy going, they talk about what it was like finding their love story and coming to America. It makes me smile the way they love each other and the way they look at one another. Knox has always said that he has wanted a life and a love like theirs. Well, he chose just freaking dandy in me... Readjusting the blade in my hair, I head to the bar, pouring myself a wine. I’ll keep it classy while they are here but later I’m going to knock me back a stiff glass of Jack and fuck the ice.
“Ahh, there you are, my child.” Knox’s Nan pulls herself up wrapping me in her arms, “Hello dear, how are you?”
Smiling at her, “I’m good to thank you” I say. LIE! Blue that’s a LIE.
“That’s good to hear dear. Now sit, sit. I’ve brought food and we shall eat and drink and hear all that you two have been up to.”
Looking at Knox, unsure, with deer in headlight eyes, I don’t know what to say. I know how much of a saint Sarah-Jane was and me? Well I’m nowhere near in the ballpark. I’m wild, tainted with a smart mouth and dark demons who sit on my shoulder. Knox senses my unease, he pulls me down onto his lap wrapping an arm around me. He rubs the pad of his thumb over my thigh and it instantly brings calm to my soul. This hard, dark man is not as tough as everyone thinks. Looking around at the love they all share warms me. It’s just like the Reapers; family first no matter what. Chatter and laughter fill the air as we eat ourselves into a food coma and just about drown in red wine.
Knox fills them all in on what’s been happening, what’s going to happen, and about the club. His Nan cries and wraps us both in a good old-fashioned Italian Nanna hug, his Pa embraces his grandson and commends him for being a true Italian man. But he also reminds him to be aware that saving one soul will not bring back the one who lives with the angels. With tears in both their eyes, I see Knox nod and whisper that he knows that, but that he has to do this for us both. Does he mean me and him or him and her? I’m unsure.
Tammy cuts in with a remark about wanting dessert. God this woman can eat and she’s all of a damn size freaking four. Laughing I say, “none for me.” Pulling myself up to clear away the dishes, heading into the kitchen, I feel eyes follow me. A chill runs up my spine as sweat beads fall down. I’m instantly on high fucken alert. Walking to the kitchen island looking out through the smokey glass windows of the kitchen, I’m startled when I turn from the bench and see a shadow move from the glass doors to the side of the lounge. What the actual fuck? I blink. Did I see that? Or is my ‘red wined-out’ mind playing tricks on me?
Knox’s Nan pops her head into the room, taking my thoughts away from the uneasy blood-chilling feeling that had just washed over me. “Darling girl leave them I’ll fix them right up,” she says fusing towards me.
“No, no I can manage, you did all this cooking, and I slept away upstairs.” Pulling the tea towel from her hands, I start to dry the dishes, determined to distract myself from the shadow and prove myself to his Nan.
“Ahhh don’t be silly, child, after what you have been through, I say you would be tired.”
Smiling down at her round, short cute Italian frame, I give a tired laugh. “You can say that again. I don’t want him involved in this, I promise. I did try to stop him.” I looked at her earnestly.
She pulls my hands into hers, “Yes child, I’m sure you did. But the thing with our Knox is, he will never listen or hold back in his love and sense of honor and protection. When it comes to things and people that he adores and captivate him, he is all in. He is a lot like his Pa in that sense, both strong on values and love, but above all else honor and family.” I look at her with such a sense of understanding as she carries on. “We will love you like we loved her because Knox has spoken with nothing but grace in his eyes for you. You're safe with him. Just look after his heart sweet girl he is only human.” Looking down at my hands I feel shame wash over my cheeks, and tears prick my eyes. I try hard to blink them away but it’s too much. There is something so consuming about Nan. You just feel safe, like you can let go and she won’t let you fall. I break then as she places her arms around me.
“Come here, child, let the tears fall. It’s cleansing your soul and washing away the dark. Let them come.”
Allowing them to fall as I’m wrapped in her tight embrace, I let it all go and start breathing in so much more than just air. Pulling back from her, so I can wipe my eyes and look at her old and very wise ones, I say, “Thank you for being you, the loving lady who has her boys’ backs no matter what.”
She nods her head at me in a small acknowledgment and leaves, knowing I need a minute. I head to the bathroom to wash cold water over my face and to just breathe away from the weight of this all. I hear Knox speaking to his Nan and I can hear the love in his voice for her. It's warming; he sounds the same when he speaks of Sarah-Jane but with the tiniest clip of sadness also. One day I hope I get to hear the same love in his voice when he speaks of me. Walking back out I wrap my arms around him, resting my head on his back as Tammy walks in saying they are heading off to grab Frozen Yoghurt and asking if we wanted to come. Squeezing Knox a little tighter, I shake my head into his back. “Not me this time thanks though Hun, I’m shattered and I need to start training hard tomorrow for my big fight.”
Knox chuckles at Tammy. I love the feeling as it vibrates out through him and against my face. “You’re a bottomless pit aren’t you, girly?” he questions her with such humor. “But I’m good also, babe, I got things to do here, next time though hey.” Unlatching my hands, he walks over kissing her forehead. “Thanks yeah? For everything.” Pulling him into her arms they wrap around him tightly as Jamie enters and sloths his body over them both.
After they all leave I make me a Jack. It will be my last drink till after my fight, so it’s a strong one and on the large side, then, smiling, I fall into the outdoor couch with its oversized pillows, rolling my head back I close my eyes relishing in the warm night’s air over my face, breathing in deep I fell him sit down beside me placing his head on my shoulder, “Thank you for today it meant a lot.”
“Thank me for what? It should be me thanking you and them, it’s not every day you land a bomb on a family you just meet and they take it so well.” He can’t miss the surprise in my tone.
“They are special that’s for sure.,” he breathes out against my shoulder.
Breathing in deep I whisper out into the air. “That they are, you’re so lucky.” Allowing my thoughts to drift off to my brother, I am again hit by how hard it is not having him here. Shutting my eyes I lean down further into the couch and its pillows as Knox runs his fingertips over my thigh. Breaking through my thoughts and the sensual touch of Knox is the sound of Lilll’s voice calling out to us. Opening my eyes, Knox yells out, “out here, what’s up Lilll?”
She looks flustered and puffed. That girl needs to work out more, I observed. “ Knox Bray wants you down at the main compound, there is a package that has turned up for by messenger.” She says breathless. His eyes meet mine and I see something flash through them as he opens his slightly plump and very eatable lips to speak.
“What? Who knows I’m here and who would be sending me shit? Let alone that I’m a Reaper?” Confusion cloaks the air as he pulls me into him kissing my forehead. I feel the beat of his heart, it’s spiked. “You wanna come with?” he asks me.
“Na baby, I’ll hang here with Lilll, we might go for a walk down by the river like we used to.”
Squeezing my hand he looks up at Lilll. “Be careful ladies. See you soon,” whispering to me.
Knox
“I got you remember,” I breathe out to her as she smiles up at me. Even after all this time I still get lost in her moss green eyes. Walking down to the main compound I look back as an uneasy feeling washes over me. I look up at the big house but I can’t seem to put my finger on it. I shrug it off, I’m sure it is just the situation and all this waiting around for something to happen. I see Miss Ginny pulling a young guy out by his ear as I walk into the club.
“Knox.”
“Miss Ginny.”
“The boys are waiting for you in church, go right in.”
I nod winking at the prospect. “Thanks” I push the frosted glass door open and see all the boys there, but not Ghost, that man is so elusive. “Sup boys.”
“Knox! About time, where are the girls?” Bray asks his tone off.
“Ah they wanted to stay back and go for a walk. What’s up?” looking from Bray to Cage and 81
“SHIT this, brother, is what’s up,” He said sliding a box over to me. It’s all black with a silver Viper on it. My heart stops.
“OH, FUCK OFF,” I spit out, ripping it open. Inside is a bundle of photos of Blue and I together. They are of everywhere and everything we have done over the last few weeks. Pulling them out I see a phone with a post-it note stuck to the screen.
TURN ME ON.
My hands shake as I hold it in the palm of my hand. Sweat is forming down my spine and my heart is beating in my fucken ears. Looking up my gaze meets that of the men standing in front of me with the same shocked and worried look on their faces. This better not be a fucken bomb I think looking into Brays eyes “Should I” I ask him, he just nods as a sheen of sweat coats his forehead Turning it on, I look up at the boys while it loads, “this ain’t good is it?” I ask them.
Bray shakes his head as he paces before a beep catches our attention, and a video starts to play of Blue. She looks like she is doped up to her eyeballs. Dancing for the lost souls. Then the screen changes. It flickers to them all taking a turn at touching and abusing her body, while massive tears falling from her eyes. Bruises and scrapes lace her body. Her small frame is weak and pale and caked in dirt; her hair is a matted mess. Then it's black, gone. She’s gone just like that. I hear an evil laugh coming from the screen as small lantern lights up Viper is sitting in a rocking chair in the middle of a dark, wet room with nothing but two chains coming out from the concrete brick wall. Clicking his fingers, he speaks with a cold tone. Instantly my hairs stand up on my back, bile from the bottom of my stomach rears up my throat and into my mouth.
Well, hello there, brothers of the Reaper’s Reign and your newest member, the great Assassin Knox. Kill punch Ambrose, the pleasure is mine, congratulations on joining the feared Reapers. Shall we have some fun boys? Are you ready for mayhem? You have something that I want, something that tried to destroy me, and I want it back. I’ll rain evil down upon her pretty wee soul, so much evil that even if you ever get her back, she won’t even know who she is. She will be a shell of the person she is now, so scared that you will want to put her down like the dog that she is. She’s mine and no-one takes what’s mine, not without some form of vengeance anyway, and well, boys, that vengeance is here. Let the games begin. Follow the rules I’ll be in touch.
Ending with an evil laugh he blows out the lantern. I throw the phone down on the table it bounces back as I fist my shaking, sweaty hands into my hair. Rage surges though my body I can feel the heat of the anger taking it over all the way down to my toes, curling them hard inside my boots the pain washes out over my body bringing a small sense or release before my mind flicks to Blue and Lilly alone up at the barn.
“FUCK! THE GIRLS!” I yell at Bray before spinning on my heels. With the boys hot behind me we run out of the club and up the path to the main house.
Blue
I stand up to hug my bestie, my soul sister, and I smile into her hair. “Lilll, I love you. I’m so glad that you’re here, I’ll grab us a drink, and then we will go for a walk eh?”
“Sure, beautiful, it’ll be nice, it’s still hard coming here,” she says to me with a tone of sadness in her voice.
“Yeah, I know, I thought that when I came here the first time.”
Opening the fridge, I pull out two beers. Then, linking arms with Lilll, we head off the deck walking towards the river.
“Blue, do you think I could be loved?” she asks me, halting my steps.
“Lilll what the heck kind of question is that. Yes, I do, you know I do,” honesty and hurt are evident in my voice, how could she not know this, even after I’ve tried to convince her.
“Why?” she says. The sound of worthlessness leaks from her tone.
“What do you mean why?” I snap back, angry that she feels like she is so worthless and can’t be loved for the amazing human that she is. Her long blonde hair falls around her like a halo of light as her always pinky red hue graces her cheeks she has the most piercing blue eyes that sends even a heart rush to my soul. Then out of nowhere my hair stands up on my arms and down my back as that same damn sick feeling washes over me. Shaking it off, I grab Lilll’s arm and urge her to keep on walking, not wanting to alarm her.
“Look at me, Blue, I’m a mess, scared, burnt, tarnished!” We don’t stop walking until we hit our special spot. Only then do I sit down and pull her down with me, kicking off my shoes. I place the tips of my toes into the water. Sitting on our rock I think over what my friend has just said to me.
“Lilll, remember when we would come here as kids and pretend to be beautiful mermaids? Well we still are. We are just older, smarter, a tad wiser to the world. Shit, we’ve been hurt and a received a fuck load of pain, but it’s made us into this.” Pointing my finger from her to myself, I continue, “Strong!” Raising my arm up I show off my toned muscle with a wink and an eyebrow wiggle.
“You have always been the kick ass out of the box one, Blue, and me, well I’ve been the thinker, the dreamer and believer.”
Sighing I consider what she has said. Before I can say anything she continues,“Well, that belief got blown to pieces after they took you and fucked you up, and after they killed Mom. Then there’s Raven and Bray, you know, it’s just too much.” Leaning back on the grass she brings her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun looking down on my friend my heart breaks at how she looks so lost and alone.
“You know what Lilll, not all love is pain.” God I hope she hears the truth in my words, not the doubt.
“Yeah, that’s what they all seem to say.” She says letting out a sigh of agitation as she replies “You and Bray and shit don’t get me started on Ghost all think that love can fix it all. Look at what it did to Mum and Dad they loved truer than anyone and in one fowl movement it was taken. He has no wife, I have no mother and it’s all because we loved.”
Shit, shit, shit. I think over and over in my head. I’ve been caught up in myself for so long that I haven’t even noticed how damaged my Lilll is, what a shit fucken friend I am.
Laying down next to her, I see the pain laced in her eyes when I look into them, “Lilll, it’s ok to feel like this, but you can’t shut down completely. Love can be amazing and soul consuming, and yes it can also be painful and raw, but it’s a gamble and you have to take or you’ll have what-ifs forever. You can’t close yourself off because of them and what happened. Look at me and Knox, I think I love that man and you saw how fucked up I was after Viper. But I didn’t let it stop me. I jumped in with both feet and it’s worked, hasn’t it?” She thinks it over and I see it moving behind her eyes. She knows I’m right. She doesn’t say anything, just stares at me, and I her, for what seems like forever.
A few moments passed before I tried bringing her back into the good memories again. I needed to help her move past her pain. She deserves happiness. And the sense of belonging. I need to show her that we were happy here once. “This is nice, isn’t it, Lilll? It’s like we are young again with not a care in the world. Running bare foot though the fields yelling and screaming falling down into the cover of wildflowers and giggling till our sides hurt” turning from takin a sip on my beer I look at my best friend who I love more than life itself I see her pale then her eyes go big with fear shadowing them my heart lunges into my stomach s fear grips her delicate features. “Lilly you ok, what is it?” I say as that feeling of dread comes smashing in hard.
“Bbblluuee get up now and run,” she whispers with a scared stammer. When I just sit there and stare at her, her tone rises. “NOW” she snaps.
“What the fuck!” I state, turning. I see what has upset her and what I see fills me with a terror so great I can’t move. Grabbing her face and looking deep into her eyes I beg her, “RUN, Lilll, don’t stop, don’t look back, just run, I love you Go, Go!” As he approaches I push myself up to into a sitting position squaring my shoulders.
“Hey babe what took you so long?” I breathe out as sensual as my quaky voice can muster. “Don’t you fucken dare ‘babe’ me, junkie love!” He sneers pulling me up by my hair laughing.
“Shit Viper you miss me or something,” I laugh over the searing pain in my scalp.
“Pfft miss you baby? Not likely, your ass and pussy yes, but that smart ass mouth and mind no, not at fucken all.” Gripping me around my throat and squeezing the air from me, I see, in the corner of my eye, Lilll scrambling to her feet. Trying to squeeze the word RUN to her I fail, blackness starts to engulf me as he takes all my air.
“This look in your eyes, of fear and the unknown, , junkie love, I have missed that it gets me hard, wanting to scare you more and take from you to fill my need,” I hear him say as my eyes start watering, the tell-tale black spots of unconsciousness blurring my vision. He lets go just before I’m about to pass the fuck out. Leaning in he runs his tongue up my neck and cheek stopping on my temple. I retch at the smell of his breath and dirty ass saliva drying on my skin. This man makes me sick. Pulling back I spit in his face before bringing my knee up, slamming it into his balls. His grip releases and I find myself free. I run as he falls to the ground.
Turning sharply, my foot catches a rock in the field and I fall to the ground. Pulling myself up, I’m caught in the grip of, not Viper, but someone new. Gripping me around my neck he holds me in place as Viper storms over before grabbing me so tightly around my mouth, squeezing his fingers so hard that they push my cheeks in until my lips form an ‘O.’ The pain of my jaw just about cracking snaps me to the fact that, despite everything, I’m so not prepared for this or him.
He spits at me, “Let the games begin, junkie love. Let’s see if biker boy can save you this time.”Just like that, a shooting pain hits the back of my head and the blackness of terror, pain and his haunting words and evil, sick, twisted eyes pull me under into the dark abyss.
“Knox hurry.”