by Lilly Atlas
Straightening on Logan’s lap, she looked her brother in the eye. “No,” she said, pleased with the strength of her voice. “They beat me. Badly. And…” Just breathe. “And they raped me,” she said as she looked Scott square in the eye.
Anguish flashed across his face, impossible to miss. “They?”
Chloe swallowed. “Three of them,” she whispered.
Logan’s arm tightened almost to the point of uncomfortable. She risked a glance at him. His jaw was like granite, nostrils flared, eyes shooting sparks, but he held himself in check despite the fact the information was new for him as well.
Scott did not. “Fuck. Fuck!” he screamed as he sprang from the couch. “Tell me these fuckers paid. Tell me you’ve got their dicks in a jar in your closet.”
What the…
“Scott,” she began.
“No, Sis.” He paced the length of her small living room, hands clutched in his hair. “Christ, are you…shit! I don’t even know what to ask.”
“I’m all right, Scott. Now anyway. Physically, I’m all healed and I’m working through the mental stuff.” She glanced at Logan who gave her a much softer squeeze. His facial expression was still as serious as she’d ever seen it. This had to be almost as hard for him as it was for her to recount. Remembering her in the state he’d found her couldn’t be easy. “Logan’s helping me more than you could know. He’s a good man.” She said for his benefit as much as Scott’s.
The groan that left her brother was tortured. “He’s an outlaw biker, Chloe. Not what you need.”
After pressing a quick kiss to Logan’s flat mouth, she focused on her brother. “I told you the truth. Gave you what you asked for. My relationship with Logan is not up for discussion. You do not get a say in anything related to him.”
“Aww, isn’t that sweet. Had no idea you had such a champion in your corner, Rocket,” said a man from Chloe’s now open doorway.
In a flash, Logan had deposited her on the couch and was standing between her and whoever had entered her house. Her whole body locked up at the thought of an uninvited male in her house.
Shit, was it Lefty? Chloe forced herself to breathe in an even in-and-out pattern. No. She’d recognize Lefty’s voice anywhere. She’d heard it in her head daily for months after she was rescued. This wasn’t Lefty.
“Who the fuck are you?” Scott asked as he reached for his gun.
“Don’t,” Logan barked. Gone was the calm façade he’d shown all morning. In its place was a predator.
Scott froze.
Chloe leaned to her right. Her heart pounded as she took in the newcomer. She gasped then covered her mouth as recognition set in.
“You crossed a fucking line, old man.” Logan advanced toward him but Chloe grabbed his arm, holding him back. He’d left his weapon in his saddle bag, thinking they’d be in and out in under five minutes. Knowing Logan as she did, she knew he’d beat himself up over that for a long time.
The menacing grin that crossed the man’s face told them all he didn’t care how many lines he crossed. A shiver raced down Chloe’s spine.
However crazy the evening had already been, it’d just gotten a whole lot worse.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“YOU MADE THIS so easy it was almost boring,” Esposito said in a droll tone, as though he really was bored when Rocket knew he was fucking elated by this turn of events.
Icy rage surged through Rocket’s veins.
How could he have been so goddamned oblivious?
Beside him, Scott tensed, as prepared for action as Rocket.
“Let me reach for my gun,” Scott muttered so low he almost missed the words. “I think he’s unarmed.”
From talking with Chloe a few weeks ago, he’d learned Scott had been serving as a Green Beret for over a decade. Meant the man was more than capable of handling himself and protecting Chloe. Though if anyone was going to stick near Chloe, it’d be Rocket.
“Tell him,” Esposito said after a few seconds of silence ticked by. Of course he heard Scott’s murmuring.
Over the years, Rocket had learned the quiet could be his best weapon. People often hung themselves if he gave them enough rope. But Esposito wasn’t a naive fool who’d fall for his psychological warfare. Still, Rocket fell back on old habits.
“He’s always armed,” he finally said.
“Who the fuck is he?”
“Esposito,” Chloe whispered from her spot on the couch.
Dammit, Rocket had nearly forgotten Copper had passed Esposito’s photograph around the clubhouse. Though Chloe was clever enough to figure it out without visual aid.
“Esposito, huh?” Scott said, letting some bravado enter his voice. “That supposed to mean something to me?”
“He runs DarkOps,” Chloe said while Rocket remained mute.
“Ahh, I see you told your pretty lady about me,” Esposito said with a wink for Chloe.
“Eyes on me, old man.” Rocket growled. So much for not talking. One glance at Chloe and he was ready to pounce.
Scott snorted. “Showing your hand a bit early there, man,” he said form the corner of his mouth.
Didn’t matter. Esposito already knew Rocket was deeply involved with Chloe. No point in pretending otherwise.
Scott ran a hand through his short hair. “DarkOps.” He shook his head. “Jesus, you got my sister mixed up in some shit, didn’t you?”
“I see my reputation precedes me.” Esposito extended a hand in Scott’s direction. “Nicholas Esposito. And I’m not as old as Rocket likes to think.”
Rocket resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The old man could be charming as fuck when he wanted to be. That’s how he drew so many unsuspecting suckers into his company.
Scott ignored the outstretched hand. “Why don’t you just tell us why you’re here. Doesn’t much seem like you’re wanted.”
Esposito’s eyes shifted to Rocket. In his early sixties, Esposito no longer resembled the man Rocket knew, a man who kept himself in tip-top shape. Looking at him was almost a comical paradox. Faded ink ran down both forearms which were thinned with waning muscle and covered with wrinkling skin. Yet Rocket had no doubt he was as deadly as always despite the softening of his body over the years.
“I need him.” He jerked his thumb in Rocket’s direction. “Got a complicated job and I need the best.”
Rocket grunted. Complicated job. More like he needed someone he could manipulate to perform an unsanctioned kill.
“You work for him?” Scott asked.
“No,” Chloe said, the word ripe with finality. “He doesn’t.”
She stood, and Rocket wanted to knock her back to the couch. But damn if she didn’t look sexy as hell, all indignant on his behalf. “This is my house, and you’re trespassing. You need to leave now, or I’ll be forced to call the police.”
Like DarkOps didn’t pull the strings of law enforcement all across the country. Hell, the world. Chloe wouldn’t be aware of that, though. She still believed in a universe where those who vowed to protect and serve actually did so.
Esposito smirked. “Got a live one there, huh, Rocket? Pretty thing too.”
“What’d I say about your fucking eyes?”
The smirk reappeared; this time accompanied by a shrug. “All right,” Esposito said as he lifted his hands. “I can see I’m not welcome here. Just wanted to check in one last time before I head back to South Carolina.”
“You made your offer. Now leave,” Chloe said as she took a step closer to Rocket.
Rocket reached out and tagged her around the waist, bringing her flush against his side. Without so much as a flicker of resistance, she melted into his side, circling her arm around his back. The contact pacified him somewhat. Confirmation she was safe despite the shitstorm of the evening.
Esposito flicked a glance her way then focused back on Rocket. “Actually, I haven’t made my offer yet. But I do have one.”
Rocket clenched his fists. Shit. Unease slithered down his spine, tw
isting his gut. Whatever Esposito was about to lay out, he had a feeling it was the ace the man needed to get what he wanted.
“One job,” he said to Rocket as though they were the only two in the room. “Couple weeks max.”
Rocket rolled his shoulders, breathing slow to keep from reaching out and wringing Esposito’s neck. Next to him, Chloe flinched subtly. Shit, he’d been squeezing the life out of her waist. Rocket forced his grip to slacken. “And?”
“And in return, you get this.” Esposito lobbed his phone to Rocket.
With one hand, he snagged it out of the air.
“Open it up. No passcode. There’s a video on screen. Go ahead and give it a look.”
Rocket met Esposito’s gaze. Dread filled him, almost to the point he didn’t swipe the screen open. Whatever the video contained, it was the key to Rocket’s compliance. Deep down in his gut, he sensed Esposito was about to dangle a carrot he’d be forced to chase.
The room fell eerily quiet. Only the soft sound of Chloe’s shaky breathing registered.
Watching the video was a fucking mistake of epic proportions, but what choice did he have? He just prayed Esposito hadn’t abducted one of his brothers or their ol’ ladies. He’d never be able to live with that guilt. Careful not to let his discomfort show, he swiped up. On screen was the image of a dark room Rocket didn’t recognize. The camera had been angled toward a corner that appeared to be empty.
“What the fuck is this?”
“Play it,” Esposito ordered.
Chloe rested her cheek against his bicep as she peered down at the screen with him. As the recording began to play, the camera panned across a dimly lit room. After only five seconds, Chloe gasped. Rocket’s head snapped up.
“Oh my God,” Chloe breathed. “How did you…it’s him.” Next to Rocket, she started to tremble.
Esposito grinned at him. “Check mate,” he said then spoke to Chloe. “I’m sorry for what you went through, Chloe.”
The motherfucker.
“Fuck you,” she yelled, lunging forward out of Rocket’s grasp.
Scott caught the waist band of her jeans, dragging her back to him. She seethed, struggling against her brother, but he held firm, wrapping her in his bulky arms and whispering in her ear.
Though Scott still restrained her, Rocket slipped his fingers through hers. At once, she settled. After he was certain she wouldn’t be committing murder, he focused on the video. There it was, right there. The goddamn winning hand.
On the screen, Lefty sat on the floor in an empty room, clearly a prisoner. The grainy feed didn’t allow for details, but he appeared to be slumped against the wall, injured. Esposito wouldn’t have been able to resist taking a bit of fun for himself.
“You give me what I want,” Esposito said. “And I’ll give you what you want. Hand delivered to your club alive and kicking. Simple as that.”
Christ, he could taste the thrill of killing Lefty. And it was delicious. “I’ll do it,” he said, tossing the phone back before the clip ended.
“No!” Chloe cried out, once again struggling against her brother’s hold. “No, Logan, you can’t.” Her voice cracked. She squeezed his hand until her knuckles whitened. Horror was scrawled all across her pale face. “It’s not worth it.”
Not worth it? She had no clue exactly how worth it getting his hands on Lefty was. “I have to,” he said.
She stared at him, eyes watery and lips pressed into a thin line. After what felt like five minutes of watching her heart bleed, she sagged against Scott, and nodded. “I know you do.”
“One of you better tell me what the fuck is going on,” Scott said from behind Chloe.
“The old man’s got Lefty.” Those five words were all it took for understanding to cross Scott’s face.
Rocket should have known Esposito would pull a trick so dirty he couldn’t refuse. Lefty was literally the one prize he’d never walk away from under any circumstance.
Scott released Chloe and charged forward. He hovered over Esposito, snarling and snapping like a junkyard dog. “You fuck him up?”
“A little.” Esposito shrugged. “Not enough. Figure Rocket wouldn’t agree to my terms if I took away his fun.”
“Scott, calm down.” When her brother turned and began pacing the room like a caged animal, Chloe faced Rocket. “Logan,” she said, yanking on his arm to get his attention. “Please don’t do this. It’s not worth it. It’s not worth whatever he’s going to make you do.”
Esposito was going to make him kill an innocent man and woman.
The soft plea was a knife, carving into his heart. Chloe would rather sacrifice her chance at getting justice for the atrocious crimes committed against her than have him live with one more DarkOps mission tainting his soul. He’d been wrong, there was one scenario where he’d walk away from Lefty. If Chloe truly asked him. If the night passed and she woke, unable to live with him taking on this task, he’d leave Lefty to Esposito. But, fuck, he hoped it didn’t come down to that. Part of him would never feel fulfilled.
“When do you want me?” he asked Esposito. It took nearly everything in him not to crack under the weight of Chloe’s despair.
“I’ll send a driver for you in the morning. About five.”
Rocket nodded once. “You got what you wanted. Now get the fuck out of my woman’s house.”
After giving him a two fingered salute, Esposito turned to Chloe. “I really am sorry for what happened to you. DarkOps is glad to have a hand in doling out punishment to the man who orchestrated your kidnapping. And I’m sorry it had to go down this way, but I need him. And this time, I can’t take no for an answer.”
“You show up here again, I’ll shoot you myself,” she snapped.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Rocket smiled. Man, she was something else when she got all feisty.
After Esposito left, Rocket, Chloe, and her brother stood staring into space for a few moments. Eventually, Rocket sighed. Esposito would be back for him in less than twelve hours and he had a shit ton to get done before then. Starting with…
“You sticking around?” he asked Scott.
“Fuck.” Chloe’s brother ran a hand through his hair. “Just through the weekend. I’m shipping out Wednesday morning for a few months. Need to report back no later than Monday. Fuck!” He turned and slapped his palm against the wall, making Chloe’s floral oil painting crash to the ground.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay, Scott,” Chloe said, moving to rub her brother’s back.
“Maybe you should go stay with Mom and Dad for a while,” he said, hands resting on the wall above his head.
Fuck that. “My club will keep her safe. She’s not going anywhere.”
Chloe frowned. “I can’t go stay with our parents. They’ll ask too many questions. Besides, my home is here.”
“But, Clo—”
“My club will keep her safe,” Rocket said again, this time with force. He held out his hand, giving Scott the respect of full eye contact.
With a nod, Scott gripped his hand. They shook, bonding over their need to protect Chloe.
“You can have her this weekend. She’s coming home with me tonight.”
The sigh that left Scott was full of resignation. “A goddamned outlaw biker,” he said with a shake of his head. “You hurt her, and I’m warning you, neither your ninja skills nor your club will mean a damn thing. You’ll be a fucking dead man.”
A throat cleared. Both men turned to find Chloe frowning with her hands on her hips. “Seriously, guys? Did you forget I was here? I hope so. Because if you didn’t, then you’re just being jerks and deciding my fate for me while I stand around like an idiot.”
Rocket pressed his lips together to keep from grinning. Looked like Chloe hadn’t quite gotten out of feisty mode yet.
“Shit. Sorry, sis. You’re right. We should have asked you what you wanted to do instead of deciding for you.” He had the decency to look sheepish, hands in his pockets, shoulders
shrugged to his ears.
Fuck that. Chloe wasn’t going to her parents’ place. She was spending the night with him. And if she didn’t like it, too damn bad. He had no problem hog-tying her to the back of his bike to get her where he needed her to be.
“Thank you,” she said with the haughtiness of a queen.
“So what are you thinking. You want to get out of town?”
“Oh…well…um, no I definitely want to stay. Logan’s club will keep me safe.”
Fighting the urge to snicker, Logan lost the battle to keep his smirk at bay.
Scott’s face screwed up in confusion. “Okay, well what do you want to do tonight? Stay here?”
Her face pinked. “No, I’d like to go to Logan’s.”
Now Scott looked thoroughly baffled. He looked between Chloe and Rocket. “I don’t get it. Isn’t that the same shit we just said?”
“Yes,” Chloe responded.
“So…”
She jammed her hands on her hips. “So you two Neanderthals didn’t have to decide it for me. You could have asked me what I wanted.”
“But you want what we decided,” Scott said.
Chloe threw up her hands and growled. “Yes, but I didn’t want you to tell me that. I wanted to tell you.”
“Dude, help me out here,” Scott mumbled. “What the fuck is going on?”
Rocket chuckled. Scott was all right. Clueless about women, but a damn decent guy. “Don’t have time to educate you, man. Got a woman to take care of.” He winked.
Chloe stared at him, cheeks growing redder by the second. Her two jade-colored eyes stared at him with a combination of worry and adoration. The first was certainly warranted, though he’d try like hell to keep her from spending the entire night anxious for him. The second emotion? Yeah, he didn’t deserve adoration from anyone. But he’d fucking take it as long as she was willing to dish it out.
“Christ, Rocket, that’s my baby sister you’re talking about. Keep that shit to yourself.”