Raven

by Ashley Suzanne

  I know he wants me. Like really wants me. I can feel his lust lingering in the small room. That’s one of those things that I’m going to have to re-teach myself to do again—feeling sexy. Garrett’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever met, inside and out, but the thought of being intimate scares the shit out of me. I’m going to have to feel beautiful again before we can, I know that much.

  Garrett kisses me lightly on the cheek and helps me get some clothes on. When I’m ready and dressed, we step into the dining room where Gabriella and Garrett have a feast of epic proportion set out on the table.

  The rest of the evening is pretty light. We talk and eat, not delving into any topics that could add fire to my already weakened demeanor. It feels wonderful to just sit and be normal for five minutes.

  Later that night, when Garrett and I are tucked into bed, he whispers in my ear how wonderful and strong I am. One day I’ll believe it, but like I said earlier, one step at a time. Today, I’m just happy to be alive and with people who love me.

  “How many babies do you want?” Garrett asks out of left field.

  “Excuse me?” I ask, baffled by his sudden interest in children. We probably should declare we’re in a relationship and I don’t know, before these talks start.

  “You heard me. How many kids do you want? I think the more the better.”

  “Hypothetically, I think I just want one. I really loved being an only child and you did, too. Why break the cycle our amazing parents started?”

  Now that he’s planted the seed, all I can see in my future are little tiny Garretts running amuck, getting into stuff and smiling his adorable little smile.

  Wrapped tightly in Garrett’s arms, I drift off to sleep with the memories of us as children playing like a movie in my dreams.

  “I love you, baby.” I’m not sure if Garrett actually says it or if it’s just one of those happy times I remember, but it’s more than enough to elicit more thoughts of babies, marriage and a home to raise them in. It’s the best dream I’ll ever have.

  Chapter 25

  Garrett

  “Garrett,” I whisper harshly, answering my phone.

  “Hey, man, it’s Todd. I got that information for you.” My interest’s piqued and I silently slip out of bed where Rian is lying, still sleeping. This is one thing in my life where she can’t be involved.

  “Hold on,” I say, pulling on a pair of cotton sleep pants and creeping onto the balcony. “Alright, go.”

  “I found him. The dumbass checked in at his parole office earlier today and I followed him to a few bars and he just went into some flea bag motel. I checked with the front desk and the room’s registered to the asshole. Do you want me to do anything?”

  “Nope, just meet me in the morning and I’ll get the address from you then. Nothing else over the phone, though. Thanks again, man.”

  “You saved my ass in the desert, I owed you one. Plus, that one year membership to your gym is an extra perk.” Both of us laugh lightly. Todd and I were stationed together in Iraq while we were in the service. Todd’s some kind of information stalker and is damn good at it. It still baffles me that he wasn’t intelligence. Dude’s scary good at finding shit you don’t want found.

  “Alright, man, I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says and I disconnect the call.

  I consider going to lie back down, but my mind is going over everything I’m going to do when I catch this motherfucker. Not only is he the reason that Rian lost her mother, he’s the sole reason that my girl’s in bed with only one arm.

  The last month’s been hard on both of us, but mostly her. After being released from the hospital and having the support she needs around the clock, she’s stuck with me and I’m not the easiest person to deal with. I just want to do everything for her—make it easier to deal with—but she won’t have it. Rian’s the most independent, stubborn woman I’ve ever met.

  Thankfully, my mom has been able to help her out emotionally. Rian sits there and listens to my mom grieve the loss of my dad, even though it’s been years since his death, and my mom’s attentive when Rian needs to vent about her arm. Just yesterday, I was able to talk Rian into moving back to Corbin so she and my mom can be close together again.

  I’ll still maintain the gym, but I’d rather drive an hour or so to work than have Rian sitting at home alone, and the same with my mom. It’s a fair trade, so next week, we’re going home. Until we figure stuff out, we’ll be staying in the pool house which has its own set of wonderful memories of our relationship.

  Looking out the window as the sun starts to rise, I realize I never did go back to sleep. Standing from the chair and stretching my sore muscles, I whip up a quick breakfast and coffee. As soon as the pot’s finished brewing, Rian emerges from the bedroom looking more beautiful than she did last night. Even if her hair’s wild and she could give Medusa a run for her money.

  Bending backward at the waist, cracking her back, her tight stomach peeks from underneath her night shirt. My dick instantly hardens. It’s been over a month since the last time we had sex and I’m waiting for her to be ready, but hell if I wouldn’t toss her over the arm of the couch right now if she gives the slightest hint that she needs me like I need her.

  “Morning, beautiful.” I take a steaming mug over to where she’s sitting, placing it on the table then kissing her soft lips with fervor, showing her how much I want all of her.

  “Good morning to you, too. You’re up early,” she says, blowing into the cup to cool her coffee.

  “Couldn’t sleep. I’ve got a bunch of stuff to do today. You gonna be okay for a few hours?” I hope she doesn’t ask, because I’ll have to lie. I promised I would never do that, but this is too much for her to handle just yet.

  “Yeah, that’s fine. Kelsie’s gonna come by and help me start packing to move home. If I need anything she’ll be here and I can always call you.” I don’t have the heart to tell her that even if she calls me, I won’t answer. I have to be very methodical about this. Nothing can put me in the same area as him, including a cell phone signal.

  “Sounds good, baby. Drink up. I’ll leave the shower running for you. Unless you want to shower with me,” I wag my eyebrows at her, joking and wishing she’d take me up on my offer.

  “You’re too much,” Rian giggles and goes back to checking whatever updates on her phone as I disappear into the bathroom.

  I quickly shower, preparing for the day. When all the mirrors are fogged, I get out and dry off my body. With my towel, I wipe a clearing on the mirror big enough for me to see my reflection. This might be the last time I’ll be able to look myself in the eyes and I’m going to take advantage of it. What I see staring back at me is a man on a mission. A mission to right a wrong that should have never been committed. It’s wrong that can’t ever really be made right, but if my actions help clear her mind just a little, it’s worth it. My only concern is how she’s going to see me afterward.

  I can deal with my demons. I have since my discharge. I’ve seen things … done things … that I’m not proud of, but in the name of freedom and service, they were required of me. The same thing applies here. My duty is to protect the woman I’m in love with, the woman who’ll be the mother of my children. Her freedom from the weight that constantly sits on her chest, no matter how hard she tries to hide it, is my responsibility to take care of.

  What kind of man would I be if I didn’t?

  After a long, lingering kiss with the most beautiful girl in the world, I’m in my truck heading to Rian’s old apartment where Todd’s meeting me in about fifteen minutes. After a quick exchange, there’s a small piece of paper in my hand with an address to a motel just outside town.

  I decide to leave my truck parked at the apartment and jump on the bus which lets out a few blocks away from said motel. I walk the short distance until I’m standing at the room that’s housing the man responsible for all of this. The man that’s caused my woman to never be whole again.

  Throwing on a pair of gloves
before I cover the peephole on the door, I knock and listen for any movement. A few louder knocks and I finally hear rustling and glass clinking together on the other side.

  “Who is it?” a gruff voice grumbles.

  “Maintenance,” I lie, but it works. The sound of the locks tumbling and the chain falling to the side of the door frame fill my ears.

  The door creaks open and I see a sliver of a man—more like a pathetic excuse for a man—standing before me wearing a pair of dingy white briefs and matching wife beater. What an ironic thing for a man who got off knocking his wife around to wear, I think to myself.

  “What’s broken?” he asks.

  Deciding to not answer him, I push my way over the threshold, shutting and locking the door behind me. “What the fuck?” he questions. There’s no time for pleasantries. I just want to handle my business and get back to my girl.

  “Hello, Tom,” I say, grinning evilly.

  “Do I know you?” Tom rubs his eyes, trying to focus and put a name to a face.

  “No, but we’re about to get to know each other very well. I believe you already know my future wife, Rian.”

  “What’s this about? That little bitch running off at the mouth?” My fist flies forward, catching him in the jaw. Tom stumbles back, collapsing on the bed, holding the side of his face.

  “That’s not a very nice thing to say, Tom. You’re gonna wanna think about that next time you want to talk about her that way. Let’s try this again. I believe you already know my future wife, Rian.”

  This time Tom doesn’t make a peep, only staring at me bug-eyed, the fear present in the vacant pools of green. My smile widens knowing that I have this kind of power over him already and we’re just getting started.

  “I’d like to take a ride with you, Tom. Get to know each other a little better. Sound good to you?”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you,” he retorts, glancing toward the phone on the cheap nightstand. Shaking my head and making a tsking noise with my tongue, I rip the cord out of the wall and disconnect the other end from the base. I put it in my pocket and cast my gaze back to him.

  “That wasn’t really a question, Tom. We’re leaving. You can either come with me or I can make you. Either way, we’re getting in your car. How would you like to do it?”

  Tom stands on wobbly legs, shoving them into a pair of dirty blue jeans and throwing a plaid button up shirt over his wife beater. I grab the keys on the dresser and walk him to the car he points out to be his. Once he’s in the passenger seat, he buckles his seatbelt and just before I shut the door, I wink at him.

  “Oh, I thought this would make it a lot easier.” Shoving the metal of the taser to his skin, I hit the button for the electrical current and watch his body momentarily seize until he’s out cold.

  The ride south is a quiet one, thankfully. I don’t think I would have been able to make it all the way back to Corbin if he was talking or pleading or whatever men do when they know everything’s about to end.

  Driving up one of the abandoned mountains, passing houses that haven’t been lived in for years, we finally make it to the place I scoped out the last time Rian and I came down here. A place so secluded, I can literally do anything to Tom and nobody will hear his screams.

  The sun’s high in the sky when Tom comes around, slowly stretching and gaining his bearings. Glancing around, his eyes finally settle on me staring back at him, smiling a devilish smile. I know he knows what’s going to happen and the fact that he’s currently sitting in a puddle of his own piss just confirms my knowledge.

  “So, Tom, I’ll give you a few options. You’re gonna hurt and you’re gonna hurt bad, but you get to decide how you want it to end.”

  “Fuck off,” he seethes, spitting his disgusting saliva at me.

  “Not very smart, but I can work with that. Let’s get started, shall we?”

  I pull a small switch blade out of my pocket, hitting the button and watching the knife shoot out quickly. I look sideways at Tom, who’s swallowing so hard his Adam’s Apple bobs over and over again. Not wasting any time, I ram the blade into his upper thigh.

  His initial scream comes out muffled as I shove a dirty rag I found in the backseat in his mouth. Nobody can hear him, and that’s all well and good, but that doesn’t mean I want to hear it.

  Turning the key in the ignition back, I turn on the radio and spend the next few hours listening to whatever’s on this station. I haven’t really registered anything. I’m more focused on following through with my plan. I have it in me; I just don’t want Rian to look at me any differently.

  When the sun starts to set, I take the rag out of Tom’s mouth. The first words to leave his lips seal the deal for him. This is most certainly the end for him.

  “You know, Daisy was a fucking cunt. That bitch didn’t know how to respect a man and her whore daughter’s no different. You’re gonna have your hands full with her. It would have been better if she died in that accident. That’s what I was hoping for when I left her there. Since I’m gonna die, there’s no reason for me hold it back. Fuck you, her and her dead momma.”

  “Okay, thanks so much for all of that, Tom. I really appreciate your outlook on the situation. Now, what I’m gonna do is some real sick shit. You ready?” The smell of burning flesh hits me as I press the car cigarette lighter against his wounded leg. His cries are gratifying in a way.

  Looking down at his trembling hands, he’s wearing a wedding ring. When the orange glow of the sun hits it, the word Daisy shines through. Perfect.

  Pulling the knife from his leg, I set it on my lap as I wrench the ring off his finger. When he stops me, I grab and press the blade to his finger and press hard, immediately drawing blood. His grip loosens and the ring slides off.

  From the back of my waistband, I pull out a nine millimeter, press it to his temple and direct him to walk around the car with me following him out the passenger door. Pointing toward the driver’s door, he sits in the seat. With the butt of the gun coming down harshly on his head, he’s passed out cold yet again.

  I quickly put the gear shifter in neutral, turn on the car and place Tom’s deadweight foot on the accelerator, watching the RPM’s rise and stay steady. Putting the gun back in my waistband and the ring in my pocket, I say a silent prayer for Tom even though he doesn’t deserve it, and reaching through the window, put the car in drive.

  It’s fast. Faster than I thought it would be. Tom’s car flies forward and over the edge of the mountain. I’m not sure what happens until I hear a loud, deafening crash and large, billowing flames come over the top of the ridge, causing me to jump backward to avoid the clouds of smoke. Knowing my work’s done, I start walking the pathway that leads down the mountain. After about an hour of walking, headlights shine in the distance, making their way slowly toward me.

  Waving my hand above my head, the truck stops just before me and I’m ushered toward the driver’s side window.

  “You ready?” Todd asks and I nod in response. “Then get in and let’s get you home to your girl.”

  Climbing into the passenger seat, we start the hour ride back to Rian. No words are exchanged. They aren’t needed. Todd knew why I wanted this information and what I would do with it. I’m happy that he offered to pick me up when everything was done and I didn’t have to walk back to town.

  Todd drops me off at the front entrance of the gym and I take the stairs fast to my apartment. I need to get to her—hold Rian in my arms—I can get my truck in the morning. Once inside, I tiptoe around the packed boxes and flick on the kitchen light to illuminate my way to the bedroom. Inside, lying on the bed, looking more peaceful than I’ve seen her in a month, my girl’s sleeping soundly.

  Going into the bathroom, I quickly disrobe and shower just as fast. Once all remains of the events surrounding today are washed down the drain, I grab the ring from my pants pocket and go back into the bedroom, crawling in bed with Rian.

  “You were out late,” she mutters, snuggling into my sid
e.

  “I had some things to take care of. Here, this is for you.” Her eyes flutter and adjust to the dark. She places her open hand on my chest and I place the ring inside.

  “What’s this?” she asks. I debate on how much to tell her. She trusts me with her secret, I know I can trust her with mine.

  “It’s Tom’s.”

  “And how’d you get it?” I can hear the panic rising in her voice. Just his name makes her shudder against me.

  “You never have to worry again. He won’t bother you anymore.” Rian fumbles with the ring in her hand before tossing it on the floor next to the bed. Understanding what must have happened, we don’t go into details. She squeezes my midsection and tosses her leg over mine.

  “You’ll never know how thankful I am for you, Garrett. I love you.”

  “I love you too, baby. Go on back to sleep.” Tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear, I kiss her forehead and watch her drift off to sleep.

  The nightmare is over for her. She never has to watch over her shoulder anymore. Tom can’t hurt her or her family ever again. I’ll take the burden. Wrestle with the demons. What had to be done is done. She’s safe and never has to worry again. This is my issue to bear.

  I’m not one of those guys that says “I’d kill for you” just because it sounds like the right thing to say. It’s something that a lot of men say, but won’t ever follow through, given the chance. I’m the kind of man that means with his whole heart that I’ll protect what’s mine with every fiber of my being.

  It’s not a metaphor for me. It’s something ingrained in my soul. Today, after everything that’s taken place, I know more than anything, Rian’s safe and my father would be proud of the little boy he raised into the man standing here today.

  Epilogue

  Four Years Later

  “Gregory Tyler, you get your little butt back here,” I scream at the two-year-old little maniac who’s taken off with my mascara. If I don’t get that back, God only knows where he’ll decide to “color”.