by Harley Stone
The reverend wanted me back. Suddenly everything made sense. The bastard who’d fucked up my childhood was behind this, pulling Toby’s strings like he always had. Well, if Toby wanted to put the fear of God in me, he had. Even the mention of the reverend made me tremble. Closing my eyes, I saw the heavy wooden door that led to his chambers, a door I swore I’d never walk through again.
“You might as well kill me now,” I said, my voice quiet, but as calm and sincere as it had ever been, “because I’m not going back.”
Hound
If I had any doubts at all that Mila had been sexually abused at the compound, the fear in her eyes erased them. She would die before she returned, but I wasn’t about to let that happen.
“If you hurt her, I will kill you,” I warned, struggling to keep a lid on my anger as I scanned the area for a weapon. There had to be something here I could use to take him out before he hurt Mila.
“You’re just a cripple,” he spat.
Mila watched me like I was a lifeline she was trying to figure out how to grab onto. The red marks circling her neck made me want to gut the son-of-a-bitch. I needed to get her out of there and away from him before he did more damage.
“Why don’t you let her go, and you and me can work this out,” I suggested.
He chuckled. “You think I’m stupid?”
“No. I think you’re a goddamn coward.”
“Do not take the name of the Lord in vain!” he shouted.
Whoa. Mr. Perfect had a temper and I was pushing his buttons. Good to know.
“So… is that a yes to being a coward?”
“I’m not a coward. Nor am I stupid.”
“You sure? As you so graciously pointed out, I’m nothin’ but a fuckin’ cripple. Why are you afraid of me, coward?”
His jaw ticked. “Watch your mouth.”
“Why don’t you come over here and make me?” I fired back.
He’d loosened his grip around Mila’s neck. The cocky bastard was actually considering it. “What’s wrong you little pussy?” I asked. “Afraid of a cripple?”
He fisted his hands on either side of her neck, like he was imagining pounding them into my flesh, but in doing so, he was no longer holding her in place. I let my gaze dart toward the door, hoping she’d get the hint, and get out of there.
Mila gave me a nod.
I sprung across the table.
She dropped to the ground and scurried away.
Tobias reached out for her.
I slammed into him. Fire exploded down my back as we tumbled to the floor. The impact knocked the wind out of him, but I had precious time until he recovered. One of my arms was pinned beneath him, tangled with his, and I couldn’t get it free. I tried to roll, but Tobias moved, stopping me.
Something punctured my side, and I cried out in pain.
He grinned, looking like a goddamn mad man. “Who’s the pussy now?”
He’d stabbed me. The motherfucker must have had a knife on him, because I’d bet money that was a blade digging into my side. His grin widened and the pain intensified.
Did he just twist it?
I needed to cut off his air supply, or he was going to kill me. Using my free arm, I dug my elbow into his throat. His eyes bugged out, but he twisted the blade again. Molten lava poured into my side. I wanted to pull away so the pain would stop, but I refused. Between my back and the pain in my side, I wouldn’t be able to take him down again, and this motherfucker was not getting to Mila. I didn’t care if he killed me, I would stop him.
In the distance, I could hear the roar of bikes and knew my brothers were close. They’d protect her. I only needed to hold on a little longer.
Tobias gasped for breath. He brought his hand up to try to free himself and it was covered in blood.
My blood. A lot of it.
I could feel my strength waning.
He tried to push me away, but I had gravity on my side. Scooting forward, I put all my weight into my arm and pressed harder. “Just go to sleep motherfucker.”
He tried to reply, but couldn’t speak.
It felt like we were locked in that struggle forever before his body finally relaxed. I pressed on his throat a few seconds longer, just to make sure he wasn’t playing possum. When I was certain he was out cold, I pushed myself up to inspect the damage.
Everything hurt. Sure enough, there was a knife sticking out of my side, just below my cut. My shirt and the carpet were both soaked with blood.
The door burst open, and Havoc rushed in.
My vision swam.
We finally knew who the killer was.
Mila would be safe.
The room swayed.
The last thing I heard was Mila screaming my name.
22
Mila
AT THE SIGHT of Hound lying on the floor, unconscious, Havoc sprang into action faster than I’d ever seen a big guy move. “Zombie, call for an ambulance!” he shouted, rushing to Hound’s side. He gently rolled Hound over to assess the damage.
“What can I do?” Rabbit asked, stepping into the house.
“Hot water and rags,” Havoc ordered.
Having someone take charge snapped me out of my stupor. Jumping to my feet, I said, “I’ll get it. I know where they are.”
Running into the kitchen, I turned the water on to heat and grabbed the biggest pot I could find. Shoving it under the streaming water, I left it there while I cleaned out the kitchen towel drawer. Slapping the faucet off, I carried everything to the dining room and set it down by Havoc.
Then, I looked down.
Blood stained a two-foot radius of carpet beneath Hound’s prone body. The knife handle was still sticking out of his side, and he looked pale and lifeless.
“Is he even breathing?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. It was difficult to tell from where I stood, and I was terrified of the answer.
“For now,” Havoc replied, dipping a rag in the hot water and wringing it out. He carefully cleaned Hound’s side and surrounded the knife with additional wet towels, applying pressure to stop the bleeding.
Toby started to stir, so Zombie moved to stand guard in case the bastard woke up.
Needing to do something, I dropped to my knees by Hound’s head and pleaded with him to be okay until the ambulance arrived. The wait seemed to take years, rather than minutes. I could hardly move as Hound was secured onto a stretcher. My eyes locked onto his chest, searching for any signs of breath. As soon as the paramedics wheeled the stretcher toward the door, I bolted to my feet and faced off with Havoc. “I’m riding with him,” I said.
I expected an argument, but Havoc threw his hands in the air and stepped back.
The police pulled into the driveway, careful not to block the ambulance. I knew I’d need to give a statement, but they’d have to find me at the hospital, because there was no way I was leaving Hound’s side. Following the stretcher, I climbed in and sat where I was instructed to, grabbing Hound’s hand on his uninjured side. As they hooked him up to machines and we started toward the hospital, I prayed harder than I ever had in my life.
He came for me!
Hound knew what Toby was capable of, but even the threat of death hadn’t stopped him. Hound’s back was fucked up, he didn’t bring a weapon, and he still took one look at Toby’s hands around my throat and stepped inside the house to help me.
Nobody had ever done anything like that for me before.
And now, he was fighting for his life because of it.
The ambulance ride took forever. I’m sure it actually took only minutes, but it felt like an eternity. The paramedics kept busy while my attention stayed focused on every precious rise and fall of Hound’s chest. I was afraid to look away, afraid to even blink, willing him to keep breathing.
Once we made it to the hospital, they escorted me to the waiting room and wheeled him back to prepare for surgery.
Shortly after he disappeared down the hall, two police officers arrived to take my statement. I told
them everything I could, even sharing Detective Monte’s contact information. Seemingly satisfied with my information, they gave me their business cards and left.
For the next twenty minutes or so, I was alone with my regrets, thinking through all the things I should have done differently. When my repressed memories of the compound kicked my ass, I should have talked to Hound about them. He’d risked his life to save me, and I should have trusted him. Levi was right. I needed professional help, because I couldn’t leave Hound. But I didn’t want to hurt him anymore, either. I needed to learn how to love and connect.
I was so busy figuratively kicking my own ass that I didn’t even notice the broad squad’s approach. Emily, Naomi, Julia, Carly, Jessica, Sasha, and Monica descended on me like a pack of concerned mother hens, offering hugs and begging me to let them help. After all the times I’d cold-shouldered them, their undeserved concern and affection—combined with my fear for Hound’s survival—was too much. I broke and told them everything.
Every-fucking-thing.
Toby, the reverend, my parents, Billy, Polly, Rishi, I held nothing back, unable to stop crying or blabbing. They encircled me like a wall, protecting me from the outside world as I let it all out. And when I finished, there was no judgment or pity in their eyes, just a strange sort of cleared-air solidarity I’d never expected.
“So, you’re fucked up?” Sasha said with a shrug. “Welcome to the party.”
Everyone laughed.
Expecting something more—and wondering if I was too numb or fucked up to be reading the situation correctly—I searched each of their faces.
Seeming to pick up on my confusion, Julia sat beside me, adjusting her very pregnant belly to get comfortable. “We all have our hang-ups,” she explained. “Nobody here will judge you for yours. What we can do, is offer our assistance, though. I am a trained therapist, and I’m… slowly getting back into the business. Regardless, I believe I can help you. I’m offering my services, free of charge, if you want to work through some of this shit.”
I snorted, and then blew my nose again. “Levi did tell me I need professional help.”
“Oh, honey, you do,” she agreed. “But the good news is, pretty much everyone does. You’re not alone.”
They stayed with me until the doctor approached to inform us Hound was out of surgery and stabilized. I’d never heard more welcome words in my life. Bidding a quick goodbye to the girls, I followed him down the hall, into a dark room where Hound was resting. Thanking the doctor, I pulled up a chair to Hound’s uninjured side, sat, and grabbed his hand. He was still worrisomely unconscious, but at least his coloring looked better. I was exhausted, and my eyes burned from crying, so I rested my head beside his hip and fell asleep, still holding his hand.
When I awoke, the morning sun was streaming in through the window, and Hound was still out cold. His hand in mine was warm, and his chest was still rising and falling. I sat up and stretched. Sleeping in that awkward position had given me a kink in my neck that I’d be dealing with for the rest of the day. But none of that mattered, because Hound had made it through the night.
Hound finally woke up around ten a.m., and his big brown eyes were the most welcome sight. I had to stop myself from pouncing on his bed to wrap him in a hug. “You’re awake!” I said, unable to contain my relief.
He gave me a lopsided smile. “Yeah. How long was I out?”
“Since… since Toby stabbed you.” A lump formed in my throat. Swallowing around it, I said, “I’m so sorry.”
“Nothing about that was your fault,” Hound replied, remorse written all over his face. “I never should have said what I did. I was just shocked and hurt, and… I sent you right to him.”
I refused to let him shoulder the guilt for that, since I was equally to blame. “We both said some things we shouldn’t have.”
His gaze dropped to his side and he winced. “Let’s not do that again.”
“Deal,” I agreed. “The cops were arriving as we left in the ambulance. They came by and took my statement last night. Now that you’re awake, I’m sure they’ll want yours, too.”
“You came with me?” His gaze shot to the chair I’d slept in. “You’ve been here all night?”
“Yes. I told the nurse I was your fiancé, so she’d let me stay. So, play along, if they ask.”
Still looking shell-shocked, he nodded.
“Can I get you anything? Water? Food? A nurse? What do you need?”
He cast a worried glance at the IV standing beside him. “Do you know what they gave me for pain?”
“No. I’m sorry.” I should have asked, should have paid closer attention, but I’d been focused solely on his survival.
“Don’t let them give me anything else.”
That was a tall order, and he had to be in a world of hurt. I started to shake my head.
“Please. I can take it, Mila. But I can’t fall off the wagon again. I have too much to lose this time.”
The way he looked at me like I was the most valuable thing in the world formed a lump in my throat.
Before I could swallow past it and assure him he was never shaking me, there was a knock on the door. Apparently, visiting hours had begun, because Link strolled in like he owned the place. “Hey Hound, Mila,” he said by way of greeting.
I glanced at the door, wondering if I should make my escape, but Hound squeezed my hand. After holding his hand all night, I hadn’t even realized I’d entwined our fingers once again. I couldn’t seem to help myself; I needed to touch him.
“Stay?” Hound asked.
Since I couldn’t deny him when he looked at me like that, I slumped back in the chair.
An amused smirk played across Link’s features as he approached. “How you doin,’ brother?” he asked.
“I feel like a million bucks,” Hound replied sarcastically.
Link chuckled. “I bet.”
The two of them talked for a while, and then Link left so Wasp could have a turn. After Wasp, Havoc came in, wheeling one of my suitcases behind him.
“Julia said you could use a change of clothes,” the big guy said. “She found this bag open by the bed and tossed in the bag of toiletries from the bathroom.”
Julia’s thoughtfulness tugged at my heartstrings. I asked him to send her my thanks before accepting the suitcase and digging through it to find what I needed. Then I left the guys to talk, and headed for the bathroom to shower, change, and brush my teeth.
When I returned, Eagle was visiting with Hound. I resumed my spot in the chair, and Hound reached for me.
Eagle was followed by Specks, Frog, Tap, Jake, Bull, Zombie, Rabbit, Buddha, and Tank. It seemed that everyone who could make it in, had. Then, right before visiting hours ended, Levi strolled in.
My cousin entered with a cocky smirk directed at Hound. “If you wanted a day off so badly, all you had to do was ask,” he said.
Hound let out a low chuckle, and then winced. “Yeah. I forgot to call in today. Sorry about that.”
“I’ll let it slide this time.” Levi’s gaze shifted back to me. “Hey Meals. You still pissed at me?”
My cousin was a complicated man, but when the rubber met the road, he was ride or die down to his very core. Between visitors, Hound had told me Levi was the one who’d pressed Tap to pull strings and get Toby’s flight records. Even when I’d walked away from him, Levi had still been looking out for me.
“Can’t blame an asshole for farting,” I replied, flicking him shit so he’d know we were cool.
He chuckled. “Love you, too, cuz.”
Sobering up, I amended my answer. “Seriously, though, thank you. For everything.”
He gave me a pointed look. “We’re family.”
“What’s going on with Toby’s case?” Hound asked, breaking up the moment before it got too mushy. “Havoc said Toby was arrested and they’re investigating, but nobody can seem to tell us more.”
Levi wandered over and sat on the built-in sleeper sofa beneath t
he window. “That’s actually where I’ve been all day. Turns out, Toby’s house was wired, Meals. That motherfucker had cameras everywhere.”
My stomach sank, as the meaning set in. He’d been watching me. In the bedroom, in the tub, everywhere. I glanced at Hound in time to see smoke coming out of his ears. Apparently, he’d picked up on the violation of privacy as well.
“The good news is that those cameras recorded Toby’s confession, and his mention of the reverend’s involvement. The local police are getting the feds involved. Shit’s about to get really interesting.”
Sounded like it. “Do they need anything from me?”
“I’m glad you asked.” His gaze met mine and he settled his hands in his lap. “You gave a statement about Toby, but when the feds arrive, they’re gonna need dirt on the reverend. I know you don’t want to talk about it, Meals, but there are other little girls at that compound. Little girls we can help by taking that motherfucker down.”
After sharing my story with the broad squad, snitching to the feds didn’t seem so terrifying. I nodded. “I’ll do it.”
Levi’s eyebrows shot up his forehead in surprise. “You will?”
Hound squeezed my hand. The look on his face only reinforced my decision.
“Yeah.”
Levi let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair. “That’s a relief. I’m so glad you’re finally willing to deal with this shit. I can’t wait to see that shithead behind bars.” He rose to his feet. “You two need anything before I head out?”
Each of the bikers had asked us the same question. I couldn’t think of anything I needed from the others, but I did have a job for Levi. “Yes. There’s a kitten at Toby’s…”
Levi cracked a smile and shook his head. “Say no more. She’s already at the fire station. I’m pretty sure if you don’t adopt her, one of those big softies will.”