“Gunny won’t let anything happen to them. You know Sharon. You think she’d put up with his shit if he weren’t a good guy?” Bane let his fingers trace up the creamy skin of her throat, twining into the hair at the nape of her neck, twirling a tiny lock that had escaped her braid. “He’s gonna get them comfortable, let them be boys, and in return, they’ll respect him. I’ve seen it a dozen times with men like him. They’re good to their bones, and without question they will protect the innocence of kids with their lives.”
“Luke sounds good.” The smile she aimed his direction was small and tight, foreshadowing something not good was coming. “Did you hear anything Thad told me? Anything either of them said at all?”
“Yeah, some. Was tryin’ to give you a chance to reconnect, darlin’, but some of it I couldn’t block out.”
“Did you hear what Sallabrook did to him?”
Bane tensed but shook his head slowly, giving her his answer in silence. She stared at him, lines etched in her cheeks as she came to grips with what she’d learned, what she was trying to share without speaking it into reality.
The knock at the connecting door wasn’t light and playful this time. It sounded as a heavy rattle, slow and ponderous. Bane backed away from where Myrt stood and reached out to open the door without looking. The body in the doorway was big, too big to be one of the boys. “Yeah, Gunny?”
“Brother.”
That single word was weighted more than the knock had been, and Bane held his hand out to Myrt as he turned to face Gunny.
The man was still in his vest—not surprising; Bane was too. He had a dirty rag in his hand, stained with what looked like transmission fluid. Fabric bunched between his fingers as Gunny lifted it with a grimace. “You know what happened to the boy?”
Myrt touched Bane’s arm, slipping her hand down to curl around his wrist. She gripped tightly, and he pulled her close, lifting their joined arms so he could wrap his arm around her shoulder, bringing her to his side. She was shaking. Not the erotic shivers from before, but a trembling that seemed to emanate from deep inside. Her chin bumped a half a dozen times as she nodded wildly in Gunny’s direction. “It’s…it’s why w-w-we…had to come.” Took her three breaths to get the words out, stuttering and stopping in between. “I knew what he’d—” She twisted and shoved her face against Bane’s chest, hiding underneath his vest. “What he’d do.” She finished on a whisper, barely audible to Bane, but when he glanced at Gunny, there was no confusion, only sorrow and understanding.
Bane reached out and took the cloth from Gunny, realizing at the last moment it was a pair of briefs. “Which boy?” He ran all of the conversations back through his head in an instant and realized he already knew. “It’s Thad, isn’t it? Did he say anything to you?” Gunny’s head swung back and forth. Bane looked back at the stained underwear, noting the overlapping circles of red. Jesus. “You think he needs a doc?”
“Dunno, man. I told ’em to toss me their dirty things. It came out with the rest of his stuff.” Gunny angled his head down, trying to look Myrt in the face. “Shit happens, little sister. Boy’s got us at his back now, and we’ll make sure he’s good. He’s a strong little dude, big little man, makin’ sure his family’s safe. Without talking to him, I still know that’s what happened. Know it like I know the back of my hand. Us, me and Bane, we’re gonna make it so that piece of shit can’t ever do anything like this again. Hand to God, little sister.”
“I should have known, but I never thought about him hurting the boys.” Myrt shifted, one arm circling Bane’s back as she rolled her cheek across his chest so she could look at Gunny through her tears. “Deep inside, I should have known if I left, he’d find someone else to hurt. I closed my eyes and left.” She shook in the circle of Bane’s arms as she began to sob. “It’s all my fault.” She shoved her face back under his vest, taking shelter where she could.
Over the top of her head, he shared a look with Gunny. With a sharp nod, the man took a step backwards and closed the door gently behind him. Bane steered Myrt towards the bed and guided her down into his lap, keeping the close connection between them. He breathed her in, the flowery scent of her shampoo already familiar enough to be soothing. He arranged her limbs, draping her legs across his, curling around her. With her braid of hair drawn over one shoulder, Bane glided his hands up and down her arms, across her back, around the curves of her hips, touching her everywhere he could reach.
Making her mine.
When her tears had slowed, he chucked under her chin with a knuckle, drawing her face up. She even cries pretty. Her cheeks rouged, lips swollen, eyes puffy but not reddened—she was gorgeous no matter what happened. “Not.” Bane leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. “Your.” He spoke with emphasis. “Fault.” A fresh flood of tears welled in her eyes. “Baby, don’t cry.” She blinked, then closed her eyes tightly, lips pressed in a thin slash. “Don’t, don’t, don’t. Baby, don’t cry anymore. It’s not your fault. You had no idea he’d go back to your daddy, no idea your daddy’d do what he did. Not your fault.”
“But I should have known he’d do something.”
The misery writ large on her face was terrible to see. Bane stroked across the apple of her cheek with the back of one finger. “Getting yourself out of a situation like that couldn’t have been easy. Shows a lot of grit and courage, Myrt. I heard about what he did to you before you left. Babe, if you’d stayed, he might not have stopped the next time. Might not have stopped until you were dead. Then what would he have done? Probably the same goddamned thing, trailed back to your daddy and whined about his life. But where would the boys be then? If you hadn’t saved yourself, we wouldn’t be here.”
“If we weren’t here.” Lips quivering, she pushed her way through. “It wouldn’t have ended.”
“No, it wouldn’t have. Not for Thad. And not for Luke, either.”
Her hand lifted and rested against his chest. “It’s because of you we are here.”
“No, baby.” Bane bent close and pecked her lips in a soft kiss. “It’s because of you. It’s all you. The boys are safe because of you.” Eyes open, he kissed her again. “All you, baby. Own that shit.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, baby.” He kissed her deeper, long and wet enough he got to see her eyelids sink closed as she surrendered to the sensations. Breaking off with a grin, he gave her a minute to come back to herself. Resting his forehead against hers, he told her something he hadn’t been sure she’d been ready to hear, but instincts told him the time was right now. “Gettin’ those boys safe is because of you, but making sure that asshole won’t do shit again? That’s on me. Gunny and me are gonna go back up the mountain here in a bit, catch up with Sallabrook and explain how things are gonna be.”
“You’ll be careful, right?” Her brows furrowed lightly, her gaze fixed on his lips in a way that told him she was reliving the kiss right now, still in his arms.
“Yeah, babe. We’ll be safe. Promise.” Her hand curling around the back of his neck made him smile. “We’ll be back before you know it. Now”—he swung her legs so they dangled between his, then shifted backwards on the bed—“we gotta figure out what you and the boys want for dinner.”
She stood, bending at the waist so their faces were still close. “You’re good to me.”
“Well—” He kissed her again, hard and fast. “You’re good for me.” Her lips curled as she looked into his eyes. I really like that look on her. Looks good. “Makes us even.”
***
Bane
Standing at the window next to Gunny, Bane looked down to where Myrt sat on a lounge chair within a fenced-off area. Thad was perched on the concrete apron around the pool, feet disappearing into the water. His wet hair testified he’d been in the pool at some point, probably playing with Luke, who was floating on his back, arms outspread.
“They’re gonna be okay.” Gunny’s words didn’t leave any room for argument, not that Bane wanted to disagree with the man. “Myrtl
e, too. That’s one tough chick, man. I saw pics of what she looked like when she first showed up. Vanna documented the damage, just in case, you know?”
“I heard.” He blew out a stream of air. “Didn’t see. Didn’t need to in order to know it was bad.” His phone dinged in his pocket and showed a delivery status on the food app when he pulled it out. “Food’s in the lobby.” Digging cash out of his wallet, he shoved it towards Gunny. “Grab the pizza and I’ll round up the crew.”
“Sounds like a deal.” Gunny thudded a closed fist against Bane’s shoulder. “I’m fuckin’ ready to roll, brother. Get that piece of shit dealt with so those boys can put all this behind ’em. Time to make good memories, startin’ right here and now. Those boys gonna love Truck’s place, and you’re givin’ ’em a good fuckin’ family.”
Bane remained at the window, staring down at Myrt as she laughed with her brothers, ducking back as Luke flung water her direction. She glanced up and their gazes caught and held, a smile stretching across her face. It only lasted an instant until Luke was successful in splashing her, but Bane felt the connection between them grow stronger.
Somethin’ about this woman.
Not too much later the boys were dried off and seated at the table in Gunny’s room. Myrt perched on the edge of a bed nearby, watching her brothers eat with a satisfied expression on her face.
“Hey, Myrt?” She looked up at Bane where he leaned against the wall. Tipping her head to the side, she scrunched up her nose, questioning silently. “Happy looks good on you, babe.”
Thad’s chair jolted as he turned halfway around to glare at Bane.
Gunny’s chuckle was dark as he muttered, “Oho, gonna have to watch out for baby brother.” He brushed past Bane on his way to the door. “Let’s roll, man.”
“Right behind you.” He tossed the van keys to Gunny and detoured to stand next to Myrt. With his back to the boys, he loomed over her, pleased to see no fear in her face as she looked up at him. “We’ll be back soon.” Fingers around the hinge of her jaw, he stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Stay inside. You’ve got food and drinks. My card if you need to order anything else. Just sign it in a scribble, they’ll think it’s me anyway.”
“Okay.” Her bottom lip pouted out the tiniest bit, turning her from pretty into even more gorgeous. “Be careful.”
“I told you, we will be.” He bent and brushed his lips across hers, thrilled when she chased his mouth. “Leave the door between the rooms open; that way, you can hear the boys.”
Her repeated response was soft. “Okay.”
With final soft kiss at the corner of his mouth, he slid his lips to her ear. “Back real soon, baby.”
The noise she made was the one that made his dick get hard, and he had to fight his instinct to take more, kiss her deeper, bend her backwards on the bed until she whimpered underneath him.
Jesus.
Bane forced himself away, turning towards the door and walking through, finding Gunny chuckling in the hallway. The door clicked shut, and he thudded his fist against Gunny’s chest with a muttered, “Fuck you.”
Non-club-related small talk got them halfway up the mountain, rounds of “did you know” and “where is he now” weaving the threads of common connections between them. They were easy enough together so when Bane had a thought, he voiced the question without worrying Gunny’d take it the wrong way.
“When you patched over the Jailbreakers, were you cool with takin’ on a bunch of members like that?” He glanced over to where Gunny lounged in the passenger seat. “Lotta new blood all at once.”
“Yeah, lotta men, but they were in our pocket anyway.” Gunny stared out the window. “Good guys. We nearly lost ’em to the IMC. Was glad to keep ’em in the family.” He sat up and pointed. “Hey, stop a minute. Let’s pick that up. I’ve got an idea for what we can do when we catch up to Sallabrook.”
Without a word, Bane steered the van to the edge of the road and stared at what Gunny had indicated. “You fuckin’ kiddin’ me?”
“Naw, brother. Trust me on this. I got an idea.” Gunny’s chuckle was dark and wicked sounding as it rumbled out of him. “Get it.”
Bane exited the vehicle, staring up and down the empty road. He walked to the back of the van and flung the doors wide, glaring into the interior and considering his options. There was a partial roll of trash bags off to the side, left over from his and Myrt’s shopping trip for the boys. Plenty remained for what was needed now.
He finished and slung the bag into the back of the van, then scrubbed his hand against the damp grass, kissed by the evening dew—the dichotomy of using something so pure to cleanse away filth flashed clear in his mind, one he didn’t even try to sort out.
Turning onto the narrow driveway leading up the mountainside, he and Gunny reacted to the new set of tire prints at the same time.
“Bastard came back.”
“Lookie here.” Gunny slapped the roof of the van in a rapid staccato. “We’re gonna deal with shit. Takin’ out the trash.”
Bane steered the van, following the well-worn dirt track.
“You’re good, Bane. We’ll be outta here before you know it.”
“I know.”
“Then why you stranglin’ the wheel, brother?”
Bane relaxed his fingers, stretching them. “I’m good, man.”
Top of the driveway, Bane slowed and let the van roll to a stop before they cleared the line of trees. The van would serve as an effective plug, keeping all traffic in and out from easy passage. Even though they’d closed the barn doors upon leaving earlier, now they hung wide, a gaping block of darkness in the shadowy evening light.
The door to the house was closed, windows dark, but from where they were Bane could see the hulking shape of a man in the chair on the porch.
“There he is.”
Bane opened his door and paused, shoving his head close to the overhead light, giving Sallabrook a good, long look at him. Gunny snorted as he swung out of the van, slamming the door behind him. “Let’s go, brother.”
Bane climbed out, letting the door swing shut, and lengthened his stride, catching and passing Gunny within a few feet. He didn’t slow until he had Sallabrook out of the chair and against the wall. His arm an iron bar across the man’s throat, he shoved his face close to find all the posturing he’d done had been worthless. Sallabrook had been passed out in the chair, missed the whole show. He stank of whiskey and sweat, eyes rolling as he tried to understand what was happening.
Rage swelled in Bane, black and toxic, and a tool for him to use. “Old man, you recognize me? Got a gander at my face, dickhead? I’m the one told you there was no way you’d get your hands on Myrtle again.” Bane lifted the man, suspending him with the hold on his throat, lips peeling back from his teeth with the effort. He grunted, hefted him again to slam against the wall, and his voice, low and dangerous, told Sallabrook, “If I’d known at the time what you’d done, there wouldn’t have been any walkin’ away for you.” The man’s heels rattled against the wooden wall, slowing and stilling as he slumped in Bane’s grip.
“Brother.”
At the steadying touch against his shoulder, Bane jerked backwards and let the man slide down, the limp body slumping against the railing at the end of the porch. “Fuck!”
“We got this,” Gunny said as he pushed past Bane. “You got this, man.” He wrapped an arm around Sallabrook’s throat and yanked him partially upright, then dragged him across the porch, the heels of his socks catching on the rough planks. Gunny shoved the door open and moved through.
Bane followed and went directly to the kitchen, finding even this backwoods cabin had a junk drawer filled with all the things needed for the evening’s activities. Strapping tape in hand, he made his way across the main room to where Gunny had Sallabrook perched in the largest chair in the house. Gunny already had the man’s ankles tied to the chair legs with wide straps of leather that looked like belts.
Positioning Sallabrook’s wris
ts on the arms of the chair, Bane took his time winding the tape around and around. His final effort was to twist the tape across the back of the chair and loop a couple of straps around the man’s chest to hold him upright. Leaving the cardboard holder dangling, Bane stepped to where he could see Sallabrook’s face. Red and mottled, whether from drinking deep or being choked out. It didn’t matter. Bane couldn’t find an ounce of sympathy in him for this asshole.
“You ready for this?” Bane asked the question, already knowing the answer as he turned to look at the other man.
“Born ready, brother.” Gunny stood near the doorway and thumbed over his shoulder. “Gonna go grab a couple of things from the van. Don’t have too much fun before I get back.” Bane lifted his chin and shifted to face Sallabrook. “Brother?” He looked over his shoulder at Gunny, their level gazes colliding and holding. Gunny’s voice was low and angry when he reminded Bane, “He hurt that boy. Hurt your woman. There’s only one way this ends.”
“Oh, yeah, I know.” Bane’s chest swelled with the belief and confidence in Gunny’s gaze. “He ain’t walkin’ out of here. Hell, he ain’t crawlin’ out of here. He ain’t breathin’ out of here.” He untwisted and faced Sallabrook. “Old man dies here. Like I said before, you and me are on the same page, brother.”
Sallabrook coughed. Bane watched his body jerking with the effort, wishing for an instant he’d pressed a little harder on the man’s neck.
“I’ll be back in a minute, Bane.”
The door opened and closed at Bane’s back. He didn’t take his gaze off Sallabrook, watching as the man’s eyes opened, pupils wide and dark. The old man’s head rocked back, and he stared at the ceiling. “You took my boys.” Coughs wracked him, nearly stole the words as he rasped out a whisper. “Took my girl, too.”
“She took herself out of here.” He allowed himself a single step towards Sallabrook, his feet straining to move farther. “The fuck kind of shit you runnin’ up here? What were you even doin’ goin’ back to her old man? What’d you expect to get outta the deal? Did you go there hopin’ to get your money back? I know you bought her from her father, low-life piece of shit.”
In Search of Solace (Rebel Wayfarers MC) Page 14