Burner's Absolution (Devil's Riot MC Book 8)

by E. C. Land

  Escorting me to the room, a room I’ve unfortunately had to share with him, it sickens me that I had to feign sleep as he slept with me locked next to him.

  Quietly, I gather one of the suits, choosing one I hope will cover most of my body.

  I nearly jump out of my skin when Miguel steps up behind me. “Not that one, bella,” he says, reaching around me and picking one up that’s no more than a scrap of fabric not worth putting on.

  Taking the material out of his hand, I head toward the bathroom; only he stops me. “No need to hide from me, bella. Besides, I have every intention of finally making you mine by the end of the night.”

  Inwardly wincing, I nod my head as I pretend his words don’t affect me. It’s one of the things I learned— let them think their actions don’t affect you as much as they really do.

  As quickly as I can, I change into the bikini. Standing with my back to Miguel, I’m trying to adjust the tiny triangles over my nipples when I feel his hands brush against my skin. “Who did this to you, mi reina?” he growls. The tone of his voice sends a shiver down my spine as he truly seems to be angry.

  “Umm . . .” I murmur, unsure if I should really tell him.

  “Was this one of those worthless bastards from that dreadful club?” he seethes.

  “No,” I say truthfully as I turn to face him only to step back in fear when I meet his gaze.

  “Then, who? I will kill them. You are my bella, and they have marred your skin with these scars. They deserve no less than being skinned alive. Tell me their names, and I’ll avenge you. Prove to you that I will take care of you as mi reina. You’re to stand at my side, not behind me,” Miguel rasps, his voice gruff as he fights for control of his emotions. And there it is, my way out of here— use his emotions against him.

  The way Miguel talks of us being a couple would be nice if he weren’t insane or had kidnapped me. Plus, he’s not the man who owns my heart.

  Clearing my throat, I give him a smile as I lift a hand to cup his cheek. “You don’t have to worry about them anymore. Besides, we’re on a beautiful island, and no one can touch me here. Right?”

  “I promise, mi bella, no one will be able to touch you here. I will have my best men protecting you here at all times. I will not lose you. The two of us will be happy and have many children,” he says before pressing his lips against mine, giving me a firm yet sloppy as hell kiss. I do my best to keep myself from gagging. “Now, let’s go enjoy the beach.”

  Nodding, I let him guide me out of the house for the first time since I agreed to his terms. I know I shouldn’t be excited about going outside, especially in the scrap of material I’m wearing. Yet, I can’t stop the hope that bubbles inside me at finding a way to escape from not just this island, but this man.

  I need to find a way to save myself and get back to the man I want to be with.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Burner

  “Do we have any other information coming in?” I grumble as I slump into a chair at the table Rage and Hades were already sitting at with Gadget and Dragon. They’d come with us after Twister ordered them to tag along. Fine with me as long as I get to my woman faster.

  That was two days ago.

  We drove straight through, only gassing up when needed. Without too much traffic, we made it to Marco Island in a record time of eleven hours rather than fourteen to seventeen.

  After checking into a motel, we’d set out to check the locations Gadget had been able to find only to hit dead ends every time. Knowing time is of the essence, none of us have hardly slept as we continue to search for Ally.

  “I think we might have something. There’s an island about a hundred miles or so from here,” Gadget says before lifting his coffee to take a sip.

  “Okay, what’s that got to do with us finding Ally,” I ask in irritation. Having barely slept is starting to get to me.

  “I believe so. The property was hidden well using the name of Miguel’s half-sister, who, by the way, is deceased. Goes to show the government doesn’t check into things the way they’re supposed to. I mean, if they did, our sister wouldn’t have had to deal with all the bullshit she did after the bank got her stuff straight. Better yet, Casimir wouldn’t have gotten away with what he did, and we’d have found her a long fuckin’ time ago,” Gadget gripes. He’s been nonstop working every angle he could.

  “Has anyone checked in with Twister on how everyone there is doing?” Hades asks. We’d all been checking in constantly. When we’d left, Mac was in critical condition, and the doctors didn’t believe he’d make it.

  Emerson hadn’t taken the news very well since she became friends with during the time he’d been tasked with watching her. That and he’d fallen for Nora, Emerson’s best friend. The same friend who drives each of us crazy. However, after she’d been shot, we rarely see her around. Most of that has to do with her overbearing big brothers who want to protect their only sister. Can’t blame them there.

  “Yeah, Kenny was being discharged from the hospital. The baby is a true brother in the makin’. He’s fightin’ for his life. According to Twister, they’re not telling anyone his name until we all get back with Ally,” Rage says before sighing as he shakes his head. Fuck, that’s never a good thing. “Mac didn’t make it.”

  “Fuck,” I growl, slamming my fist against the table. “Have we found the bitch who did this to him?”

  “Yeah, Kenny finally remembered exactly what the woman’s name was after seeing the image of her from the surveillance video. Her name is Lena Sterlings. She was a regular at the bar. I was just going through Outlaws security footage from the last six months. The bitch came in several times and left with you once,” Gadget says, looking at me as he states the last part.

  “Wait a minute, this bitch is someone I’ve sunk my dick in? Why the hell would she go after Ally? Each one of my hook-ups knew what it was— just that, a fuck and dump. Shit, I didn’t even take anyone anywhere except behind the building,” I grumble.

  “Don’t know, but this is what we’re dealing with. And because she was dumb enough to use her credit cards at the bar, I was able to run them to find out where all she’s used them. Would you believe me if I told you this Lena Sterlings comes into this very diner around the same time each day,” he announces with a smirk.

  “Well, blow me down, I say we grab this bitch today, confirm the location, then tie her ass up. We can deal with her after we get my woman back. Bet Kenny would enjoy the gift if we brought her back to the shed,” I state.

  “Shit, Kenny would go berserk on the woman. She’s already demanded blood. I think she’s more lethal than Momma B when it comes to her kids,” Rage mutters.

  “Can you blame her? She almost lost her son because of this bitch. Hell, the kid still ain’t out of the woods yet,” I say before a thought occurred to me. This woman’s gotta be associated with the Diaz cartel in some way. There’s no way the motherfucker would bring an outsider in to do anything he needs unless he trusts them to not run their mouths.

  As I open my mouth to voice this to my brothers, the bell over the door rings, announcing someone coming into the diner. Of course, you speak of skanks, and they shall appear. I narrow my eyes on the woman as I take in her appearance. I must have been out of it to have fucked her. It’s not that she’s hideous or anything, but the aura radiating off her sickens me.

  “Don’t do anything foolish,” Hades mutters as I begin to stand.

  “Brother, that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about. I’m simply gonna have a nice little chat with the bitch. Get ready to grab her outside,” I sneer.

  Turning away from my brothers, I find Lena sitting in a booth on the other side of the diner.

  “Mind if I sit down,” I ask dryly as I sit in the seat across from her. If I were a man who hit women, I’d wipe that dreamy smile off Lena’s face as she takes me in.

  “I knew you’d come for me,” she leans forward, propping her elbows on the table. If I were to glance down, I’
m sure I’d get a good look at her tits.

  “Now, why would you think that?” Raising a brow at her, I grin. I want her to think I want her at least until I can get her outside. Then it’s game on.

  “Because I’m the woman you should’ve been with all along,” Lena says.

  “Is that right? Well, all you had to do was say something. You didn’t have to go about it the way you did. Would have been a lot easier.” Leaning forward, I give her a smirk. “Let’s get out of here, and we can talk about this. Maybe with a lot less clothing on,” I suggest, hoping she takes the bait.

  Giggling, she shakes her head. “You don’t think I’m that naïve, do you? I get rid of your girlfriend, and you track me down? Yeah, right. You must think I’m completely stupid. As much as I would love nothing more than to fuck you right now. I know that’s not what you want to do,” Lena says.

  No, not taking the bait and definitely a lot stupider than I thought she’d be.

  “Ally wasn’t my girlfriend, Lena. She’s my fuckin’ ol’ lady. Now, since you don’t wanna come along without the scene I can see brewing in your eyes, I suggest you get up and walk out that door before I put a bullet in your brain right here,” I growl.

  “Oh, lover boy, the whore isn’t your ol’ lady no more, now is she? I’d like to see you try shooting me. You wouldn’t. Wanna know why?” Lena says it as a question, yet it's not. “Because all it will take is one simple little call to Miguel, and I can end her the way your sweet Janey was ended. You know she was easily smitten with my cousin? It’s how I was able to get her out of my way. Too bad she couldn’t handle both my cousin and Kayne,” she taunts, trying to get a rise out of me.

  I’ll admit it almost works, but I refuse to give in to the bitch. The more she lets spew from her mouth, the more I’ll enjoy seeing her death when it comes.

  “What, nothing to say about poor Janey?” she laughs.

  Clenching my teeth, I glare at Lena. “I don’t get it. Why did you need Janey out of your way?” I grind out.

  “Because, William, you’re mine. I don’t care if you fuck a million different snatches, but I will not allow you to be with one woman,” she sneers.

  “You’re insane. I’m not yours. I don’t even know who you are other than some piece I fucked behind a bar,” I growl.

  “Tisk, tisk, tisk, William. You should remember me. We met in middle school and dated for about a month when you decided you didn’t want to be in a relationship with me but rather Janey. Too bad, she ended up with her throat slashed. Kayne used to get a little excited when he and Miguel played their games with the women they shared.”

  Who the hell gets pissed about a break-up in middle school and holds a vendetta for this damn long? This crazy bitch, it seems.

  Having had enough of this shit, I slide out of my seat, grabbing her arm at the same time. She’s done with this shit. I’m not listening to another thing she has to say. I all but drag Lena out of the diner and toward my brothers.

  Shoving Lena toward Dragon, I rack my fingers through my hair roughly. “Take her to the motel and tie her up. Call Twister and ask him to either send someone to get her or I’m putting a bullet in her head. And if I do, then neither Kenny, Ally, nor Momma B will get their turns with this one. Shit, you can even tell him to contact Boss. I don’t give a fuck. As long as she’s away from me before I get back with Ally,” I growl

  “You got it, brother, but you wanna fill us in?” Dragon rasps as he grips Lena’s arm.

  “Yeah, this bitch is the one who started it all with Miguel in the first place. I’ll tell y’all more later when I’m not ready to blow the bitch’s head off. Plus, I need to get to Ally.” I say the last part more or less toward Lena to see her reaction.

  “He’ll kill her before you get to her,” Lena snaps but otherwise keeps her mouth shut. She’s smart in that department.

  “How do you know I don’t already have her? You talk to your cousin recently?” I ask only to receive a glare from her.

  “I’d say that’s a no, brother. Come on. We don’t need this bitch to confirm anything. I’m betting she’s on that island Gadget mentioned,” Rage mutters.

  Nodding, I turn my back on the bitch and make my way to my bike. No more playing around. It’s time my ol’ lady comes home so we can start our lives together.

  Besides, Jackie’s pissed we missed Sunday dinner because of this shit and has now taken up being at the clubhouse until I get back.

  Shaking my head, I glance up at the sky. “I’m coming, Firefly,” I murmur into the wind as a gust blows around me.

  There’s an old saying that the wind carries messages for those who ask. And right now, I’m more than asking. I’m begging Ally to hear my words, to know I’m coming for her.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Ally

  Darkness surrounds me as the waves crash against the shore and I sprint down toward the shoreline, heading in the direction of the dock I spotted earlier in the day.

  Miguel and I spent the afternoon and well into the evening outside soaking in the sun. I’d begun to fear what would happen when we got back up to the house. However, luck had been on my side for a change rather than against me. Miguel had an emergency call come in from one of his associates that I was unable to sit in on and I’d been sent to our room to await him.

  It was the first time I had to myself the entire time I’ve been here. I took advantage of it and quietly slipped out one of the many doors. As I’d slinked alongside the house, making sure no one saw me, I thought my heart would pound out of my chest.

  My heart still feels as if it were about to shoot straight out of my body as I run as fast as I can.

  Panting for breath, I can hear the yelling from behind me as they’ve realized I’ve escaped.

  Hurry up! my brain screams out as I push myself to move even faster.

  “Don’t let her get to the boats,” I hear someone order from somewhere behind me.

  Right before I get to the dock, I’m tackled from behind. “Nice try, puta, but you’re not goin’ anywhere,” one of Miguel’s men growls.

  Screaming, I do my best to get away from him, to fight back. So close, I can’t stop now.

  When he flips me to my back, I attempt to kick out, but he blocks it from making contact.

  “Stupid puta,” he spits in my face.

  “Call her a puta again and see what happens,” a voice I know all too well growls at the same time I hear a gun being cocked.

  Glancing beyond the man pinning me down into the sand, I find not only Burner but also my brother, Rage, and Gadget.

  As the guard slowly stands, he throws a sneer at me. “I knew you’d be nothing but trouble,” he mutters.

  Before I realize what’s happening, a gun goes off, hitting the man right between his eyes.

  “Firefly, you okay,” Burner asks as he kneels next to me.

  My ears ringing as I meet his gaze, I can’t help but stare at him, seeing how beautiful he is even when his eyes are lit up like liquid fire.

  “You’re here,” I murmur in a daze.

  “Yeah, baby, I’m here,” he says, cupping my cheeks.

  “Don’t have time for this, brother. We gotta get her out of here,” Rage mutters.

  Burner nods his head as he lifts me up off the sand, drawing me into his arms. “I want you to go wait on the boat over there. I’m sending you with Gadget. We’ll be right behind you, okay,” Burner whispers, his lips so close to mine.

  “But I don’t wanna leave you. Please, don’t make me,” I plead as tears sting my eyes. I can’t leave him, not right now.

  “I need you to, baby. I won’t be far behind you. I gotta handle this,” he states firmly.

  “Then I’m coming with you,” I say, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.

  “Not a good idea,” Hades grumbles.

  “I agree,” Gadget adds.

  “I don’t care. I’ve just spent the last few days worried about what’s going to happen to me. I need to k
now what’s happening around me. And I don’t want to be near anyone other than Burner,” I say to no one in general, but my eyes never leave the man himself.

  “Fuck, Ally, you’re as stubborn as ever. Alright, you stay between your brother and Gadget. Do what they say, and if they tell you to go to the boat, you fuckin’ go,” he mutters minutes later.

  “I promise,” I say, nodding vigorously.

  “Good.” Leaning forward, Burner gives me a quick kiss before releasing me to look at Rage. “Let’s get this done,” he growls.

  Rage nods his head before the two of them take off in a run for cover. I lose sight of them, but knowing he’s here and I’m heading for him comforts me. Sure, I know I’m okay with my brother and even Gadget, but no one makes me feel safer than Burner does.

  Gunfire rings around us as Hades makes sure I stay hidden at the same time he keeps moving us forward.

  “You should have gone to the boat with Gadget, Ally,” Hades grumbles.

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to be left alone for even a minute until I know this is over,” I say.

  “I get it, but Burner’s not gonna be able to focus the way he needs to knowing you’re following behind him and not doing what he wanted,” my brother counters, causing me to stop in my tracks.

  Am I doing the right thing? Should I go to the boat and wait for him? Does he need my help? Is he in danger of not giving this his full attention?

  “I don’t want him to get hurt,” I breathe.

  “I know, Ally. Look, how about a compromise? You wait here with Gadget while I go join him and Rage. You’re hidden in the shadows of the trees and Burner will be able to focus and do what he needs without worrying about you at the same time,” Hades offers, determination in his gaze. He has no intention of me going any further.