Taken: A Dark Hitman Romance

by Sophia Hampton

  “It’s no use, Tory. Your mama isn’t going to make it -- at least when I’m done with y’all.” He lifts the gun and points it straight up and out, but in his state, it doesn’t point at either of us. It just leans to and fro as he tries to steady himself. He looks back at Anton as he says, “You managed to get past my boy, did you? I knew you were a clever son-of-a-bitch, but I didn’t think you had those nine lives either.”

  “Brandon’s dead. We killed him. And you’re next if you don’t play your cards right, Walsh.” Anton’s voice has suddenly grown stronger as he pushes himself against a wall for support. “The whole club knows about your plans with the Senators and their coming. Even if you kill us three, you’ll be chased and hunted down and given a traitor’s goodbye. You surrender now, and maybe I’ll put in a good word for you.”

  “You’re bluffing.” My father replies as he looks back to me. “You set him to say this shit, didn’t you? You were always the smart little girl, my perfect angel. I should have known that one day you would turn on me like this. But at least I know you’re not going to get that happily ever after with a bastard of your own.”

  He pulls the gun back up to his eyes again and places his finger on the trigger. The gun aims at Anton as he laughs, “Say goodbye Tory! Can’t say I’ll miss him!”

  They say that a mother has this innate power to protect its family when in danger. You hear these stories about women who move cars off of their babies that have been run over or mothers who walk thousands of miles in the desert for water during famines. For me, it’s shooting my father.

  As he cocks the gun back to his shoulder, I move in speeds I’ve never thought possible. The gun I set on the counter of the bathroom finds its way to my hand and, unlike when I had to use it with Brandon, the trigger pulls back. The force of the gun sends me back up against the side of the wall to where Anton is standing, but I don’t stop. I fire it again. And again. And again. Three bullets each hitting their mark directly into the center of my father’s chest. They make bulletholes he’ll never recover from as his body falls to the ground in a loud, unearthly thud that seems to shake the entire home.

  So many things happen in the moments that follow. My mother cries out as if something is being physically released from her body. It’s not sorrow, pain, or guilt. It’s a release that takes all of her remaining energy from her. As I look towards her, I feel Anton’s weight press down on me, his body giving in finally. He falls ontop of me, giving me just enough time to set the still warm gun down on the ground next to where I lay him, in a puddle of my mom or dad’s blood. I don’t even know now.

  And as I think there could be possibly no way out of it, as I look to that gun for some relief, Anton’s threat to my father comes true. The front door slams open followed by the sound of boots -- Desert Knight boots. At least 15 or 20 men I don’t instantly recognize outside their club color jackets storm into the kitchen, each stopping in their tracks as they spot the carnage. They look to me kneeling with Anton’s head in my lap for how to approach.

  And I can only cry, “Help. Please help.”

  Epilogue: Together

  I stand up, wedging my feet into my new pair of heels. The leather backs rubs up against my skin, and I wonder why I didn’t take all that advice about breaking them in before wearing them. No one wants to be in pain on their wedding day, especially while walking down the aisle to the man of their dreams.

  “Are you ready?” April asks as she holds my white gown up above her head. “We’re already running late.”

  “I know, I know. I just want to hold my baby one last time before I get in there. I’d really like to avoid messy fingerprints all over my gown.” I walk over to my mom who has been sitting quietly in her wheelchair, my baby girl in her arms. She smiles down at her as she hands her back to me.

  When Bella was born, I was a mess, a total wreck. It had been seven months since the night my entire life changed, and I was still feeling the weight of it on me almost every day and night. My life was full of nightmares and daydreams of bodies on the ground, Anton falling into my arms, the sound of my mother’s scream. But as soon as I heard Bella’s cry, I knew that my life would never be the same. It would be more than my past or who I was brought up to be. It would be about her, about our family.

  And now, it’s going to become official: Mrs. Anton Murdoch. We could all three have the same name. I could burst just thinking about it as I stare down at my tiny redheaded baby with those almond eyes that belong to me and the rest that was all her daddy. With those eyes, she would get to witness her parents finally becoming one. What more could a girl like me ask for?

  After a few kisses and hugs, I place my baby back in my mother’s arms and allow April to slip my dress over my head. It’s nothing too formal. Just a lacey white dress with cap sleeves. Everyone was telling me to go for something beaded and bedazzled, but that’s just not my style. I also couldn’t imagine Anton looking at me covered in fake jewels and sparkles. I instead got something timeless, practical, simple.

  When I spin around to face my friend and mom, I know I’ve made the right choice in dresses. Their eyes light up when they see me with my veil in place. “You look amazing -- everything I dreamed you would look like on this day, Tory.” My mom wheels herself to my side and takes my hand in hers. Even though it’s been nearly a year since I found her cut up in the bathroom, she’s still much weaker than I could remember. Still, her hand presses into mine as she adds. “I couldn’t be more proud of you than I am right now.”

  I choke back the tears that are forming in my eyes as I look over towards the large clock in Anton’s and my new house. We just closed the deal on it last month, and I’ve already spent countless hours painting and priming everything, including overseeing him build the in-law suite for my mother to be as close to us as possible. It was the least I could do given all that she sacrificed for me.

  “Oh man,” I say, overwhelmed by my own thoughts, “It’s time to go. The guys are waiting for us.”

  April walks outside, baby in her arms, and flags down the limo driver. He helps my mother into the car while April puts Bella into a car seat. I hang out in the back. I wasn’t going to be riding with them. I had other plans today -- a surprise fit for Anton. I watch as the limo turns off our road and down towards the wedding chapel.

  When it’s all clear, I carefully hike the skirt of my dress up and exchange my heels for a pair of brown, dusty cowgirl boots. My bike, a vintage Harley painted in a flashy pearl white, is waiting for me all polished and ready to go. For the last few months, while Anton’s overseeing official Desert Knights business and managing the merger between them and the Senators, I’ve been taking riding lessons with Leo, April’s new boyfriend. Once I was comfortable, I put in the order for two new matching bikes -- one in the black on black Anton loved and this white one for me. A “bride and groom” pair, the dealer noted as I smiled happily.

  I head out towards the chapel slowly, enjoying the ride and even the curious stares from the few gawkers out on the main roads. The California sun beats down on my skin and the wind whips through my curled hair, but I don’t mind it. I’ve never felt so alive in my entire life. This is what I have been missing out on for all those years locked up in my bedroom, dreaming of what life would be like when I was finally set free. Who knew my savior would have been a man on a motorcycle.

  I turn into the church, parking just outside the doors. From just outside, I can hear the music starting and I get a glimpse of April carrying Bella in her arms down the aisle. I put the bike in park and wait for Anton to hear the engine rev over and over again. A few heads turn before the entire congregation is staring out at the woman on the bike. Leo grabs Anton’s arm and drags him outdoors, pointing at me as I come into view.

  “Tory?” He says as he places his hands over his mouth in complete shock. “What the hell is this?” His tuxedoed arms stretch out towards me as he gestures to the bike.

  “You like it?” I smile over to the crowd
of onlookers staring at me in total disbelief. Not many MC women ride bikes. Then again, most of them aren’t like me.

  “I love it,” He stammers as he walks out towards me. I place the bike in park and dismount as he asks the million dollar question, “But how? How did you do this?”

  “Well, it’s not just this bike… it’s that one too.” Leo reappears from around the chapel wheeling the matching bike towards him. I wait for him to speak, but Anton just stares at me completely dumbfounded. I explain quickly, fearing the worst, “I just wanted you to know that I will always ride with you. No matter what life puts us through, no matter what roads it takes us down, you will always have me as your partner. Forever.”

  Anton takes one giant step towards me and scoops me up in his arms. Our bodies collide as our lips touch and part. We both melt into one another as we take in my words. Forever. We were in this together forever. Throughout the rest of the ceremony and dance, we held on to the other, our hands never leaving the other’s.

  THE END

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  You can keep up with Kara Parker about her latest releases by signing up to her mailing list. You will also receive a download link for a FREE exclusive short just for signing up. Link below:

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  For as long as she can remember, Kara Parker has been fascinated by old westerns and the thrill of the open road. Irresistible rogues, seductive heroines, and explosive plots are things she loves reading and writing about.

  When she's not writing her next book, Kara can be found tending her backyard garden and playing with her two kids.

  You can keep up with Kara Parker about her latest releases by signing up to her mailing list. You will also receive a download link for a FREE exclusive short just for signing up. Link below:

  OTHER BOOKS BY KARA PARKER

  Riding Dirty

  Smolder