Unraveled (Bound and Bared Book 2)

by Christine Monroe

  Rune cursed, brushing past me to step through the door.

  “RUNE WAIT,” I yelled, but it was already too late.

  Rune’s scream piercing the hallway sent us running in without thought, and then all hell broke loose.

  A punch catching Selena off guard, sending her flying backward.

  Law took a swing nailing the butt of his gun into the guy’s face who had dared to punch Selena. Crumpling to the floor in a heap wasn’t enough for Law as he threw his body on top of him and viciously started to swing. Punch after punch raining down on the guys face until nothing recognizable was left.

  “ENOUGH LAW!.” Selena was back on her feet, grabbing Law’s shirt as she dragged him off the bloody mess now lifeless on the floor.

  Law’s fist hung limply to the side, breathing coming out fast, his eyes wide and unfocused.

  Another scream rang out stopping us.

  Rune’s body was held tight against Francis tall frame; his eyes were wild as he saw that he was the only one left standing. My team destroying what had been left of his men. Now he was alone, pressing a gun to Rune’s temple.

  “Any of you make a move, and she’s dead.” Francis hissed, backing up towards another door behind him.

  “I have to say, Thorn, I’m rather impressed. Your little group of gutter rats managed to take out my entire team. Not a big loss, in my book there are always more men willing to sell themselves for free pussy and cash.” Francis free hand dropped low, grabbing Rune between her legs.

  “This one is mine. Thanks for returning her.” Francis gloated.

  A single tear slipped down Rune’s cheek. I shook my head. No. Don’t give up on me. I had promised to get her free, and I intended to keep it.

  Movement behind Francis caught my eye. Case. Holy fuck. Somehow my girl had managed to slip behind him undetected. I fought the urge to shake my head, refusing to give her away with my actions. Did Case think she could take him on all by herself?

  Smiling briefly at me before her features twisted into a mask of vengeance. And she thought I had a death wish? My girl was insane.

  “Trust me.” She mouthed pulling a blade from her side. Her eyes flashing before gripping the blade with both hands, driving it into the base of Francis’s skull. The perfectly placed strike rendering him useless, every part of his body going limp like a puppet whose strings had been cut. The grip on his gun vanishing along with his hold on Rune. His body falling forward taking Rune with him. Rune letting out a grunt of pain as they crashed to the floor. Francis’s body jerking once before being tossed sideways. Rune scrabbling to her feet to get free of him as quickly as possible.

  Case’s blow hadn’t killed him, but he had been left effectively paralyzed so when death came for him, he wouldn’t be able to stop it.

  Leaning down Rune picked up the gun that had just been against her temple moments before.

  “I was never yours.” Rune went to pull the trigger, but a hand landed on her shoulder.

  “Wait.” Case said, moving until she was now in front of Francis. Swinging her boot back she then brought it forward landing a blow straight to Francis’s balls.

  “Now you can fucking kill him.” Case said, stepping out of Rune’s way.

  A gunshot rang out sending Francis to hell where he belonged. Rune staggering back her body trembling as the gun slipping from her fingers. A wave of tears fell splashing against her cheeks.

  “It’s over,” Rune whispered as Selena caught her around the shoulders.

  “Now comes the hard part.” Selena said softly, “Now you have to figure out how to live with the pain.”

  Rune’s eyes narrowed before shrugging her shoulders and dislodging Selena’s grip.

  “You’re going to be one those that do things the hard way, aren’t you? Just remember we aren’t the enemy. We can be your friends if you let us but that’s all up to you.”

  “I don’t need friends. I don’t fucking need anybody.” Rune spat.

  “Suit yourself but take this in case you change your mind.” Selena slipped a Bound and Bard Club card from her vest pocket holding it out for Rune.

  Rune eyed it for a second before snatching from Selena’s hand.

  “Thanks.” Rune slowly walked over to me and placed a quick kiss on my cheek.

  “Thank you.” She said before eying all of us, “That goes for all of you. Now get out of here. I can take of the rest.”

  “Come with us, please. You don’t have to do this alone.” I pleaded.

  “I’m not alone,” Rune whispered tapping the side of her head, “I have enough demons in here to keep me company.”

  Case wrapped her arm back around me giving Rune a small smile.

  “Come on handsome. Rune knows where we are if she needs us.”

  I didn’t want to leave her. I had never left a man, let me rephrase that a woman behind. A last look at her told me that unless I dragged her, she wouldn’t be coming with us. I could only hope she would find us if she ever needed a place to call home.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  The doors of the club never looked so inviting. I didn’t even care about Val losing his shit when he saw us, Case’s arm was still wrapped around my waist trying to keep me upright even though she was bloody and bruised herself.

  Selena was sporting a bloody lip and a black eye while Law clutched his broken hand to his chest after received after beating the man who struck Selena to a bloody pulp. The lot of us looked like something out of a horror movie, but we were home.

  I for one was seriously ready for a Vacation. Lounging in chair in the sand while Case rode me with nothing but a skimpy bikini top on sounded like heaven to me. The thought sent a stupid grin to appear on my fucked-up face.

  “What are you smiling at?” Val’s voice suddenly ringing out through the empty bar. “It wasn’t enough to go and get yourself killed you had to drag the people you love into the mess you created too? I can’t even stand to look at you right now Thorn.” Val turned away causing my heart to sink within my chest. My best friend didn’t want anything to do with me.

  Suddenly another set of hands gripped my shoulders offering their strength as Val’s blue eyes boring into mine as he helped Case keep me standing.

  “Get it over with V.” I sighed.

  “Do you know how hard it was to let you walk out of my office that day Thorn? I don’t like most people most of the time I don’t even like myself. From the day I met your sorry ass you’ve had my back and have been willing to ride into hell with me no matter the odds. I should have locked your stupid ass up until you were ready to let me help you. Case did what I should have done, went after your sorry ass. That woman loves you, and I’ll never repeat this ever again, but I fucking love you too. You matter Thorn. To all of us. You go to hell, and we will follow. Family. That is what we are. I never had one before Bound and Bared. Now that I know what family feels like I will fight to keep it. Now let me help carry you before the both of you end up face down on my fucking floor.”

  “Lead the way,” I replied.

  “No protest princess?” Val raised an eyebrow.

  “Not this time V. Stick a fork in me I’m done.”

  Val shook his head before wrapping his arm around me without hesitation. My ass had been kicked hard, but I still could marvel at the thought that the man that had once refused any shred of human contact now helped me without a thought. Val Knight was never going to start spouting sonnets, and I love yous, but he was living proof that change is possible. That even when you are bred from pain you can find a way to exist, to breathe, and learn some risks are worth everything.

  I had a family again and a second chance at love with the best girl in the world. Joy and happiness filling up my lonely life where there had been only shadows.

  *

  “He’s asleep,” I said throwing my body down next to Selena’s with a sigh.

  “You should be too.” Selena took me to task with her words, narrowing her eyes at me as she crossed her arm
s.

  “I could say the same thing about you but I won’t because I’m smart.” I nudged her with my elbow before dropping my head against her shoulder.

  “I wish you would stay.” I sighed softly.

  Selena tensed her shoulder growing rigid under my cheek.

  “You thought we didn’t know? Val called Law because he was scared. You haven’t been the same since you were taken, but the truth is Selena no one expects you to be. You never have to fight your demons alone. Val is right. This is a family. A crazy, fucked up, hot-tempered family who struggles with secrets but who is willing to die to protect the ones they love. I can’t stop you, Selena. None of us can keep you here. Please just remember we are your family no matter what happens.”

  Selena placed a kiss on the top of my head. “It’s too bad your taken. I might make an exception for you.”

  “I didn’t know.” My voice betraying the shock but only for a moment. Selena was Selena. Who she took to her bed didn’t matter.

  “Well, it doesn’t happen often. When I take a woman to my bed, it’s because she’s special. Only rare creatures capture my attention, and you Case are a very rare creature. Fuck you are in love with Thorn. I don’t know how you do it. I would have killed him by now.”

  I couldn’t help it I laughed, holding on to Selena for as long as she would let me.

  “I can’t promise you anything Case.”

  “I know. It’s okay. Bound and Bared and all the people that love you will be here waiting for you. You are always welcome to come home.”

  I met her eyes. Even with one black eye Selena was still stunning.

  Selena shook her head slowly before she smiled softly.

  “See what I mean? You are simply rare my friend. Take good care of Thorn for me.”

  I nodded, refusing to cry.

  Selena gave me a quick hug before she walked out leaving Bound and Bared behind. If Val or Law had been here instead of me, they would have stopped her, forced her stay out of love not knowing that would destroy her in the process. I told her I wouldn’t stop her and I didn’t.

  She would be back. This wasn’t goodbye. I wouldn’t say it. Until then Bound and Bared would keep a light on so she could always find her way home.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  I tried opening my eyes only to discover that only one would comply. My right eye was completely swollen shut, but hell one eye was better than none I told myself. My vision blurred before finally coming into focus as I caught a glimpse of blonde hair.

  “Even with one eye, you’re still sexy.” Case said before leaning down and brushing her lips against mine.

  My heart quickening as I longed to get closer but my body flat out refused. The pain meds had worn off, and I was feeling every kick, punch and hour of torment that had been inflicted on my body. My wrist had been set and rendered immobile. I would be making love to Case one handed for quite a while. Thank God, the one part I needed to do the job had survived unscathed. The rest of me was currently sending massive hate my way.

  “I wear torture well what can I say.”

  “Don’t you dare Thorn Emery. It isn’t funny. I almost lost you. I can’t bear to even think about what I would have I done if we hadn’t found you in time.”

  Case’s hand shot out punching me in the arm.

  “Ouch. Tortured remember?”

  All the anger fading from her face as tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. Her hands clenching by her sides as her body trembled. I could only watch as cold hands of fear slipped over her like a veil, casting shadows on her skin.

  “Case I..” Trailing off I didn’t know what say. No words could erase all the pain etched on her features.

  “At first I hated you for leaving me. For the fact, you didn’t have the courage to tell me to my face what you were planning. No goodbye. No last I love you. No final memory to hold onto.”

  Hanging my head, shame eating through me like acid I could only listen to the crimes against me. I had done far worse things, but watching Case like this, hearing the hurt embedded in her every word tore through me far quicker than any bullet or blade. If I bled out right here, I would do nothing to stop it.

  “Then I made up my mind and decided I wasn’t going to let just let you go. You weren’t going just to give up, give in and leave me behind.” Case’s face changing again as she hovered over me, lifting herself up and moving until her body straddled me on the bed. Her knees on either side caging me in, her hands flattening on either side of the pillows, her eyes locked on mine.

  “Listen up Thorn Emery, this thing between us defies logic. Burning through the battlefield of our pasts and stripping us bare before it. I see you. Every bit, piece, scar and demon. You hide it all, but I still see it. All of mine was put on display with every panic attack and my thoughts of ending it all. You believed in me despite my damage. Can’t you see I feel the same way about you? I will follow you no matter where you go. I will fight for you even when you won’t fight for yourself. I dare you to run. I dare you to pull another fucking stunt like the one you just did. Test me, Thorn. Test me until you get it through that head of yours I’m not leaving, that I’m not safer without you. The safest place for me and my heart, is in your hands. Your only job is to never to let go. Can you do that?”

  Case’s lips dropped dangerously close to mine. Her warm breath fanning my bruised cheeks, brushing over them like stardust. I gathered in, drawing her into my lungs. I could do what she asked. I would stop running, stop courting death because I had a new mistress. A beautiful badass willing to go wherever I did. What Case didn’t know is hers was the face I had been willing to follow her from the moment I saw her. I couldn’t stop chasing her despite all the ways I knew we could go wrong.

  I closed the distance between us, capturing her lips with mine. My tongue darting out to lick every drop, every word she was willing to offer to my fucked-up soul. I broke the kiss, both of us left panting like two school kids making out behind the bleachers.

  “My turn.” I took her chin with my good hand, holding it in place while I found her eyes. My body warmed. My heart drumming inside my chest. Every pain dimmed leaving me wide awake knowing everything had led to this moment.

  “Sorry won’t cut it. I would be a damned fool to think that it would. They only thing I can do is tell you Case is no more tests, no more stunts. I’m done with it all. Done with thinking I’m not the man for you. I am your man. No one else will ever fucking touch you, love you or stand by your side. Only me Case. If I’m yours know that you are my mistress and I will never stop chasing you. I will never leave you behind ever again. I’m so tired of hell. Lead me to heaven gorgeous.”

  Tears threatened to fall and I couldn’t stop a few slipping past my defenses to make their way down my cheeks. For once sadness wasn’t the reason. I wasn’t saying goodbye to my first love or watching cancer steal the breath from my mother’s lungs. I was saying hello to happiness, saying hello to a future spent beside a woman who loved a fool past his foolish ways, who loved the boy without his makeup or jests. Case was my present and future. The angel who discovered her wings were made of steel and who refused to leave me behind.

  *

  “So, that’s a yes?” I lifted my thumbs to brush the tears from Thorn’s cheeks, “And are these happy tears?”

  “Yes to both,” Thorn whispered as went to let go of my chin, but I was faster. I caught his hand and pulled his fingers to my mouth. I didn’t feel like playing fair. My lips brushing kisses over his fingertips before I took two into my mouth, sucking and licking as I wished my tongue was somewhere else.

  Thorn groaned, the sound told me he wanted the same thing.

  “Now this is torture.” He raised his other hand slightly and cursed remembering the fact that it was out of commission for awhile.

  I released his fingers from my mouth but kept them within my grip.

  “Where did that other hand of yours want to go?” My words were laced with desire and amusement
. I had the advantage, and I planned to use it, “Maybe here.” I cupped my breast and squeezed, pushing the flesh into my hand before I circled my nipple feeling it grow hard because my touch and the way Thorn’s mouth opened like he was dying for a taste. I let go of my breast and flashed him a devilish grin.

  “Maybe it was here.” My hand slid down popping the button free from my jeans and pushing down the zipper. My pink panties peeked through the tiny space I had created. I ran my fingers over the silky fabric before they vanished from view seeking my pussy.

  “Is this where your hand wanted to be? Has it missed feeling how wet my pussy gets for you?”

  “I have a hand” Thorn’s words came out with an edge of pain and frustration. “You just need to let it go.” His eyes pleading with mine, but I wouldn’t let go. Not yet.

  “My fingers feel good, but they are not yours. I didn’t want anyone to touch me here ever again, but I never planned on how good you would feel when you slid your fingers inside of me. The only thing better is your cock.”

  “You’re killing me here. Haven’t I been tortured enough? Case Please.” Thorn’s words came out broken. The word please crashing through any last bit of my will power. I pulled my hand from my pussy and braced it against the bed beside Thorn’s body. I didn’t let it go of his hand instead I tugged it with mine until they both disappeared inside my parted jeans. I brought his fingers right to where I needed them the most before finally letting go.

  Thorn wasted no time plunging two of his fingers into my pussy as his thumb found my clit. His fingers unleashed a brutal assault, finger fucking me fast and without mercy. The pad of his thumb pressing down hard sending pleasure ripping through me. I threw my head back as I came against his hand soaking his fingers with my release.

  I fell forward catching myself before landing directly on top of him. My rapid breath echoing against his ear as I floated back down from my climax.

  I rose as thoughts raced through my mind. I needed to touch Thorn but I also didn’t want to hurt him. Hands, mouth, pussy each one had an advantage, and I was working out which one would be best when the door flew open.