Bound by Wreckage_Ravage MC

by Ryan Michele

  “Just hang tight. Can I bring you something to eat?”

  “That’d be nice.” Even though I really don’t have the stomach for it, yet know I have to eat something.

  “I’ll be back.”

  She leaves and I feel no relief after the discussion. If anything, I feel worse.

  When will this go away?

  29

  Nox

  The drives and SD cards showed more. Much more. So much more that I was one hundred percent sure that Torrance put out the hit on Ravage, and Big Jim was the one to hit Dagger. I’m also positive that all of this happened before I went to Buck’s that first time.

  This means that this didn’t happen because I wanted to help Carsyn. It was set into motion before that. While it still pisses me off, a small part of me feels like a small weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

  That doesn’t lessen the amount that I miss Dagger and will seek vengeance on his behalf.

  “Torrance McKay runs drugs out of Sycamore, Georgia. He’s dealing coke and heroine and possibly shipping it to North Carolina,” Buzz starts as we all sit around the large table in church. As soon as we got back from that hell hole, which we did not open the tubs too, we got my father to call the meet.

  “He’s small time right now. Got a crew of about thirty all over the that area.”

  “We already know this. What’s new?” my father, Cruz, demands his fist clenching on the table.

  “There’s so much shit on the flashes and cards, sorting most of it will take me a while. This is what I’ve concluded so far. Buck and Torrance have been working together for about a year and a half. Torrance knows Big Jim, and he was the go between Torrance and Buck at first. Big Jim is a sick fuck who ate humans, so let’s skip over all that shit so I don’t puke.”

  My stomach roils once again. None of us wanted to open the tubs, knowing what would be inside. Fuck that.

  “Torrance wanted in Ravage territory. Since he’s new, he doesn’t know his shit and thought if he took out one of us, we’d all crumble. Dumbfuck. I’m pretty sure he was tasting the wares of what he sold. They concocted the plan, and Dagger ended up paying the price.”

  “So this…” Rhys starts, his focus directed on me. “This shit had nothing to do with Nox’s woman.”

  Buzz does a few more clicks. “There is nothing tying Carsyn to any of this. Her name isn’t mentioned one bit, and all the dates from setting up the attack are before Nox and Green went to Buck’s place.”

  “Why didn’t he just take out Nox and Green then?” Tug asks a very valid question.

  Buzz shrugs. “No fuckin’ clue. Why do any of these assholes do anything?”

  Rhys closes his eyes and once he opens them and focuses on me, he gives a small chin lift then looks away. Dagger’s death has killed him inside, and I can’t blame him for the anger. When I thought it was because of me, I wanted him to kick my ass. I deserved it.

  Breaker pipes in, “Both Buck and Torrance are in Sycamore in one of Torrance’s safe houses.”

  “What?” my father roars, his eyes pinning Breaker.

  “They arrived before the guys got back from Big Jim’s place. They both went in.” Breaker turns his phone around and a shot of a house is up. “And haven’t come out. Did geothermal to see if they have underground exits; as far as I know they don’t because there’s no action there. They have four guys outside the perimeter and three inside. And they just had fuckin’ pizza delivered.”

  “What the fuck?” This time it’s GT, and the vein in his neck begins to tick. It’s always the sign that he’s about to lose his temper.

  “Dad,” Deke calls out, and GT’s eyes snap to his. The vein still ticks, but GT breathes in and out. Deke knows his father’s wrath more than anyone and he’s the only one who dares call his father out on it. Their relationship is better, but not perfect.

  “Plan. Now,” Cooper calls out, feeling the tension in the room getting thick and hot.

  We spend the next thirty minutes coming up with the plan. The second thirty is getting supplies. Then we’re on the road, heading north to take care of these two once and for all.

  One thing I didn’t get to do was stop in and talk to Carsyn. Once this is handled, she’ll be my first stop and she’ll be officially free.

  Where that leaves us is anyone’s guess. But fuck, I hope it’s with her next to me.

  **

  Houses surround the one where Buck and Torrance are making our plans a little more difficult. Breaker pulled up the houses, but from the map it showed them further apart than what they are in real life. Fuck, connecting the houses would’ve been a smarter move considering the small ass patch of grass between them.

  This poses problems and with it being nightfall, lights are on in most of the homes. If we’re loud, we’ll attract attention. If we aren’t on point, someone around us could get hurt. Ravage isn’t big on innocents getting hurt in the crossfire.

  Rhys is leading the team in, while GT is leading the team to take out the four assholes on the perimeter. If anything looks out of place, it’s those fuckers. They have on suits, for fucks sakes.

  Cooper, Breaker, Jacks, Green and I are all following Rhys, while the others follow GT. We stand back and wait for the all clear.

  As the seconds tick by, my adrenaline pumps hard and fast. Buck is going to wish he never fucked with the Ravage MC or Carsyn.

  Cars and people can be heard in the distance and the longer we’re out here in the brush, the stronger the possibilities are of getting caught. Let’s just say with the very light amount of brush, hiding is difficult.

  Two of the men by us go down with the sound of a silencer going off and we hear, “Clear,” from Rhys, who sticks his phone in his back pocket. It’s go time for the back, and GT’s crew will hit the front after we’re in.

  Ducking low, we head through the brush and into the backyard, Rhys taking the lead to the back door. He looks in then holds up three fingers indicating the number of bodies he sees. At least one guard, possibly three.

  Rhys moves to the handle, turning it slightly then shakes his head indicating it’s locked. Shit. Any noise we make getting in we’ll lose are element of surprise.

  Carefully, I move in behind Rhys and say softly, “Distraction.”

  He nods once, pulls out his phone, and types a text. A few moments later the doorbell rings, setting everyone on alert as Green gets to work taking care of the lock. Rhys holds up one finger now, so this is our shot and we take it.

  Jacks goes in first gun up and two shots to the asshole, silencing him forever. A flurry of movement happens in the house. Another guy in a suit comes our way and I put two in him, dropping him down to the ground.

  “Fuck.” Breaker grunts, another one of the suit-wearing assholes grapples with his gun. Turning, I aim and fire, taking him down as well.

  A bullet sails through the air and pain slices through my shoulder. Looking, it’s just a graze and we face off with Torrance and Buck, who has a shit-eating grin on his face. Fucker.

  “You’re bigger dumbasses then we thought. We aren’t goin’ out.” Buck’s grin goes wider. “And that pussy’s mine. Fuckin’ bought and paid for that shit.”

  “You’ll pay worse for that shit,” a growl creeps up, and I’m going to fucking kill him. Tear his heart out and burn it. Not taking any chances, I blow the fucker’s knee cap out and he grunts to the ground.

  Buck chuckles for some strange reason holding his knee. “You think a bullet is gonna stop me from gettin’ to Carsyn? Bitch killed two of my best men. She’ll pay every fuckin’ day of her pathetic existence. Her and those damn butterflies—I’m cuttin’ that shit from her skin one by fuckin’ one.”

  Gun steady I take a step closer needing to get my hands around this motherfucker’s throat.

  “Stop!” Torrance yells, grabbing my attention and halting my movements. He holds something in his hand with his thumb sticking up. Fuck, it’s a detonator.

  “Bomb!” I call out t
o the brothers. Shots go off. Buck goes down further, and Torrance is hit. He still has the button in his hand, and he moves to push it.

  With no time, I hear, “Move now!” We dart out of the house, and my feet jump just as the house explodes into a fireball, knocking me right on my ass.

  “Come on,” Cooper growls, picking up one of my arms while Jacks has the other, dragging me through the grass.

  Shaking my head a few times, awareness comes to me as I watch the house go up in flames.

  “I’m good,” I croak out and get to my feet. They’re a bit wobbly, but I manage. “Are they dead?”

  “Fuck yeah,” Cooper decrees.

  Not exactly what I had planned for them and that’s a bit of a let down. On the bright said, they’re fucking dead and can never hurt Carsyn or the Ravage MC again. Once we take out both their crews, it’ll confirm it.

  30

  Carsyn

  Rays from the sun shine in through the window, and my eyes blink trying to adjust. Warmth surrounds me and my back is against something very hard.

  Nox.

  My heart thumps so rapidly, and my breaths come in short. He’s here. In bed. With his arm around me.

  Slowly, I turn to face him, his arm not giving me much help with how it’s wrapped tightly around me.

  Sleep has been off for me, so much so I didn’t even hear him come in last night. I wish I would’ve.

  Slowly, my hand grazes his face, his beard prickling me. His eyes flutter open in the sexiest of ways. “Mornin’,” he rumbles, and my core tightens.

  “Morning,” I whisper as his hand comes up to the side of my face.

  “It’s over, baby. Buck is gone.”

  My chest tightens, and I can’t breathe. Over? How can it be over? Did he…?

  “I see your eyes, Carsyn. Yes, he’s dead and his club is going to be dismantled. No one will hurt you again.”

  While I want to feel the relief, I find it difficult to do. There’s still this huge cloud over top of us that needs to be released.

  “Was I the reason Dagger is dead? Buck was coming after you because you got me out?” I don’t want the answer to this. I want to pretend like this isn’t between us, tangling a web of anger and despair.

  Nox’s eyes light to the most beautiful brown, the flecks inside doing a little dance. “None of it was us, Carsyn. Not one thing had to do with us.”

  Tears fill my eyes and spill down my cheeks onto the pillow below. This is… this is… Shit… This is more than I could’ve hoped for.

  “Really?”

  “Really, gorgeous. It was played like it was because of you, but it wasn’t. The plays set into motion were made early on before we saw each other at Buck’s.”

  “Holy shit,” I whisper, letting the tears still flow. “It’s really over?”

  “Yeah, babe. It’s over and you can live free not lookin’ over your shoulder at every turn.” This makes it sound as if he plans on me going out and spreading my wings away from here. Away from him. My heart seizes. Is this what he wants? Me gone? After all this?

  “That’s good,” I choke out, not feeling it, but saying it just the same. Disappointment rears its ugly head at the prospect of leaving—of him wanting me to leave. That everything we shared meant nothing and he’s going to let me go, but I don’t want to. Being by his side is the only time I’ve ever been content and happy. Losing that will be worse than death.

  He leans over and kisses me hard, deep, and wet. My fingers lace through his hair and grasp on tight, letting him move me any way he wants.

  I pull away noting the large bandage on his shoulder. “What happened?”

  “Gunshot. Just a graze, I’m fine.”

  “Oh my God.” Fear slices through my heart. Losing Nox was never supposed to happen, and seeing this stirs up my protective instincts.

  “I’m good, promise.” My nod is hesitant, but when Nox leans down and takes my mouth once more, I melt.

  Nox releases me, heaving breaths and looking into my eyes. “Don’t leave. Stay in Sumner with me.”

  All the goodness that I never thought would exist in my life rushes me like a tidal wave. He wants me to stay with him. “Really?”

  His mouth turns down. “If you don’t want to, I understand. You have your whole life to do whatever you want and get whatever you want out of it.”

  Nox is the nicest, kindest, most beautiful man I’ve seen in my life. I knew it when he was a boy all those years ago, and I know it now. This connection between us has always been there. Never fading, always in the backs of our minds, and it’s as if we were meant to go through everything we have to get to this point.

  Truth be told, I’d do it again to be in his arms, in his bed with him looking at me like I hang the stars in the sky.

  “I want to, Nox. I’ve missed you so much since you left me with Gunny and Sharon. Thought about you every minute of the day and tried to get my life in order. I know I can do it because I did have my shit together at one point, so I know I can do it on my own again. But I want to do it with you by my side. You there every step of the way.”

  Nox’s smile lights up the room as his lips come crashing down to mine. When he pulls away, I try to follow him but he pulls back.

  “This is just the beginning, Carsyn. I love you.”

  I gasp. This man. This beautiful man loves me. Broken, damaged, and torn me. Tears stream down my face as the emotions clog up my senses.

  “I love you too.”

  “Then that’s all we need.” Nox’s lips crash down on mine.

  Yes. That’s all we need. Love.

  And I found it in Nox.

  “I’m takin’ you out on a date.”

  My heart thumps. On a date? I’ve never been on a date before.

  “I can tell by the panic in your eyes that you want to bail. Sorry. Not happenin’. Want to take you out. Spend time with you. Find out more of what you like and don’t like.”

  Calm washes over me. This is Nox. There’s no reason to be nervous.

  But the only thing I can think is What the hell am I going to wear?

  **

  “Put your fuckin’ weight into it,” Princess barks at me from her side of the ring. She holds the paddles that I’m supposed to be hitting with my right then left hands on repeat. “You’re weak! We need to put some meat on you,” she continues.

  “Tell me something I don’t already know.”

  A smile crosses her face. “Sarcasm. I like. Now punch!”

  Lifting my glove-covered fist, I lean in with my right foot as my hand goes out and punches, hitting the target.

  “Again!”

  That seems to be the only word she knows, but it works and pushes me to move faster and add my weight into the throws. She’s right though, I am weak. I’m better than I was with Buck, but still don’t have the strength I need.

  But I’ll get it; it’s just going to take time.

  “Pretend I’m Big Jim.” Her words halt me and she takes a swing at me, but I duck from it on instinct alone because I’m cold inside. “Good. Did you see that?”

  I have to shake myself out of the thoughts of that man. “What?”

  “Right. When I went to hit you, you ducked. It was out of self-preservation and instinctual. That’s exactly what you want your movements to become. Extensions of your body. You know what you can do, and you do it without thinking. It’s the best way to keep yourself safe.”

  “Right.”

  “It’s still fresh in your head, Carsyn. This is a normal reaction, but in time, you won’t have it anymore. In time, you’ll know that no matter what you’re up against you can get your way out.”

  My head nods. That’s exactly what I want. What I need, and she knows it without me saying a word. Yeah, the woman is wise.

  “Break time,” she says, tossing me a bottle of water that I guzzle down. “How are you feelin’ now?”

  “Good. These really help.”

  She shakes her head. “No, about stickin�
� around to be with my boy.”

  I close my eyes remembering what was going to happen that night. That all the pain would disappear and I thank whatever powers that be, Princess, that I didn’t do it.

  Nox told me he loves me and wants to take me—yes, me—out on an actual date. If I would’ve followed through with my plan, I would’ve missed it. Another moment taken away from me, that I now get to take back and make it mine.

  My mother used to talk about inner strength a lot, and reading her letters really has it on my mind. I survived Big Jim and Cary D. I lived on my own making ends meet. While I’d never want to go through that again, it has made me the woman I am today.

  I’m going to find that strength again. I’m going to find that confidence. I’m going to make something out of this life because I have one and it won’t go to waste.

  “Yeah.”

  “Shit happens in life and sometimes we’re at fault, but other times we’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s after we pull through that shit is when we rebuild. It’s time for you to rebuild, Carsyn.” She nods to my tattoo of the word ‘damaged’ on my forearm. “We’re all damaged in some way. On the inside or the outside, it’s there. It’s all in how you view the damaged parts of yourself. For instance, me, I have a scar.” She points to a mark on the side of her face. She has to tip her head for me to see it.

  “This I got takin’ care of my boy, Cooper, many years ago by a psychotic bitch. Yes, it damaged me, but I’m here. My boy’s here. And she’s the one six feet under.”

  This shocks me, but I don’t ask more about it. Instead I ask, “So you’re telling me all the times men touched me I need to look at the positive of it?” That’s damn absurd.

  “No. Those men should’ve never touched you. Those actions brought you here, to my boy, to my family. That’s the somethin’ to hold on to. You lived it. Survived it. Now it’s time to really live your life. Free.”