Ravens Ruin MC: The Complete Series

by Marie James

  “For now,” Chains says with a devious edge to his voice. He chuckles, holding his hands up near his ears when I glare at him.

  “I’ll kill every last fucking one of you if you don’t help me get him to his room,” I hiss, meaning every damn word I said.

  All the guys chuckle, clearly unaffected by my threat, but they lift him from my lap. Briar groans when Ronan shifts his weight, throwing Briar’s arm around his shoulder.

  “Be gentle.”

  They all laugh and refuse to let up. My man is jostled, run into two separate door frames, and tossed on his bed by the three goons.

  “You hurt him even more,” I hiss when they begin to walk out of the room.

  “Do you know the danger you put him in? What would’ve happened if he were any other man in this club?” Chains leans in, invading my space as the others walk out of the room. “Do you know what will happen to the next guy who doesn’t follow an order because Briar was given a pass? Do you know how what you two have done compromises your brother, his safety, and the entire foundation of the club?”

  “I don’t know anything,” I answer before my chin drops to my chest in shame.

  “Clearly,” he spits before walking away.

  Closing and locking the door behind him doesn’t ease my fear. If I have a keycard to get in this room then so do others in the clubhouse, but I can’t worry about anyone except the groaning man in pain on the bed.

  “Stay still,” I urge as I cross the room and go to the bathroom for a warm washcloth. “Where does it hurt the worst?”

  Pressing the cloth gently to his forehead, he winces, his busted lip tugging up on the right.

  “Are you smiling?”

  He tries to nod but groans when it causes too much pain. I wash his face as best I can without hurting him further before returning to the bathroom for some pain relievers and a glass of water.

  “I’m only giving you Aleve. When the clubhouse settles down tonight, we have to get out of here.”

  “Staying,” he mumbles after it takes three attempts at swallowing to get the pills down.

  “We aren’t staying here. I can’t trust them after they did this to you.” When he tries to argue, I press a soft finger to his lips. “Rest. I can’t carry you out of here on my own.”

  When he passes out, I sit and wait, but the sight of his dirty clothes from the basement floor is too much to stare at. After the first snip of scissors at the hem of his t-shirt, I’m wishing I had just left him alone. His torso, from below his belly button all the way to his throat is bruised. The reds, blues, and purples make my stomach turn, and although I was able to keep it together earlier, right now is a different story. I barely make it to the bathroom before I’m heaving into the toilet.

  I stay that way, hunched over the bowl for god knows how long, but a knock at the door startles me. I’m on my feet, hand clutching the gun Briar stashes in the bedside table before the electronic whir of the lock on the door tells me someone is coming in.

  Situating myself between Briar’s unconscious body and the door, I raise the gun to welcome the intruder.

  “You going to shoot me?”

  “You hurt him.”

  “Not as bad as I could have.” TJ challenges me with his eyes, but he’s smart enough to stand still in the doorway.

  “What do you want? Come here to finish the job?”

  He laughs, classic TJ, not really giving a shit which way this goes for him. “I brought some things to help make him more comfortable.”

  His hands lift, and it takes everything I have in me not to pull the trigger.

  “A fifth of whiskey and a bottle of pills? Please tell me you’re not considering a job in the health care industry because you’d flunk out on the first damn day.”

  His smile widens.

  “I want you to leave.”

  “You’re worried we’re going to hurt him again.”

  “You’ll have to kill me first.”

  For the first time since he opened the door, his smile falters.

  “I don’t have to explain the ways of the club to you, little sister.”

  “Because I’m just a woman, and we aren’t supposed to know shit?”

  “Because you already know what should’ve happened in that fucking basement. You’ve seen how little it takes for someone to end up swinging down there,” he seethes, taking two steps closer to me without an ounce of fear in his eyes.

  “You still want him dead.”

  “If we wanted him dead,” he says emphasizing the second word as a reminder that Lynch is involved in this, too, “he wouldn’t be lying in that bed.”

  “It’s over?” How can that even be possible?

  “I don’t imagine that Lynch is going to be doing backflips when he sees you two together anytime soon, but what he got down there was it.” He looks past me at Briar. “He was given numerous chances to tell us what was going on. He didn’t take us up on them.”

  “So you beat the shit out of him?”

  TJ places the whiskey and pills on the dresser near the door.

  “We took him down there to kill him. Make no mistake about that, but he—” TJ swallows, shaking his head as he keeps his eyes on my man. “He said some things that we couldn’t ignore.”

  “What did he say?”

  Did he beg for his life? I highly doubt that. Even knowing he was going to die, Briar wouldn’t lower himself to beg.

  “Not my story to tell, Sis.” I lower the gun as he walks closer. My skin tingles in fear for the first time as his lips brush my temple. “I’ll be honest, I had my doubts, but there isn’t another man alive I’d approve to be with you other than him.”

  I’m still confused, staring at the door when he closes it silently behind him.

  Chapter 36

  Briar

  I don’t know how much time has passed, but I can’t help wondering if death would’ve been better when I’m finally able to open my one good eye. Getting plowed over by an Army convoy wouldn’t have been as painful from where I’m laying right now. My eye doesn’t seem to want to work right now, so keeping it closed is my best course of action.

  “Hey,” the voice of an angel whispers. “Stay still.”

  My throat is dry and on fire, and my attempt to swallow only hurts it more.

  “Th-thirsty,” I grumble, feeling like a damn baby. Grown men don’t lie in bed like an invalid when they take an ass beating. I should be on my feet, holding my head high, but just the thought of sitting up right now makes me want to hurl.

  An eternity passes before a straw is pushed between my lips. The first draw hits the back of my throat like raindrops on fire, sizzling and making me cough. The hacking shoots agony through my rib cage, and I’m sure TJ would be thrilled to know his one hit caused so much damage.

  “Easy,” Molly says. “Small sips.”

  “I feel like death,” I finally manage after a few sips.

  “You need to see a doctor.”

  Trying to shake my head only makes me hurt more, so I lay still and look over at her. Even through the sliver of sight, I’m able to manage, my girl is beautiful, but I hate the concern that’s drawing her brows together.

  “I’ll be okay,” I assure her. “I’ve had worse.”

  She huffs, twisting her body to put the glass of water back on the bedside table.

  “Help me up.”

  She fusses when I sit up in the bed, and it takes every ounce of manliness I can muster not to cry out in pain when she wraps her arm around me and presses against my injured side.

  “Other side,” I hiss.

  Swiftly, she switches sides and helps me stand.

  “Where are you going? Are we getting out of here? I don’t think it’s a good idea. It’s daylight.”

  “Daylight? How long have I been out?”

  “Like eighteen hours,” she mumbles, shifting her weight when I make it known we’re heading to the bathroom.

  “I only took a couple of Aleve.”


  “And two oxy.”

  I’d laugh if it didn’t hurt so much, but surprisingly, getting up and moving around is making me feel better.

  “Get the shower on for me.” She releases me as I lean against the wall over the toilet. “Where are my clothes?”

  Only now am I aware that I’m stripped down to my boxer briefs.

  “In the trash,” she answers as she leaves me to take care of business. “Are you sure you’re up for a shower?”

  After flushing, I slowly turn back in her direction. “I can’t lay in bed all fucking day. The shower will help.”

  “Let me find something for you to sit on.”

  “I’ll stand.”

  “Why are you being hateful?” I both love and hate the anger in her voice. I don’t want her mad at me, but I pray she never gives up her ability to fight for herself.

  “Sorry,” I grumble as I step past her toward the shower, trying and failing to push my boxers down my legs. Bending in the middle hurts like a bitch.

  “Let me help you.” Her hands replace mine, and she shoves the fabric down my legs. “You’re bruised all over.”

  “Just part of it.” I step into the shower and am elated when she strips to her skin and joins me.

  The nearness of her is comforting, and the sight of her naked flesh is almost enough to get my cock to stand up and notice. The pain searing through my body wins out, however.

  “Part of it?” The indignant tone in her voice makes me love her even more. “This is just one of the reasons we need to get away from this damn place. Being bruised and bloody shouldn’t be a way of life.”

  “I’m normally on the giving end of this kind of thing.”

  She frowns, lifting her hand and brushing a tender finger over my brow. “I hate seeing you like this. I feel helpless.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Tilting my head to the side, I allow her small hand to cradle my face. “Just like I told you in the basement, if this is what it took to keep you, every blow was worth it.”

  “It shouldn’t—”

  “It’s over,” I interrupt. “Things can go back to normal.”

  “We don’t have to worry about normal.” Molly reaches for the body wash. “We’re leaving tonight.”

  “Baby.” I catch her hand before she’s able to apply soap to my bruised chest. “This is home, and we aren’t going anywhere.”

  “We can’t stay after what they did to you.”

  “We’ll stay because of what they did to me,” I qualify, but she only frowns at me in return. “They won’t touch me again. What they did, what I suffered is what earned me the right to you.”

  “I’m not a possession.”

  My eyebrow shoots up, and I ignore the pain it manifests. I hate having such an important conversation when I can only see a little of her due to my injuries.

  “You’re mine.” My heavy arm lifts, stroking the side of her face and down the delicate column of her neck. “Mine to love and kiss and cherish.”

  Tears crest her bottom lashes, joining the drops of water dotting her concerned face.

  “They had to make sure I was enough for you.”

  My throat clogs with emotion, and I’m unable to do anything but watch her face for a long moment.

  “You’re enough,” she whispers. “I’ve known that forever.”

  “And now they know it, too.”

  I brush my lips against hers.

  “I don’t know if I’m worth all the pain you’re going through,” she mumbles as her hands begin to lather the body wash over my pecs and stomach. “You, Lynch, and TJ all have me on this imaginary pedestal. I don’t deserve to be up there. Hell, I don’t even want to be up there.”

  “You’re the most important person in my life.”

  “Let Lynch hear you say that, and you won’t make it out of the basement a second time. The club comes first. Always has, and always will, according to him.”

  “He knows. He never would’ve left me alive if he even doubted for a second that I wouldn’t put you ahead of every single person, every single thing, including the club.” She shakes her head, beginning to reject my words. “Seriously, Molly, everyone who doesn’t believe he’s exactly the same way when it comes to Zoe is a damn fool. He’d burn the world down for her. Just like I will for you.”

  “I love you,” she whispers, her words getting caught on the emotion showing all over her beautiful face.

  “And I love you.” She nods, her tears renewed as she finally accepts everything I’ve told her since I woke up.

  “So we stay?”

  “We stay.”

  “And my brothers are happy for us?”

  My quick laugh turns into a groan when my ribs scream in renewed pain. “They’ve accepted that we’re going to be together, but I wouldn’t expect a party or anything. Displays of affection should probably be kept behind closed doors for now.”

  “Chains warned me that things are bad for the club because they didn’t kill you.”

  “I imagine there will be some fallout, but there isn’t one guy in the club that’s going to stand and get an attitude with Lynch or TJ because they weren’t allowed to touch you.” My blood runs cold with the mere thought that someone even imagined themselves with her. “He’ll have to address it with everyone though.”

  “I just want to stay in here forever.” Her hands run further down my body, but they don’t reach for my cock. We have plenty of time for that in the future now that we know we actually have one. “I don’t want to face them. I hate them for doing this to you.”

  “One.” I clasp her hand just in case she thinks of reaching for my dick and press a kiss against her palm. “We can’t stay in here forever. Eventually, we’ll run out of hot water. Two, this isn’t a Lifetime movie, and any expectation of thinking we were going to sit down with glasses of whiskey and discuss this in any way other than like barbarians without the ability of speech was an error in judgment on your part. You should know better. Three, it’s over. So long as I treat you the way you deserve and keep you safe, we don’t have a damn thing to worry about. Now, let’s concentrate more on washing and less on talking because I’m tired as fuck. I want to crawl back into bed and wrap myself around you without having to worry about getting caught.”

  Chapter 37

  Molly

  “I’m not interested.” Like a spoiled brat, I cross my arms over my chest and refuse to budge.

  “He expects us there.” Briar holds his hand out, but I ignore it.

  “It’s a trap.” I’m certain of it. There’s no other reason Lynch is summoning us along with every other member in the club. This was a regular occurrence when my dad was still alive. He’d get us all in one room, and then issue his form of justice on those that betrayed the club.

  “It’s not a trap.”

  Looking up, I find Briar smiling down at me. He’s almost back to normal, able to see out of both eyes now, but the now yellowed bruises on his handsome face are an everyday reminder of what my brothers are capable of.

  “How do you know?” He winks his assurance, but it’s not enough. “Have you been talking to them?”

  “It’s business as usual, babe. You’re the only one that’s been holding a grudge and hiding out in the room for the last week.”

  “I can’t face them,” I mutter. “I hate them.”

  “Everything they did was because they love you.”

  He’s a broken fucking record, and it makes me want to jab him in his still-sore ribs to remind him why my feelings toward my brothers haven’t changed since he was carried out of the basement.

  “How about a trade?”

  His head is shaking back and forth as he steps back. “No.”

  “You don’t even know what I was going to ask.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “You don’t,” I argue.

  “I’m not fucking you in exchange for you going out there with me.”

  My wicked smile disappears immediately. Maybe he doe
s know me well.

  “Really? You got your ass kicked so you can sleep with me.” I hold my arms open wide. “Here I am. Claim your prize.”

  “I got my ass kicked because I went behind your brothers’ backs.”

  “I want sex.” Sticking my lower lip out, I pout, even though I know it won’t help.

  “Keep sticking that lip out,” he threatens, “and I’ll put it to work.”

  My pulse quickens with the delicious threat. Our mouths are something he hasn’t banned in this room. He won’t sleep with me, claiming that he wants to date me like a normal couple-his words, not mine-before we take that step.

  “Okay.” I nod enthusiastically as I grab the bottom hem of my shirt and begin to tug it over my head.

  His huge hand comes down on mine before I can pull it all the way off. “You test my resolve most days.”

  Once he’s pushed my shirt back down to cover the fact that I’m not wearing a bra, his lips are on mine. But, he’s not kissing me with a hungry need. It’s a soft, sweet brush of his lips against mine. One hundred percent amazing and zero percent of what I’m craving.

  “Soon,” he promises against my lips before scooping me up in his arms and carrying me, kicking and screaming, from the room.

  I fall limp in Briar’s arms when a couple of chuckles sound around the room.

  “Always know how to make an entrance,” Zoe says with a smile so big in her voice I don’t even have to look at her to know it’s there.

  Briar moves to place me on my feet, and I’m reluctant to release him, knowing no matter how upset my brothers are, they won’t physically hurt me to get to him. My eyes dart around the room, focusing on the front wall, specifically the area directly below the beam that runs the length of the room. Lynch’s backpack is nowhere to be found, but I wouldn’t put it past my brother to be keeping it hidden for some big reveal later.

  My skin grows cold, itching under my clothes, but when my eyes find Zoe’s, I have a sense that everything will be okay. Her loving eyes watch me as Briar wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me against his side.

  For the first time in all my years of loving this man, I’m able to stand tall in front of every member in this room. I don’t have to school my face or look around to see if anyone has caught on to my feelings. I don’t have to be concerned that Briar’s safety is on the line when I look up into his blue eyes before leaning my head against his sturdy chest.