Cal (The Ride Series Book 5)

by O'Brien,Megan

  I stared up at him in silent standoff, determined not to show the pain his rough treatment induced.

  “Fiesty one, eh?” he jeered, shoving me away roughly. “I like that. Now, sit down and shut the fuck up. Both of you.”

  I shifted close to Laurie, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Her body shook with fear and I wished like hell I could tell her it would be all right. I couldn’t offer any such promise.

  I knew deep down I’d never seen the full extent of what Tim was capable of, and I had a sinking feeling that we were about to find out.

  ****

  We didn’t drive for long. A stolen ambulance was bound to attract attention and I suspected our kidnappers knew as much. From what little I could see out the windows, we drove into a large garage bay with a door closing behind us with a resounding slam. My only relief came at knowing we still had to be in Hawthorne. We hadn’t driven far enough to be anywhere else.

  “Show time.” Our captor winked as the doors were opened by the man who’d posed as the paramedic.

  “Bring them over here, Sanders,” he ordered with a tilt of his chin toward the far wall.

  I stumbled to my feet as I was shoved from behind. A look around confirmed that we were in some sort of abandoned garage. A few empty lifts remained, along with the smell of grease still permeating the air. Aside from a few frosted windows that let a bit of light in, the space was relatively dim. My eyes darted around the cavernous space with dread. I was sure Tim would emerge at any moment.

  “Let’s go,” the man I now knew as Sanders instructed as I felt the press of a pistol into my back.

  Laurie and I moved to the far wall, turning to face the two men. I really looked at them for the first time. They could be brothers, with their dark hair and eyes and similar builds. Both were tall and broad and looked like hired muscle.

  “He’s not here yet?” Sanders asked the other man, looking momentarily worried.

  The other man shook his head. “Must have gotten caught up snatching the kid.”

  My heart froze in my chest.

  Mason.

  The fear coursing through my veins became eclipsed instantaneously by a ferocity previously unknown to me. If Tim thought for one second that I’d allow him to hurt my child, then he didn’t know what I was capable of.

  Think, Jill, think. Laurie and I couldn’t incapacitate two men on our own, but I needed to have the upper hand by the time Tim arrived. It sounded like I had mere minutes before that happened. My thoughts spun, trying to glom on to a strategy.

  “How much is he paying you?” I asked. It was my best shot.

  Sanders’s brows lifted before he grinned lazily. “Aw baby, you’re cute. You couldn’t afford me.” He tisked. “Thompson, how about you? You willing to take a pay cut for a couple of cute nurses?” he asked his companion.

  Thompson dropped his gaze over me and Laurie, his eyes darkening in a way I didn’t like—not one bit. “Maybe,” he allowed.

  “I’m talking cash,” I gritted out. “Whatever he’s paying you, I’ll double it.”

  They both laughed, shaking their heads. They weren’t taking me seriously, that much was clear.

  “You seriously don’t know who my man is?” I demanded. “Cal Jackson?” I prompted.

  Thompson’s expression flickered with awareness.

  “President of the Knights MC,” I continued in exasperation. Obviously these weren’t career criminals if they hadn’t done their homework. “He runs this fucking town, and you just kidnapped his woman and maybe his son.” I struggled with the last part, hoping like hell it wasn’t true.

  “The kid is Tim’s,” Thompson argued in confusion. Well at least he knew that much. Give the man a prize.

  I narrowed my eyes. “Maybe by blood. That’s where it ends. He’s Cal’s and he’s mine,” I argued fiercely.

  A moment of indecision passed over Sanders’s face before he schooled his expression. “Doesn’t matter who your man is. In just a few minutes you won’t be my fucking problem anymore.” His gaze lingered on Laurie and I could tell his plan for fun was at the forefront of his mind.

  Thompson was in my face before I could blink. “You need to shut the fuck up,” he spat. “You’re not in charge here. I am.” His dark eyes glowed with anger. “Go sit against the wall and wait. One more word, and I’ll prove to you just how in charge I am.” He glowered.

  I did as he asked, taking a step back against the wall beside Laurie. We clasped hands and watched as the men began to pace in obvious agitation.

  “He should have been here by now,” Sanders muttered quietly, his eyes shooting to his partner.

  “He’ll be here,” Thompson clipped. “Shut your fucking mouth or I’ll make you go stand with them,” he added, his eyes swinging with disdain toward Laurie and me.

  The minutes ticked by and I was torn between relief at not seeing Tim emerge and fear at what our captors would do as a result of his absence. Sweat pooled between my breasts, sliding down my belly as we watched the two men pace. It was hot in the garage, oppressively so. Every breath felt like trying to breathe under water, the air thick with humidity and tension.

  What had happened to Mason? Was he safe? I was tortured with worry.

  It had to have been at least an hour before Sanders spoke. “We should go,” he declared, running his hands through his closely shorn hair.

  “What, and leave these two bitches without getting paid?” Thompson retorted. “Fuck no.”

  My belly lurched in fear as my heart beat triple time, pounding in my chest as they discussed our fate as casually as what they’d have for lunch.

  “Then what? You just want to wait until her man finds us? I’ve heard about him, dude. He’s no joke.” Sanders shook his head in agitation. “Fuck!” he shouted. “This was all your fucking idea!”

  “As I recall, I didn’t have to convince you very hard,” Thompson growled.

  The two men began to argue in earnest as Laurie and I shot each other nervous looks. I squeezed her hand tight, trying to offer any reassurance I could.

  “I’m outta here, man,” Sanders announced. “You stay if you want to, but I don’t think that payday is coming. I’m not waiting around here to get caught.”

  It was one of the few smart things he’d said since this whole ordeal had started.

  “You’re not going any fucking place,” Thompson clipped, leveling his gun on him.

  “What are you gonna do? Shoot me?” Sanders scoffed.

  The resounding crack of gunfire had Laurie and me crying out in fright and running toward the far corner of the garage.

  “Stop!” Thompson thundered, his gun pointing toward us as Sanders collapsed to the ground. “Don’t you two fucking move. Get your asses back here,” he ordered, his gaze cold as he watched us with the calculation of a predator.

  With hands clasped tight we walked back to our original spot against the wall, my eyes on Sanders as he lay in a pool of blood.

  “He was soft,” Thompson sneered. “I am not.”

  That I believed.

  “Can I…,” I began cautiously, my eyes on the dying man at my feet. “Can I see if there’s anything I can do for him?”

  It may have seemed odd that I’d want to help Sanders, but it was instinctual. I may not have taken any sort of oath, but I had a deeply ingrained instinct to help those who needed it. My instinct said that Sanders wasn’t evil, just greedy. I watched him gasping for breath, his eyes wide with fright, and I felt compelled to do something, anything.

  Thompson laughed mockingly. “Sure. Be my guest.”

  I dropped to my knees, my scrubs immediately soaked with blood. Luckily, I had a pair of gloves from the hospital in my pocket and snapped them on. The bullet wound was to the chest and I knew right then that there was little I could do for him, not without an immediate evac to a hospital.

  “W-why?” he gasped, looking at me in confusion.

  “Why would I want to help you?” I shrugged, offering a tigh
t smile. “I’m a nurse.”

  I had nothing but distraction at my disposal. “Where are you from?” I asked gently.

  “Birmingham,” he gasped.

  “Ah, the south,” I murmured. “Never got used to the heat,” I shared. “Damn good barbeque though.”

  “The best,” he agreed on a wince before he began to cough, violent hacks that spelled the end. “S-sorry,” he managed, blood slipping through his lips.

  I nodded, not accepting his apology or condemning him for his mistakes. I took his hand, squeezing gently as he took his last breath.

  “Aw, that’s so sweet,” Thompson crooned with a snort. “Get your ass up, he’s dead.”

  I glared at him, rising to my feet. My scrubs were soaked with blood, the feeling familiar and yet not something I ever got used to. “So what’s the plan?” I asked boldly.

  “The plan,” he rumbled, his eyes blazing with emotions I couldn’t identify other than anger, “is for you to shut. The. Fuck. UP!” he roared.

  I had no desire to poke the beast further and nodded mutely as Laurie pulled me to her side, where we stood for what felt like hours but could have been mere minutes as he paced like a man possessed.

  I was desperately thirsty and knew Laurie had to be too. We stood sweating and scared, waiting for whatever came next. I hated feeling so helpless. Hated not knowing where Mason was, if he was safe.

  Sanders lay staring wide-eyed at the ceiling, his lifeless face ashen. I tried not to look but his ill-timed fate couldn’t help but make me fear for my own.

  This wasn’t how I ended. Couldn’t be.

  Thompson became increasingly agitated, muttering to himself, gun in hand as he paced.

  “Call him,” he decided finally, his eyes on me.

  “Who?” I asked in confusion.

  “Your man.” He shoved a cell phone in my face. “Call him. Tell him I’ll exchange you for ten grand and to be able to drive outta here.”

  What?

  “Um, okay,” I replied, all too eager to get on the phone with Cal. But this felt too easy somehow. Was this really his master plan? I dialed Cal’s number and held the phone to my ear, eager to hear his voice.

  “Baby.” Cal’s voice was like a balm to my senses.

  “How—” I started to ask how he knew it was me when I wasn’t calling from my phone.

  “Got eyes on you, babe.” His declaration sent another tidal wave of sweet relief through me. He was here. He was close. “Minute we hang up, hit the deck, all right?” His command came without delay, no doubt knowing we had very little time. “We’ve been waiting for a clear shot.”

  “Okay,” I agreed breathlessly. “Mason?” I demanded.

  “He’s okay.”

  “Thank God,” I choked out.

  “Stop fucking yapping and give him my terms! Ten G’s and I get to walk away— within the hour. We’ll call him back with a location.” Thompson exclaimed in agitation.

  “He wants ten thousand dollars and the ability to leave free and clear,” I repeated to Cal.

  “You tell that motherfucker I’ll meet his terms. But I want you to know he’s not gonna be breathing in another minute,” he growled, reaffirming what I’d already thought. His tone softened as he continued. “I got you, baby. It’s gonna be okay.”

  His words of assurance nearly had me bawling like a baby, but I nodded instead. “He wants to meet in an hour. He won’t share where yet,” I imparted, delivering the last part of the order I’d been given.

  Thompson watched me shrewdly but nodded in approval.

  “A lot can change in an hour,” Cal replied darkly. “Jill, baby, remember what I said.”

  “Okay,” I replied breathlessly, edging closer to Laurie so I could grab her when I needed to. “I love you,” I murmured.

  “Hang up!” Thompson barked before Cal had a chance to reply.

  My heart hammered in my ears as I stared at Thompson, my thumb hovering over the End button. The ramifications of what was about to happen felt overwhelming and impossible to grasp. Time came to a standstill as I grappled with what I had to do. I could feel my pulse jackhammering in my neck. I could hear my breath, sounding so loud and choppy within the cavernous space.

  In. Out

  In. Out

  In. Out

  It was time.

  It felt like hours but was only seconds. My thumb hit that ominous red button. I pulled Laurie roughly down with me as the phone went clattering to the floor. The instantaneous crack of gunfire sounded overheard, accompanied by the shattering of glass.

  I felt something warm hit my cheek and knew instantly that it was blood.

  I palmed the back of Laurie’s head in a futile attempt to protect her as the gunfire continued in short bursts before stopping all together.

  The silence that followed was deafening.

  I didn’t dare move and continued to lie beside Laurie, my cheek pressed to the unforgiving concrete floor.

  “Jill.” Cal’s voice boomed through the garage before coming closer. “Baby, it’s okay. You’re okay.”

  “Laurie.” Tag’s deep growl of a voice followed as both men’s long strides ate the space between us.

  I noticed distractedly that Sal, Cole, Axel, and Mack were there too, striding into the space with a tidal wave of anger.

  “You okay?” Cal asked as he helped me to a sitting position. Beside me, Tag did the same with Laurie.

  Thompson lay in a bloody mass to the right, his lifeless gaze seemed to be looking right at me.

  I couldn’t pull my eyes from the dead body. “I… yeah,” I managed, too stunned to expound further.

  “Christ,” Cal swore, his eyes bright with angst as they swept my blood-soaked frame. “Let’s get you the fuck out of here.” He helped me stand and then lifted me up in his arms, carrying me bridal style toward the exit.

  “You… you don’t have to carry me!” I heard Laurie squeak behind us.

  “Yeah, baby, I really do,” Tag replied tersely.

  Despite everything that had transpired, I couldn’t help but smile a bit at that.

  My girl had no idea what she was in for.

  Chapter 33

  “Mason is really okay?” I demanded after Cal had carried me to his waiting SUV and deposited me gently in the passenger seat. I needed him to reassure me again, as many times as it took until I could see for myself.

  “Yes, honey. Promise. Our kids and Cole’s are with Ry, Piper, and Ry’s ma. Now, are you sure you’re okay?” he asked. “There’s so much blood….” He trailed off, his eyes haunted as they looked me over.

  “None of it’s mine,” I was quick to assure him. “But I’m so thirsty. Do you have any water?”

  He nodded, without delay pulling a bottle of water out of the back and handing it to me. He watched intently as I guzzled the entire bottle in one fell swoop. “Better?” he asked, concern evident in his tone.

  “Better.” I sighed in relief, searching for Laurie amidst the various trucks and SUVs the guys had pulled up in. I was surprised that there wasn’t a single bike among them.

  “Bikes would’ve made too much noise.” Cal answered my unspoken question.

  I nodded. “How did you find us?” I asked, locating Laurie seated in Tag’s truck as he wiped her face gently with a towel.

  Cal leaned against the doorframe of his SUV, the muscles in his biceps flexing as he bowed his head into my body, taking a shuddering breath. I put my hand on his back, leaning into his strength, relishing his smell. “I’m okay,” I whispered again.

  He took a deep breath in, pulling back so he could look me in the eye. “You were taken forcefully and held against your will. You’re covered in fucking blood.” His eyes blazed with barely contained fury. “There is no fucking way you’re okay. Hell, I’m not fucking okay.”

  “I’ll be okay,” I amended. “You saved us. I knew you would.”

  His callused hand cupped the side of my face. “I will always save you. Always.” His lips too
k mine in a kiss that was both all-consuming and too short. He pulled away and something about his expression had me bracing for impact. “We’ve got him.”

  My eyes shot wide. “Tim?”

  He nodded. “Fucker tried to take Mason from our house. Scaled our fence. I got him before he got the chance to touch a hair on our boy’s head.”

  My stomach churned at the thought of how close he’d been to Mason. “Where is he?” I managed through barely moving lips.

  “At the club. The only reason he’s still conscious is I needed to be able to find you.”

  I’d bet it wasn’t hard to make Tim sing like a canary.

  “I want to see him,” I said, surprising myself with my conviction. But once I said the words I knew they were true. I needed to face him—one last time.

  “Baby,” Cal replied, the protest clear in his tone. “You don’t need to be anywhere near him. I don’t want him breathing the same air as you.”

  “I can’t explain it, not really,” I murmured, clutching the empty water bottle between both hands. “It might sound strange, but I need to look him in the face and know that he lost. I need to look him in the eye and know that he’ll never touch me again. That he’ll never be able to hurt Mason. If I don’t see him, then I feel like it won’t be over… that—”

  “It’s not strange,” Cal interrupted, cupping my neck in his hand. “If you need it, then I’ll make sure you get it. But I’m not leaving you alone with him,” he added firmly.

  I shook my head, forcing back a shudder. “I wouldn’t want you to.”

  He nodded, backing up a step and drawing a phone from his pocket. He fired off a text to someone before his questioning gaze met mine. “Do you want to shower first?”

  I shook my head. “When I wash all this off, I want to wash him off too.”

  He pressed his forehead to mine. “You wash this off, then it’s over, baby,” he breathed. “Really fucking over.”

  There was nothing I wanted more.

  ****

  I walked into the club not twenty minutes later. My scrubs stuck to me, the blood crusted in some places while in others I could still feel the warmth of the body it had sprayed from so recently. The sickeningly sweet smell of iron permeated the air around me.