by K. L. Ramsey
“Come again,” Dante spat.
“One hundred thousand,” Cillian repeated.
“What makes you think you’re in any position to bid on my merchandise?” Dante asked.
Cillian shrugged, “I figured my money is as good as anyone’s,” he said. “That and I’d like a little retribution.” Dante looked over as if trying to decide if he wanted to believe him.
“How do I know I can trust you?” Dante asked.
“You don’t,” Cillian admitted.
“I’ll make you a deal, Irish,” Dante said. “You take Havoc’s place and fight my two guys—you win, and I’ll accept your bid.”
Cillian knew he wasn’t going to get a better offer than the one Dante was offering but taking on Dante’s two enforcers and walking out of that fucking cage was going to be damn near impossible.
“And, if I lose?” Cillian asked.
“Then the original rules apply and I kill the three of you and we auction Savage’s kid off to the next highest bidder.” Cillian looked over to where little Chloe was coward in fear, sobbing quietly to herself. He saw no other way around it. Cillian was going to have to take Dante’s offer.
“You in or out?” Dante asked.
“In,” Cillian agreed.
“Well, let’s do this then,” Dante said. He nodded to the two big guys who had thrown them into the cage earlier and they opened the door to climb in. Pulling it shut behind them.
“He gets no help. Either of you interferes and the fight will be over and you forfeit your lives. Understood?” Dante asked. Hart and Havoc nodded and looked at Cillian.
“I’ve got this guys,” he said. Cillian just hoped he was right because now he had not only the guys depending on him but Chloe too and he couldn’t let any of them down.
“Shirts off,” Dante ordered. This wasn’t Cillian’s first fight. Hell, he spent most of his time in prison in brawls and that gave him a leg up. Kill had taken down guys bigger than the two standing in front of him. He just never had so much riding on a fight before. Kill watched as the two guys stripped out of their shirts and tossed them into the corner of the cage. He looked them both over, searching for any old wounds that would be a weakness for either man. He noticed what looked like a fresh knife wound in the one guy's side and knew if he landed a few strategic punches, he might be able to bring the big guy down.
The roar of the crowd was deafening in the dungeon-like basement and Cillian knew that chancing a look over to little Chloe was a bad idea. He needed to focus but hearing her cries and sobs made his heartbreak.
“You got this man,” Havoc promised.
“And, if I don’t?” Cillian countered.
“Then it was a good run,” Havoc said.
“Well, lucky for us, I have too much to look forward to. I have no choice but to win,” Cillian said. “My woman will have my balls if I lose.”
The crowd around them grew louder and Cillian ducked when the guy to his left came out swinging for him. “I guess there are no rules, then?” he shouted at his massive opponent.
“Prison rules,” the enforcer shouted back.
“Well then, it’s fecking great that I just got out,” Cillian said. The guy didn’t flinch at the mention of him doing time. Instead, he held up his hands, wiggling his fingers at Kill to “bring it”. He knew enough from his boxing days that charging in wouldn’t end well with two opponents. If he did, they could sandwich him between their bodies and quickly end the fight. Instead, he knew that dividing and conquering the two would work best. He decided to take care of the big guy first since he seemed eager to get this fight going. Kill punched him in the side, landing his first blow where he had noticed the guy’s old knife wound. He could hear a crack as his fist made contact with the enforcer’s flesh. The big guy doubled over, holding his side and Kill took that as his cue to finish him off. He grabbed a handful of the guy’s hair and kneed him in the face, once making contact with the guy's nose and a second time, nailing him in the jaw, knocking him out cold. His opponent dropped to the concrete floor with a thud and Cillian turned to find the second guy who had been circling him, waiting for his chance to strike.
Kill wasted no time with formalities, he charged the smaller enforcer and started landing blows. He ducked the guys attempt to punch him in the jaw, instead taking the blow to the side of his head. Kill’s ear rang and he shook his head, trying to get himself together. This guy was fighting dirty but Kill knew how to fight dirtier. He punched the guy in the stomach and when he doubled over in pain, Kill made contact with the asshole’s groin, kneeing him in the crotch as hard as possible. The guy cried out in agony and Kill knew he had him. He punched him over and over in the face, wincing with every blow that ended with a crack. If he was correct, he had broken the guy's nose and his jaw. Kill’s knuckles were on fire but he couldn’t stop now, he had to finish this or he’d never see his woman again. He made a promise to both Viv and Savage and he planned on keeping them both.
The second guy dropped to his knees, still refusing to yield and Kill had no choice. He snaked his arm around the guy's neck, choking him until he stopped struggling against Kill’s body. Kill didn’t stop until the guy’s arms dropped to his side and his whole body went limp. He wondered if the guy had passed out or if he had killed him. Either way, he couldn’t show any weakness, he dropped the guy to the hard concrete floor and said a little prayer that he hadn’t just killed a man in cold blood. Kill turned to face Dante, noting the shock he saw in his eyes. If he wasn’t mistaken, it was mixed with a little fear and that was just where Kill wanted the guy.
Kill held his arms wide and smiled through the chain-link cage at Dante. “We done here, or do I need to prove my loyalty further?” Kill taunted. He felt as though his whole body was on fire. The two enforcers had landed a few good hits to his face and Kill could feel his right eye swelling shut. All things considered; he was walking away from the fight in pretty good shape.
Dante looked torn as to what to do about the three of them. He looked past Kill to Hart and Havoc and then back to Kill and nodded. “Let them out,” he shouted.
“What about my bid—do I get to claim my prize?” Kill challenged. Dante sighed and reluctantly nodded his agreement.
“Fine,” he said. “But you don’t have her back here by sunrise and I’ll find the three of you and finish what my enforcers couldn’t”
“You’re just going to let us walk out of here?” Havoc asked. He and Hart flanked Kill’s sides and stared down Dante.
The Dragon’s Prez shrugged and nodded, “Sure. I’ll just be sending my guys to keep an eye on what you each hold precious,” Dante spat. “I’ve had a little research done on each of you since you arrived at my bar. Let’s just call it insurance that you’ll all make the right choices.” He pointed at Havoc, “You have a thriving business—a gym you love. You,” he said, pointing to Hart, “Fuzz, was it? Well, you are a bit of a mystery to me, but I dug a little deeper and found that you have a little cabin on the outskirts of town and a German Shepherd you have some hottie watching.” Hart growled and took a step towards Dante. Kill stopped him, placing an arm across Hart’s chest.
“Not worth it, man,” Kill whispered.
Dante chuckled, “Yeah, I’m betting the sexy blond watching your dog is more than just a dog sitter to you, Fuzz,” he spat Hart’s supposed name. “And you,” Dante said, pointing to Kill. “You’ve been quite busy since you got out, haven’t you? You have done well, finding a pretty little woman, Kill.”
He took a step towards Dante and Havoc threw his arm up, crossing Kill’s chest, giving him back his same words. “Not worth it, man,” Havoc said.
“We understand the consequences,” Havoc spat. “We fuck you over and you fuck up our lives and destroy everything and everyone we love. That sound about right?”
“Sure,” Dante said. “Plus, I’ll make you wish you were dead and then I’ll kill you—all of you.”
“Duly noted,” Havoc said.
; “Great, head upstairs to pay and we’ll get your merchandise ready,” Dante offered. The crowd started to disperse and Dante’s shrill whistle rang through the basement. “We have two more girls to auction off, guys. Don’t disappear,” he shouted. They brought the two other girls up to the cage and pushed them through the door. Kill wanted to tell them that he’d make sure that they were saved but he wouldn’t make a promise he might not be able to keep. They were both blindfolded and gagged, like Chloe and it made him sick to think of any man in that place touching either of them. They weren’t much older then Chloe—maybe teenagers and he could smell their fear.
“Bidding will start as soon as we get business settled, sit tight,” Dante shouted. He followed Kill and the others up to the bar and Kill felt panicked when he realized he couldn’t see Chloe.
“Deep breaths, Kill,” Havoc said. “Let this play out.” Kill knew his friend was right but he just wished this shit would be over.
“No sweat,” Kill lied. They were escorted back to Dante’s office and Kill pulled his debit card from his wallet, saying a little prayer that the hundred thousand that Hart said was put into his account was there. Otherwise, he had a feeling that they’d all be facing the same threats Dante had already spelled out for them, just moments earlier.
A few minutes passed and one of Dante’s guys came back into the small office and handed Cillian back his card. “We’re good here,” the guy said to Dante.
“Bring in the girl,” Dante said. The guy nodded into the hallway and within seconds, another one of the bikers shoved her into the already crowded office, blindfold and gag still in place. When the guy made a move to take off her blindfold Kill panicked. Chloe would know him. She’d be able to find security in recognizing him. But, if he had them leave her blindfolded, he’d have his safety. He couldn’t risk Chloe telling Dante how Kill and her father were close enough to be considered brothers. He couldn’t risk their lives that way.
“Leave it,” Kill ordered. “The less she sees and whines, the better.” The guy looked at Dante as if he needed his permission to take a piss or breathe, for that matter. Dante nodded and Kill took Chloe’s arm into his hand. He wanted to be gentle, but he also knew that doing so would give up his façade. He needed to play it cool until he could get her out of Dragon’s territory.
“Sunset,” Dante said. “Don’t forget.”
“No problem. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my meter’s running,” Kill said.
Dante’s smile was mean. “Remember the rest of the fucking rules,” Dante spat, “and we’ll be just fine.”
VIVIAN
Viv peeked out the window to find Repo sitting in his pick-up truck across the street, watching her house. He was a fucking dog with a bone and Viv worried that Cillian wasn’t going to be home any time soon. That wasn’t her only worry—hell, she was consumed by every thought that ran through her head of what could go wrong. She hoped that the call she put into Savage would give her some new news but his husband, Bowie, answered his cell and told her that they had no word. He promised to call her just as soon as he had any information for her but that had been hours ago.
“Where are you Cillian?” she sobbed, cupping her little bump. “Your Daddy is starting to worry me, Baby Bean.” There was a soft knock at the front door, startling Viv. “Fuck,” she swore.
She pulled the front door open to find Repo standing on her porch. “Can I come in?” he asked.
“Is he all right?” she asked. God, she needed for Cillian to be all right. Viv hated the way her voice wavered. She didn’t sound as strong as she wanted to, but she wouldn’t hide her worry.
“Kills fine,” Repo said. Viv walked into the family room and sunk onto the sofa.
“Thank fuck,” she said. “I’ve been so worried. Is Chloe okay?”
“Chloe’s fine. Let me finish Viv,” Repo said. “He’s alive and he got Chloe out of the Dragon’s bar but you need to come with me.”
“What? Why?” she asked.
“You’re in danger. I’ll tell you about it on our way to Savage Hell, but I need for you to grab your things so we can get out of here.” Repo stood over her as if waiting for her to make a move to follow his orders. A part of her wanted to protest but the thought of putting herself or her baby in danger wasn’t a chance she was willing to take.
“How long will I be gone?” she asked.
“As long as it takes to keep you safe, Viv,” Repo whispered. “Kill said to pack some of his things too and close the diner for a few days.”
Viv nodded at Repo, “I’ll be ready in ten minutes,” she promised.
“I’ll wait here,” he agreed.
_______
Repo pulled up to a house that sat about a half-mile down the road from Savage Hell and Viv unbuckled her seatbelt, anxious to get in to see Cillian. “Viv,” Repo said. “Before you go storming in there, Kill was involved in a little fight while he was in with the Dragons.”
“Oh God,” Viv sobbed, raising a trembling hand to her lips. “You said he was alright.”
“He is, but he’s a little beat up. Savage’s kids are here and little Chloe has been through hell and back. I just didn’t want you to freak out,” Repo whispered.
Viv nodded, “Promise,” she said. All she cared about was getting to Cillian. The rest would work itself out. A big bald man with a salt and pepper beard came out to stand on the front porch and smiled at her. “That Savage?” she asked.
“Yep,” Repo said. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to everyone and you can check on your guy.” Viv got out of Repo’s truck and followed him to the porch.
“You must be Vivian,” Savage said, holding out his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Savage,” she said, letting him take her hand into his. Savage pulled her into his big body and gave her a bear hug that nearly choked the life out of her.
“You mind putting my woman down?” Cillian grumbled. Savage chuckled and released her into Cillian’s arms. “Feck I missed you, Baby,” he said.
Viv stood back from him and looked him over. “You look like shit, Cillian,” she whispered. Viv reached her hand up to gently cup his bruised chin. “Does it hurt?”
“Not much,” he lied.
“You’re a horrible liar,” she teased.
Savage laughed, “She’s got you there, Cillian. How about you two say your hellos and then come to find us inside. We have a lot to work out in the next few hours. Sun will be up soon and we’ll have to move.” Viv watched as Savage disappeared into his house and wrapped her arms around Cillian’s waist.
“Are we really in danger?” she asked.
“Yes,” Cillian breathed. “I’m so sorry, Baby. I didn’t mean to get you caught up in all this. We can’t stay here until things are sorted with Dante and the Dragons.”
“What happened?” she asked.
“I’ll explain everything inside, promise,” Cillian said. “But Dante got away when the police invaded his bar. They got the two other little girls though, thank God,” Cillian said.
“There were more?” Viv asked. The thought of any young girls having to go through what Chloe did, made her sick. Knowing that they had more than just Chloe was awful.
“I didn’t think I’d ever see you again, Love,” Cillian admitted. Hearing her call her his special nickname made her heart beat a little faster.
“Cillian,” she whispered.
“No, let me finish, Viv,” he said. Cillian framed her face with his big hands, pushing her hair back from her face. “I thought that I wasn’t going to get out of there. They had me in a cage with Hart and Havoc and I had to fight for our freedom. The whole time I was getting the shit pounded out of me all I could think about was you and our babe,” he said, putting his hand over her belly. Viv covered it with her own and they stood like that for what felt like forever, sharing the same space, breathing the same air.
“I love you, Viv,” Cillian whispered. “I know you promised to marry me and God, I hope you want to do that because you
’ve fallen for me too, but I get it if this is too much, too soon.”
Viv went up on her tiptoes to brush her lips against his own. “I love you too, Cillian.” She wouldn’t give him anything but the truth.
“Really?” he questioned. Viv giggled and nodded.
“Really,” she confirmed. “I have for a while now. I’ve just been too chicken to say it out loud. I want to marry you because I love you. I just worried you didn’t feel the same way. You’re the type of man who does the right thing and I guess a part of me worried you were marrying me because of the baby.”
“No,” Cillian breathed. “You’re my family now, Viv. You both are my whole life.” Cillian pulled her back against his body and kissed his way into her mouth. “You two love birds about done?” A guy walked up to the porch and brushed straight past them, giving Viv a wink and a smile. He had pulled up behind Repo’s truck in his pick-up and she didn’t even hear him.
“Havoc,” Cillian said. “This is my Viv.”
“Good to meet you, Viv,” Havoc said on his way into the house. “We’re burning daylight, man,” Havoc said. “You coming in?”
“Cillian, we can talk about all of this later,” Viv offered. Whatever the guys had to plan sounded as if it had an expiration time stamp on it and if she wasn’t missing anything, that time was sun-up. Cillian nodded and wrapped a protective arm around her.
“Come on, I’ll introduce you to the rest and then we can figure out what the hell we’re doing next. You trust me, Viv?” he asked.
“With my life,” she agreed, smiling up at him.
_______
Cillian introduced her to everyone as “his Viv” and she nearly had to stop herself from swooning. She loved meeting Savage’s family and kids. She had heard so much about them. The only person she wasn’t able to meet was Chloe since the doctor had given her a small sedative to help her rest. Viv saw the sadness in Savage, Bowie, and Dallas and felt horrible for them. She already felt an unexplained protectiveness for her unborn child. Savage’s daughter had been through hell and Viv didn’t know what she would do if someone came after her child. She saw how Cillian had gone in to save Chloe and she took some comfort in knowing he’d do the same for their baby if push came to shove. Honestly, the only thing getting her through all of this was knowing that Cillian had her and would do everything in his power to keep her and their unborn baby safe.