Only it doesn’t work.
The hem of my jeans catches fire and before I know it, the flames have ignited on my legs.
“Fuck,” I roar, my heart thudding so hard I’m sure it’s going to break through my damn chest. Shaking my leg like crazy, I try to kill the flame, the feel of the fire burning my legs is almost too much to take. The previous smell of gasoline replaced with the putrid smell of burning flesh. Clenching my teeth together, I tilt my head, trying to steady my rapid breathing.
“Enough,” I roar, my voice echoing through the night air.
“Ooh, he’s had enough,” Silvers taunts wickedly.
“Seriously, man. How long are we going to leave him?” Davo asks, but Silver doesn’t respond. He laughs, digging his hand into his pocket, pulling out a cigarette and dropping to the ground, holding the tip to the flame. Placing it loosely in his lips, he takes a drag, smoke pluming around him.
“This is getting out of control.” Davo steps forward, as if he’s about to approach me. Silver shoots to his feet, the palm of his hand landing flat on Davo’s chest.
“Back the fuck up…” Silver spits at him.
“No.” He pushes him with force on his chest. “It’s time to end this.” Barreling past Silver, he storms toward me, slipping out the knife he has in his belt and slicing across the ropes around my wrist.
“You fucking traitor,” Silver screams at Davo, saliva flying from his mouth. Cutting through the second lot of rope, I’m finally free. Staggering away from the fire, I drop to the ground, rolling to kill the flames eating away at my jeans. The wounds sting so fucking much. I rest up on my elbows, scared to look at the mess my legs are in. Sure enough, the skin around my ankles is red and swollen.
“Fuck, fuck. Fuck,” I grumble, trying to unfasten the belt to my jeans. I have to get them off, I can feel them sticking to the wounds. Standing, I slide down the jeans, but it’s no good. The damage to my legs is too bad. Vomit stings my throat as I force it back down.
“Teach him a lesson,” he roars. “That’s exactly what I did, jackass. You don’t get to tell me I went too far. Not now, not ever.”
“Teach him a lesson, not let him burn to death, fuck nugget. You nearly killed him. Kid don’t deserve that.”
“You don’t get to decide what he deserves and what he don’t. You ain’t the boss.”
“Boss would not have wanted this,” Roach adds calmly. “You went too far, Silver. Too fucking far.”
“He’ll live, won’t he?” he replies in a taut voice, like he realizes what he’s done.
“Yeah, thanks to me,” Davo spits back, stepping toward me and kneeling down in front of me.
“Can’t get them off,” I grate out.
“We need to get you to the hospital, kid.” Wrapping his arm around my waist, he pulls me to my feet and guides me around the side of the house and out the front. “Should put a cool towel on those burns,” he says, his eyes travelling toward the location of the burns.
“No, man,” I decline vehemently. “Just get me to the hospital.”
“You okay riding bitch? Your legs look pretty fucking bad, bro.”
And they are bad. Pain sears through my legs, and my stomach knots as the pain increases in waves. Each peak makes the nausea worse. The pain lies so deep beneath the skin, stinging and burning that I know I need to get to the hospital. And fast.
“I don’t see we have any other choice,” I force out, knowing the only car we have has gone to be fixed, thanks to me attacking the back window.
“Jump the fuck on then.” He nods towards his Harley and I try to lift my leg over but the pain sears through me.
“I don’t think I can get my leg over.” I shake my head, frustrated as hell, pain spiking once more.
“We gotta get you on this damn bike somehow.” He forces out a laugh. “Here, let me help.” Grabbing my boot, he slowly guides my leg over, letting it rest gently. “Done," he sings, brushing his palms together before jumping on the front. “Imma take it slow, okay, kid? But I’ll have to drop you at the door. I can’t be seen taking sides, you get me?”
“Thanks.” I whisper my reply.
Tara
Catching teardrops in my hand, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I feel empty. Completely and utterly lost in my own skin. The pain I feel deep inside is like a pain I’ve never experienced before.
I’m used and unwanted.
The one person I want more than anything doesn’t want me, and I’m supposed to be okay with it. I don’t think that will ever be possible. Pretending I’m okay is the way I’ve been dealing with this, only I know I can’t this time. He's broken me beyond measure.
The sound of my cell phone ringing catches my attention. I race back into my bedroom, diving on the bed and answering the call.
“So… how did the date go?” Izzy’s voice sings sweetly down the receiver.
“Oh, Izzy.” I muffle a cry, but I know she must have heard it. I fight back the emotion, not wanting to be that heartbroken friend that cries all the time.
“What? What is it? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” she blurts out, her tone full of concern.
“No, no, not at all,” I’m quick to respond. “I made a mistake. A stupid mistake,” I say, allowing my ass to fall back on the bed, pulling my legs up and crossing them beneath me.
“Talk to me, Tara. What is it?”
“Are you sitting down?”
“Of course,” she says with a whisper.
“Okay, so I had a little too much to drink. I saw Brax and, ugh, what an asshole.”
She clears her throat and I continue. “I know you love him, Izzy, but honestly, he just wouldn’t leave me alone. I got angry with him and stormed out for some fresh air. As soon as I stepped outside I suddenly felt really drunk. I could barely stand, and then you’ll never guess.”
“What?” she breathes down the phone.
“Nate turned up, all heroic and looking hot.”
“Oh, Jesus, no,” she screeches.
“Uh-huh,” I reply, placing my finger in my mouth and biting on the skin at the side of my nail. “It’s so fucked up, Izzy. I feel so used.”
“You slept with him?” Her words are followed by a huge gasp.
“Yes, I just couldn’t help myself. I want him. I want him in my life. I love him, despite everything he’s put me through.”
“Oh, babe,” she sighs heavily. “You need to speak with Brax. That’s, uh, that’s actually why I called.”
“Why?” I ask with a sniffle.
“Because he spoke with Nate last night. There are things you need to know. But not like this. Meet us at Espresso café, okay?”
“But I’ll see you at work.”
“No,” she blurts out. “Not there.”
“Why?” I ask, confusion swimming through my head.
“No questions,” she chuckles. “Just meet us there in an hour.”
“Yes, boss,” I say with a mock salute.
“Good, see you then.” She ends the call and I can’t help but feel curious about what she has to tell me.
* * *
Arriving at Espresso café, I walk through the door, spotting Brax and Izzy sitting in the corner. She has her legs crossed, their knees are touching, and her hand covers his. They look so loved up, so perfect together. My stomach sinks, but the only reason I’m here is on the promise of getting some sort of information from Brax.
Izzy turns and faces me. Smiling widely, she beckons me to join them. I hadn’t realized that I was momentarily frozen to the spot. Shaking my head, I walk toward them, Izzy stepping from her seat and embracing me. Wrapping my arms around her, I mold into her embrace, wanting to let out all of my pain and emotion. But I don’t. Instead, I bite down on my lip, forcing back the tears that threaten to break the surface.
“It’s going to be okay,” she whispers into my ear, her palm caressing my back.
Separating from her hold, I nod my head, sliding into the small wooden chair.
/> “Can I get you something to drink?” The pretty young waitress appears beside me, a sickly sweet smile on her face.
“Coffee. Strong,” I snap. The woman scribbles something on her notepad, dipping her head and scuttling away from us. “So, Brax… spit it out.”
“Nice to see you too, Tara.”
“Enough with the bullshit, Brax. You have something to say, let’s just cut to the chase and talk it out.” My arms fly in the air as my voice becomes louder and my body becomes animated.
“Calm down,” he whisper-shouts. “I’m here because I care. Because I care about you both.”
“Nate?” I ask with a scoff. “That asshole only cares about himself—”
“You’re wrong,” he cuts me off. “He’s fucking crazy about you.”
“Sure,” I drawl. “Or maybe he’s just fucking crazy.”
“Stop,” Brax roars. I jerk at the sharpness of his voice. The rest of the café turn to look at us, voices now hushed and all eyes on us. But they quickly turn away. Brax is known by pretty much everyone around these parts. He’s the ultimate businessman.
Leaning over the table, he clenches his hands together, fidgeting nervously. “I gave him my word. I swore to him I wouldn’t say anything to you, but I’m stuck in the fucking middle here. And not telling you is a mistake. You have to know what sort of danger you’re in.”
“Danger?” I gasp, my hand flying to my now galloping heart. “What kind of danger?” My heart leaps into my throat and stays there, blocking the ability for me to inhale my next breath.
“Jeffries… he wants you for himself.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “That is never gonna happen,” I say with finality.
“Carter promised you to him. He made a deal with the MC devil, and the devil wants his prize. That’s why Nate has been forced to stay away. He so much as looks at you and he’s dead. Tara, Nate doesn’t want this. He’s trying to protect you. Keep you at arm’s length.”
Gulping down the sick that has risen in my throat, I can’t help but fill with dread. Who is going to protect me now that Carter isn’t here?
“Fuck Carter,” I spit out. “You can’t call on a deal with a dead man.”
“If he touches you, Tara, he knows that would be war between us. He’s fully aware you’re under my protection.”
“So we go to war. We have no choice, Brax.”
“It’s not that simple,” he sighs, slumping in his chair. “I’m not supposed to know. That’s why you have to promise this stays between the three of us.”
My heart is racing, hammering at my chest like it’s looking for a way out. How can any of this be true? How could Carter promise me to the head of the MC? I allow my mind to wander, thoughts of Nate blur everything else. There’s an explanation. A really good explanation as to why he is pushing me away.
“I knew this wasn’t what he wanted,” I mumble, leaning forward on my elbows, my fingers skirting my sensitive lips. The memory of the night before flashes through my mind. My eyes focus on the spotty tablecloth beneath my elbows and the hurt I once felt is now replaced with hope. Hope that the one thing I want more than anything isn’t completely lost.
“Tara,” his voice calls, snapping me from my thoughts. “Did you hear a word of what I said?”
“Baby.” Izzy strokes his arm gently. “She might be in shock. Give her time to process this.”
“Me… what? I’m fine.” I look between the pair of them, my eyebrows drawn and my stare narrowed. Brax pushes his hands through his hair, his shoulders slumping.
“I just don’t know what to do,” he says with a defeated sigh. “Taking action against him, eradicating the problem just doesn’t seem right. I mean, technically, he hasn’t done anything yet. But he’s a danger and I don’t want you to have to watch your back constantly, worried about him taking what he wants. These Savages play dirty. Real fucking dirty.”
“What? You think he’s just going to kidnap me and keep me locked up at the clubhouse?” I say with a scoff. “You’re out of your mind.”
“Tara.” He blows out a controlled breath, reaching for my arm. “You need to take this seriously. You don’t know the MC like I do.”
“Brax,” I raise my voice a little, “I was born into this life of crime. My uncle and my cousin have always had dealings with the MC.”
“But your mom protected you, Tara. That’s why she kept you away from Carter as much as she could.”
“She thought she was protecting me. But I overheard their conversations. The stories of the men Carter had killed. The deals that made him millions and the one that lost him more men than he could count on both hands. I may have just been a child, but I was all too aware of what went on. All of it.”
“You just need to be careful,” Izzy says with a smile. “You’re my best friend. There’s no way I’m losing you to some crazy, leather-wearing mad man.” She chuckles, and I know it’s her way of trying to ease the situation.
“As hard as this is going to be to hear, I have to keep up good communication with Nate. He’s the only one that knows. He won’t let anything happen to you,” Brax informs me.
My heart sinks at the words that fall from his mouth. He won’t let anything happen to me. But all I want is him.
“Why can’t he stand by my side and protect me, huh?” My eyes bore into Brax, waiting for him to answer. Because, when all is said and done, I want to be worth the fight.
“He was born a Savage. He cannot leave or go against his brothers. Not even for you. They’ll kill him first. He’s been given a direct order. Failure to follow will result in consequences. That means either you or him. Believe it or not, Tara, he is protecting you.”
Panic races through my veins like I’ve been shot with adrenaline. I jerk my eyes to Izzy, her hand covering her mouth.
“What?” Brax asks, looking between us.
“Last night, Brax. He took me home…” I cringe, not really wanting to relay the full story. But there was no denying the look in Brax’s eye. He is angry and concerned.
“Have you heard from him since he left your place?” he asks and I respond with a shake of my head. Rushing to dig out his cell phone, he holds it to his ear. Scraping the chair back, he steps and heads outside, all the while shaking his head from side to side. My eyes are glued to him as he makes his way through the door and outside, my throat bobbing when I swallow the dread that has built there. Suddenly, I feel cold and I can’t help but shiver.
“What have I done?” I whisper, crossing my arms over my chest. “What if he’s been hurt… or worse?” I choke out, my throat feeling scratchy and unexpectedly dry. “Damn.” I press my hand to my throat. “Where’s my coffee?” I crane my neck, looking for the girl who had served us. I see her approaching and suddenly need the comfort that the coffee offers.
“I’m sure he’ll be okay,” Izzy replies. “I’m not sure how anyone would know.”
I nod, looking sideways as the young girl places the coffee in front of me. “Can I get you anything else?”
I shake my head, declining her offer.
“We’re good, thanks,” Izzy replies in an upbeat tone. Wrapping my hands around the large coffee cup, I bring it to my mouth, my hands shaking as I slurp the warm coffee.
“Shit, this is good coffee.”
“It’s the best, right?” Izzy says with a smile, only for it to fade almost immediately. The door flies open and Brax storms back toward us.
“What? What is it, Brax?” Izzy asks, stepping up and standing in front of him.
“It’s Nate…” he starts, but I don’t give him a chance to continue. I’m immediately up from my seat.
“Is he okay? What’s happened?” I question him, tugging on his arm.
“He got in trouble last night at the clubhouse. I gotta go see how he is.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“No way. No fucking way.”
“I need to know he’s okay, Brax. Please…”
“I said no,
Tara. You go into the office with Izzy. I’ll call you as soon as I know anything. But stay at the office. I need to know you are okay. Got it?” Leaning forward, he kisses Izzy on the forehead before snaking his hands onto the back of her head and moving his mouth close to her ear. He whispers something I can’t quite make out. She nods, wrapping her arms around his neck before kissing him deeply.
“Love you,” she murmurs against his lips.
Rubbing the tip of his nose against hers, he smiles widely and mouths his “I love you,” before turning and racing out of the café again.
“We should go to the office,” Izzy says, grabbing her purse from the table.
“Not until I’ve had my coffee,” I say with a tut. “This is the best damn coffee I’ve ever tasted,” I say, reaching for my huge cup.
“We’ll get it to go.” She smirks.
“What did Brax say to you before he left?” I ask with a tilt of my head, my eyes hard on her.
“What?” Her eyes bug out. “That he loved me?”
Rolling my eyes, I exhale heavily. “No, you know that’s not what I’m talking about. He whispered something to you, something he didn’t want me to hear. What was it?”
“Something he didn’t want you to hear.” She shakes her head giving me a sarcastic look. Walking toward the counter, she orders two coffees to go.
“Izzy, come on. I’m so sick of being left out of the loop. I get that you two are married and totally inseparable, but if it concerns me I have the right to know, surely?”
Shooting me a sad smile, she says, “You’re right.” She sighs a little. “But, he’s just looking out for you, honey. He wants me to make sure you stay at the office with me today. No visits or seeing clients.”
The complete scars series: Books one-four Page 48