Rise (The Phoenix Series Book 1)

by M. K. Cunningham

  Looking at me pissed off, “Benzodiazepines. Now, why don’t you shut the fuck up and let me save my girl.” I do as I’m told because I don’t want to get in his way.

  Summer looks up at me with a sad look in her eyes, “Thane, you need to get back before they get suspicious. Keep them away from this area for as long as you can until we can get her stable enough to move.”

  Sighing, “I don’t care about losing my job, let me help you. I want to be there for her. I can carry her back to…”

  Summer cuts me off and this time she is looking at me like a pissed off momma trying to protect her young’s, “Do as your fucking told. By you keeping them away from this area is you doing your part! Trying to protect her and be there for her. Now go before they come looking for you!” I know Summer is right, but my heart is fighting with me to stay here.

  Hearing the door open again I turn around and begin to head back towards the house. Looking at the officer who stepped out, “it’s clear out here, let’s go see what we can find inside.” With that, I waited to go inside until he went in first.

  ***

  We are back at the precinct and all I want to do is head to Greer’s house to make sure she is doing good. I can’t though because we have paperwork and briefings to go over which takes up a few hours.

  As two officers and I make our way into Captain Slater's officer for a meeting, we can hear shouting going on. “Are you fucking kidding me?” When I rounded the corner and see his office, his face is a red as a radish and his veins are popping out at his neck.

  Standing at the meeting table with the six other officers he slams the phone down and looks at us. “Apparently she was in that house within the past hour or so. Forensics recovered a lot of her blood at the scene which means she is injured. I don’t know how bad, but we can only imagine that it may play in our favor.” Looking to me, “Williams, I want you to go back undercover and see what the news is on the streets. See if you can’t find anything out about what might have happened to her and where she could be. I know you were talking with her at one point in time so see if she won’t reach out to you again.”

  Nodding my head in his direction, “Yes sir.” I turn around and left his office. That was quicker than I expected. Thing is…I know where she is and I won’t be the one to tell him. I do, on the other hand, need to find out who is feeding him the Intel on her whereabouts lately. Whoever it is has to of been spying on her or is close to her.

  CHAPTER sixteen

  greer

  S hifting into his arms, placing my head just at the crook of his neck, “I never want to leave this spot.” He squeezes me tighter, never allowing me to feel like I’m not wanted.

  Bringing my hand, that is drawing circles on his bare chest, to his mouth, he spreads tiny kisses from the tips of my fingers to my wrist. Linking his fingers with mine, “I’m falling hard for you Greer.”

  Shifting out of his neck, I stare into his beautiful green eyes that feel like they can see past all my bullshit. He takes his other hand and places it on the back of my head, tugging me so that my lips meet his. I part my lips and welcome his tongue.

  Seconds later, I break free from that gorgeous mouth and deepen my stare, “I love you, Thane.”

  Squeezing my eyes tight, I think about all the good in my life lately. Thane, for showing me that I can still love. Summer, for being the best friend a girl can have, never judging and always on your side. Finally, Easton, for helping me out in my times of need especially when I was just a mere stranger to him at one point in time.

  As I open my eyes one more time, I find myself untied and leaning against the cold, wet wall. The back of my shirt is soaked and looking down, the front of it is torn from the bottom all the way up to my cleavage, leaving just a tiny shred of fabric holding my shirt together at the top. My bra is still on, but one strap is broken, and the cups are pushed down to expose my nipples. My sweatpants are no longer on me, in fact, I can’t see them at all. Closing my eyes, I prepare for what might have happened. Placing my right palm on my stomach, I slowly force my hand to proceed down. Gasping, relieved. My underwear are still on, and they don’t feel torn or tampered with.

  Leaning over, placing my palms flat on the dirt floor, I twist my body slowly so that I’m on my hands and knees. Pushing with everything I have left in me, I try to get to my feet, but my legs give out on me causing my knees to crash hard against the floor. I open my mouth to let out a cry, but nothing happens, I just can’t.

  I need to get out of here. I need to get back to Thane. To Summer, Easton, and Ruby.

  Just then, a whistle comes from the doorway. Looking over, tiger guy is back. Dread and pain stir inside me, but I don’t show it. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction. I’m still on my hands and knees when he slowly walks over to me, eyeing my half-naked body.

  Letting out a puff of air, “don’t fucking...” pausing to catch my breath, “touch me!” My breathing is becoming shallow, and it’s getting harder for me to breathe.

  I try to move my hands so I can attempt to crawl my way out of this room which seems to excite him even more. Looking back at him, he has his pants unzipped with his hand shoved in his briefs, stroking himself. My heart begins to pound harder in my chest. My body won’t move as fast as I want it to and I get roughly ten feet from the wall before he comes over and places his hands on my hips.

  Lifting my left leg, I send it flying back nailing him in the dick. He doesn’t let go, but instead, he digs his nails into my hips. Raising my leg one more time I begin to do it again but this time he catches my ankle and twists, sending me back to the floor. He throws a punch to my rib two times before I’m grabbing the collar of his shirt, gasping for air.

  Leaning down, his face inches from mine, he opens his mouth, and I can feel the heat of air blow into my mouth from his. As he sits on his heels, still straddling me, my hands drop from his collar to my sides. I have no strength left to fight.

  Hearing a ticking sound to the left, I turn my head to see Jerry standing in the doorway. Both of his hands are on his hips, and his right foot is tapping against the ground. He seems to be pondering something, his mouth pulls up in the corners, and he is squinting his eyes.

  Looking back to “tiger guy” straddling me, he is peering down at my crotch, and his hands are sliding all over my body. They begin on each side of my hips and slowly make their way up, stopping just underneath my boob where the bra has them pushed up and out. Slowly but roughly, he slides his hands over my breasts and pinches my raw nipples between his fingers and I shout out in pain, not able to hide it any longer.

  Turning my head to the left, I look at the door, trying to turn off everything in me. I close my eyes and let sobs escape me.

  Rolling off my naked body, Thane flops down next to me staring at the ceiling. After a few short breaths, he turns to his side and props his head up with his hand and continues to stare at me, not saying anything. I place my hand on his cheek and lift myself up to kiss him, I’m not finished.

  Rolling him over, I straddle his body. I lean down and begin kissing him on the curve of his neck. The moment I press my lips to his skin I feel his erection come back to life. Teasing him, I place my lips on his nipple and swirl my tongue around causing him to jerk, and when he least expects it, I bite down.

  Thane places his hands on each side of my face and slowly lifts me to his face. He leans in to place a kiss on my lips. They’re soft and tentative as if they’re made of glass. Thane’s hands move to my hair, burying them until they touch my scalp. He has me trapped in a passionate kiss.

  ***

  Opening my eyes, I realize that I have so much pain all over my body. I want to scream, but nothing comes out. I’m afraid to move. I’m still in the same place as I was when “tiger tattoo” was in here with me. Looking around, I don’t see him.

  Once again, I raise my palm and set it on my stomach. I’m shaking so bad and can’t get it under control. Slowly, very slowly, I trace my hand across my bo
dy, and again I come across my untampered underwear. My other hand shoots straight to my mouth and covers it. I want to let out a happy sob, but my body can not produce tears. Lifting myself up slightly, there is pain shooting throughout my body, particularly my ribs. I slowly and carefully place my right hand on my right set of ribs to keep them from moving too much as I try to get to my feet.

  I’m finally on my feet but my body is weak and I’m afraid I can’t make any fast movements, or I’ll be back on the ground. Taking both of my hands, I slide my breasts back inside my bra. Hearing that ticking noise again, I shift my head to the left to find Jerry standing in the doorway once more. He is smirking from ear to ear, and I look down to see he has a black object in his hand and he is banging it against the door frame.

  With a little chuckle, “Cookie, you know what I find sweet about your dreams?” Taking two steps forward in my direction and then stopping to see my reaction, “you talk.”

  The blood drains from my face. My body starts to shake sending waves of pain again. Placing my arms on my stomach, I hold tight trying to control the nausea that wants to come up. Before I woke, I was dreaming about Thane. Trying to think back to it, I can’t remember if I said his name or not.

  Shaking my head, looking into Jerry’s eyes, “you’re bluffing.”

  Tapping the long black stick to his other hand, smirking, “You were having quite the dream there. I’d say…Thane…is something in the sack.” Turning his grin to sudden anger, “I will always be around to break you and destroy those you love.” Pointing the black stick at me, “Starting with him this time.”

  Taking my pain, I throw it to the back of my head and charge Jerry. Before I get a foot to him, the long black stick he has starts to make a humming sound and a blue charge of light flickers at the end of it. Quickly pressing it into my stomach, I feel shocks go through my body. It feels as if my body is burning from the inside out. I scream in anger and pain, not being able to move away from what’s happening. He finally lets off the button, underneath his thumb, causing the electric to flow through me.

  I drop to my knees, hitting the hard ground beneath me. It feels as if everything around me is going in slow motion. I can see what is going to happen, but I can’t force myself to move. My body is frozen in place. Jerry holds onto the cattle prod in his left hand, and his right hand is pulling back and swinging forward until it hits my jaw. My face is thrown to the side, but my body is able to stay upright. As I turn to face him again, he is already coming back for a second swing. This time I am able to move my head slightly but not before he hits my right ear causing a ringing to take place. A massive headache begins to form on top of the one I’ve already got. I fear my ribs are fractured.

  As Jerry lays a third punch to my face, he hits my left eye socket causing me to slump to my side, laying on the floor with my knees pulled up to protect my chest just in case he starts to kick me again. Walking to my side, he squats in front of me, tilting his head sideways so that I’m looking at him head-on. Shaking his head, he stands up straight and heads for the door but not before speaking to someone.

  Laying my head back down on the floor, I give up. I have no energy in me, can’t remember the last time I ate or drank anything, and I can feel my body slowly weakening.

  “Hey, sweetcakes!” I can hear him approaching me, and all I do is close my eyes. I know which one it is, and I know what I’m in for. I can feel him hovering over me, kicking my ribs. With a heavy accent, he stops at each word making sure to pronounce it correctly. “Open your eyes bitch!”

  My eyes shoot open due to the pain radiating through my body. I don’t know how my mind can experience so much, but loud noises are firing in my head right now. I’m not sure what I’m hearing because of the ringing in my ears.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  There it is again. In a matter of seconds, the guy with the ripped sleeves is sitting me up and dragging me to the wall with the water running down it. I groan as he does this, so much pain.

  Pop! Pop! Pop!

  Just then, he places a syringe on the side of my neck. I see shadows in the hallway. I have no idea if they are real or not, but I see them.

  “Freeze motherfucker or I’ll blow your head off!” A tall, dark figure comes walking into the room.

  I begin to feel strange. Like my body is overloading with something. Just then, out of the corner of my eye, the guy with the syringe has a bullet in his head, and blood splattered all over my face. I start to become extremely tired, and I don’t hurt anymore.

  The tall, dark man, that is in front of me, comes closer. He is kneeling but, I can’t make out his face. My eyes can’t focus, and they’re becoming heavy faster than the last time they injected me. Before they shut, I feel hands on me. I try to fight back, but my arms won’t move an inch. Finally, I fade into the darkness again.

  ***

  Waking, I find myself drenched in sweat and very nauseous. I seem to be in a different place, but my eyes still can’t focus. My high is coming down from the drug they injected me with, but my head is pounding along with every inch of my body. Not being able to hold it back any longer, I lean my body over the side of the bed and painfully vomit.

  Moments later the door is open, and a bright light creeps into the room. A shadowy figure appears in the doorway then immediately races to my side. I try to push whoever it is away, but my body is not equipped to handle two things at once right now. Every time I shove them away, they slowly make their way back to me.

  Finally, jolting forward and holding me with those arms I’m all too familiar with I know I’m home…I’m safe. I must be dreaming. Maybe this is my body giving me one last gift before I die. I decided to embrace it. I imagine that Thane lays with me the rest of the night while I fall asleep in his arms. Not once does he try to move or sneak out, he keeps entirely still, as if not to wake me.

  ***

  Waking the next morning, my vision is fully restored but, an awful headache still lingers along with the body pains. Rising from the bed, I turn to see Thane sleeping peacefully next to me. Tears prick my eyes, and I raise my hands to my mouth to try to stop the sobbing. Is this real or am I still dreaming? I want to reach out and touch him, but I’m afraid to. Afraid that he might disappear right in front of me.

  As I stand up and stare at him, I noticed I had an IV in my right hand. Following the line, it attaches to the bag hanging off the bed frame. Taking the liquid from the bed frame, I hold onto it as I walk to the bathroom.

  My body aches worse than the morning after a fight. Every joint in my body hurts along with my muscles. I need the bathroom so I can check myself out. What usually took me seconds to get to the bathroom now takes me a few minutes. Slow shuffling movements are my means to get through today.

  Stepping into the bathroom and placing my hand on the light switch to the left, I jump at the sound of Thane's voice behind me. “Greer, are you ok? What can I get you?” He is still groggy from sleep but eager to help me.

  I slowly turn to look at him. Taking my shaking hand, I place it on his cheek. I can’t be dreaming, he feels too real. My heart aches as I see the look of grief in his eyes, “Thane, I’m alright. I’ll live.”

  Seconds later both of my hands are on him, and I begin to sob uncontrollably. Stepping forward, Thane takes me by the waist, carefully, and brings me in for a firm hug. We stand like this, in his bathroom, what seemed like forever.

  ***

  A week passes, and I feel as if I’m being smothered. If Thane isn’t in the same room as me, Summer or Easton are right behind tagging along. I find myself taking frequent bathroom breaks just so I can get some time to myself. They regularly ask me, “How are you today? Do you need anything?” I understand their concern, but after a while, it becomes too much. I give them the same answer every time, “I’m fine. No, I can do it myself.”

  My pain began to subside three days after I finally realized my brain wasn’t playing tricks on me, I’m not dreaming. Easton was right there beside me the
whole time, pumping me full of medicine to make sure I was comfortable. I know my head shouldn’t be on straight after what happened to me, but it is. This experience was very similar to the last time Jerry had his way with me.

  Making my way to bed after a long day, I sit down on the side and just stare out at the evening sun slowly disappearing beyond the horizon. I feel Thane staring at me before I actually hear him. Turning, I see him standing a few feet from the bed, and he has a strained face. Something is bothering him.

  Smiling at him, “I’ll be alright. I’m a little stiff, but the pain is subsiding. Stop worrying.” I thought I had said this enough to them over the past week. I guess they needed reassurance. My smile fades when I see the look of grief in his eyes. “Thane, I’m alright. I’ll live.” As I say those last words, he looks away from me as his hand’s fiddle with the drawstring of his sweats. Something is eating away at him.

  Standing up, I slowly walk to Thane, placing my hands on his chest. “Thane, what is it? Tell me.”

  Still not looking at me but, at the wall to his left, “Greer, how long do you think you’ve been gone?”

  With confusion etched in my brows, “Hmmm, maybe two days at most.”

  Biting his lower lip, he keeps looking from my eyes to his hands that are now balled into a fist at his side, “It was thirteen days, you were missing for thirteen days.”

  My mouth drops open and I turn away a bit confused. I try searching for the memories I suppressed. I’ve been avoiding talking about what happened to anyone in the house. With panic in my voice, speaking in a low voice, barely being able to hear, “that can’t be. I…I…remem…” Tears start to form in my eyes along with a lump in my throat. Looking at Thane with my head tilted, “I can remember a few days, they were a little groggy, but I do remember them.”

  In an instant, Thane places his hands on my face, holding me tightly. My body becomes weak at the touch of his hands. There is so much he isn’t saying, part of me doesn’t want to hear it, but I know I need to. Sniffling, “Tell me what happened, everything, please.”