Desperation like I’ve never felt before starts clawing at me. Wrapping its slimy hands around my throat until I’m left gasping for air, looking up to my captor like he can become my savior.
“NO!” I shout forcing myself to kneel the way he likes. I keep my knees bent and place my hands on my lap. I take a deep breath before showing my complete surrender. With my chin tucked into my chest I can no longer see Slasher. I’m at his mercy.
“Your change of heart pleases me, princess, but I’m afraid you’re not going to like what happens next,” he declares, undoing his belt from his perfectly fitted jeans. The sounds of the buckle coming undone causing me to have a brief moment of panic. No matter how many times I do this, it will never be easy.
“Easy there, princess. I’m not here for sexual favors. My taste is a little different this visit. For every lash, you can take from my belt, I will spend an undisclosed amount of money. You have no way of knowing whether it will be enough, or too much. Now stand up and strip, princess. Let’s see how eager you are to save your boyfriend.”
Taz
Running my left hand up her bare back, and keeping my eyes closed, I imagine her skin is someone else’s. As I taste her lips, I pretend it’s the same sweet vanilla I always crave. Grinding my hardening dick against her plump ass, I bite back my groan. This nameless whore may get to warm my bed, but she’s not going to get any passion. That part of me belongs to someone else.
“I want you to fuck me hard,” I hear her throaty voice say, making it difficult to keep my dick up. If she insists on using her mouth, I’m going to give her something better to do with it.
“On your knees,” I order while standing to my full height. With a smile on her face, she starts crawling across the bed. Her fake tits that are more than a handful don’t sway with the action. Usually, I would be thinking about all the things I could do to them, never caring that they feel like a couple of sand bags. Now, all I can imagine is the way Serenity’s moved as she danced for me. How perfectly they could fit into my hand. Like her body was made for mine.
“Looks like someone is happy to see me,” the whore says before grabbing onto my dick. Looking down at her open mouth, I decide now is the time to shut her up. Grabbing onto her hair, and making sure she takes my cock into the back of her throat, I feel like I can once again close my eyes. It’s easier to picture my angel this way.
Just when I think I’ll be able to ignore the moans coming from around my dick another noise in the room catches my attention. Pulling away from her mouth, almost laughing when she falls on her face, I shove her make-shift lollipop back in my pants.
“What’s going on?” she questions while wiping saliva off her chin.
Quietly taking the steps needed to be in front of my closet door, I motion for my one-night stand to shut up. How am I supposed to answer her questions when I don’t even know what the fuck is going on? My room has been locked all day. Knowing someone has broken into my room pisses me off beyond reasonable thinking. Any other man in this situation would be armed, not me.
“You must have a fucking death wish,” I shout, trying to surprise my enemy by opening the door quickly. There’s just one problem. Serenity isn’t my enemy.
“What the hell, Serenity. Why are you in here?” I begin to question. It’s only when she doesn’t lift her head, from her knees, that I realize something is wrong.
“Serenity, look at me,” I command, kneeling on one knee. My shoulders are too wide for me to fit in the closet beside her, but it doesn’t stop me from reaching in to pull her out.
“I’m sorry, Slasher. I didn’t mean to pass out,” She cries with tears streaming down her pale-cheeks. Her irises stare directly into mine with a faraway look displayed in them.
“You can’t stop. I have to save him. I can take more, PLEASE! PLEASE, I’M BEGGING YOU.”
The emotions in her words sound so real I yank my hand back like it’s been burned. My mind starts trying to piece together the event she is reliving in her head, but I can’t. I don’t remember this conversation, and believe me when I say I remember all the others. I must not have been around, or conscious, during this one.
“Serenity, I’m going to grab you. It’s me, Taz,” I try my hardest to use a soothing tone, but the anger I feel towards the bastard that broke her makes it difficult. Once again reaching forward, I manage to squeeze myself in the door frame long enough to grab her. She’s lost weight so I can easily pull her into my arms without much effort.
She doesn’t fight me, never hits at my chest or arms, the only indication she gives that I’m touching her is the stiffness of her muscles. When tiny whimpers and mumbles start creeping from her lips, I bend my head low enough to hear better.
“I’m sorry, Taz. So, so sorry. I tried to save you, but I wasn’t good enough,” she’s whispering while trying not to choke on the sobs bubbling up from her chest.
“You did save me, angel.” I reassure her, sliding myself down the wall. The new position allows me to rock her from side to side.
“You are the reason we got out of there. Without you, I wouldn’t have survived,” I declare, knowing if I sit here long enough she will soon come back from the hell her mind is trapped in.
“Who the fuck is she, and what the fuck is going on here?” The other woman asks. How did I so easily forget she was here?
“This is none of your business. Get dressed and get the fuck out,” I command, giving her a look that says she would be stupid to argue. Smarter than I gave her credit for, she quickly dresses and leaves.
“It’s just you and me now, angel,” I whisper against Serenity’s temple before placing a soft kiss on her smooth skin. The action causes her to curl into my chest.
I lose track of time as we sit together on the floor, both of us replaying the nightmares we’ve survived, using each other for the strength we’ll need to get through another day. Most people believe the worst part is behind us. They think it did the day we left that dungeon. Yet, no one realizes how much of a struggle it is to survive in a world that went on without you. I can deal with the demons that follow me throughout the day. Hell, they are keeping the other’s company. It’s Serenity I’m worried about.
“I’m afraid to move,” Serenity says, bringing me out of my thoughts.
“Welcome back,” I state. “You’re safe here. You know that.”
“I’m afraid if I move, you’ll push me away. I don’t know why I’m in your arms, but I know this is where I want to be,” she replies, burrowing further into my chest.
On their own accord my arms tighten around her. I know the minute I say what I have to she will no longer seek my comfort. She will see me as a heartless bastard like so many others do. Will it bother me? More than it should, but my options are limited. I’m not choosing to push her away just for her own safety. No, I know Serenity would be safe with me regardless of our past. Her dad, my club president might not like it, but once again it’s not a deal breaker for me. Buck would eventually get on board. Hell, even if he didn’t, my feelings for his daughter would never allow me to care. So why you ask? Why do I find it necessary to finish breaking the heart of a woman that went to hell and back for me?
FAITH
“Serenity you need to find someone to help you,” I state, instantly loosening my hold on her. When she sits up to look at me, eyes red from crying, I almost change my mind. Moving her off my lap, I stand up, now towering over her.
“I don’t want you trying to contact me anymore. Stay away from me, I mean it.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do, Serenity. I can’t be with someone like you. Not now, not ever.”
“You’re lying. I know you call and check on me. If you didn’t care you wouldn’t do that.”
Hope blossoms behind her irises, telling me she believes every word coming out of her mouth, as she should. I have been calling to check on her every night, but I can’t allow her to see how shocked I am from the news of her knowing. There is on
ly one person I’ve asked, and he will be dealt with later. For now, I need her to go without putting up a fight.
“I can’t be with someone who willingly whored herself out for the first man that came along. All you would be is a one-night stand, but I’m not into having some psycho’s sloppy seconds,” I shout, allowing the anger from our situation to bleed through my words. Serenity’s face visibly pales as she places her hands over her stomach. My words, and the venom behind them were enough to make her sick.
LEAVE!” I growl out, pulling my lips into a sneer.
Like the coward I am, I turn my back to her. I can’t watch as she gathers what’s left of herself off my floor before walking away. To her, the gesture seems like a complete dismissal. To me, it’s the only way to make sure I don’t stop her.
Punching the code into Buck’s new security system, I turn the knob when I hear the locking mechanism give way. There has been a lot of changes around the compound since the night we were attacked. Buck is confident his enemies will never again prey on anyone as long as they are within these walls.
“You’re early,” Buck says, glancing up at the clock on the wall. Our club meeting isn’t set to start for another thirty minutes, but there is something I needed to discuss with Buck privately.
“When we find him, he’s mine to kill,” I declare, deciding the straight-and-forward approach would work better in my favor. I’ve thought about nothing else, but Slasher’s death since waking up in that hospital. I realize everyone here also has a score to settle with the Blacktop Sinner’s President, but I know Buck’s word will be final. The men respect him that much, and he will give me this. I’ll make sure of it.
“I was wondering when we would have this conversation,” he replies, leaning back in his chair. He’s getting comfortable, indicating this discussion isn’t going to be as easy as I hoped.
“Every man in this club has a reason to shed some of his blood. Torch’s old lady was tortured by his men. Hammer’s biting at the bits to get a hold of the man that still haunts Rebecca, but most importantly Serenity is my daughter,” Buck finishes with a look on his face that dares me to argue.
“Torch got his vengeance on the man that raped Mia. Hammer wants all their heads, he doesn’t care if it’s the snake’s or not,” I state, taking a step closer to him. The long table we sit around stops me from getting as close as I would like. Right now, I’m tiptoeing on dangerous territory. Buck is the Tarnished Souls President, I vowed my loyalty to him, but now that comes with a price.
“Finish what you were saying, Taz,” Buck orders, raising his voice enough to show the aggravation he is trying to conceal.
“Every man puts a price on the things they want most in life. You value Serenity’s recovery. That’s what you had me believe in the hospital anyway. I agreed to stay away, Buck, but not without a price.”
“You son of a bitch,” Buck shouts, standing up fast enough to send his chair slamming into the wall behind him. Gone is the look of content, now replaced with the anger he’s been trying to hide.
“You don’t get to save her, and kill him. Man-to-man, leave the club out of this, you have a decision to make.”
“The hell I will!” he begins hollering. “This is my CLUB. I am your PRESIDENT!”
Both of us are now leaning over the table. Nose-to-nose, so close I can see the wheels turning behind his eyes. Buck’s a smart man. He’s someone I admire despite our current situation. If there was a way to get out of this, he would, but it’s me he’s dealing with. I won’t bow to him as he takes the one thing I need. As far as he is concerned, I am staying away from Serenity to keep peace amongst us brothers. He doesn’t need to know if it were just that stopping me I would have his daughter on the back of my bike, as my old lady. Tarnished Souls has been through a mountain of shit. One woman wouldn’t be enough to destroy us.
“Were you acting as president when you asked me to stay away? You know as well as I do I could bring that shit to this table. All club transgressions are worked out in this room, Pres,” I mock, watching the vein in his neck grow with each word I speak.
“I love her,” I finally mumble, the words burning my throat coming up because I’m finally admitting, not only to myself but someone else, my true feelings for Serenity.
I don’t like showing this side of myself. Being vulnerable is not a feeling any man likes to have, but I need him to understand. He got what he wanted. I’m just asking for what I need. Thinking about the many ways I will torture Slasher will help provide me with a distraction. Before he can reply, Torch saunters into the office.
“What the hell is going on in here?” Torch asks.
“We were discussing something personal,” Buck states, breaking eye contact with me to look at his sergeant at arms.
“The men are on their way, so hopefully your friendly conversation is over,” Torch responds, making an emphasis on the word friendly. He’s not at all fooled, and just as he promised, the men start piling into the room. Saint, Hammer, Irish, and Teller all take their seats, as do Torch and I shortly after. Leaving Buck as the member standing.
“First order of business, the district attorney is coming to talk to Mia and her sisters today. I’m sure she will have more questions for Mia than the others. Any objections to her coming to the clubhouse?” Buck asks everyone around the table because this is the way our MC works. We are a brotherhood that looks out for one another, and everyone’s opinion matters.
“It doesn’t sit well with me,” Saint says. “The feds being here isn’t good for business.”
“He’s right. Our buyers will start pulling as soon as they get wind we are working with the police,” Irish states.
“Well, this will lead us into our next order of business. I’ve been talking it over with Torch and Taz in private. We want to pull out of our illegal activity, and start putting more interest in our legit business. Like the Honey Hole,” Buck makes his announcement while glancing at every one of the members. He’s right, we have talked it over in private, and the three of us agreed. We may be criminals, but human trafficking is a level of sickness we aren’t willing to go to.
“You have my vote,” Hammer says, “I’m tired of the weapons dealing. Let another club deal with that headache.”
“Well that was easy,” Torch declares. “Anyone else care to comment. Majority votes to clean up our business, but we’ll still listen to arguments against it.”
“We’re not going to make enough off the Honey Hole alone. Strip joints are a dime a dozen,” Irish comments, bringing forth the concern we all have.
“There is enough in the club’s account to invest in other things. I’ll get the exact number to Buck by the end of the day. We could discuss other ventures at our next meeting,” Hammer suggests, causing all the men to nod their heads. Seems like everyone is on board with the idea, except Saint. He’s stayed quiet sitting next to his brother, seemingly taking everything in. I knew he would be the one we would have to convince. Saint learned to count from the bullets he would put into his father’s guns. A criminal is all he knows how to be.
“Back to the district attorney. Anyone against her coming,” Buck poses the question, and silence is his answer. Seems like this meeting is going to go smoother than we planned.
“Now, on to more pressing matters. Slasher has vanished along with most of the Blacktop Sinners. Has anyone heard from our contact on the inside?” Buck questions, the vein in his neck starting to reappear.
A round of no’s can be heard from the men. I never feared the man we sent in would be found out, but it seems like Slasher will only continue to surprise me. I once thought of him as a fool. That was a mistake. One I almost paid with my life.
“Hammer, we need to know when and where his burner phone was last used. Torch, I need you to put together a team of men that can ride out with you. Slasher is on the run, but there is someone, somewhere, that knows something. Find them.
Irish, you and Teller will be following Serenity back
to college. Saint, you assist Hammer, and I want the both of you to keep that district attorney in line. She is coming to our compound for one reason only, and that’s to help find the rest of the women. Slasher is not her target. He’s ours to deal with. Finally, Taz will be the one overseeing his capture. No one does anything to that bastard without his knowledge. Agreed.”
“Agreed,” Everyone says in unison.
Buck has just given me what I asked for. My hands will be the ones to end Slasher’s life. The knowledge helps ease some of the anger I’ve been concealing. I can’t be with Serenity, but I can bring her peace another way. I can kill the boogie man that haunts her dreams.
“Irish, we need to talk,” I command as the men stand up to leave. Everyone continues to go on about their business, not at all caring about my request, except Buck. He gives the two of us suspicious looks before following the rest of the members.
“My gut tells me this is about a certain little blonde that goes by the name Serenity,” Irish jokes, popping a toothpick into his mouth.
Whether it’s chewing on one of those tiny sticks, picking at his nails with a knife, or playing with the zippo he keeps on him, Irish is always doing something. I can’t recall a single time I’ve seen him completely still.
“Joke all you want, but you and I both know she was better off not knowing. You gave her hope you had no business giving her.”
Moving the toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other, he seems to be in deep thought about what I’ve said. Irish is a standup guy. I have no doubt he’ll see the error of his way.
“You’re right, VP. I should never had told her you cared. That was a mistake, and it won’t happen again.”
He starts to walk toward the door when I let him know all is forgiven by giving him a slight nod. I knew he would see that my way is the right way. I’ll continue to call and check on her, and he’ll go back to keeping it between us.
Taz (Tarnished Souls MC Book 2) Page 6