Rough Ride

by Archer, Gillian

  Chapter 24

  Bam

  My arm burned like a son of a bitch. Really all I wanted to do was curl up into a ball and drink the fucking pain away, but we needed to get a handle on the situation. My girl and what was left of her family depended on me.

  Apparently Brittany was of the same frame of mind, as she crossed the room to my grandma’s phone on the side table. Picking up the receiver she put it to her ear before I could say anything. “It’s dead. They must’ve cut the phone line.”

  I had to laugh at that. “I turned off the phone before I moved out. Who’s got their cell on them? Mine’s back on my bike.”

  “I think mine’s in my purse, wherever that landed out front.” Amber frowned as she patted down her pockets.

  “Mine’s in my car,” Brittany replied.

  Jackson held his up with a triumphant smile. “Good thing one of us always has his on him.”

  I gave him a chin jerk. “Fantastic. Call Reb tell him what’s up. Amber, go grab the first-aid kit in the hall closet. Everyone meet me and Brittany in the basement. I have a few handguns stored there that’ll come in handy if shit hits the fan before the guys show up.”

  “Uh, one little problem here,” Jackson interjected, holding his phone up. “I don’t seem to have any bars.”

  “Fuck, it’s been so long since I was here, I forgot how shitty the signal is up in these hills. Shit, shit, shit.” I scowled. “Move around the house and keep trying. But stay away from the goddamn windows.”

  Jackson nodded as he held his phone up, swinging it to the left then the right.

  “Try sending a text!” Amber yelled from somewhere down the hall. “Don’t need as much signal for a text.”

  “Good fucking idea!” Jackson yelled back as he bent over his phone.

  The women shrieked as a window exploded on the other side of the room.

  Fuck, fuck, fuck. I had no idea who was out there, but it didn’t sound like they were going away anytime soon. It was only a matter of time before they breached the house.

  “Jackson, try sending a text or make a call, then get your ass downstairs. Ladies, let’s go.” I ushered the pair of them down the rickety wooden staircase that my grandfather built in the late seventies into the unfinished basement below. Their eyes were wide with terror, and I ached to hold Amber in my arms. But then again, my arm also ached like a son of a bitch. Ignoring the emotion and pain in the room, I crossed to the corner where I’d stored some of my stuff. Swiftly loading my two Ruger handguns, I grabbed as much ammo as I had on hand, then led the ladies to the end of the room furthest from the two tiny windows.

  Looking around, I took stock of the space. Like most basements, it’d been a dumping area for years, decades even. Stacks of boxes littered the room. An ancient sofa from the eighties sagged against the wall near the stairs. A single bulb swayed precariously overhead. An old dining table slumped beneath a heap of boxes. The whole place was a fucking mess. But I saw shit we could actually use. All of it could be used to barricade us in and keep whoever was out there out. The stairs weren’t ideal, but we had a shitload of furniture and boxes to hide behind.

  “Okay, sit down, champ,” Brittany commanded. “Let’s take a look at that arm.”

  “We don’t have time for that shit. We gotta be prepared for when whoever’s out there tries to come in here.” I darted a look Amber’s way and shut my mouth as her face crumpled, and a single tear rolled down her cheek.

  “We’ve got time to take care of you first. Sit your ass down on the fucking sofa,” Brittany barked.

  It wasn’t Brittany’s command that had me sitting down. I wanted to do something—anything—to alleviate the fear swimming in Amber’s eyes. “I’m fine, kitten. Pretty sure it’s just a flesh wound.”

  “Okay,” she whispered, crowding closer with the first-aid kit in hand.

  I didn’t take my eyes off her as she and her mom bent over my arm, passing cotton and bandages and whatever else back and forth.

  “It’s just a graze,” Brittany proclaimed as she examined my arm.

  It didn’t feel like “just a” anything. If it burned like a son of a bitch before, all this probing at it didn’t make it or me feel any better. I mentally cursed myself for not bringing any liquor downstairs. Tequila paired nicely with a bullet wound, right? Maybe whiskey.

  “Fuck,” I hissed as Brittany none too gently wiped at my arm.

  “Here, let me,” Amber said softly as she brushed her mom’s hands away. “I was studying nursing before I left school.”

  “Yeah, but it’s different when it’s someone you care about, honey. Let me.”

  Amber frowned. “Mom, I’ve got this.”

  “Someone do something and finish it already! We don’t have all goddamn day!” I shouted.

  “What the hell is going on down here?” Jackson asked as he tromped down the stairs.

  “Finally,” I muttered as Amber won the staring contest with her mom and started dabbing at my wound. “Did you get a signal?”

  “I think so. Enough to send a text, anyhow. Didn’t get a reply. The way that bastard is shooting out windows, I thought it best to get the fuck downstairs.” Jackson surveyed the scene with a scowl. “If you Florence Nightingales are finished, maybe we could plan what the fuck we’re gonna do next. It’ll be at least an hour before the troops arrive, and that’s only once Reb sees the fucking text, assuming it actually went through. So, what do we do in the meantime?”

  Amber’s hands were shaking as she tried and failed to affix the bandage around my arm. Tears still swam in her eyes, but she was fighting bravely against letting them fall.

  I lifted a hand and swept the hair out of her eyes. “I’m gonna be okay, kitten. We are going to be okay. I’m not gonna let anything happen to you. I swear it.”

  Amber bit her lip, then she shook her head. “You can’t promise me that.”

  “I can and did. I’d die before I’d let anything happen to you.” I looked deep into her eyes and said the words that’d been on the tip of my tongue for the last week. “I love you, Amber.”

  “Don’t say that. You can’t say that. Not now. Not here, like this.” Her tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks. She swiped at them with the back of her hand. “I don’t want you to die. You can’t die on me.”

  “We’re gonna be fine. I’ll take care of you.”

  “That’s what my dad always said,” she whispered as she avoided my eyes.

  My heart fell into my stomach. Shit. Stitch. This had to be bringing up the worst of shit for everyone here. How did I not put that together? I raised my eyes and took in Brittany, who was carefully avoiding them as she balled up all the bloodstained cotton balls and bandages while tears swam in her own eyes. She was hurting for her daughter, and most likely for herself, since she’d been there the night her husband died. I was probably the last fucking guy she’d wanted to see her daughter hooked up with. I shot a glance at Jackson and found him studiously avoiding the emotion on the couch while he hefted one of the handguns we’d laid out. But even he had a glimmer of moisture in his eyes.

  Before I could get a handle on the situation, a loud crash of glass sounded from upstairs. The women squealed and ducked against the couch. My eyes went to the silent staircase. After a few seconds when no other sound came, I relaxed slightly.

  “Okay. He’s still shooting at the windows. Probably doesn’t realize there’s a basement under the house. Let’s get set up.” I stood and grabbed the remaining handgun, shoving it into the small of my back. “Let’s get some boxes and shit stacked against the bottom of the stairs. Don’t wanna make it easy for those fuckers to find us. I want that table against the wall so we can access the windows. Everybody move.”

  “Is that smart?” Amber asked. “What if they build a fire to smoke us out?”

  “Shit. I didn�
�t think of that.” I rubbed my palms against my thighs as I thought out a few different scenarios. My gut said they wouldn’t use fire, since it would attract attention. Single gunshots could be mistaken for so many things, especially out here in the hills. No one would think twice. But I didn’t want to put us in a position where Amber and her family died because I was wrong. “Okay. Change of plans. You and Brittany build a barricade in that corner, furthest from the staircase. Jackson and I will go up and make sure we’re secure, and hopefully get a few shots in of our own.”

  Amber bit her lip. “Bam, no. I don’t want you to go.”

  “I’ll be okay, kitten. Stay here and help your mom out.”

  “You’re already not okay. Going up there will only lessen your odds of being okay.”

  My lips twitched as she spoke, and she glared at me.

  “Whatever. You know what I mean.”

  “I do.” I grabbed her hands and pulled her up next to me so I could wrap my arms around her again. “But if we want to widen our odds of getting out of this okay, we gotta do something. So, you do something down here, and I’ll do something upstairs.”

  “Okay,” she whispered. “Just take care of you. And Jackson.”

  I gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Will do.”

  I pulled back and tossed a look at Jackson. “You ready?”

  He nodded tightly.

  “Let’s roll. Stay clear of windows, and follow me.” I made for the stairs and felt Amber’s hands slide over my shoulders and back as I walked away. I know she wanted to cling to me, and I was proud as hell that she didn’t.

  “Stay safe,” Brittany added as we started up the stairs.

  My heartbeat was louder than my breathing at that moment, but I kept up my stoic mask for the people depending on me. Really, I was scared as shit. What if I was wrong? What if they did try to smoke us out? How was I gonna get Amber and her family out of this? Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  I sucked in a breath then let it out in a slow exhale as I stared at the door at the top of the stairs. Okay, I could do this. I had to keep Amber safe.

  “Do you know who’s out there?” Jackson asked in an overly loud voice.

  “No. Why, did you see something? You know who it is?”

  “No, just thought it might be nice to know who’s trying to kill us,” Jackson replied in a sardonic tone.

  I had to laugh at that. “Could be the Wild Riders MC or their support club, since this is their territory, and we’ve been fucking with them lately. I’ve also pissed off the number two in the Bratva by claiming your sister, so it could be them.”

  Jackson grunted at that.

  “Slight possibility that it’s my mom.”

  Jackson sucked in a breath, then shot me a look. “Your own mom? Really?”

  I hitched a shoulder. “We don’t exactly have the best relationship, and she’s pissed off my grandma left all this to me instead of her.”

  “So, she shoots it up? And you, too? That doesn’t make a lick of sense.”

  “Killing me would be cheaper than fighting me in court. She’s also not the brightest bulb, so who knows?”

  “Are you guys gonna do something?” Brittany shouted up the stairs. “ ’Cause I don’t want to sit down here for the rest of my goddamn life!”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I replied before turning back to Jackson. “You ready?”

  “Let’s do this.”

  I turned the doorknob and slowly pushed the door open.

  Silence greeted us on the main floor. But it appeared that whoever was out there had been busy while we were downstairs. Most of the windows had been shot out, and glass littered almost every surface in the house. I signaled to Jackson to go for the front door, and I made my way toward the kitchen and the back door.

  I think I only took two steps when I felt a searing pain in my right arm that took my breath away. I grunted and fell to my knees, clutching my arm. There must’ve been glass under me, but I didn’t feel it. I couldn’t think of anything aside from how much my arm hurt. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

  “Shit, Bam. You okay?”

  “Do I fucking look okay?” I roared as blood flowed over my arm. “Fuck, it must’ve hit a vein or something. Grab some towels in the kitchen. Third drawer left of the stove. No, your other left.”

  Shit. I was gonna bleed out on my grandma’s linoleum while Jackson hunted for a fucking towel. The basement door burst open behind us as Brittany and Amber crowded into the room.

  “Fuck, get down!” I shouted.

  Amber and Brittany dropped to a crouch behind me, but that didn’t stop my anger.

  “I told you two to stay downstairs,” I grumbled as Amber wrapped a towel around my arm.

  “Well, it sounded like you guys need us upstairs,” Brittany drolly retorted.

  I thought maybe Amber’s face was pale, but it was hard to tell with the room swimming around like it was.

  “Lay him down more.” Amber barked out commands like a drill sergeant. “Elevate his feet. Jackson, get over here and apply pressure to his arm. Not that one. His other arm.”

  Everyone moved to follow her instructions. And the hills around us were surprisingly silent. No more gunshots came. Maybe they thought they’d got their guy.

  Maybe they had.

  The towel around my arm had already turned bright red with my blood. I was bleeding to death on my grandma’s kitchen floor.

  “He’s losing too much blood. We gotta get him out of here,” Amber whispered to her mom.

  “Did you get a reply from Reb?” Brittany asked.

  “Nope.” Jackson answered from my other side.

  “Shit,” Brittany whispered.

  “What do we do? Text someone else for help? The police?” Amber’s voice shook. “We can’t just sit here and watch him die.”

  I opened my eyes and looked at Amber’s pale, drawn face. “I’m gonna be fine, kitten. Help me up, and I’ll shoot that motherfucker.”

  “You’re not going anywhere.” Amber’s lips quivered. “And you better not break your promise.”

  “Let’s make a run for it,” Jackson said. “I’ll lay some cover fire while you guys go for the car, and I’ll follow once it’s safe.”

  “Did you hear the part where I said he’s not going anywhere?” Amber angrily whispered. “Besides, Mom and I can’t carry him to the car.”

  “It’s just a little flesh wound. I’ll be fine. Here, help me up,” I muttered.

  “Not. Going. Anywhere.” Amber bit out.

  “We can’t just stay here, Amber. I watched your father bleed out in a goddamn parking lot. There’s no way in hell I’m letting that happen a second time.” Brittany’s breath hitched with her suppressed sob. “We’re going with Jackson’s plan. Get him up; we’re heading for the car.”

  The Bennetts fussed around me for a minute, sweeping away glass and securing a makeshift wrap on my arm. My head swam, but I ignored it as Amber and Jackson helped me to my feet. I took a staggering step toward the door, but Amber stopped me with a touch.

  “Whoa. Hold up there a minute, champ.” Amber patted my chest. “We need you to get your bearings for a second. Make sure you’re not gonna pass out on us. Take a few deep breaths for me. How you feeling?”

  “I’m fine. Let’s do this.” I felt anything but, not that I was gonna tell my girl that. Bile tickled the back of my throat, and my vision swam. But I was doing this. I’d be damned if I’d be the reason they were left here as sitting ducks. We were getting the hell out of here.

  As a group, we took a few steps toward the door, then froze in shock as it burst open.

  Ruslan stood in doorway, a handgun in his right hand pointed at the sky. “Thank God, moya zvezda. You are all right.”

  Amber jumped in front of me, blocking my view of the Russian. “Are you fuck
ing crazy? You shot my boyfriend? Did you think that would make me want you?”

  “Fuck.” Jackson muttered as he pointed his gun at Ruslan. “Stay the hell away from my sister.” He took a shot, but judging from the lack of a pained grunt from Ruslan, Jackson must’ve missed.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Ruslan shouted. “I will do you a favor and forget that you took a fucking shot at me, malchik. But only because you’re moya zvezda’s brother. You only get one favor. Clear? Now let’s put the guns down and have a little talk.”

  “We can talk when you’re dead.” Jackson pointed his gun again, but froze when I put my hand over his and took his gun away.

  If we weren’t careful, he’d probably shoot one of us, even at this close range. I had to get the kid some time at the gun range.

  Passing the gun to my left—and nondominant—hand, I pushed Amber out of the way and pointed the gun at Ruslan. “Time to talk is over. You fucking come here and shoot up my grandmother’s place, scare the shit outta my girl and her family, and then you wanna have a conversation? How about you say hey to fucking Satan on your way down.”

  “I didn’t shoot you!” Ruslan yelled. “Why the fuck do you think I’m here?”

  “Seriously?” Amber shouted. “You’ve been stalking me for months. Sending me creepy gifts and showing up at my work—”

  “What? Did I know about that last part?” I cut in as I swayed.

  “I might’ve forgotten to tell you about that. Sorry.” Amber stayed close to my side and took some of my weight after she wrapped her arm around my back. “But really? Do you think this is the way to get me? Do you really think I’ll want to be with you after you kill my boyfriend and scare the hell out of me?”

  Ruslan raised an eyebrow. “The only person I’ve killed was the Wild Rider who was out there shooting at you, but I’m beginning to think that might’ve been a mistake. Should I call the rest of the club and let them come out and finish the job?”

  “Wild Rider?” Amber repeated weakly.

  “Yes.” Ruslan opened his suit jacket and holstered his gun before continuing. “The guy I had tailing you reported you’d picked up another tail as you drove through Incline Village. Fortunately I was close by, as I was inspecting our property in Kings Beach. I met up with Viktor, and we got rid of your little problem.”