Impulsive (The Houston Defiance MC Series Book 4)

by K E Osborn

  “My tech team said the thumb drive data showed a copy had been made of the footage from your helmet… so, where is it?”

  I shake my head in bewilderment.

  I don’t know anything about that.

  “I… I don’t know.”

  He hums under his breath. “Well then, I guess we’re gonna have to amp this torture up until we get the right answer from you. Hash, bring in the electronics.”

  ZERO

  As I pace the hospital waiting room, my head races a million miles a minute. My shattered heart and soul hurt like nothing ever before. Seeing my brother shot in front of me like that nearly fucking killed me. Knowing there was nothing I could do to help Oakley when the Heathens took her, that hurts me too. I’m so goddamn powerless right now.

  I slam my palm into the hall wall in frustration. My fist goes right through the drywall. Cherry comes over, wrapping her arms around me for comfort.

  I need her so fucking much.

  “Neon’s gonna be okay, babe.”

  “He has to be. I spent so long being a dickhead to him, if he doesn’t pull through…” I trail off, there’s nothing else to say.

  Wraith grips my shoulder. “He’s strong. Chills is a fucking amazing doctor, she’s got this.”

  Letting out a long exhale, I slump, thinking about my next step. “I should tell Anna.”

  Bub walks up to me, warmth on her face. “Honey, Anna is in a facility working on her mental health… on her dependency on Neon. If she finds out about this, it could set her back even further. Let’s make sure he’s okay first, then we’ll tell her everything as we know it.”

  Well, that makes sense. Anna’s fragile enough as it is.

  “Zero,” Chills’ voice comes from behind me.

  I spin so fast I almost lose my footing. Cherry by my side and Wraith on the other, we rush over to her.

  Chills smiles like a beauty queen at a parade.

  Jesus fucking Christ.

  “He’s okay?”

  “He’s okay. Going to be in recovery for a while, but he’s gonna be just fine. He had a thoracotomy. It’s a major surgery where they had to remove a part of his lung on the right side where the bullet impacted. He lost massive amounts of blood, but we transfused him with more.”

  My stomach sinks as I grip hold of Cherry tighter.

  “The second bullet was far easier to deal with. It had an entry but no exit. It lodged near some arteries, but luckily it didn’t puncture them or any surrounding organs. We successfully patched that up without much fuss.”

  “How long is he going to be in for, doc?”

  She shrugs. “That can change depending on how Neon responds. Generally, two weeks, then he’ll need to rest at the club for six to eight weeks with intensive physical therapy.”

  “Got it! Whatever it takes... thanks, Chills.”

  She reaches out gripping my arm. “Zero, you know he’s okay, he’s going to be fine, but he won’t be okay with Oakley being taken.”

  “We have to find her. Neon would want it.”

  “If it were me who was taken, Neon would be the first to offer his help for you.” Cherry cuddles into me.

  “He’d fight for my woman, so I need to make sure we do the same for his, even if he can’t.”

  “Without the tech guru, how do you know where to start searching?” Cherry asks.

  I glance at Wraith, and he groans. “I have an idea, but you’re not gonna like it.”

  “If it’s gonna help Oakley, then I don’t think we have a choice.”

  “Then we better get back to the club.”

  I turn to Chills. “Call me if anything changes. Anything at all. Got it?”

  “Of course!”

  “Fox, Bub, Frost, Nickel, you guys stay here, keep an eye on things. Let no one near him ’cept the club.”

  “Got it!” Fox replies.

  Time to get this plan into action.

  Running my hand through my hair, I let out a loud huff. “I don’t like this,” I murmur as I sit at the head of the table in the chapel.

  “It’s the only thing we can do with Neon out of action,” Wraith replies as a knock sounds at the chapel door.

  Texas stands and opens the door.

  The Baroness struts in with one of her tech guys. She grins wide taking a seat where Fox usually sits. “Well, I had no idea you’d be calling on me so damn soon.”

  “Not because we want to, but because we have to.”

  “I’m happy to be doing business with you, again.” I groan. “Ratchet, show ’em what you got.”

  Ratchet spins his laptop around so we can all see. It shows road camera footage of Rage’s van outside the Buc-ee’s where they took Oakley. Then he tracks it to an abandoned house in Dallas.

  “The van is still there with a few bikes parked outside. I’ll stay in touch while y’all travel down there, and I’ll track the movement keeping you updated.”

  “Thanks.”

  I go to stand.

  “I’m not done... if you want Oakley’s freedom, you’re going to need something more than gun power.”

  “What’s that? Why?”

  The Baroness hands me a thumb drive, causing me to raise my brow in confusion. “It’s the video evidence of the Heathens... I stole the original from Oakley and gave it to Rage. I made a copy to hold over Rage myself for when the time should arise.”

  I let out a not-so-surprised laugh. “Of course, it was you. But how did you know Oakley even had this evidence?”

  “A Heathen prospect with a blabbermouth. Then I had Ratchet here track Oakley’s movements for months. It wasn’t hard to figure out where the storage facility was located. From there, it was easy, even though Oakley had it locked down tight. Money talks, as you know, Wraith. So, we paid one of her security company employees to give us the details of how the facility was secure. Once we had what we needed, it was easy to bypass it all. My tech guys excel at this type of work.”

  The Baroness smiles so widely, I’m sure she thinks she is some sort of amazing sleuth or some shit. She continues, “Once inside, we stole the drive and took a copy. Then I contacted Rage, letting him think he had the upper hand when really, I held a copy all along. Once I’d done a thorough sweep of Oakley’s storage container, I told Rage where it was situated so he could do whatever he wanted… heard he bugged and trashed it, right?”

  “You put Oakley in fucking danger!” Anger rages through me.

  She shrugs. “Unfortunate collateral.”

  “Why give us this footage to hold over them?”

  “Because you’re easier to work with than the Heathens. They are downright unethical, unscrupulous bastards.”

  “Couldn’t agree more, but I am guessing there’s a catch. There’s always a catch.”

  “This doesn’t come for free. I’ve given you the tech and Oakley’s free pass. Your club will owe me. I will collect. I don’t know when, or what for, but when I say jump, you will say how high.”

  I glare at Wraith, he grimaces, but slowly nods.

  We all know to save a brother’s woman we would all take the deal.

  “Fine. But we only come running once, Connie.”

  Her lips turn up in a wide gleam that makes her damn eyes sparkle. “Then we have ourselves an agreement. You boys better get on the road.”

  I stand, shaking her hand. “Thank you… I mean it.”

  “You’re welcome, honey. Now go get that sassy-mouthed firecracker.”

  I signal to my men. “Mount up, boys, we’re going a-huntin'.”

  OAKLEY

  I’m completely spent. After hours of relentless torture, constant mental abuse and threats, I’m at breaking point. I’m bleeding from everywhere—cuts and wounds litter my broken skin—and I’m certain my left arm is broken. With both my eyes almost swollen shut, I sit tied to a chair, my feet in a bucket of ice water with my hands tied behind my back while music plays obnoxiously from somewhere in the room.

  Rage sits across from me w
iping his hands on a rag, completely smug. “You reckon I’m gonna let you die and you not tell me where that second copy is located?”

  For God’s sake.

  “I don’t fucking know where it is. How many times do I have to say it before it sinks into your thick fucking skull?”

  His hand moves out, backhanding me across my face. My lip splits open further sending pain so strong through me I feel sick. Blood slides down my chin as he stands over me with an aggressive stare.

  “Dammit, Oakley. I’m sick of playing these games. Maybe if I fuck some sense into you, it might jog your memory? Boys, get her back on the bed!”

  My muscles clench as Razor and Hash hoist me from the chair. Every single inch of me aches like never before, but I still struggle, lifting my legs kicking out in defiance as they throw me onto the bed. With my hands bound, getting up seems impossible as I roll from side to side.

  Rage steps up to the side of the bed unbuckling his belt. “I’m gonna fuck you so fucking violently, your cunt rips apart.” He undoes his zipper, and that small action makes my blood instantly run ice cold. My breathing rushes, so I send my mind to a place that’s anywhere but here while trying to keep calm. I knew my end would be violent, but I never wanted this.

  Suddenly, the window breaks.

  Glass smashes over the floor.

  A canister hurtles through the room sending off a hissing sound.

  “Fuck,” Rage blurts out as he pulls his gun up when the smoke starts filling the air.

  I roll on my side smothering my mouth with the pillow. Men rushing around the room doesn’t miss my ears.

  A single shot rings out.

  My heart leaps into my chest as I jump with the blast. My head buries further into the pillow trying to disappear from this hell. I have no clue what’s happening, all I know is this war is probably because of me. Yelling echoes everywhere around me. My body starts shaking uncontrollably when a hand presses on my back.

  “It’s okay, I got you,” Zero’s soothing voice echoes from beneath the smog.

  A wave of undeniable relief washes over me as he leans down untying my hands then lifts me. My arm instantly wraps around his neck, I whimper as I try to cradle my broken arm up by my chest while he carries me through the house.

  Slick and Texas flank our side, guns at the ready as Zero rushes with me. Slick fires off a round, hitting a Heathen in the shoulder, his entire body ricocheting backward as his gun goes off, narrowly missing Slick. Blood flies out of the Heathens’ shoulder splattering onto the wall behind him. A clear through and through as Ax comes in finishing the job with a bullet straight into his head. Half his face flies off, coating the other side of the wall as his body drops to the floor in a heap while we continue. Bullets fly at us, but Zero doesn’t even flinch. He keeps moving with his men surrounding him.

  If anyone other than Neon could make me feel safe, it’s his best friend, Zero. Right now, I feel secure, even though I’m battered and broken in his arms.

  As we make our way past the stairs, a Heathen runs down at us with a machete in hand. He screams at the top of his lungs aiming right for Zero. I tense, but Zero doesn’t even bat an eyelid as Texas slides his arm in front of us, taking aim, firing off two rounds, the explosion from his gun rings in my ears.

  I clench my eyes shut, jerking in Zero’s arms.

  My ears continue to ring as Zero turns a corner.

  I open my eyes glancing over his shoulder, the machete man lays dead on the floor.

  Slick and Texas move out the front door first, and just as Zero is about to walk me out to my freedom, I spot another Heathen racing down the stairs, a gun pointed right at Zero. I tense, but I spot a gun strapped to Zero’s back, so with what little strength I have, I reach over and grab it with my good hand.

  “What the fuck?” Zero calls out, but I don’t have time to answer him as I quickly unclip the safety, placing my finger on the trigger and fire as fast as I can. I don’t even count how many times I pull on the trigger. The gun recoils in my hand scaring the shit out of me, but I need Zero to be okay. He saved me, now it’s my turn, and I need to make sure we all make it out of here okay.

  I pull the trigger again and again.

  My eyes are closed.

  With no clue where I aim the gun, I shake, fucking terrified. The gun clicks free, signaling an empty chamber, and someone slowly takes the gun from me.

  “You’re okay, Oakley,” Slick whispers.

  I open one eye, taking him in. His eyes meet mine as my hand trembles.

  “There was a Heathen. H-He was g-going to s-shoot Z-Zero.”

  “You got him. You did great,” Slick exclaims, sliding Zero’s gun back in its holster.

  “Thanks, Oakley,” Zero consoles, making me slide back into position. He struggles to hold me with how I reach over the top of him.

  “Shit, sorry.” I sink back into his arms.

  “The first kill is always the hardest.”

  My stomach swirls as I replay what Zero’s just told me.

  I’ve taken a life, but if I didn’t, he would have taken Zero’s or mine, or both.

  The Heathens never did anything but ruin my life.

  Maybe I should feel worse about it than I do, but right now, I just want to get out of here. “He got what he deserved,” I reply.

  “Noted. Let’s get this dealt with.” And with that, Zero walks me outside.

  Rage kneels with his hands behind his head with Wraith holding a gun to his temple. Zero turns me to try and shield me from seeing, but I have something I need to say.

  I wriggle in Zero’s grip.

  He lets me down.

  It’s hard for me to stand. I’m weak as hell, but I fight my way through it as I storm over to where they hold Rage captive. I point my finger at him aggressively, not even caring that I wear only my panties and bra with a myriad of bleeding and open wounds all over my body and an arm that’s bent at a strange angle. “You’re nothing but a weak man who wants to feel powerful by hurting others. Well, I won’t let you hurt me anymore!”

  “And we’re going to make sure of it because we have a copy of the thumb drive footage. So, if you, or anyone from the Heathens, or any associates come after Oakley or her family again, Defiance will release the footage. And you know we won’t hesitate to bring you down, Rage!” Zero grunts.

  “Why don’t you just kill me?” Rage snaps.

  “Because letting you suffer knowing we hold you over a barrel is far greater punishment,” I rebuke.

  “Plus, if anyone is going to kill you, after what you’ve done here today, it’s going to be Neon. We will give him that choice. He needs to recover first, then should he wish, he can take you down.”

  My eyes flood with tears as I stare at Zero to make sure he’s not bluffing, that Neon is actually okay. Zero winks at me, and my eyes overflow with emotion.

  “C’mon, we need to get you to the hospital,” Zero offers.

  Unsure of what’s going to happen to Rage, I wonder if the guys will rough him up a little before they let him go, but I don’t really care because I simply want to get to Neon.

  “Fuck you, Rage! If I never see you again, it will be too soon.” Gathering what little strength I have left, I kick him in the gut. It probably doesn’t do much as I’m weak, but a weight lifts from my shoulders. I stumble back to Zero, collapsing into his arms, and he carries me over to a black van. I turn back one last time to see Wraith slam his fist into the side of Rage’s head. He pummels to the ground as Wraith continues to lay into him. A slow smile creeps up my face before I turn to leave for the hospital back in Houston.

  When we arrive, I’m adamant I want to visit Neon first. Seeing him shot changed everything for me. It made me realize just how deep I am in with him.

  “I understand you want to go to Neon, and you will, but I need you to be checked over first,” Zero demands as they wheel a chair over to me.

  I huff, slumping down into it as a nurse brings over a gown to cover me up. �
�Thanks,” I offer.

  They wheel me in and examine my battered body. Chills takes one look at my arm and confirms it’s broken. Then after some further extensive X-rays on my face and ribs, we discover two cracked ribs and a hairline fracture in my right eye socket.

  All I want is to see Neon. Even with the drugs they have pumped into me, the sutures they stitch me with right now makes my entire body ache. Chills informed me that she’s admitting me for observation and more tests. Just to make sure that I’m not bleeding internally from the shock therapy Rage put me through and to watch for concussion.

  I’m a mess physically, but mentally, the only thing running through my mind is Neon.

  They’ve told me I will be able to see him. They said he’s going to be fine, but until I see with my own eyes, my mind won’t believe it. My scars will heal, but it won’t matter if Neon isn’t here to heal with me. The thought of losing him after all we’ve endured, scares me more than any kind of torture Rage could have inflicted on me. Watching Neon shot like that, right before my eyes, will be a memory that will stick with me forever.

  Suddenly, Zero saunters into my room. “Hey, how you feeling?”

  Grimacing, I exhale. “Like… I watched the man I adore be shot before my eyes, then I was kidnapped and tortured… you?”

  The corner of his lips turn up as he pulls out the chair beside my bed. “Still a smartass, I see.”

  “Can’t keep me down.”

  He shifts a little closer. “I’m beginning to see that… and we’re all so fucking glad you’re here and that you are okay. But Oakley, I have to tell you… if you pull that running away shit and put the club or its members in danger again… there will be consequences. And they will be harsh.”

  My chest squeezes tight as I think about Neon. He’s already paid the consequences for my actions. I won’t let that happen again. “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere, not while Neon wants me around.”

  Zero reaches out to pat my arm. “For what it’s worth… I want you to stick around. You’re good for Neon… even though, right now, it might not look like it.”