by AliyahBurke
Laurie walked up and took Raven. The women stepped back from each other and Laurie walked off a small distance to give them a moment alone.
“Well.” His voice was all gruff but in a tender caring way. “You know how Doc operates. Watch yourself. Call me when it is over and I will come clean up the mess.” His words told her that he expected her to be the one left standing.
She nodded. “Very well. I should go. The longer I wait the angrier he will most likely become.”
Both of them were shifty as if they weren’t sure of what to do next. Finally, Raven stuck out her arm, ignored the look of hurt that Dylan got in his eyes, and they shook like all the Raptors did. With a forearm clasp.
“Stay safe, little Raven.”
“Stay alive.” She dropped his arm and vaulted into her car. She turned the key and smiled at the sound of her engine as it purred with life.
“Thanks again, Raven,” Laurie yelled over to her.
“Take care of him for me. He needs looking after.” She gave a sharp nod to Laurie.
Raven drove the two hours before she found herself turning up the paved drive she had left three and a half days ago, believing she would never be back. At that time, there was no reason for her to ever return—now there was. There was a makeshift guard shack partway up the drive. She stopped there when the security man stepped out and motioned for her to do so. He had an M-16 cradled in the crook of his arm.
“What do you want?”
The man was seriously in need of a shave. He leered down at her, eyeing her full chest that was cupped by leather.
“I’m expected,” her flat unemotional response fell.
“Who are you?”
The man crowded nearer and she reacted. She didn’t have time for these games. She moved swiftly and, as she drove away, his body slumped unconscious to the ground. Blood seeped from his nose to be soaked up by the dirt.
Raven drove back past some of the barns until she reached the last covered arena. Way out of the way, it was not a building that was used anymore. This was where her computer had positioned Brandt’s tracer. Not to mention where her instincts told her they would be.
There were two silver Land Rovers beside the small side door, so she parked next to them. She would have to run from the door but it was a straight shot and she would not have to turn her car around. She hid the ignition key in a secure place on her body.
It took about a half a minute while she sat there in her car and got control of her emotions. Raven knew she would be no good to him if she were rattled. Finally, she was ready. Raven left the car and approached the side door and carefully walked in, ready for whatever awaited her inside.
There were sounds coming from the main part of the arena and she followed them. She moved in total silence even though she wore heels and walked on concrete, yet another trait she learned from the jungle. Silence could save your life. Her ears, however, were in tune to what they were saying.
“Do you really think she will come?” The voice was deep and raspy.
“Yes. Unless she wants his death on her conscious.” This man’s voice was a bit higher pitched.
“He said she didn’t care about him.”
“Yea, but that blonde bitch said they were an item. And they were kissing.”
“I told you, she doesn’t care about me.” That was Brandt’s voice and it sounded like he was in pain. “All she cares about is the job.” Through his pain she heard and felt his scorn. Raven’s lip curled in disgust with her own actions, but she could not afford to be swayed right now. Better to have him angry and alive than content and dead.
“For your sake,” a new voice entered the conversation, “you had better hope she comes. Or I will have fun sending you to her in pieces.”
That particular voice she knew as well. Doc. She was in for a rough time, of that she had no doubt. The man was a masochist.
* * * *
After Brandt was awakened by the maids he went back to his room to change, then went to work. He met his new guard, some burly man named Sam. Right from the start Brandt didn’t like him. Still didn’t.
Maybe it was because Sam wasn’t a stunningly gorgeous woman that smelled like peaches and could totally rock his world. Maybe because he still didn’t want a bodyguard. Then again, maybe it was because Sam had hit him over the head and now he sat tied tightly in an arena, the future of his very life dependent on a woman he had called a hooker before paying her fifty thousand dollars for one sensational night of sex. Yeah, that was probably why.
The men had beaten him a few times, but Doc stopped them before they got too carried away. So now he sat on a pile of sawdust in the corner, chained to the wall of the large old drafty arena with five armed guards and the man named Doc for company.
Chapter Twelve
Brandt still didn’t understand why they had stopped beating him, since they certainly enjoyed doing it. “Why can’t we beat on him some more?” one of the men had asked Doc.
“Because if she shows up and he is badly hurt we have no leg to stand on. She is going to want to make sure he is in satisfactory condition.” There was a little shiver in his voice.
“Well, where the hell is she?” the same man asked.
“Time isn’t up for another five or so hours. Besides, the guard shack will notify me when she arrives. Then I will be ready for her.” Pure venom spilled from his lips.
“What did she do that made you hate her so much?”
“That is none of your damn business,” he snarled. Doc strode over to Brandt and kicked him in the chest. At his cry of pain Raven moved.
“Will you at least tell me?” Raven queried as she vaulted over the hinged half door to the arena.
All the men zeroed in on her, guns trained and ready to fire.
Raven’s eyes moved quickly, assessing the men and weapons. Six of them, that included Doc, who were armed and Brandt. Her brain categorized the weapons they carried. All that was done before the men got over the outfit she wore.
She held her arms out from her sides, palms up, showing that she had no weapons in them.
Doc jerked back from Brandt and stared at her. “How did you get here?”
Raven stopped moving forward and spread her fingers in a silent gesture of surrender. “You wanted me, Doc. I’m here. Let him go.”
“Keep an eye on him, Manny.”
Doc stood and strode towards her with only a smack on the back of Brandt’s head. He looked pretty much the same as she remembered. Only a few inches taller than her, he was much bulkier. He was of Spanish descent with jet black hair and olive-tinted skin. His eyes were green and filled with an evil look that bordered on insanity. He was crazed.
“What did you do to the guard at the gate?” He still approached. Raven didn’t back down, just stared at him and watched his advance. His heart was pounding.
“He’s taking a small nap. Nothing permanent. Let him go.”
“No. I think I will keep him as insurance. I’m not sure you came alone.”
“I followed your instructions. I came alone and unarmed.”
“Well, that was stupid of you,” he sneered as his men laughed.
“Perhaps, although maybe it just says that I don’t think you are that dangerous of an opponent.”
Crack!
He smacked her across the face, splitting her lip and ricocheting her head on her shoulders.
“Insolent bitch!”
Raven stumbled from the force of his blow but righted herself immediately. The index finger on her right hand reached up and touched the blood that dripped from her lip. She glanced at it and then her gaze settled on Doc. Caution won as she realized just how unstable Doc was. If she provoked him too much, Brandt could pay for it.
“What did you want me here for?” As if the hit was not worth her time.
“You and me have some business to attend.” He grabbed himself as he said it.
“Whatever.” Her bland tone reached them all. “But first I need to ma
ke sure that he is fine.”
“Meaning?” Doc’s fist clenched.
“I want to talk to him, alone. Make sure your boys didn’t rough him up too much. And you had better hope he isn’t hurt too bad.” A hint of malice entered her tone, her first sign of emotion.
Doc nodded. “Fine. But first, you need to be patted down. Just in case. Arms out, legs spread. You know how this works.”
Raven still hadn’t looked at Brandt in the eyes. Wasn’t sure she could just yet. With a nod, she lifted her arms out to shoulder level. Legs were spread a little ways.
“Boys, if she moves kill her.” Doc stepped up behind her and licked her ear as he whispered, “I have been waiting so long to do this.”
“Just get it over with.” It took every ounce of her control to remain still while this vile piece of vermin pawed her. But the gun pointed at Brandt made it possible.
“I am really going to enjoy this.” He started at her feet. He raised her pant legs and checked out her boots. Ever so slowly his hands moved up her legs, smoothing over the form-fitting leather. He took way too long in checking out her butt and the junction of her thighs. As he moved up he made lewd comments, but Raven stayed unmoving.
His hands lingered on her stomach as his face was right there; up towards her chest he went. He grabbed each breast in his hands and kneaded them. Lifted them and pinched them. The men cheered him on. Raven never moved.
“Damn, girl, no wonder all those men eagerly went to bed with you. You are stacked. And wearing all this leather, can’t wait to get you alone.” Quickly he patted down her arms and stepped back. “Clean. I will give you two no more than five minutes together. Don’t even try to unchain him or anything heroic like that.”
Raven walked off without a word to him and the man with the gun backed off a bit when she got there. She ignored him and strode right up to the man who was secured to the wall of the arena by a thick ass chain.
“You came,” he said as he put his blue eyes on her.
She crouched down on her heels so they were eye-level. Her back was to the rest of the men, but she was completely aware of where they all were the whole time. “Are you okay?”
“You came for me.” His lips were split and he had a nice shiner but he looked alright. Her heart found its rhythm as she felt his presence warm her.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m okay. Nothing a nice hot shower wouldn’t take care of.”
“Nothing broken?” Her gaze remained sharp as it roamed over his figure. How she had missed him these past few days. This man had wormed his way deep into her soul. The truth hit her, she wanted to be with him.
“I’m fine. Why did you come back? After the way I treated you? That last night. . .”
“This is neither the time nor the place, Ice. Listen to me. I am going to get you out of here but you are going to have to listen to me and do what I say, when I say it.”
“I understand.”
“I’m not done. No matter what you see or hear between all of us, I don’t want any reaction from you. This can’t be personal so don’t make it. If they know you mean something to me they will know my weakness.”
Something primitive flared in his eyes as her words sank in. “Got it. So I am just supposed to sit here?”
She heard the disgust in his tone at her instructions.
“Look, all this is, is a personal vendetta. Or I think it is. No need for you to be in it. I will get you out of here, but it is going to be done my way. When you are out call 555-0976. Got it? Don’t forget that number. It will connect you to Dylan, he will come. Don’t forget the number. You will probably be going without me, so don’t wait for me. Understand?”
“No way. If you don’t go then I won’t either.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Listen to me. You will go. Don’t make me regret coming for you. You will. . .”
“Time’s up,” Doc said as he walked over. “What are you two lovebirds talking about?
“Lovebirds? What gave you the idea that we were lovebirds?” Raven sneered.
“That blonde woman said.”
“Who, Sherri?” Raven laughed, a harsh sound, as she stepped back from Brandt. “Please, you should know better than that. All that was, was the job.” She turned to Doc and asked, “Why me? Why did you want me?”
“Because I am going to make you suffer.” His fist shot out and knocked her back to the dirt on the arena floor. “I’m going to beat the shit out of you, and if you try to resist, or defend yourself against me, then Manny is going to shoot that man right there,” he said, pointing at Brandt. Manny put the gun in his hand up to the back of Brandt’s head for the perfect shot. Execution style.
Raven got up slowly. Damn, he had a swing on him. “If you shoot him, I will kill you. If he is dead then there is no reason to negotiate. Don’t be stupid, Doc.”
“You overconfident, self-absorbed, conceited bitch. You are so sure that you are invincible. I always hated you for that. Don’t call me stupid.” Spit flew from his mouth as he snapped at her.
“What did I do to you to make you hate me so?”
“Come on, Doc. Let us have some fun with her,” one of the other guys said to him.
Doc grinned and waved the man forward. Raven backed up so she had some room to maneuver and her eyes narrowed in disgust.
The man was tall and wiry. His nose looked like it had been broken a few times in fights. Hair was dark brown, oily and stringy. Gross. Skin was stretched tight over his bones. His teeth were blackened and some were missing. And then there was the stench; he smelled like he had been living in a hog barn.
“I’m gonna hurt you, bitch. You’re a woman. I’ve heard rumors about you. Don’t believe any of them.”
Raven didn’t say a word, just watched and waited for him to make his move. He did. The man holstered his gun and pulled out his knife. He crouched down and waved her in. That was his first and last mistake.
“Let’s see what you can do, little woman.” Then he lunged.
Raven jumped back once, twice. And when he lunged forward for the third time she reacted. She sidestepped and when he went past her she spun around and kicked him in the back, sending him flying forward.
Enraged, the man jumped on her. Raven grabbed him by the neck and tossed him to the ground. The loud crack resounded through the open arena.
“Bitch,” Doc snarled as he pulled his gun out and aimed it at Brandt.
“I wouldn’t if I were you, Doc,” her voice came, soft as the coat of the panther and just as deadly as the animal itself. All heads turned to her. She had the dead man’s gun in her hand and it was aimed directly at Doc. “You told me I couldn’t protect myself against you. You didn’t say anything about the rest of your men.”
“Damn, you still just as cold-hearted as always. But you’re right. That’s what I said. Toss the gun away or I will have them kill you.” He looked at his remaining three men. “So, don’t mess with her.” Then he turned back to Raven. “Did you have to kill him?”
“He was in my way.” Such an emotionless voice when she spoke of death. “What is this business we have with one another? Are you going to tell me why you wanted me?” She removed the clip and tossed the gun out of her reach. Too risky. Doc was still to jumpy.
“You said it. I want you. I always did. And you never gave me the time of day. Always on your high horse. Thinking you were better than me.” Doc came closer to her.
“You know the rules. Never get involved with a member of the team.” Not what she wanted to say to him, but she had to calm him down some.
“What about Talon and the others? You were with all of them. Why not me?”
“Is that what this is about? That I wouldn’t let you pose as my significant other?”
“All of them would tell me how you were in bed. Give me details and talk about it like all of us had experienced it.”
Raven saw the look of shock on Brandt’s face and steeled herself to convince him it wasn’t true. “Y
ou fool, don’t you know they were just screwing with your mind? I never ever slept with any member of that team. Raptors don’t behave like that with one another. All that was, was an act. Nothing more.”
“But never with me? It couldn’t be my race since Osprey is also like me. So what was it? Out of our group it was me and Buho that you never did that with. Do you know what that was like? You even slept with some of your assignments.”
“Get over it. I never did that with the two of you because you both were much too hotheaded. I wasn’t about to risk an assignment’s life just because you wanted your tongue in my mouth. As for the others, well you know…whatever it takes,” she spat at him.
“Well, if you want his tongue,” he gestured back behind him to Brandt, “to stay in his mouth, you will welcome me to your bed. Tonight. That is what it will take. I will have a taste of you. I don’t know what it is about you, but you are something I will have.” There was malevolence to his words that made Raven’s skin crawl.
“So you are going to trade his life for a night with me? Damn, I must be some hooker.”
“Why do you say that? I suppose many men think that of you. With those damn eyes and mysterious attitude. Tell me, Raven, what is the most you were paid.”
She shook her head. Not quite the situation she expected herself to be in. Maybe lots of fighting, but not questions about her sex life. Or lack of one. “What do you mean?”
“What is the most someone paid for you?”
“You are a sick son of a bitch. A lot more than you could ever afford.” Her words fell like ice chips.
“How much?”
“Fifty thousand. Got that much?”
Brandt winced at her words.
“Damn, what did you do to earn that?”
“A lot.”
“I want whatever he got.”
“Sorry. That was a one-time thing. Special circumstances.” She saw, out of the corner of her eye, some of the pain leave Brandt’s face as he understood what she said.