Road to Freedom

by Piper Davenport

  I smiled up at him and kissed his neck. “I’m just giving you a hard time. I’m good, honey. Love that you signed the note with Tweety.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yep.”

  “You hungry?”

  “Starved.” I fell asleep before I could eat, so I was now ravenous, and everything sounded good to me.

  “I brought up a few things, but I can run down and grab you a burger if you want.”

  I nodded. “That would be amazing.”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m hungry enough to eat an entire cow, so, yeah.”

  He kissed me gently, then left me again. I took a few minutes to pull on one of his T-shirts and pull my hair back in a scrunchy before he returned with a burger and potato salad, along with a carton of ice cream and a bottle of my favorite wine.

  “Do you want to go back down to the party?” I asked, then took a bite of the burger.

  “Nah, I’m good, baby. I’m all yours.”

  “You sure you don’t have anyone else you need to catch up with?”

  “Pretty sure I’m covered. Why?”

  “Because I’m gonna eat, then I’m gonna brush my teeth because I love you, you’re welcome, then you’re gonna fuck me. Hard.” I smiled and forked some potato salad into my mouth as I focused on Merrick’s dick. The fact it rose to attention at my promise made me eat a little faster and by the time I’d brushed my teeth and slid out of his T-shirt, Merrick had me on the bed and was yanking my panties off.

  “What do you want, Rem?” he asked, slipping a finger inside of me.

  “I want to forget.”

  He shook his head. “No.”

  I squirmed, pushing against his finger and settling a heel on his shoulder. “Just for a little while,” I begged.

  “That’s not what our bed’s for, baby.”

  “Merrick,” I rasped.

  He slid his finger out of me and I whimpered with need. He leaned over me and met my eyes. “Our bed’s for makin’ love and sleepin’. You wanna forget anything, you forget some other way, but if you want to heal, I’ll fuck you so hard, you’ll always remember who loves you. Got it?”

  I swallowed, nodding and crying out when his finger slipped back inside of me, sweeping against my walls before his thumb connected with my clit.

  “Look at me, baby.”

  I lifted my head slightly and watched him smile. “You come every time you wanna come, yeah?”

  I nodded.

  “Don’t wait.”

  “Okay, Tweety.” I dropped my head back to the mattress and pressed into his hand.

  He added a finger then another, before he moved, faster and faster, his palm slapping against my clit as his fingers fucked me hard and deep. I gripped his wrist, stilling him, lifting my hips as an orgasm washed over me, then he was kneeling between my legs and his girth was filling me and I felt home.

  He kissed me, burying himself deeper and deeper, and once again, an orgasm came hard and fast. I dug my heels into his ass and let the climax wash over me as unbidden tears slid down my cheeks.

  “Fuck,” he whispered, shifting so he could thumb my tears gently away. “Baby, don’t cry.”

  “I’m okay, Tweety. You just make everything so much better.”

  “And that’s why you’re crying?”

  I nodded. “Yes. Don’t stop, Tweety. Please. I’ll die if you stop.”

  He pushed in further and I raised one leg higher to take him deep, so deep I felt like he was touching my womb and slid my hands into his hair. Then he kissed me, and I kissed him back, the movement of his hips making my pussy ripple in response.

  “Merr,” I breathed out, another orgasm building.

  His hand cupped my breast, his fingers rolling my nipple to a tight bud, and I let myself go. He wasn’t far behind, evidenced by the low grunt he gave me, and his hand moving to grip my thigh as he came inside of me.

  He kissed me as he rolled us onto our sides, my legs still wrapped around his waist and his dick still buried deep.

  “I’ll marry you,” I whispered.

  “Yeah?”

  I nodded. “I know we have a lot to figure out, but I can’t imagine my life without you for a day, let alone a lifetime.”

  He stroked my cheek and smiled. “Same, honey.”

  “I like this kind of healing. It’s very Marvin Gaye.”

  He chuckled, kissing me quickly, then sliding out of me and heading to the bathroom. I climbed under the covers just as he returned with a warm washcloth that he settled between my legs to clean me up. Chucking the cloth in the corner, he climbed in beside me and pulled me over his chest.

  “I wanna take you home next week.”

  “I thought you were here for two,” I countered.

  “Yeah, baby, but I think we should do the memorial service, then head home. It’s not safe here.”

  “What about Kennedy?”

  “She’s ours now, Rem. She’ll be protected.”

  I settled my chin on my hand and met his eyes. “What do you mean she’s yours?”

  “Mouse has claimed her.”

  “What?” I sat up. “How do you know that?”

  He grinned in response.

  “She won’t like it.”

  Merrick shrugged. “I highly doubt he’ll give a shit.”

  “Honey, you have to warn him.” I shook my head. “Not to speak ill of my bestie, but she’s a ball-buster. Like, a serious one...it’s a sport for her.”

  “Pretty sure he can handle it.”

  “He’s probably ten years younger than her.”

  “So?”

  “So, he’s a baby.” I dragged my hands down my face. “She’ll eat him alive.”

  “And he’ll love every second.”

  “Jebus, he’s in for a challenge.”

  Merrick tugged me down on top of him again. “I have it on good authority he likes a challenge.”

  I sighed and snuggled closer again. “I guess if he likes a challenge...”

  “You done worrying about everyone else?”

  “Probably not,” I admitted.

  “It’s all good, Eeyore.” He grinned, kissing me again. “You wouldn’t be you if you didn’t worry, and I happen to love everything about you.”

  “Are you going to have time to help me with the bank stuff on Monday?”

  “I gave you everything. Do you need me to hold your hand?”

  I glanced up at him. “Kinda.”

  “I have some casework I need to get moving on, but we can do it after lunch.”

  “Am I going to be able to take a couple of classes?”

  His body stiffened. “Where?”

  “At Parker.”

  Parker Conservatory had been my home away from home ever since I’d started dancing at five years old. Whenever I could drop in for a class I would, although, my chances had been few and far between of late.

  “That doesn’t help me, Rem. Need to know where.”

  “Oh, of course.”

  I gave him the general vicinity, since he wouldn’t know the location by the address and he seemed to relax a bit.

  “You set it up and I’ll take you and pick you up,” he said. “Just not Monday.”

  “Okay.” I bit back a yawn, burrowing further into him.

  “You gonna sleep now?”

  “Yes. Don’t leave, okay?”

  “I’m right here, Rem.”

  I closed my eyes and slept.

  Remington

  Thursday morning, I was bouncing off the walls, needing out of the compound. Monday had been a shit show with Merrick’s schedule, so I was forced to call the bank instead of going inside the building, which was fine, I was able to get enough information to order checks and such. But then he got stuck on a conference call with a client on Tuesday so by the time he got off, the class I’d wanted to join was over, which totally blew my plans since he refused to let anyone else take me.

  Wednesday, I’d worked on a slide show for Natalie, and g
oing through old photos from Michelle’s life with me and Kennedy had been tough. So much so, I was snappy with Merrick all day, until he finally fucked me back into some semblance of normalcy that evening.

  But now it was Thursday, and he’d wandered off to some private office somewhere in the back of the compound, and I was done.

  “You look like you’re about to pitch a hissy,” Alamo observed, walking into the kitchen where I’d just poured my third cup of coffee. Alamo was tall, built, and had a kickass beard that begged to be touched. I didn’t for obvious reasons, the least of which being Jasmine would cut me into a million pieces, and the most of which being I was in love with my own man.

  “Whatever gave you that idea?” I deadpanned.

  He smiled. “You need something?”

  “I need out of this goddamn building.”

  “Finch not around?”

  I shrugged. “I haven’t seen him for over an hour. He’s been stuck on some conference call for a year now, so I have a feeling I’m not gonna see him anytime soon.”

  “He not good with a recruit shuttling you?”

  “Apparently not,” I said with a sigh.

  He checked his watch. “I got a few. Want me to take you somewhere?”

  I bit my lip. “There’s a class starting in twenty minutes at Parker, you know over on third?”

  “The arts place?”

  I nodded.

  “Yeah, I can take you.”

  “Oh my god, that would be amazing. I’ll just grab my stuff.”

  I made a run for Merrick’s room, changing into a leotard and shoving toe shoes and sweats into a tote in record time. I met Alamo back downstairs in less than ten minutes, and we headed out to his truck.

  “Did you let Finch know we’re leaving?” he asked as I climbed up into his truck.

  “Um, no, I’ll do that now,” I promised and pulled out my phone.

  Alamo climbed into the cab and faced me. “All good?”

  “Yep.”

  Technically, I hadn’t heard back from Merrick, but I doubted he’d be concerned if I was with Alamo. And since I was a grown-ass adult, and I was with the Sergeant at Arms for a badass motorcycle club, I figured Merrick would be fine with it.

  Little did I know I figured wrong. Very wrong.

  * * *

  Finch

  I came up for air just before lunch and headed upstairs to look for Remington. My phone was currently charging in my room, considering I’d lost juice about an hour into my conference call with Mack. She wasn’t there, so I snagged my phone off the nightstand and headed back downstairs.

  As I descended the stairs, I read my texts and stalled. “What the fuck?” I snapped. I stalked downstairs and bellowed, “Alamo!”

  “Yo!” he called back, and I followed the sound.

  “Where the fuck’s Remington?” I demanded, walking into the kitchen.

  “At her dance class.”

  “Alone?”

  “No. Stump’s on her.”

  “Goddammit, I said no one but me.”

  “I’m out, man.” He raised his hands in surrender. “She said you were cool. I’m supposed to be picking her up in half an hour, but you feel free to go since you seem to be free.”

  I nodded. This had nothing to do with Alamo and I didn’t doubt that Remington had led him to believe all was cool.

  Alamo jotted down the address and I grabbed the keys to my rental and headed out. I took a couple of deep breaths in an effort to calm down. The last thing I needed was to get pulled over.

  Arriving at the conservatory, I saw Stump’s bike out front, but refused to relax, especially since Remington and I had had a very clear and concise conversation about her movements. I walked into the building and saw Stump leaning up against a wall at the end of the hallway, so I headed that way.

  “Thanks, brother. I got her,” I said, and Stump nodded.

  I could tell he knew something was up, but walked away without comment and I stood where he’d just been a few minutes ago.

  Fuming.

  * * *

  Remington

  I flopped down on the floor after the workout of the century, my body on fire, but my mind finally quieted, as I pulled off my toe shoes and yanked on sweats and tennies.

  I still hadn’t received a return text from Merrick, so I hoped he was just busy and not mad at me. Luckily, I’d have some backup in the form of Alamo should Merrick decide to get pissy.

  Madame Sellers made her way to me and gave me a big smile. “You’ve been working hard, Remington. You looked beautiful.”

  “Thank you.”

  “We are looking for talented instructors for the fall season, in case you’re interested. We’d love to have you.”

  “Oh, wow. Um, thank you. I’m not sure where I’ll be in the fall, but I can let you know.”

  “I’ll need to know by the beginning of next month.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” I promised.

  I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked toward the exit, stalling when I walked out to find a very angry, however, very delicious looking Tweety. “Hey, honey.”

  He scowled, but said nothing.

  Okay, pissy is the way it’s going, apparently.

  “Did you get my text?”

  “Yeah,” he grunted, taking my bag from me.

  “But you’re mad.”

  “Mad doesn’t even touch what I am, Remington.”

  Shit.

  “Why?”

  “We’ll talk back at the compound.”

  “Um, no, we’ll talk now.”

  “Not having this conversation in a public place, Rem,” he growled.

  “You cannot be mad.”

  He scowled again and settled his hand on my lower back to guide me toward the doors.

  “Tweety, you were busy. Alamo brought me. Not a recruit.”

  Pushing open the door, he held it while I walked out. “And yet, Stump was in the hall waiting on you.”

  “What?” I whispered. “He was?”

  “Yeah, Rem. He was.”

  Well, crap. That was definitely against the rules. On the other hand, however, Alamo trusted Stump, and Alamo’s a bigwig in the club, so Merrick should be fine with it.

  “I didn’t know.”

  “Don’t give a fuck,” he growled.

  He threw my bag in the back of his rental car and opened the door for me. I climbed in and he made his way to the driver’s side.

  “Alamo approved Stump, right?” I asked once Merrick started the car.

  “Did I?”

  “No, but you were busy, so Alamo offered—”

  “Alamo is not your man.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “I told you I would take you out.”

  “On Monday, you told me you’d take me out. Then again on Tuesday, but you were busy. Now it’s Thursday, and I had to take a class.”

  “You could have waited until I was done.”

  “When did you get done, Merrick? Huh?”

  “Not the point.”

  “It is the point,” I snapped. “You’ve been keeping me locked up in your fortress without access to human contact.”

  “Babe. There are close to fifty humans for you to have contact with,” he argued. “Not close contact, over the kitchen island or through a door, but human contact, nonetheless.”

  “I want contact with my humans,” I ground out. “The ones I’m allowed to hug.”

  “Then you wait until I can take you where you need to go.”

  “Or I can go stay with Kennedy.”

  “You’re not fucking leaving the compound until we figure out who the threat is.”

  “You have the threat,” I countered. “Seth.”

  “Seth’s a pawn.”

  “But he was the one who killed those girls, right? So, the threat’s been eliminated for now.”

  Before Merrick could counter with some stupid ass explanation, my phone rang, and I welcomed the
distraction. “Hello.”

  “Remington Aultman Charles, what’s this about you being back in town and I have not received a phone call?” my mother accused, her southern accent on ten.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “Don’t ‘hi, Mom’ me, young lady. We still have Sunday dinner every week, I expect you to be there.”

  “Mom, Michelle’s memorial service is Sunday,” I said. “And then I’m leaving Tuesday.”

  That part was a lie. I didn’t know when I was leaving...or if I actually was. Merrick raised an eyebrow and I focused forward as I tried to avoid both my mother and my boyfriend.

  “Leaving? Leaving to go where?”

  “Back to Portland.”

  “Are you still on that ridiculous road?”

  “So, did you need something?” I asked, diverting the subject.

  “Daddy and I would love to see you. Perhaps take you out to dinner.”

  “That sounds lovely,” I lied. “Let me look at my calendar and send you a few dates.”

  “Wonderful, darlin’. We’ll talk soon.”

  “Okay, Mom, bye.”

  “So, you’re coming home with me, then?” Merrick asked after I hung up.

  “I don’t know yet,” I said.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  “Merrick—”

  “When exactly are you going to have time to see your parents?”

  “Oh, I’m not. They can go fuck themselves. But I can’t say that to them. I play the game.”

  “Jesus,” he hissed. “How many people do you play this game with?”

  “Only them,” I said.

  “Wish I believed that,” he grumbled as we drove through the compound gates.

  “Don’t be melodramatic.”

  “Don’t fuckin’ tell me I’m bein’ melodramatic when my woman makes me a promise, then breaks it.”

  “I didn’t break a promise.”

  “You broke a promise.”

  I scoffed. “I told you I had to get out. I had to take a class, or I’d go crazy. If anyone broke a promise, it was you.”

  Merrick let out a frustrated grunt and stomped out of the car. I knew we were at an impasse, so I climbed out and walked into the compound, not caring if he followed or not.

  I passed Alamo as I stormed up the stairs, but decided I was kind of pissed at him too, so didn’t acknowledge his existence as I made my way to Merrick’s room. I walked inside, stripped off my clothes, and stepped into the shower.