by E. C. Land
“How about you back off my wife and get a different nurse in here. I don’t appreciate you acting as if I’m not even in the fuckin’ room. Now, get the fuck out or I'll throw you out.”
I swear he can read my damn mind. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another person run from Thorn as fast as Logan does. I’d laugh if it didn’t hurt to move.
“Thank you. I swear you were reading my mind.”
“Babygirl, nothing to thank me for. I should’ve realized before now that she wanted you. I mean, hell, even after having major surgery, you’re hot as fuck, and my dick is hard. But let’s get you in a wheelchair and down to our babies. Once we see them, we can think of names. They deserve names that mean something.” With that, Thorn picks me up and places me in the wheelchair Logan had brought with her as a different nurse comes in to escort us down.
As we enter the NICU, I can almost feel the atmosphere change. The quiet of the room has it feeling more sterile. The instant beeping from the random machines surrounding the different incubators is heartbreaking.
The moment the twins come into sight, I can’t hold back the tears. I feel as if I’ve failed them. “Hey, sweet, little ones. Mommy’s here. I’m so sorry.” I place one of my hands on the glass before looking at Thorn. I need his support right now. “Were not able to hold them right now, are we?”
“I don’t think so, babygirl. But we can sit with them for as long as you want.” Thorn strokes a hand along my cheek, wiping tears from my eyes.
“I feel like I’ve failed them already. They’re so tiny. What do you think we should name them?”
“Well, why not name our boy here after your dad?” The thought of giving our son my dad’s name brings a smile to my face. I love the idea. Maybe we can give him his nickname as well. I know my dad would’ve loved it.
“How about William Michael Grant?”
The sexiest grin forms on Thorn’s face—one of a proud dad being given a gift. “I love it, babe. What do you think, Bud, you like it?” I want to kiss him for calling our son my daddy’s nickname. “Now, for this little princess right here, she deserves a name as special as she is. What do you think of Anna-leigh?”
“It’s perfect! Anna-leigh Cleo Grant— a name fit for the beautiful princess she will grow to be.” I reach for Thorn’s hand, watching our beautiful babies chests rise and fall.
I don’t know how long we stay, but it isn’t long enough. I have to go back to my room so I can rest. I need my strength for so when they’re healthy enough, I can hold them.
Once settled in the bed, I ask Thorn if he minds going and grabbing me something to eat that isn’t hospital food. When he starts to protest, I explain I need a few minutes alone to clear my head—which he reluctantly agrees to.
Closing my eyes, I fall asleep instantly, only to open them to a hand covering my mouth. “Now, angel, it's time to come home where you belong.” The sight of Jake scares the shit out of me. The feel of a prick in my neck is worse, like fire shooting under my skin. “Sofia, keep an eye out and let me know if any one’s coming as I get her to the car. My plan worked exceptionally well, and even got rid of those abominations in the process. Now, keep quiet or I’ll have those abominations killed too.”
“Please, don’t hurt them. I’ll go quietly, just don’t hurt them.” I cry as the effects of the drugs he injected into me take hold. Next thing I know, my body goes limp before darkness takes over.
I can only hope Thorn takes care of our babies. I know I won’t be able to be there for them.
14
Lynsdey
I come to as the van rolls to a stop, slamming me against the sidewall of the tire. Fuck! That hurt. Isn’t it bad enough I’m in pain from surgery? Now, my lunatic stepbrother has to cause me more.
Hasn’t he done enough over the years?
The light from the sun blinds me as Jake opens the back door to the van, “Ready to see where you’re gonna spend the rest of your life after we marry, angel?” He reaches in and grabs my arm, pulling me to him.
If I had the strength, I’d kick him in the balls.
“What about me, Master? Will I get to meet him now? I’d love to be able to finally please my Lord.” Sofia, damn, I almost forgot the bitch helped Jake. Hell, she isn’t even a bitch, she’s lower than that. She’s what I’ve heard so many guys classify her type as—a cunt. That’s exactly what she is—and I hate that word. But she’s a stupid fucking cunt. Does she not realize what happens to skanks that do stupid shit like she’s done?
“Shut the fuck up, bitch! I’ll deal with you later. If you’re good, and can please me once more, I’ll talk to my Lord, and see what he says. If he agrees, you may join him,” Jake says, never letting his eyes stray from me, sending shivers down my spine.
When Sofia doesn’t respond, Jake proceeds to walk us into a house I’ve never seen. The house is nothing but a rundown shack that seriously needs to be condemned. The windows are all completely boarded up, and the front door looks to barely be hanging on by the hinges.
“Here we go, my angel— our home. Well, at least for now. Let’s get you settles,” Jake says as he walks me through the front door to a room with nothing but a bed in the middle with a chain bolted to the floor. After having me sit on the bed he hooks my ankle to the restraint attached to the chain. Well damn, I won’t be going far with this thing. “Now, angel, be a good girl, and I won’t place any more restraints on you. Right now, you have plenty of length to the chain for you to go to the bathroom. You’ll want to freshen up a bit. My lord will want to spend time with you later.” With that, he leaves the room.
As I sit on the edge of the disgusting bed, I sob for everything he’s taken from me. Thorn will take care of our children. I’m sure he’ll be okay without me. But my children will never know me as their mother. I’ll never be able to tell Thorn just how much he really means to me. I know I’ve told him I love him, but I was so afraid to fully give him my heart. I can finally admit to myself that I’ve just been afraid he’ll leave me the way my dad did. I couldn’t take it if something happened to him, whether it be death or by choice.
I don’t know how long I’m absorbed in my thoughts, before screams from another room draw my attention. Even through the closed door, they’re excruciating to hear. My heart breaks for whoever it is. Even if it’s Sofia. No one deserves to go through whatever is going on in that room. What the hell? What is he doing to that poor girl?
I don’t know how long the screams go on for before they suddenly stop. Without the screams, Jake’s voice filters through the walls. He’s not talking, he’s chanting. I can’t make out much at first but as the chanting grows louder, his words become clearer. “Let my lord come this night to claim his dark angel for the first time. Let him come to finally claim his bride. You have your sacrifice, and I have my pet, let it be, my lord, let it be.”
Oh, my fucking god! He is completely fucked in the head!
When the sound of footsteps comes closer to the door, I scurry as close of frame of the bed as I can. I scream at the top of my lungs when the door flies open. The sight of Jake’s naked body cover completely with blood is what gives children nightmares. It’s like watching a real-life Carrie movie.
“For my angel, I will be the vessel for my lord. He comes tonight for his dark angel. When he comes, he will claim what is his and he will love you through me. You will soon bare the child of my lord.” Jake moves to stand before me, running his fingers along my cheek, smearing the warm blood as he goes.
“I have a gift for you, my angel. I do hope you like it.” What gift could he possibly have that I want? He is completely insane. No, not insane— deranged. Turning away from me, he moves back to the open door before calling out, “Come on in here, my pet. Someone very special will want to see you. You are to be her gift, of course.” The shuffling of feet pulls my eyes from Jake to the person walking into the room, only to widen as I gasp.
No, it can’t be. She shouldn’t be here!
“Cle
o,” I whisper as I take in her appearance. She is completely naked, bloody, and bruised. There are slashes across her arms, stomach, and legs. Her neck is black from where he’s evidently choked her. Possibly, almost to the point of death. How long as she been here? I was just with her the day before.
“You like your gift, angel? My lord said I could keep her. She survived what I did to her before because he willed it. She is my gift as well as yours. You should have a friend with you as we will all be family.”
“Why Jake? Why are you doing this? None of this makes any sense, you need help.” I let the tears fall down my cheeks. I wish I could reach for Cleo to hug her to me, to protect her from this monster. I wasn’t the only on to go through hell growing up because of Jake— Cleo did as well. She refused to tell me all of what he did to her. I don’t even think she reported it—just enough to help convict him.
“Because, angel, you belong to my lord, and she’s to belongs to me. She will be my bride as you will be my lords. You will both bare children for the two of us. Angel, you should feel honored to have been chosen to carry the child of my lord.”
Who is this lord he keeps talking about? Like God? Seriously, does he think himself some prophet?
“Now you have to wait for night to fall before my lord comes, but when he does, he will take you as he sees fit. Until then, I can have fun with my pet. She has an exceptionally tasty cunt. My lord may even allow the two of you to be together. That would be fucking hot to see. But for now, I’ll fuck her ass as your punishment for having those abominations. Now watch, my angel.” Jake pulls Cleo into his arms. Standing her directly in front of me before bending her over. I’m mortified as he slams his dick into her. The scream she lets, I will remember for the rest of my life.
“Now watch, angel, as I take my pet and shower her with my seed. With luck, she will bare a child sooner rather than later.” I look into her eyes as he continues his brutal force on her body. They’re completely dead. Watching her face, the life completely drains from her. She has worked so hard to get where she is, and now, I don’t think she’ll ever be the same—that is, if we get out of here alive.
When Jake pulls out of her, he wipes his hands across his dick, before smearing come along Cleo’s back. Stepping away from her, she falls to the floor as he leaves the room. I don’t know how long we’ll have before he comes back but I need to make sure Cleo is okay. I hope she can forgive me for what she’s going through.
“Cleo?” I whisper. I don’t want to be too loud in case Jake comes back in here for her. When she doesn’t respond, I try and help her off the floor but I’m unable to from the pain that shoots through my stomach from the c-section. I know the stitches have busted open.
Why the fuck is this happening to us?
“I’m sorry, Cleo. I’m so fucking sorry. I promise, I’ll get us out of here. Even if I have to die to get you out of here, I will get you out. I swear.” I silently let the tears fall for what she is going through because of me.
She deserves to be happy.
I can only hope Thorn will understand.
15
Thorn
I knew in my gut something wasn’t right when I agreed to go get Lynsdey something to eat. I should’ve listened to my gut and never fuckin’ left her by herself.
As I get back to the hospital, I know something’s wrong by the cop cars near the entrance doors. Forgetting the food, I barely put the truck in park before I run through the entrance going for the stairs. I take them two at a time, needing to get to Lynsdey’s room as fast as possible. Fuck, let her be okay.
Slamming the doors for her floor, I’m met with the sight of two street cops and a detective standing with one of the nurses outside the room that I left Lynsdey in earlier.
I walk straight for the group as I attempt to hold the fear back. I need to keep a clear head, find out what’s going on, and then call my brothers. We have a large shipment coming in the guys need to prepare for, otherwise, they would’ve still been here.
“What happened?”
“Who are you?” One of the street cops asks with a sneer in his voice as he looks at my cut.
“Name is Thorn. You’re standing in front of my woman’s door, and I need to know what the fuck happened. She just fucking had surgery, so lose the attitude and tell me.”
The prick of a cop starts to speak again before he’s cut off by the detective.
“Sir, my name is Detective Bishop. I apologize for Office Davis. We got a call from the hospital in regards to a patient missing. We were just taking a statement from the staff before heading down to look at the cameras. Soon as we know more, we can let you know. Until then, please try and stay calm.” Detective Bishop shakes my hand before turning back to the nurse and gives her a smile— one I’ve used many times when I want to make a woman’s panties drop.
“Thank you. Here’s my number if you find anything. I’m gonna call my brothers, and then head down to check on my kids. I need to be with them.” Like fuck if he thinks he’s gonna find anything before me. Gadget will get those videos before they even make it off the elevators.
“Sure thing.” Detective Bishop takes the paper I quickly write my number on.
Fuckin’ motherfucker took her, I know he did. I need my brothers here ASAP. I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial Prez’s number as I walk towards the NICU to check on my kids. They didn’t say anything about them, but I gotta put my eyes on them to make sure they’re safe.
“Brother, this better be good.” Twister answers on the second ring. From the strain in his voice, I don’t want to think about what he’s doing. Twister is almost as big of a man whore as Hades is.
“I need Gadget to do his shit and find Lynsdey, she’s been taken. Cops are here and just went down to look at the cameras. I left long enough to get Lynsdey some real food. Got back here and she’s fucking gone. Need him to confirm it was that stupid fuckin’ stepbrother of hers.” I can hear him moving through the phone before I even finish talking.
“Got it, brother. Give me a minute and we’re heading your way. Are the babies still there?” And that’s why he’s the Prez. He puts everyone and their needs ahead of anything else— family first.
“I’m heading to check on them now, can you see about putting a call in to Cleo, see if she can sit with them while we go get there mom?” I know Lynsdey would ask Cleo before anyone else to watch over our kids. Those two are more like sisters than best friends.
“Yeah brother, I’ll get a call out to her.” With that, he hangs up. I’m sure the brothers will be here before the cops have answers to anything. Prez will make sure of it.
He lives by our club motto as we all do— ‘We ride through hell to get to the other side.’ There ain’t a day that we don’t follow those words.
Making my way through the doors of the NICU, I wash up before walking over to my kids. Damn, they’re so tiny—barely the size of one hand. I feel so fucking guilty for their mom not being here right now. I hope I find her in time. They need her more than me.
Looking at my little girl, she’s the smaller of the two but she’s absolutely beautiful. Just like her mom. She already has a head full of hair. Anna-leigh is definitely gonna hate me when she gets older, she ain’t gonna ever go on a date. Her brother, William, though, the name suits him. I’m honored Lynsdey wanted to give him my real name for a middle name. Michael was my grandpa’s name. The man did his best to raise me. He would’ve been damned proud to meet these two.
My phone ringing pulls me from my thoughts. “I’m gonna bring your momma back, you two, I promise. Stay strong for her and me.” I kiss my fingers before placing them on the glass and walking away to answer the phone.
“What do you have for me?” I don’t have time to waste with pleasantries. I need my woman back here now. My kids need the comfort of their mom.
“Not good, brother, not fucking good. Everyone’s on their way up there. No one could reach Cleo, so Izzy is coming up there with Kenny, they’re gonn
a sit with your kids while the Prez fills you in on everything. We’re gonna find her, brother, I swear it. I’m running every system I can to track her down,” Gadgets says. The clicking in the background tells me he’s doing exactly what he says he’s doing—trying to get a lock on my woman.
“Alright, brother, call when you have more. I’ll see the rest of the guys when they get here. Someone try and find Cleo, though. Something’s not right with that. I have a gut feeling he has her too.” And if I listened to my gut earlier, we wouldn’t be doing this right now. So, I’m fuckin’ listening to it this time. In the Marines, I learned to always listen to my gut.
Why didn’t I fucking call a damn prospect?
“You got it,” Gadget says before he hangs up, I know he’ll get what we need.
I walk outside the hospital, grabbing my pack of cigarettes out of my jeans. I don’t smoke often, but fuck I need one right now. I’m hanging on by a thread.
“Sir, you can’t do that right here,” a security guard says.
“He’s alright, Glenn, I got him.” Detective Bishop comes over to me, thankfully without the prick street cops with him. I don’t need to be arrested for assaulting a dickwad with a badge.
“So, I’m not gonna play games with you. I want you to know that I ain’t got a problem with your club as long as you keep your shit out of my town, but the moment it hits our area, all bets are off the table. Now, with that being said, your woman, Lynsdey, was taken by two people— a man and woman. From the footage, we couldn’t completely identify either of them.” He pauses for a moment as if he’s collecting his thoughts. “And I can take a wild guess as to who has her to. You see, Lynsdey’s my cousin. I know the shit she went through before with her stepbrother.”
What the fuck? Where the hell has he been then? Before I can respond, he holds a hand up to stop me.
“My dad was her dad’s brother. When he died, her mom cut all contact with our family and we lost Lynsdey in the process. My dad was able to keep some tabs on her growing up but not much. Hell, we didn’t even know what the fuck happened to her until it hit the papers. After that, I became a cop to help take down SOB’s like her stepbrother. Now, I know he’s behind this shit. And I want in on whatever you have planned for him.” He shakes his head while looking down at the ground.