No Where to Run (The Story of Alexis Rose)

by Raven K. Asher

  “I don’t know what to say, Kale. I love you too but it’s always been more of a brotherly love. I never even thought you felt that way about me. I’m sorry if I led you on in any way.” I whisper.

  “None of this is your fault. I was a coward for not actually going after you.” He sighs and points to me. “I swear to god though, if either of those guys breaks your heart I will kill them myself.” He flashes me a naughty grin before adding. “Then I’ll make my move.” I laugh as he raises his eyebrows up and down.

  “If they mess up Kale then I’ll give you your chance.” I laugh out as he stands dramatically and kneels next to me.

  “Really, milady, will you let me woo you?” I laugh harder. His face goes serious. “Promise me I won’t lose you, even if I can only have you as a friend.”

  “I promise, but you can’t be all broody and jealous when I’m with either Hunter or Lucca.”

  “Deal, can I at least make faces behind their backs?”

  “Whatever makes you happy, Kale?”

  He stands and pulls me up out of my seat into a hug. The kitchen door opens and closes. Hunter and Lucca’s voices come to a stop as Kales hands travel down to my butt. I pull back and playfully smack his chest. “Are you trying to make them beat you up?”

  “Hey, I’ve got to at least try to make them jealous.” He kisses my forehead, nods to both Lucca and Hunter then walks off into the living room. I watch him go and then turn to face Lucca and Hunter. Both have confusion written all over their faces. I decide to have a little bit of fun with them.

  “I hope you two don’t mind but I’m dating Kale, too.” I grin as both of their faces fall.

  “What the hell Lexi, are we not good enough for you?” Lucca asks but Hunter catches on quick and grins knowing I’m just teasing.

  “Nope, I need just one more guy. I thought you guys would be happy.” I fake pout.

  “That’s fine with me sweetheart. I can think of all sorts of naughty things we can do together.” Hunter comes up to me. He looks back to a frowning Lucca and laughs. “Our girl here is being bad, Lucca. I think she needs a spanking.” He turns back to me. “Do you really think for one minute, that I would believe that we are not enough for you? You can barely stand after we are done with you.”

  “You are a naughty girl. You really had me fooled for a few minutes.” Lucca turns to Hunter. “I do believe she needs a good spanking.” He grabs me and throws me over his shoulder and quickly makes his way to our room with Hunter laughing behind us.

  ****

  I wake in the middle of the night and glance over to the clock. We’ve only been asleep an hour. I smile to myself as I snuggle into Hunter thinking of all the things we had just done together. I jolt up in the bed when I hear someone shouting. I shake Hunter awake.

  “Hunter, wake up. Someone’s outside yelling.” He groans. So I shake Lucca trying to wake him instead.

  “Again, pumpkin’, I thought you got enough already?” He asks with his eyes still closed. Damn it.

  “Lucca damn it, wake up. Something is wrong.” I shake him again, nothing. Ugh. I turn my attention back to Hunter. “Hunter, please wake up. Something is really wrong.” I shake him and he opens his eyes slowly.

  “What time is it?” He asks as he looks over at the clock. He groans as he sees the time. He listens for a few moments but the yelling has stopped. “Just lay back down sweetheart it was probably nothing.”

  A few moments later we all jolt up in bed as we hear two gunshots. Oh shit.

  “What the hell?” Asks Lucca, as him and Hunter both hurry out of bed and throw on their clothes. I scramble out of bed and reach for my scattered clothes. They both look to me.

  “No Lex, you stay here. Let me and Hunter find out what’s going on.” Hunter nods and I give in and climb back into bed. They look at me in shock.

  “What?” I ask as they both shake their heads.

  “Nothing we just thought you’d give us more of a fight.” Lucca states and Hunter nods.

  “I’m tired and I would rather not go out into the cold.” I whine. They both laugh and make their way out of the room.

  I toss and turn not able to get comfortable in the bed so I decide to head downstairs anyway. I toss on a shirt and pants and run down the steps. I walk to where everyone else is gathered on the front porch. I try to push my way through but Kale grabs my arm and swings me around so my face is buried in his chest.

  “What the hell, Kale? What is going on?” I ask while trying to get out from his grasp. When he doesn’t answer I look up into his red ringed eyes. Tears are slowly pouring down his cheeks. “Kale, please tell me what’s going on.” I demand in a whisper. He shakes his head and holds me tighter.

  “Kale let her go, son. There isn’t anything you can do to keep her from this.” Tank grabs Kale and pries me from his grip.

  “What’s going on Tank?” I turn to him as he grabs Kale in a bear hug. Kale begins to sob loudly. Tank points to the front yard. I turn to see Hunter walking toward me with blood all over his arms. The look on Hunters face alone tells me that something is defiantly wrong.

  “Sweetheart, you don’t want to see that down there.” He grabs my arm and pulls me back into the house. He motions for me to sit on the couch, so I do.

  “What’s going on Hunter? Is Lucca ok?” I ask with a shaky voice.

  “Lucca is fine. He is helping Ruby with Kane.”

  “What happened to Kane? Tell me what’s happening, Hunter.” I demand standing to my feet.

  “Mel shot herself, Lexi, but before she shot herself she shot Kane.”My hands fly to my face as tears fall freely from my eyes. “Ruby is trying her best to save Kane. She was a nurse before all of this.” He sits next to me and puts his arm around my shoulder.

  “What about Mel? Can’t Ruby help her?” I whisper.

  “She can’t be helped Lexi, she’s gone.” I cry harder. Tank brings Kale in and I open my arms to him. He sits next to me as Hunter stands. “Will you be ok?” I nod.

  “Tell Lucca I’ll be ok. I’m going to take him up to our room. Let us know what’s going on please.” I beg before grabbing Kale and pull him up the stairs. We lay down in bed and I stroke Kales hair as he cries into my chest. “Everything is going to be ok, Kale. I’m not going to leave you.” A while later his crying stops and his breathing evens out. I look down to see that he is sound asleep. I close my eyes and pray that Kane will make it.

  An hour later I get the horrible news that I was hoping and praying not to hear.

  “Kane’s gone.” Lucca states coming into the bedroom door.

  “No.” I say sternly. I push Kale off of myself and stand up. “No, he’s not fucking gone.” I state louder pointing at Lucca.

  “He’s gone.” Lucca repeats. Kale wakes up and runs out the door. Lucca walks toward me but I don’t want anything to do with him. I can’t take the hurt anymore. “Come here Lex, Its going to be ok.”

  “Go to hell Lucca. Nothing is going to be fine. Nothing has been fine since the day you left me alone.” I push past him and he grabs my arm to pull me back to him. Instead of going with him I punch him in the face. All my anger comes out with it and he drops to the floor. Hunter runs in.

  “Lexi, sweetheart what’s wrong?” He asks hesitantly.

  “Don’t, Hunter. Just leave me alone.” I push past him and run down the stairs and out to the barn. I grab my saddle and quickly saddle Tornado up. I mount up and make my way down to the front gate near the road. I exit without anyone knowing and head toward Lucca’s old home. I hope it’s still standing. I figure it will be a good place to hide out for a bit.

  When I reach his old house I guide Tornado to the attached garage and leave him in there while I head up to Lucca’s old room. The house still looks the same as when I was there last. I climb the stairs and enter into the room. I climb into his bed and snuggle into the cover and quickly fall asleep.

  Chapter 12

  Day 27

  It’s been five days since
I left home. I’ve been staying the nights at random homes. I don’t know where I am now. I have been riding pretty much nonstop other than to sleep and eat during the days. I haven’t seen any living or dead people. I’m completely numb to everything around me. Even if I did find someone I don’t think I would even remotely know what to do. I did find two hand guns in the last house I slept in so at least I’m armed. I stop Tornado at a driveway that leads up to a huge old farm house. I watch the house and the surrounding area for a few moments, looking for any clues that someone is there. I only spot a few cows scattered in the fields so I walk Tornado slow up the driveway to the house.

  I’m halfway down the driveway when a man dressed in all black steps out from behind a bush. Figures that’s where he would be hiding.

  “Stop right there.” Commands the man but I walk closer slowly, with my hands held up above my head.

  “I’m armed, but I’m not looking for a fight. I just need to rest my horse for the night.” The man walks toward me so I stop. As he gets closer I notice he’s not much older than I am. His hair is black with red tips and he has a lot of piercings. I take count of them quickly, there’s one in his lip three or four in his eyebrows and in his ears they are countless. I look to his eyes which are a startling blue. I’m caught off guard by the caution I see in them. Why would he be afraid of me? He is taller than me by only by a few inches. I watch as he cautiously comes closer.

  “I need to check you for weapons, is that alright?” He asks. I nod and he checks for my weapons which I had foolishly left in the saddle bags. Damn it. I mentally kick myself.

  “My guns are in the saddle bags, if that helps.” He grins at me and two dimples wink at me. He glances to Tornado and back to me.

  “As long as you promise not to kill me, I’ll let you keep them.”

  “I can’t promise not to shoot you, but I will promise not to kill you.” I grin and he laughs.

  “Fair enough, can I ask you one question though?” I nod knowing he’s going to ask why I’m alone.

  “What the hell is a girl like you doing all alone?” Exactly, what I thought.

  “I’m not alone, I brought my horse.” I point to Tornado.

  He shakes his head still grinning. “I didn’t take you for a smartass girl. I take it your running from something or someone?”

  “Both.” I whisper just loud enough for him to hear. He nods.

  “I’m Jax, by the way, and you are?”

  “I’m Alexis, but I mostly go by Lex or Lexi.”

  “How about I just call you Rebel? The guys I’m with aren’t exactly the nicest kind and the less they know about you the better.”

  “So, are you going to protect me then? Be my knight in shining black armor.” I point to his leather pants and jacket. He laughs.

  “Yeah, I guess I am. Now let’s go and meet the others so you can get some rest. Just stay by me and I’ll make certain they won’t hurt you.” I nod and we walk side by side up to the farm house.

  There are three other guys sitting at the back of the house drinking. One of them stops mid-drink.

  “Holy shit, look at the fresh meat Jax brought back. Damn, she’s hot as hell.” He has a similar look to Jax but his hair is long and greasy. His nose is a bit crooked too, like he broke it in a fight or something.

  “Where did you find her?” Asks another who has blonde spiky hair, brown eyes and has a goatee. He has a softer look to him that the others.

  “I want her.” The third stands and stumbles over to me. He wreaks of beer but he looks so much like Hunter it takes me a few seconds to realize it’s not really him, but they could have been brothers. That’s how closely they resemble one another.

  “Back off guys she’s mine. I found her first”. Jax grabs my arm tightly.

  “Damn it, you get to have all the fun.” They all whine as the guy stumbles back to his seat.

  “What’s her name?” They talk as if I’m not even there but I don’t move or make a sound.

  “Her name is Rebel.” Answers Jax for me. “Rebel, I’d like you to meet the guys. That over there is Ax.” He points to the dark haired guy. “The blonde is Ryder, and last but not least the drunk over there is Striker.” I give them a small wave.

  “Hey Ryder, can you take her horse to the barn and feed it and water it for her?” Ryder nods and stands, holding his hands out for the reins but I can’t hand them over.

  “I can’t.” I look to Jax. “He’s all I have left. I’ll take care of him and make sure he’s safe for the night, just point the way.”

  “Never mind, I’ll show her where to take him. Save me a drink.” Ryder nods then sits back down.

  Jax leads me to the closest barn and I quickly get Tornado comfortable for the night. I check and recheck the barn to make sure nothing will get in.

  “He will be alright for a night in here. If you want I can have one of the guys watch out for him.” Jax lays his hand on my shoulder. I sigh and nod. “Come on, let’s find you some fresh clothes and find you a good bed.”

  “Any chance you know how to cut hair and color it?” He laughs at my odd question but nods.

  “Yeah, I might be able to help you out. But why do you want to do that?” He fingers my long golden blonde hair.

  “I need a change. I don’t want to look in a mirror and see myself anymore.” I state honestly.

  “I get it.” He grins and his dimples flash again. We walk the rest of the way to the house quietly.

  Once we get back to the back porch where the rest of the guys are, Jax sits and Ryder hands him a beer. Jax pats his lap and I hesitantly sit on it. Ryder hands me a beer and I practically chug it down. Ryder quickly hands me another and I chug it down just as fast.

  “Damn girl, slow down.” Laughs Jax from behind me. I down my third beer and lean back into him and he wraps his arms around my waist. I close my eyes as the beer finally hits me. “What was so bad that made you run, sweetheart?” He whispers in my ear.

  “I lost almost everyone I ever loved and I’m running from the two guys who still love me. I’m a coward for running, but I can’t watch them die.” Ryder hands me another beer and all the guys get quiet as I chug it down then continue. “I killed my dad and then I had to see my mom and brother, come back as the dead. They are buried in my back yard. I had a crazy relationship with two guys and I just lost two of my best friends five days ago so I left. I just left. Of course I knocked one of my boyfriends out before I left but it didn’t stop me.” I laugh out and look at the guys shocked faces and it makes me laugh harder.

  “You really knocked out your boyfriend?” Striker asks with a slur.

  “I sure did. He never saw it coming though, but I had to get away.” They all nod.

  “Well hot damn, your one badass girlie aren’t you?” Ax says with a laugh.

  “My badass girl, don’t forget that, Ax.” Jax states from behind me. “You ready for that hair cut?” He whispers in my ear and I nod. He picks me up and carries me to the door. He looks back to Ryder.

  “I’ll watch the horse for her brother. Take care of her.” Jax nods and carries me inside to a bedroom on the first floor. He lays me down on the bed then starts rummaging through a few bags on the floor. I watch as he pulls out a pair of black leather pants like his.

  “So, is Ryder really your brother?” I ask as he pulls out more clothes from his bags.

  “No, he’s not my brother by blood but he’s the closest to me having a brother.”

  “Ah I get it. He seems pretty cool. Not like the other two.”

  “That’s because the other two are way more dangerous than Ryder or me.” He holds out the clothes and I laugh.

  “You really want me to wear your clothes?” I sit up and take the clothes from his hands.

  “They aren’t exactly mine.” He rubs the back of his neck. “A few towns back we raided a store and we pretty much grabbed whatever we could. Lucky for you I accidentally grab women’s clothes.”

  “That’s awesome.”
I try to stand but fall back to the bed. “Shit, do you think you can help me dress?”

  He nods and slowly walks toward me as if I might bite him. I laugh. “I won’t bite unless you ask me to.” He laughs and comes closer. I lie down and unbuckle my jeans and he carefully slips them off. I close my eyes to keep the room from spinning.

  “Damn.” Jax mutters under his breath. I open my eyes to see him staring down at me. My body starts to tingle and my eyes grow heavy with need. I lift my shirt and pull it over my head leaving me completely naked. Jax closes his eyes, his hands balling into fists at his sides.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask him and his eyes pop back open.

  “Nothing is wrong. I just can’t take advantage of you when you’re drunk.” He shakes his head and goes to stand but I grab his arm to stop him.

  “I’m not that drunk. I know exactly what I’m doing. I want my mind off of everything else. Just help me forget for awhile.” I smile up at him and he grins down at me.

  “As long as you’re sure I’m what you want.” His dimples flash and he bites his lip ring.

  “Your exactly what I want, Jax.” I grab his shirt and pull it over his head and he quickly loses his pants. I watch his muscles ripple with the movement. His clothes had been hiding his fit body. My mouth waters at the sight of his body. He catches my gaze and climbs on top of me, kissing and nipping his way up my body. I let out little moans. He draws circles over my skin with his tongue ring.

  I quickly lose myself in him as we become a tangle of body parts and bed sheets. It’s by far the best sex I have had and I’m left completely exhausted. We lay still tangled together as I drift off. Jax strokes my hair back behind my ear and I smile up at him. “I’m glad I found you.”

  “I’m glad you found me, too. Now go to sleep I’ll cut your hair while you’re out. I promise I‘ll make it bad ass.” I smile and close my eyes drifting off to sleep. He wakes me a few times moving me from the bed to the bathroom tub but I don’t really notice, probably because of the alcohol. The last thing I remember is the way his hands and fingers felt as they massaged my hair and how they trailed over my body in the shower we took together.