“Keep talking so I can find you.”

  I keep it brief, telling her how they snatched me out of my bed. I omit the parts where they sexually assaulted me. She bumps into the chair I’m secured to. She tries her best to untie me, but it’s not working.

  “Are there any weapons in here?”

  “Not that I can remember. I think it’s us and these chairs.”

  “I’m going to get us out of here.” She’s shuffling around the room, and I am praying her words are true.

  The light comes on, blinding me. I close my eyes and give myself time to adjust to the stark change.

  “Boss requires your presence in his office.” I glance over my shoulder, seeing one of the sick bastards who violated me. One of the twins. The only way to tell them apart is one speaks, and one doesn’t because he has no tongue.

  The goon grabs Karma. Her sad eyes meet mine. I know she sees the torture I’ve endured evident on my skin. Giving me a smile, she silently promises to come back for me.

  I’m left alone, still tied to the damn chair. I try rocking back and forth, hoping if I can get enough traction, I can break the chair and free myself. Thump. I fall back on my bound hands, smacking the back of my head on the hard floor.

  Dots float in my vision as I struggle to keep awake.

  The next thing I know, I’m surrounded by police officers.

  “You’re going to be okay. You’re safe now.”

  Safety for me won’t exist until I put a bullet in Mona and take the evil cunt out once and for all. I don’t tell them this, though.

  “Rosie, isn’t it? We met at the station. I’m Officer Hill.” He studies me with pure pity, likely wondering what I’ve gotten mixed up in to be at the scene of the murder one day and a kidnapped sex trafficking victim after another.

  “How did you find me?” I’m smart enough not to mention Karma in case she fled. I couldn’t blame her. Maybe she escaped and reported Sanchez. I’m not sure how long I was out after I hit my head.

  “Ambulance is here,” another cop mutters.

  “We’ll need more than one. Found a building on the far end of the property with more women and children.”

  My heart carves itself out of my chest and splatters on the floor at the thought of the monster who hurt me doing the same vile things to children that I’ve endured at their hands.

  “Is he… are they?” I can’t put my thoughts into words.

  “We’ll talk once you’ve been checked out. Got a nasty bump on your head.”

  I nod, exhaustion reclaiming its hold on me.

  “This is all standard procedure, honey.”

  “I want to go home.” Not really. Okay. I want to go home and get my gun so I can take care of Mona. I won’t be able to rest till I know she’s dead.

  “I have to advise you against that. You need looked after and I’m sure a detective will want to speak with you.”

  “They know where I live,” I continue arguing with the nurse when Karma appears at the foot of my bed, covered in blood.

  “I’ll give you some privacy.” The woman closes the curtain and I wait till I hear the squeak of her shoes retreating before I speak. “Are you okay?”

  “Don’t worry about me. It’s not my blood.”

  “Sanchez?”

  She nods.

  “He dead?”

  “Yup. So is Mona.”

  My eyes widen at that.

  “We’ll talk about it once they have released you. Maybe you can come to West Virginia.”

  I tear at the tape, not caring that my arm hair is being pulled out along with it. I yank my IV out, then jerk the sheets back. “Let’s go.”

  “Babe, you need to rest.”

  “We both know I’m not getting any sleep here.”

  “Have it your way. Stubborn.” She shakes her head but helps me sneak out.

  Outside is a small group of Royal Bastards, including Karma’s brother, Viking. There’s no mistaking his blond hair and large stature. He truly has that whole warrior thing working for him.

  A nomad by the name of Static offers me his bitch seat. I climb on and wrap my arms around him for the short ride to a nearby motel. I could go home, but for now I don’t want to be alone.

  Mostly, I want to hear how Karma killed Sanchez and find out who did the job for me with Mona so I can kiss their damn feet.

  A lot has changed since I last saw Karma at Archer’s place. She’s already got herself a new man. A Royal Bastard by the name of Hound. Soon as we got here to the motel, he took her into a room alone. Her brother and another guy by the name of Smoke took off to get us some clothes, leaving me alone with this Static guy. I don’t know what kind of stupid road name it is, but he’s quiet and seems nice enough. Though currently anyone seems like a girl scout compared to the monsters I spent the past however many days with.

  The scabs on my wrist where that bastard branded me itch. I do my damnedest not to pick at it or scratch it. I stare at the nomad. He’s pushed up against the headboard on the other bed, across from the one I’m currently sitting on, flipping through the basic cable channels.

  He’s handsome. Dark hair. Dark eyes. Tan skin. Seriously sexy dimples.

  I’m ridiculous. Checking this guy out while I’m sitting here looking like roadkill.

  After what I went through, how attractive a man is should be the least of my worries.

  Giving up on his search, he looks over at me. “You want to talk about it?”

  I shake my head.

  “Go take a shower. Wash up. By the time you finish, they’ll be back with a change of clothes and food. Told Smoke to grab some first aid shit while he’s at it.”

  “Thanks.”

  I stare at the bathroom and look back to him where he hasn’t moved an inch.

  Sensing my apprehension, he says, “Not gonna bother you. Got my word. No one will. I’ll keep watch. No one else is going to fuck with you.” He makes the statement as though the idea of anyone touching me is personal to him. Like he’s some type of body guard ready to kill at will.

  “Thank you.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  Slowly, I ease off the bed.

  Everything hurts from the roots of my hair down to my toenails.

  The bathroom is the basic style you’d expect to find in any motel. A sink and mirror. Toilet and shower stall. Free towels. Travel size shampoo and soap. Getting undressed is painful, but the hot spray of the water is too inviting as the mirror fogs from the steam. I unwrap my ankle and save the gauze for after my shower. I wonder if Static will mind helping me get it back on.

  The way that Hound guy was looking at Karma, I’m not about to go knocking on their door and getting between whatever they’ve got going on.

  Every bone and muscle in my body aches, but I manage to get into the shower. I’m not sure how long I stand propped against the wall enjoying the hot water washing over me. Washing the past few days away.

  It takes every ounce of energy I have left to lather the shampoo in my hair and soap up my body. Somehow, I manage to force myself to endure every sting and deep ache until the water runs clear down the drain.

  Chapter Seven

  “Rosie,” Smoke grits out, knocking lightly on the bathroom door, not getting an answer. “Got your change of clothes. Got some food, if you’re hungry.”

  “She’s been in there a while,” I tell him.

  Smoke shrugs and drops the plastic bags on the bed closest to the bathroom. “I’m fucking starving.” He moves to the table by the window and digs into the fast food him and Viking picked up.

  I’m hungry myself but want to make sure this Rosie chick is all right. Last thing I need is her passing out from a concussion and dying on my watch. Wouldn’t look too hot for me with Murder. Might make him reconsider our deal for me to spend more time scoping out shit with my brother.

  Tap. Knock. Tap. “Hey. You alive in there?” I pause and nothing. Maybe she can’t hear over the water. Smoke’s too busy inhaling his burger to give a fuck. It isn’t really my place either, but the second I laid eyes on her, something inside of me locked in place, like it’s my job to protect her. Only I know it’s not and yet here I am twisting the knob. “I’m coming in,” I announce with a palm slapped over my eyes. “Are you decent?” I peek through the cracks of my fingers and what I see breaks my damn heart.

  Rosie is curled into a ball on the floor of the shower, naked and bruised. Her dark hair hangs over her left shoulder. Arms wrapped around her knees. She’s shaking. Chill bumps race up and down her arms and legs. I move in and shut off the ice-cold water.

  “Hey, come on. Let’s get you dry and warm.”

  She mumbles something incoherent between her blue, chattering lips.

  Pulling her to her feet, I grab a towel off the nearby rack.

  “Start drying off. I’m a grab your stuff.”

  Smoke glances up. “She good?”

  I shake my head. “Far from it. Shock is setting in.” I pick up the bags and take them into the bathroom.

  Rosie is stock-still at the mirror, staring at the bruises on her face. The stitches in her lip.

  “What’d they do to you?”

  Her gaze meets mine. There’s this haunted, dead expression there I have the urge to free her from. I don’t need her to vocalize what she endured to know what they did.

  I hold out the underwear and a tee.

  Not caring about modesty, she drops the towel and pulls the tee down over her head, then shimmies the cotton briefs on.

  “Shit. Shit. Shit,” she repeats as her tears fall.

  “Get it all out,” I tell her, dropping my forehead to hers.

  Rosie’s fists ball at my chest.

  “You’re going to be okay.”

  She shakes her head.

  “Sit.” I press on her shoulder till her ass is seated on the lid of the commode.

  Combing my fingers through her hair, I work out all the knots as she continues to sob. When that task is done, I use the hair dryer that’s attached to the wall on her head.

  Eventually, the tears stop and the color returns to her cheeks and lips.

  “Come eat. Need something on your stomach.” I don’t give her a choice to refuse me. I lift her into my arms and carry her back into the room bridal style with her arms around my neck to keep weight off her ankle. I position her in the chair across from Smoke.

  “Wasn’t sure what you like, so there’s chicken nuggets, some burgers, and fries. Hope you don’t mind watered down pop.” He pushes the bag toward her.

  “Eat,” I order.

  Rosie picks at some fries and a burger while I wrap her ankle and put ointment on her burn.

  The motherfucker branded her like a rancher would his livestock. Too bad Karma already killed the prick, or I’d hunt him down and burn his dick off for this shit. Not only for Rosie, but for the other victims who shared in her fate. Shit is whack. Not the worst I’ve come across in my line of work, but I’m usually on the other side, taking them out after the fact.

  “What do you like? I’ll rent you a movie,” I offer. We need to keep her awake thanks to the concussion she likely has. Stubborn woman left the hospital on her own free will. Stupid if you ask me, but no one did. However, she’s not dying on my watch, if that’s her intention.

  “I like horror. Scream queen type shit.”

  “Not sure that’s a good idea, considering,” I warn.

  “I’m a big girl.”

  Smoke and I share a look that begs to differ. Rosie’s a fucking popcorn fart who could stand to gain a few pounds. “You’ve been through a lot.”

  “If she weren’t dead already, I’d be out there hunting my cunt of a sister down for selling me off to that demented prick. I can’t seeing as she’s already dead. Turn on something fucked up.”

  Smoke picks up the remote and rents some slasher flick. “I’ll take the first round,” he says. “I don’t. I’ll pass out now and sleep till morning.”

  “Good deal, man.” I move to the bed and take the right, shifting onto my side and closing my eyes.

  “Don’t be trying to cuddle with me.”

  “You wish,” I mutter, already drifting off.

  I jerk awake to the sound of a chainsaw ripping through the room. Upright, I glance around and find Smoke snoring and no sign of Rosie.

  Shit.

  The Tv remote is on the other bed. I get to my feet, grab it, and turn the volume down. The bathroom light is off, but that doesn’t mean she’s not in there.

  I knock once and don’t wait for her to respond before twisting the knob. I flip on the light and there she is on the floor. Head bent to her knees, resting on her forearms.

  Glancing up at me, broken and beaten, I know she’s a beauty in need of saving. Can’t tell if her eyes are more swollen from the abuse or from crying. I don’t say shit. I turn the light off and drop to my ass next to her, not touching her, but close enough she knows I’m here. That she’s not alone and there’s people who will give a fuck about her if she’ll allow them to.

  “How is she this morning?” Viking questions regarding Rosie.

  “Rough, but strong. She’s gonna be all right.” I sat up with her most of the night.

  “Good. Will be nice for my sister having her back home. Help her acclimate better. What about you? What’s your story, man? Who are you looking for?”

  “Myself.” I grin and he gives me a look that says he knows better. I don’t do the whole brotherhood and family shit. I respect that they have that going for them, but that’s not my scene. In the end everyone is out for themself.

  People are selfish. Me included.

  “I don’t know what to make of you. Appreciate you stepping up for my sister.”

  “If I had a sister, I’d hope someone would do the same if the tables were turned.” What I don’t say is I’m here because all these fuckers have been there for my brother when I haven’t been. They did what I couldn’t.

  “You an only child?”

  “Got a brother. Wasn’t brought up together, though.”

  “Growing up, I always looked out for Astrid. She’s a pain in my ass but wouldn’t trade her for the world.”

  “I hear that.”

  “Nomad life. That all it’s cracked up to be?”

  “On a good day.”

  “And on the bad ones?”

  “I find me a sweet piece of tail to get lost in.”

  He eyes my wedding band. I don’t sense any judgment. It’s an observation. “We do what we gotta.”

  “Ain’t that the fucking truth.”

  “How many pairs of shoes do you need?” I lift another duffel bag that’s stuffed so damn full the zipper is about to pop.

  “A woman can never have enough shoes or purses.”

  “Thought you were a biker bitch.”

  “And what? That means I don’t like to look good or have options?” She almost smiles for the first time since I met her and fuck me even with her eyes practically blackened and her lips stitched together. She’s fucking gorgeous.

  I know I shouldn’t be checking her out. I’m married and she’s been through a fucked-up ordeal and yet I can’t stop staring at her.

  “What else needs to go out?” I step closer and see her shoving her underwear and bras into another bag. My mind drifts to her in nothing but skimpy pink lace. That dark wavy hair of hers tumbling down her shoulders as her tits spill out the cups of her bra. I go hard at the picture I’ve conjured in my mind.

  “Shit, I still need my jeans.”

  “You packing for a visit or a move, chiquita?”

  Her cheeks redden. “Um. You’re right. I’m going overboard, huh?”

  “You’re asking the wrong man. I travel light.”

  “Right. I’m sure you have a million other things you’d rather be doing.”

  “I’m good where I am.”

  She smiles.

  “You should do that more often.”

  Confusion clouds her expression. “Do what?”

  “Smile, babe. You’re beautiful.”

  “Yeah, okay. Sure. How much is Karma paying you to make me feel better about myself because we both know I look like total hell?”

  “Can’t take a compliment, can you?”

  “Thank you.”

  “Much better. And for the record, I don’t call ugly women beautiful.”

  “That so?”

  “Yeah.” I take a step closer as she gazes up at me. Everything in me screams to kiss her, but after what she’s been through, it’s the last thing I need to be doing.

  “We should get a move on. You need to get back to your life. I’m sure the last thing you want to do is babysit me. I can finish up on my own.”

  “If I wanted to go, I would. I told Viking I’d follow you for the drive. Make sure you arrive in one piece.”

  “I’m a big girl.”

  I look her up and down. “Only thing big about you other than your attitude might be your tits and that ass.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I might think you’re flirting with me.”

  “Just calling it like I see it.”

  “Uh huh. I’m not going to fuck you.”

  “We’ll see.” I put a hand on her hip, and she doesn’t pull away. “Tell me to walk away,” I growl.

  She leans up. Her lips practically touching mine. “I don’t want you to.”

  “That doesn’t sound like stop.”

  “That’s because I’m giving you a green light. Make me forget what those bastards did to me. Show me how a real man treats a woman.” Her mouth moves against mine. She whimpers and I don’t know if it’s in need or pain. I don’t rightly care as I plunge my tongue in her mouth.

  I’ll make her forget all right.

  Chapter Eight

  Sometime later Charleston, WV

  Cold sweat flashes across the back of my neck. Flickers and images of Carlos Sanchez dance in my vision. The asshole who beat, tortured, and raped me for days. His greasy sardonic smile haunts me. The man is dead, but he lives on in my nightmares. He was an evil bastard who preyed on the flesh of those weaker than him. Women like me.

 

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