Phantom Riders MC - Hawk (25 page)

“Jumping to my death sounds more appealing than you touching me,” I said, positioning myself in front of the glass and reaching behind me. My fingers curled around the larger end of it.

With a roar he charged at me. I braced myself for impact and the instant his hands reached for my throat I brought my hand up and jabbed him in the neck.

“You fucking cunt!” He stumbled back, reaching for the side of his neck and yanking out the glass that was sticking out of it. He threw it to the floor.

I knew that I hadn’t cut his aorta because the wound wasn’t squirting blood, as I’d hoped it would. As he stared at me with manic disbelief, I gave him a shove and ran past him. I’d just about reached the door when a shot rang out, hitting the doorjamb next to my head. I’d forgotten about his gun and I halted abruptly, a new realization flooding me. Tears sprang to my eyes when it dawned on me that he had thwarted every attempt I’d made to escape.

“I didn’t want to use my gun, but your resourcefulness has forced me to. By the time anyone gets here it will be too late.”  He was behind me now, twisting his hand in my hair. “Your time is up.” He jerked me away from the doorway and into the hallway, forcing me back into the room where it had all begun. I saw the bed, a cot with a dirty mattress on it, and dug in my heels. Using my hair for leverage, he threw me toward it. I landed with a bounce and quickly got to my knees.

“Strip.”

I shook my head, watching as he holstered his gun and removed his shirt. He ripped the sleeve off and wrapped it around his neck to stop the bleeding. Once that was done he removed his belt.

“I said ‘strip’!” He swung the belt at me, hitting me across the arm.

I cried out and grabbed my stinging arm. “You go to hell!”

The next time he swung, the belt caught me across the top of my thigh, close to my hip. The material dimmed the sting, but, this only pissed him off. With a growl of frustration he pulled his arm back and aimed toward my upper body. I instinctively turned sideways, covered my face, and screamed out when the leather snapped across my back. No amount of material would have protected me from the force and viciousness of this blow.

I screamed, tears flowing down my cheeks.

He shook his head slowly and made a tisking sound. “Why are you making this more difficult? It’s not going to change the outcome. I only wish I could be around to see Hawk’s face when he sees you for the first time, and knows that I used you.”

He swung the belt again, this time catching me on my bare legs. I nearly bit through my bottom lip to keep from crying out, watching like a whipped kitten as he came to me. “I want you naked!” he growled, lifting me off the bed and ripping the dress from me in one easy pull. He slapped me several times before shoving me into the wall face first. “You broke my nose, it’s only fair that I break yours.”

Blood began pouring out of my nose, and for a moment I saw stars. He yanked me back by my hair and smashed his mouth down over mine, rubbing the blood on our faces together. I gagged when he forced his tongue inside my mouth, then bit down on his hard. He jerked back and punched me so hard in the stomach that the breath left my body with a loud whoosh. His last punch doubled me over, and I vomited on his shoes. He jumped back, but not fast enough.

“I should gut you right now,” he ground out, close to my face.

Was that how he was going to kill me? I shivered, barely able to stand, leaning into him as much as he was holding me up. He began to drag me across the room. Through the haze of pain I saw the straps mounted on the wall, and I knew what he was going to do to me.
No, no, no!
I dug in my heels and leaned back into him in an effort to halt our progress. He only laughed and threw me against the wall. I hit it hard, the concrete scraping my flesh as I crumbled to the floor.

“Get up, bitch.” He yanked me to my feet by my hair. I was helpless to stop him from strapping my wrists into the restraints, leaving me fully exposed with my arms above my head.

“Please—” I’m not sure what I was pleading for. I didn’t know if he’d managed to break my nose, but it hurt like hell and continued to bleed. “You’re a police officer.” The stupidity of my remark wasn’t lost on me, but the fact that he was wearing a uniform while attacking me was ludicrous.

He smirked, standing back and running his gaze over me. “Hawk was a lucky bastard,” he said, completely ignoring my comment. When he reached forward I flinched and tried to sink inside myself, but it didn’t stop me from feeling his hands on my body. “Even messed up a little you’re still a looker.” He kept his eyes on mine with a sick smile on his cruel lips.

“You repulse me.” I shuddered when his hand squeezed my breast. He raised his hand to slap me. I caught my breath and turned my face away, but the hit didn’t come. Instead I heard his sardonic chuckle.

“I think your pretty face has had enough. I want Hawk to at least be able to recognize you when I’m done.” With that he pulled something from his pocket. “There are other ways to punish you.”

My gaze zeroed in on what he had in his hand, recognizing the bloody piece of glass that I’d used to stab him in the neck.
Oh, God!
I couldn’t stop a shiver from racking my body.
Hawk, where are you?
I couldn’t help but feel that my time was rapidly coming to an end.

“Cutting you won’t prevent me from sticking my dick in you.” With that he put the edge of the broken glass against the outside of my thigh, running a thin line down the length.

As I felt my flesh tear I jerked and screamed, the sound echoing throughout the warehouse as he cut through the bullet wound marring my thigh. Warm blood ran down my leg. Tears ran unchecked down my cheeks as realization hit that this was real, this was really going to be the end of me, and I’d never see Hawk again, would never experience the raw wonder of him, his touch, and his kisses. We’d just been in the beginning of us, having gone through so much to get there.

Was he looking for me? Would he get to me in time? Life could be so cruel. He’d saved me from Dane, and now I was ingrained into
his
situation.

I screamed when the bite of the glass cut into me again and again. Twisting against the straps to escape the pain only made it worse, as the leather burned and tore into my wrists. My helplessness amused him, and I wished that I could be strong enough not to reveal my pain, because every time I cried out he was taking away more of my sanity. The cuts were superficial, but each time he brought the glass down and dragged it across my flesh it felt as if he was branding me.

“Hawk will kill you for this,” I whispered, leaning my head back against the concrete, wanting to give up but fighting every step of the way. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction, but I also didn’t know how much longer I could hold out, knowing that the void awaiting me would take away the pain.

His fingers curled around my lower jaw as he forced me around.  He brought his face close to mine. “He’ll never know it was me. I’ve been planning this for years.” He grinned, pleased with himself, and I couldn’t take it any longer. I spit in his face. It was a pitiful move that only garnered me more abuse. He pulled back his upper lip and bit down on my shoulder. I felt my skin break with the viciousness of his attack. Waiting until my scream died down, he added, “I can’t wait to clamp the cuffs around his wrists for your murder.”

“You’re crazy if you think that will happen,” I said, staring at him with blurry vision. “Hawk’s smarter than you.”

“You keep defending him, but where is he? Huh?” He put the sharp edge of the bloody glass just beneath my chin and pressed. I felt sick, waiting for the plunge that might end my life. With a sneer, he turned the glass to the smooth side and then slowly brought it down my chest, between my breasts, over my bellybutton, and stopping at the top of my pelvis. “I think it’s time to start filling your body with cum.”

I shook my head.

“Where should I start, huh?” His gaze settled on my mouth. “This pretty little mouth?” He seemed to think about it for a second before saying, “Nah. I’d have to release you for that and you’re still a little too feisty. How about this nice cunt?” He began to move the piece of glass over the hair covering my mound. “Or maybe your ass? I don’t usually fuck women there, but for you I’m going to make an exception.”

I squeezed my eyes closed, praying when I opened them again that he’d be gone, and that this was just a terrible nightmare. I was going to be sick again. The trickle of blood down the back of my throat and the metallic taste of it was turning my stomach, and the things that he was threatening to do to me would make anyone lose it. A demonic laugh escaped me when the insane thought that his raping me would prolong my life for a few extra minutes.

As if that mattered.

Once I started laughing I couldn’t stop, the hysterical sound growing in volume and echoing throughout the building like the eerie screeching of a banshee. When I opened my eyes it was clear to see that I’d temporarily shocked the man before me. He stood back with indecision on his flushed face, and maybe a little worry in his eyes. His expression only made me laugh harder, finally galvanizing him into action. He began to hit me, everywhere, this time not caring about my face. His punches to my stomach and ribs shut me up when it became impossible to draw in breath just to stay alive.

When he was done I was hanging there limply, barely conscious and gasping for air, pain racking my body everywhere. The only other sound in the room was his rapid breathing, and then I felt the sharp edge of the glass against my flesh and I knew that this time it would cause more than just a scratch. He was going to do some damage.

He was going to kill me.

Chapter 26

Hawk

Audra’s gut-wrenching screams cut through me like a knife, urging me to move faster. My brothers were behind me, ready to back me up, ready to save my woman with their lives. I was prepared to shoot the first fucker I saw hurting Audra. I wasn’t sure what we were walking in on, but one thing I knew for certain was that whoever was hurting my woman was a fucking dead man. When her screams stopped I wasn’t sure if I should feel relief or worry, and then I heard the muted sounds of someone talking.

“What’s wrong, bitch? Not so mouthy now, are you.” Moaning followed. “It will be messy, but I can still fuck you.”

Fuller!
That prick. He’d been out to get the club since his first day in the department. What the fuck did he think he was doing? I didn’t even hesitate at the doorway. Audra’s whimpers beckoned me to act swiftly. I entered the room, my gaze zeroing in on them in an instant. I aimed my weapon, but before I could get off a kill shot Fuller grabbed Audra and put a sharp object at her throat.

Fuck!

“One more move and she’s dead.”

My gaze moved over Audra. Fuck, she was naked and covered in so much blood that she already looked dead. Her face was bruised and swollen, and one eye was completely shut. Blood beneath her nose and around her split lips told me that he’d used his fists on her. As I examined her limp body, I saw signs that the fucker had used some kind of blade on her.

“You’re dead, fucker,” I sneered, feeling everything in me demand that I end him.

He shrugged, clearly not giving a fuck. “Maybe so, but at least I’ll finally have my revenge. It’s not exactly the way I planned it, but you’ll still suffer.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” He’d done this because of me? I frowned, looking for an in to press my attack. My brothers crowded behind and at my sides, assessing the situation and waiting to make their moves. It didn’t appear that anyone else was there with Fuller.

“Sonya was my sister,” he said simply. I didn’t react. I hadn’t even known that Sonya had a brother. “I know you killed her, and now I’ll kill someone who means something to you.”

“This woman?” I scoffed. “She means nothing to me. She’s only a means to a big payoff from a client.” Half of what I was saying was true, but the other half? Audra did mean something to me, enough that if something happened to her I’d sink into a deep place that I’d never come back from.

For a second Fuller looked taken aback, and I could tell that he was weighing my words, wondering if he’d made a mistake. But then he gave a little shake and returned to the present. “Nah, I don’t think so. She tried to get me to believe the same thing. I’m a cop, remember? I’m used to people lying to get what they want.” He slowly lowered the weapon from her throat, keeping it close to her body.

It was too calculated a move for me to feel relief. The look in Fuller’s eyes led me to believe that he had something else planned. His expression transformed into a sick smile, telling me that he knew he had the upper hand. My finger twitched on the trigger. I wanted to blow his fucking head off, but the blade in his hand was too close to Audra. She’d suffered enough at his hands. I waited to make a move that would end him.

His smile grew, and I should have guessed that it was the prelude to his next twisted move. He took whatever he had in his hands, turned, and buried it in Audra’s side. She reared back, her head cracking against the wall as she screamed and twisted in pain. I saw fucking red at what he’d done. With a roar I charged toward Fuller, the need to maim and spill his blood coursing through me. I wanted to kill him with my bare hands.

The fucking coward. He went for his gun and I didn’t hesitate before using mine. I emptied my barrel into him, making sure my last bullet went through his fucking skull. Then I swung back to Audra. As gently as I could, I lifted her body, taking the weight off of her wrists, while Rock undid the straps. We exchanged looks.

“Ambulance?”

I nodded, my jaw tight as I took Audra’s weight against me. I didn’t blame him for asking. We didn’t call the ambulance unless we were left with no other fucking choice. Doctors were supposed to notify the law when someone came in with life-threatening wounds caused by an obvious assault, and we liked to deal with our own shit and keep things quiet. But this was an emergency, and I wasn’t taking a chance with her life.

“Call the chief, too.” Spotting the bed, I carried her to it and lowered her down gently. I shrugged off my cut and practically tore my shirt off to use it to slow down the flow of blood that was pouring out of her side. I knew that I had to keep my shit together, but looking down at her bloody, broken body tore at my heart.

She whimpered when I applied pressure, eyes fluttering as she struggled to open them. “Hawk?”

“I’m here, babe. Tell me where you hurt.”

A small smile spread across her battered face. “All over,” she mumbled low. “He watched us, Hawk, in the parking lot.” I knew what she was telling me. I’d already figured as much, and that he’d followed us home. “He didn’t touch me though, not in that way.” Her voice drifted away as she succumbed to darkness.

I glanced up to see Clay, Big John, Painter and Bullet standing around, clearly uncomfortable and at a loss for what to do. “Clay, give me your fucking shirt.” He didn’t hesitate in taking it off. I covered Audra with it.

“You want us to clean up?” Big John asked.

“No. This was Chief Branson’s man, he can deal with this shit.” I felt fidgeting beside me and glanced down to see Audra’s hand patting over me as if searching for something. Once I had her hand in mine she squeezed and seemed to calm.

“Did you know Sonya had a brother?” Bullet inquired.

“No. And none of that past shit matters now.” I made it clear that we weren’t discussing it. “You brothers wait outside for the ambulance and chief.” Everyone left but Rock. I avoided his eyes because, fuck, mine were burning. Audra’s breathing was too shallow.

“She’ll make it, brother.”

I could only nod. Fuck…if she didn’t…

“Now we know why Fuller’s been after us all these fucking years. The bastard must have been planning this shit for a long time.”

Yeah. None of that fucking mattered right now. I knew Rock was just talking to fill in the time, but he wasn’t saying anything I hadn’t already thought to myself. I was only sorry that Audra had been sucked into this mess. As much as I wanted her, this situation convinced me that I needed to let her go. She’d be a lot safer away from the club, away from me. It was going to hurt like hell sending her away, but it would be better than going through something like this again, and it could happen. This was our life, and anyone involved with us was vulnerable.

I thought about Lynch and Stone and their old ladies. Wild Marauders and Dark Menace was outlaw clubs like ours. They’d had their share of trouble involving their women, but their old ladies came from tougher stock than Audra. They’d grown up in rougher neighborhoods, were a little more street savvy. Audra—

Audra moaned, interrupting my thoughts. I glanced down to find that the shirt I was holding against her side was saturated with blood. “Where is that fucking ambulance?” I growled, looking up at Rock. “She’s gonna bleed out.”

“Calm down, brother. I can hear them.”

He was right. Five minutes later Clay and Big John rushed into the room with the paramedics’ right behind them. I moved out of the way as they pulled their gurney up against the bed. “Bout fucking time,” I snapped.

They ignored me. I’m sure that they got that kind of reaction all the time. “What do we have?” one of them asked. He was already peeling back the shirt that covered her. The other one began taking her vitals.

“She was beaten and cut in several places.”

He frowned, examining the worst of the slashes. “Do you know what she was cut with?”

“Looks like he used this.” Rock handed him a bloody, uneven piece of glass. I hadn’t even seen him pick it up.

The other paramedic pulled his equipment away and crammed it back into his case. His actions were hurried. “Pressure’s dropping fast, let’s get her into the ambulance. We can work on her on the way to the hospital.” His partner nodded and they began to move rapidly, without speaking, their actions revealing that this was a process they’d honed and performed many times before.

As they were settling Audra on the gurney, Chief Branson walked into the room. I saw his gaze dart over to Fuller. We hadn’t made any attempt to move his body, because as far as I was fucking concerned, his killing was justified. Branson’s gaze then went to Audra, wincing as she was wheeled out of the room. I didn’t hesitate to follow.

“I have questions.” Chief Branson said, making the mistake of stopping me with a hand on my arm.

“Take your fucking hand off me,” I snarled. “My brothers will fill you in.”

I didn’t have time for his shit. All that mattered was getting to the hospital to be with my woman.

****

Five weeks later…

Audra

“Here’s your coffee, honey.”

I smiled up at Carol, taking the mug from her. Carol had been my angel during the weeks of my recovery, the surgery, the healing, the grieving, because, yes, I’d also had to deal with losing Hawk. In the beginning he hadn’t left my side, sitting at my bedside and holding my hand for two weeks as I slowly healed and regained my strength. But something had felt off, different. He’d been quieter than usual, and when he did speak he seemed to choose his words carefully, and he avoided my eyes. I felt him withdrawing from me, but tried to convince myself that I was imagining it because he was there, by my side, where I needed him.

Once he’d been assured that I would make a full recovery and the day finally came for me to be released from the hospital he’d broken my heart and kissed me goodbye. Well, not exactly in that way. First he’d explained in carefully chosen words just why we weren’t going to work out. And while I knew it was bullshit, I’d sat there and listened to every word, unwillingly accepting that he might be right.

I chalked up my compliancy to the situation and the drug-induced calm that I was floating in. In time the meds wore off and my thoughts cleared, making room for other emotions, anger being at the tip of the list, but Hawk hadn’t been around to take it out on.

Yes, he’d arranged for Carol to come and take care of me, had given us the use of his home for as long as I needed it, and had arranged for round the clock protection so that he could stay away. During my two week stay in the hospital he’d been there, in body if not in spirit, and the minute I was released Carol had flown in. That had been three weeks ago, and I knew she needed to get back home. Her husband was going to be understanding for only so long. Plus, I was back to a hundred percent.

Almost.

Time would fade the scars.

But not my broken heart.

I wasn’t exactly sure what I felt for Hawk, but I knew it was intense and all-consuming. As he’d withdrawn from me I’d watched helplessly as he put up walls again, surrounding his heart with stone, guarding his emotions. He hadn’t said it, but I’d known I’d come close to dying, and that was the problem. Hawk was tough, hard as nails, brutal at times, but he didn’t want to deal with the reality that was life. Nothing was guaranteed and people came and went, leaving you to grab what happiness you could.

Yes, I’d almost died. But I hadn’t, and while I sat there in that hospital bed, listening to him tell me that I’d be safer by going away, that he didn’t deserve me, I’d wanted to scream and throw things. I should have been the one running, not him.

“You’re thinking about Hawk again, aren’t you?”

I glanced up at her sympathetic smile. “I’m going to rename you ‘Angel’,” I said, taking a sip. “I don’t know what I would have done without you these last few weeks. Thank you for coming.”