Riley

I have never been so frightened in my life. A sudden flat sent me flying off to the side of the road, I managed to get control but my cell flew aside and I was still trying to find that when a tow truck pulled up.

I was so relieved until I saw the drivers face. Too late.

I remember Kennelly holding a cloth over my face and saying, “They may have said they won’t pay me anymore, but they’ll pay well enough to have you away from that big bastard.”

I’m not sure how long I’ve been, wherever it is I am. My mouth is gagged; I’m hogtied, and so cold. I’ve squirmed around enough to see what looks like a duffle bag of mine in one corner but nothing else. There has been a steadily increasing light coming through the boards of the door in the ceiling and that is the only thing keeping me from full out panic.

I don’t know where Gunner was the night I was taken. I didn’t have any plans the next day, today, hopefully; so if he hasn’t gotten back no one will know I’m missing and that is the thought that terrifies me.

I’ve read enough true crime stories to know that the longer I’m gone, the harder it will be to find me. I vary from praying for Gunner to singing songs in my head, anything but thinking about what will happen if no one comes for me; or worse, if the wrong person comes for me.

My jacket and cut have been removed and thinking that Kennelly ran his hands over me makes me fight back vomit each time the thought pops into my head. Vomiting into this gag would surely cause me to suffocate.

My hands have gone numb and while I’ve kicked off one shoe, I can’t get the ropes to budge. My back is racked with spasms, so I try to take deep breaths. Failing in that, I can no longer fight my fears and begin to sob until I feel nothing else.

What seems like hours later a noise from the door above me doesn’t initially register, a loud banging noise. Then a crash and light floods the room. A whispered, trembling voice says “Sweetheart?”

I scream through my gag and start to wiggle closer to the staircase.

“Rogers! She’s here!” Gunner bellows and I start crying harder than ever. Suddenly his hands are cupping my face and he’s saying, “I got you, Sweetheart. Look at me, look at me, ok?” I nod in reply.

“I got to cut this all off, just hold still. Don’t move at all.” Drawing a knife from his boot, he first cuts my gag off.

My mouth is so dry I can’t form words; then panic retakes me as a shadow blocks the light.

“Rogers, go find some water for our girl, she’s in a bad way.” Gunner looks up at my Gram’s right hand. Rogers smiles and nods, then disappears. “Keep your eyes open, we don’t know where he is.”

“I got you, Riley. I’m so sorry, Sweetheart.” Gunner repeats over and over again. My mind is too tired, my throat to dry, I can do nothing but fall limply to the ground as he continues to slice through the ropes holding me; nothing except enjoy the hints of freedom as they come.

Rogers quickly returns, bottle of water in hand. Gunner has Rogers slowly pour that into my mouth as he continues to cut off the pieces of rope wrapped around each of my limbs. Needles stab my hands and feet as the ropes are cut free and circulation returns. Gunner rubs each limb while Rogers continues to drip water into my mouth.

As I get control, my mind grasps one thought. “Gunner, he took my cut off. I lost my cut.”

Rogers helps to slide me forward into Gunner’s embrace. “Shush, Sweetheart, I have it in the truck. I’ve got it. Got to get you out of here now, alright?” He says while placing light kisses all over my face.

Walking over to the corner, Rogers looks into the bag. “I think this is hers?”

I nod when they both look at me. After that, all the energy I can muster is used to snuggle my head into Gunner’s chest.

Faintly aware of being transferred from arm to arm, I cry out anytime I think I’m away from Gunner. Sometimes he’s there to soothe me, other times I feel my Gram’s hand on my head. Voices always murmur that I’m safe.

Flint

Fucking went off on my own and ran smack into Kennelly. He was walking away from his brother-in-law’s junkyard. Had that piss-ant duct-taped and in the back of my truck in no time. Called Jasper to meet me at our safe house.

Wrench had already given us properties to check, including one Kennelly had listed under his mother’s name. Ten minutes with Jas and I was all it took for Kennelly to give it all up. Called Gunner to point him towards his woman.

Jas and I head back to Mrs. Riley’s, while the Nomad stands guard over Kennelly. He is to await Gunner’s retribution.

Eileen Riley

When my husband died I felt suffocated. My daughter, who we gave everything to, played the devastated child to perfection for our friends and associates. We spoiled her, I knew that but loved her to bits. She despised us both, and at the time of her father’s death held her newborn daughter over me like a Lord.

My disgust at what I had raised caused me to be cautious around Riley. Darling Riley, who never wanted anything other than a hug. By the time she was old enough to see that her parents would never care for her, I was unable to bring her into my household.

I insisted on Friday dinners. Through years of chemo treatments, promises of remission; I put on a brave face. Afraid for the day I wouldn’t be there for her.

God does work in mysterious ways. The day came that Alex; Lord, I have to remember he prefers Gunner now, came to me. He’d stumbled upon Riley and somehow knew she was meant to be his. I remember the absolute panic that flooded me with his announcement that day, replaced almost immediately with calm. He told me a dozen reasons why he was wrong for her, but that he wanted to take away all her pain. To treasure her.

I’ve spent today waiting for word on my granddaughter before Rogers’ call finally came. Relief floods me when Gunner comes in carrying our sweet girl. I can only point upstairs, unable to speak.

Rogers grabs my wrist, “I’ll call your doctor. I want him to check both of you.” He says and I realize I’m no longer running this. “I’m going to collect my gun and will be here when Gunner needs to step out.”

Nodding, although it isn’t necessary; I head upstairs.

Gunner has laid Riley on the bed in the first room he comes to. I go to get a wet cloth and water glass from the bathroom. Coming out, I see that he has opened her jeans and is trying to gauge if any further damage had been done. I hold the doorframe, swaying, not having considered that atrocity.

Seeing him nod to himself and refasten her pants sets my world right again. He looks back at me like he knows I was watching; “I think she’s alright. I don’t know for sure, but our girl will get the care she needs.”

Our girl indeed.

Gunner

After the doctor comes and goes, and I’m satisfied with his promise to come back in the morning; I spend the night wrapped around my Sweetheart.

Either waking her from her nightmares or to ease her thirst, I watch over her; apologizing every time I can that there was MC business that kept me from protecting her. Riley’s cries, asking me to stay with her, break my heart over and over.

When morning comes, I reverently whisper my devotion to her and explain that I have to leave her here with her Gram and Rogers for a while. That I’ll check in when I can but knowing that I won’t be back before nightfall. Even then, I don’t know if my Sweet Riley will ever want my hands on her again.

Before I leave, I put the cut that I got her beside her on the bed then make sure that Connal is watching the front and Jake is out back. Rogers is still sleeping on the couch in the front room. I swear to myself that my sweet girl will always be protected.