CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Loch
I pulled into the driveway to my house. With everything that was going on with the club, I’d been staying there more than at my house. I decided I needed a break from the tense atmosphere of the compound. I was going to sleep in my own bed and take time in the quiet to clear my head.
I glanced over and saw Reagan’s car parked in Ethel’s driveway. More than anything I wanted to go over there. I had a need deep inside me to see her. The simple thought of wrapping her in my arms calmed me like nothing else.
As much as I wanted to, I willed myself against it. There were things we needed to talk about, but I wanted my head on straight before I sat down with her. I felt like an asshole. I missed the hell out of her but I needed to deal with one thing at a time, and right now the club was number one. Besides, keeping Reagan as far away as possible was for the best. I would never be able to live with myself if something happened to her. Everything was so fucked up and I cursed the timing of it all.
As I got out my truck I noticed Ethel’s porch light was out. I knew she was at bingo and I didn’t want her to trip on the stairs coming home. I went into my garage and grabbed a new bulb before I climbed up her stairs. I changed the light and the new bulb didn’t light up. Ethel never forgot to turn the light on. My brow knitted and I wondered if it was simply a faulty new bulb. I grabbed another one and it didn’t work either. I walked around the back of the house to check the breakers. Maybe something had tripped and it would be a simple fix.
An eerie feeling crept over me as I rounded the back of the house. I looked around and didn’t see anything. My phone vibrated in my pocket and I figured I would call them back when I finished. I opened the box and saw the main power appeared to have been cut. That was when I heard a muffled cry from inside the house. I ran up the back steps and peered through the window on the back door. My eyes tried to focus through the darkness. Then I saw a tall male figure on the stairs. A pale, lifeless arm swung beside his legs.
My blood boiled and the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears became deafening. I kicked the door in, splintering the frame around it. The guy turned around as I approached. That was when I noticed how fucked up the situation was. His dick hung out over his opened pants and a thick line of drool connected to Reagan’s busted mouth. Her body sagged and the only reason she was still upright was that he had a firm grip on her hair.
I snapped, losing every ounce of control as I reached for my gun tucked behind my back. I whipped it around and pointed it at him without hesitation. But I was too late. He already had her semi-conscious body pinned in front of him. Fucking coward. I couldn’t risk taking a shot and hitting Reagan, even if I was a good shot. His knife pressed hard enough into her neck to cut the skin. Blood welled up around the edge of the knife. She let out a little whimper at the contact of the blade.
“Back the fuck up, trash,” he spat, disgust dripping in his tone. I recognized him from the pictures Bocca showed me. Lance. The whole scene played out in front of me like a horror movie. I felt helpless. He shifted and started to walk backward to the front door, my gun trained on him the whole time. “Don’t be stupid, I will kill her.”
“Rea, look at me, baby,” I said low and deep, and almost too calm to be normal.
Her eyes shot open as she tried to focus on me. Tears ran down her face as her eyes slowly blinked a few times. I swallowed hard trying my best to reign in my fury. I took a step forward as he reached behind him and opened the front door. I scrutinized his every movement, waiting for some kind of opening. All I needed was a split second. He grabbed the keys off the hook, a smirk on his face like he knew right where they were. Reagan’s eyes closed and more tears fell.
My heart broke. I couldn’t protect her. This should have never happened. A paralyzing fear of losing her hit me deep in my chest. I took another step forward, pushing through all of the emotions clouding me.
“Don’t!” Lance growled as his hand twitched making the blade of the knife slide across the delicate skin of her neck. A thin line of blood made its way down and another whimper escaped her lips. “If I see you leave this house I will kill her.”
“Never again,” I said to her. I’d made a vow when I first met her. Part of me broke that moment I realized I hadn’t been able to keep it. But now I was reminding her and I was letting her know it wasn’t over. I was going to kill that fucking son of a bitch if it was the last thing I would ever do.
He pulled her out the door. I watched afraid to move. His eyes trained on me the whole time. He opened the driver’s side door and crawled in pulling her in with him, like the fucking coward he was.
My phone vibrated in my pocket again but I continued to ignore it. He slapped Reagan and my grip tightened on my gun. When she didn’t move, he hit her again. She snapped out of the daze she was in and started the car. Through the opened doorway, I watched as the car backed out of the driveway. The car swerved and I could tell she was having trouble staying focused. I didn’t take my eyes off of him until they drove off. As the car lurched forward, I took note that she was taking the back way out of town. For a brief moment, I was proud of her. Even in her messed up state, she knew to drive by the clubhouse. I only hoped we could get her in time.
My phone vibrated again. I pulled it out while running across the yard to my bike. I hopped on as I answered.
“Loch, the fuck man? I’ve been trying to call you,” Bocca’s voice roared through the phone. “That car they found—”
“Was Liz’s,” I said, taking a guess as I remembered the car that they towed in yesterday thinking it was abandoned. I was pissed the moment it all clicked in my brain. I should have seen it sooner.
“Yeah, and her body’s in the trunk.”
“He’s got Reagan.” I started up my bike. “He’s got a knife. Not sure anythin’ else. He took her in her car. Headed the back way out of town. Go now!” I shoved my phone back into my pocket and took off like the devil was chasing me.
The stupid fuck was heading right by the compound. We would get him, just had to make sure we did it right. I sped off in that direction feeling like I had wasted too much time already. I knew there was no way to be quiet on my bike. I only needed one opening, one shot.
I heard the rumble of bikes ahead of me as I neared the end of town. He was already on the highway. Fuck. I wanted to get him before he hit the open road.
I picked up speed, the wind ferociously whipping around me. Minutes later, blue lights flashed behind me. I didn’t give a fuck, I kept going. I wasn’t going to lose her. I watched as my brothers surrounded the car. I was almost there. The car swerved violently to the left, then right. Lance’s body jerked and I saw his hand that held the knife fly up. I pulled out my gun and took a shot. The bullet went straight through the back glass, shattering it into a million tiny cracks. A second later I saw his body slump forward. The car pulled off the side of the road and screeched to a halt as I caught up. I hopped off my bike, not even caring if I left it upright as I ran to the driver’s side.
I ripped the door open and pulled Reagan’s trembling body into mine. Wrapping my arms tight around her, I gently lifted her up and carried her away from the scene. The sheriff’s car pulled in behind us and I let out a relieved sigh when I saw it was Marshall from town. He would help keep this contained, and if that fucker was still alive, he would let us take Lance. Part of me hoped he was. I wasn’t anywhere near being done with him. He needed to die a slow and painful death for what he put her through.
With her still in my arms, my knees hit the soft, damp grass beside the car. She didn’t move and I started to worry that I was too late. Smoothing her hair back away from her face, I begged her to look at me. I felt the trail of hot wetness run down my face. My voice shook as I pleaded over and over for her to come back to me.
“Get her to county.” Marshall’s voice broke through my breakdown. “I’ll stay here, with him.”
I looked up to see Diesel and Brand dragging Lance’s body over to Marshall’s cruiser. Lance groaned as he tried to free himself, but he was no match for them. I lifted her delicate body up and placed her in the passenger’s side of the car. There was a small pool of blood on the back of the seat from where I’d shot Lance. But I couldn’t think about that now. I had to get her help.
I stood and saw Brand standing in front of the car, staring in at Reagan’s slumped over body. He looked as broken and angry as I was. His jaw clenched and a rage that I had no idea he has inside of him boiled to the surface. I had never seen him look so menacing, and I’d often wondered if the kid had it in him to deal with this type of shit. His eyes met mine and the light of the headlights showed me they were black at night. I sent him a knowing chin lift. I understood all the thoughts that were running through his head. It was the same that filled mine. We would make Lance suffer for what he’d done.
I ran around and hopped into the driver’s seat, then took off for the county hospital without a second thought. I made the twenty-minute drive in ten. Some of the brothers followed me. I didn’t even take the time to see who had pulled up as I jumped out of the car. I left the door wide open and the car running as I rushed to the other side. I didn’t give a fuck about the car. She would never be driving it again, anyway. I pulled her out as carefully as I could. I ran inside with her limp body cradled in my arms.
“I need a doctor now!” I roared. Several nurses that were standing behind the check-in counter came running. Someone wheeled over a gurney and I placed Reagan down. I grabbed her hand and held on. I started to speak before anyone asked what was going on. “She was attacked. She passed out about fifteen minutes ago. I want her in a private room.”
“Do you know her blood type?” I shook my head. “Okay, let us take her back and I can get you to fill out some paperwork.”
“No, I’m not leaving her side.” I kept pace as they wheeled her through a long hall and into a room at the end. A doctor rushed in shoving gloves on her hands.
“Sir, please.” The nurse was sympathetic but stern as she tried to hold me back.
“Loch.” I felt a hand firmly clamp down on my shoulder as Bocca spoke.
I clenched my jaw and took one last look at Reagan’s broken and mangled face. Her hair was a matted mess of tangles and clumps of dried blood. Her lips were swollen and split. Her eyes were puffy and already black and blue with bruises. I could see where his fingers gripped her jaw and throat. I nodded and took a step back, knowing it was what was best for her. The sooner I moved out of the way, the sooner they could put all of their focus onto her. It was one of the hardest things I’d ever had to do. Her fingers twitched against my hand as she slipped away from me and my legs jolted with the urge to take a step forward.
“I’ll come get you when we know something,” the nurse said as she pointed back down the hall to the waiting room.
Bocca followed only a step behind me. I dropped into the first seat I saw. My head fell into my hands as I leaned forward. The room was too quiet. I knew I was surrounded by several of my brothers. Yet the only thing making noise was the news broadcasting from the TV in the corner.
I took a deep breath through my nose. I had to get my shit together. I lifted my head and surveyed who was around me.
“Bocca, call Cal. Fill him in on everythin’. Lake, go back and get Ethel. You’ll need to drive her car here. Tank, call Diesel. Tell him to keep the fucker alive. Then call Stone and fill him in. Crow, call in Patch. He will not die until I’m ready.” They headed outside to make their calls and take care of business. Lake jumped up and walked out, his keys hanging from his hand.
I toyed with my phone. I wanted to reach out to Brand, but I didn’t want to call him without any news. I opted to send him a text letting him know she was in the room and I would update him as soon as I knew something. When I didn’t get a response back from him, I wondered if that meant he was busy or losing his shit. I knew he was a smart enough kid not to do anything stupid. But then again, sometimes when you care about someone, all your sense goes out the window. I knew the feeling at that moment, and I was glad I had a chance to calm down before I had a go at that shithead. I needed to take my time. If I was with him now it would be over too soon.
I sat there for hours. I started to get antsy so I got up and paced the small area. At some point, Tank handed me a coffee and I held it for no better reason than to have something to do with my hands. Every time I looked down at my white shirt and saw Reagan’s blood smeared all over it, my anger flared up all over again. The brothers filled me in on everything going on back at the club. They had Lance alive and tied up in the basement. I didn’t take any calls and luckily everyone else handled everything. Other than that, it was quiet. We didn’t say anything to each other. There was no small talk. There was no club talk. I was glad for it but at the same time, it made the minutes tick by slowly.
“Loch?” An old familiar voice rang out. I turned to see Sara Ann standing in ugly blue scrubs. They had splatters of blood in various spots. Her light blonde hair was pulled back and longer than I remembered. Hell, it had to have been close to fifteen years since I’d seen her. She was a year younger than me and we grew up three doors away from one another.
I jumped up and walked over to her, beating everyone else by a step. Her eyes bounced around, pausing briefly on each of us. Any other person would have been intimidated by a bunch of big bikers towering over them. But Sara Ann knew all about the club. She even knew most of the older members.
“Is she…” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words.
“She’s stable. She’s breathing through a tube because her throat is swollen. But she’s breathing on her own. She’s unconscious but from what we can tell there is no head trauma. Her shoulder was dislocated and her nose is broken. Other than that, it’s mostly bruising and swelling.” She looked up at me and I could see all the questions in her eyes. I was thankful it was her. Had it been anyone else they wouldn’t have told me jack shit.
Ethel grabbed my hand and I’d completely forgot she was there. I felt bad. I had only been able to think about Reagan. I pulled Ethel into my side and wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
“You can see her. One at a time and keep it short. Rest is the best thing for her right now.” Sara Ann paused and looked around the room at all of us again. “Maybe only two of you tonight.” Her eyes flicked between Ethel and me. I nodded.
“You go first.” I nudged Ethel.
“No, Nathan. She needs you right now. I’ll be here when you’re done.” She shuffled off and took her seat ending the discussion.
I nodded then followed Sara Ann down the hall. Once we reached the room I stood there paralyzed as I look through the window at Reagan’s mangled face. Sara Ann shifted beside me and I felt her cold fingers touch my arm.
“Her ribs are bruised. She has some deep bruising on her side and stomach, but there is no internal bleeding,” she says softly beside me. “I did a pelvic exam and I saw no indication of trauma.” I breathed a sigh of relief. Not that it didn’t mean what she went through was bad enough.
The whole situation was sick. I saw enough to know that it was brutal and I wondered if I hadn’t shown up how much worse it would have gotten. Thoughts of how he would have killed her played in a sick loop inside my head. I felt the need to vomit but I swallowed hard, pushing it back down.
“Fuck,” I breathe out to no one in particular.
“This isn’t your fault, Nathan. I don’t know what happened, but I can tell you that you probably saved her life.” I could feel Sara Ann’s eyes on me but I didn’t lift my head. “I’ve got to call this in. There were too many nurses that saw, I’m sorry. But I can wait a little bit if you want.”
“No.” I shook my head. “Marshall’s got it taken care of. I can get him here if it comes to that.”
“Okay. If it comes to that I’ll let you know.” She paused for a moment. “You know, I never thought I’d see the day…” Her words had me looking over to her as I narrowed my eyes in question. “I’ve known a few women who wished you’d look at them with that look of love in your eyes. Maybe this isn’t the best time to say this, but she’s a lucky girl.” She patted my arm and walked off before I could respond. I took in a long breath through my nose before I pushed the door open.
Reagan looked so small and fragile. I had failed her. I had let this happen to her. I swallowed it all down and took her hand in mine. She needed my strength right now. I had to push all of my doubts and anger aside.
“Rea,” I whispered while lightly running circles over the back of her hand with my thumb. “If you can hear me, I’m so sorry. I know nothin’ I can ever do will make up for me lettin’ you down. For me not being able to protect you and stop this. You are the one beautiful thing in my dark world and I have failed you. I need you to open your eyes. I need to see you.”
I kissed the back of her hand before resting my forehead against it. I didn’t want to hurt her but I need to touch her. I needed to feel her close to me.
“I need you, Rea,” I whispered to the lonely room.
I closed my eyes remembering everything I could about her. I thought about her smile. How much she would frustrate me sometimes. How she would never back down to me and how much I loved that about her. I remembered how it felt to have her in my arms and how amazing it felt to be buried deep inside of her. How I never wanted to replace any of that with someone else.
I knew she would need time to heal after this. Not only her body but her mind as well. It was something she would never get over. Something she would live with for the rest of her life. But I didn’t want to push her to feel like she needed to get over it for me. She would need time to crawl inside of her head and deal with the reality of it all.
I sighed knowing what was to come was going to be a hard road to travel. Hard for me, but even harder for her. She didn’t deserve any of this. Her life had been one shit pile after another. I wondered if I would end up being another one. I should have let down my walls, manned the fuck up, and told her how much she meant to me. How much I fucking loved her. I should have pushed her to tell me what she was running from and what happened to her. I should have never let her close herself off from me. I didn’t deserve her. I wasn’t the man I should have been for her. The reality of that hit me in the gut like a sledgehammer. I could have stopped this. But instead, I was too busy hiding and being a fucking coward; afraid that if I pushed her I would lose her. Deep inside I knew I had.
I clenched my jaw. I was almost as angry at myself as I was at that sick fuck who did this to her. My blood boiled and I started to see red again. The thing was, I could beat Lance to death for it, but I couldn’t do the same to myself. I stood up and took one last, long look at her. I brushed her hair out of her face and kissed the top of her head lightly. I pulled out my phone and took a picture of her busted face. Mostly to remind myself how badly I’d messed up, but also so I could show Lance how he had fucked up. I was going to do everything he did to her and more.
Then I left.
Unable to speak, I nodded to Ethel before I headed out the front doors to the hospital. Bocca and Tank followed close behind me. I took in the first breath of fresh air I had in a while. It did nothing to lessen the sting.
“I called Brand,” Bocca said behind me. I nodded, feeling even more like shit that I’d forgotten about him. More promises I had broken. Fucking add it to the list of how shitty I was.
I stopped and turned around to meet Bocca’s eyes. I could see the anger radiating off of him and the sadness behind it. It hit me then, Reagan had tucked herself into each of our hearts. It was clear as day they all cared for her and this was killing each of us in our own way.
“He doesn’t sound well. Took Axe and Stone to hold him down and drag him away from the basement,” Bocca continued on about Brand. I had a feeling Brand cared for Reagan, but I was starting to wonder if there was more there than friendship. I shook it off. I couldn’t think about that now.
“Did you fuckin’ see her?!” I growled, throwing my arm out towards the hospital doors. I was quickly losing any of the calm I’d been trying to keep. Of course Brand wasn’t doing well. I wasn’t fucking doing well. I didn’t even know how I was still standing.
Bocca’s eyes closed as he took in a slow breath. I knew he had seen her and I knew he was feeling as torn up as I was. Reagan didn’t deserve any of what happened to her. She may have carried a heavy burden of a hard past. But she was still the fucking warm sunshine that made us all light up inside.
“I’m goin’ back to the clubhouse. Ethel is here. Leave Lake with her and have him call if anythin’ changes.” I barked. I knew Bocca would understand that I was only taking my anger and pain out on him. And that I didn’t mean anything by my harsh tone. “We are headin’ back. Time to deal with this.”
I turned around and walked off. Bocca caught up with me and told me where they had parked Reagan’s car. It was a good thing he did because I was so blinded by rage I wasn’t even thinking. I probably would have been walking around the rest of the night just trying to remember what the hell I was even looking for.
I slid into the driver’s seat. I could smell the blood and my glance shifted over to the spot where I had shot Lance. Then my mind flashed with a crumbled Reagan in the front seat as I flung open the door. I saw the blood smeared on the steering wheel. Tears spilled from my eyes. Since I was alone, I took a moment to break down. I closed my eyes and let everything I’d been holding in come rushing to the surface.