Braylen
At some point during the trip home, I’d fallen asleep dreaming of Ryder. The images conjured from my subconscious helped keep me locked in my slumber. The man I loved smiled at me, his gentle touch trying to rouse me from sleep, but I refused to open my eyes even though I could hear him calling my name. Then everything changed, the sudden urgency in his voice alarming me. His mouth opened and his lips were moving, but I couldn’t hear anything. Even though my lids were squeezed shut, I could see him. A worried expression pained his features. Then I saw blood. So much blood. The next thing I knew, his face morphed into a blank slate before his body turned into a whirlwind of dust circling above me.
“Braylen. Wake up.”
My eyes flew open and I clutched my chest, my lungs on fire due to lack of oxygen. Apparently I’d been holding my breath while locked in my dream. No, my nightmare. My vision blurred as I tried to adjust my sight. The first person I saw was Nash, confusion wrapping its ugly arms around me and squeezing the remnants of sleep from me.
“We’re here,” he announced, cocking his head before shifting back into the driver seat.
“Where?”
“Home. Well, not home exactly, but close enough, I suppose.” He was facing front now, fiddling with his phone while I tried to come to grips with my new reality. I still hadn’t talked to Ryder, my conversation with Jagger cut short during the only phone call I’d received.
Looking out the window, I saw the sun shining brightly, although the tint on the vehicle helped to dull the effect. As I glanced around, however, I became confused. Nothing looked familiar.
“Where are we?”
Without answering me, Nash opened his door and disappeared outside. I turned my head to the side and noticed I was all alone.
Where are Kena and Reece? Where is Cass?
Where the hell are we?
Slowly opening my door, I tentatively stepped outside the SUV, closing the door behind me when I realized I wasn’t in any sort of danger. Up ahead I saw Kena talking to Jagger, her hands frantically signing before he crushed her to him. Only when I shuffled my feet across the dirt separating us did they look in my direction. Jagger released my sister and she ran toward me, drawing me into a tight hug before stepping back. Jagger was slow to approach, the sight of him causing me to tremble. He looked like he’d been through hell, but from what I could tell he wasn’t physically injured, other than a scrape on the side of his neck.
“Hi,” he greeted, squeezing my hand briefly before releasing it. “Sorry my phone went dead, but I had other things I had to deal with.” He kept his eyes on me, his stare starting to freak me out. Before I lost it, though, he lifted his chin toward the building behind him, flashing me a tight smile. “Let’s go. Someone wants to see you.”
I reached for his arm to stop his retreat. “Wait.” A deep inhalation of air coated my lungs. “He’s alive?”
“Yeah, and he’s waiting to see you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that as soon as you came up to me?” All of my fear morphed into anger, everything hitting me like a goddamn freight train. “I thought he was dead,” I screamed, hitting his chest. “Do you have any idea what I’ve been through?” I raised my hands to strike him again but Jagger caught them and pulled me close.
“I’m sorry.” Looking a little guilty, he said, “So much shit happened. I’m still trying to deal with everything.” We stared at each other while I calmed down, his hold lessening until he finally released me. “Now let’s go.” He grabbed Kena’s hand and pulled her behind him as he walked away.
Once inside the building, still unaware as to where exactly we were, I followed Jagger and my sister as he led us through two empty rooms, down a short flight of steps and down a narrowed hallway. When Jagger pushed open a door and I saw what was inside, I knew we’d reached our destination.
To my left, there were two bodies lying on the ground with leather vests covering their faces. Their clothes were soaked with blood, the image of who that could be instantly causing a rush of panic. Then I remembered that Ryder was alive and my heart slowed to its normal beat. Barely.
Taking one more glance at the dead bodies, I couldn’t help but wonder who they’d lost.
“Braylen,” Jagger called. “Let’s go.” He pulled me away from the carnage, knowing I was about to lose it even though my man was still alive, although I had no idea what condition I’d find him in.
Walking farther into the large space, I saw Tripp leaning over a table talking to someone, their voices hushed. It wasn’t until he moved to the side that I recognized the man laying down.
Ryder.
I rushed forward, shoving Tripp to the side and launching myself into Ryder’s arms, my body partly covering his.
“Uhhh,” he groaned. “Careful, baby,” he warned, a pained look telling me he was injured. Before I could pull back, his lips found mine and he poured everything into our brief kiss. Our joined fear and uncertainty disappeared as our breaths mingled, a piece of our souls joining and relishing in the moment. “I love you so much,” he whispered, breaking the kiss to look into my eyes.
“I love you,” I replied, giving him another quick kiss before standing up to look at him. His shirt was ripped and bloody, but it was his left leg that was bandaged—his thigh, to be more exact. When my eyes found his to ask what happened, I saw the distress. Whatever happened had rocked him, and I vowed right then and there to do whatever I needed—what he needed—to help him through it.
Gingerly touching his leg, careful not to put any pressure on the bandage, I asked, “What happened?” Tears fell down my cheeks before I could stop them, my body finally releasing the shock I’d been trapped in and starting to tremble.
Instead of answering me, Ryder clutched my hand in his and pulled me close. He tried to sit up, and when Tripp saw him struggling, he rushed over and helped him. Swinging his legs over the edge of the table, Ryder spread them and tugged me between them, my chest hitting his as he took my face in his hands.
“I got shot.” Before I started to break down even more, he said, “Don’t.” He wiped my tears as they continued to fall. “I’m fine. Nothing that won’t heal. Trust me.” His mouth covered mine, the kiss soft and light, his lips lingering without urgency. I savored his comfort even though I was the one who should’ve been soothing him.
After several minutes, I sat next to him on top of the metal table, our fingers linked and resting in my lap. “Can you tell me what happened?” Reservation painted his rugged face, his fingers squeezing mine tighter before he shook his head. “I have a right to know,” I whispered, not wanting to upset him but still trying to urge him to fill me in on what had transpired.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t really get into it. One day maybe, but not now.” He grimaced when he shifted his weight, his free hand gently moving his injured leg.
“Can I at least ask who died?” The breath in my lungs froze while I waited to see if he’d answer. I swore time stood still while I witnessed a plethora of emotions contorting his expression.
“Breck and Smiley.”