Heinous (14 page)

Nikki

Four days.

That’s how long I’ve been in hell.

Ammo comes to see me at least three times a day.

I’ve stopped fighting him because I’m scared that I’ll piss him off and he will be harder on me. Each day I’m more and more convinced that I’m pregnant. I’m three weeks late at this point. The food that they bring me makes me sick just from the smell. And I just have a feeling deep inside that it’s true.

Any time that he’s here I try to detach from the situation. I think of Twisted and how happy we were. Visions of a little girl running around the house and jumping on our bed in the mornings help me deal with the horror.

A part of me was hoping he would find a way to help me. That somehow he could get me out of this shit. Now I know what I always thought was true. No one can help me.

The door opens and the redhead walks in. She gives me the same look that she does every time. She wants to help me, I can tell.

“Can you get a message to someone?”

Her eyes widen. “No I—we aren’t supposed to talk to you.”

“Please.” I know I sound pathetic but I’m begging her at this point. She’s my only hope.

She nods quickly and I rattle off Tracie’s number to her.

“Tell her, Armageddon.”

The girl looks at me confused but she turns to leave. I just have to pray that Tracie will get it.

After a few minutes I hear a scream and jump. Everything is eerily quiet until I hear his footsteps.

“You stupid bitch.” His eyes glare at me. “Think that I didn’t know what you were up to? Well her life is on you.” He reaches for something in the hallway before tossing the redhead’s body next to my mattress.

My hands go to my mouth as tears fill my eyes. Her throat is slit, the blood covering her entire upper body. I did this. I got her killed.

“Y’all were such best friends I’ll let you hang out some more. I’ll be back for you soon.” He smiles a sick smile before shutting the door.

I move to the opposite side of the mattress and cry.

I’m so sorry.

Please forgive me.

The door opens again and my father walks in. “Couldn’t just listen, could you?” He moves forward until he is standing next to me. Rearing back he punches me in the face. “You cost me a girl, and that one was the best dick sucker I had. The brothers are pissed about this. I told them till we find someone just as good that they could use you. Ammo thought it was a great idea.” His hand grips my face until I can feel the metallic taste of blood in my mouth. “Maybe you’ll finally learn to do what you’re told. Or you’ll eventually join Red.”

Laughing he walks away from me and shuts the door.

She was my only hope. No one will dare even speak to me anymore. My hands cover my stomach.

I’m sorry I couldn’t save us.

It’s only a matter of time now.

The door opens and one of the guys from my first night walks in with a huge smile on his face, his hands already undoing his belt buckle.

I close my eyes trying to bring myself out of this moment.

***

I wake up in the morning my entire body screaming for mercy. I lost count of how many times the brothers came in last night. Ammo came to see me halfway through. I fell asleep, jumping at the sound of any footsteps, praying they didn’t land at my door.

They were rougher this time. My body covered in bruises from the biting and tight grips they held on me.

The redhead’s body is still here. Flies have started to swarm around it and in the heat it smells already. He is keeping it here as a reminder never to cross him again. A reminder of what will eventually be me.

The blonde brings in my breakfast tray, her happy demeanor non-existent. She glances at the body for a minute before her hateful gaze lands on me. She blames me. She should.

I force myself to eat only for the baby.

Each bite hurts as I swallow it; my throat raw and sore.

Twisted

I throw a punch landing it on Jesse’s side. He winces taking a couple steps back.

“Shit, that one fucking hurt.”

I smile at him. I’ve finally started holding my own against Mr. UFC. “Good, now I just need to complete a shitload of them.”

“Twisted!” I look behind me and see Torch waving me inside.

I nod at Jesse. “Let’s go see what’s up.” Walking in I see Torch, Whip, Shooter, and Tracie sitting at a table.

“Sit.” Shooter says and immediately I think something must be wrong. Something happened to her.

“No. I’m good standing.”

“I’m still your fucking President. Sit your ass down!” Shooter’s voice booms echoing off the walls.

I sit down, crossing my arms.

“I’m telling you now, this information does not change the arrangement. Things have to go down the way that they are, it’s the only way. Tell him.” Shooter looks over at Tracie.

“I got a call yesterday. For the longest time I thought it was a wrong number. Then it clicked this morning.” She looks around the table.

I have no patience right now. “What did they say, Trace?”

“All they said was Armaged—, and then the line went dead.” A tear falls from her eyes and Lucy grabs her hand.

“Am I fucking missing something?”

“Nikki, Lucy and I had been talking one day at lunch. She said the saddest movie she had ever seen was Armageddon. Somehow the conversation turned to having kids and I joked with them all that if I ever got pregnant that that would be Armageddon in real life. We all laughed and said if I ever texted them Armageddon that they would know I was screwed.” Tears start to fall and she takes a breath. “Before the line went dead I could have sworn I heard someone gulp or something, like the noise you make when there is a hand around your throat. If she remembered that story and got someone to help her, someone to call me and say…” Her voice trails off.

No.

It can’t be.

A sick feeling passes over me.

Pregnant? There is no way. Is there?

My head is spinning with the possibility that she might be pregnant with my child. Being held in that dirty room. That bastard with his hands on her. What if he makes her lose it? I remember how destroyed Lucy was when she and Whip had a miscarriage. I stand up from the table. I won’t let that happen to her.

“What did I say about nothing changes?” Shooter stands up blocking my path.

“This fucking changes everything.” My voice is deadly. “Get the fight moved up to tonight. You tell them I want to speak to her. Proof of life. Or I’ll go there and get it myself.”

I storm out the back door needing to drive my fists into something.

“Bro, you need to take a breath.” Jesse says from behind me.

“Hands up.” I take my stance.

“Don’t you think—”

“Hands up!”

Jesse cautiously raises his hands and I move. Ducking, jabbing, kicking, dodging. I hear yelling. My arms are being held back. All I can see is black. I twist and turn trying to free myself but I can’t.

Something smacks me in the face and it shakes me out of the tunnel vision I had.

Looking around I hate myself. Jesse is on the floor, Tracie trying to see if he is okay. Torch and Whip release my arms. Shooter is standing in front of me mad as hell.

“Get a fucking hold of yourself.” He walks back into the club.

“Shit. Jess, I’m—”

He stands up. “It’s okay. The fact that you just beat my ass just means I’m a great fucking teacher.”

Even with his reassurance I don’t feel any better. I follow Shooter inside and see him with the phone to his ear. I stand there not saying a word.

“Yeah, we want it tonight…He wants to talk to her…We need proof that she’s alive.” The last sentence makes me sick.

We need proof that she’s alive.

He passes me the phone. I can hear heavy footsteps and a door open.

“Talk.”

My heartbeat speeds up. “Nikki?” Nothing. “You there?”

“Yes.” It’s a croak. A strangled pained whisper. It breaks everything inside of me.

Keep it together, get the answer before they take the phone.

“I need a yes or no on these questions.” I try to keep my voice as calm as possible. “Can they hear me?”

“No.”

I take a deep breath. “Are you pregnant?”

“Yes.”

Fuck.

The line goes dead and I stare at the phone for the longest time.

“Jesse!” I walk toward the backyard. “Double time, brother!”

He stands in front of the back door. “You need to save your energy or you’ll burn out tonight.”

“Trust me when I say I could not sleep for five fucking days and still be ready to beat that motherfucker’s ass.”

I walk outside taking my stance and Jesse follows. We spar for another two hours before it’s time to get shit ready to go. The boys all get on their bikes while Jesse and I take my truck. A part of me knows Nikki will be in no shape to get on the back of my bike when I bring her home.

And I will bring her home.

***

I walk into the warehouse and it's packed wall to wall. Even with us moving the time up everyone showed up. People are taking bets, screaming as I walk past them and toward the makeshift ring in the center of the room.

I can see Preacher and Ammo on the other side of the room surrounded by the pieces of shit they all call brothers.

“Just remember what I taught you. Don’t let him get in your head.” I nod at Jesse.

Stepping into the ring, our announcer quiets the crowd. “MC vs. MC. VP vs. VP. No tap outs. You all ready?”

The crowd roars.

The bell dings and I charge. Ammo throws a side jab at the first opportunity just like Jesse said he would. I dodge it, landing a quick jab to the side of his head before backing off and away from his reach.

He charges again but I spin and deliver a shot to his kidneys. His foot sweeps out, knocking me to the mat. He gets a shot to my ribs and I feel them crack under his pressure. I use my feet to block the next shot, delivering a heel to his nose. He backs away in pain giving me enough time to get up off the mat. We spar some more, neither of us landing any good hits.

The bell dings calling us to the corners.

I sit down at the edge, Jesse hands me a bottle of water.

“He fucking broke my rib.”

“Saw that. He is just like I told you he would be; an uncoordinated ape. You have this shit.”

I nod at him as the bell dings again.

He comes right for me and I duck under his fist. A roundhouse kick to his face leaves him dazed enough for me to get three kidney shots in before backing away.

I move to punch again but before I can his arm is around my neck. I’m paralyzed at his side as he squeezes my neck. My airway struggles to open, barely getting any oxygen.

I try to move, twist, duck. Nothing is working. I’m fucking stuck. My vision starts to go black.

I hear him roar, and when he does it, he arches his back. It is just enough for me to be able to hook an arm around his neck. Using his own body weight as leverage I flip over pulling us both to the ground. Locking my legs around his I turn and then jump to where I’m kneeling on his chest.

I deliver punch after punch. Each one hitting its mark. His arms aren’t fighting me as they fall limply at his side.

I don’t stop.

I drive my fist into him.

Skin to skin.

Flesh to bone.

I scream as I let loose on him until I’m pulled away.

The announcer bends down to check his pulse and with a quick shake of his head, the crowd roars.

I won.

Nikki

Footsteps approach and I pull my knees to my chest.

The smell in here is so bad I have been puking all day.

I’m so weak that I can barely hold my head up.

The door opens and I close my eyes.

I don’t even want to know who it is.

“Fuck.”

That voice.

I open my eyes to see Twisted standing there.

He’s shirtless and covered in sweat. As he walks closer to me he seems like he is limping.

“Baby, I’m so sorry.” He looks like he is in pain but part of me thinks it’s not just physical.

That’s when I see it in his hand. A key. He grabs my wrist and unclasps the metal cuff. I wrap my arms around him not believing that any of this is actually real.

“Are you really here?” My voice is weak and I don’t know if he actually heard me.

“Yeah, I am. And I’m never fucking leaving you alone again.”

He picks me up, a groan sounding from his chest. He’s hurt, but he’s here. He found a way to save me when I accepted that I would never be free.

“Get me something to cover her with.” I look behind him seeing Torch, Whip, and Shooter. They look at me with sympathy in their eyes. There’s also something else as their gazes are set on me: anger. Shooter grabs a blanket off the chair in the corner of the room and lays it over me.

“Let’s get you the fuck out of here.”

I rest my head against his chest. My body shaking from crying and the fear that I’m not really safe yet.
Please let this be real.
I keep my eyes closed not wanting to see the brothers that I’m sure are milling around. We walk out of the compound and I see his truck waiting; Jesse is in the driver’s seat. Out of the corner of my eye I see my father. He is watching us, his hateful eyes focused on me.

I cling to Twisted, my nails digging into his skin.

He keeps the blanket wrapped around me as Jesse helps him get me into the car. I’m so tired it’s almost hard to keep my eyes open.

I can hear Twisted’s voice. “Make sure Doc is there and waiting. We are in the truck now.”

He sounds far away when I can feel that he’s right next to me.

“Nikki, open your eyes.” I try but I only get about halfway before they close again. “Jess, get there. Now.”

He pulls me close to him. He’s talking but his words sound muffled, almost like that teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoons. I can’t make out what he’s saying. I let myself relax against him. I’m finally safe.

***

Someone is poking at me.

An unfamiliar hand wearing what feels like gloves.

My head feels heavy.

That’s when I feel in.

A hand. I scream as he tries to violate me.

I can’t take any more of this.

Hands grab my arms holding me to the bed. “Nikki, it's okay, babe. Doc is it necessary?”

“Yes, I need to check how far she is and make sure everything is okay.” A strange voice answers.

“Babe, it’s me. You’re safe. You gotta let Doc check you out.” A familiar voice is talking to me.

I fight with my eyes to open. Twisted is standing next to me. His hand squeezes mine. I look down at my feet and see an older man in a white coat. He takes off the gloves on his hands, one by one.

“She’s lucky. Aside from cosmetic bruises, she’s just dehydrated. However if you don’t keep her hydrated then this could get bad, especially in her position. The baby seems fine from what I can tell, but you need to get her to an OB.” He gives me a small smile.

“Thanks, Doc.” Twisted says next to me.

He nods at us before leaving the room.

I look over at him seeing bruising on his torso. “What happened?” My voice is hoarse and weak.

“I got you back is what happened. You need to sleep. We can talk more after. Get some rest and I’ll be back in a little.” He places a kiss on my lips before brushing my cheek with his fingers.

I try to stay awake but I can’t help falling back asleep.

***

I wake up frantic.

Was it all a dream?

Does he still have me?

I sit up quickly in bed, my chest heaving from anxiety.

Twisted is sitting in a chair in the corner, his head is resting on the back of the chair and his eyes are closed. The pain in my chest eases as I realize that it was all real.

I suddenly have an intense need to pee. The thought of using a real bathroom seems like heaven. I stand up shakily feeling dizzy. After a minute I gain my bearings and walk out into the hallway.

One of these doors has to be the bathroom. I finally find it after four failed attempts.

I go, and then assess myself in the mirror. I’m a mess. My hair is knotted to the point that I swear I might just need to chop it all off. At least I’m here and safe.

The door flies open and Twisted is standing there, a panicked look on his face.

“Why didn’t you wake me up? I would have carried you here.” He bends down scooping me up and taking me back to the room.

“I could have walked you know.” I laugh but his face is telling me he doesn’t see any humor in it.

“No. Hear me now. You will not pull this independent bullshit on me. I almost fucking lost you because you were too stubborn to ask me for help. You are carrying my baby and if I want to carry you to the bathroom then I’ll fucking do it. I died every single day that you were at that place. I didn’t sleep thinking of what could be happening. It all could have been prevented if you would have just come to me. So no goddamn arguments.” I reach up and pull his face down to mine giving him a kiss. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”

I sigh. “I don’t know. I thought with all the club rules it wouldn’t have done any good. I wanted to be able to enjoy my time with you so I could have something to hold onto when he came back.” My body shudders at the thought of Ammo. “What happened? How did you get hurt? How did you get me back?”

“Preacher and that asshole refused to give you back. They claimed you as property. Ammo being the cocky jackass he was challenged me to a fight. Little did he know I would have Jesse training me. The night I got you we fought. I swear for a second I thought he had me. I was able to flip him over and apparently they said the way he landed snapped his neck. He’s gone.” He doesn’t look at me as he retells the story.

He fought, for me. He told me that he never fights because it took him back to his past. He faced his demons to save me from mine.

“Your turn. What happened in there? It’s been killing me to have all the possibilities running through my head. I need to know. I saw the dead club whore. I’m guessing that’s the one you had call Tracie?” I nod. “What happened to you?” His hand cups my face.

My stomach turns as I recount the things that happened. I tell him about Ammo, but I leave out the part about all of the other brothers. He would want to go after them. To take on every brother who hurt me. It would cause a war. There has already been enough violence that I don’t want to cause anymore.

“Did you know you were pregnant when you left?”

I shake my head. “I figured it out when I was there. The smell of food was making me sick and I couldn’t stop throwing up. I didn’t want them to know though. I hope you know I didn’t plan it.”

“I know that, but you are and now we’re gonna be parents.” He laughs and shakes his head. “Poor kid.”

I nudge him. “What are you talking about? I’m gonna be a fantastic fucking mother.”

We both laugh until I’m silenced by his kiss.

“I fucking love you, firecracker.”

My heart stops. I knew I felt that but I didn’t imagine hearing him say it.

“Eh, you’re okay.” He scowls at me. “I love you.”

I kiss him again as he climbs into bed with me.

We fall asleep, his hand on my belly.