Making the Cut (35 page)

“I can’t promise you I’m going to be a choirboy, that’ll never be me. But I am getting the club away from any kind of business that could get you hurt, cause I am never putting you in danger again for as long as I fucken live. And I intend that to be a good long while, so I can make my life with you, put a ring on your finger, my babies in your belly.”

My breath left me in a whoosh, this was a shit ton of information to take in at one go. Babies? Marriage? I had never even considered this, my life having been focused on my career, my friends. Now I had this declaration on the side of the road after being kidnapped and beaten, this day was definitely crazy. I gazed into Cade’s eyes, not knowing how to reply but somehow knowing I wanted all of that with him. I didn’t know what to say so I kissed him. He complied for a moment before gently pulling away.

“Gwen your lip, I’ll hurt you.” He sounded conflicted, I could see the desire in his eyes, the same need that I had to be close to him, to connect with him.

“I don’t care.” I whispered against his mouth, resuming the kiss. His reservations forgotten, Cade attacked my mouth with a ferocity that I had never experienced. It was beyond a kiss, it was a promise, a claim. I ignored the pain in my lip he pushed me back against the car, mouth never leaving mine. I felt his hardness pressing up against me and I moaned, wrapping myself against him even tighter.

Cade stopped the kiss, eyes on mine. “Jesus Gwen, fuck.” He shook his head slightly as if he was trying to get his thoughts straight.

“As much as I would love to get inside you, I am not doing it on the side of a road, with you hurt, we need to get you to a hospital.”

I gave a little mew of protest as he deposited me back in my seat, he smiled, it was tight and his eyes were stormy but it was a smile.

Cade got back into the car, getting us back on the road home. I looked over at him, he had one hand on the wheel, the other lay on my bare thigh.

“Honey I know the concern you have for me comes from a place of love, but can we maybe skip the hospital visit? It’s just a couple of bruises, nothing that Ibuprofen and a bottle of wine can’t fix.” I attempted to sound breezy, but my voice was shaky. I wasn’t going to deny that I was hanging on by a thread, I had been kidnapped and beaten by murderers for Christ’s sake, that was kind of scary. But I also knew I wanted to steer clear of hospitals, not only due to the fact I fucking hated those places, but I was scared at the memories those sterile walls might uncover.

“A couple of bruises?” Cade replied quietly, his knuckles were white on the steering wheel. “Look in the fucking mirror Gwen. Half of your face is swollen and bruised, your lip is busted. Best case scenario is your ribs are badly bruised, but they’re more likely cracked so you’re going to the hospital. And you’re staying there until someone can assure me beyond a shadow of a fucking doubt you will make a full recovery, in addition to prescribing painkillers that numb everything down to a broken fuckin fingernail.” His tone brokered no argument.

“Okay I get your need to protect me, and your alpha male blood is probably boiling right now but I
hate
hospitals. Not just because they are full of germs and death, or because the bed sheets are as scratchy as a fleabag motels, don’t even get me started on the gowns. I could get over all of that to give you peace of mind, but I just can’t go into another hospital, not after spending weeks in one a year ago, I don’t think I can stand being the victim again. Please Cade.” I knew my tone might have bordered on pathetic but I would rather wear Crocs for a month than be back in a hospital bed.

Cade glanced at me, I knew he was battling internally, and I’m sure my puppy dog eyes didn’t help his struggle, but they helped mine.

“I’m getting a doctor to meet us at your place, he can check you over there, but if he even thinks you might need a hospital visit you will be going.” He sighed as if he was dealing with a child who didn’t want to have a nap.

“Thanks Cade.” I replied quietly, placing my hand atop his.

The hand at my thigh squeezed. “Sure baby. We can’t have my precious princess in scratchy sheets.” A hint of teasing was in his voice.

Now that that was settled, my mind wandered to some important points. “Okay, Um Cade?” I asked hesitantly.

“Yeah babe?” He answered, eyes back on the road.

I fiddled my hands together, trying to ignore the throbbing in my face.

“Some pretty heavy shit happened back there, I was kind of kidnapped, and you and the boys killed those men.” My voice was quiet, almost trembling.

Cade didn’t say anything, his hand was still tight on my thigh, fury seemed to pulse through the cabin of the truck.

“Aren’t we going to call the police?” I asked, “I mean, I don’t think you guys will get in trouble for shooting those men, it was self defense and all.” I added quickly, but I knew the chances of the club letting law enforcement know they had killed three rival gang member’s was slim to none. I didn’t know how to get right with that, even though these men were evil, I was struggling. Because at the same time, a small part of me was glad they were dead after what they did to Laurie, and most likely other women.

“Already called them.” Cade replied and I blinked.

“Really?”

“Yeah babe, really. Called Crawford the second I found out you were gone. Wanted every available man looking for you.” He glanced at me, “You’re the most precious thing in my world, I love the club, but there’s no competition. Your safety is everything to me. After today, boys will be questioning the way we do business. We aren’t losing another woman.” His tone was determined.

I squeezed his hand. “You haven’t lost me. I’m right here.”

He brought our intertwined hands together and kissed mine.

“What do I tell the police though?” I asked.

I was very conflicted about lying to the police. Those men were evil, there was no doubt about that but I couldn’t get right with the fact they were dead. Things were spiraling, I really hoped this wouldn’t be my life, lying to the police, covering up murders. And I was a terrible liar, I could never tell a lie, my family would always see right through it. So would the police for that matter. When I was 15 I got caught by the cops drinking by the river. When they had asked my name and age I had replied, “Jane Miller, 20 years old.” I had also managed to blather on about how I was here on holiday from Australia, all the time talking in a terrible accent. They didn’t buy it, maybe because my accent sucked, or maybe because one of the cops was my Dad’s friend and had known me since I was five. I had been a little too tipsy to realize that. I brought myself a months grounding with that lie. I feared the consequences could be much worse if I was to lie badly this time around.

“Fuck baby. I would never ask this of you unless I had to, I hate dragging you into this shit. I promise I will fix everything. This isn’t going to be your life, I’ll make sure of it.” His eyes were blazing on mine, silently apologetic.

“Okay, just tell me what I need to say. I’ll try my best not to put on an accent.” I mumbled.

“I was going out the back to put the money in the safe when I saw the back door was open. I knew something wasn’t right so I started to yell but he was there. He was bald, had a spider tattoo crawling up his neck and a scar underneath his eye. His whole face was tattooed actually. He touched me with something, a Taser I guess cause then it all went black.”

Cade was stiff beside me as I recounted what happened. My voice was unusually strong, I think it had something to do with the man who had refused to let me go since we had arrived home. Luke was already there waiting for us, Cade insisted on paramedics checking me out before I said a word. There was nothing seriously wrong with me apart from the fact I was going to have one hell of shiner for the next couple of days. And I would have an uncomfortable mid section for a couple of weeks until my ribs healed.

“I woke up tied to the ceiling, I don’t remember getting there. All I remember is seeing that man and then everything goes black.” I explained to Luke, who was sitting in my living room with a tight expression on his face, writing this down on a notepad. The sheriff whom I had only just met was sitting beside him. He was an older man, who looked tired and jaded. His grey hair was thinning, and he had a slight paunch hanging over his belt. His eyes were kind though.

“When I woke up, he was there with two other men.” I paused, “He said something about Laurie.” I continued and I heard Cade’s sharp intake of breath. Luke’s face turned stormy, I tell them what he said quickly, the energy in the room electric.

“That’s when I kneed the bastard in the nuts.” This earned a kiss on the head from Cade, a tender look from Luke and a smirk from the Sheriff.

“He had some pliers and was going to pull my teeth out, I must’ve fainted then I guess. The next thing I remember is Cade pulling me down.” I smiled up at him, his eyes intense on mine.

“I knew you would come for me.” I whispered and his face changed to a fiercely possessive expression, which made my body tingle, despite the circumstances.

He didn’t say a word, just cupped my face in his hands. His lips lightly touched mine, carefully brushing over my split lip.

I turned my head back to Luke, who had a blank expression on his face.

“And how did you know where Gwen was?” He asked Cade, voice professional but tight.

I glanced back at Cade, realizing I hadn’t even asked him this myself.

“Had a friend keeping an eye on neighborhoods where the Spider’s frequented. Spotted them carrying Gwen into a house, got lucky.” Cade’s reply was terse.

Luke’s face threatened to change from the blank expression he was wearing.

“And why didn’t you call us the second you found out where Gwen was?” His voice was definitely not professional now, there was no disguising the anger in his tone.

“I wasn’t real keen on wasting time, considering I knew what these guys could be doing to Gwen.” Cade’s voice was hard, but he ran his hand down my cheek and lightly across my bruised skin.

“I obviously didn’t get there fast enough. Got to the house, place was empty apart from the garage. That’s where they had Gwen hanging from the ceiling in her underwear.”

The energy in the room turned wired, as I watched both of the policemen’s expressions tightened, looking at me with concern and anger.

Luke seemed to check himself. “You with anyone?”

Cade nodded. “Brock was with me when I got the call.”

I wondered why he left Bull out.

“And was anyone else there when you two arrived?” Luke asked.

“No, they must’ve heard us arrive. Bolted just as we got there.” Cade lied smoothly.

Luke raised a disbelieving eyebrow. “And you didn’t give chase? You just let the men who kidnapped your ‘Old Lady’ get away.”

Cade’s body went tight. “I was more concerned that my woman was hanging from the ceiling beaten, half naked and unconscious.” Cade bit out.

“You expect me to believe that you let the men who beat Gwen, who were most likely responsible for Laurie’s murder just run off? Especially when we got reports of an explosion at the compound of the Spider’s, with multiple fatalities.” Luke’s tone was accusing.

I straightened at his words. Multiple fatalities? Were the men that I had come to like and respect responsible for this? I was barely able to hide my tremble. This whole situation was snowballing into something I wasn’t sure I could deal with.

“I don’t give a shit what you believe Deputy. It’s the truth. As for the explosion, that’s the first I’m hearing about it, I’m not going to say I’m cut up about those rats being exterminated though.” He sounded convincing, I would’ve believed him, if I hadn’t seen what I had seen today.

Luke wasn’t at all convinced. “You think you’re untouchable, you can go around this town like the law doesn’t apply to you. I’m going to find proof that this was you, and I’m going to take you and your lowlife gang down.” He spat, eyes full of hatred.

“Good luck finding proof that doesn’t exist Crawford.” Cade was calm, expression hard.

Luke looked like he was going to say something else when the Sheriff stood.

“That’s enough Deputy, we have their statements. Miss Alexandra here has been through enough and doesn’t need this shit. She is back safe, thanks to Mr Fletcher. I have a feeling those bastards are long gone so the chances of finding the kidnappers are slim. We will look into it though.” The Sheriff gave Cade a meaningful glance before continuing.

“As for the explosion, that is not our jurisdiction, but the Sheriff over in Barnett is a buddy of mine. They have other suspects, who are not Mr Fletcher or any of his associates, as they all have alibis. I suggest you shut your mouth on that matter.”

Holy crap. This so sounded like the Sheriff was on the Son’s payroll. Luke got to his feet, looking murderous.

“You’ve got to be shitting me, you know this was them? Jesus are you seriously protecting these criminals?”

The Sheriff’s gaze turned dangerous, a quick change from the impassive look on his face moments before. “You watch what you’re saying son and remember who you are talking to. Stand down before I lose my temper.” The Sheriff ordered quietly.

Luke was quietly seething but he didn’t say a word, just held himself stiffly for a moment before turning to Cade and I. He glared at Cade but when he turned to me his fury had all but disappeared, a tender gaze looking more at home on his handsome face.