Tormented (25 page)

E
va’s reticence to tell me what upset her so badly cut me to the quick. The flash of fear that had passed over her face when I’d mentioned Parker’s name told me all I suspected was most likely true. Even if she wouldn’t admit it, I already had the answer.

The motherfucker had hurt my girl. I’d seen many abductions throughout the years, and it was rare that a woman wasn’t abused while being held captive. Men were filthy dogs. Given the opportunity, they abused the power they had just because they could.

My blood boiled and rage filled me. I wanted to yank Parker’s dick off and feed it to the dogs. He was going to pay dearly, and I wouldn’t rest until justice was done.

Ryder rapped his knuckles on the door again. “Dude, the plane is waiting. Let’s go.”

My shoulders stiffened. I hated interruptions. “We’re on our way. I’ll bring Eva,” I yelled back.

“Open the fucking door,” Ryder demanded.

I let go of Eva’s wrists and went to let Ryder in. He was as protective of Eva as I was of Jade, so although it annoyed the fuck out of me, I understood exactly where he was coming from.

Jerking the door open, I stared into his worried face. “Is Eva okay?”

His gaze shot to where she sat on the bed, tear stains evident on her cheeks. She crossed her arms over her chest to hide her nipples from Ryder. She looked so damn vulnerable that I just wanted to fold her into my arms and kiss the shit out of her, telling her it was all going to be alright. Instead, I had Ryder glaring at me as if I were the monster.

“Fuck, you’ve upset her. And why isn’t she dressed?” he growled as he entered the room. “I think you should leave. I’ll wait for her.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but perhaps he was right. Maybe he could get out of Eva what I couldn’t. If Ryder found out what exactly had happened to her, I’d be satisfied that justice would be served because Ryder would leave no stone unturned to avenge the wrongs done to his family.

“Eva, what do you want, baby?” I kept my voice even and calm.

“I’ll change and come with Ryder.”

My heart fell to my stomach. I didn’t want to be far away from her, but I respected her wishes. At least she’d be safe with the biker and I could catch up with Savage on what the latest was with our detainees.

I left the room and closed the door behind me. So what if everyone had to wait a while before we took off? Eva’s wellbeing was the most important thing. The others could just wait until she was ready.

What I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall. Especially if she told Ryder that I’d asked her to marry me. His reaction would be priceless.

I found Savage and pulled him aside. “I suspect Parker couldn’t keep his dick to himself,” I said, staying as calm as I could under the circumstances. We weren’t just talking about any victim—we were talking about my woman, and it tore my insides up that she’d been through such an ordeal.

It was all my fault.

If I’d answered her calls, been there when she needed me, it would never have happened. Just when I finally thought I could redeem myself, something as horrific as that happened to the woman I love.

My heart squeezed and a deep ache settled there. An ache not only for myself, but for Eva too.

I was fucked, destined to never find happiness because all I caused was tragedy to the people I loved most. Amy. Jade. And now Eva.

Savage placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “I know. Idiot bragged about it, trying to prove that he had ownership of Eva.”

It was like a punch in the gut. When it had been a suspicion only, the possibility existed that it didn’t happen. Being right never felt so fucking bad. I sunk down to my haunches, the contents of my stomach swirling around until they shot from my mouth like a projectile.

My poor baby. What hell she must have gone through. If only I could undo it all, reverse time and change the outcome. I’d give my life to take the horror away from her.

“The bastard is going to die. He doesn’t deserve to breathe.” I wiped the saliva dribbling from the sides of my mouth with the back of my hand.

“You can’t take the law into your own hands, Harrison. You made an oath.”

“Fuck that. And I quit, remember?” I spat the bad taste out of my mouth and pushed back up onto my feet, standing tall.

“That’s a mistake, man. You don’t mean it.”

Squinting, I stared at my partner. I meant every fucking word, and even more so after confirming my suspicions. I clenched and unclenched my fists as I imagined what I was going to do to the precious Senator.

“Razor made a joke some time back that I’d be an asset to the MC club. He may just be fucking right. Maybe that’s exactly where I belong—righting the wrongs of the world as a vigilante. Wiping out fuckers who got away with murder because of their position in life.”

“Okay, now I know you are screwing with me. Either that or you have jungle fever and are delirious. The man I’ve known for most of my life would never consider doing that.”

“Well maybe that man is an asshole who was on the wrong team.”

Savage surprised me with his answer. “There’s no harm in reassessing your life. Things change, and you gotta do what works for you.”

“Exactly. I want different things now I have Eva.” I scrubbed a hand over my face and looked him squarely in the eyes. “I asked her to marry me, Lucas. She said
yes
.”

“Jesus, congrats, buddy. You didn’t waste time, did you?”

I chuckled. “Nope. But I’m not sure it will work out. What if she changes her mind?”

Savage had a puzzled look on his face. He cocked his head. “Why would she? She said yes, didn’t she?”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “I don’t know. Just a strange sensation I got afterwards when she was crying. As if she were deliberately pushing me away. She wouldn’t let me touch her in a sexual way either. I’m worried as fuck.”

“You wanted sex after what the woman has been through? You are a crazy fucker.”

I didn’t want to come off as a complete jerk, but I couldn’t lie to my partner. “Well yes, I always want sex with Eva. I can’t help myself. Especially after being away from her for so long.” I swiped the back of my neck and stared at my boots. “She closed herself off to me. It cut me like a knife that she wouldn’t confide in me or really let me touch her. Especially if she is planning to be my wife.”

“She’s going to need therapy, and a lot of understanding from you. For once, you’re gonna have to forget about your dick and focus on her.”

“You say that as if I only care about my own needs. Of course Eva comes first. I’ll do anything she wants just as long as she keeps her promise.”

“Fuck, I nearly feel sorry for you. But I’m glad you found a woman that has brought you back to life. You’ve been M.I.A. for a fucking long time.” Savage scratched his chin. “But I’m still not buying the MC talk. That’s just fucking ludicrous.”

A few days ago, I wouldn’t have believed it either. But sometimes in life, a switch flips and suddenly everything is shown in a different light.

I guess what they say is true: never say never.

W
hile Ryder followed Harrison to the door and locked it behind him, I grabbed the clothes off the bed and disappeared into the bathroom to change. The top and skirt were slightly loose on me, and I realized that I must have lost some weight since it was the size I always wore. I raked my fingers through my hair and glanced at the gaunt features staring back at me from the mirror.

My eyes looked too big for my face and my collarbone was more prominent than usual. I pushed my arms through the sleeves of the cardigan and wrapped it around my body while shooting up a
thank you
to Sofia. Even though it was hot and balmy outdoors, I was shivering inside right to my bones, and I just couldn’t get warm in the air-conditioned room.

As I emerged from the bathroom, Ryder took a few steps closer to me, and I could see the concern in his eyes.

“Did Summers hurt you?”

I shook my head as a fresh stream of tears coursed down my cheeks and my lips quivered.

I hate being a blubbering mess.

Ryder pulled me into his arms. I let him hold me as I sobbed my heart out, letting go of the fear and anguish I’d held on to while trying to be strong. My brother stroked my hair and kissed my forehead and quietly told me that everything would be okay. I wanted to believe him so badly, but what if he was wrong?

Eventually, my tears subsided and the sobs racking my body stopped. I pulled away from Ryder, casting my eyes down to hide my embarrassment.

“Look at me, Eva.” Cagey, I lifted my head and met his gaze. His thumbs gently brushed over my cheeks and he gave me a smile that reached all the way to his eyes. “It fucking kills me to see you crying. How can I help? I’m happy to cut Summers’ balls off if that’s what you want. Just name it, Sis. I’ll do anything to make you smile again.”

The funny thing was that Ryder was perfectly serious.

“God, I’m so lucky to have you. But no, that’s not what I want.”

“What then? Just name it.”

“Well, there is something.” I paused and took a deep breath. “I want you to be happy for me.”

“Huh?” The confusion on his face was priceless. “I don’t get it.”

“Harrison asked me to marry him. I said yes. Please be happy for us,” I pleaded. I didn’t think I’d care what anyone else thought, but it mattered to me that Ryder was okay with it.

“Fuck . . . I’m really at a loss for words.” The smile disappeared, but the warmth remained in his eyes as they searched mine. “Is it really what you want? You love him?”

“Yes, I do. I love him, warts and all.”

“Yeah, I understand that. Love has a way to knock you on your ass. I never wanted it, but love found me in the form of a sassy blonde I couldn’t resist. Now I can’t imagine life without her, so I get it.”

“We have your blessing?”

“That’s putting it a bit strongly.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Let’s just say I’ll give him a chance to prove himself as the right man for you. But I’ll be watching him. One wrong move and he gets to deal with me.”

Leaning forward, I planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks,” I whispered. It was comforting to know that Ryder had my back.

Gripping both my shoulders, Ryder narrowed his eyes and asked, “What were all those sad tears about, Eva? That had nothing to do with Harrison’s proposal, did it?”

“If I’m honest, I’ll admit it did. I’m so scared he won’t want me any longer when he finds out—” I choked and went silent. Talking about my fears was harder than I’d imagined.

Ryder sat on the sofa by the window and patted the seat next to him for me to sit.

“Explain. This part I’m not getting,” he said.

I rubbed at my chest. “Something terrible happened.”

His brows knitted together, and his jaw clenched. “Carry on.”

“I . . . um . . . Nolan . . .” My voice faltered again and the lump in my throat sat there, refusing to budge. I avoided Ryder’s eyes, keeping mine cast down and letting my hair hang over my face like a curtain.

“Nolan?” Ryder let out a long breath. “Tell me what he did.”

The words refused to leave my mouth as tears welled up in my eyes again. Sweat broke out on my skin, and I rubbed my clammy hands on my skirt.

Ryder gritted his teeth. “Eva, did he fucking rape you?”

I nodded. Heat spread from my chest to my cheeks, and I involuntarily clamped my thighs together as shame washed over me.

“Fucking pig!”

Both the anger and volume of his voice startled me.

Ryder jumped up from the sofa and slammed his fist into the wall. “I’m gonna kill the dirty pig with my bare hands.”

“Ryder, calm down. I don’t want anyone else to know. Please don’t tell Harrison.”

“I don’t understand why not. Summers will want to skin the bastard alive when he finds out. We’ll be on the same side again, but we’ll be fighting about who gets the honor of ending that miserable fuck’s life.”

My hand flew to my throat. “Please don’t do anything silly. You’ll go to jail—Nolan isn’t worth it. That’s why I won’t tell Harrison. He’s bound to have the same reaction as you, and the last thing I want is for either of you to rot in jail because of Nolan’s crime.”

Ryder’s eye started twitching. Fuck. I hated when that happened.

“You can’t hide this from Summers. Not if you’re serious about marrying him.”

“Please, I don’t want anything bad to happen to either of you. Nolan already tried to get rid of Harrison by sending him on a dangerous mission. God knows what will happen to my fiancé if things get out of hand. I’m keeping this between us for now to
protect
Harrison. When we get back to LA I will report to the authorities and get myself checked out. They’ll help me deal with it in a professional manner and know what the best way is to go forward. ”

“No way that’s going to work. Summers is smarter than you’re giving him credit for. He’s going to figure it out and go ape-shit crazy. Let me handle this, okay?”

Nausea pushed up into my throat. This was a cluster-fuck of events, and I couldn’t see a good outcome however I looked at it.

Ryder came back to where I sat and pulled me into a hug. “Listen, I’m sorry about the outburst and if I scared you. Are you okay in all of this? Because right now, that’s the most important thing, even though I acted all crazy when you told me.”

I folded my hands in my lap and gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile. Heaven forbid I tell him that it was unprotected sex. “I’m okay. It was horrible at the time and I wanted to die, but I’m a fighter and I can handle this.”

“You’re a strong woman, but this wasn’t your fault . . . you understand that, yeah? We’re going to make sure you get the best treatment when we get back to LA.”

I placed my hand on his arm. “Of course this means you can’t tell Jade either. Not because I don’t trust her, but the less people who know the better. I’ll see a doctor and a therapist, because I know I need to, but other than that—”

“So you’re going to let the senator get away with it? You’re not going to press charges or expose him for the fucking bastard he is?”