Devoted (12 page)

CHAPTER 28

Blake

My heart lurches in my chest as a shot rings out through the otherwise silent night. Before I can react, Dad is on his feet, rushing towards the door. Wasting no time, I chase after him, my pulse racing.

It takes mere seconds to exit the building, but seems to take a lifetime to make our way across the yard. With my pistol in hand, I rush past my father, stopping only when I reach the front door to the mill. Looking over my shoulder, he nods at me, silently giving me the OK to take the lead.

Reaching for the handle, I jerk the door open, letting it slam unmercifully into the wall behind it. With my gun trained in front of me, I cautiously enter the room with my father on my heels.

Nothing.

Slightly lowering my piece, I spot a path of footprints on the dust laden floor. My heart is racing as I follow the breadcrumb trail laid out for us and make my way down the dimly lit hall, stopping only when I see the footprints end.

Releasing a silent breath, I reach for the doorknob to find it locked. Peering over my shoulder, I see dad silently giving me the OK. Taking a step back, he lines the barrel of his pistol up with the center of the door, waiting for me to make my move. With one foot planted firmly on the floor, I grasp the door frame and thrust the other foot forward, slamming it into the wooden barrier. It splinters upon impact, shards of wood cascading around me. As I step through the threshold, my eyes land on her.

There is a moment of relief etching her face when our eyes meet but it’s quickly replaced with sheer terror as Flame presses the barrel of his .45 to her head. Only when I hear the soft whimper coming from beside her do my eyes hone in on my sister.

The scene in front of me is worse than any nightmare. As Jess presses the blade of her knife against Bethany’s throat, my anger turns to rage.

“This is why she’s here,” Jess seethes, looking at Flame from the corner of her eyes before turning her focus on me. “Don’t look so shocked, Blake. I knew you’d come after her.”

“You sick fuckin’ bitch,” I growl, taking a step towards them.

“I don’t even know what you see in her, but maybe I’m not giving Rattletop enough credit,” she shrugs, grinning at me. “That’s it, isn’t it? She’s a good fuckin’ lay.”

“She’s you’re fuckin’ daughter!” I roar, lunging towards her, only to stop when I see Jess begin to drag the blade slowly across the tender flesh of Bethany’s throat, causing her to scream out in pain. “Let her go,” I say through clenched teeth.

“I have no intention of hurting your sweet little sister,” she smirks as she eyes Flame. “Unless you force me to.”

Peering over my shoulder, I look to my father for guidance only to find out I’m alone. 

“She’s not worth it,” Flame pipes in, forcing my attention on him. His finger sits firmly on the trigger, the barrel digging into Bella’s temple. “It’s your choice Rebel. Fight for Bella, and they both lose.”

Hesitantly, I lower my piece, my head following its path. He’s giving me a choice, one I don’t want to make. Without even thinking, I’ve unwillingly made that decision.

“Smart move,” Flame sneers, slowly pulling back his piece, the barrel still pointed at Bella’s head. He nods at Jess who quickly lowers the knife from Bethany’s neck. My eyes zone in on the superficial cut to her flesh, but it is the fear in her eyes that grips me.

“Go to him!” Flame roars, causing Bethany to flinch. She gives one last sympathetic look at Bella before scrambling to her feet and rushing towards me.

When her face is buried in my chest, only then does Bethany completely break down. Shaking uncontrollably, she clings to me as though I’m her salvation, but all I can see is the hurt that now resides in Bella’s eyes.
Because of me. Because of the choice I was forced to make.

But I refuse to let it end this way. Suddenly I catch sight of my father as he silently makes his way into the room.  “I need you to go to Viper,” I whisper into Bethany’s ear.

Lifting her head, Bethany’s eyes reach mine, searching them for an explanation.

“You need to trust me Bethy,” I murmur.

Hesitantly, she pulls away, giving me a knowing nod. When Bethany rushes towards my father, I am finally able to make my move. Lifting my pistol, I fire a shot just as Flame points his piece at my sister, the bullet finding its mark, shredding through Flame’s shoulder. The gun he is holding drops to his feet as he falls to his knees, his hand gripping the fresh wound.

“Flame!” Jess shouts out. Forgetting all about her intended target, she rushes towards Bella. “You did this!” Before I can react, the blade slices through Bella’s skin. She cries out as Jess plunges the knife in further, until only the handle is visible.

Her eyes widen as a trickle of blood slides down like a tear from the corner of her mouth. I am unable to move or speak as I watch Bella reach up towards her mother. 

“I forgive you,” she whispers as she falls to the floor, staring up into her mother’s eyes.

“I wanted to love you,” Jess replies, smiling down at her. “I even tried, but some things were never meant to be.”

“I know,” Bella murmurs, turning her face so that her eyes lock with mine, a single tear trailing down her face. As Jess pulls the knife from Bella’s chest, I react, lunging towards her, driving my blade into Jess’s skull.

“Some people were never meant to be loved,” Bella breathes before letting the darkness consume her.

Dropping to my knees, I toss Jess’s lifeless body aside. A barrage of tears stream down my face as I look down at Bella’s limp form, pulling her into my lap. “You can’t do this to me Bella,” I whisper, the sounds of sirens echoing in the background.

CHAPTER 29
Bella

Two Months Later

“You were born a protector, a guardian for the people in your life. From your mother to your sister, and now Bella, you were willing to take whatever was being thrown at them, absorbing every blow to prevent them from being hurt. It is a trait that will forever be with you.”

Instinctively, my hand reaches up, covering the scar hidden beneath my shirt. There’s not a doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be sitting here today if not for Blake. He is my protector, my savior, my love… my everything.

The corners of my lips lift into a smile as I stare straight ahead, my eyes locked on Blake as he takes the cut from Tank’s extended hand. He’s waited for this day his entire lifetime and he finally made it, just like I always knew he would.

Shield
. It’s going to take some time for me to get used to hearing that, but I can’t think of a more fitting road name for the man who would risk everything to save the ones he loves.

“I guess this makes you his ol’ lady,” Bethany chuckles from beside me, sounding like her old self.

“Bite me,” I giggle, my eyes never leaving Blake.

The room suddenly erupts into a chorus of deafening cheers and only when everyone starts to make their way over to Blake to congratulate him do I dare tear my gaze away.

“Are you OK?” I whisper, looking over at Bethany with concern.

Her eyes immediately sadden. “I don’t think I’ll be ever be OK,” she says in a hushed tone, quickly looking away. “You didn’t tell Blake, did you?’

“No, but…”

“You can’t,” she says, forcefully. “You promised.”

“I know,” I whisper, wishing I could take it back. “But you also promised you would talk to Blake and you haven’t. You can’t pretend it didn’t happen, Bethany. Trust me on this.”

“I know it happened. I was there.”

“So you’re just gonna let him get away with it? If you won’t talk to your mom or Blake, then go to the police.”

“And tell them what? It’s not a big deal, Bella. Things like this happen. I was stupid and never should’ve gone out in the first place.” Her eyes fill with unshed tears as she speaks. “At least this time I’m the one who got hurt instead of someone else,” she mutters almost under her breath.

“It is a big deal,” I say with conviction. I know Bella blames herself for her father getting shot. She even places blame on herself for my injuries, and nothing I say will convince her it wasn’t her fault. “You need to talk to someone.”

“I am talking to someone or don’t you count?”

“That’s not what I mean and you know it. What if he does this to someone else? Won’t you feel guilty?”

“I know you’re trying to help Bella, but please stop. I promise I’ll talk to Blake, but you have to give me some time. Right now, I just want to celebrate my brother’s big day. OK?”

Biting the inside of my cheek hard, I simply nod my head. I know that look. It’s the same look I had when I first came here. Bethany has no plans on telling anyone but me… and only because she trusts me. Because she knows the truth about what happened to me.

“And will you stop looking at me like that or else everyone’s gonna know something’s up,” she says as she stands, her eyes locking on Taze. “Remember, you promised me,” she adds before crossing the room.

“Yeah, I did,” I whisper, overwhelmed by guilt. Promises aren’t meant to be broken. I’ve always believed that and in any other circumstance I wouldn’t even contemplate telling Blake. But this secret will ultimately destroy her and I can’t allow that to happen, especially with everything else going on in her life.

Pushing aside all guilt, I rise from my seat, I make my way over to Blake just as Viper walks away.

“Now that you’re a badass biker, you’re not going to forget all about me, are you?” I say, sneaking up behind Blake. Linking my arm in his, I smile up at him, all but forgetting about Bethany.
Now’s not the time
, I say to myself as I stare up into his steely gray eyes. 

“Never,” he grins. “You get to be my ol’ lady.”

“Still not sure I like the sound of that. Being your property and all,” I smirk. As long as I’m by his side, he can call me whatever he wants.

“How about just being my wife then?”

“I like the sound of that,” I breathe, staring up at him in wonder. I would love nothing more than to become Mrs. Blake Andrews, but I don’t need a ring to tell me I’m his. I see it every day in his smile, his eyes, and his heart.

Draping his arm protectively over my shoulder, he pulls me tightly to him. “Me too, babe.”

Curling into his side, we make our way across the room to one of the corner tables. Taking a seat in the empty chair, Blake pulls me into his lap.

“What are you thinking?” I ask, leaning into him.

“Just that true love doesn't happen by chance, and it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be real.”

“Like with us. It wasn't by chance that your mother was there with me in that place. Someone had a hand in it,” I whisper as I turn in his lap until I am facing him. “True love is the only thing in this world that takes away the pain.”

Blake says nothing, his eyes telling me everything I need to hear.

“Do you think we’ll have what they do one day?” I ask, my gaze falling on Viper and Jade.

“We already do,” he says, planting his chin on my shoulder.

“I’m talking about years from now. The way they look at each other, they are more like newlyweds than a couple that has been together for so many years.”

“What they have is undying love and commitment. Something that few achieve but everyone wishes for. Neither would be complete without the other, like you and me. That’s how I know you’re the one, because I would lose a part of me if you weren’t in my life.”

“Well I’m not going anywhere,” I say, smiling down at him. “I love you.”

“I love you too, babe. Always and forever.” The words barely escape his mouth before his lips are crashing onto mine. When he pulls away, I can barely breathe.

I stare into his steely gray eyes, my entire future reflected in them. Together we forged a love that will withstand the test of time. Two hearts beating as one, until the end of time.

“Let’s get out of here,” he murmurs as he rises to his feet, lifting me in his arms.

“This is your party! Don't you think they’ll notice if the guest of honor disappears?”

“Nah, this was for them just as much as it was for me. And besides, they’ll understand if I want to be alone with my woman,” he says, lowering me to the ground.

“Congratulations again. I know this is what you’ve always wanted,” I smile up at him.

“You’re wrong again,” he whispers, pressing his lips to mine. “Because all I have ever wanted and everything I need is standing right in front of me...” he murmurs before claiming my lips once again.