Forgiven: Ryder and Sawyer 3 (Fallen Idols Motorcycle Club Book 9) (4 page)

EIGHT

SAWYER

Pain radiated from behind my eyes as I blinked them open. Everything hurt. My head was fuzzy, but it slowly cleared, reminding me of everything that had happened. I tried to move my hands, but they were tied behind me. I attempted to straighten my legs so I could stand up, but they were bound at the ankles. The urge to scream consumed me, but it was muffled against the duct tape secured across my lips.

I didn’t know where I was, but it was dark and dingy, with a faint scent of salt water. Chills shot up my spine from the cold, hard ground. I pushed myself up, and my back smacked into a gate.

“Oh, look who finally decided to wake up,” Velasquez sneered.

A million awful thoughts ran through my mind, and I tried to scream at him, and tell him what kind of horrible piece of shit human being he was, but nothing got past the duct tape.

Velasquez laughed and then towered over me. His shadow was dark and soulless like him. He bent down until he was eye level with me.“If I take this off you, do you promise not to scream?”

I wanted to spit at him. Find a way to grab his gun, and splatter his fucking brains across the floor. But I was useless with no way to fight. Getting the tape off my mouth was one hurdle, so I nodded.

He tore the tape in one fast motion, ripping my skin, and sending sharp shooting pains through my lips and cheeks. A scream tore from my throat.

Velasquez shook his finger back and forth. “Now now. You made a promise.”

I glanced up, and looked deep into the blackness of his gaze, searching for the human being he once was. He had to be in there somewhere. Had to know that what he was doing was wrong. Maybe if I could reach that part of him, I could make him see the wrong in all of this.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked, refusing to blink or to look away from him.

“You cost me my job, my livelihood, my entire fucking life. No one will hire me now. Without a job, I can’t pay child support. And if I don’t pay, I can’t see my son.”

“So, you go against everything your job stands for, kill an innocent old man, kidnap me, and tie me up?”

“I search for justice, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

“Justice? Since when does two wrongs make a right?” I didn’t know if I was getting anywhere, but I had to keep talking. “So, justice is you becoming the type of person you despise: a heartless monster with no regard for the law. I thought you were better than this.”

A sinister look spread across his face. “Am I?”  He stood up and laughed. “Watching that bullet tore through that old bastard was the best feeling in the world. For years, I’ve been trying to take the Fallen Idols down, and they always managed to get out of it. Justice was finally served. You can’t get out of death now can you?”

I knew then there was no reasoning with him. He’d lost it. There was no hint of the half-decent person he once was.“You’re a sick fuck.”

He bent, getting right in my face. “And you’re a foul mouthed bitch who talks too much.”

“Better than being a cold blooded killer.”

“Okay, enough.” He grabbed the tape, and came at me. I twisted and turned my head, fighting him as best I could with no hands or legs to help. Pain shot through my head, as he grabbed my hair and yanked it back. With his other hand, he smacked the tape back across my lips, and then shoved my head away from him. “Now, that’s better.”

I fought the urge to gag, breathing in and out of my nose deeply as I tried to squelch the panic bubbling up. My voice was my only weapon, and now it was rendered useless. What the fuck was I going to do? He was either going to kill me, torture me, or leave me here to die.

Maybe Ryder would find me. A deep sickening ache twisted my stomach. What if Ryder didn’t care enough to try?  

NINE

RYDER

We parked our bikes at the warehouse, and jumped in the van. The last thing we wanted was for Velasquez to hear the rumble of our engines as we surrounded the joint. I grabbed hold of the wheel, and whipped out of the parking lot.

I focused on the road in front of me, pushing away every worst case scenario from my mind. The minute I let them in was the minute I’d lose my fucking mind. I couldn’t do that. Not until I knew Sawyer and our baby were safe.

I eased off the gas as we drew close to the old abandoned warehouse, and pulled off into the brush on the side of the road. I crept around back, and opened the rear doors. Trista and Blaze jumped out first, followed by Axel and Ace. Rev was last, his Glock held high and raring to go. Rogue and Bones stayed back at the Raven’s Nest to take care of Pops. Something else I wasn’t ready to deal with. The man was like a father to me, and now… I let the anger control me, and got ready to make our move.

Trista pointed to the three entrances. I tapped my chest, and then nodded to the back entrance. I hoped it was the best one to sneak up on the son of a bitch and knock him out fucking cold. I’d promised Axel the kill, and I’d give to him, but I wanted to be the one to get to Sawyer first.

We all nodded in agreement, and took off in different directions. Sweat pooled on my forehead, and, for the first time ever in my life, I was scared. Losing Sawyer to New York nearly broke me, but knowing she was still out there helped. If I got in this building, and Velasquez already finished her… that wasn’t something I’d be able to recover from.

She left Brooks Landing to escape the club and the lifestyle, and now she was smack dead in the worse possible scenario. Knowing she was carrying my baby, words couldn’t describe the fear I felt deep in my chest. I hated her for leaving. Hated her even more when I found out she was pregnant and took my son from me. But I got it now. This wasn’t the life for a child. She sacrificed our happiness to protect our son and... she made the right choice.

I pressed my back against the building and eyed the door. I sent up a silent prayer, and slid into the darkness. I gave my eyes a minute to adjust and then followed the wall.

“If you just would’ve taken my deal, none of this would’ve happened. Don’t you see? It’s. All. Your. Fault,” Velasquez’s words echoed throughout the building, and my teeth clenched at them.

I moved closer, coming up from behind. I glanced around and spotted Trista and Blaze off to the side, covering me. Axel and Bones slipped in through the front, and disappeared behind some barrels.

I could see Velasquez now. He was screaming down at the floor, spit flying from his mouth. I closed in on him, and my stomach twisted into knots when I saw Sawyer, gagged and bound, tears streaming down her beautiful face. Agony pulled tight across her delicate features. Fuck! I was going to kill him. My jaw ticked, and I lifted my gun to take the shot. I had a clear path to his fucking head, but, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Axel. The desire for revenge ingrained in his every fiber. I lowered my gun and waited until Velasquez turned away.

It felt like hours as I waited for my in, watching Sawyer fall apart before my very eyes. I needed to get to her. Take the pain away and hold her in my arms. Apologize and assure her everything would be all right.  

Velasquez spit at Sawyer, and rage devoured me, taking over my body. I stepped out from the shadows and made my move. He spun at my footsteps, aiming his gun right at my head. Shit. I acted on impulse, and didn’t wait for my in.

“So we meet again,” I growled, pointing my gun right back at him. If I had to guess, I’d be able to shoot him before he even had a chance to disengage his gun. I wanted so badly to look at Sawyer, so she could see in my eyes that I wasn’t leaving without her, but I couldn’t take my eyes off Velasquez. Not yet. Not until I knew we were both safe. “Little dramatic over losing your job. Don’t you think?”

Velasquez seethed with built up hostility, and I loved seeing the fire in his eyes. “I’m only just beginning,” he scoffed.

“Why don’t I make it easier for you? I’m the one you really want. The one who sent the evidence to your boss. The one who got you fired. So, take me and do whatever you want, but let her go.”

Velasquez laughed maniacally, and Sawyer cried, but her objections were muffled beneath the tape.

“You think I’m stupid? You could care less what happens to you, but I know damn well, seeing this pretty little thing.” He got down on his knees, and grabbed Sawyer’s hair, yanking it back, and pressing the barrel of his gun to her head.

My body shook, a storm so powerful I couldn’t control it. “Don’t you fucking touch her!”

He laughed again, tightening his grip on Sawyer’s hair. “She’s the only thing you care about. Eye for an eye. You took what I love, and now I take what you love,” he grounded out.

Tears streamed down Sawyer’s cheeks, and I wished I’d taken the fucking shot when I had it. My jaw clenched, and my finger pushed against the trigger. One shot, and the fucker would be dead, but what if, as I shot, he shot, too. It was a risk I wasn’t willing to take.

Sawyer’s gaze caught mine, and it nearly ripped my hearts to shreds. I didn’t want to speak. I refused to let Velasquez hear anything I had to say to the woman I loved. So, instead, I prayed that my message got across, through my eyes, as I held her gaze.

The clash of metal hitting concrete came from the left, and echoed through the building. Velasquez turned for the slightest of seconds, and I took advantage of the distraction. I dove at him, hand out, grabbing his gun as we went down hard.

I slammed his wrist into the ground, trying to break his hold on the gun. He lifted his knee, and nailed me right in the nuts.
Cheap shot, you fucking bastard.
Luckily for me, the rage outweighed the pain, and with one final smash to the ground, the gun fell loose.

Velasquez managed to free his other hand, and cold cocked me hard in the jaw. Heat radiated from the spot, and spread through my cheek. He rolled us over, and get on top of me. Sawyer’s cries filled the room, and I focused on getting the slimebag off of me so I could get to her.

Shadows flew past me, and I knew it was everyone else.  Sawyer was safe now. I managed to grab both of Velasquez’s wrists, but he fought back, pushing and pulling, trying to break free. His forehead came down forward, and I shoved him off of me.

Axel ran over, grabbing Velasquez by the collar, and dragging him off to do whatever he felt fit.

“Where’s Sawyer?” I screamed, searching the darkness for her.

“Right here,” she sniffed out.

I turned and ran to her. I cupped her cheeks, and looked straight into her eyes. “Are you okay?” I asked, searching her face for any sure signs of pain.

“I am now,” she cried, and fell into my arms.

Relief flooded me, and I held her tight, swearing to all that was holy that I’d never let her go again.

TEN

SAWYER

Ryder cradled me in his arms as we drove back to the warehouse. He ran his hand up and down my arm, shivers trailing every inch he traced.  I relished in his touch. I was so scared I’d never feel it again, and now I never wanted to be without it. The van was quiet, because even though there was the victory of rescuing me and getting Velasquez, Pops was still gone. A casualty that was far too hard for anyone to accept, let alone discuss out loud.

Back at the Raven’s Nest, the silence continued as we exited the van. I found comfort in the quiet, knowing we all were mourning the same person. No matter what we thought about each other, we all shared a common bond. Pops was loved by each and every one of us.

Bones brought me to the back, and examined me, even though I insisted I was okay. Neither he nor Ryder cared what I had to say. They weren’t going to be satisfied until they knew for sure.

“Is she good?” Ryder asked, holding my hand. He hadn’t let me go since we’d been reunited. There was so much to say, but we both pushed those conversations off until later.

Bones smiled. “She’s good.”

“Thank God!” Ryder exclaimed, and pressed his lips to my forehead, before taking Bones to the side.  They spoke for a few more moments, and it seemed Ryder was asking more questions, before returning to me. “Let’s get out of here.” He scooped me up.

“I can walk, you know,” I stated dryly.

“I know, but I’m selfish and want you in my arms.”

A smile spread across my face, and I rested my head on his shoulder, giving him this simple act.

We mounted his bike, and I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tight and pressing my cheek to the leather of his cut.

He pulled into his driveway, and I followed him into the house. No questions. After tonight, I realized how precious life was. How the little moments equaled the big moments in the long run. My talk with Pops was something I’ll never forget. And it was time I did as he asked. Ryder needed to know. He deserved to know.

We walked into his living room, and I stopped him before we got any farther. “There’s something I have to tell you,” I said looking deep into his hazel eyes.

“You’re pregnant. I know.”

My mouth practically hit the floor. “You know! How?”

“Bones told me when we found out you were taken. He thought I should know. I guess he figured I’d be a little less reactive if I knew I wasn’t only protecting you.”

“I went to Raven’s Nest to tell you.” Tears pricked my eyes, and he cupped my cheek. “I didn’t want to repeat the past. I took that decision away from you so long ago, and now I have the chance to make it right. Whatever you want to do, we’ll do it.”

“What do you want to do?”

I wanted to keep it. Have the life I always dreamed of, but never thought I could have. Now I knew I could. This life was dangerous, but it was also made up of loyalty that you could only find in family. A love and devotion so deep, nothing could break it. Any child would be lucky to know love that great. But it wasn’t my choice. Not this time. I shook my head.  “No. I chose last time without consulting you. This time, it’s whatever you want.”

Ryder cupped my other cheek, urging me to look into the gorgeous hazel eyes of his. “I want whatever you want. If you want to keep the baby, we keep the baby, and be the best parents we can be. But, if you want to give it up again…I understand. I was so mad at you that I couldn’t see your reasoning. I get it now.”

“No! I get it. I fucked up. This life maybe dangerous and unconventional, but the love and support of the club and our family overshadows all of that. I want this baby. I want us to do it right this time.”

My words were cut off by his mouth crushing into mine. His hands tightened on my cheeks, and his tongue swiped at my crease. I parted my lips, letting him in and relishing in the familiar, delicious assault. He backed me up against the wall and wrapped his strong hands around my thighs, hoisting me up. I locked my legs around him as he ripped my shirt over my head.

I slid my fingers under his cut, and pushed it off his arms, dragging my hands down the hard muscles. He trailed his tongue down my neck, kissing and sucking as he made his way to the crook. I bent my head back, giving her easier access to the sensitive spot.  

Even after everything that happened tonight: the heartache, the loss, the fear and panic. Ryder was able to wash it all away with a simple touch of his lips. We had all the time in the world to mourn, but right now I just wanted to enjoy the fact that I was alive and in the arms of the man I loved.

I grabbed his face and covered his mouth with my own, pouring every single feeling that was coursing through me into the kiss. He pushed into me, pressing my back to the wall, holding me up with his weight. He took his hands away from my thighs, and knotted his fingers in my hair, giving me back everything that I was giving him.

Chills racked my body, and I ran my fingers up his chest. A groan rumbled deep in his throat as his fingers dug into my ass. He pulled me away from the wall, and carried me to his bedroom, placing me gently on the bed, and standing back. His hazel eyes roamed my body as he tore his shirt off over his head.

He licked his lips as he undid his belt and tossed it to the side. His eyes became possessive and ravenous as he stalked toward me. He pushed his knee in between my legs, giving me no choice but to spread wide for him.  

His tongue dabbed out, touching my stomach, and swirled and twirled its way up and then back down to the top of my jeans. “Off,” he growled and flipped the button open. I lifted my ass as he undid the zipper and pressed kisses to my skin. He pulled the restricting material from my body, inch by torturous inch.

Once off, he threw them to the floor, and climbed on top of me, crushing his mouth to mine. We had kissed so many times before but it was different this time. It was desperate and thankful. Carnal yet tender.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, but I kissed away his apology. He had nothing to be sorry for. We both were in the wrong, and I didn’t want to torment ourselves with the past. I wanted to live in the now, and kiss the past goodbye.

He pulled his mouth from mine, trailing a fiery path down my neck. His hands reached behind me, and he unhooked my bra. One by one, he removed the cups, until both breasts were bare and ready for him to take. He didn’t disappoint, pinching my nipple between his finger and thumb as he sucked the other into his mouth.

I arched as pleasure overwhelmed me and shot through my body. His hand moved down my side, squeezing my waist, as he sucked and licked the taut bead. A moan slipped from my lips just as his hand slid under my thong.

His finger circled my clit, and I cried out. “I want to make you feel good,” he muttered.

“Oh baby you are.” He picked up speed and just as I felt like I was about to explode, he plunged two fingers into my wetness.  

I whimpered at the mouth-watering intrusion, and flung my head back to enjoy the ride he was taking me on. He bent down, pulling my white lace thong aside, and swiped his tongue over my clit. The intensity was almost too much to take, but I welcomed it, only craving more with each slide.

His tongue swiped lovingly at my folds as his fingers worked in and out. I tightened my legs around his head, and pushed my sex against his mouth. He devoured me, sending me spiraling over the edge.

I screamed out, grabbing his hair, and holding on for dear life as I enjoyed the sweet ride he took me on. He slowed, lapping up my juices as aftershocks of my orgasm wracked my body.

He kissed his way up my stomach, and when he looked into my eyes, I brushed the hair off his face. “Make love to me,” I requested. “I need you. Inside me. Now.”

A devilish grin flashed across his face. “Baby, that’s the only place I want to be.” He rolled off of me, pulling off his pants, while I stripped off my thong. He stroked his rock hard cock, and I bit my lip at the glorious sight. I got up on all fours, and crawled to the edge of the bed, taking him in my mouth. I swirled my tongue around the tip, loving the taste of him.

He groaned as I opened wide and took him deep in my throat. His balls rested against my chin and I cupped them, massaging my fingers into the sensitive flesh. I trailed my tongue up and down, taking him in deeper and deeper.

His hands in my hair tightened, and then stopped me from moving. “Turn around,” he demanded.

I did as he asked, getting on all fours and positioning my ass just right. Without any warning he shoved into me. We both cried out as he thrust in and out, covering my tits with his hands, and kneading the soft mounds.

He pulled my face up and kissed my neck as he delivered blow after blow. The ultimate high was building, sending me into a state of delirium. He reached around, rubbing my clit, and my head fell back against his shoulder.

“Mmm,” I moaned, as he pulled out and turned me over, climbing on top of me and plunging deep into my pussy. “Oh, God.”

He wrapped his hand around my head and held it up. His hazel eyes penetrated me, looking deep into my soul, deeper than any other person has ever gone.

We stayed like that as he pumped in and out of me, over and over again, each of us panting until the pressure built to a breaking point, and he came inside me. His body jerked at the release, and I kissed his cheek and shoulders as he continued to pour his hot seed inside me.

Slowly, he pulled back, and I traced his hairline with my fingertips.

“I love you, and I’m never letting you go. Not again. We’re going to be a family,” he said, pressing a hand to my stomach. “All of us.”

“That’s all I ever wanted,” I admitted for the first time ever.