On the third night, as I lay on the uncomfortable mattress, I picked up the sound of a bike and held my breath, listening as it grew closer before suddenly the engine shut off right outside the window.I jumped to my feet, my heart in my throat. Peering through the dirty pane, I saw Rook's bike, and I threw the door open letting the night air wash over me.As he climbed off his bike, his eyes searched the darkness before he landing on me. "Mar," he said, his voice rough with emotion.I rushed over to him, and wrapping his arms around me he held me tight. "God I was worried about you," he murmured into my hair.I stepped back, my eyes searching his face. "What happened?""We managed to find out some things," he said, his voice laced with anger."And?" I managed."Not now," he said, steering me back into the cabin. "Get your things together, we need to get out of here before anyone else shows up."After packing what little I had, we left the safe house, and climbing on behind Rook, he fi
I knew that staying would only make matters worse and I gave one last look at Rook, then slipped out the back door, allowing the night to swath me within its darkness.The woods were dark, and I only had the minimalist idea of where I was going. I had been here before, but only a few times with Torin or Rook, and I had a good sense of direction. So, I had to trust in what memory I held of the woods.The sound of the bikes grew fainter as I pushed deeper into the foliage. I didn’t look back, I didn’t dare. All I could do was to hope Rook and his brothers would come out of this unscathed. But I couldn't help knowing I might never see some of them again.The crunch of leaves underfoot was the only sound I made as I moved through the dense growth.The unmistakable crack of a twig snapping behind me had my head jerking up and I spun around, ready to fight whoever was sneaking up behind me. However, my effort in self-protection came too late as a hand clamped over my mouth, and a strong arm
It took us some time as we blocked off the entrances and set up barriers, turning the warehouse into a place that would slow down any intruder. The brothers had armed themselves with what we could scrounge up—pipes, knives, and a couple of handguns. Though ready to defend ourselves, we were all very much aware we could possibly be outmatched.As I pushed my hair out of my face after shoving the last barrier in place, I heard the radio crackle to life again, then a blast of squawks, and Surgeon's voice boomed out, "We need to get into position. Our brothers are outside."We began taking our positions, and I headed up the set of stairs that overlooked the main floor. The plan was simple—make them think we were easy prey and pick off the enemies as they came through the doorway.From outside, I heard Rook call through a loudspeaker, "Sons of Morning Star, this is Rook." His voice was strained, but strong as he continued, "You've got one last chance to leave us alone. If you don't, we'll b
We had to act fast, before anyone realized what was happening, and as Rook nodded, we both moved.He slammed his chair into the one-way mirror, the glass shattering and echoing through the room. As the guards rushed in, we made our move.The chaos gave us an edge and we used every trick we knew to avoid detection, knowing we had to get out before the station went on lockdown.When we made it out, we sprinted across the parking lot, dodging patrol cars and shouting officers.On foot, we sprinted from the station's parking lot and hit the street, the sound of sirens growing fainter in the distance the further we fled."Where are we going?" I shouted over the thumping of our footfalls."The Hideout," Rook answered.When we arrived at the bar, it was in shambles. The smell of spilled beer and gasoline hung in the air, and the remnants of a fierce fight were scattered everywhere.Rook swore long and expressively, before hissing, voice tight with anger, "Dammit, they tore this fucking place
The next few days were a blur of emotion. I told them everything I could remember about who my brother used to be, but could provide nothing on who he had become. As I did, it hit me, I had lost the man I had called my brother.The information gathering on Dillon, and the members of his club, continued. We looked for every weak point that could help us gain an advantage. We had been under the eye of the Sons of Morning Star club for a while now, so they were way a head of us. So, every member of the Raven's had a role to play gaining intel, and the tension grew taut as a bowstring.When the night finally arrived, and the weight of what I was about to do, my nerves began getting the best of me, and when I met up with Rook, he rested his hand on my shoulder, asking, "You're sure about this?"I nodded, as pulling in a deep breath, I murmured, "Let's end this."~~As everyone was already in place, it was as simple as walking out from the train yard, leaving a silent cavalry of shadows behi
"It seems, you’re my stepbrother,” I blurted. Then shrugging, I continued, “My mom…your dad."For a moment, something flickered in Lucien's eyes, something that might have been admission of former knowledge of the fact. But whatever it was, it was quickly hidden. "Okay, so?" he asked, his voice taking on a slight edge as he shifted a little straighter in his chair.“Well, don’t you think it makes our relationship a little…awkward?” I murmured."No. Do you?" Lucien's voice sounded like more of a snap than a question."Honestly? Yeah, I kinda do,” I returned, defensiveness entering my voice."And why should the fact your mom is married to my dad change anything between us?" he said, his laughter grating on my nerves like nails."Because we're family!" I exclaimed.Sitting straight up in his chair, he leaned across the table menacingly toward me, sneering, "You're not my family.”I stared at him, the hurt and betrayal burning in my chest. "You knew all along, didn’t you?"“That you’re my
I glared at Lucien. "You're going to regret this," I hissed, my voice filled with loathing."Doubtful," Lucien said with a sneer, his hand tightening around my neck. "But you're going to, for not cooperating."Blood pounded in my head from lack of oxygen and the room spun, but I knew I had to get out of this somehow. Using what strength I had left, I head-butted him.At the blow, he stumbled back, cursing, and I used the brief moment of respite to kick the chair from under me, landing hard on the floor.My legs had gone numb from the tight ropes, but I managed to get to my knees, my eyes scanning the room for anything to use as a weapon.As I saw a glint of metal in the corner, a knife, I lunged for it, my heart in my throat. But before I could reach it, the door slammed open and Rook burst in, his eyes wide with alarm."Marlowe!" he bellowed, drawing a gun.The two thugs that had brought me here had their weapons drawn, but they weren’t fast enough. Rook fired a shot, and one of them
~MARLOWE~I stared at my reflection, my features distorted within the fissures stretching the length of the bathroom mirror. My hands shook as I gripped the sink. Tiny droplets of red dripped from my hand, staining the porcelain red with my blood. Dropping my eyes, I stared at the cuts and gashes, my thoughts racing.Whispers of confusion filled my mind—Torin was alive. I’d suffered through a year of pain. Of grieving. Of walking a road of death that hadn’t been mine. How could he? How could he have done this? I had grieved over his casket, died with each toss of dirt placed upon it. Anger was a light emotion to the wail of fury that had arisen within me as I’d gazed at the features of the man who had taken my heart six-feet under with him.The door to the bathroom creaked open, and Tannin stepped in, her eyes widening at seeing the blood on the sink. "What the fuck Marlowe? Are you okay," she hissed, coming over to stand beside me as taking my hand in hers, she gazed at the mess I’d
Over the next few days, we were like two animals trapped in a cage, fighting our instincts and our fears. We talked little, our communication mostly in the form of touch, of love-making that was both fierce and desperate.But as the weeks went by, our anxiety lessened, becoming more a shadow in the background of our lives, than the monster it had been.Though bound to the house, under the circumstances of the cartel actively seeking us, I tried to make the best of it. Torin getting nerves had become commonplace, but under it all, I knew the cause and tried to maintain.However, though the fear receded greatly, for me, it had never completely left. I couldn't speak for Torin, as he had always kept everything close to his sleeve, and in our time together in the safe house, that hadn't changed.After awakening one morning and nursing a cup of coffee, my phone rang, and picking it up I saw it was Casey."It's over," she told me. "You can return to your old lives."I sat for a moment stunn
Over the next few days, we were like two animals trapped in a cage, fighting our instincts and our fears. We talked little, our communication mostly in the form of touch, of love-making that was both fierce and desperate.But as the weeks went by, our anxiety lessened, becoming more a shadow in the background of our lives, than the monster it had been.Though bound to the house, under the circumstances of the cartel actively seeking us, I tried to make the best of it. Torin getting nerves had become commonplace, but under it all, I knew the cause and tried to maintain.However, though the fear receded greatly, for me, it had never completely left. I couldn't speak for Torin, as he had always kept everything close to his sleeve, and in our time together in the safe house, that hadn't changed.After awakening one morning and nursing a cup of coffee, my phone rang, and picking it up I saw it was Casey."It's over," she told me. "You can return to your old lives."I sat for a moment stunne
~MARLOWE~I wasn’t sure how the hell it had come to this. Witness Protection! Oh my God! Never in my life had I thought I’d ever be in this position. But dammit, that's exactly where I had found myself! I’d done everything I could to adjust. It just hadn't happened. The first few days had been awful. I'd run to the window every time I'd heard a vehicle, a motorcycle, even freaking voices!They’d told me that I had to cut all ties, leave everything behind, even my name. I'd assumed the name Rachel Peters, a young widow who had moved to a small town to start over. I'd felt like I was in a fictional crime novel, except it was real---all too real.Now though, just as I was beginning to get comfortable being Rachel Peters, Casey shows up in my living room, her voice grim, she immediately starts tossing out orders. "We have a problem and we're going to need to move you."Panic set in. Well fuck me! I couldn't help thinking."What's happened?" I asked, immediately setting about gathering my t
As the days went by, the boredom of the safe house began to drive me crazy. I had nothing to do. Thankfully, Casey kept me up on the progress they were making with the data on the USB.I was happy for the information she gave, but it wasn't enough. I needed to hear about Marlowe. However, no matter how many times I asked, the only thing I was told was that she was being protected. What the fuck did that even mean? Was she in witness protection, or not?A few more days had passed when, finally, Casey entered through the front door, her face unreadable. "The DA's ready to see you," she stated. "He's going to offer you immunity if you give him your full cooperation.""When do we leave?" I asked, more than ready to get this entire fiasco behind me."Now," she stated, "But one wrong move and the deal is off the table," she told me."Don't worry" I told her, bracing myself for whatever was coming.Minutes later, as we drove to the DA's office, I played over every situation that could possibl
I'd dealt with Casey quite a few times over the years and she always had a way of making me feel like I was the most dangerous man in the room, even when she had a whole squadron of cops at her back. When she finally pushed through the locked door leading from the offices and into the lobby, her eyes scanned me like a hawk eyeing its prey."What do you want?" she asked, not bothering to hide her disapproval."I got some information you'll be interested in," I told her, holding up the USB for her to see.Her gaze flickered to the thumb drive, then back to me. "What kind of information?" she asked, her voice suspicious.I hid a grin, knowing she didn't trust me. "The kind that will take down the whole Cartel operation," I replied, holding the thumb drive out to her. "Everything my uncle had on all his enemies, his partners, his dirty dealings."Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't reach for it. "What's the catch?""There isn't one," I replied. "Just take them down."Casey's eyes searched mi
~TORIN~I watched the chaos unfold from a distance, my bike idling between my legs. The flames coming from the warehouse lit up the night-sky, but I felt no remorse for the body inside being consumed by the fire. It was done, and the mother fucker had deserved his death.As I easily dismissed my uncle's life, my thoughts turned to Marlowe. I had played a dangerous game, yes. But the outcome had ensured her safety—even if it had meant losing her. I was ready to rest, but before I could, I knew I had one more matter to take care of…Lucien.The fire grew, a beacon of destruction and I knew it was only a matter of time before the police and fire department arrived; we had to move.Placing the toe of my boot on the shifter, I placed my bike in gear and Burdock and I began moving forward. In the distance I could already hear the wail of sirens approaching and I felt a smug satisfaction knowing the evidence of my uncle's crimes would soon be nothing but ash.We turned a corner, and the adrena
Carlos laughed, a harsh, brittle sound that echoed through the empty space. "You think Hell would want either of us? There is a far darker place for people like you and me.""That may be so, Uncle," I stated sarcastically, "But I know what's on this," I told him, gesturing toward the thumb drive, "and I know how badly you want it. So, let's make a deal."The silence between us was deafening as we stared at one another. Then, with a nod, Carlos gestured to the table in the center of the room. "Let's see what you got."When we approached the table, I pulled the USB out, placing it on the table's surface. "This is everything you need to take down your enemies," I told him. "Now tell me you’ll back your goons off Marlowe."Carlos’s smile grew wider. "Ah, the lovely Marlowe. My son says she’s quite fetching," he said, his eyes glinting.My fingers curled inwardly, the urge to pull my gun strong, but I held back, I wanted the mother-fucker dead. But I needed to know Marlowe would be safe be
~TORIN~I watched Marlowe disappear through the door, the slam of it echoing behind her. I'd done what I had to do to keep her safe. But at what cost?I took a deep breath. She'd never forgive me for using her as I had, but I’d done what I had to. Better my uncle believe she was in possession of something he wanted, than the alternative.Walking over to the table, I picked up the USB—the small drive contained secrets that could bring down the entire Dinelli empire—secrets that had cost my parents their lives. I clenched my fist around it, feeling the plastic bite into my skin—a reminder of what I'd given up in the name of vengeance—my heart, my soul, maybe even my humanity.Restless, I paced the floor. Marlowe was hurt and angry, but it was a small price to pay for her life. The USB was my only leverage against my uncle now that he had placed a target on Marlowe's head. For a year, I had hidden, faked my death, and gathered information on my uncle and the Cartel.Mind racing, I continu
Without another word, I turned and walked away. Before I made it to the door, Torin grabbed my arm. “Dammit, Marlowe—” he began but I cut him off.“Don’t you fucking dare try to find some excuse to make what you've done sound better!” I shouted.“I’m not,” Torin breathed quietly.We stared at each other, the space between us a battlefield of unspoken words, unspoken feelings. His grip tightened, not painfully, but enough to assert his presence. Without looking at him, I wrenched my arm away and finished making my way to the door.As I reached for the doorknob, my hand trembled slightly. The smell of his aftershave, faint and intoxicating, circled around me, and for a moment, I was lost in the memory of our past—his touch, his kiss, the way he'd made me feel. But that was before. Before the lies. The betrayal.I jerked it open and stepped into the night. The door swung shut behind me, a final act of defiance and I strode toward LadyBug, my eyes stinging with unshed tears, leaving me fee