Burned: Devil's Blaze MC Book 2 (9 page)

I lie here in shock. I can’t do much else. I hate the feeling of being tied up and having no control.
Being abandoned
. It’s a feeling I’m more than a little familiar with and I fucking hate it.  The fact that Torch is the one to do it this time is just salt in an open wound.

I spend a few minutes trying to calm my breathing. I hate that being confined makes me panic. There’s nothing I can do about it, though. There’s just been too much water under the bridge.

To get my mind off of it, I concentrate on the things I need to accomplish. I need to get a message through to Beth, and that’s not going to be easy. I need her to keep running. She’ll want to come after me, but I can’t risk the fact that Colin might get his hands on her, or worse, Gabby. There’s a phone in the motel room. I could call Beth’s cell. I figure that they may have the number monitored, though, and I have to decide if it’s worth the risk. Can I pretend to fall under Torch’s spell? Maybe if he thinks I’m sewn up over him, he’ll relax his guard enough so I can escape, or at least get a message out. Would that be safer? 

I feel panic nipping at my heels. I should have listened to Bethie and fucking ran. No dick, however spectacular it is packaged, is worth it. I let myself forget that with Torch and I fell for his pretty eyes and the promise of fun he offered. It
was
fun, but at what cost? It sure as hell won’t have been worth it if it destroys the two people I love the most in the process. I don’t know what Torch’s club and Skull’s endgame is. If Colin is to be believed, he wants his child and, in return, he’s going to turn me and Bethie over to him. It pisses me off. Skull pushed Bethie out of his life in the most brutal way possible. What right does he have to come back and destroy her further after all this time? The only thing important here is Bethie.

With that in mind, I reach over and pick up the motel phone. I hope and pray I’m making the right choice.

“Hello?” Bethie’s voice comes over the line.

“Bethie, it’s me. I need you to listen.”

“Katie! Where are you? You were supposed to check in before you reached—”

“Stop. Bethie, this phone isn’t secure. Listen to me because we have to hang up quickly. I don’t know if they can trace you and I’m not taking the chance. Skull’s crew showed up at the house and they have me—”

“I warned you! Okay, Gabby and I will turn around and—”

“No! That’s exactly what they want. You know what the next step in our plan was. Do it. I’ll bide my time and get away from them. I’ll be in touch.”

“Katie, I don’t like this! I could—”

“You could
listen to me
,” I cut her off. “This isn’t about me—or even
you
anymore. We have to keep Gabby safe. So go through with our plans, understand? I’ll contact you the minute I can. Destroy this phone like I showed you and switch to your back up. I’ll use that number when I get free. Do it now, Bethie.”

“Katie…”

“Just do it. I have to go now.”

“Okay,” she whispers, and I hate that I can hear the tears in her voice. “I love you bigger than outer space,” she whispers.

“To the moon and back,” I tell her, then hang up, praying I didn’t stay on the line too long.

I stare at the receiver for a while afterwards. I need to figure out what my next step is and I need to know if I’m strong enough to play Torch, because it will take a lot of playing to get out of this mess. I
will
get out. I don’t have a choice. I will do it…

For Gabby
.

“What do you know, amigo. Your woman’s been using the phone,” Latch says, but I tune him out. I’m still pissed at him and Sabre. They’ve been laughing enough at my expense. Today, for the most part, has been a total bust. We went back to Katie’s and ransacked the place, but didn’t find anything else. I grabbed her jeep and we went by the local bike store and bought a box trailer. I can’t trust Katie not to be stupid with my bike, and I need to keep her cuffed to me the whole time. Okay, that last part might not be necessary, but it sure as fuck makes me feel better.

I also went through her shit and there was next to nothing in there. I’m not so sure what she was throwing a fit about. The only thing I found that might hold any value for her was a picture of Beth and Gabby. Gabby was in a high chair and her little face was covered in cake. Beth was crouched down beside her, smiling. She looked beautiful, but she looked so different from the Beth the guys and I remembered. There was a sadness in her now that echoed even through the photo. One thing was clear: she loved her daughter, and though I doubted it, after seeing the photo, I am more inclined to believe that Gabby is Skull’s. The little girl looks too much like him. I snapped the photo with the camera on my phone and texted it to Skull. He didn’t respond, but then I didn’t expect him to. It’s been almost two hours, and I know Katie will be pissed. I would have been back on time, but she pissed me off, so I’ve been chilling in Sabre and Latch’s room for the last hour. I had hacked into the motel’s system and checked out the phone calls placed from my room. I was sure Katie would contact her sister; it’s almost disappointing that it would be so easy. I get the number and write it down. Then, I switch to my software and set about trying to triangulate the signal for Beth. I’m surprised when that doesn’t turn up a hit. 

“Looks like your girl might know a little bit about hiding her tracks,” Sabre says over my shoulder. He might be right, but I’m not ready to give up on it yet. I do some number searches and then carriers. Prepaid cell, of course;
that
I was expecting. I hack into the carrier’s database and try to do a search on the phone. The number has been disabled. I’m not finding shit on how to hack into it again. I can’t even turn the number back on.

“Look at that, Latch. Our boy not only met his match everywhere else, I think she can out-hack him on the computer.”

“Fuck off. I’ll find it. It may just take a bit.”

“Whatever. We’re going to go out and find food. You want to go with us, or are you going to get back to your woman?”

“She’s not mine. If she was, I’d sure as fuck bring her to heel. She runs too fucking wild,” I grumble. “Bring us back some burgers and fries. I’ll go see what other shit our little captive has got into.” I do my best to sound like I’m dreading it, but if the truth was known, I’ve wanted to get back to her for a while now. Fuck, I didn’t even want to leave, if I’m being honest.

When I get back to the room, Katie is turned on her side, staring at the wall. She doesn’t turn around to acknowledge me and she doesn’t say anything.

I guess I’m getting the cold shoulder now.

“I brought your stuff back,” I tell her, starting with a peace offering. It’s met with silence. “I also got your jeep. We’ll ride in it when we take off for Kentucky tomorrow. It’ll make it easier.” I just keep talking and ignoring her silence. I commend myself for not already spanking her ass. “We could go pick up your sister and her daughter first and make things easier on everyone, if you’d rather.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

Well, it’s not what I wanted from her, but hey, at least she’s talking.

“I see you’re still cheerful.” I walk over to her. Even standing right in front of her, she refuses to talk to me. “I like your eyes much better this way,” I tell her, for lack of something better to say, bending down to unhook her from the bed.

“My life has meaning now,” she says.

“Do you need to go to the restroom?”

“Wow. You mean I actually get to go to another room all by myself?”

“I can tie you back up if you’d rather,” I offer with a snide smile.

“You really are an asshole,” she mumbles, pushing off the bed. It’s then that I notice she’s limping. It seemed a couple times last night like her leg bothered her. I thought I might have been imagining things, but it’s definitely more pronounced today. I follow her into the bathroom, making sure there’s nothing she can use against me and double checking there’s no window.  “Hell no! You’re not staying in here while I use the bathroom!”

“Wouldn’t dream of it, grouchy. Was just making sure there wasn’t anything in here you could use to slit my throat with when we sleep tonight.”

“Now there’s a thought to cheer me up,” she says as I start to close the door.

“Words wound, you know, Katie.”

“I think your ego could take it, Torch.”

“I think I liked it better when you called me Hunter.”

“I think I liked it better when you were buried between my legs and couldn’t talk.”

“That could be arranged again,” I tell her.

“I could twist your dick until something pops while you sleep tonight too,” she says with a fake smile, then slams the door.

Damn.

“Do you really think these are necessary?” I ask Torch yet again. He’s got the one cuff on his wrist and one on mine and it’s really starting to piss me off. “I mean, we’re in the same room. It’s not like I’m going to be able to get away from you or outrun you.”

“Speaking of which, what did you do to your leg?”

Fuck. I’ve been so relaxed, I forgot to hide my limp from him. Yes, I know how absurd that sounds since I’ve spent the day screaming at him and threatening bodily harm and being chained up. Still, it’s not like my life has been normal, or sadly, that this is a new occurrence for me. Quite the opposite, really. It’s just that I kind of like the guy who has me tied up and is being a douche this time. That’s me, though; always getting into stupid situations just to keep things interesting. I
really
should have listened to Bethie.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I tell him sounding bored, as he swirls another french fry that one of the other men—Sabre, I think Torch called him—dropped off a bit ago.

“Whatever, Katydid.”

“What did you just call me?”

“Katydid. It’s a—”

“I know what it is. I’m just wondering why you think it’s okay to nickname me after an insect.”

“Open up,” he says, holding the fry close to my lips.

“I could feed myself, you know.” For some stupid reason, I’m enjoying him feeding me. I’ve decided to ignore it and give myself a break. My brain is probably still trying to catch up from all the orgasms last night and still views him as a friend and not an enemy. I’m sure it will recognize the difference soon. I lick my lips at the thought, hopefully before I make the mistake and sleep with him again.

I take the fry from him to try and concentrate on something besides how much I want sex…
with him…again…tonight…all night…

“Katydids are cool. They—”

“Are ugly grasshopper-like things that chirp,” I finish for him. “I know you’re the king of pickup lines and all, but I’ve got to tell you, being compared to a bug is not what a woman wants to hear from a man.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. So, your leg?”

“I injured it,” I tell him vaguely, taking a drink of my soda.

“I really need you to be more forthcoming, Katie.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to know more about you.”

I freeze with the straw to my drink right in front of my lips. “Why? We spent one night fucking each other’s brains out. It was hot and damn good, but it was just sex. It’s not like we need to become friends now, as if we even
could
. You’re holding me hostage, remember?” I take another drink.

“You’re a hard woman, Katyd.” I give him the mean look and he holds up his hand in defense. “Katie,” he corrects himself. “So, at least tell me how you managed to erase all signs of your burn phone,” he says, holding out another fry to my lips.

I stop. So, that’s his game? He wants to act like my buddy and pump me for information? He doesn’t realize I’ve spent my life with men who mastered mind-fuck games. 

“Nice try,” I tell him, turning down the fry. “I don’t think I’m hungry anymore. I’m suddenly really tired.”

“You sure?” he asks, sounding surprised.

“Definitely.”

He shrugs and starts bagging up the trash. He reaches over with his free hand and puts it on the table. I hand him my coke.

“Do you think you could maybe unhook us so we can sleep?”

“I’m not real tired,” he says, ignoring my request. “Think I’ll watch some TV.”

“Great, but how am I supposed to sleep when you’re attached to me?”

“You didn’t complain last night.”

“I can’t remember last night.”

“I could remind you.”

“Something you should know about me, Torch. I have this rule. It’s a small one, really. I don’t sleep with men who hold me captive. I’m weird like that.”

“I could make you like it,” he says, and I’m beginning to hate that cocky grin he wears.

“Probably. I mean, you’re obviously a man-whore, so you have enough experience to make me like it. It’s part of what made last night so great. But, after it was over, I’d want to put my head in the oven and die.”

“Damn.”

I give him an over-the-top smile. “Will you please unhook us now?” I ask again, rattling our hands.

“Afraid not, Katydid. Can’t risk you trying to make a break for it in the middle of the night.”

“God, I hate you.”

“Now, is that any way to talk to the future father of your children?”

“Jesus, you’ve gone insane!”

“Let’s go brush our teeth. Got to keep those chompers pearly white.”

He stands up, pulling me along, then puts one hand on my ass, pushing me into him. He starts pulling me up his body. I’m forced to use my free hand to brace on his shoulder.

“What are you doing?” I gasp, trying to ignore the fact that his cock is hard and pushing into my stomach.

“Your leg’s hurt. Climb on me. I’ll take us to the bathroom.”

“I can wa—” I stop when he shifts me, trying to do it all himself. “Okay! Okay! Stop before you dump us both on the carpet.” I help him lift, then wrap my legs around his waist. Our linked hands make it so he holds my ass, my other arm down at my side. Not the most comfortable position, for sure. “Are you planning on brushing my teeth for me too?” I ask sarcastically.

“We’ll brush together. The couple that brushes together, stays together.”

“Was there crazy pills in our food?”

He actually kisses my
nose
in response.  

We brush our teeth,
together,
and then I somehow manage to make him unhook us and turn his back so I can take off my yoga pants. Luckily, his shirt I’m wearing is long enough it comes to just above my knees. I climb under the covers before I finally tell him.

“Okay, you can turn around now.” He walks around and gets in the bed beside me. “There’s another bed you know. You could sleep there.”

“Yeah, that’d be kind of hard to do,” he says, and I try to concentrate on what he’s saying but he’s taking off his clothes.
All. Of. His. Clothes.

“What are you doing??”

“Getting ready for bed,” he says, sounding bored.

“You can’t sleep with me naked!”

“It’s how I sleep. You know that. Remember last night?”

Like I could forget it.
“Yeah, well, that was just last night. Tonight, I’m not here willingly. So, if you are sleeping with me, you’re going to do it with your clothes on!”

“Not happening,” he says, slipping into the bed. “Hand me your arm.”

I don’t know if I could take him, but it’d be close. Still, if I try it so quickly and I fail, it won’t work. I need to plot this out carefully. So, as much as I’d rather junk-punch him, I hand him my arm. He secures the handcuff once again and links our hands together like we’re going to sleep holding hands. I roll over as much as I can and ignore him.

Then, I hear moaning. I look over my shoulder. The TV has some woman on her hands and knees, sucking some man’s cock like it’s a lollipop. Some other guy is fucking her ass. Two more are standing around watching and jacking off.

“You’re watching porn?”

“Yep. You want to watch? This one here is a classic. She came to the garage to get her car worked on and instead they service
her
.”

I roll over, throwing the pillow over my head. “I hate you.” Then I spend the next hour trying to block out the moans and screams from the TV.