Karma (Kings of Rebellion MC Book 1) (22 page)

“You have your own house?” I ask shocked the next morning.

When I woke up this morning, I had a shocking sight of Brandon tidying his room. Even though I laughed, I must admit it was cute.

He explained that he had to clean because not only was I here, he was spending more time here than at his house lately because of lockdown.

“Why is that such a shock?” He laughs.

“I just thought you lived here.” I look around his room.

“No,” he shakes his head. “When I was younger I did, but I quickly learned that I sometimes needed my own space.”

I think about how many people are here and all the drama. I can see why he would want to be able to come and go.

“It’s nothing special.” He continues. “I haven’t had it long, and it needs decorating.”

“I would love to see it and help.” I smile just thinking about it. Brandon opens his mouth to answer but I beat him to it. “Yes, I know, we’re on lockdown. I was just saying.”

I look down at my lap, quietly sulking about this shit situation I’m in.

“It won’t be for long.” He sits beside me. “I can take you to dinner.”

“That sounds great.” I agree.

Brandon leans into me. “And we can have sex,” He kisses my neck. “Everywhere.”

Now I definitely like the sound of that!

“I’d like you to meet my sister.” I add wishfully. However, I do not want him meeting my parents because that would be a disaster.

“Not your parents?” He asks on a smirk.

“Erm no.” I laugh. “My mum struggled with Maisy’s boyfriend being a rock star! If she saw you, I think she would explode.”

“Am I really that bad?” He jokes.

“If you had a daughter and she was with someone who looked like you, what would you do?” I ask him.

He thinks for a few seconds and then nods. “I’d probably kill him.”

I burst out laughing and I’m rewarded with Brandon’s killer smile, dimples and all.

We eventually get ready when our stomachs start to rumble and head straight for the kitchen. I’m delighted that I can smell something cooking and when we enter the kitchen Laura makes her way to us. As soon as she’s standing in front of us, my stomach rumbles really loudly and my eyes widen in embarrassment.

Laura laughs. “Work up an appetite, darling?”

My smile fades at her words, Brandon groans in embarrassment and Laura blushes slightly. Realizing what she just said, Laura begins to laugh.

“Well it’s no secret, not after what we heard coming from that room last night.” She laughs loudly.

“Oh my god.” I cover my face.

“Fucking hell, mum,” Brandon complains.

“You seem to forget that your father and I walk past your room to get to ours.” She points out, rolling her eyes at her son.

Brandon is about to say something, when an ear piecing scream enters the club house. My blood runs cold and I look to Brandon, who is looking right back at me.

“Elise.” Is all I say, while running out of the kitchen. I can hear Brandon and Laura behind me, just as eager to know what’s happening as I am.

I just know that scream belonged to Elise. I heard it enough times back in The Devil’s club house. When I enter the main club room, I see Elise looking as pale as a ghost.

“What’s the matter, princess?” Asks Brace.

“In the garden,” She sobs. “She’s in the garden.”

I look to Brandon, and he’s watching Elise carefully. He then looks to his dad. Franky nods and then speaks aloud to everyone who has gathered in the room.

“Everyone stay here, don’t let the children outside. VP, Brace, Devlin and Scrappy you come with me. The rest of you stay put.” Brandon gives me a quick kiss and then leaves with his dad to see what’s got Elise so scared.

I walk over to her, fighting through the men surrounding her. “Elise, are you ok?”

At hearing me she runs into my arms, sobbing, “Oh god, Lauren!”

“What’s the matter?” I ask her. “What’s happening?”

“I was minding my own business in the garden when I heard a bang. I looked around and Demon, he was standing there, Lauren. He was smiling at me!” She screams. “The next thing I knew, he throws something on the ground. He told me to be quiet until he was gone otherwise he would shoot me.”

I try to calm her down. I see Drew and Natasha over her shoulder as they slowly make their way towards us.

“What did he throw on the ground?” I ask her.

“It’s Dyson.” She cries. “I didn’t look until Demon left. She’s dead Lauren, they killed her!”

All I can do is sit by Elise and try to calm her down. She saw Dyson lying dead on the ground, blood covering her and wrapped in a dirty sheet. I didn’t like the woman, that was very clear, but I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. I think back to our argument and even though she pissed me off, I wish so much that I would have warned her about Demon and the rest of The Devils. If she was helping them it was obviously because of me, she didn’t like me and if she thought it would end there she was very wrong. As soon as they got the information they needed from Dyson, she would be useless to them and they have no need for rubbish.

June sits down next to us and hugs her daughter tight. “Dad will be with you soon.”

“Are they finished in the garden?” I eagerly ask.

June just nods as Elise continues to softly cry. She’s been strong since we came here, to her home. But now, she’s seen Demon again and it’s probably brought it all back for her.

I quietly get up and decide to investigate in the garden. I can see Brandon standing with Franky and Devlin. They’re clustered together, talking quietly about something. I don’t see Dyson’s body anywhere thankfully.

“Hey.” I greet them and they all separate immediately. “Is it ok to come out here?”

“It’s probably not safe to be alone.” Franky advises. He surprises me when he walks right up to me and gives me a hug. It feels like something my own father would do and the tears sting my eyes.

Devlin approaches me when we break apart. “Sorry about those photos, Lauren.”

As soon as those words leave his mouth, I see Franky and Brandon tense up and I’m confused.

“What photos?” I ask.

Brandon lowers his head and Franky groans in frustration. I become a little annoyed, are they keeping something from me?

“What aren’t you telling me?” I ask.

“Shit.” Devlin curses.

“Go inside, Dev,” Franky orders and after apologizing, Devlin leaves us to go inside.

“Lauren,” Brandon starts but I know what he’s going to do, so I interrupt him.

“What photos?” I ask again.

“The morning West was attacked, we were sent some photos from Demon.” Franky begins to tell me. “They were of you, Natasha and Elise.”

I take in a sharp and shuddering breath, shaky from Franky’s words. “He sent them?”

“Were you aware of him taking them?” He asks me.

“Yes.” I cry. “They laughed about it but there was nothing we could do.”

I feel dirty and violated all over again. My legs start to get shaky and Brandon reaches for me, carrying me over to the bench.

“Tonight, we found Dyson’s body.” Brandon tells me. “She was wrapped up, and inside the sheet were more photos. These weren’t of you in the Devil’s club house. These were taken while you were back in the UK.”

I look at him with wide eyes. “They’ve been watching us?”

I knew he had been trying to get to me, but watching us? That just creeps me out.

“All of you.” He answers. “Even my mum.”

“Oh my god!” I cry into my hands. “I need to go.”

I quickly stand but both Brandon and Franky stop me.

“You’re going nowhere.” Brandon grinds out.

“I have to go. Don’t you see? I’m bringing all this shit to you. I don’t want to put your families in danger.” I beg.

“You are my family.” Franky tells me. “You’re like a daughter to me Lauren, and I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

I begin to cry and Brandon holds me. I want to protect these people. They have quickly become my family and I realize with regret, what my sister Maisy has with her close group of friends. I used to be so jealous that they seemed to mean more to her than I did, but I see it now. Maisy is my family by blood and I do love her, I love her so much. I hate myself for what I have put her through. However, these people around me, The King’s of Rebellion family are now my family. I am part of them just like they are a part me. I love them all and I don’t ever want to leave them, but I will to save them. I don’t want to put them in danger.

Franky leaves Brandon and me alone on the bench together. “Don’t stay out here for long.” He advises as he walks away.

Brandon sits down and pulls me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me. I love having time alone together with him. We don’t seem to be able to have much alone time around here. It’s no surprise seeing how many people are living here.

After a couple of minutes, I’ve calmed down and we decide it’s time to go back inside. Brandon gives me a kiss and I walk in front of him, leading us inside the club house. I feel Brandon grab my arm and spin me around. He pins me up against the wall and kisses me again.

“He won’t get you.” He speaks so surely. “You’re mine, Lauren.”

He crushes his lips against mine, pressing my back against the wall and I wrap my arms around his neck. His lips travel along my neck, sending shivers all over me and I can’t help but groan. His hands feel along my body and I close my eyes. Suddenly Brandon backs away from me. I hate it when he teases me!

I snap my eyes open, fully intending to pull him back to me but I see a figure of a man standing in the shadows behind him. Brandon didn’t back away from me, he was pulled away. All of a sudden we’re surrounded. Brandon goes to get his gun from his belt, when he’s captured by three men and my mouth is covered to stop me from screaming.  I see The Devil’s badge on their vests and scream into the hand covering my mouth as they begin to beat Brandon.

I see they have weapons as they swing them down onto him. They kick and punch him and I begin to cry. I don’t cry for worrying about myself, I’m crying for Brandon.

“That’s enough.” Says a voice from behind the crowd.

I hoped I would never have to hear that voice again. From the darkness I see Demon walk closer to me. He holds his arms wide and smiles at me like we’re friends. I see the familiar dangerous glimmer in his eyes and I try to stay strong.

“Raven, my beauty,” He greets me. I feel the coldness of his gun as he presses it against my head. “Listen closely, if you make a noise I will shoot your pretty boyfriend.”

He gestures to his men, who are all armed with guns. I nod my head in understanding and he then turns to Brandon who is lying bloody on the ground.

“Same goes for you. You make a noise, and Raven here gets a bullet in the head.” Brandon spits at his feet in response and Demon kicks him in the stomach. I feel it too and cry some more.

The man behind me lets me go and I run for Brandon, but Demon rips me away from him. I try to touch him but he’s out of my reach.

“You’re my woman.” Demon growls and smashes his mouth over mine, capturing me up against the wall. I try to fight him but his men hold me back, restraining my arms and legs so Demon can please himself. His hands roam my body, reconnecting like a long lost lover.

“I’m sorry to do this baby, but I need to get you back safely.” Demon explains and then I feel a sharp sting in my neck. Very much like when I was back in my bedroom many months ago when this whole nightmare started.

My last conscious thought is hearing Brandon shouting my name as I hit the floor and an ear piecing gun shot.

Chapter 55
Brandon
As soon as I saw one Devil fucker stab something into Lauren’s neck, I aimed my gun and shot him. I wasn’t worried I was going to hit Lauren because I have a good fucking aim, even if I was beaten badly on the ground.

I had two reasons to shoot, not only to hurt the man who just injected my woman with some shit but to alert my brothers to get out here. I needed them with me. I wasn’t going to win this alone. Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t planning on having my head smashed to the ground and almost being knocked out.

I’m thankful they weren’t successful. I was only dizzy, but I wasn’t able to stop them from taking Lauren. I watched through blurred vision as they ran away, taking her with them and my whole world fucking stopped.

“Grim!” I hear from the garden.

“Over here!” I reply. “Fucking get them, they have Lauren!”

My dad stays with me to help me up, but the rest of them go after the Devil’s to get my woman back and I fucking love them for that.

“They got her, dad.” I admit and it fucking hurts. I was supposed to look after her! I told her Demon would never get his hands on her again and look what fucking happens!

She’s right, she should have run. Maybe they wouldn’t have her right now if she had.

“We’ll get her back, son.” My dad gets me up and helps me inside.

When my mum sees me she falls apart. Elise, Natasha and Drew stare at me, I’m guessing they have their own thoughts about what’s happened.

“Where’s Lauren?” Natasha asks.

“Brandon?” Drew asks, using my birth name.

“They got her.” I admit, lowering my head and feeling to fucking ashamed to face anyone.

I hear the girls crying and my own tears drop onto my lap.

“Now you listen here!” My mother shouts. “Lauren is a member of this family and nobody is taking her away from us!”

“Damn straight!” Shouts my auntie June. “The men will get her back, so you get your ass up and find your woman!”

I stare at them both and glance at Natasha, she wipes away her tears and slightly nods her head. I quickly stand and the room starts to spin, my dad helps me sit back down and shouts for the Doc to check me over.

***

My eyes feel so heavy, I try my best to open them and when I do I see my dad hovering over me.

“Glad to see you awake.” He smirks down at me.

The last thought I can remember is the Doc looking me over, and telling me I needed bed rest. I wasn’t able to go after my woman and find her by myself. I wasn’t having that and fought him. I guess they gave me something to knock me out.

“What time is it?” I ask him.

With a heavy sigh, he answers, “Midnight.”

“Midnight!” I roar. “Where’s Lauren?”

“We don’t know.” He admits, and to be fair he looks pretty torn up about it so I let my anger towards him slowly fade. “Our men ran out after them to find Torch and Lick dead by the gates. They were fucking butchered like animals!”

“Shit.” I answer.

Torch and Lick were the men on duty tonight, they were good men too and fortunately left no kids behind. I couldn’t handle that.

“We do have a Devil.” My dad reveals and my heart races.

“Where?” I stand and clench my fists.

“He’s in the warehouse. It’s the one you shot. He’s in bad shape but could be useful.” He adds.

“Why haven’t you questioned him yet?” I’m pissed, they could have gotten some leads out of him already and I don’t want to waste time.

“We only just got him into the club house.” My dad answers. “Baby found him on the side of the road with his bike in bad shape. Seems your shot did the trick.”

I nod, getting my jacket and leaving my room. My dad quickly follows behind me to the warehouse.

“I need to find out where those bastards have taken her!” I shout, passing women sitting around crying and shit.

I feel their pain I really do, but I can’t sit around and wait for other people to find her. This is
my
woman. I will find her and kill those who dare to harm her.

Lauren
My neck really hurts and I wince as I try to move around. It feels so stiff and I groan as I try and move it, but as soon as I open my eyes I stay as quiet as possible. Flashbacks of what happened return to me fast and my heart crumbles in pain.
Brandon.

Oh god, it was horrible watching them beat him up. Three men against one wasn’t fair and if they were in the ring with him, one on one that would never have happened. I remember as I am drifting from the drugs they gave me that I had heard a gunshot and I just hope that he’s ok. I don’t know what I would do if something bad had happened.

I’m aware that I am tied down to a dirty bed and panic starts to settle in. My eyes roam around the room I’m in, and it’s empty with nothing in here apart from the bed I am tied to. I can hear men’s voices from behind the door and two of them stand out more than the rest.

Demon and Strike.

It stinks in here too. I don’t know how to properly describe it. It’s not as bad as the room I was kept in with Natasha and Elise back in their club house, but it still isn’t a pleasant smell.

I can’t believe Demon has me again. I never wanted to be back with him, he’s fucked in the head. I can’t believe there was a time I thought he was ok! How wrong was I?

I start to become sleepy again, but I fight it. The drugs must still be in my system. I picture Brandon, smiling and kissing me before I drift back to sleep.