Baja (Fallen Ravens MC #3)

9. Alice

9

ALICE

When I arrive home, I feel no less bitter about the situation.

Stepping inside the house, I disarm the security system and toss my purse and keys onto the kitchen counter before going down the hall to my bedroom to change. After changing into an old T-shirt and leggings, I tie my hair into a bun at the top. Deciding I need a drink, I grab a bottle of beer from the refrigerator and head outside to the greenhouse. The moment I walk inside, the earthy smell of dirt assaults my senses. Most people would turn their noses at the pungent scent, but I find it comforting.

Popping the top off the bottle, I bring it to my lips while my phone dings with a text. I pull the phone from the waistband of my leggings and stare down at a text from Sukie on the screen. I was expecting her to reach out after I left the salon.

Sukie: Are you okay? I’m worried about you.

Me: I’m good. Promise.

Her reply is instant.

Sukie: Why don’t I come over so we can talk?

Me: You don’t have to do that. I’m working in the greenhouse. Plus, I need time to think. Please stop worrying about me. I’ll be fine. Spend the day with your friends.

The chat bubble pops up and then disappears. A minute later, it reappears.

Sukie: You win. I’ll give you the day, but I’m still coming over for breakfast in the morning, and we are going to talk.

Me: I thought I was the mom here. Now look who’s being bossy.

Sukie : You’re stubborn, and I have no choice.

I shake my head and chuckle.

Me: I love you and will see you in the morning.

Sukie: I love you too. And I expect chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast. I miss your pancakes.

My girl knows how to bring a smile to my face.

Tossing my phone on the workbench, I take another pull of my beer before I put on my work gloves and get busy. Over the next several hours, I clear my head and try to banish all thoughts of Baja. I ignore how much time has passed, but by the time the sun has set, I have potted a dozen batches of Lavender, seven batches of Calendula, and a dozen batches of Lemon Balm and prepared the soil for some Peppermint. The holiday season will be upon us soon, and anything peppermint sells like wildfire. Especially hand soap and candles.

I am so completely immersed in my own little world that I don’t hear the car pull up in front of the house or the slamming of a car door—a grave mistake on my part. But I do, however, hear the squeaky hinge of the greenhouse door, alerting me to an unwelcome presence. Instantly, my senses are set on edge, and I turn to face my unannounced guest, Ricky . And I know right away something is off.

“What are you doing here, Ricky?” This time, when I speak to him, there is no masking the tremble in my voice. The first thing I notice is his bloodshot eyes. Ricky is a drunk. Each breath I take feels like I’m choking as my heart races.

“Told you I’d be back.” Ricky takes a few steps in my direction.

“I want you to leave, Ricky, or I’m calling the police.”

Ricky tips his head back and roars with laughter. “The police won’t do shit. You forget who the fuck I am, bitch, and who you are.” He continues toward me. “You think the police will waste their time on a cop killer?”

My eyes flick down to where Ricky’s fists are balled up at his sides, and then I survey my surroundings for anything I can use as a weapon. I spy a pair of shears on the workbench about twenty feet away. When I look back at Ricky, I watch his gaze following mine.

He shakes his head and tsks. “Don’t even think about it, you stupid cunt.”

I ignore his threat and run toward the bench. I’m a few feet away when Ricky’s solid, six-foot form tackles me, and we both crash. All the air is knocked from my lungs when he lands atop me.

Immediately, I go into fight mode. “Get the hell off me!” I scream as I try to kick my way out from under him. Using my elbow, I land a blow to his temple. Ricky’s drunken state has made him a little off-kilter, and I’m able to get myself free and start to crawl away. Unfortunately, Ricky recovers quickly, wrapping his hand around my ankle and pulling me back. Twisting around, I kick Ricky in the chin with my other foot. Blood flies from his mouth as his head snaps back. However, he doesn’t let go, and before I know it, he’s straddling my hips.

“You’re going to pay for that, bitch,” he sneers before his fist connects with my cheekbone. He rapidly delivers more punches to my face, causing stars to fill my vision. Suddenly, a pain like I’ve never felt before shoots through the left side of my body, causing me to cry out in pain. My face is throbbing, and my mouth fills with the distinct metallic taste of blood.

“Ricky, stop,” I beg, but my voice sounds like it’s coming from far away. I know I’m seconds away from losing consciousness, yet I still use what strength I have in me to fight. Through blurry vision, I bring my hands up and claw at Ricky’s face. The move only serves to piss him off further, and my actions earn me another punch to my face. Blackness creeps in as I hear the sound of fabric ripping. My skin suddenly breaks out in goose bumps as cool air assaults the bare skin of my chest.

“It’s time I teach you a lesson, Alice.” Ricky grunts as he roughly palms my breast over the cup of my bra.

Bile rises in my throat.

There is pain.

So much pain.

My head tells me to keep fighting, yet my body is unwilling to move.

Rough fingers scratch at my flesh as Ricky grabs hold of the waistband of my leggings and yanks them over my hips. My lungs burn with each breath, and I feel myself slipping.

My thoughts drift to Sukie.

Oh, God. I don’t want my girl to find me like this.

That is my last thought before I’m thrust into darkness.