Cowboy Chapter
Cowboy:
After a long rest with Saranya, which had refreshed us, we made our way back to the bedroom.
We spent the day together, mostly talking and relaxing.
That evening, though I hated to leave her, there was work to be done.
It was time to deal with Jordan Neely. Saranya knew what I was going to do, even though I said nothing.
All she said was for me to be careful and that she’d be waiting for me when I was done.
I kissed her hard, then headed to the swamp box. I rode my bike back.
There were other bikes there and more to come.
We waited until evening so everyone who had to work could finish their day and get home.
But I knew that he had visitors throughout the night and day.
The reason I stayed away until now was that if I saw him, I wouldn’t be able to stop until I ended him.
Strolling in the building carrying my rodeo gear bag, the air was cool and slightly clammy.
Someone had been playing with the temperature.
I found several of my brothers standing in a group, murmuring to each other.
They were feet away from Jordan. I didn’t focus on him.
First, I needed to say hello to my brothers and wait for the rest of them.
Then, I’d give Neely my undivided attention.
A spot was made for me in the group, and I was thumped on the back by Butcher. With him were all the other officers: Diablo, Scorpion, Micro, and Thunder, plus Swerve, Crash, Punk, and Lucky.
“How’s Saranya?” Swerve asked after I was done saying hello.
“She’s doing wonderful. You would never know anything happened,” I reported.
“Glad to hear it, but keep an eye on her. Sometimes, shit gets stirred up or remembered later. Don’t be shocked if she isn’t so good at some point,” Scorpion added.
“Brother, I don't mean to pry, but I think it should be considered when teaching him the error of his ways. Did he do anything other than…kidnap her? You know…” Micro trailed off.
“She swears he didn’t touch her in that way. Would he? Yes, he was spouting crap about falling for her at first sight. You know he wanted more than companionship. But she was smart and stalled him,” I informed them. This topic hadn’t been discussed last night in the clubhouse after we returned.
Expressions of relief washed over all their faces.
Tension in their shoulders eased. The sound of more bikes brought more conversation to a halt.
Within a couple of minutes, the door opened, and in walked the rest of the brothers: Turbo, Toretto, Wolverine, and Judge.
Wolverine carried a bag with him. I knew it would have emergency medical equipment.
Sometimes we had to have help keeping the bad people alive long enough for justice to be served.
“Hope we didn’t miss anything,” Turbo said.
“Not a thing. We were talking and waiting for you guys. Cowboy, if you’ll look, you’ll see he’s had some loving,” Diablo said, smirking.
Finally, I focused my attention on Jordan Neely. First glance showed that he wasn’t in the same, almost pristine shape he was in when we brought him home. Then, he only had the head wounds and blood from those. Now, his face was swollen and bruised with dried blood from his nose and mouth.
His clothing had been removed except for his underwear.
Scattered over his body were more bruises, lacerations, blood, and what appeared to be burn marks.
He was handcuffed, and his ankles were tied to the chair he was in.
I scanned my brothers with an uplifted eyebrow.
They knew what my look meant. What I got was shrugs and smirks.
“What’s in the bag?” Judge asked, pointing to the one I held.
“Oh, a few old friends. I’m feeling the need to relive the old days.”
There were humming sounds of appreciation, even though they didn’t know what was in there.
I wasn’t spoiling the surprise for the guest of honor.
Wanting to get this started, I walked away from my brothers to stand before Jordan.
His mouth had a rag stuffed in it. He lifted his head to focus on me.
One eye was almost swollen shut. The hatred was evident in his expression.
He strained against his restraints as he made muffled sounds behind his gag.
Deciding to let him have his say, I jerked the cloth from his mouth.
“Motherfucker, you have no right to do this. You think you can hold me hostage and torture me, and you’ll walk free. Your ass, and all your buddies’ asses are going to rot in prison,” he rasped.
I laughed, “Honestly, do you believe what came out of your mouth? If so, you’re dumber than I thought, and that was pretty dumb.”
“You’re the stupid one. What did Sari see in you?
She’s not going to allow you to get away with this.
She’s seen the error of her ways. She knows I’m the one she’s meant to be with.
She told me. You lose. Just let her and me go.
I know you kidnapped and brought her back here. Let us go live out our lives together.”
“God, you truly don’t get it, do you? Or you’re stupid, like I said. Anya doesn’t want you. She told me the lies she spouted to you while you held her against her will. They were all lies. She told them to stall you until either she found a way to escape or I came for her.”
“You lie! I know she didn’t. She’s always meant to be mine. You stole her from me. But I have her back, and she’ll be my wife,” he shouted. He was trying his hardest to jerk himself loose from his bonds.
Knowing it was useless to argue, because his delusion was firmly embedded in his brain, I left him to think whatever he wanted to think.
I wanted to get this over with so I could go back to my wildling, despite a part of me craving to prolong his demise as long as possible. The former was winning out. Lucky him.
Sitting my bag on the floor, I crouched, unzipped it, and brought out the things I wanted to use for the occasion.
It was all rider and, more specifically, bull rider, standard equipment.
No one rode horses or bulls without a pair of rough cowhide gloves.
If you did, your hands were torn up big time.
Next was a riding crop. I typically never used them, but I had a few.
This crop was referred to as a training crop.
It was a small, stiff paddle capable of precise and sharp contact.
It was used by skilled riders to correct bad behaviors in horses.
Mine had a polished wooden handle, which gave it a heavier feel and better control, I believed.
The rest of it was made of fiberglass to give it strength, comfort, lightness, and flexibility.
The following item I removed was the braided bull rope that I used to stay on the bull. It was made of nylon, though others preferred polypropylene. Both had strength and durability. This one was eight feet long, wrapped in loops. The diameter was three-fourths of an inch.
Neely’s eyes never left me. With each item I presented, his false bravado drained away more.
The next-to-last piece of equipment was a whip.
Not exactly a standard bull-riding essential, it was used with horses for whom the training crop wasn’t enough.
I had cause to use one a time or two with horses, but I detested using it if there was any other option.
I heard a whimper slip from Neely’s lips.
The final item was my riding spurs, which had the sharpest rowels.
The rowels were the wheel-like parts people called spurs.
I spun them so he could admire their appearance.
Neely was pale when I entered. He was more so after my reveal show.
I leaned toward him. He shrank back in his chair as far as it allowed.
“I’m more than a biker. Before I became a Horseman, I was a world champion bull rider, and I’ve been riding horses since I was two years old.
I have a treat for you. I’ve decided to pretend you’re an unruly bronco combined with a mean-as-a-snake bull.
I will break you,” I pledged, letting him see the need for his agony in my eyes.
“P-p-please, don’t hurt me. I’ll go away and never bother Sari again. I swear. I don’t want to die. Please, I’m begging you, let me go. I won’t tell a soul what you did,” he pleaded.
“I’m afraid we’re past that. I know that Anya never gave you an indication that she would see you as anything more than a friend.
In fact, she told me that after her dad hired you two years ago, whenever she met you, she found you dull, unentertaining, and not at all attractive.
Anya told me she finds it creepy that you’ve had this secret obsession with her.
She says it makes her sick to her stomach. ”
Saranya had said some of that, but I added to it.
“No, she wouldn’t say that,” he muttered, mostly to himself.
“She did. I was there when she said it,” Punk lied. Grunts of agreement from the others made it seem as if they had all been part of it. Neely wilted.
“But it’s not fair. I deserve her. I’m successful.
We’re both vets, so we have loads in common to talk about.
I can help her clinic grow. I know that Preston and Malai would prefer a man like me for their daughter rather than a broken-down cowboy who is also an outlaw biker.
What can you give her?” He rallied and hurled the question at me loudly.
“Well, I don’t want this to go to your head, Cowboy, or to get any ideas that I’m hot for you, but you’re far better looking than him. You’re super fit, and the ladies do seem to love the whole tattooed, bad boy biker thing you have going,” Thunder interjected.
“You’re smart, and even if you’re not a vet, you and Sari have horses and her clinic expansion, along with your equestrian therapy project, in common,” Wolverine added.
“And let’s not forget the sex had to be out of this world hot between the two of you. The way you two look at each other is a turn on,” Butcher said.
“Last, you’re head-over-heels in love with each other.
You’ve claimed her as your old lady. Her property cut has arrived and is waiting to be presented to her.
And I wouldn’t be surprised if a ring goes on her finger and a baby in her belly shortly after.
Or the baby might already be a done deal,” Diablo finished the reciting of my positive attributes.
I was touched by my brothers’ voicing the reasons why Saranya would choose me over Neely. Our guest wasn’t. A howl of outrage steeped in denial tore from his throat. He was back to thrashing in his bonds.
“No!” he screamed.
I let him caterwaul while I conferred with my club. “Thanks for all that, but Thunder, I’m watching you,” I tease.
He and the rest of the guys laughed. I let them settle before I continued. The ongoing verbal denial from Neely tried to drown me out, so I raised my voice.
“I thank you for loosening him up. However, I want to do this on my own. Butcher, no offense. I hate denying you your pain-infliction fix, but I have to do this for my woman.”
“Man, no worries. There’s always next time. Make him hurt. So, what’re you gonna do with your riding gear?” Butcher asked.
“I’m gonna treat him like a bull or unruly bronco. He’s not only getting pain, but humiliation. Something tells me he hates to be degraded,” I smirked.
“Jesus, we’ve got to record this,” Micro muttered. His phone came out.
I didn’t tell him no. It would be kept within the club and or friends.
“It’s your rodeo. Start when you’re ready, champ,” Diablo said.
With my brothers’ approval, I turned to Neely. The time was now.