Chapter 16
Raven
Being able to shower in my own house feels like heaven.
That’s the first thing I did when we got home and I walked in the door.
Obviously, I had to wrap this stupid cast, so Reyes helped me cover it with a damn grocery sack.
That’s all I have, but it all works the same.
For not really being able to use both hands and not liking to have to ask for help, I did the best I could.
Let's just hope all the shampoo and conditioner is rinsed out.
Walking down the stairs, I stop in my tracks as the guys load themselves down with weapons. Pistols and knives are going in different holsters. Something about these men covered in weapons and ready for a fight just turns me on.
“You’re drooling, Babygirl.” Reyes laughs.
“I think you better pick your jaw up off the floor, Angel.” Damien follows suit.
“Ha, fucking ha. Laugh it up, why don’t you come clean it up?
” I sass and finish moving down the stairs.
Grabbing my holster and attempting to buckle it around my waist, my fingers lose grip, but Damien catches it and secures it for me.
Helping me slide my useless arm through my shoulder holster next, I then reach back and put my other arm through, and he helps get the straps situated around my back.
Reyes walks over and slides my gun in, making sure to put it on my left side, since I use my right for everything else. Strapping my thigh holder around my leg, he lets his fingers slowly wander up the black jeans I’m wearing.
“Mmm, don’t start something you can’t finish, Loverboy.” I grin, looking down at him.
“As much as I miss touching your body and want to leave you panting for more, we have more pressing matters to attend to right now.” He looks up at me with a sly smirk. Welp, there go my panties. He stands and kisses me, and right before I try to deepen the kiss, Damien clears his throat beside us.
“So this is something you’ll both want to see,” he says, and his face falls, almost like he’s going to be sick from whatever he just saw on his phone.
He hands it over, and Reyes walks around me to look over my shoulder.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I’m looking at.
Luis is hanging from a ceiling, one that looks very familiar.
His body is bruised and battered, and the dried blood is evident.
Letting out an audible gasp, I bring my hands up to my mouth, dropping Damien's phone in the process.
“I assume you got an anonymous message? Did it say anything else, or was it just the picture?” Reyes seethes, bending down to grab the phone.
“All it said was ‘If you want him alive, do as you're told.’ Then they sent the picture,” Damien replies, scrubbing his hands through his hair. That’s when I notice the wraps are gone and his knuckles all busted up.
“What happened to your hands? Also, I’m so sorry, this is all my fault. I promise we will get him back. Alive!” I breathe out. “I didn’t survive that crash just to lose to that son of a bitch!” I spit, my voice laced with venom. I’m done being a part of this fucking never-ending nightmare.
“First off, we just had to rough up a guy last night to get some answers. Let’s just say we got a few but not exactly what we wanted.
” He pauses and lets out an irritated sigh.
“We’ll take my car. Reyes, you take your truck, he’s definitely going to need a doc so I’ll call our guy and have him on standby,” Damien says, barking distinct orders and making calls.
My phone vibrates, catching me off guard.
Reaching into my back pocket, I pull it out and see Naomi’s name across my screen.
Naomi:
Eddie hasn’t seen him, and I still haven’t heard anything. Just wanted to update. If you hear from him or see him, please let me know. I’m kinda freaking out now.
Me:
We will find him, babe. I’m so sorry.
Locking my phone, I slide it back into my pocket. Reyes reaches for my jacket on the hook, and comes up behind me, helping me slide it on. Turning and looking at him, I roll my eyes.
“Don’t be a brat. I’m just trying to help.” He chuckles, and I roll them again. It’s almost second nature to do the complete opposite of what I’m told.
“Let’s roll out and get this murder party started,” I cheer, grabbing Damien’s keys and walking to the garage. We’re coming, Sunshine, and I can’t wait until we make it rain red.
Walking past my car, I glide my fingertips along the hood.
It’s so weird to see just my car in here without my bike.
I’ll have to remind the guys to take me to see what’s left of it.
Getting into the car, Damien pushes the button on his visor that opens the garage door.
Reyes gets into his truck and starts backing down the driveway.
Damien looks at me, and I turn back to him, almost like he’s asking if I’m ready.
Nodding, he pulls out of the gates of the driveway.
We’re driving down my old neighborhood road, and just being this close makes my stomach churn.
Looking out of the window, we pass houses I don’t even remember.
Bikes and kids toys in the front yards, all the things I wish I could have done as a kid.
My childhood was much different. I can’t even think of a single memory that was good other than meeting Naomi.
She was the only good thing I had growing up.
Damien grabs my hand, and I look over, realizing he’s staring at me with a sadness in his eyes, something I don’t think I’ve ever seen before.
It’s then that I feel the wetness on my cheeks, tears I didn’t even know I set free falling down them.
“You okay, Angel? I can stop right now before we even get there if you need me too,” he says, his voice almost raspy.
“No, let’s go get our boy. I want to be done with this,” I reply, slapping the tears from my face.
A few minutes later, we park on the side of the street with a few other cars, making sure we blend in.
It may be pitch black outside, but I can see the nightmare of a house I grew up in.
Just there, still the same as it was all those years ago.
Damien gets out and rounds the car, opening the door for me.
Walking to the front, I lean against the hood.
Reyes walks up with a duffle slung over his shoulder.
Squatting down in front of me, he looks up at me.
“Are you ready for this? To go back in that house? You can stay out here if you want, and we can do it by ourselves,” he asks, pulling my face down close to his.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, baby. Let’s go.
” I exhale, and kiss his lips softly before pushing off the car and walking towards the driveway.
Pulling my hood over my head, I look down as I walk across the street.
I don’t want to be caught on no one's cameras.
The only lights on are people's porch lights. Better safe than sorry.
Standing at the end of the driveway and looking up, it’s then that the memories come crashing down.
“Please, Mom. Please listen to me. That man doesn’t love you, and he’s hurting me,” I beg, with tears running down my face.
“Oh, please. He’s not hurting you. Why would he hurt you when he gives us everything we could ever want?” she yells, always thinking I make up lies.
“He touches me in places you say no one should ever touch me. He hurts me with the belt. He made me bleed where I shouldn’t. Why won’t you just believe me when I tell you these things?” I plead with tears still streaming down my face.
No amount of crying or begging will make her believe anything I say.
She always takes his side. When I show her the fresh bruises, she just says, ‘you probably deserved that ass whooping.’ So, I give up.
There’s no point in trying to fight it. My mom is more worried about a man keeping her and giving her money.
I’m nothing to her. I’ll never be anything to anyone.
“Raven! Fuck, Raven,” Reyes whisper shouts, shaking me.
“What happened?” I gasp, and rub my chest.
“I think you were having a panic attack. Where did you go? Your eyes almost look glossed over,” he says, rubbing his hands up and down my arms to soothe me.
“It’s just a memory. I’m okay, we can talk about it later. You both know the things that happened to me here,” I reply, finally able to breathe again.
They both grab onto one of my hands, and we walk together into the one place I can’t wait to set fire to.