Chapter Thirteen
Isy
“Shit,” I muttered as the floorboards creaked under my feet, echoing in the empty house. Rebel was out with his brothers on a job, leaving me alone for the night. I’d already had dinner with my dad, and he was most likely in bed by now.
I had been lost in a steamy daydream about Rebel when I sensed something off outside. Tension hung heavy in the air, and my heart raced. My instincts kicked in, urging me to investigate. Clearly my fight or flight was broken. I probably should have run or called someone.
I stepped cautiously toward the window, peering into the darkness. At first, everything seemed normal, but then I spotted her -- a mysterious woman lurking in the shadows. I recognized her from before; she’d been watching me for days now, always staying just out of reach.
Deciding I’d had enough, I stalked to the front door and threw it open, stepping outside. “Hey! Who are you and what the hell do you want?”
The woman didn’t respond at first, only staring at me with dark, piercing eyes that sent shivers down my spine. She’d dressed in black leather that clung to her body like a second skin. There was something predatory about her, like a wild animal stalking its prey.
“Speak up,” I demanded, attempting to sound braver than I felt. Did she notice my hands were trembling? “Or get the fuck out of here.”
“Isy, isn’t it?” Her voice was low with a dangerous edge to it, sending another wave of dread washing over me. “Such fire, such passion… You’re a fascinating girl.”
Every muscle in my body tightened, and I knew I’d made a mistake coming outside. This stranger was clearly more dangerous than I’d realized. But I couldn’t back down now.
“Cut the crap. Who are you?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Let’s just say I’m someone who’s very interested in your little love affair with Rebel,” she replied cryptically, her lips curling into a sinister smirk.
“Love affair?” First off, who the hell said something like that these days? And second… How did she know Rebel? Who had told her my name? I’d thought maybe she was an ex-girlfriend or something, except he hadn’t mentioned one. The fact she was inside the compound meant someone had let her in. But who? The longer I spoke with her, the more my senses screamed at me to run. “What does that have to do with you? Are you his ex or something?”
“Something like that.” Her smile grew more ominous, though she offered no further explanation. I wouldn’t let her get to me. She could imply anything she wanted, but Rebel would have told me if he’d been dating someone. Right? Either he’d lied, or this woman was batshit crazy. I had a very bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“Look, I don’t know what you want from us, but we’re not going to let you get in our way,” I stated firmly, clenching my fists. I hoped like hell someone would ride through the area, see what was happening, and help me out. But it seemed like I was entirely on my own right now. “If you think you can just waltz in here and ruin everything, you’re dead wrong.”
Shut up, Isy! Stop provoking the crazy lady!And yet, I couldn’t seem to hold back. Not to mention, the moment I showed a sign of weakness, I had no doubt she’d pounce.
“Rebel is mine.” Her voice dripped with venom. “You think you can just walk into his life and take him away from me?”
“Who are you?” I demanded, my heart pounding with a mixture of dread and anger. Had Rebel lied to me about his past? I didn’t want to doubt him, but… I had to admit, her words bothered me. She sounded completely insane, and yet she was making me question Rebel, even when I knew I shouldn’t. Not to mention she was inside the compound… Since there weren’t club whores, she had to be well-known around here. A person they trusted. So why hadn’t Rebel ever mentioned someone like her?
“My name is Raven,” she said, stepping forward. Her eyes gleamed with malice. “And believe me, Isy, you don’t want to know what I’m capable of.”
“Raven? That’s who you are?” My thoughts raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. No one had mentioned her name to me. I knew she wasn’t an old lady. I’d met all of them. What was her connection to the club and to Rebel? “I don’t care what kind of history you have with Rebel. We’re together now, and that’s not going to change.”
“Is that right?” Raven’s voice oozed with contempt. “How long do you think he’ll want you once he sees what you truly are? You’re nothing but a plaything, an amusement to occupy his time until he comes back to me. Someone like you could never be good enough for him.”
“Fuck you!” Fury started to build inside me. Who the hell was she to decide whether or not I was good enough for Rebel? “You don’t know anything about us.”
“Ah, but I do.” A wicked grin spread across her face, sending a chill through me. “I’ve been watching, waiting for the perfect moment to remind him of our bond, to show him what he gave up when he chose you.”
Gave up? So he had dated her? If so, why hadn’t he said anything? It wasn’t like I would have held his past against him. For that matter, I’d sort of thrown myself at him, made sure everyone in hearing distance of the motel knew I was his, and hadn’t bothered to ask if he even wanted me. Sure, he’d claimed me afterward, but what if this woman was telling the truth and I’d stolen her place by his side?
“Rebel doesn’t belong to anyone,” I shot back. “Least of all you.” Maybe if I said it enough, I’d believe it too. He’d said he loved me. He’d even gone up against my dad. Rebel wouldn’t have done those things if this woman was really his, right?
“Is that so?” Raven’s eyes narrowed. “He may not realize it, but he’s mine. I’m sure I’m the one he dreams of each night.”
“Get out of here.” I was unwilling to listen to any more of her twisted fantasies. “You’re nothing but a pathetic, deluded woman clinging to something that’s long gone, if it ever was to begin with.”
“Am I?” Raven came even closer. “When you’re gone from his life, I’ll be there to pick up the pieces, and make sure he never thinks of you again. Rebel will be in my arms, kissing me, and he’ll forget all about pathetic little you.”
What if these weren’t empty threats? What if she could really hurt me? I felt very foolish for coming outside like this. I’d thought I was safe inside the compound, but I was starting to think I’d made a possibly fatal mistake. The times I’d seen her lurking around the house, I’d managed to convince myself she’d been invited by someone at the club. Clearly she’d gotten in here somehow, but…
Raven’s eyes darkened and a sinister smile spread across her lips right before she lunged at me with unexpected speed. Her fingers clawed for my throat, but I managed to twist away just in time.
“Back off!” My heart pounding as adrenaline coursed through my veins. I could admit I was at a disadvantage. Even though I did know some self-defense, I wasn’t an expert by any means. I felt rattled, but she seemed to know exactly what she wanted and how she planned to get it. The door was behind me, but could I make it inside, shut it and lock it before she reached me? Doubtful.
“Or what?” Raven taunted. “You think you can take me on, little girl? You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”
“Neither do you.” I was the daughter of a Dixie Reaper, Rebel’s old lady, and I refused to back down. As she lunged again, I sidestepped her attack and grabbed a nearby branch, swinging it hard toward her head.
“Ugh!” Raven grunted as the branch connected, but it barely slowed her down. She retaliated with a vicious punch to my stomach, knocking the wind out of me.
“Is that all you’ve got?” I gasped, struggling not to collapse. Desperation fueled my resolve, and I fought back with every ounce of strength I had.
“Fighting dirty now?” Raven smirked, dodging another blow from the branch. “I like it. But you’re more like a kitten going up against a tiger.”
“Guess we’ll see about that,” I muttered, gritting my teeth as I swung again. This time, I aimed low, catching her off guard and landing a solid hit to her knee.
“Son of a bitch!” she yelled, stumbling backward. Seizing the opportunity, I charged forward, tackling her to the ground and pinning her beneath me.
“Get… off me!” Raven snarled, struggling to free herself from my grasp. But I held on tight, refusing to let her escape. Why the hell wasn’t anyone nearby right now? Out of all the times for me to be completely alone…
“Admit it.” I dug my fingers into her wrists. “You’re just a pathetic, jealous bitch who can’t stand the fact Rebel wants nothing to do with you.”
“Fuck you!” Her eyes blazed with fury. Maybe I’d made a direct hit with that one. “You don’t know anything about him, about us!”
“Maybe I don’t know whether you’re telling the truth about your past with him,” I admitted, my grip tightening. “But I do know this -- I won’t let you destroy what I have with him. And if you ever come near me or Rebel again, I’ll make you regret it.”
“Bold words.” There was a hint of uncertainty in her gaze. “Just remember, Isy… you can’t run from your past. And neither can he.”
As her words hung in the air, I felt a shiver of fear run down my spine. But for now, I had managed to hold my own against this twisted woman. This was my chance to take control, to put her in her place.
“Get ready to eat dirt, bitch!” I slammed my fist into her jaw with all the strength I could muster. The impact sent a jolt of pain up my wrist and into my arm, but it was worth it to see her head snap back, stunned by the force of my blow.
“Ugh, you little --” Raven’s words were cut off as I landed another punch to her face, my knuckles cracking against her cheekbone. She tried to retaliate, but I was too fast, dodging her clumsy attempts at striking back. Maybe those lessons with Tank had paid off after all.
“That the best you can do?” I taunted, panting from the exertion of our struggle. It felt like I was finally gaining the upper hand.
As I prepared to deliver one more decisive blow, a sudden shadow loomed over us. My blood ran cold as I realized we weren’t alone, and this presence didn’t feel reassuring. Did she have backup? I looked up and saw a man I’d never met before, but I had no doubt as to who he was… the one who’d stalked me from the shadows, made my life hell, and left me sinister notes.
“Need some help, Raven?” he asked. “Guess she wasn’t as easy to take down as you’d thought. My, but I do love her fighting spirit.”
“Fuck off, Price!” While I was distracted, she managed to break free and threw me off her, regaining her footing. “I don’t need your help.”
“Seems like you do,” he replied, stepping closer to us. Panic rose in my chest as I realized how vulnerable I was. Two against one weren’t good odds, especially since I’d barely gotten the upper hand with Raven. There was no way I could take down both of them.
“Let’s make this a fair fight, shall we?” Price suggested, his eyes locked on me. I could almost feel his gaze burning into my skin, and it sent a shiver down my spine.
“Stay the hell away from me,” I warned, but my voice was shaky with fear. Price only laughed, clearly relishing my terror.
“Sorry, sweetheart, but you don’t get to call the shots,” he said, reaching out to grab my arm. I tried to twist away, but his grip was like iron, and I could feel the painful pressure of his fingers digging into my flesh.
“Price! Leave her alone!” Raven ordered, pushing herself up off the ground. For a brief moment, I thought she might actually be coming to my defense. But as she moved toward us, I saw the cold calculation in her eyes -- this wasn’t about protecting me, it was about asserting her own dominance over both Price and me.
“Fine, we’ll do this together,” he conceded, a wicked grin spreading across his face. “But just know, Isy… you’re not getting out of this one. You’re finally going to be mine.”
As I struggled against their combined strength, I knew I was in deep trouble. My chances of escaping had slipped through my fingers, but I wouldn’t give up without a fight. I owed it to myself, my family, and to Rebel. Shit. My dad was going to lose it if these assholes managed to drag me away. How the hell had Price managed to get into the compound?
“Rebel will find you both, and when he does, you’ll wish you’d never hurt me.”
“Let him try.” Price tightened his grip on my arm. “He’s no match for what’s coming. Not him, his entire club, or your father and the pathetic Dixie Reapers. Not a single one of them noticed my presence in the back of Raven’s car. They just let us roll right through the gates.”
So that’s how he’d gotten inside. Had no one seen him get out of the car? Surely, they hadn’t let her just drive anywhere she wanted in here.
I could feel the cool plastic of the zip ties biting into my wrists as Raven and Price forced my hands behind my back and tied them together. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat a reminder of how hopelessly trapped I was.
“Stop struggling,” Raven whispered in my ear, her breath hot against my skin. “It’ll only make things worse for you.”
“Fuck you, Raven. When Rebel finds out what happened, he’s going to kill you.” I refused to let them see my fear, but deep down, terror clawed at me.
“Such a mouth on you, Isadora,” Price chuckled, circling around to face me. “Maybe we should teach you some manners.”
“Touch me and Rebel will make you both pay,” I threatened, trying to inject confidence into my voice even as my legs trembled beneath me.
“Rebel?” Raven scoffed. “Do you see him here? Because I don’t. He didn’t even leave a guard to watch over you. Maybe you aren’t as important to him as you think.”
As they bound my feet together, leaving me helpless, I wracked my brain for a way out. I needed to keep my wits about me if I had any chance of surviving this nightmare. If I held on, someone would find me. I only hoped it was before they could break me.
“Listen, you don’t have to do this,” I said, attempting to reason with them. “Just let me go, and I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
“Aw, sweetheart,” Price cooed mockingly, leaning in close so I could smell his rank breath. “That’s not how this works.”
“Please,” I begged, tears stinging my eyes as the reality of my situation became all too clear. “You don’t have to hurt me.”
“Oh, I don’t plan to do a thing to you,” Raven said. “My part in all this is done. Now your fate is in Price’s hands. Go ahead and beg. I doubt it will do you any good. He’s been waiting too long to have his fun with you.”
“Rot in hell,” I said. “Once Rebel realizes you helped Price kidnap me, you’ll wish you were dead. You’d better hope he’s the only one who comes after you. If my dad gets his hands on you --”
“Keep dreaming, sweetheart,” Price said interrupting me. His eyes glinted with malice. “By the time anyone even knows you’re missing, it’ll be too late. And Raven has been trusted by this club for a while now. It’s why I chose her as my accomplice. That and she was a decent fuck.”
I clenched my jaw, refusing to let them see how terrified I was. As they dragged me toward the waiting car, my heart raced with dread, knowing that if I didn’t find a way out of this, there was no telling what Price was capable of. For now, all I could do was pray that Rebel would come for me before it was too late.
The cold steel of a syringe pressed against my neck, chilling me to the bone. I felt the prick of the needle piercing my skin, and the burn of whatever solution they’d given me. Raven’s taunting voice whispered in my ear, “Sweet dreams, Isy.”
“Get off me!” I yelled, trying to wriggle free, but it only seemed to amuse them further.
“Feisty,” Price remarked with a sinister chuckle. “I like that. You’ll be a fun one to break in.”
“Go to hell!” My vision began to blur as the sedative took effect, and I could feel my consciousness slowly slipping away. “Rebel… will find you.”
My words slurred, and I fought to hold onto my anger, my fear, and my determination. But everything started to go dark, and I knew I was fighting a losing battle.
My body betrayed me, growing limp as the darkness swallowed me whole. The last thing I felt was my captors dragging me across the pavement, every bump and scrape intensifying the fear that coiled in my gut. Their voices were distant echoes, a cruel reminder of my helplessness.
I heard the slamming of a trunk and felt the movement of the car as it drove through the compound. My body felt heavy, and my mind was too hazy to form words. The murmur of voices and the sound of the gate opening was enough to tell me we were leaving the compound. No, I screamed inside my mind. I’m in here! Save me!
The car turned, and I knew we were outside the compound now and on the streets. I tried to focus on where we were going, but soon, the drugs they’d given me took full effect, and I drifted into a silent darkness.