Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
KNOX
Killian runs ahead of us to grab the SUV. I’m a little concerned that he’s over exerting himself while needing to heal from his surgery. I don’t waste my breath telling him to take it easy because he’s not going to rest until we have Heather.
Reaper and I keep dragging Desjardins until we are outside.
He is cooperating, but I’m starting to believe he is telling us the truth by the way he’s dragging his feet.
I’m sure he knows when we find her, he dies.
We aren’t total monsters though, if we find her alive and unharmed, it’ll be quicker.
He still has to pay for what he did to Carter and for whatever his fucking involvement is in Heather being taken. If it’s his house, he’s not innocent.
When Kill pulls up, we are quick to throw him into the trunk, knowing there are guards still here.
We all get in uncomfortably. This vehicle isn’t big enough for all of us, but we will make due. Carter gets in the front with Killian, and the rest of us are sandwiched in the back as Kill slams on the gas.
I roll my eyes at the sobbing from the trunk. Psycho launches himself halfway over the back seat with a snarl.
“Shut the fuck up. I didn’t agree to keep you untouched for the moment. Keep it up and I’ll shred you. They already have the address, anyway.”
Reaper grabs the back of his shirt and yanks Psycho back.
“We owe Carter for what Bella did. Nobody touches him.”
Psycho sits back down and twirls his knife in his hand, reminding me of a little boy in timeout.
We don’t have any hard feelings about Bella killing Frank.
Her reasons were valid, even though I would’ve preferred? Carter to get the kill.
His entire childhood was ripped from him.
He fucking earned it. Still, she didn’t even know we existed.
“Fine.”
When Kill announces that we are here, he pulls over to the side of the road, and we all get out. Bones and Kage aren't here yet, but they won’t be far behind us.
Reaper and I grab the priest from the trunk and drag him up the gravel driveway. Carter and Raven grab Desjardins on? my side.
“Go on. I’ve got this.”
I don’t argue. Instead, I sprint up to my brothers, until I’m nearly paralyzed with pain.
“Heather.” Carter says, his voice broken.
Her screams of pure agony are loud, piercing a hole in my heart as we stand in the driveway. All three of us take off in a sprint. I look beside me and spot Killian holding his stomach in pain from the surgery as he grits out, “Just fucking go. I’ll be right there.”
“Stop. Please! Kill me. Just kill me.” She sounds fucking destroyed, and when we enter the barn, we know why.
She is chained naked to a metal rack, and I really fucking wish that was the most devastating part.
“Get the fuck away from her,” Killian growls as all three of us charge at this asshole with his dick inside her. She doesn’t see us, her eyes are closed, but the expression on her face is something I’ll never forget—unadulterated pain.
Noah grabs a gun and holds it to her head.
“Wanna watch? I’m cool with that. We like an audience, don’t we, sis? Come any closer and I’ll kill her.”
All three of us are fucking helpless as Heather begs him to kill her again.
“Kill me, Noah. Please. God wants you to end my life. Kill me.”
Nausea hits me as I hear a quote of scripture coming from our beautiful girl, attempting to get this sick fuck to end her misery.
“In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, there is no God.”
Carter gazes at the ground and says, “I can’t take this. I’m out of here.”
He walks away, leaving us both fucking stunned. Carter did not just walk away from her.
But he did.
In less than thirty seconds, a bang rings out. No silencer, blood sprays in Heather's face and Noah drops to the ground with a loud thud. I’ve never been more fucking grateful that my brother is a skilled marksman.
Carter runs to Heather and wraps his arms around her while she sobs against his neck. Kill and I search Noah’s pants looking for keys to the chains.
“I have a blanket. And some other supplies. Come get them. I’ll stay out here.” I hear Bones yell from outside.
Killian heads out to get them as I rush over to Heather.
I’m trying to hold it together for her. This is not the time to have an emotional breakdown, but seeing her like this fucking guts me.
Her long blonde hair is a bloody mess, tears are dried on her face along with blood, probably a mixture of hers and his.
Black and blue marks cover her face, and I’m terrified to know what else is on her body.
I’m not looking because that would only be another violation.
“Tesoro. I’m going to unlock these so we can get you out of here. Okay?”
She nods and then cries more.
“I told him not to go. Why wouldn’t he listen? How are we supposed to live without him?”
Carter and I glance at each other, sharing a puzzled look.
She could not be talking about Noah. It’s not even possible.
I unlock the chains and Carter rubs her wrists.
Killian comes back with several items. He takes a towel to her face attempting to clean Noah’s blood from her skin.
Heather places her hand over her face and shakes uncontrollably.
“Killian.” She cries.
He tries to keep his composure for her but I know he’s barely holding it together, like both Carter and I.
His lips lift ?into a smile. One that’s only for her. He holds the blanket up, silently asking permission to touch her. She nods and he wraps it around her torso.
“I missed you, baby.”
She places her arms around his neck.
“He said you were dead.”
Lifting her into his arms, he sighs as he holds her tight.
“He lied, Killer. Died? Not a chance. I’m never leaving you.”
He hands me a bottle of water, and I open it and give it back to him.
“Drink. No arguments, just drink.”
Lowering her hand, she takes it and sips it, spilling a bit as her hands continue to shake.
Bones clears his throat from the barn door, and we all turn to face him.
“Take her to the hotel. I’ll send a doctor. Bianca wants to be here for her, but she can’t travel. Her pregnancy is high-risk. Would it be okay if Bella and Athena come? They don’t know Heather well, but it might help.”
He’s talking to Killian, but I intervene anyway.
“They can come, but it’ll be up to Heather to allow it or not. If at any time she’s had enough, I’ll ask them to leave.”
We walk to the vehicles with Bones beside us.
“Athena has had a lot of the same experiences Heather has, minus the religious shit. It might be good. She won’t overstep. If Heather wants her to leave, she will.”
Killian asks, “What the fuck are we doing with Desjardins?”
Kage, who has spoken very little to any of us, says, “We’ll hold him until you’re ready for him. Keep him uncomfortable but alive.”
My brothers look at me with an arched brow.
“Your turn to drive.” Killian says, and I’m annoyed because I want to be near her, but they’re right. It’s my turn to drive.
Carter helps her into the back seat carefully. He gets in on one side of her, and Killian gets in on the other.
It’s taking everything in me to stay focused on what we need to do. The anger, heartbreak, and relief all battle in my mind. I’m angry she has gone through this again. And I’m so fucking relieved she’s alive.