Chapter 19
We drove for a long time.
I tried to keep track of where we were by the glimpses I got out the window, but it was hard.
By my calculation, we’d driven for an hour and a half.
When we stopped, I was roughly hauled out of the van. They didn’t blindfold me, so I was able to look around. I was taken aback to see they’d brought me to a campground. Other than one lone RV, there were no other RVs, campers, or tents close to where we were. I was shoved in that direction.
Who the hell kidnapped someone and then brought them to a campground? Even if no one was right up on us, anyone could decide to pitch their campsite next to this RV.
Maybe these guys were new to the kidnapping game.
Other than manhandling me when they grabbed me and got me in and out of their van, they hadn’t touched me or made any kind of threats.
For the most part, they remained silent on the trip here.
The driver did remove his mask after they got me in the van, which worried me.
I could identify him. What was to keep them from killing me, even if ransom was their intent? The other two had theirs firmly in place.
We stopped at the RV door, and the one in the lead knocked three times on the door, then he opened it and stuck his head inside.
Barely a minute later, he withdrew his head, opened it wide, and issued his order.
“Get inside,” he growled.
I couldn’t argue since my mouth was still covered, so I narrowed my gaze on him and hoped he saw how much I wished he’d drop dead.
He must’ve because he chuckled.
“You’re a feisty one, aren’t you?” he said as I stumbled up the steps.
I wish I could breathe fire like a dragon.
They’d all be cinders.
The inside of the camper was dark, and the windows were all covered.
I was pushed to sit on a small couch at the front.
The three goons closed the door and stood there.
Where was the one who had been spoken to? Why not show themselves and tell me what the fuck this was about?
Moments later, from the back walked a dark figure.
Based on the size and shape, I guessed it was a man.
It wasn’t until he almost reached me and flipped on a light that I recognized who it was.
When I did, I tried to lunge at him. I was caught and pushed back down by Goon Three. I’d named them one, two, and three. One was the guy who grabbed me from behind. Two was the one who couldn’t deal with my legs, and Three was the guy who stayed in the van. I never took my eyes off the bastard smirking at me.
“It’s been a long time, Paige.
I see that you don’t like my friends who were nice enough to bring you to me.
I’m sorry, but they had the skills to do it.
As much as I hate to say it, remove her gag, but you can leave the ties on her wrists and ankles,” he smiled.
Goon One ripped off the tape, taking skin with it by the feel of it.
I refused to flinch or give any indication that it hurt.
I licked my dry, sore lips and then croaked out my reply.
“Fuck you, Paxton.
I should’ve known these morons knew you.
Only you would associate with men of their caliber.”
“Tsk tsk, little sister, is that any way to talk? These men might not be geniuses, but they get the job done.
Why don’t you three step outside? I need to speak to my dear sister alone,” he informed them.
Like mindless drones, they did as he said.
He watched them from a crack in the blind until he was satisfied they were far enough away.
When he was, he turned his attention back to me.
He shook his head before sitting across from me. He crossed his legs and fiddled with the crease in his dress pants. I let him. I knew what he was doing. Pax liked to seem unaffected and force you to be the one to say something first. However, I knew this game. He’d learned it from our dad. I sat there staring down the dark hallway. Finally, he’d had enough. I heard him sigh, and then he was back to talking.
“You’ve caused me a lot of trouble, expense, and time, Paige.
You have no idea the favor I had to use and the excuses I had to make to come here.
All because you came back to St.
Augustine. Of all places in the world, you knew this was the last one you should ever set foot in. Why come here now? What have you been doing here? Who have you been talking to?” he demanded to know.
Ah, so Pax was worried.
I wanted him to be.
I knew he wouldn’t believe me if I lied and told him no one.
So, the only recourse was to brazen it out and make him think that I wasn’t someone he wanted to mess with. Was I scared he’d kill me? My brother? Damn right, I was. He had no real feelings for anyone. Paxton was a pure sociopath. My parents might be stupid enough to think he cared for them, but they were wrong. He used them the same way he did everyone else. He manipulated people, but most never caught on. I eased back on the small, lumpy couch, and I smirked. I shook my head. I scanned him from head to toe, then sighed.
“Say something!” he snapped.
“I’m trying to decide what I should say first.
Should I tell you that you’ve made the biggest mistake of your life coming here? Or that for taking me, you’ve brought so much trouble down on yourself, you’ll never see daylight? Or that you’ve signed your death warrant by coming after me? Why didn’t you listen to me, Pax, when I told you to forget me and stay away? Although I am impressed that you found me.
Are you that desperate to make a good impression on your future wife and in-laws that you’d go this far? I don’t think so.”
“I’m not scared of you, Paige.
How could I be? You’re a nobody.
And I don’t care where you’ve been.
You have no friends or associates who’ll back you. Unlike me, you’re alone.”
“Actually, that’s not true.
See, I agree that I would typically be alone.
You and our parents have done a terrific job of ostracizing me and making sure anyone I called a friend turned against me.
You loved finding ways to mess up my life, so I’d pack and move.”
“It’s true, it’s always been fun.
Don’t worry, I’ll do the same here.
But first, I want to know why you came back here?”
“Why not? It’s the one place I felt like was home.
That is until you got drunk and had to ruin it for me,” I sneered.
He gave an unconcerned shrug.
“So.
Why wouldn’t we have you take the blame? It wasn’t as if you’d do anything with your life.
I was going places.
I still am. As soon as the wedding is over, I’m running for mayor. With his connections and money backing me, my father-in-law can help me ride that train clear to the White House if I want. I made something of myself. What did you do?” he sneered.
“Oh, I forgot.
You assume anyone who helps others is a fool and wasting their time, talents, and lives.
Well, I don’t.
And a lot of people agree with me. I’m very happy with my life, Pax. I wouldn’t ever want to be you in a million years.”
“As if you could.
Paige, you don’t have the intelligence, willpower, or backbone to be anything other than a minnow among sharks.”
“No, I’m not a minnow.
I’m a dragon.
And you have no idea the fire that’s going to come rushing over you.
If you want any chance of saving yourself, let me go. Take me back to where those men grabbed me. Maybe if you do, I can keep you from being killed. I’m making no promises, but I’ll try. However, if you come near me again or contact me in any way, that includes Mom and Dad, I’ll have no restraint on him.”
I was smiling and relaxed, acting as if I didn’t have a care in the world.
I saw it was irritating him big time.
I glanced at his camper.
“Maybe you and Katharine, wasn’t it? Maybe you’ll be able to afford one of these when we’re done.
I hope she likes close quarters.”
“Shut the fuck up! You’re talking out of your ass.
Answer the question.
Why come here?”
“Why does it matter?”
“Just answer me!” he bellowed.
“I’d think it was obvious, Paxton.
I came here for forgiveness, but I came to realize I wasn’t the one who needed it.
That’s you and our parents.
I was a sacrificial pawn, but not anymore. The truth is said to set one free. I have to agree that it does.”
He came bounding to his feet.
He was breathing hard, his face was red, and I thought there was real fear in his eyes.
“What did you do?” he hissed.
“Untie my ankles and wrists.
They’re hurting.
I can’t think with them this tight.” I switched topics.
Paxton hated that.
“Answer me first!” he demanded.
“I can’t.
And I’m so thirsty.
Could I have a drink of water?”
He let out a loud bellow and kicked over a chair.
When I didn’t react, he swept his arm across the small table that had things lying all over it.
The items flew everywhere, but I kept complaining of thirst and pain.
Finally, after almost five minutes of pacing and muttering after his tantrum, I was released and given a drink of water.
I knew what he was thinking.
I had no means of escape.
I was a helpless woman against four men.
However, he consistently underestimated my intelligence. After he released me, he stalked to a cabinet. He took out a glass and a bottle of what appeared to be whiskey. While he was fiddling with it, I slipped my phone out of my bra. I carried it in there out of habit. I’d turned it off while in my interview. As quickly as possible, I pushed and held the On button. When it lit up, I tucked it in between the cushions. The phone was still on mute.
I recalled a conversation we had the other night at the clubhouse.
They were teasing Micro about how he could locate anyone.
And one of the ways he did it involved their phones.
I’d been fascinated. The way Micro talked about the other guys like him in the clubs they were friends with, some were even better.
I had no idea if it would work.
Or if Scorpion and the Horsemen knew what happened, but it was worth a try.
In the meantime, I’d try to throw my brother off-kilter, and maybe I could scare him into letting me go.
I barely got it hidden before he was facing me again after tossing back a drink.
“You’ve had your goddamn water, and you’re untied.
Tell me what you did, Paige.”
“It’s simple, really.
And it all happened by accident.
I didn’t do it intentionally.
Who would’ve thought that a patient assigned to me in the ICU would turn out to be none other than Santiago Luna? You remember him, don’t you? The young guy you hit while driving drunk again and left a paraplegic. The wreck I was forced to take the blame for so that golden Paxton wouldn’t lose his football scholarship. Because you know he was headed for the NFL. What a crock that was. You were never good enough for the NFL, not even on your best day.” I chuckled.
I shouldn’t have added the last bit, but it was too irresistible.
It earned me a backhand to the face.
Pain exploded through my cheek and up into my eye, but I held in my cry of pain.
No way would he get the satisfaction of hearing he hurt me. I forced my aching face to smile. Something warm and wet trickled down onto my chin.
“Stupid bitch, no way you would’ve been that dumb and opened your mouth,” he snapped.
“Oh, I didn’t need to say much.
It seems that the Horsemen of Wrath MC had questions about that night, or at least their president did.
After they figured out who I was and I was brought into their club, they did some digging, and the questions began to pile up.
In the end, I didn’t have to tell them much. They guessed it. They know I wasn’t the driver, that you were. They hate liars and cheats, so imagine how they feel about you and our parents.
“Then take into account how they found out this wasn’t your only fuck up that was brushed under the carpet.
You have a bad habit of making things go away.
Threats and bribes help.
And don’t forget, criminals like those men out there seem to get off whenever you represent them. And the club didn’t think it was due to your stellar lawyer skills. I heard that they’ve been compiling the information for a big reckoning. Imagine how much worse it’ll be when they find out you took me. Any leniency they might’ve given you is gone.” I smiled bigger even though it hurt my cheek and mouth.
“You’re lying.
They don’t know shit.
And if they did, why would they care what happens to you?” he smirked, though I saw he had a hard time maintaining it.
“Do you recall that Santiago Luna and his best friend were about to be made members of the Horsemen when you hit him? Well, his friend was voted in, and his name is Scorpion.
Scorpion has never forgotten or forgiven what occurred that night.
However, what is worse than crippling his best friend is stealing and touching his old lady, the woman he’s about to marry.
Those bikers are very protective and possessive. Only someone suicidal messes with them and their families. The wedding is in two months.”
Paxton blanched, and his gaze hopped all over the place before it settled on my left hand.
He pointed to it.
“You’re lying.
You don’t have a ring.”
“You’re right, I don’t.
He’s still searching for the perfect one, but he asked anyway.
I’ve moved into his house on the Horsemen’s compound.
His mom is coming in a couple of weeks to help plan the wedding. You can call me a liar all you want, but do you really want to chance that I’m not? I bet if you were to call Scorpion and ask him who I am, he’d tell you. Go ahead. Do it,” I taunted.
“I’m not calling anyone.
You’re lying.
What man would want you? Certainly not a biker,” he said snidely.
“Scorpion does.
He can’t wait for us to be married and start a family.
He said I might’ve been given the shittiest one on the planet as my birth family, but not when it comes to my club one.
Better see if Dad and Mom are willing to back you on this.”
I was saying anything I could think of that might scare him, make him think twice, or possibly convince him to set me free.
Paxton was studying me.
He wasn’t sure if he should believe me or not.
I kept my expression supremely smug. After several tense, dead, silent minutes, he snatched his cell phone from his pants pocket. He tapped a few times, then held it up to his ear.
“Dad, I’m here.
We need to talk.” He paused to listen and then spoke again.
“She’s here, but she’s claiming that the Horsemen and that Luna guy know what really happened.
And not only that, but she’s going to marry one of them, Luna’s best friend.”
Pax listened again.
I saw him cringe, and then he pressed on the screen, and I could hear our dad.
“I said put her on the phone right now!” our dad yelled.
“Dad, Dad, I have you on speaker.
She can hear you,” Paxton yelled to be heard.
“You listen to me, you ungrateful little bitch.
You better not have opened your fat mouth and told anyone anything.
Do you think that if that happens, it absolves you? It doesn’t.
You lied. They’ll hate you. I don’t know what bullshit story you’ve been feeding your brother about being engaged to one of them, but I know it’s not true. Who would want you? I told your mom to have an abortion when she ended up pregnant with you, but she thought it might be to our benefit to have a second child. You’ve been a disappointment since you were born,” Dad said nastily.
You’d think his words would hurt, but they didn’t.
I knew they never wanted or loved me.
In the past, it had hurt, but with Scorpion’s love and the support of the Horsemen, it no longer tore out my heart.
Any lingering affection I had as a kid was long dead.
“Not any more than you as parents and Pax as a brother were disappointments.
You act like he can do no wrong, but the truth is this.
He’s exactly as immoral and corrupt as you and Mom.
You’ll do anything to maintain this image you have of yourselves. Well, not everyone buys that bullshit, especially the Horsemen.”
I heard Dad swearing and muttering.
I thought he might be talking to Mom.
Finally, he addressed me again.
“Since you think that motorcycle gang is backing you, why don’t we give them a call and find out? You’re supposedly engaged to one of them.
What’s his name and number?” Dad asked.
I could practically see the smug expression on his face.
“Dad, I don’t think that’s a good idea.
She can tell someone who took her.
They might call the cops,” Paxton protested.
“That’s why it’s your job to make sure she doesn’t say anything she shouldn’t.
It won’t take long to verify she’s lying her ass off,” Dad assured him.
Pax remained unconvinced based on his expression, but didn’t argue further.
“Get a phone off one of those guys you hired.
Don’t use yours.
We’ll make the call and verify she’s lying, and then we can get on with this.
We’re on a timeline, Paxton. She can’t blow this for us.”
“What timeline? Blow what?” I asked.
“Never mind,” Pax hissed.
He went to the door and stuck his head out.
“Hey, I need a phone,” he yelled.
There was muttering, and then he was back in no time with one.
“I’ll listen on your phone.
I can’t wait to prove what a liar she is,” Dad said gleefully.
I heard a chuckle from his end.
It was our mom’s. God, I’d gotten an utterly rotten family.
“Tell me his name again and his number,” Paxton ordered.
“I can dial him.
His name is Scorpion.” I held out my hand.
Pax sneered.
“I’m not stupid.
I’m not giving you the phone.
Tell me his number, or we’re done with this.”
Not wanting to push and lose the chance to speak to Scorpion, I rattled off his number.
Pax tapped it into the keypad.
As it rang, I held my breath.
What if he didn’t answer? It was an unknown number. He might assume it was a telemarketer. I was about to give up hope when he answered.
“Scorpion, I’m not interested in whatever you’re selling,” he barked.
Before he could hang up, I cried, “Scorpion, it’s me, Paige.”
“Jesus Christ, where are you? How did you get a phone? Tell me where you are, and we’ll come get you,” Scorpion said urgently.
“I’m —” Pax cut off my reply by placing his hand over my mouth.
My brother gave me a warning look.
I subsided to make him think I was complying, but that was only for now.
He’d been an idiot and untied my arms and legs. When the time was right, that move would come back to haunt him.
“Paige, talk to me!” Scorpion yelled.
When I didn’t, his voice dropped lower and became mean.
“Whoever you are, you’d better let her go.
If you do and she’s unharmed, you’ll have a chance to live.
However, if you’ve touched a hair on her head, all bets are off,” he growled.
“You shouldn’t make threats, Scorpion.
I hold all the cards here, not you.
I have some questions.
It would behoove you to answer them truthfully, for her sake,” Pax replied. He was smirking.
There was a long pause, and then Scorpion answered him.
“What questions?”
“First, tell me how you know Paige.”
“We met when she was the nurse caring for my best friend.”
“So she said.
She seems to be under the impression that your club and you, in particular, will want her returned.
Why? She’s no one to you,” Paxton added.
“That’s where you’re wrong.
You should’ve done your research better before you took her.
Paige is a part of the Horsemen of Wrath family.
We protect our family. In addition, she holds an elevated place within it. One that makes her even more special,” Scorpion drawled.
“And what position is that? I can’t see her being anything special to anyone.
She’s useless,” Pax sneered.
“You took my old lady, my future wife.
That makes her a queen.
Our entire club, all our friends’ clubs, will go to war to bring her home.
You don’t want to have multiple motorcycle clubs hunting your ass,” Scorpion informed him.
I watched my brother’s face go white.
He had a darker complexion than I, but still relatively fair-skinned.
He turned the color of a hospital sheet.
I saw his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. His eyes grew rounder, and he shifted them around the RV. Finally, he replied.
“I might worry if you had any idea who I was, but you don’t.
I wouldn’t make threats.”
“You’re the one who shouldn’t make them.
And I know exactly who you are…Paxton.
Using someone else’s phone to make the call didn’t help.
See, I have friends who can do amazing things,” Scorpion chuckled coldly.
Pax’s hand dropped from my mouth.
I smiled up at him.
“He’s about to shit himself, honey,” I called out.
“Shut up,” Pax and Dad said at the same time.
“Oh, who else do we have there?” My man asked.
“Our dad is on Pax’s phone listening,” I said quickly.
I tensed, preparing for the move I was about to make.
I heard Pax snarl at Scorpion.
“You may know who we are, but if you do anything, she’s dead.
And there’s no way you can get to her before I can put a bullet in her brain.
She’s been nothing but a pain since the day she was born.
The bitch should’ve stayed away from St. Augustine,” he yelled.
“I wouldn’t bet on those odds,” Scorpion told him.
Not wanting to continue this waste of time, I kicked out.
I swept my leg behind my brother’s and took them out from underneath him.
He hit the floor hard.
He hollered and swore. The phones fell to the floor. Dad was screaming, asking what happened. Scorpion was suspiciously silent.
I stood and stomped on one of his hands, not wanting to give Paxton a chance to recover and come after me.
He howled more.
Drawing back my foot as he cradled his injured hand, I kicked him as hard as I could in the stomach.
He doubled over and toppled onto his side. Before making a break for the door, I kicked one more time. This one took him in the side of the head, dazing him.
Pausing only long enough to get my phone from between the cushions and to grab a pan off the stove, I shoved the door open.
I held the pan up as my club.
I might not get past the three outside, but I’d do my damndest.
I came to a halt. I wasn’t able to move. The sight before me was so unexpected.
Goons One, Two, and Three were out there, but they were tied up and gagged.
They were sitting on their asses on the ground.
Surrounding them was what looked to be the entire Horsemen of Wrath club.
And the one in front was mine. He ran to me and swept me up in his arms. Scorpion’s mouth landed on mine. As we kissed, someone passed us and entered the RV. I vaguely heard laughter.
Reluctantly, he broke our connection.
I burrowed into his chest.
Scorpion’s arms were securely around me.
“Look at me,” he muttered.
I did, but I knew he wouldn’t be happy.
His gaze zeroed in on my cheek.
I had no doubt a bruise was forming.
I bruise easily. As we kissed, I felt the cut on my lip, but it wasn’t painful enough to make me stop kissing him.
“Which one of them did this to your face?” Scorpion snapped.
“Honey, it’s nothing, just a small cut and bruise.
They’re not important.
How did you find me so quickly? Did Micro follow my phone signal? I turned it on as soon as I could.”
“We’ll come back to your face.
Yes, Micro followed the signal, but before that, he had us on the road.
He was able to get so far using cameras in town.
We knew the general direction, but that was it. When your phone came online, it led us straight to you. We were surrounding the place, waiting to rescue you, when your asshole brother called. We didn’t want to cause him to harm you. We’d taken care of these three but were afraid to breach the RV.”
“Then we heard the commotion on the phone, so we decided it was time to move, but you rescued yourself.
Scorpion, you need to see this,” Butcher said from behind me.
I heard amusement in his voice.
I was wrong if I thought Scorpion would let go of me to enter the RV.
He took me with him to the open door.
Peeking inside, I smothered my giggle.
Paxton looked worse than I recalled as I ran. He was curled up on the floor. His hand was swelling as I watched. No doubt, there were broken bones. He was groaning. A bruise was already forming on the side of his head, and his nose was bleeding. I didn’t remember making contact with his nose. It was crooked, so another broken bone. Next to him was a puddle of vomit.
“Dragon Lady, for sure.
I wish I’d seen her in action,” Thunder chuckled.
He was inside, keeping an eye on my brother.
“Where are the phones?” Scorpion asked.
“Right here.
The one your dad was on, he hung up.
I tried to call back, but there was no answer.
I wish your dad had been here so we’d get our hands on his ass, too,” Butcher grumbled.
“No worries, we’ll make sure he gets justice served to him.
For now, we need to take care of these four.
Do you have any idea who those three out there are, babe?” Scorpion asked.
“No, but I heard one say they wanted to tell Pax that this, kidnapping me, cleared the debt.
I have no idea what the debt is.
Knowing my brother, and some of the people he’s represented and gotten off over the years, they’re no doubt criminals who owe him for tampering with evidence or some shit like that to keep them out of prison.”
“We’ll find out.
I know you’ve been through a lot, and I hate to ask you to deal with anything more, but we need to get out of here before someone comes along and sees us.
Zax brought a van.
We can transport the four of them. Are you okay riding in the front with Zax? I’d put you on my bike, but you’re not dressed for it. And I don’t want this to be your first ride with me,” my sweet man explained.
“I’m anxious to ride with you, but I don’t want this to be our first, either.
As long as my brother’s mouth is covered, so I don’t have to listen to his venom, I can ride in the front with Zax.
Where are they being taken? Or should I not ask?”
I knew that the likelihood of their being set free was close to nil, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.
I’d have time to think on the drive.
“We have a spot back at the compound you haven’t seen.
We call it the swamp box,” Butcher supplied.
“Let’s go.
The sooner we’re home, the better.
I want a shower.
I feel gross,” I told them.
Once I said that, things moved fast.
In no time, the goons and Pax were loaded up.
The others were on their bikes.
What surprised me was that they hooked up the van to the RV, and Zax drove it with me and our prisoners in it. I wasn’t sure why until Zax explained they didn’t want to leave it behind to draw attention. As the miles sped by, I thought about what had happened and what could’ve occurred. I didn’t doubt that if the Horsemen hadn’t found me, I wouldn’t have ever seen Scorpion again.