Chapter 8 Raven
Raven
Iknelt before the door, my fingers dancing over the lock with practiced precision. The metal was cool against my skin, unlike the fire burning in my veins. My heart thundered in my chest, but I forced my breathing to remain steady. I'd waited too long for this moment to fuck it up now.
The lock gave way with a soft click, and a smirk tugged at my lips. "That's right, you bastard," I whispered. "Open up for mama."
I eased the door open, wincing at the faint creak of hinges.
The hallway stretched before me, a dim tunnel of shadows and secrets.
I slipped out, my movements fluid and silent as a cat on the prowl.
My senses went into overdrive, every nerve ending on high alert.
I could almost taste the danger on my tongue.
But danger was an old friend, and tonight, it was my ticket to freedom.
I pressed myself against the wall, listening intently for any sign of the guards. There was nothing but the quiet hum of the air conditioning and the distant tick of a clock. Good. I had time.
"Alright, Raven," I thought to myself. "You've got one shot at this.
Don't fuck it up." I took a deep breath, steadying myself for what lay ahead.
The truth was out there, waiting to be uncovered, and I'd be damned if I let it slip through my fingers again.
As I crept down the hallway, my mind raced with the urgency of my mission.
Every step brought me closer to answers, but also to the possibility of discovery.
"Come on, you sons of bitches," I uttered under my breath. "Just try and stop me."
I slunk through the familiar corridors, my footsteps as light as whispers. Each turn brought a new wave of memories. "If this works," I thought, heart pounding, "I'll never see these walls again." The idea was intoxicating, like the first hit of freedom after years in chains.
As I approached my father's office, doubt crept in like a cold draft. What if I was wrong? What if this was all for nothing? I shook it off. No time for that shit now.
The door stood slightly ajar, a sliver of darkness beckoning me in. I hesitated, my hand hovering over the polished wood. This was it—the point of no return. "Fuck it," I whispered, pushing the door open. "In for a penny, in for a pound."
The office was bathed in shadows, the moonlight casting eerie patterns across the floor.
I slipped inside, my eyes adjusting to the gloom.
The air was thick with the scent of leather and expensive cigars—the smell of power and corruption.
I’d seen some shady people visit the farm, so nothing about my father surprised me anymore.
I moved towards the desk, my heart hammering so loud I was sure it would give me away.
Every creak of the floorboards sent a jolt of panic through me.
"Come on, old man," I said, rifling through the drawers.
"Where are you hiding your dirty little secrets?
" Suddenly, a noise from the hallway froze me in place.
Footsteps, getting closer. Shit. I had to move, and fast. "Think, Raven," I hissed to myself. "Think!"
The footsteps were almost at the door. Time was up. I had to make a choice—and pray to whatever gods were listening that it was the right one. Then the footsteps continued down the hall, allowing me to breathe again.
My eyes landed on a stack of documents on the desk. Bingo. I moved closer, fingers flying through the papers as I scanned each one. My breath caught in my throat as I hit the jackpot.
"Holy shit," I whispered, my eyes widening as I read the details of my father’s plans against the Royal Bastards MC. That bastard, along with a Louisiana senator, was planning to wipe them out, using every dirty trick in their arsenal. The National Chapter was in their crosshairs.
I couldn't help but smirk. "Daddy dearest, you're one vengeful fuck."
As I shuffled through the papers, a small note fluttered to the floor. I snatched it up, curiosity overriding caution. My heart nearly stopped as I read its contents. "No fucking way," I breathed, shock coursing through me. A surviving member of Hell's Justice MC? I thought they were all dead.
The note detailed an altercation with the Bloody Scorpion MC, and the Hell’s Justice member. My mind raced, trying to piece it all together. A man named Jameson had offered the man the president of the new Lexington, Kentucky chapter of the Royal Bastards. Fucking shit!
"What the hell are you playing at, Dad?" I muttered, my fingers tracing the words on the paper. This was bigger than I'd imagined. I fingered through the list of motorcycle clubs across the country. I then found a bill written by a Louisiana senator, seeking to outlaw MCs.
My insides felt as if they might explode against my ribs as I stared at the damning evidence in my hands. A surviving Hell's Justice member? It was like finding out the boogeyman was real, and he was living next door. "Fuck," I whispered, teeth digging into my bottom lip. "Who the hell are you?"
The question burned in my mind, fueling my determination. I knew I should bolt and get the hell out before I got caught, but the mystery of this survivor was like a siren's call I couldn't resist.
"Dammit, Raven," I said to myself. "You're gonna get yourself killed over this shit." But even as the words left my lips, I knew I'd rather die chasing the truth than live in the cage my father had built for me.
With a deep breath, I carefully arranged the papers back into their original stack, my hands steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
Each document slid into place with a soft whisper, a secret being tucked away.
"I'm coming for you, mystery man," I promised under my breath.
"And I'm gonna blow this whole fucking thing wide open. "
As I slipped out of the office, I let a smirk cross my lips.
Sometimes, things just fall into your lap.
Better to be lucky than to be good. This wasn't just about me anymore.
It was about uncovering a truth that could change everything.
"Game on, assholes," I whispered, my resolve hardening with each step.
The night wasn't over yet, and neither was I.
I slipped out of the compound like a shadow trying to escape the sun. The cool night air hit my face, a sharp contrast to the stuffy confines of the cage I’d just left. I imagined my father’s face as he opened my bedroom door only to find me gone. I held down a laugh and continued on my way.
"Fuck," I said, scanning the grounds. "Where are the guards?
" The silence was unnerving. Usually, this place was crawling with my father's goons. Tonight, it was like a ghost town. Made my skin crawl. That was the problem with being a president’s daughter.
He would have security for the rest of his life.
I picked up my pace, boots crunching softly on gravel as I made for the barn. The looming structure beckoned, promising freedom. Or at least a shot at it. "Come on, girl," I whispered to myself. "Almost there."
The distant hum of voices from the main house made me freeze.
Shit. They were onto me. I sprinted the last few yards, my breath coming in sharp gasps.
Inside the barn, the familiar scent of hay and horse hit me.
I paused, letting my eyes adjust to the dim light.
The horses shifted restlessly, sensing my urgency.
I buried a sneeze that would have surely given me away.
"Hey, beauties," I cooed, approaching the stalls. "Who wants to go for a ride?" My gaze landed on Midnight, a sleek black mare with a wild streak. Perfect. I'd ridden her before and knew she had the speed and stamina for what I needed. "You're up, girl," I said, reaching for her bridle.
My hands moved with practiced ease, muscle memory taking over as I prepared her for the ride.
Each action brought me closer to freedom, my heart soaring.
"We're getting out of here," I told Midnight as I swung into the saddle.
"Both of us." As I urged Midnight towards the barn doors, I couldn't help but grin.
"Let's see those bastards try to stop us now. "
The wind whipped through my hair as Midnight's hooves thundered across the ground, each powerful stride carrying us deeper into the woods. My heart pounded in time with her gallop, a mix of exhilaration and gut-wrenching fear coursing through my veins.
"Fuck yes," I breathed, leaning low over Midnight's neck.
The rush of freedom was exhilarating, making my head spin.
"We're doing it, girl. We're actually fucking doing it.
" Trees blurred past us, branches whipping at my face.
I barely felt the sting, too caught up in the moment.
For the first time in years, I felt truly alive.
"God, I've missed this," I said to Midnight, thinking of long-ago rides with the club. The wind in my face, the roar of engines replaced by Midnight's thundering hooves. It was different, but the feeling was the same—pure, unadulterated freedom.
My mind soared with the thoughts of freedom. Where would I go? What would I do with the information I'd uncovered? The surviving Hell's Justice member... who could it be? How did I find them?
"One step at a time, Raven," I reminded myself. "Just get the fuck out of here first." Suddenly, Midnight let out a terrified whinny. Before I could react, she reared up violently. "Whoa, girl!" I cried, desperately clutching at her mane. "Easy—"
The world tilted. My stomach lurched as I felt myself falling. There was a sickening moment of weightlessness, then—WHAM!
The ground slammed into me, knocking the air from my lungs.
Pain exploded through my body as I rolled, finally coming to a stop face-down in the dirt.
"Fuck," I groaned, tasting blood. Every inch of me screamed in agony.
"No, no, no... not now. Not when I was so close.
" I tried to push myself up, but my arms gave out.
Darkness crept at the edges of my vision as I fought to stay conscious.
"Get up," I hissed through gritted teeth. "Get the fuck up, Raven." But my body refused to cooperate. As the sound of approaching voices reached my ears, I knew my brief taste of freedom was over.
A scream tore from my throat, raw and primal. It echoed through the woods, betraying my location. Fuck.
"Over here!" a gruff voice shouted.
My soul seemed to fade as I clawed at the ground, desperate to stand. Pain shot through my leg, nearly buckling me. "Come on, you useless bitch," I snarled at myself, forcing my body to move. "They can't take you back there."
Flashlight beams cut through the darkness, sweeping closer. I stumbled forward, my breaths coming in ragged gasps.
"There she is!"
Heavy footsteps pounded behind me. I tried to run, but my injured leg gave out. I hit the ground hard, cursing.
"It's over, Miss Stansfield," one of the guards said, looming over me.
I spat blood, glaring up at him. "Fuck you."
Rough hands yanked me to my feet. I struggled, but it was useless.
"Your father will be very disappointed," another guard sneered.
I laughed bitterly. "Join the fucking club."
As they dragged me back, my spirit fell upon my recent knowledge. The Hell's Justice survivor... Jameson... the Bloody Scorpions. The pieces were there, I just had to put them together.
"This isn't over," I said, more to myself than anyone. "Not by a long shot."
The guards hauled me back through the compound, their grip bruising.
My leg throbbed with each step, but I bit back any sound of pain.
Like hell I'd give them the satisfaction.
As we approached my room—my cage—I caught sight of my reflection in a window.
Hair wild, dirt smeared across my face, eyes blazing.
I barely recognized myself. I chuckled. If Vin could only see me now.
"Home sweet home," one of the guards sneered, shoving me through the doorway.
I stumbled, catching myself on the edge of the bed. "Careful," I spat, "Wouldn't want to damage Daddy's precious property."
The guard's face twisted with anger. He stepped forward, hand raised, but his partner grabbed his arm. "Don't," he warned. "Stansfield won't like it."
I laughed, the sound brittle and sharp. "Go ahead," I taunted. "Give me a reason to make your lives hell."
The first guard glared at me and stormed out. His partner lingered, eyeing me warily. "You should be more careful, Miss Stansfield," he said quietly. There are worse things than being locked in a room."
I met his gaze, unflinching. "I've seen worse. I've survived worse. This?" I gestured around the opulent room. "This is nothing."
He shook his head and left, the lock clicking into place behind him.
Alone at last, I sank onto the bed, my mind whirling. The Hell's Justice survivor... who were they? And how did they tie into everything else? My father had something big going on, spreading across states. "Focus, Raven," I said, closing my eyes. "There's a way out of this. There has to be."
I'd find the truth, no matter what it took. And when I did, heads would roll.