Chapter 6 Bree
Imet my hero when I was sweet sixteen, just one week after my birthday.
Raven probably never considered the impression he made the day he saved a young girl who nearly died in a ravenous fire. Maybe he didn’t know that fate had sent him into my life on numerous occasions, always when I needed him the most.
At sixteen, he pulled me from the burning wreck of a vehicle when the car my boyfriend had been driving swerved off the road and crashed at an intersection, slammed into a pole, and tossed his body onto the road in the middle of a dust storm. The black mustang was totaled. Jason didn’t survive.
Meeting Raven that day changed my life forever, but I wouldn’t figure that out until we met again five years later.
At nearly twenty-two, he provided comfort on one of the worst days of my life. I lost my Gram, and the shock left me reeling, unable to cope as I tried to be a pillar of support for my sister.
Once again, he was there—a solid shoulder to cry on.
The rock I needed to give me strength.
My hero always knew when I needed him. Always.
He rescued me from a burning vehicle right before it exploded. He found me on the day my Gram died, a different rescue but one I needed.
So when he stormed the house where I was held prisoner, I wasn’t shocked. No, I knew he’d come for me. I couldn’t explain how I knew, but I did.
Like a vengeful god, he pulled those Dirty Death MC members away from me, dealing justice the only way thugs like that understood. Bloodshed. Violence. Brutality.
He killed to save me.
The shock of it hit hard, and when added to all I had experienced in the last week, I checked out. My mind blanked. The trauma completely overwhelmed me.
I didn’t realize what was happening until I saw my sister and heard her cry my name.
“Bree!”
Her arms wrapped around me two seconds later as she sobbed, hugging me tight as I remained cradled in the strength of Raven’s hold.
“I love you. We’re going to get through this, Bree. I promise. I’m right by your side, and I’m not leaving.” Her fingers gripped mine as the tears streaked her face.
“Bell.”
Everything felt surreal.
My head grew foggy, and I blinked, catching the panicked look on Raven’s face before everything went black.
I couldn’t say how long ago that happened. Hours? Days?
My body felt tired and weak, bruised and cold. So cold.
I pulled the blankets tighter around me, shivering.
Where was I? What happened to Bree and Raven?
My gaze swept the unfamiliar room, glad I hadn’t returned to my apartment yet. Everything felt off, and I didn’t want to wonder if anything would ever feel normal again. Having my sister around helped. Just knowing she was near reduced my anxiety.
I felt numb like the full scope of everything that happened to me had yet to sink in.
The darkest hours of my life were supposed to be over now.
I was rescued, brought to a safe location, and protected by Raven and his club.
A bunch of rowdy bikers I had never met until Raven brought me here.
The shock of seeing my sister with a motorcycle club president named Crow when I arrived had worn off, and now it made sense.
Bella was always the wild, rebellious daughter. I was the smart, shy, quiet, book-loving one. We couldn’t be more opposite. That didn’t change the fact that I loved and adored my sibling. Was she a part of their world now?
What did this mean for me? Were those motorcycles I could hear roaring like wild beasts outside?
My thoughts were a little too scattered.
I rubbed my temples, sinking into the mattress.
Sleep. That was what I needed. I could face everything else once I felt rested. Exhausted, I closed my eyes again.
SHE DIDN’T REMEMBER me.
There was no recognition in the dull green of Brianna’s eyes.
What did I expect? That she thought of me every moment over the last five years? Or dreamed of me every night, hoping for our paths to cross again?
Stupid. Immature. Unrealistic.
And yet . . . secret desires I never spoke aloud, not daring to give them life whispered in my head.
We met only twice before last night, the second time on one of the worst days of my life. Arguably, it had to be the same for her.
I buried a wife. She buried her grandmother.
The same cemetery, yet two different and unrelated funerals.
Fate sure liked to laugh at my expense.
The memory of that day returned, resurrecting old feelings of loss and pain.
The funeral
“I’m sorry, Raven.”
Rook gripped my shoulder, his voice lowering to avoid being overheard.
“I wish there was something I could say to take away the pain you feel, brother. Seeing you go through this fucking kills me.”
“I know, Rook.” I sighed, staring at the casket that held Sarah’s body. We’d hardly known one another the last few years. I felt guilty that her death didn’t hurt my heart as much as it should. “I’m going for a walk. Need to clear my head.”
“Understood, brother.”
He didn’t argue that I should stick around to watch her lower into the ground. I didn’t want to see it. That was a memory I didn’t need haunting me in the future.
A path winded away from the casket and mourners, and I followed it, walking until I found a long lane of crypts. How macabre.
My shoulder leaned against the side as my thoughts consumed me. Another loss I wasn’t prepared to handle.
First, my son. Now, my wife.
It was fucked up that Sarah committed suicide. Depression had stolen her away from everyone. She isolated herself. Grew despondent. I should have tried harder to make her listen when I suggested she get help.
She kept pushing me away, and I eventually stopped trying to make things right. Fuck.
I pulled out a smoke and lit the end, barely inhaling as it burned down, flicking the butt to the ground as I stomped on it with my boot.
Fuck. I didn’t want to be here. My hand rose to my chest, pushing against my cut over my heart.
I pushed off the wall, feeling like the world was closing in on me. Maybe I just needed to get on my bike and ride. Leave this all behind me.
I hadn’t walked more than a few yards when I felt a shift in the air, and my head lifted, catching the sweet, delicate scent I’d only encountered one other time in my life.
No fuckin’ way.
I slowly turned, facing the young woman I rescued five years earlier when I pulled her from that burning mustang.
“Green eyes,” I whispered, my voice hoarse as I cleared my throat. “How are you, babygirl?”
Fuck, she was beautiful. As gorgeous as I remembered, with the same sultry curves and killer smile.
“Hi, Raven. I’m good.” Her smile felt forced, but it was her pain-filled, tearful eyes that gripped my heart with a vicious tug.
If someone hurt her, they’d pay.
“Your eyes tell a different story, sugar. What has you so sad?”
“My Gram,” she blubbered, fresh tears spilling over and down her cheeks, “she’s gone.”
I should have figured that out from the black dress she wore. The hem stopped just short of her knees, exposing the smooth, toned legs that ended in sexy heels.
Fuck. What was the matter with me? I shouldn’t be checking her out at a fucking funeral. Goddamn. Two funerals.
“Aw, babygirl. I’m sorry.” I closed the few feet of distance that separated us, wrapping my arms around her, suddenly consumed with how perfectly she fit against me. “It’s always tough losing the ones you love.”
My voice cracked, betraying my own sorrow.
“You lose someone too?”
I hesitated, not wanting to put another burden on her that she didn’t need. “Yes. My wife.”
If she was surprised to learn I’d been married, she didn’t show it.
“I’m sorry, Raven.” Her cheek rested over my heart. “I’m sorry for us both now.”
My hand rubbed her back, hoping to soothe her as I thought over what she said.
“You’re sad for me because I lost my wife?”
“Yes. Your heart is aching. No one should have to go through that.”
Fuck. I wanted this girl. Fierce possessiveness and need flashed through my body. She was too young. Half my fucking age. Nothing good would come from bringing her into my world. I lifted my knuckles, brushing them lightly across her cheek. “If only you were a little older.”
“I’m twenty-one,” she replied with a slight attitude.
I couldn’t help laughing—such a little spitfire. “Not insulting you, precious. Just a fact.”
“I’m old enough to know myself and what I want in life.”
“Oh? Tell me.” Maybe I shouldn’t have asked, but I couldn’t resist.
“The man from my dreams. My rescuer. You,” she clarified. “I tried to find you, to thank you, but you disappeared.”
Yeah, I did. I left once the ambulance arrived, letting the professionals help her. I had a club waiting on me.
This angel didn’t need to ride with a devil. I’d only bring heartbreak. My relationship with Sarah was proof enough. I could never forgive myself if I hurt Brianna, and it was inevitable with my life as an outlaw.
“Damn, babygirl. You’re gonna make a man real happy one day.
” Maybe this was insanity, but I had to taste her lips just once.
I lowered my head, capturing her mouth in a feather-soft kiss.
“Wish I could be the one for you, beautiful, but I’m not.
You deserve more than an old biker and the rough life I lead. ”
My palm cradled her face, staring into eyes that held such promise, such innocence.
Caw...caw.
The crow landed on the branch of a nearby tree, staring right at us. He didn’t agree with my choice to push her away.
“I’m so glad I pulled you from that car, Brianna Hart.”
She gasped. Yeah, I knew her name. I made a point to find out after I rescued her. Why? I couldn’t say other than I needed to know she was in this world, breathing, alive.
“You didn’t want to find me?”