Soul-Mates Forever (24 page)

I sigh. “I know. I’m just so scared and tired of this. I’ve never been scared of anything in my life. Never. But the thought of him hurting Pax…” I look at Alan, my brow’s crease and my heart races with fear. “I can’t live without her.” Turning out of his hold, I start pacing, my fists clenched. “I’ve got to find him. I have to get him locked away or…”

My shoulders are grabbed, and I turn around to face him. “Tucker. Don’t. Go downstairs to our gym and let some of this anger out. You won’t be any good to help Paxton if you don’t calm down. Go. Now.”

I nod and make my way upstairs. I creep into our room and see Paxton sleeping on our bed, her mom next to her. Beverly looks at me with concern. I nod, grab a tank top and shorts, along with my running shoes out of my bag and walk out the door. As I slowly start shutting it, I look one more time at my love. Her face is pale as she sleeps. She looks so tiny lying there all curled up in a ball. I shut the door quietly and head down to the basement where their gym is set up. As I lie on the weight bench, sweat pouring off me, I contemplate my next move.

“Sir, I’m asking you to reconsider. Think of Miss Paxton. Think of the baby.” He’s trying to talk some reason into me as he places my bag in the back of the limo.

“I appreciate it, Charles, but I have no other choice. It’s me he wants. I’ll do anything to protect Pax and our child. Anything.” I start to climb into the backseat. “It’s what I have to do.” He nods at me, shuts my door and runs around the limo, gets in and starts it up. I look out my window at the house, my determination growing even stronger as we pull away.

Not telling anyone but Charles that I was going home might be my demise but worth it, if it keeps my beauty and our baby safe. I’m standing in the doorway of our once studio, looking around at all the burned equipment and furniture. This is gonna cost a fortune to repair and replace. Sighing, I head for the house, enter the front door and stop dead in my tracks. Blood is everywhere, all over the walls in the entryway and on the floors. I see a note pinned on the bannister of the stairs. Angrily, I walk over to it and read, careful not to touch it.

Next it will be your love. Don’t cross me anymore. You’re pissing me off!

My breathing is erratic as I shove my fist into the wall next to the stairs. FUCK! Heading to the garage, I open the door, haul my leg over my bike and start it up. This ends now motherfucker!

Once I’ve reached my old neighborhood, I go to the one place I’m hoping I can spread the word and call Darndage out. The old school playground comes into view, so I pull up next to the fence, shut off my bike and walk into the gate. Several of the guys I used to run around with back in my bad days are there standing by the furthest wall, while others are shooting hoops.

“What the fuck you doin’ here homie? Thought you were too good for us low life’s now,” Stellars asks with a growl and sneer. As I get closer, I’m shoved by one of his cronies, but I keep heading forward until I’m standing directly in front of Stellar.

“Darndage. Spread the word. I’ll be waiting at my destroyed studio. I’m sure he knows where that is. Do it!”

“Why should we do that for you, homie? Don’t owe you nothin’,” he sneers. I get as close as he allows me to, my heart beating fast, my hands sweaty.

“Because. You want to see me go down just as much as everyone else here does.” I turn and face everyone else who is all standing around watching our interaction. “DARNDAGE! MY STUDIO! FUCKING SPREAD THE WORD!” Slowly, I watch everyone giving me dirty looks as I walk towards my bike. When I am safely on the seat and start it up, I see the crowd moving around and talking with Stellar.
Game on.

By the time I get back to my house, and I run up to our bedroom and take my gun and other essential items from the safe hidden in the floorboards of our walk in closet, I hear a noise coming from outside. Peering out the bedroom window, I watch as Hulk drives into the front circle drive. It’s fairly dark now, but I can see the pissed off look on his face
. Dammit all to hell! What is he doing here?
Quickly, I stow the gun in the waistband in the back of my pants. I have an item tucked carefully in my hair and other items around my body. I head down the stairs in time for Hulk to come crashing through the front door.

“Ok, buddy. What in the fuck do you have planned? I’m in whatever it is,” he says crossly.

Jogging down the stairs I get right up into his face. “Go home. I’ve got this. It’s me, he wants. Let him have me. This ends now, dammit. I’m done!” I start to walk passed him, but I am stopped by his massive hand against my chest. Spinning around I punch him squarely on his jaw, barely knocking him back. “Fuck! Go home!” I scream as I shake my hand out in front of me.

He swings at me, and I duck. As I swing back he captures my fist and hits me dead straight on my cheek. I fall down backwards, my hand holding my face, and I hit the floor hard. “Stay down and listen to me, dammit!” He yells. I lie there, my face pumping in pain as he bends down and stares me out. “Now that I have your attention, listen up. I’m helping you, no way around that, so you might as well tell me what the fuck you’re up to.”

Nodding slowly and still holding my face, he reaches his hand down and helps me up. “You didn’t have to hit me so hard.” He smiles and smacks my arm. Grinning slightly I walk over to him. “Darndage should be here later. I’m sure he will make a grand entrance. I’m packed and ready. Gonna go hide out in the tree’s behind the studio and wait.”

He nods, takes out his gun from behind him, checks it and then puts it back. “I’m ready and down for this. Paxton?”

“She’s still in L.A. I just left. I have to get this done. So fucking tired of it and tired of being a waiting stool pigeon for his games.” He nods, and we head out of the house and to the woods. It’s time!

* * *

“What do you mean he left? Where in the hell did he go?” I’m pacing around the kitchen. Charles’ arms are crossed and his face frowning in concern. “Tell me!” I yell. He shakes his head and looks down. I walk over to him and place my hands on his arms. “Charles, it’s Tuck. I can’t live without out him. I won’t live without him. Our baby needs his daddy and I need him. Please, please tell me. I’m begging you.” Tears are now forming. His eyes look up at me, and his frown deepens.

“Against my better judgment and only because I know you’ll do something crazier if I don’t, I’ll tell you. He went back home. He’s determined to find Darndage and kill him.” I smile sadly and begin to turn until he stops me with his hands on my arms. “Don’t do anything stupid. You have to think about your baby. You don’t have just you to think about anymore.” I nod and lean in, kissing him on his cheek.

“Thank you.” I turn to leave and turn my head around to look at him once more. “Thank you so much. I love you. Please call and get me the quickest flight home and then take me to the airport, fast!”

Charles waited with me for an hour and a half until my flight was ready to leave. He hugged me, kissed my head and then told me to be careful right before I boarded the plane. I left all my luggage at the house as I didn’t want to have to lug it all over the place. I’m in too big a hurry. Once I land, I jog across the airport and am panting by the time I hail a cab. It’s midnight by the time the cab pulls into our circle drive, the house is dark.
Where the hell can he be? God, please keep him safe.
After paying the cab fare I unlock the front door and quietly walk in, careful to shut it softly behind me. I gasp and cover my mouth with my hand when I see the blood everywhere. I’m thankful for the darkness because I am sure it looks worse in the light. Running upstairs to our room, I walk around looking for my love. Not in the bathroom. When I exit I see that our walk in closet door is open, so I slowly walk there and notice the floor safe is open.
No! Tuck, what in the hell are you doing?
Determined to find him and quick, I head back down the stairs and unlock the back sliding door, jog down the deck stairs and around the house, hoping the darkness will hide me as I continue to the studio.

I’m horrified when I walk into the studio door and look around at all the damage. As I walk towards the bar area, I stop abruptly when I hear a noise. “Tuck,” I whisper. My head swings around when another noise comes from the corner of the stage.
Why do I feel like I’m in a horror movie and shouldn’t be in this room, in the dark and alone?
Slowly, I creep across the floor towards the stage when I’m grabbed from behind, a hand covering my mouth.

“Pax! Shhhh! What in the fuck are you doing here?” Tuck whispers in my ear, the air from his breath moving my hair. My eyes turn to him and look upon his frowning face. He releases his hand from my mouth, and I turn in his arms, crashing my body against his.

“Oh, my God! You’re ok,” I whisper back. Pushing my hands against his strong chest, I cross my arms and yell whisper, “What in the hell are you doing? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

He chuckles and then his eyes close, and I try to catch him as he falls hard to the floor. I look up and see Darndage standing there, an evil smile on his face and a gun pointed at Tuck. “Well, now. Isn’t this interesting and I must say… It’s made my plan even better and me very happy.”

I keep looking into his eyes as I slowly start to bend down to check on Tuck. Darndage is quickly by my side and pulling me back up by my hair, his gun pressing into my side. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Not so soon, bitch. You’ll have plenty of time with your boyfriend. We have a long night ahead of us.” He leans his mouth up against my ear. “And I’m going to enjoy every minute of it.” Pain explodes in my head as my eyes close and my body slumps over his arm.

Pain shoots through my temples as I awaken. My hands are bound behind me around a cement pole. Looking around in the dimness, I locate Tuck across the small room. His head is bowed down, his long hair falling all around covering half his face. He’s kneeling on the floor, his hands behind him around another pole. I can make out blood down the side of his face and my heart beats wildly. “Tuck?” I whisper. No movement. I look around the room but there isn’t much to see. My eyes stop on a long card table that has shiny objects laying on one end.
What the fuck?
I start moving my hands around, twisting and turning them trying to get free but the rope is too tight. I’ve got to think of a way to get out. I’ve got to get over to Tuck. What am I going to do?

“Uhhhhh.” I look over quickly when Tuck moans. I squirm and start moving my hands again even more determined to get to him.

“Baby, don’t move. You’re hurt. Stay still,” I whisper loudly. Now I’m tugging and pulling my hands, the rope chafing my skin and stinging.

“Ah! The couple most likely to get killed. How are my lovelies from the ride?” Darndage walks down the stairs, the light from the open door providing a little more in the room and chuckles as he reaches the bottom step. His grin sickens me and the nausea in my stomach rises. He continues to walk until he’s by Tuck’s side, reaches down and pulls Tuck’s head up by his hair. I can see all the blood now, the severe bruising of his cheek and the forming of a black eye. My heart crashes at the sight but my blood begins to boil. “Asshole! You’re coming to. Good. You need to watch and learn what it means to cross me.” Tuck’s eyes open in a slit and stare at Darndage. He leans his head up a bit and spits at Darndage. Darndage quickly releases Tuck’s hair and backhand’s him, turning Tuck’s head. “Ungrateful asswipe. I did everything for you. I helped you when no one else would, when no one else cared. I took you under my wing, showed you everything I knew and gave you a better life. And do you pay me back with gratitude?”

Darndage leaves him and walks to me. His hand pulls my face up by my chin, his other hand on my breast and squeezes it hard. “I’m going to enjoy fucking you, bitch.” He turns his head to Tuck, and I can see Tuck watching us, his growl becoming loud. “Take notes, Tucker. You’ll see what do to with a whore when I’m done. Of course, you won’t be alive to enjoy it.” His hand grasped my breast again, and I start squirming as his mouth lands on mine. The taste of stale cigarettes and liquor overcome my nausea, and I start to choke. His hand travels quickly down my front and reaches into my jeans, pulling hard until the button pulls out and the zipper moves down as he plunges down into my panties. “Fuck, bitch. You’re bare as a baby. I fucking love that. Did you do that just for me? Hmmmm?” His hand presses against my chin pushing my head up as his finger thrusts up into me roughly. “Ah! You’re already wet for me.” He bends and whispers in my ear, “Good. Wouldn’t want to hurt you too badly, too soon. We have all night and I want to get as much pleasure as I can before I kill your lover.”

“Ungh,” I yell as another finger joins in, pushing so deep and rough that it hurts. My arms and hands are pulling against the rope with every movement he makes. My throat begins to hurt with the pressure of his hand against my chin.

“STOP YOU MOTHERFUCKER! I’M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU, YOU SICK BASTARD!’ Tuck screams out from the dimness.

Darndage pulls his fingers out of me, his other hand releases my chin and he steps away and turns in Tuck’s direction. “Ah, very well. For now. You always were a killjoy.” He walks over to the table and picks up what appears to be a scalpel. He rubs his thumb over the blade and then turns his head to me. “What fun we shall have.” He returns it back on to the table and starts to walk towards the stairs. Turning his head back to us as he takes a step, he laughs. “Well, I’d better go get cleaned up and ready. Wouldn’t want you two lovebirds to wait too long.” He looks directly at me. “Especially you.” Laughing he turns back and walks up the stairs closing us in darkness again.

I hear Pax gagging and choking as I start struggling against the ropes that bind me. “Pax! What’s wrong? Are you ok, I can’t see you very well.” Now I hear the all too familiar sounds of her throwing up. “Baby?”
Fuck, I need to get outta here and help her!
My face is throbbing, but I don’t have time to slow down. Shit! I remember the small pocket knife in my hidden pocket of my sleeve and move my fingers around trying to locate it. I look up at the ceiling as I hear footsteps on the floorboards all the while continuing to find the damn knife. Finally, I feel it and start pulling at it to get it out. Fuck, it’s jammed in there tight. My heart is beating rapidly when I hear the door open, the light streaming down the stairs, and I turn my head to see Pax’s head down and to her side as she dry heaves.