Captured Devil's Blaze MC Book 1 (28 page)

BURNED

KATIE

“I gave up on fairytales. They’re always backwards.
In real life, Prince Charming might marry Snow White, but he’s busy boning Little Miss Muffet two nights a week.”

2

He’s a player. I spotted him a mile away. I also remember him. He’s with my sister’s husband’s crew. What was it she said his name was? Torch? I like Hunter better. I should be running away from him, and I started to. Then, he touched my arm. In that moment, I felt connected to him. I don’t know how to describe it, but I did. My life hasn’t been my own from the day my father took me away from my mom and sister, Bethie. I’ve learned to take my pleasure where I can find it. Something about Hunter, or Torch—whoever he is—calls to me, and I’m going throw caution to the wind. Still, I need to make sure I’ve protected Bethie and her daughter Gabriella.

“I’ll bring you more pleasure than anything with batteries, sweetness.”

I wonder if he really thinks these lines work? He’s a man, so he probably does, when really it’s that fucking body of his that’s working for me. He’s got that ‘V’, I just know it. You know the one; the finely chiseled indention that starts along the hip bone and runs lower into the promised land? The one that makes all women lose their minds? It’s there and, by God, I want to see it.

I just need to do one thing first. “Well, I need to use the little girl’s room. So, I’ll think about it. In the meantime, you just sit there and look pretty.”

“I’ll sit here and admire the view, instead,” he tells me.

That’s just annoying. He doesn’t realize that’s the one thing he could say that would turn me off. Still, I know he’s watching, and it kills me, but I wore the right shoes tonight to hide my limp, so I take all the energy and focus I have into making sure my steps don’t falter. When I make it to the little foyer that leads to the bathrooms, I lean against the wall and breathe.  After I make sure he didn’t follow me, I head into the bathroom. Luckily, it’s a single-stall bathroom, so I lock the door, pull myself up on the counter, and call Bethie.

“Bethie, we have problems,” I tell her.

“What? Where are you? Are you in trouble? I told you, you need to stop running around. They can find us.”

“Will you relax? I don’t look anything like you anymore… or myself, for that matter. Between the hair dye, the colored contacts, and thirty pounds I’ve packed on my ass, I don’t even recognize my damn self in the mirror.”

“It’s too dangerous. You know they will be hunting for us. Especially now that grandfather—”

“Don’t call him that. Anyway, that’s kind of why I’m calling. I’m at the Broke Spoke and… there’s this guy hitting on me. He says his name is Hunter, but…”

“But?” she asks, her voice laced with fear.

“It’s that same good-looking biker who was at the movie theater that night with Skull.”

“Oh God! You have to run, Katie! If one of Skull’s crew is there, that means he has to know. Colin’s carried out on his threat.”

“Bethie, have you ever thought… maybe, just maybe, it’d be best to come clean and let Skull know you’re alive?”

“We tried that, remember? Three times. I can’t risk it anymore, especially with the family out there looking for us. Do you really think they will let me, you, or Gabby live? After what we did?”

She’s right. They wouldn’t. They won’t stop until we’re six feet under. “Okay. Then you need to start our escape plan, tonight. Take Gabby and go. I’ll meet you in the morning.”

“What? No! You need to come home now. We can’t chance that whoever is there might place our resemblance and start asking questions.”

“That’s not going to happen, Bethie. You worry too much.”

“And you don’t worry enough. Please, Katie, do this for me. Come home and let’s head out together.”

“I’ll try my best, but—”

“But nothing! Just do!”

Before she can finish talking, there’s a hard knock on the door.

“Sweetness? You in there? I’m getting lonely out here without you.”

“Oh my God!” Beth hisses over the phone. “Is that Torch??” 

Hmmm. I guess I did forget to mention which one was here, probably because Bethie knew that fine man starred in several of my hot dreams after I saw him that night.

“I’ll be out in a minute,” I call to him through the door. “Anyone ever tell you that you shouldn’t crowd a woman, Romeo?”

“I’m too busy fucking them senseless to listen to advice,” he counters.

“Bethie, I’ve got to go,” I whisper. “Just follow the escape plan we set up when we moved here. If something happens and I don’t show, move on to our next destination. I’ll meet you there. I promise.”

“No, I don’t like this. I can call the cops or something, make a fake report and distract them, then—”

“I got this. Just get my niece safe.”

“You and I are going to have words when you make it to our spot,” she warns me.

“I’ll look forward to it. Stay safe, Bethie. Love you bigger than outer space.”

“Love you, too,” she whispers.

I hang up, trying to swallow down my nerves. I walk to the door and open it. Sure enough, there’s the object of my lusts leaning against the wall with a wicked smile on his lips. He holds out a hand to me.

“Dance with me, sweetness. I want to feel you in my arms.”

I let him take my hand, and I know I’m going to ignore my sister’s plea tonight. I just hope I don’t live to regret it.

Up next is an excerpt from Author K. L. Donn’s release:

Emily’s Protectors

Author Page: 
K.L.Donn

US Amazon Link

Chapter 1

Waking up in a cold sweat from the nightmare she was having about that horrible night nearly two years ago, Emily shuttered just like she did every time she thought of the night she learned she had somehow managed to gain a stalker. Not knowing who, was the worst part. She was always looking over her shoulder; moving more than a dozen times because he kept finding her.

She was afraid to go out and had become even more of an introvert than she had been before the psycho started stalking her. The police couldn’t do anything without a suspect, so she was stuck in a living nightmare. Not knowing who to trust, thus being unable to make friends; her existence was lonely and depressing and some days, she felt like it would be easier to let this person find her. Ironically, every time she thought it, he would find her, and she didn’t stick around to find out what her fate would be. She ran. Fast and hard. Not stopping for weeks until she was sure he couldn’t find her again.

Getting up from the bed, she made her way to the bathroom to shower and brush her teeth. Finished, she went into her teeny tiny kitchen to start the coffee. Her coffee addiction was probably the only thing she hadn’t changed about her life. How was she supposed to cope without it, after all? Being forced to make so many changes in her life, so often, has left her bitter towards people. She had a nice, if not lonely, life before. She didn’t have men lining up for dates, but she had friends and was occasionally asked out. Being so short, her weight showed; curvy was just how she was made. She accepted it, but just once, she’d like to be the girl with a happily ever after.

Her mom had always told her that she had child bearing hips. They were wide, and one day a man would recognize that and cherish her for it. She wasn’t holding out hope on that one. Grabbing her coffee and going to unlock the front door to grab her morning paper, she didn’t notice the note and flowers at first. Walking out to the mailbox that was hanging from the porch railing, she grabbed the paper and turned to see blood red roses and a large envelope next to her door. In her shock, she hadn’t noticed that she dropped her coffee and shattered the cup until she took a step forward. Emily grabbed the vase of roses and envelope, and as soon as she went inside, she took the flowers out of the vase and smashed it in the garbage can, shattering it. The flowers were stuffed down the garbage disposal before being turned on. With that done, she looked at the envelope, scared to open it but knowing she had to.

She had the twisted reality of needing to know exactly what he was sending her. Wiping the tears off her cheeks, she hadn’t even realized she was crying. She tore open the envelope to find more pictures of herself; in the garden, through her kitchen and bedroom windows. Grabbing her mail, which included the most recent one from yesterday after her hose had exploded and soaked her yellow shirt, making her pink bra visible. Shaking in fear and anger, she was about to tear it up when she remembered overhearing someone talking about a security firm that specialized in stalking cases.

Dropping into a kitchen chair, she put her head in her hands and tried to remember the name of it. After a few minutes of thinking so hard she was starting to get a headache, she got up to go get dressed and saw the blood drops on the floor. The pain in her feet from stepping on the broken mug finally registered. Sighing, she made her way to the washroom and started cleaning her feet when it suddenly hit her. Dropping the cloth and tweezers, she ran to the phone, picked it up, and called information for the number; she had them direct her right to the company.

After the line rang four times, someone finally picked up. “Maxwell Secures, this is Keeley, how may I help you today?” Unsure of what to say, Emily froze. Making the person say, “Hello, are you there?”

Finding her voice again she said, “Yes, umm, well, I need help.” The words cracked at the end and tears filled her eyes. She was relieved when the woman understood her panic.

“Honey, we will help. What’s your name?” she asked kindly.

“Emily.” Clearing her throat so she sounded stronger instead of some oversized mouse she repeated it. “It’s Emily Baxter.”

“Alright Emily, why don’t you come on in and we’ll talk. I feel like it might be easier on you to know who you’re talking to.” Keeley phrased it as a question, but Emily knew it was more like a demand. “Ok,” she whispered. Hanging up after getting the address, she rushed around getting ready so she could, hopefully, get help and maybe have her peaceful life back.

~~~~~~

Getting off the bus just a block from the address she was given for Maxwell Secures, Emily made her way towards the building. Looking at it, it seemed like a modern warehouse with a slanted roof and gray exterior walls that looked like they could be reinforced steel, but she didn’t really know anything about that. The doors were huge glass panes with a simple M across one and S on the other, both letters acting as the handles. She noticed cameras strategically placed along the front and top of the building, as well as in the parking lot. If it had not been for the initials on the doors, she wouldn’t have known it was a security firm. Taking a deep breath and walking in, she was greeted with a very bright, modern-looking reception area. The walls were a light blue, beige carpeting covered the floors, plants were placed in every corner, and different types of artwork hung on the walls. Books and files filled shelves behind a big oak desk that held a computer screen, phone, and small picture frame.

Hearing laughter coming from a hallway, she stayed where she was and waited with baited breath for them to appear.

Body tense and feet ready to bolt at the first sign of danger, she felt the breath knocked from her at the beautiful, black-haired, young woman that rounded the corner, followed closely by two of the most gorgeous men she had ever seen.

“Oh!” The woman exclaimed, startled at seeing her. “You must be Emily. I’m Keeley,” she said walking up to her and giving her a quick hug before grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the two hulking men. “Nathaniel, Tyler, this is Emily. I told you about her earlier.” She introduced them while pulling Emily into a meeting room and sitting her down. She was helpless to do anything so she just followed like a lost puppy.

Sitting down across from her, Nathaniel and Tyler scrutinized her. While she tried hard not to give in to the urge to squirm under their intense gazes, it was hard to hold their eyes, but she managed to, just barely. She let out a breath when Keeley sat down beside her and squeezed her hand on the table. “Alright, Miss Baxter, tell us what’s going on,” Tyler, she thought, said to her.

Looking down and clearing her throat of the balled up emotion and anxiety she was feeling, she looked up and explained to them some of her problems. “I have had a stalker since I was nineteen, and I don’t even know how I got one. I’m as boring as watching grass grow. I hadn’t met anyone new when I found out. Hell, it wasn’t until he took the liberty of defiling my house that I even knew about him.” Taking a breath, she continued while looking at a point between their shoulders so she didn’t have to see the pity in their eyes. “It’s been over two years now. He keeps finding me, and I’m tired of running. Tired of fighting. This is my last stand or I’m done. I don’t know what he wants from me, but I can’t take all the fear and stress anymore. It’s driving me insane not knowing when he’s going to eventually get his hands on me, I just can’t…” Stopping because her voice finally broke, Emily didn’t realize she had tears streaming down her face until Keeley handed her a Kleenex. With a whispered “thanks”, she wiped her eyes and waited for what would happen next.

“Have you gone to the police about this?” Nathaniel asked the obvious question.

Snorting at the ludicrousness of that question, she responded more sarcastically than intended. “Of course, I did. Lot of good that did me. They investigated, but not very hard, and in the end they thought I was making it up. Even though this sick freak had been in my home, ripped my bras and panties to shreds, and left pig’s blood all over my room and walls.” She told them leaving out the part where as she was passing out he came all over her face and chest. She was still humiliated about that, and it never failed to have bile rising in her throat and shame running through her body. Shaking the thought from her head, she concentrated on the here and now. “The police think it’s my fault. That I somehow brought this on myself. I don’t know what old school crap they’re teaching in the academy these days, but I assure you, I want nothing to do with whoever this creep is. I stopped reporting the incidents about eight months ago because almost immediately afterwards, he would find me again.”

“Probably because you gave your real name, and they would have entered that into their systems. What happened this time? What brought you in here today?” Tyler asked her.

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out the pictures he’d sent her with the flowers this morning. “These were on my steps this morning, along with a vase of blood red roses,” she said handing them over.

“Where’s the flowers?”

Blushing at her spout of anger earlier she mumbled out, “I might have trashed them and then burned the bag.” Looking up at their silence, they all had looks of shock on their faces.
Huh, guess they didn’t expect ‘lil ol’ me to be scrappy,
she thought sardonically.

“Well, ok, then, we’ll try and see if we can’t get prints from these photos. They’re all recent I assume?” At her nod Nathaniel continued on. “We’ll have a team meeting tomorrow to see who will be assigned to your case and try to get the police files from your previous reports. Can you make a list of police stations that you reported to?” When she nodded, they got up and shook her hand before leaving her alone with Keeley to start working on the list.

“It’ll be ok you know, my men are the best at what they do.” Keeley told her proudly. Simultaneously shocking her after they got that list made up.

“Men?” Emily squeaked out.

Smiling brightly, Keeley said to her, simply, “Yes, Nathaniel and Tyler are mine.”

Not knowing what to say to that, Emily nodded her head and smiled like she wasn’t still reeling from that admission. However, she returned the shocked feeling to Keeley after they finished working on her list of police stations.
Yes, there were that many.
 

She thanked her for taking the time with her and walked out of the building feeling like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, like she was finally going to get help and have this entire ordeal over with soon.

Waiting for the bus a block away, the hairs on the back her neck stood up on end and goose bumps ran along her flesh. Knowing what it was didn’t make her feel any better.

She was being watched.

By him.