Destined: Satan's Rebels MC Series, #2

Prologue

Viper

When you fall in love, truly fall in love, there is no turning back. I had known for some time that there was more between Jade and I than sheer friendship. She had infiltrated my mind, consuming my thoughts every second of every day, as well as my heart.

Seeing her this way, a gun pressed tightly to her temple, had my heart racing. I have witnessed death. I have been the cause of death. Never before had I felt the sheer terror that was coursing through me at this very moment. She and I were destined to be together, of that I had no doubt, and losing her now was not an option.

I know I have mere seconds to put an end to this. I draw my .45 from behind as I lunge forward, nailing him between the eyes. He drops like a rock, blood pouring from the entrance wound. I grasp Jade by the waist and gently remove her restraints, lowering her to the floor. Tank is by my side in an instant.

He grasps her in his arms, cradling her like a child. Wake up baby girl. Please wake up! He is panicking and I need him to back off so I can access the damage.

Tank, I need you to back off so I can take a look. He looks up at me with fear in his eyes. I promise, I’ll take good care of her, I assure him. Slowly, he releases her, allowing me to move in.

As I begin looking her over, I see she has suffered a tremendous amount of torture. She’s gonna need a hospital, I tell him over my shoulder.

No, I'll have doc meet us at the compound. She won't want to be in a hospital again. I nod my head, but I don't agree. She is going to need not only physical treatment, but mental help as well. This is her second visit to hell and I didn't know if she could handle it. I wish I didn’t have to shoot that fucker, because I would make him pay dearly for what this sweet girl was put through.

As I begin to gently lift her off the bed, she awakens in a panic. I look down at the frightened girl in my arms and my heart breaks for her. It’s alright, I've got you, I tell her, and I see her instantly relax.

Tank?

He’s fine. He’s calling doc to meet us back at the compound. I lower her once again to the mattress and remove my shirt. Gently, I pull the fabric over her head, covering her. I then lift her in my arms again and carry her downstairs where Maze is waiting in the van.

I hold her the entire ride back to the compound, answering her questions along the way. She is in shock, and still terrified after the ordeal she has been put through, but she is holding up better than I expected. I know it will not last long. She will snap, and I hope that she will allow me to help her after her physical wounds heal.

Chapter One

Viper

As soon as we enter the compound, Tank is by my side. He cringes as he lays eyes on his battered sister’s face. I take her immediately to her room, where Doc is waiting for us. As soon as she is lying on the bed, Doc begins checking her vitals. Tank and I both stand against the far wall, unmoving.

I’ve got to take off this shirt to see the damage. You might want to step out.

We both hear his words loud and clear, but neither of us moves. Tank! Viper! Did you hear me?

I heard you. I'm not leaving. Tank stands with his arms crossed, determined.

Doc stands and walks over to us. Listen to me, both of you. Jade has been severely beaten and possibly raped. I need to do a proper exam and see the extent of the damage. I don't think you want to be in here for that and I know she wouldn’t.

We both nod as his words sink in. Let Doc do his job, I mumble as I grab Tank’s arm and drag him from the room.

Walking over to the bar, I grab a bottle of Jack and two glasses. Cracking the top, I pour both glasses to the brim, passing one over to Tank. Hey, she’s gonna pull through this, I tell him.

He nods but says nothing. Seeing his sister for the second time beaten within inches of her life is tearing him up. Hell, I feel it too. Spike and Maze walk over, concern etched on their faces. How is she? Maze asks.

Doc is in with her now.

What about Brax? Spike asks.

Shot the son of a bitch between the eyes. I don't even blink as I tell them. The fucker deserved much worse.

Spike swallows hard. It is hard to believe anyone was capable of so much cruelty, and knowing he would have killed her had we not arrived when we did only made it that much worse. I could still picture the barrel of the gun pointed at her head, his finger on the trigger.

Her words would forever haunt Tank. She was willing to give her own life in exchange for his. In exchange for my own. After all the torture she had endured, she was willing to take a bullet for either of us. I had learned that was the way she is; the most loving and caring person in the entire world.

Tank. Both Tank and I look up to see Doc standing before us, a solemn expression on his face.

How is she? I ask, knowing from the grim expression on his face that it is bad.

Physically, she will heal. She shows no signs of broken bones in her face, but has some deep bruising. She has broken blood vessels in both eyes, but luckily no orbital fractures. Both her shoulders were dislocated, probably from her hanging in restraints and thrashing against them. I reset them so she’ll be sore for a few days. She did have two fractured ribs. I bound her, but other than that, there wasn’t much more I could do.

I cringe as he described her injuries. Thanks Doc. The sense of relief I was feeling ended when he continued.

There’s more. You may want to hear this in private, Tank.

Just spit it out Doc! Tank orders.

Your sister also had numerous bites all over her body. Her thighs, breasts and even her pubic area. Some required stitches.

Fuck! I throw the open bottle of Jack across the room, watching it smash against the wall.

I performed a full exam on her. She awoke a short time later and to be honest, she was in a lot of pain.

Was she...? Tank asks, trailing off.

No. There was no sign of sexual trauma. But I have no doubt that’s where it was headed when you arrived. She’s going to have a lot of emotional scars from this, but physically she will heal.

We understand, I say, letting out a ragged breath.

I’m leaving some pain medication here with you. He turns his attention towards me. I’ll write out dosages for you to administer. The best thing you both can do for her now is let her rest. I will come back tomorrow to check on her condition. He turns to leave, and then pauses. That girl has endured more than any one person ever should. She is strong as hell, but this may be a setback for her. Don’t be surprised if she has a harder time dealing this time around. This is bound to cause her to relive everything.

I nod. I knew what I was facing without him saying a word. Thanks, Doc.

Like I said, I’ll be back tomorrow, but if you need anything before then, call me.

He pats Tank on the back before making his way towards the door. How could this be happening? To her of all people? I take in a deep breath and nod at Tank who stands and slowly makes his way towards her room.

***

Jade

––––––––

My eyes are beginning to feel heavy and all I want to do is sleep, but every time I close my eyes, I see their faces and I jolt awake. I bite back the tears that threaten to fall as I hear a light knock on the door. It opens and my brother’s weary face peers inside. Hey, baby girl.

His voice is so gentle and hesitant. I know he is somehow blaming himself for what happened. He pulls the chair from the corner of the room and places it by my bedside before taking a seat in it. Reaching out, he pulls my hand in his. I’m so sorry. I...

Please Tank, don't blame yourself. This was all them, not you.

He nods his head, but I know he does not believe what I have said. I knew he would feel this way. I’m okay, I tell him, but in truth, I am anything but. I squeeze his hand in reassurance, and when I do, his eyes land on mine.

We were out looking for you the moment you disappeared. We tried... his voice trails off. They sent us a video. Maze saw the water tower in the distance and that’s how we found you.

I let out a ragged breath. If they had not found me when they did, I would be dead. I know this without a doubt. Hey, you found me, I say, trying to reassure him that I am okay.

You offered your life for mine. His eyes are filled with sorrow. I have no regrets. If the choice was my life or his, I would have gladly laid my life down for his.

I would do it all over again, Tank. I am silent for a few moments before I continue. I love you. You have always protected me. I wanted to return the favor.

It’s my job to protect you. You’re my baby sister. Will be until the day I die.

I smile at his words. There has never been a doubt in my mind that my brother loves me and will be there for me no matter what. I yawn, the medication taking its effect. I am exhausted, but know I will not be able to sleep. Everything is still fresh in my mind and I do not want to relive a moment of what I have been through.

I’ll let you get some sleep, he says as he stands. I love you, baby girl. We all love you. Viper was beside himself when you disappeared. I know you won’t want to talk about that for a while, but just thought you should know. That man would lay down his life for you.

I nod my head as I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to keep my tears at bay. When he leaves me alone with my thoughts, I curl into a fetal position and try to block the images that consume my mind.

***

Viper

––––––––

I down one last shot before calling it a night. Tank has long been passed out in his room and everyone else has crashed for the evening. I stand and make my way down the hallway, ready to call it a night myself. Today has been exhausting, both physically and mentally.

As I pass by Jade’s room, I can hear her sobs coming through the doorway. This is healthy, I think to myself. She has been through hell. But when I hear her shrill scream, I rush through the door. She is lying on her side, her back facing me. It is not until I cross the room that I realize she is asleep. I debate on waking Tank, but just as I turn to leave the room, she begins thrashing in the bed. Instinctively, I go to her, pull her into my arms and murmur in her ear. It’s okay, babe. It’s just a bad dream.

She startles awake, fear stricken. She clings to me as though I am her lifeline, and all I can do is hold her close, telling her I am there. For the remainder of the night, I sit in this exact position, unmoving.

Chapter Two

Viper

––––––––

You’re looking better today, I say as I walk into Jade’s room. She is perched upright, sitting up in the bed against the headboard reading the Kindle I bought for her last week. She smiles the moment she sees me.

I’m feeling good. A little sore, but I’m okay. I really want to get out of this bed and this room, but Tank won't let me, she says, rolling her eyes. He says I need to rest.

He’s just looking out for you, babe.

I know, but I want to move around. Maybe get some fresh air. I have been cooped up in here for three weeks. I’m bored.

Ah, boredom I might be able to help you with, I tell her as I pull the bag from behind my back. I lay it on the bed beside her and cannot help but smile when she scrambles to grab it.

Movies?! She is grinning from ear to ear at the sight of something so simple. She pulls the DVD’s out of the bag and her grin gets even bigger. You got me the Saw series?!

Know you are big on horror movies, and that these are among your favorites. Thought you and I could have a little movie marathon tonight.

Thank you, Viper! she shrieks as she launches herself at me. When she presses her lips to my cheek, I cannot contain my own wide ass grin.

I’m gonna go grab some popcorn and sodas. Be back in a few, I tell her as I turn and exit the room.

After popping a few bags of popcorn and filling the cooler with ice and a few sodas, I make my way back to her where she is waiting on the bed in anticipation. I can't believe you did this for me! she says, as she looks down at the movies. This means a lot.

She doesn’t realize that I would do anything for her. I lay the popcorn bowl on the bed and go to pull the chair beside her bed, but she stops me. Come sit by me, she says, patting the mattress. I don't even hesitate, and begin removing my boots. I pop in the first movie and come to sit with her.

For the next hour and a half, we watch the movie in almost in complete silence, except for the occasional comment from her. No one would ever expect her to be such a horror movie buff, but I know better. She doesn't play that girly role I hate so much. Not once does she pretend to be scared so that she has an excuse to curl up to me, although the thought of her doing so was quite appealing.

As the movie ends, she jumps off the bed and rushes into the bathroom. For someone who was brutalized a few weeks ago, she acts as though nothing is wrong. It is a testament to her strength, but is also a concern to me. She is hiding her emotions and that is frightening to me. I know what it is like to hide one's emotions, and the outcome can be devastating. I do not want that for her. I make a mental note to discuss this with her at another time. Just not tonight. Tonight is the break she so desperately needs.

We manage to watch three of the movies before she is dozing on my lap. I don't have the heart to move her, so instead, I make myself as comfortable as possible. She looks so peaceful, sleeping like she is. I stare down at her beautiful face, still covered in bruises and know that she is the one for me. She is so perfect in every way.

I gently play with her hair as she mumbles in her sleep. I feel myself becoming heavy lidded and close my eyes, feeling so peaceful having her beside me.

Ahhh! I jolt awake at the sound of her scream. She is thrashing on the bed, and I do not need to ask what her nightmare is about. I know.

Jade, I calmly call out her name, gently nudging her. When she does not awaken, I do it again and then again until finally she is sitting upright in the bed, panting hard. You were having a nightmare, I explain.

I can see the fear in her eyes, but she says nothing, only shrugging as she turns away. You wanna talk about it?

No, she replies coldly.

It’s normal to have nightmares after something traumatizing, I tell her, trying to open the door for her to talk about it.

I’m fine! She gets out of the bed and walks to the bathroom. When she emerges, a fake smile is plastered on her face. You want to finish watching the movies?

Sure, babe. Anything you want.

***

Jade

––––––––

I know Viper is trying to help, but he doesn't get it. I don’t want to talk about what I went through. I want to forget every single moment that I spent in that hell. I was doing my best to push those memories aside, wanting to get on with my life, but no matter how hard I tried, the memories would always manage to creep up on me.

I watch Viper out of the corner of my eye, his eyes set on the television screen. When he is around, I feel safe. I know he will do everything in his power to protect me. He has risked his life not once, but twice, for me. I don't deserve his loyalty. He doesn’t know everything those men did to me. The beatings, that was evident. But if he knew the sadistic things they did, he would want nothing to do with me. No one would.

I am lucky. He has not brought up the night I ran out of