Page 61 of Heron's Flame

I whimpered as the pain in my arm grew so intense I almost passed out.

Paul’s gaze traveled to me, and his jaw clenched. “Outside. Now, Snake Eyes. Stay by the pit.”

He bobbed his head and rushed up the stairs as Paul approached me. As he crouched, he looked at my arm. “I’ll tend to the wound once we’re upstairs.”

His calm words scared the shit out of me. When Paul got quiet, that was when he was most dangerous. Like a snake coiled to strike or a predator lingering in the trees and waiting to pounce on his prey.

“T-thank you,” I managed to whisper, holding back tears.

“Of course, Rebecca, my dear.”

Oh God. I had nightmares about the way he used to say that to me. The exact phrase before he forced me to undress and pleasure him until I was so sore it took days to recover.

I didn’t dare close my eyes as they stung, knowing how much he hated that. I couldn’t provoke him. Not when he held all the power.

Paul unlocked my handcuffs and pulled me to my feet. His intense gaze focused on me with a hint of aggression. “I trust you not to run. Don’t provoke me. We’re going outside to handle Snake Eyes and his disobedience, and then I’m taking you into the clubhouse to care for your wound.”

He would leave me in pain until then as a punishment for running away from him. I knew that. I’d hurt his pride and angered him. Tonight, he’d lock me in the room with him, and I’d have to endure whatever he planned.

“I’ll obey you,” I promised.

My mind slipped to Heron, focusing on the guy I planned to marry someday and the hope he was coming. I had to believe he was out there searching for me. If I saw the crows overhead, I knew he’d be close. I’d watch for any sign. Until then, I could play the docile captive.

Paul grasped my chin and held it in place as he forced me to stare into his eyes. “You’re mine. I’ll prove it to you until the memory of that Samoan fucker is bleached from your body and mind.” His mouth crashed to mine, nipping at my lips as he groaned. “Fuck. I missed this mouth.”

It took everything I had not to shudder with revulsion.

“Let’s go.”

Paul released me and headed toward the stairs, knowing I’d be right behind him. I didn’t understand why he didn’t come to me for the first two days I’d been here. With the travel time, it had to be about three days since I’d seen Heron. Of course, I could only guess at this point since I didn’t know where he’d taken me.

As bright sunlight greeted me and I blinked against the glare, I tried to run through everything that had happened since he threw me inside the dark van that he’d used to transport me, processing the hours and figuring somewhere around three and a half days total. That was a hell of a long time. Too long.

Why didn’t Heron find me yet?

We had to be outside of Nevada. Maybe a neighboring state. Paul didn’t have time to travel farther than that. Wait. I glanced around, noticing the familiar vegetation. I’d seen it multiple times because I’d run into this forest with the same weeping willow trees. And in the distance, not too far, I heard water trickling like a river.

No way. My luck had just turned.

Paul had driven to Lake Alpine, California. The same lands that Alpha Caden and his wolves patrolled. Wow.

He had no idea how badly he fucked up.

When they caught my scent, now that I was no longer underground, they’d come. Hopefully, they’ll contact Crow, Heron, and the rest of the Devil’s Murder MC. I didn’t have long to wait. I was sure of it.

I kept my expression neutral as I followed Paul to a massive pit in the ground. He must have found this place by chance. The old warehouse was overgrown with weeds, and ivy had climbed up the exterior walls. The glass was dirty, and many of the panes were cracked or broken. He didn’t come here often. I could tell.

But when he did? He put on a show. I could sense that, too.

Unafraid, I watched as Paul quieted the other Grave Robbers MC members. They waited in expectant silence, wary of Paul and whatever punishment he decided to inflict on Snake Eyes.

“Open the grates.”

Someone scrambled to do his bidding, and I heard snarling below, gasping when I glanced into the hole and saw dogs enter the pit. It wasn’t a far drop, maybe ten feet below the ground. Low enough to watch the dog fights Paul participated in but not enough to let the dogs jump out and attack the spectators. He’d always been into this shit. It wasn’t new.

The pit? Thatwasnew.

The dogs seemed agitated as they growled and patrolled the dirt floor. I bet they were purposely mistreated and starved, so they attacked anyone who entered the pit with them. Maybe this was how he eliminated any enemy who dared to stand up to him and his club.

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