Savior Ch. 22

I stretched with a silent groan, warm and comfortable in Rand's arms. I sighed, incredibly content. Last night had been wonderful, magical even, even more so than our previous times together. Unlike my previous lover, Rand seemed to care enough to make an effort to satisfy me, both physically and emotionally, rather than simply using me for his own needs. After we'd made love, he'd held me for a long time, seemingly willing to hold me forever. With Carl, after the fucking was done, he either rolled over and went to sleep, or left me alone in the bed frustrated and unfulfilled. Not so with Rand. Even after I'd nudged him off me, he'd pulled me into a warm and comfortable snuggle where I'd fallen into a deep and dreamless sleep.

I tried to carefully extract myself from his embrace, but he breathed deeply, pulling me back into his side. "I have to get up," I whispered as my lips brushed his.

"Stay," he murmured.

"I have to go to the bathroom."

He again breathed deeply as he stretched, his eyes still closed. "Kiss first."

I smiled as I brushed his lips with mine again. He took my kiss, then good to his word, allowed me to escape his embrace. Not that I wanted to, but he had things to do, and so did I.

We took turns in the tiny shower. I was scrambling eggs on the small stove, using a pan I'd borrowed from Patrick, when he appeared, dressed and ready for the day. He snuggled into my back and kissed me slowly on the neck. I could feel his hardness pressing into me, and the thought of spending a week in bed with him, only leaving it to eat, made me want to squirm.

"A couple more minutes," I murmured, pushing eggs around in the pan even as I soaked up his kisses.

"Take as long as you like," he murmured, still nuzzling my neck. "I'm in no hurry."

I nearly shivered with his words, forcing myself to focus on the eggs so I didn't burn them by turning around and offering him something more than my neck to kiss. "Sit," I ordered as I lifted the pan from the heat and switched off the stove. He sat at his small table as I scraped eggs onto our two plates.

"What are your plans for the day?" he asked as he began to eat.

"I'm going to run into town and do a couple of things. Maybe take a cruise through town to see if I notice anything."

He nodded. "Take my phone and call Patrick if you notice something."

"Okay," I said, even though I knew I wouldn't.

"Don't do anything stupid," he warned. "If you see anything, just call Patrick and I'll be there as quickly as I can."

"I won't."

He shoved the last of his eggs into his mouth and washed it down with milk. "I've got to go. I'm supposed to go get some cars from Newport, so I won't be around much this morning, but call Patrick anyway. He knows how to get in touch with Doug." He rose, pulled his phone out of his pocket, placed it on the table, and then quickly kissed me on the lips before transferring his plate to the sink. "You remember the pattern?" I nodded. "See you at lunch?"

"I'll be here."

I quickly washed the dishes, placed them aside to dry, and then gathered my things, leaving his phone on the table. I didn't want to do anything to spook Carl. After Rand left with the truck he hauled cars on, I drove into Bayport, pulling into the first cell phone store I saw. I bought the cheapest prepaid phone I could get, a refurbished flip phone, and handed over the money with quivering hands. As the sales rep rang me out and setup my phone, I quickly checked my funds. Between my car, the food I'd bought, and now the phone, I was down to my last thirty-seven dollars. Forcing myself not to cry over my financial condition, I sat in my car, staring at the phone. Taking a deep breath to steel myself, I dialed Carl's number. I knew what I was doing was stupid, but Garrett was sick, I had to see him, and this appeared to be the only way. I'd find out where Carl was and then lead him along until I could either grab Garrett and run, or could call Rand and tell him where I was.

The phone purred in my ear moment. "Bee. Go."

It was all I could do not to roll my eyes. "Carl... it's Hanna. I've done what you asked. I'm alone."

There was a long pause. "Who's phone is this?"

"Mine. I just bought it."

"Where are you?"

"In Bayport, at the T-Mobile store."

"And you're alone."

"Yes."

There was a short pause. "I don't believe you."

"Then why don't you come see for yourself? You said we could talk about me coming home and seeing Garrett. I've done what you asked, so let's talk." When he didn't say anything I tried to sweeten the deal. "Please, Carl. Please let me see you," I begged, knowing he liked making me beg.

He was quiet for a long moment. "Meet me in Mapleton in an hour. Find someplace to park and I'll call you on this number. If I even suspect someone is with you, the deals off, got it?"

"Where's Mapleton?"

"Jesus Christ! You drove right through it on the way to Bayport! Are you really that fucking stupid?"

I pursed my lips. "Please, just tell me where you want to meet."

"Fuck. Take the 101 to 126. You'll drive right through it. Be there in an hour or the deal's off."

He hung up before I could say anything. Chewing on my bottom lip, I started my car and glanced at the gas gauge. It read a ¼ tank, and I hoped that was enough to get me there. As I drove, I considered calling Patrick, but decided not to. Carl would be suspicious, and I didn't want to do anything to screw this up.

I didn't know how far it was to Mapleton, so I drove it hard, terrified of being late. When I realized I was going to make it with plenty of time, I slowed slightly. Arriving in town, I pulled into the first gas station I saw. I needed gas, and I had to wait for Carl's call anyway. I put ten dollars of gas into my Bug, and was preparing to go pay, when my phone rang. It was Carl.

"I'm here," I said.

"Where are you?"

"At the..." I paused as I glanced at the station sign, "Food and Fuel."

"Go to the Save-A-Lot. You have two minutes."

"Wait! I don't know where that is, and I have to pay for my gas!"

"Don't fuck with me Hanna," he growled.

"I've never been here before! How am I supposed to know where anything is?"

"Just go straight into town! It's a big fucking grocery store! Christ!"

"I'll leave as soon as I pay."

"Tick-tock, babycakes. You're wasting time," he sneered before he hung up.

"Bastard!" I snarled under my breath as I hurried into the store.

I banged through the door. There a woman buying cigarettes and a man waiting to pay for his beer ahead of me. I stood in line a moment, fidgeting, then stepped past the man and slapped my last ten-dollar bill on the counter.

"Pump two," I growled as I turned and hurried out of the door.

I dropped into my car, and roared out of the gas station, saying a silent thank you to Rand and Patrick for fixing my car so it started the first time, every time. I saw the Save-A-Lot sign ahead and pulled into the parking lot. I whipped into the first parking space and sat, the engine burbling happily behind me as I waited for Carl to arrive.

My phone rang and I picked it up. "What kind of fucking game are you playing?"

"What do you mean?" I cried. "I'm here!"

"You're not fucking there! I'm watching!"

I beeped the horn. "I am too here!" I beeped the horn again. "My car isn't blue anymore."

"Are you in that piece of shit Bug that just pulled in?"

"Yes."

"You might have fucking told me, you stupid bitch."

"Where are you?"

"Watching. Leave and go to the Riverside Lodge. Keep going straight like you were until you leave town. Wait for me there. I'll be watching."

I pulled out of the parking and motored through town. My phone rang again as I crossed the Siuslaw River and I picked it up. "I'm going!"

"Where the fuck are you going?"

"You said go straight through town! That's what I'm doing!"

"I said go straight!"

"I am going straight!"

"No, you fucking bitch! You turned right and crossed the river! Turn around and go back! Jesus Christ! Why can't you ever listen?"

Gritting my teeth, I turned around and recrossed the river, and made the first right on a road that had gone straight off the turn when highway 126 curved to cross the river. I'd followed the highway, as I thought he wanted, but he was sending me down a far less traveled road, and that made me nervous. I drove for about five minutes until I saw the Riverside Lodge, a slightly tatty looking place perched on the edge of the river. I pulled into the parking lot, picked up my phone, and dialed. It rang for a long moment before going to his voice mail. I hung up.

I was debating what to do when I heard the rumble of an approaching Harley. Carl pulled to a stop beside my door. "Nice car," he sneered as I rolled down the window.

"Is he here?"

"Phone," he ordered holding out his hand. I placed it in his hand and he immediately threw it across the road into the weedy ditch on the other side.

"I just bought that, you asshole!"

"Follow me," he said as he moved off.

I looped around and followed him as he led me back the way we came before he made a left and crossed the river. I followed him as he led me through town, making several turns, before arriving at an even more seedy motel on the other side of the river. He pulled to a stop in front of room 12, and as he dismounted, I shut off the car and stepped out.

"Give me a kiss," he ordered.

I steeled myself and did as he demanded, fighting the urge to pull back as he stuck is tongue into my mouth while grabbing my breast and squeezing it uncomfortably hard. He leered at me as he broke from the kiss then turned to the door, unlocked it and then shoved it open. Garrett was there, alone, lying on the bed watching cartoons.

"You left him alone in the room? How could you do that?" I cried as I hurried to Garrett.

Garrett smiled when he saw me, but he wasn't his normal boisterous five-year-old self. "Mommy!" he cried, opening his arms for me to pick him up. I swept him into my arms and held him tight.

"He's fine," Carl said waving off my concerns. "He was only in here a half-hour or so. Nikki was out fucking off somewhere, and I didn't have anybody to watch him. If you hadn't gone the wrong way, we'd been back before now."

"Mommy's missed you so much!" I whimpered. I kissed his forehead. "Carl, he's burning up!"

"It's just a cold."

"I don't feel good," Garrett said then barked out a wet sounding cough.

"I know, Punkin. Carl, we need to get him to a doctor."

"I'm not taking him to the fucking doctor over a fucking cold."

"This is more than a cold, Carl!"

He gave me a dismissive wave. "He just started coming down with it a couple days ago. Jesus, stop being such a pansy ass. We can take him to the doctor when we get back to Eugene."

My blood ran cold. "Eugene?"

"Yes, Eugene. You and Garrett can stay at the clubhouse until I get this thing in Bayport finished. This is my big break, baby. I get this done and I'm a shoo-in for the VP position."

I again had force myself to not roll my eyes. It was the same shit all over again. "Carl, let's just take Garrett to a doctor and have him looked at, then we can talk about Eugene, okay?"

He shook his head. "You think I'm stupid? Is that it? The minute we get to a doctor, you'll start screaming your head off. I'll have the club doctor look at him at the clubhouse. He can give him a shot or something."

"I don't want a shot," Garrett said, his voice begging.

I turned my attention back to Garrett. I didn't like the slight wheeze when he breathed. "It's okay, Punkin. No shot." My attention shifted to Carl. "This is more than a cold, and I wouldn't trust that quack to treat my dog, much less Garrett."

"Just shut up about the fucking doctor! The answer is no, and I don't want to hear another fucking thing about it!"

I could see the rage coming and cringed back. "Okay, anything you say, but when we get to Eugene, right?"

"Yeah. When we get to Eugene."

"Can we go now? Garrett can ride in the car with me."

Carl smiled, an ugly, cruel, smile that didn't reach his eyes. "There you go, thinking I'm stupid again. He rides with me."

"You know I don't want him on the motorcycle, especially not with him breathing like this. Please, just let him ride in my car. I'll follow you to Eugene, I promise. All I want right now is to get Garrett to a doctor. Please."

"I said fucking no!"

"Okay, Carl, okay. But can we go now, before it gets dark? I don't want him out in the night air." I chewed on my bottom lips and decided to lay it on with a trowel. "That'll give us, you know, more time for other things, too," I said as I swayed up to him.

"What's the matter?" he sneered. "That jerk wad you got helping you not man enough for you?" he asked as he pulled me in for a hard kiss.

"Nobody can satisfy me like you did," I cooed, willing to do, or say, anything. "If you'll get Garrett ready to travel, I'm going to go pee."

"You got it, baby," he smiled, slapping me on the ass.

I always hated that but said nothing. I didn't have to go, but since he threw away my phone, I needed a moment to try to think of a plan. Finished, I flushed.

"Garrett, you need to pee-pee before we go?"

"Can I finish watching this first?"

"No Punkin. Daddy's ready to go."

"Oh... okay..." he grumbled as he turned off the television and slumped into the restroom.

I waited outside the door with my car keys in my hand. All I needed was a few seconds. I waited while Garrett did his business.

When he stepped out, I picked him up and held him close. "Have you had fun riding on Daddy's motorcycle?" I cooed, still trying to disarm Carl.

"Yeah!"

"You hold on tight when you're riding with Daddy, okay?"

"I will."

"I'm going to go, then we can leave," Carl said, turning to the restroom. He paused at the door and glared at me. "Don't be stupid."

The moment I heard the splash of running water I dashed for the door. I decided on speed over stealth, and scrambled to unlock the safety chain and the deadbolt.

"What are you doing, you bitch?" Carl roared, rushing out of the bathroom, trying to tuck his cock back into his pants as I jerked the door open and ran for my car.

I yanked the car door open and shoved Garrett inside, piling in right behind him, slamming my door and locking it just as Carl arrived.

"Open this fucking door you bitch!" Carl roared

As he yanked on the handle, rocking the car, I reached across Garret and locked the passenger door. Garrett was staring at me and Carl, his eyes wide with fear and confusion, as I tried to get the key into the ignition with shaking hands. I screamed as the door glass shattered, the tiny bits of glass raining over me as Carl drew his pistol back after using the handle to smash my window.

I shrieked in terror, trying to turn the key as he reached through the now open window, grabbed my hair, and slammed my head against the steering wheel. I sat in stunned shock as Garrett began screaming in terror, trying to recover from the blow. As my mind began to clear, I grabbed Carl's hand, trying to tear it from my hair, but he was too strong. I reached for the ignition, hoping if I could get the car started, I could run over his ass, or as least drag him down. Holding my hair tight with one hand, he slammed my head into the seat back as I cried out in pain, the sudden jerk preventing me from turning the key. He bounced my head off the seat a second time before reaching through the window and unlocking the door. Still holding my hair though the window, he opened the door while dragging me out of the car.

"You thought you could steal my son from me again, you fucking bitch?" he snarled as he released my hair, pulled his arm through the window, and then slapped me hard across the face.

I bounced off the car, but all I could think about was Garrett screaming inside the car, and I tried to throw myself behind the wheel again. I gasped as he grabbed my hair and pulled me back, turning my face to his before gripping it painfully tight.

"You're hurting me," I begged as I grabbed his wrist and tried to pull his hand away, my legs flailing as I squirmed in pain and effort.

"I'm going to do a lot more than hurt you. I'm going to show you what I do to someone who tries that shit!"

"Please!" I begged as he dragged me off the car and then slammed me backwards into it.

"Daddy! Don't hurt Mommy!" Garrett screamed from the driver's seat.

"This is what happens to Mommy when she's bad," Carl snarled as I tried to free my face from his crushing grip.

He slammed me back into the car again, Garrett's shrieks becoming even more shrill. His gun was tucked sloppily inside the waist of his pants and I reached for it. He realized what I was reaching for and shoved against my face, his arm stiff, driving me back into the car as I again tried to tear his fingers away, kicking and scratching at him as he bent my head painfully backwards. He released my face and I again lunged for the car, but he grabbed me by the hair again, hauled me back, spun me around, and then drove his fist into the side of my face. I went hard to the ground.

"Please! You're hurting me!" I sobbed, alternately holding up my hands to protect myself and trying to scuttle backwards against the car.

He hauled me to my feet by my hair again, putting his face only inches from mine. "I'll do a lot more than hurt you if you try something like that again," he snarled before shoving me back to the ground and kicking me once in the ribs for good measure.

I lay on the ground, weeping as I curled into a fetal position in pain and to protect my aching ribs. Breathing hard, Carl backed off before he reached into the car and picked up the nearly hysterical Garrett.

"Why are you hurting Mommy?" he wailed before coughing long and hard.

"Mommy was being bad," Carl replied, bouncing Garrett slightly as he began crying again. "Everything will be okay when we get home. Stop crying now."

Garrett nodded as he began to cough again.

"Please, Carl, I just want to take him to the doctor. Please, let me take him to the doctor," I begged between sobs, holding up my hand to ward off any potential blow.

"When we get to Eugene, I told you that!"

I nodded, sobbing again as I slowly dragged myself to my feet. I hurt everywhere, and I winced with the pain in my ribs as I tried to straighten.

"No, wait! I have a better idea," he said, his face breaking into a smile. "Go back to those assholes in Bayport and let them see what happens when someone fucks with the Orcas. I'm done fucking around. It's time for them to see what happens when someone fucks with us. Tell that fuck you're opening your legs for to come alone to that little park thing at the south end of the bridge there in town, tonight, at 9 p.m. If I see anyone other than that motherfucker, you'll never see Garrett again. Nine o'clock tonight. Got it?"

I nodded, wiping the blood from my face.

"You better convince those assholes to back the fuck off if you ever want to see Garrett again."

I nodded again as he reached into my car, pulled out the keys, and threw them far down the parking lot. I tried to watch where they landed, but I had only the most basic idea.

"Oh... don't even think about going to the police. I'm not here, you see. I'm in Eugene, at the club house, with plenty of witnesses." He smiled at my nastily. "Don't fuck with me, Hanna."

"No," I mumbled, my lips already swelling.

"Come on, Champ. Let's go for a ride, what do you say?"

I watched, tears leaking from my eyes as Garrett nodded slowly, his cheeks stained with his tears, his beautiful little face so sad it broke my heart. I waved to him as Carl put his helmet on. Garrett waved back, but he used only his fingers and it appeared to be slow and sad.