“I’m used to it.” I shrug as I watch Marlana in the rearview mirror.
Her eyes are wide as she takes in her surroundings. I know what this must look like. It’s vacant looking, desolate, and holds an edge of danger. Perfect place to hide a body if you were a murderer and I can bet her heart is beating out a wild staccato right now, wondering if these will be her last moments. I don’t know what I ever saw in her before but I can tell you what I see now. A girl so lost in a world where darkness reigned and the only way to survive was to become similar to the monsters that surrounded her. Deep inside though, I know she has something that Em saw worth saving and I trust what my girl does.
“What is this place?” Mar’s voice is soft but I can hear the tremors of fear.
“This is the main base for The Rampage.” Emmett answers her. “I was born and raised here.”
“That’s so reassuring.” Marlana answers sarcastically.
“Keep those comments to yourself, your head down, and change.” I grit out as I exit the Hummer.
The parking lot is bare save for our vehicle and I text Adri asking how far out they are. The front garage style door begins to roll up, revealing the intricate inside of what is seemingly an abandoned warehouse. Trent stands there with two guards and a smirk on his face.
“Familia! I hear you are bringing us a gift.” He calls out.
“If by gift you mean a large lump of coal in your stocking…. then yes, we brought a gift.” Emmett slaps Trent’s shoulder as he passes him.
I wait for Marlana to get out of the Hummer, she’s styled her fading purple hair into a high ponytail to hide the bald spot Ember gave her no doubt and dressed in baggy clothing, covering her frame. She looks around nervously and I grin as I revel in her fear.
“Where’s your fiancée?” Trent asks as I lead Marlana inside and Travis takes up the back.
“On her way.” I answer, giving him a one armed hug.
He eyes Marlana and holds out his hand, “my name is Trent. I’m head of security here.”
“Marlana.” She whispers as she takes his hand.
“We have a room ready for you.” He nods to one of the men. “Follow Dom and freshen up.”
She does as she’s told and we all stand there watching her leave.
“She’s hot.” Trent whistles and I roll my eyes.
“Trust me, Brother. That is one pussy you want to steer clear of.” I tell him.
“Vin should know,” Emmett smirks. “From experience.”
“This is an ex?” Trent looks at me surprised.
“Not an ex.” I shake my head, glaring at Emmett. Travis is shaking his head but chuckling at his boyfriend’s antics.
“And Ember is letting her live?” Trent looks astonished.
“Surprisingly.” Emmett nods while I shrug.
“She has her reasons.” Travis interjects.
“Come eat.” Trent rolls down the door as my phone chimes.
Adri: We’ll be there in about thirty minutes.
Me: Cool.
I make my way to mine and Ember’s usual room as Emmett and Travis go to theirs. I take a shower and when I get out I see Em’s bag on the floor beside mine but she’s not in the room. I dress quickly in a pair of sweats-black because Em would kill me otherwise-and throw on a hoodie.
I have an idea where to find them, at least I know Emmett will be there. I open the doors to the large dining hall and sure enough I see Emmett shovelling food in his mouth as Travis sits across from him shaking his head. Adri is leaning into Travis’ side and sitting beside her is Marlana as she tentatively eats.
I do a quick scan and see Em and Carm standing off to the side in deep conversation. I head over to them and wrap my arms around Em’s waist.
She instantly relaxes in my arms and sighs, “that’s what I needed.”
“So this is her.” Carm’s gaze hasn’t left Marlana. His interest is evident.
“Keep your dick out of her.” Em growls.
His hands go up on a chuckle, “you got it, Hermanita.”
“Seriously, Carm.” Ember exhales. “She’s fucking damaged. Like from birth.”
How he’s looking at her tells me he has no intention of listening to his sister. Marlana is in his sights and if I know anything about the Torres’ it’s that they always get what they want.
“Guess who’s here.” Carm finally breaks his eye from Marlana to look at us.
“No idea.” I say.
“The Bishop.”
I feel Em tense in my arms. “I remember that fight like it was yesterday.”
“I heard about that fight.” Carm nods.
“What happened?” I ask.
“That fight will go down in the history of the Rampage.” Carm whistles. “Bishop was our greatest fighter, undefeated, and his specialty was snapping necks. Then, a girl by the name of Blur called him out after one of his fights, demanding he fight her. It was a bloody one from what I hear but our girl here reigned supreme that night and left The Bishop knocked out cold.”
“It was the night Raph killed my mother.” Her voice is small and my heart stops.
“Shit.” Carm mutters. “I forgot that was the same night.”
“It’s fine.” Em shakes her head. “What’s he doing here?”
“He’s looking for a fight.” Carm turns and looks at her. “With Blur. But I wasn’t thinking when I brought this up. If you don’t want to…”
“I can fight.” She shrugs.
I know her well and so does Carm. He knew she wouldn’t be able to turn this down and I can bet he has a lot riding on this fight.
“He best not be planning on snapping any fucking necks.” I retort.
“Not if he wants to live.” Carm snorts.
“I’m fucking tired.” Em moans and leans back into me. “Can we sleep?”
“Let’s go.” I kiss her temple.
“I’ll take care of our girl here.” Carm points at Marlana and Em literally growls.
I can’t see any
