"I'm sorry Luna, but the guys have no idea what they'd be walking into here. Your mother is right, it is about more than any of us, and we aren't going to solve the situation here by fighting."
"And I do? Don't just repeat what she's saying! She's just getting in your head like every other time she shows up. Tell me you're joking Rafe because I'm not leaving!"
I push at his chest, repeatedly. I know it’s not his fault deep down, but these fuckers are caging me in. Giving me no option and he’s letting them.
"I'm sor..."
"Stop fucking apologizing! God dammit Rafe, have my back here!"
Before he can respond my so-called mother interrupts, "As sweet as this all is, time really is up."
With that, one of the meat heads jab Rafe in the neck with a syringe and he goes down. I scream, trying to run toward him but I feel a sharp sting in my neck and my world enters complete darkness as I meet the same fate as Rafe. Funny how cozy the darkness can be compared to the company of my own mother.
*****
Oh god.
What the hell is the pounding in my head?
Damn, what did I drink last night?
Whatever it was, I need to keep away from it in the future because I feel like death. Trying to get myself in a more comfortable position, I move my hand to scrub my face when it catches and I still. Not yet opening my eyes, I try to focus better and assess the situation more.
Why the hell am I handcuffed?
This definitely isn't sex related, I wouldn't trust anyone enough for this.
I try to open my eyes to see what’s happening around me, but the banging in my head is unbearable, so I try to think. Forcing myself to remain as calm as possible. I do not need to freak out right now.
What the hell happened last night?
Retracing my steps in my head, whilst my arm hangs in the air and my body remains stiff, I backtrack to what I can remember.
I took Dot for a spin after work and headed towards the warehouse. Jake and Tommy had a pissing match then I finally got my first official fight. What was that guy called? Rr .. Rry .. Riggs! Riggs, man I got that little bitch submitting in no time, even though he hit me hard to the face. Fuck, that could be why my eye feels sore, but it doesn't explain why I'm handcuffed. I remember leaving the ring and Murphy stopping me with the cash and then …
Fuck.
It all comes back to me like a freight train. Being overwhelmed with the mental assault of the memories, all at once, has me nauseous.
My mother, those guys and Rafe in the locker room. My mother kept going on about leaving and Rafe, Rafe agreeing with her.
Oh god, as if it’s playing out in my mind like a movie. I see Veronica’s fucking minion sink that syringe into Rafe’s neck, and then I followed him to the ground. Damn, is that what I'm fighting off right now?
Before I can assess myself in more detail I hear a throat clear.
"Luna, you can enjoy my company more with your eyes open, no?"
Fuck, I try not to wince at the sudden sound. Sadly, it’s my mother's voice. I don't want to open my eyes because she says so, but I also don’t want to seem weak.
Prying my eyes open, I push through the burn and glance in the direction her voice came from.
We’re moving. I’m travelling backwards in the back of a large SUV, with two of the guys from earlier relaxing to my left. My mother is sitting in the complete opposite corner with Rafe sandwiched in between her and another one of her puppets.
I see Rafe’s tense posture, and it seems he came around a while before I did. I also don't miss the gun resting against his skull that my mother is holding or the giant smile on her smug as shit face.
"How nice of you to join us, Luna."
I don't know what she wants me to say to her right now. My head is pounding, my eye hurts as I haven't been able to ice it, and there's a general throbbing throughout my bones as if they let me drop to the floor without softening the blow, no one concerned enough to catch my fall.
Assholes.
Both of my wrists are cuffed together and looped through the handle just above me. I’d just like a minute to freaking process tonight, rest my head in my hands, relax the ache in my shoulders, slaughter these motherfuckers for ruining my win.
"I thought we'd given you too much there for a minute, seeing as that was four hours ago and big ass Raphael came around within the hour!"
I roll my eyes at the shit coming out of her mouth. I wish she’d just call him Rafe, her formalities are really annoying the hell out of me.
“Well I'm not the size of Rafe, am I?” I state the obvious.
It seems they didn't fully think the situation through and gave us both the same amount of drugs. Seeing as though I'm 5ft 7" and slim in frame compared to Rafe, the gentle giant. It's no wonder I was out for longer.
"Lucky for you Rafe picked up what he thought you may need.”
Man, does she just like the sound of her own voice or something? I roll my head back looking at the roof of the car.
None of her men are fazed by any of this, just satisfied to stare into space. Not even a murmured conversation between themselves.
"I've ensured you have the best dorm possible, as your family name deserves nothing but the best. I've already gone ahead and had it filled with the required clothing and footwear you'll need along with any other bits I felt were appropriate. Now say, thank you mother."
I glare at her, "You don't know me
