Ace: His Angel (Phoenix Riders MC 1)

48: Unpleasant Picture

***Trigger Warning: sexual assault***

Three days. Angel lay in Killer's bed at his house, unconscious for three days now. Killer didn't want everyone around when she woke up, and the clubhouse was in no condition for Kaitlyn to heal thanks to me. Prospects and brothers guarded the house to ensure we wouldn't get any blowback from taking down the Italian mafia.

Three days ago.

Not knowing how many guards would be with Azzaro, we called up The Hellhounds MC from Seattle for help. They agreed, as long as they could keep whatever weapons and drugs they found on the grounds. A small price to pay for their help and our safety.

Azzaro's guards surrounded the compound, moving like clockwork, giving us an advantage. Whisky took the high ground, nailing four men before they could react, while Killer, Blade, Bear, and Gears. Knowing my blind rage wouldn't be the best in this situation, I trailed behind.

We made it to the front door with ease, but inside bullets flew, and my rage took over. I unloaded my clip quickly, throwing it to the side, beat two guards to death, and Whiskey and Tiny entered through the back of the house.

"Found Azzaro," Whiskey radioed. I headed to them, stepping over several bodies. Seeing Azzaro, I lost it, taking all my anger out on him. Killer tried to stop me, but it was useless. Azzaro quickly told us where Chloe was, and I promptly knocked him out.

Killer searched upstairs, while Shotgun and I went to the basement for Chloe. We found her tied to a chair, beaten and bloodied, and knew she would need more than physical recovery time. Stepping towards Chloe, she coiled into herself or tried to, afraid of us. Eventually, Shotgun coaxed her out of the room and into the car before she passed out from hyperventilation.

"Kaitlyn's upstairs, last room on the right," Killer whispered through the coms, and my heart stopped.

Angel is alive. But if Chloe looks like this...no. I promised to be there for her, no matter what, and I will.

I took the stairs two at a time, stopping when I saw Killer standing outside a room, unable to go in. Taking a few deep breaths, I stepped into the room, and everything stopped. Pain and fear taking hold of me.

Angel lay unmoving on a bed, and a mixture of sweat, blood, and bruises covered her body. Her hair was tangled and matted to her head, and raw, dry rope burns seared on her soft skin. I can never unsee this. Never take away the memory of this for her or myself.

Movement in the corner caught my eye. Noah. He did this to her, and now he hides from his choices and doings. Fucking coward deserves to die. I moved towards him, but Killer stopped me, nodding towards Angel. She needs me. Noah will have to wait.

Whiskey dragged Noah out, and he knew he was a dead man walking. Killer followed behind, leaving me alone with his sister. For a while I didn't move, afraid to touch her and cause more pain. Taking off my vest, I gently laid it over her naked body. She whimpered the moment it touched her, pulling away from me.

My vision blurred, and tears filled my eyes. I'm causing her pain despite trying to help her, and there is nothing I can do about it. Wrapping her body in my vest, I pulled her into me. Her weak body tried to push me away, but failed miserably.

"I'm here, Angel. I'm not going anywhere," I whispered, praying she knew it was me.

Killer and I promised to keep her safe. Hell, the entire club did. This is our fault, not hers, and I will never forgive myself.

*****

Doc confirmed Kaitlyn had a concussion, fractured ribs, and endless bruising. However, he also confirmed our fears and that the video we saw back at the compound was real. Noah raped Kaitlyn; repeatedly. They recorded everything. Every movement, every tear, every cry; they watched.

Killer lost it, trashing his home office. Paper's hurled across the room, the computer screen punched through, and his chair leaving a sizeable hole in the wall. He slumped against the wall, hands covering his face as reality sunk in. Killer's sister, the only woman who mattered to him, was abused in the same regard as those we try to save. He couldn't save her, and this was his breaking point.

I've seen what happens to women after abuse firsthand. They become numb, shut down, dissociate, and feel ashamed. It could take years to heal and process, and even then, they are never the same again.

From that moment on, Killer and I never left her side. Doc sedated her to help the healing process, but she would cry and moan in her sleep, and whisper words we couldn't make out. Nights were long, and with each passing day, I grew worried she would never recover.

Killer and I took turns with Azzaro. After two days of drawn-out torture, he caved, telling us everything from finding Kaitlyn, to his businesses. Afterward, I kept my promise of killing him, slowly. His cries and screams fueled me and every day he tortured my Angel, he would too.

*****

A week passed, and Killer and I sat in the kitchen sipping on beers, killing time until Kaitlyn woke up. Blade took over the day-to-day club operations, and we received no backlash from Azzaro's men.

Killer spoke up. "Chloe is home, and Noah still isn't talking. He only asks about Chloe and Kaitlyn. I haven't decided what to do with him, but it's not my decision to make. This stays between us for now." I nodded in agreement.

We heard a noise coming from the stairs and headed towards it, guns ready. I reached the stairs first and quickly hid my gun. Angels' awake. She stood at the top of the stairs, holding onto the IV pole for support. She was pale and out of breath. I hate seeing her struggle.

"You're out of bed. Are you okay, Angel?" I quietly asked, knowing she was in an immeasurable amount of pain.

I stepped toward her, but she backed away, refusing to look at me. Scared. Looking at Killer, I didn't know what to do. This is far from what I expected, and I should have. Her fight-or-flight response kicked in, and she chose flight.

What do I do? Kaitlyn wants nothing to do with me; that is clear, but I refuse to accept reality.

Killer moved behind me. "It's okay, Princess, you're not in trouble. We're just surprised that you are up and moving around," he calmly said.

"You should have just left me," her hoarse voice whispered.

Her words hit me like a truck, sucking the air out of my lungs. Anger, pain, and guilt flashed across Killer's face. We prepared for her to break down, shut down. Hell, not even speak, but not that.

We would never leave her. How could she think that? What sick, twisted manipulation did Azzaro sell her?

I tried to talk, but she cut me off. With tears falling and a shaky voice, she said, "You should have just left me. I'm not worth anything. I wasn't before- and now..." she trailed off. "Before I left, I thought...I'm sorry."

Turning around, Angel slowly walked back to the room, wincing with every step. Killer glared at me, warning me to stay before he followed her and then disappeared upstairs.

We saw the recording of her and Noah. But we don't think any less of her now. Kaitlyn lost herself saving Chloe and needs reminding that she is strong and worth fighting for.

Before. Angel said Before. Tiny said she said the same thing weeks earlier. Before what?