Free Ride with the Wind [The Ghost Riders 1] by Marla Monroe Page B

saying she was forced to sign that complaint.”
    “That’s good.”
    “Thing is, Vernon and Rhodes aren’t going to give up on Jessie. She’s important to them, and seeing that her brother is allowing Ray to abuse her, well, we’re going to back them.”
    “You should. How old is she anyway?”
    “Rhodes said she’s twenty-four. She’s been trying to get away from her brother and Satan’s Sons for several years now. Evidently Ray wants her, and Tussler is fine with that. Jessie, however, is not.”
    “If they are holding her against her will, isn’t that wrongful imprisonment? Can’t the sheriff’s department help her?”
    Reece sighed and leaned over her to reach the whiskey again. He turned it up then sat it between his legs.
    “The problem is that Tussler is holding something over her and she’s scared to leave. The guys don’t know what it is, but it has to be something major, or she wouldn’t stick around for the abuse.”
    “I feel for her. She’s got to be scared to death. She’s caught between a rock and a hard place.”
    “You can say that again. I’m worried about Vernon and Rhodes. They aren’t handling her being hurt very well. Not that I can blame them. It pissed me off to see that bruise on your arm.”
    “Don’t worry about me. You’ve got plenty going on as it is.” Raven could hear Reece’s heart beating in his chest. It was slow and steady, belying the obvious anxiety he was feeling over the rape accusation.
    “Things are likely going to get rough here for a while, baby. You’ve got your own issues going on, so I’d appreciate it if you’d stick to the house for now. If you need anything, someone goes with you to town.”
    “I see. So I’m a prisoner just as surely as Jessie is.”
    “Fuck, Raven! It’s not like that. Satan’s Sons are seriously bad men. They have no respect for women, in case you haven’t noticed.”
    “I have noticed. I’m not going to go running off in the middle of the night or anything. I seriously doubt they would try anything in broad daylight in the middle of town, though.”
    “You don’t know them, Raven. They’ll hurt you before anyone even knows you’re there. Don’t argue with me on this. We’re just getting to know each other as it is.”
    Raven huffed out a breath and tried to pull out of his arms. He held her tightly against his chest.
    “Don’t go off mad, babe. I’m just trying to keep you safe. You’ve been through enough already.” He squeezed her quickly then let her go.
    After scooting off the bed, she walked over to the desk, staring at the window. Deep down she knew he was probably right, but she couldn’t help resisting his bossiness. It wasn’t in her to just bow down to whatever a man told her to do now that she’d broken away from Michael.
    She was trying to calm down so she wouldn’t say something she would regret when the door opened and Dominic walked in. He closed the door behind him and stood there with his hands on his hips.
    “What’s going on?” He looked over at Reece then back at her.
    She stared at him then shrugged. Reece set the whiskey bottle back on the table and got off the bed.
    “I was trying to explain to Raven that we need her to stick close to home for now. No going off to town without an escort.”
    She watched amusement cross Dominic’s face before it hardened down again.
    “I take it you don’t agree with Reece on the subject.”
    “I think you’re overreacting is all. I can take care of myself.”
    Reece had her in his arms in less than a second so that she couldn’t move. He smiled down at her.
    “I think you might want to rethink that.” He kissed her quickly on the lips then let her go.
    She noted that he stepped way back from her reach just in case she decided to retaliate. The thought had crossed her mind. Instead, she walked over to the door and let herself out. She wasn’t in any mood to argue with them about it. Besides, she didn’t need to go anywhere right now