“I got this, Shadow,” he said, not giving the other man time to say anything else. “She’s mine, and I got this.”

  “Fuck,” Giovanni said. Even through the phone, Data could hear the other man’s frustration. “Get her to wherever you need to. But do it quickly. You’ve got maybe ten minutes to get out and away. On the off chance she’s gone when they reach her place, there are enough people on the way to follow anyone they come across out of that fucking holler.”

  “I thought you said the Brotherhood knows what’s goin’ down,” Bohannon bit out. “Can’t they call off the dogs now?”

  “Can’t. Tried. No one’s answering. From reviewing everything you’ve sent me, no way those morons Gordon and Frank did this on their own. I’m willing to bet the bunch on their way to get Zora is in just as deep. Which means it’s in their best interest not to answer. The very remoteness of Zora’s choice of homes guarantees they have a good reason for not answering their masters.”

  “We have to go,” Data said. “Now. It will take us a good five minutes to get out of this holler, and another fifteen to get off the main road to take the dirt trails to the cabin.”

  “You’ll have to take the rough path,” Bohannon said, “if you’re gonna get there without being seen.”

  “Can’t exactly take her on the bike,” Data mumbled. “Need something off road.”

  “Trucker is on the way,” Giovanni informed them. “We’ve been keeping the club informed as it all happens, and Cain sent him on with a side-by-side. Figured it might be best to get completely off the grid. It’ll take him some time to get to you, but you can take her on the bike to the old strip mines. He’ll meet you at the unloading point.”

  Data nodded slowly, then with more conviction. “Yeah. They might find where we went off road, but they’ll never find their way through the maze of trails, especially not to the cabin.” He glanced at Bohannon. “I can get her that far on the bike.”

  Bohannon nodded at Shadow. “Let’s go. You’ll need as much time as you can get.”

  “Hope you’ve got some rope, Bohannon,” Data said. “She’s completely out of it. No way she stays on unless she’s tied to me.”

  “Rule number one,” Bohannon said with a grin.

  Shadow tossed something to Data. He caught it in midair. “Always have a knife.” He shrugged. “Rope is a close second.” Shadow gave Data a grin for the first time since before things all went to hell, and Data settled a little. Finally. Finally. He was doing right by his girl.

  He picked Zora up and kissed her forehead gently as he cradled her against his chest. She seemed so small there in his arms. All he wanted to do was to lie down with her and hold her while she slept. He wanted to be there to comfort her when she woke. To apologize for the way he’d acted toward her. Then he wanted to explain that she belonged with him. No one else. Well. There’d be time enough for that. Who knew how long they’d need to be hole up in that hunting cabin? He’d explain things to her then.

  Data carried Zora outside to his bike. With Shadow’s help, he sat her in front, turning her so she faced him. Her legs straddled his hips, and her head rested against his chest. Shadow and Bohannon tied her ankles around his waist and wrapped a length of rope around the two of them so they were tied together at the chest. Data tucked her arms between them before starting his bike. Bohannon helped him drape a soft blanket around her body, and Data tucked it between his chest and her body to secure it. It would be warm, and they could probably use it later. Finally, he shoved a helmet on her head. Shadow secured it and gave him a nod before going to his own bike. Was it the ideal situation? No. But sometimes a man had to improvise.

  * * *

  The wind was cool in Zora’s hair. She wasn’t cold, but she was a bit uncomfortable. At least, her hips and legs were. She tried to shift, to move them from the cramped position, but couldn’t. She seemed to be tied…

  Oh, God! It all came flooding back. She’d been drugged. Gordon had sent his bodyguard after her.

  “No!” She tried to cry out, but as her senses came back, she realized she was moving very fast on some sort of open vehicle. A motorcycle? Its engine was loud and vibrated throughout her body. She shivered and struggled, finding her hands weren’t tied. But how much did she dare fight while riding a motorcycle? She could get herself killed.

  The second the rider became aware of her struggles, he let off the gas and stopped. “Hey, there cutie. It’s OK. I’ve got you.”

  “D-Data?”

  “That’s right, honey. You’re safe. But we’ve got to go a little farther. I’ve got backup coming with a safer and more comfortable ride. We’re gonna need it where we’re going. Can you hang on like this a little longer?”

  “I-I think so.”

  “Just tuck your arms back between our bodies and relax. I’ve got everything under control. There. That’s it.” He praised her. “Let me tuck the blanket back around you. Can you hang on to it and keep your arms tucked in? It will keep the blanket tight so it doesn’t flap in the breeze.”

  “Yeah. I can do that.”

  “Good. You’re doing great. Just relax into me. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Once she settled, he took off again. She realized they weren’t going very fast. Good thing, too, because the terrain was extremely rough. It wasn’t long before they stopped. He cut the engine then pulled off her helmet.

  “Hey there,” he said, smiling down at her. “Still dizzy?”

  “Yeah. Where are we?” Zora had no idea what she was supposed to be feeling, but she was relieved it was Data who had her. When she passed out earlier, she’d just known she’d be back in Gordon’s hands when she woke.

  “Strip mines. Not too far from your house, just… away from everything and everybody. Especially this time of night.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Bones has a hunting cabin up here. Cain owns the land. Bought it a few years back when it went up for sale. He built a little place. Not much more than a shack, but it has cover, plumbing, and a propane stove. He keeps it stocked with nonperishables. Usually gets used in the fall by Bones. Can’t be sure no one else knows about it, but it’s pretty out of the way. Even for the trail riders around here. Put it there on purpose.”

  Someone untied her ankles and she moved, her legs still draped intimately over Data’s. That’s when she noticed Shadow and Bohannon.

  “Are we all going?”

  “Nah, little miss,” Shadow said with a smile. “Waitin’ on your transportation. Trucker’s bringing a ride bit more suited to the landscape.”

  “It’ll be a while,” Data said. “Why not just rest your head on my chest and close your eyes. You’ve got to still be feelin’ the effects of that shit.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, not sure why. He was the one who hurt her feelings. Not the other way around. “I shouldn’t have left.”

  “We’ll talk about that later, but none of this was your fault. I was an ass.”

  “Yeah,” she murmured. “You were. Butthead.”

  His warm chuckle was the last thing she heard before she drifted off again.

  * * *

  The next time Zora woke, she was being carried. A hushed murmur of voices around her seemed to blend in with the sounds of night bugs and foliage rustling in the breeze. She was shuffled around before she heard the sound of heavy boots on a wood floor. Oh. They must be at the cabin Data talked about. She tried to ask, but nothing came out.

  “Shh, cutie. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”

  Safe. That remained to be seen. While she had no doubt Data would defend her life, it was her heart she was most concerned about.

  “Data…” His name came out a breathy whisper. He laid her on a small cot. It was clean, and the linens smelled fresh. “What’s going on?”

  “Just settling you in for the night. Trucker brought some clean sleeping bags and a few provisions for us. We’ve got some things here all ready, but this will give us as much time as they need to make sure everything is OK for you to come back.”

  “So, we’re in the middle of nowhere?”

  He chuckled. “Oh, yeah, baby. Ain’t no one findin’ you here. And if they do, I’ve got an arsenal at my disposal to defend you.”

  She lay back on the cot and pulled the blanket he’d draped over her closer. “Gordon’s not going to let me go, you know. I’m the only thing keeping him alive.”

  “We’re on it, cutie. The Brotherhood is sending people to Gordon as we speak. We just need to keep you safe until word gets out everything is out in the open.”

  “So, it’s not just Gordon who’s after me?”

  “No, honey.” Then he shook his head. “No, that’s not exactly right. It is Gordon, but he’s got help he wasn’t supposed to have. He’s made some deals with some very bad people. Unfortunately, you’re the collateral damage.”

  “I already knew he was in over his head. What don’t I know?”

  “That he’s managed to score the help of low-levels in a very powerful organization. The upper levels are taking great exception, but they have to reach their underlings before they can stop them. They’re after you, and there is little to no cell service out here. Only sat phones can get through with any reliability, but they’re not carrying them. You and me are gonna hide out here for a few days. Give everyone time to be on the same page.”

  “Drago indicated as much. He said he’d been recalled. Do you know what that means?”

  “If he works for the Brotherhood, then he’s gotten the message that you’re not to be harmed or touched. They won’t actually protect you, but they are after anyone in their organization not strictly under their control. That Gordon was able to gain even a modicum of cooperation from these guys speaks to how charismatic he is. And how much he believed he could pull this off himself. Anyone associated with these guys knows the penalty for disloyalty is death.”

  “What?” Zora was stunned. This was fucking serious. She knew she needed to focus on that, but her eyelids were so heavy. How could she be so sleepy when there was so much danger?

  “Gordon and your father have both signed their death warrants, along with anyone they had helping them. Since this Drago guy pulled back when he was called off, he’s probably not in the same group.” Data shrugged. “Don’t know. Don’t give a flyin’ fuck, either.”

  “So what do we do?”

  “We get some sleep. Then we talk. It’s gonna be a couple days at least, so we’ve got plenty of time for both.”

  She closed her eyes, stifling a yawn. “I guess.”

  Data sighed. “Scoot over there, cutie.”

  She did without hesitation, going on blind instinct. “What are you doing?”

  Pulling her into his arms, he settled her on top of him, the blanket still securely around her. “Holding you while you rest. No one can get you while you’re with me. I’ll keep you safe.”

  “No, you won’t,” she whispered. “You’re the most dangerous person to me in the whole world.” Then she drifted off.

  Chapter Six

  A cool breeze wafted against Zora’s face as she slowly woke from what had to be the deepest sleep known to man. She didn’t really want to wake up at all, but the breeze beckoned persistently. As did the scent and feel of warm man beneath her.

  Data… D. Her D.

  She was lying on top of him, sprawled out with her legs on either side of his hips, her head resting on his chest. She was still wrapped in her blanket, but his strong arms were also wrapped around her, securing her in the blanket as his big hand rubbed up and down her back absently. His thick erection pulsed between her legs where she lay against him. It took her a moment to realize what it was, but she gasped softly once she did.

  “I’m sorry,” he rumbled. Then he stilled. “No. I’m not sorry. You’re just going to have to get used to seein’ and feelin’ what you fuckin’ do to me every time I look at you. Or touch you. ‘Cause I ain’t stoppin’, either.”

  She pushed herself up slightly to look at him. “What?”

  “I’m not pretending I don’t have a fuckin’ hardon the size of Texas for you, cutie.” He brushed a curl of hair off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “I think I had a thing for you long before we met. One of those stupid internet things I guess. Before I even knew what you looked like I craved talking to you. That emotional attachment.” He cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Definitely thought you were older, but I’m just selfish enough not to fuckin’ give a damn.”

  “You… want me?”

  “Don’t look so shocked, cutie. I know I’m an old man compared to you, but I can still show you a good time if you let me.”

  She tried to push even farther away, but he held her fast. God, it was such a thrill to know that, if he didn’t want her getting away from him, there was no way she could. Not because she liked being helpless, but because she liked being helpless with Data. She had no idea why, but she liked that he didn’t let her put distance between them. Physically or emotionally.

  “I don’t do casual, D. The next man who has my body won’t take it unless I want him to, and it won’t be something casual. I’ll never let a man touch me that I don’t trust with my life. And my heart.”

  “Lucky I’m that man, Zora.”

  “They why did you push me away before?” No matter how much she tried to hide it, she knew she sounded hurt. She didn’t want to show weakness now. Not with Data. He wouldn’t ever respect her if she showed how weak she felt near him like this. He could destroy her with one cruel word or gesture because he’d been the only person to help her cling to sanity when she’d been given to Gordon. If it hadn’t been for D, for Data, she’d have lost faith. In life. In herself. She had never let him know. Never said anything because she’d known in her heart he’d have come for her, and she never wanted to risk him. To her, D was all that was good and kind in the world. She’d always known there was more to him. That he was probably a hard-ass. But not with her. Never with her.

  “Because you deserve better than a man old enough to be your father. Fuck, Zora! You’re younger than my own daughter! The last thing I want is for you to be saddled with someone more than twice your age.”

  It took her a moment to comprehend what he was saying. “You don’t think of me as a daughter, do you?”

  He barked out a laugh. “Fuck, no! Are you fuckin’ kiddin’? Girl, I want you like I’ve never wanted a woman in my entire life. And I’ve had a very active sex life.” He pulled her closer, so close she could feel his warm breath on her face. “But I’ve changed my mind.”

  She blinked several times, unsure if she’d heard him right. Did he bring her here just to torture her? Was he some kind of sadistic asshole bent on breaking her for some unnamed transgression? “Changed your --”

  “Yep. I don’t care if being with an old man embarrasses you or not. I’m keeping you. I’ll make you happy, and I’ll keep you satisfied.”

  “You’re confusing me!” She tried to pull away again, but Data just flipped them over so he lay on top of her, his big body settled between her legs. Without even trying to disguise the movement, he thrust his hips, sliding over her mound. Even though she still had on her clothes, she felt that sensuous, primal movement all the way from her clit to her nipples.

  “Then stop thinkin’ and kiss me, cutie. Cause if you don’t, I’m gonna start kissin’ you.” When she still hesitated, he chuckled before lowering his mouth to hers.

  Bliss…

  If she lived to be a hundred, she’d never get over the way she felt when Data kissed her. She’d never liked kissing before. Gordon only did it to assert dominance, and she’d only ever kissed one boy before him. Neither of them had really known what to do, and the boy had been all tongue. Kissing Data was like a dance. Before, he’d been rough, hard. Driving. Now, he was gentle as he coaxed her response. He needn’t have bothered. She was all about kissing him. She needed to. Needed this closeness and connection they had together. Nothing in her life had ever been this right. And she wasn’t about to let him take it away. Not again.

  She cupped his face with her hands, urging him to look at her when all she really wanted to do was to go on kissing him forever. But this had to be done first.

  “What is it, cutie? Am I movin’ too fast?”

  “No,” she whispered, trying to find her voice. She cleared her throat. “I just need you to know this is it. You make love to me, you make me yours… I can’t go back to being without you, D. Not after having even this short amount of time with you.”

  He grinned, brushing his nose against hers. “Not happenin’, babe. Even if I don’t make love to you right now, I’m keepin’ you. It’ll happen eventually, I’m sure, but you’re with me now. And I don’t give up easily, nor do I share. You’re just gonna have to tell Shadow to fuck off.”

  She giggled when he smiled warmly at her. “Oh, Data!” She pulled him back to her, kissing him several times. “I…” She cleared her throat again. “I know it’s soon, but, well, I love you. I’m learning about the romantic stuff, but I love you! The man who’s been so kind and patient with me on the internet. I see that man here too, but more. And I’m learning how much I love the ‘more’ as well.”

  “Love you too, cutie. At first, it was just infatuation, but yeah. That shit’s grown. I think having the flesh-and-blood woman in front of me did something to me.” He licked at her lips teasingly, watching her as he did. “So, we good? I’m yours and you’re mine?”

  Zora couldn’t help the giggle. “Definitely. Except you’re gonna have to seal the deal. Right here. Right now.”

  “That mean you’re gonna let me fuck you? ‘Cause I can do that.”

  “Oh, yeah. I’m definitely gonna let you fuck me.”

  “You know, I ain’t got condoms here.”

  She shrugged. “Are you clean?”

  “Absolutely. Mama makes sure we all get tested from time to time ‘cause she worries. You?”

  “The one thing Gordon did was use a condom. I don’t think he wanted any children to complicate matters.”

 

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