TheSatellite Read Free

away from here, but if I see your ass again after tonight you’re a dead man.”
    Aiden stormed back to the kitchen.
    Von could hear them arguing through the closed door.
    “Why the hell did you have to beat her up?” Aiden shouted at Chuck.
    “Payback, for what her boyfriend and his thug did to us,” Chuck replied in a smug tone of voice. “And because she left you. We were helping you out, man.”
    “All I asked for is a place to hide out for the night,” Aiden fired back. “You’ve only made things worse. She’s barely fit to ride.”
    “We don’t really care,” Cathy snapped. “You’re the one who came up with the plan to kidnap her. We don’t care what her new boyfriend has in mind. I don’t understand your obsession with the bitch. Why can’t you just let her go?”
    “Because I still love her. She divorced me because of my crazy family who never could mind their own damn business. I thought just once…just one time you people could put your petty judgments aside and be a family to me.”
    “Just forget about Flame like we always wanted you to and we will be family again.”
    “It’s bad enough you ruined my marriage and now she is engaged to someone else. I’m not gonna let you run the rest of my life,” Aiden barked back. “None of you care about anyone except yourselves. I should’ve listened to Flame in the first place. She was right about all of you!”
    He and his sister argued bitterly for nearly a half hour.
    Flame muttered in open disbelief, “I don’t understand his actions…” Her voice trailed off as the pain from her injuries seemed to weaken her. “But I was right about Chuck’s.”
    Von stayed with her. “I’m going to check you over for broken bones. I’m not getting fresh so relax, okay?”
    She stared with fiery eyes but gave a slight nod.
    He had no desire to be part of Aiden’s family scene. He had agreed to help bring Flame back home only because Aiden had claimed she was in danger and also Von had been intrigued by the warrior skills Aiden mentioned. But he had not bargained for the drama and never expected this. Now he worried about what Hatch would do when he saw his lady in such poor condition. He didn’t need him breathing down his neck. Von began to devise a plan of his own.
    “Other than some nasty cuts and bruises, you seem to be okay,” Von said to Flame after checking her physical condition. “You’re one hell of a tough woman to take a beating like that and still be conscious. I don’t feel any broken bones. I’m really sorry, babe. I didn’t see this coming.”
    He sat on the floor beside her and attempted to comfort her. She glared at him like a wounded animal and backed away. The spark in her eyes captivated him.
    “Yeah, you’re such a great guy…takes a real hero to help Aiden take me away from a better life.” The loathing in her voice had been unmistakable. “I finally got away from his family and you guys dragged me back.”
    “I never bargained for this,” he began. “Aiden put out feelers in the group for anyone willing to help bring his ex-wife back. He said you were in danger and that Hatch was going to use you in an evil scheme. He knew you wouldn’t believe him or come willingly so he came up with this brilliant plan.” His voice dripped with sarcasm over the latter comment. “Once we get to Tulsa, I’ll help you get away.”
    “He is insane with jealousy. Hatch would never harm me,” Flame muttered. “Why are we going to Tulsa?”
    “Aiden said he has friends there that will let him hide out…a place Hatch doesn’t know of.”
    “You’re a fool if you believe him and I don’t believe you will help me get away.” Her body leaned against his as she surrendered to the need for rest. She drifted off then started talking to something or someone who wasn’t there.
    “Who are you talking to?” Von whispered, puzzled by her behavior.
    “Please don’t go!”She cried out then hung her head and sobbed.
    He