Shark snorts. “She won’t do it.”
“Try me,” I say with more bravado than I feel.
I manage to hold the gun steady as Torque shoves him into a chair and zip ties his wrists to the wood. He pulls out two more and secures Shark’s ankles. He’s not going anywhere.
“You did so good, beautiful. So fucking fierce.” Torque takes the gun and then possesses my mouth, dueling his tongue with mine with a vigor that makes my head spin. The kiss ends far too quickly.
“I think I need to sit down.” My legs feel like limp noodles.
Torque leads me to another chair, far from Shark. “Breathe. It’s okay. I’m here. Nothing will happen to you. I’m just going to make a quick call.”
I nod, but my head feels funny. Am I in shock?
As Torque calls Storm, I shut my eyes, willing myself to remain calm. My whole body itches, and I think I’m starting to realize how dangerous and serious the situation has gotten. I could have been hurt, shot, or even killed. I became the target of another biker because of a vendetta.
Can I handle this? What if it happens again?
I don’t notice how long it takes for Torque to finish the call. When he does, he crouches in front of me. “Shit. Noelle? You hear me, baby?”
I blink. “Yes.”
“Good. That’s good. Smoke and Heathen are here. They’re going to take Shark. We can leave now.”
I feel the sting of tears, and my chin wobbles. “Torque?”
“Baby, I got you. It’s okay.” He scoops under my knees and lifts me, leaving the office as I see Smoke and the biker named Heathen approaching us.
Storm and Torque exchange a look.
“Get her to the clubhouse. She needs rest and quiet. Take her to your room,” Smoke suggests.
“I plan on it.” Torque kisses my forehead. “That fucker scared her.”
“And he’ll pay for it,” Heathen growls.
I close my eyes. I can’t take any more. I’m on the verge of completely losing it.
Torque takes me outside, and the cold air actually helps. I let him buckle me inside the truck and watch him enter, feeling less disconnected and strange the farther we move away from the auto shop. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go back there.
I rest my head against the seat and breathe.
Torque stays silent as we drive away, and I know he’s giving me a few minutes to sort through what just happened. I certainly need it.
I MUST HAVE DOZED OFF. I jerk awake as I feel Torque’s hand on my shoulder.
“Baby, we’re here. At the clubhouse,” he clarifies.
“Okay.” I click off my seatbelt.
He opens his door and walks around the truck, refusing to let me walk as he opens the door and lifts me from the seat. “I know you don’t need me to carry you, but I have to do this. I just want to take care of you. Okay?”
“Alright.”
I rest my head on his shoulder as we enter his clubhouse. It’s full of people, and it’s loud, but he doesn’t stop to talk to anyone. Instead, we move through a bar area and down a hall, taking a flight of stairs. He stops at a room on the right and sets me down.
“I need to use my key.”
I nod as he opens the door and walks inside. It’s bigger than I expected, with two tall chests that have numerous drawers, a king-sized bed, two nightstands, and a table with two chairs. The wood is stained dark, and the colors are masculine in shades of navy, gray, and deep green. The comforter is thick and looks inviting as I sit down, sliding my fingers across the soft surface.
