“Oh, I wouldn’t count on help,” Cortéz replies. “The man your President sent to watch over your little plaything?” He clicks his tongue. “Dead. On the pavement. So don’t be expecting backup.”
I grip Knuckles’ cut with trembling fingers. The thought crosses my mind that I shouldn’t touch his cut, but I can’t help it.
“What do you want?” Knuckles asks.
Cortéz gives a lazy shrug. “I was on my way to see your President, actually. But when opportunity knocks?” He spreads his arms as his men close in, forming a deadly circle. “I answer. You’re both coming with me.”
Suddenly, the three men walk closer until we’re completely trapped. My breath stutters. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to calm the rising panic.
“Take me,” Knuckles says immediately. “Let him go. He’s not important enough to get what you want.”
The words hit hard. Theysting. Ouch doesn’t even cover it.
But… his voice cracks just barely at the end.
He’s lying. For me. To protect me.
“Oh, no, no, no.” Cortéz tuts. “I am notestúpido.Family is a ridiculous thing with you Shadows. Your President will give me what I want for your release.”
“Spike will not save two men at the risk of losing his entire club,” Knuckles says. “You truly areestúpido.”
Cortéz laughs.
And the sound is ice.
“He doesn’t have to give up his club,” Cortéz laughs. “Just himself. Once I have him, everyone else will fall in line.”
“Don’t fucking touch him,” Knuckles growls as someone jerks me away from his back. “If he has so much asonebruise, I’ll kill you slowly.”
The man holding me laughs, shoves me forward like I’m nothing, and my feet stumble across the gravel.
Please don’t let the girls walk out here. Please, God. Keep them inside. Keep them safe.
As we’re dragged toward a black van, something snaps into place in my head.
Cortéz said the man was dead. Singular. He said "the man," not “the men.”
But Knuckles had four Shadows outside with him. Four trained guardians. Four men Spike and Bones trusted with the safety of their women.
If they’re doing their jobs, which I know they are, they’re watching all of this. They didn’t intervene because protecting the girls is priority one…but they sure as hell would’ve called Spike.
They toss us into the back of the van like sacks of laundry. Knuckles immediately shoves me into the corner and plants himself between me and the men piling in behind us.
His body is shaking, but his voice is steady…furious…strong.
“How you doing?” he whispers. “Feel like passing out?”
I shake my head even though my heart is trying to blast out of my ribs.
“Won’t happen until my heart rate and blood pressure start to settle down,” I explain quietly.
“Fuck,” he mutters. “Then I need you to stay fucking scared, babe.”
“Not gonna be a problem,” I whisper back.
Knuckles huffs a broken little laugh, then leans his shoulder into mine like he’s anchoring me to the world.
“How areyou?” I ask.
