The keys dropped from my shaking fingers to the floor. Without thinking I started to grab for them. Two things happened at once. The forward motion had the knife biting into my skin, causing more blood and my arm slammed against the horn.
As the horn blared the big man reared back enough and the release on my neck gave me a second to make a move. I threw open my door and scrambled out of the car, falling on the cement to my hands and knees. I tried to get up but once again I wasn’t fast enough. The back passenger door flew open and a huge body towered above me.
“Hey,” another voice called out close to us. “Back the hell away from the lady.”
A bright flashlight swept across. As I started to look up, the man above me landed a blow to the side of my face that sent me flying sideways and my head hit the concrete.
Damn that hurt.
ChapterTwenty-One
LYRIC
I usually enjoyed grabbinga beer with the guys.
We would get together outside the workplace from time to time to talk business or shoot the breeze about life. I had something I needed to speak with them about and it was big. It would be a huge change for me and I didn’t know what they would think. They also had some business to discuss.
So there we were, a drink in hand, all the guys present. But all I kept thinking about was getting home to Ruby and the family. If everything went as I hoped I’d have a lot more time for all of them.
I looked around at the crew of men I’d become so close to. Braxton, Gyth, and Kace were all part owners ofNo Surrender. Rowan, Landon, and I all worked there. Landon however was the lawyer that oversaw everything for the company, while the rest of us worked in some capacity with installing security, training, and personal security for venues, as well as individuals who retained our services for themselves.
We had a great group, but we were extremely busy and that was why I thought maybe what I wanted to propose to the guys would go over well even though they were there to talk about bringing on a new guy. Someone that Braxton, Gyth, and Kace all knew.
“So,” Braxton started with a loud clap of his hands. “You all know we need some more help and I have someone in mind that I was hoping we could bring into the fold.”
“We trust your judgment,” Gyth said. “Who do you have in mind?”
“Well you know I stay in touch with Bodie—”
“Seriously, Bodie?” Kace said, with an astonished look on his face that matched Gyth’s at the name.
I wasn’t sure yet who this guy was but it seemed Braxton, Gyth, and Kace knew him. That in itself was good enough for me.
“Yep, he is looking for a change for him and the twins. We all know how that goes sometimes.”
Shit, I knew all too well what he was talking about because I was about to ask for a change myself.
“When is he looking to move and start? And you said twins. What about their mother?” The series of questions had come from Rowan.
A look passed between the three guys that knew this Bodie fella and I got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. I glanced at Landon who was the quietest during our meetings if we were talking business so he could advise if needed. When it was personal talk he joined in more. But right then he spoke up and said exactly what was on my mind.
“I don’t think I’m going to like the answer to that last question.”
“He’s willing to move anytime and start right away, if we will have him. You are right about not liking the answer. His wife died giving birth to their girls. That was when he left the military.”
I didn’t have a wife but I hoped to one day. I did have Ruby and I couldn't imagine my life without her in it.
“I know Bodie will be a good fit and hope everyone is with me on this. And since we have two condos sitting empty that we keep for times like this, I figure he and the girls can stay in one for now.” Braxton said. “The girls are five, almost six I believe and they will fit right into our crazy group of munchkins. I think that will be as beneficial for Bodie as the job itself.”
Braxton looked around the room at each of us and we all whole-heartedly agreed, along with giving our approval. “Awesome. I will let him know that we all welcome him and the girls with open arms.”
“To more help and another brother in the mix,” Kace said, putting his beer out for a cheer.
We all bumped glasses and then Braxton looked at me. “So, you had something you wanted to talk to us about. Is everything okay?”
I set my beer down. “Yeah, everything is alright. But I was wondering if you have room for one more full-time employee?”
All eyes were on me.
