Like these two fuckers who had rolled up to send a warning. They’d seen that mark, and now they knew she wasn’t just an art project for Marks. She was not to be touched.
Marks had turned her into a valuable commodity.
Which meant they’d be back. Or someone worse would come. Because word would get out, it always did.
I saw red.
Elena’s skin was still warm under my fingers, but I was barely functioning through the white noise roaring between my ears.
That fucking bastard had touched what was mine. Claimed her like he had the right. Burned his territory into her flesh like she was a tool. No, like she was a fucking asset he’d purchased and stored for later. The worst part was that he’d obviously branded her without her permission. Like fucking cattle for the slaughter.
Elena shifted slightly, probably sensing the storm just beneath the surface, but I didn’t move. Didn’t speak. I couldn’t. The fury inside me had snapped something loose, and everything rational I’d clung to was falling apart piece by piece. Every fucking scrap of patience and restraint.
She was mine.
And that brand didn’t belong on her skin.
My fingers curled around her ankle, not rough but firmly enough to ground myself as I finally looked up at her, knowing I couldn’t hide the madness that was quickly consuming me. Her eyes were wide, still bright with leftover adrenaline and something softer—trust. She didn’t understand what seeing that symbol had done to me, but she didn’t look at me with fear.
I slowly got to my feet, my jaw locked so hard it felt like my molars would snap. Then I took Elena’s hand and helped her up. I towered over her, but her gaze was soft as she tilted her chin to look up at me.
We needed to get the fuck outta here. I needed her alone before the roaring animal inside me took over.
“I’m taking you to the clubhouse. Now.”
She blinked. “Why?”
I stared her down, every muscle in my body tight and thrumming with barely contained rage. I couldn’t fucking think, let alone explain. My hands itched to wipe that mark off her skin, and my mouth burned to cover every fucking inch of her with something that would bury every trace of him under my claim.
“Not now,” I snapped, then softened my tone slightly. “Grab your shit, baby.”
She didn’t argue. Maybe it was the way I looked, or that she was still shaken, but I hoped she just trusted me enough to know I’d tell her when I could breathe again. Whatever it was, she just bent down and grabbed her bag. I took it from her and slung it over my shoulder. Then I wrapped my fingers around her hand and guided her over to my bike.
She hesitated, looking unsure. “I’ve never?—”
“Relax, baby,” I tried to soothe, though my voice still came out rough. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” Ever.
She bit her lip, then murmured, “I don’t have a helmet or?—”
“I’ve got you.” I yanked mine off my handlebars and dropped it onto her head, nearly smiling at the cute picture she made. There was too much turmoil inside me to find a smile, so I just tried to keep my expression as gentle as possible while I buckled it and tightened the straps.
When I was done, she looked at me again, concern creeping into her gray-blue orbs, but she didn’t ask anything else.
I climbed on, then helped her mount the bike to sit behind me.
“Wrap your arms around my waist, baby,” I instructed her.
I waited for her to obey before starting the engine. As I drove away, having her wrapped around my body settled something inside me just enough to ride.
We weren’t far from the compound, but I couldn’t go straight there. I didn’t want to scare the fuck out of her with my intenseneed. I hoped a little wind and speed would help to bring me back under control. So I set a different course.
The second we hit the highway, I opened the throttle. As I’d hoped, the speed bled some of the fury out of my system. With Elena’s body pressed tightly to mine and her fingers clutching the hem of my shirt, my breath came just a little easier. Neither of us spoke on the ride. She just held on, as if she knew I needed her to be my anchor.
By the time we pulled into the compound, I was still vibrating with fury, but my head had cleared enough that I could think somewhat rationally. One thing I knew for certain was that I couldn’t go slow anymore. Couldn’t pretend Elena wasn’t already mine.
Someone else had claimed her—without her knowing
It was time I fucking claimed her back.
