“Just listen to me,” he sighs. “I know what I’m walkin’ into, Anika. But what I need you to know is that you were the best thing that happened to me. My life has been crazy and dark for a long time. I just need you to know that you brought some light back into it.” Now the tears really fall. They cascade down my cheeks, wetting his shirt as he holds me.
“Thank you,” I whisper into his chest.
“There’s nothin’ to thank me for.”
“There’s everything to thank you for. Thank you for being who you are. For taking care of me. For taking care of my brother.”
“Those were things I wanted to do, Anika.”
“You did?”
“I’m pretty sure after that first night I knew there’d be more of us.”
“I’m scared, Patch.” He pulls back and grabs my hand, resting it over my chest.
“I’m always here, baby. Always.”
Chapter 25
Patch
Walking away from Anika was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Seeing the lost look in her eyes again almost killed me. I hated it the first time, and it was even worse the last time. And that will be the last time. I won’t leave her again after this.
My priorities have shifted since she’s been around. Even though I thought I didn’t want a life with her, with any woman for that matter, she made a place inside me. My life is all about her now. Making her happy, making her see that there’s a future that’s brighter than our pasts.
“You ready for this?” Kal asks as we kneel behind the bushes.
“I’m ready,” I tell him. “I don’t make it out of here, you keep her on track, brother.”
“You got it.” I nod my head as he motions for us to move. He called in backup from another club we’re friendly with, and now it’s time.
We creep up like a thief in the night. We move through the yard of their clubhouse in silence. Guns are drawn and ready. Anticipation hits harder with each beat of my heart.
Some of the guys move around back and the sides as the rest of us head for the front door. Tide is in front, ready to kick the door in on command. He glances back as we all shift into position, and Kal gives him a nod. I watch as Tide raises his leg and kicks the door down. Then we move.
Everything seems to move in slow motion. We enter the clubhouse, and shots are fired. People fall to the ground in a pool of blood. Adrenaline washes through me as I take in every one of these assholes until I see him. The main one who raped her. The one that made me rape her.
Anger surges inside me as I rush toward him, shoving my gun into my jeans. This is personal. I know I wanted to keep a few alive to torture, but seeing his face, I need him now.
I crash into him, sending us both tumbling to the floor. A few more shots are fired around us, but my focus is on him. I raise my fist and punch him in the face before he bucks his hips and sends me flying. Then he stands over me with a gun in his hand, aimed right at me.
Everything slowly flashes behind my eyes as he smirks at me. My life, my death. Anika.
“Fight me like a man,” I growl, spit flying from my lips.
“Like a man? More like an animal. After what you did to that poor girl,” he mocks. Anger surges in my veins. I fling my leg out, knocking him to the floor before I roll to get on top of him. His gun’s no longer in his hand when I punch him once more.
His hands find my throat and squeeze. He rolls us so that he’s on top now. I’m gasping, trying to suck air into my lungs, but it’s doing me no good. His grip is too tight. I grab his arms, trying to pry him off me as shades of black sneak into my vision.
“Die, you piece of shit,” he growls as he continues to choke me. Then I see her. The bandage around her wrist was lying on that bed. I see her face, the lost look in her eyes. The tears, the sadness. And something kicks me in the gut. She needs me.
I muster up my strength and manage to roll us again. I slam my fist into his ribs, causing his grip to falter. We fight for dominance when I feel it. Something stabs into my side, my chest, and I roar in pain. Over and over, it goes in as I scream. I find his hand and wrestle the knife free before bringing it to his throat.
“You motherfucker!” I roar right before sliding the blade across his throat. Blood sprays all over both of us as his hand comes to try to stop it. It’s too late. It’s too deep. I roll off him and drop onto the floor, trying to catch my breath. I glance around and see the commotion of the other guys. There are a lot that are dead. Thankfully, none of our guys, though.
I shift and scoot back, shoving myself up against the wall as I hold my side.
“You good?”
