“You’re fine. Your place is here.”
Behind him, the rumble of many bikes gained strength. Vex checked his rearview mirror and spotted the first motorcycles racing over the hill behind him. He returned his hand to the handlebars and shifted to boost his speed.
The Devil Daddies’ bikes had pulled slightly away from him. Vex cursed and forced himself to shut up when she cowered away. He could only go so fast. She was balanced too precariously on the bike and didn’t have a good grip on him. The Ravagers would be on his ass in a few moments.
Hellcat dropped back and nodded to Vex. The other biker fell in behind them to deal with the Ravagers. Vex continued to push as hard as he dared. The woman trembled against him. She was terrified and probably cold. As soon as they were safe, he’d be able to take care of her.
“Hold on sweetheart, if you can,” he urged.
She glided her hands to his thighs and squeezed her fingers underneath his legs, clinging to his jeans. Her fingernails tightened into his skin on the next turn, biting into the heavy denim, but she was more stable.
“Good girl,” he praised her and barely caught himself from kissing the top of her head. Idiot! She didn’t need him creeping on her from behind.
Vex didn’t understand what was churning inside his brain. She was filthy and smelled strongly despite the wind blowing most of the odor away. Skin and bones, she was the exact opposite of every other woman he’d pursued and fucked. He loved full curves that flowed against him. She had none. The evidence she’d been so poorly treated pissed Vex off to a degree he didn’t understand. From somewhere deep inside him came a driving need to care for her.
A bullet whizzed from behind, and he hunched closer over the handlebars. Angel’s fingers tightened on his legs.
“Please don’t let them get me,” she begged hoarsely.
“That’s not going to happen, Little girl. You’re protected by the Devil Daddies MC now. They’d have to kill me to capture you again. Hold on.”
The cars in front slowed down for a red light. Vex reduced his speed but didn’t stop. He tightened his grip on the handlebars and chose a path, driving on the dotted white lines between the lanes. Scanning the vehicles, he waited for a driver in a car to panic or for someone to be an asshole. Sure enough, a car’s length ahead, a driver pulled over to block the Devil Daddies’ Enforcer, Wraith, who led the group, carrying Razor to safety. Thankfully, Wraith could dodge and weave through another way.
Vex could feel the Ravagers getting closer. In this tight space, he didn’t dare take his eyes off the road obstacle course in front of him. While he’d risk a higher speed alone, with the injured woman on the bike, any swerve to the side or sudden braking motion would likely unseat her. He couldn’t risk that.
Finally, the Devil Daddies reached the intersection and turned onto the access road that led to Inferno. Cycles flooded out of the popular restaurant and bar’s parking lot to snarl the traffic as they got close. He would thank each one of his bike brothers for racing out into danger.
He glanced over his shoulder to see the Devil Daddies’ welcoming party had stopped the Ravagers in their tracks. Vex continued toward the compound. The rest of the MC would protect his back.
Wraith pulled over to let Razor off at his driveway. His Little girl, Honey, danced with excitement and relief to see him. They’d gone through a lot, but Honey had returned. Vex pulled into his driveway a couple of cabins down as he guessed Razor wouldn’t let her leave again.
Cautiously, Vex supported his passenger as he set the kickstand and switched off the bike. Standing, he dismounted and scooped her up into his arms. He turned to see Hellcat in the driveway behind him.
“Good driving, Hellcat. Thanks for protecting my back. I owe you one,” Vex said. “I’ll owe you too, Razor, if you’ll come check her out.”
“I’m okay.” The woman’s faint voice didn’t convince Vex or anyone else, as Vex noted their expressions. “Water?”
“Yeah, Little girl. We’ll get you something to drink,” Vex promised.
“Vex? Is she staying with you?” Razor asked.
“Yes.” He’d never been more confident of anything in his life. He needed to take care of this woman. She met his gaze with a silent message of thankfulness. Vex squeezed her closer and forced himself to look at Razor.
Razor didn’t argue. He focused on his newest patient. “Carry her inside your cabin, Vex. Set her on the kitchen table. Wraith, grab a bottle of water.”
Vex rotated to follow the doctor’s instructions, leading the way through the front door to the open kitchen. As he sat her on the table, Fury, a Devil Daddies brother, entered quickly with Razor’s bag.
Before diving in for his tools, Razor said, “Let’s see if she needs to go to the hospital.”
“No!” the woman begged hoarsely before coughing.
Vex concentrated on the young woman but could see from the corner of his eye that the other men exchanged looks. Something was up.
“I’ve got you. You’re safe. Let Razor check you out,” Vex told her. He ran his hands up and down her arms to soothe her.
“O… okay,” she whispered.
When Wraith nudged him, Vex turned to see Wraith holding a bottle of water.
