If only he knew the real me. I’ve gotten myself into some shit and had to learn to fight at a young age, hence why Howly and his wife have had to save my ass more than once. What can I say? I attract the villains. It’s only by the grace of God that I was accepted into one of North Carolina’s top competing universities. My parents were shocked to learn that their “wayward” daughter had been accepted into their law program.
“She’s got one hell of a right hook on her. I’ve had to save her from a few jail stays after she beat a couple of guys to damn near bloody pulp in the parking lot.”
I swallow the lump building in my throat. I made a mistake by coming here. Hayden’s going to run and never talk to me again. I’m too much for him to handle. Too troubled.
“Is that right?” Hayden’s chest rumbles over the words, making my belly tighten as those damn butterflies return. Maybe I was wrong about it running him off. It seems tobe turning him on, and my suspicions are confirmed when I chance a look between his legs. His cock outline shows through his black skinny jeans, and my nipples pebble at the sight. I snatch my glass of whiskey off the bar and toss it back, downing it in one gulp.
Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I stand, trailing my nails across Hayden’s wide, chiseled shoulders as I step around him. “Game of pool?”
Two pool tables sit in the back, close to the restrooms. Those same pool tables are the ones Howly taught me to play on, and I became damn good at it, too. I would make bets with random people, knowing I’d win hands down, and took that money to save up for my little beater car. I’ll never forget how excited I was to finally have enough to go car hunting. It took three days of begging before my dad finally caved to take me shopping, and that’s when we spotted the Camry sitting in a little old lady’s yard down the road from us with a “For Sale” sign. It was priced a few hundred dollars over what I had saved, but she happily dropped the price just to get the old thing off her hands.
“You can set our drinks on that little shelf,” I say, pointing behind me. “Set the table, I need to use the bathroom.”
“Sure thing, Sweetheart.”
There’s that nickname again. Internally, I cringe from the flashback it brings me, but I remind myself he isn’tthem. My bladder is going to burst if I don’t get my ass to that toilet. I shouldn’t have held it this long. If it weren’t for these heels, I’d be sprinting to the bathroom. Opening thedoor, I find it’s the same two-stall bathroom, lit by a single yellow, flickering light bulb. If I weren’t familiar with the place, I’d find it creepy. Actually, I still do find it creepy.
I’m pulling my skirt back up my thighs when I hear the restroom door creak open. I don’t recall anyone else being in the bar with us, so I lean down to peek under the stall, but the bathroom’s empty. Maybe Hayden was checking on me. I tuck the front of my shirt back into my waistband, puffing it out so it hangs over.
Unlocking the stall, I push open the door and head toward the sink. I catch a glimpse of a shadow from the corner of my eye and inwardly gasp, making a run for the door, but I’m snatched backwards into a solid chest. I try to scream, but they slap their hand over my mouth and nose, preventing me from doing so. I kick, buck, and claw my nails into the solid arm restraining me, but they don’t let go. They just hold me tighter. My chest burns, and my head starts to spin from lack of oxygen, making me panic harder.
“Shh.” The man’s breath caresses my ear, and his stubble rubs along the top of my head. If I could breathe, I would sigh a breath of relief, but I can’t. My body relaxes in his hold, and he eases his hand away from my nose. My nostrils flare as I hungrily gasp in precious air that makes me even more dizzy.
“I’m going to remove my hand from your mouth, and you’re going to keep those pretty little lips shut, understand?” I nod my head the best I can, and his hand slowly lifts from my face.
“This is one of those times we have been warning you about.” His face is so serious it scares me. Unease knots in my stomach, turning all the liquor to acid. “Two men just walked in, and we need to get the fuck out of here. Are you ready?” I remain silent, as he told me to, and nod my head once more. My knees begin to shake, and I wonder if I should take my heels off to better my chances, but I have no time for that when Hayden grabs my hand and pulls me through the door.
My eyes roam around the worn-down bar, and I see two men standing at the bar talking to Howly. The two men Hayden is worried about. I’ve never seen them before, so what harm are they to me? Looking up at Hayden, he nods his head, answering my silent question. We reach the exit, not even stopping to tell Howly bye. A part of me wants to protest and run back to hug him, since I have no idea when I’ll get to see him again, but Hayden grips my hand tighter.
I don’t understand how these men pose a threat to me. What could they possibly want from me or know who I am? Taking my chances and looking back over my shoulder, I find the man on the left has turned and is watching us leave. The crooked grin curving his mouth has my stomach plummeting. He leans back into the bar on his elbows with his jean-clad legs crossed in front of him. This feels like deja vu as he talks to his partner beside him, who is still deep in conversation with Howly.
Once outside, we make a beeline for Hayden’s Ferrari. He has it cranked and in drive before I can even get myseatbelt clicked. A cloud of gravel and dust flies up behind us as Hayden gasses it out of the parking lot. We speed around the winding curves in the dark, nothing but the headlights lighting these backroads. I’m not sure where he’s going, but for some reason, I trust him, so I don’t question it. Hayden’s eyes flick to the rearview mirror every few seconds, while mine stay glued ahead of us through the windshield.
The car slows, and we turn onto a gravel road with a yellow sign that reads, “Dead End”. I take a deep breath and try to think of my next move. It would be smart of me to ask where we’re going or what he’s planning, but I seem to be frozen. Shock maybe? From the way Hayden and Ryder speak, I have a big fat target on my back.But why?Those men from the bar seemed so cold and full of malice, but that could have been my anxiety talking. This is all probably a prank. I’m just waiting for him to yell, “Gotcha!”
“Hay-den?” My voice breaks, and I cough to clear my throat. “Where are we going?” I ask, looking around at the dark, dead-end road surround us. He cuts the engine and turns off the lights, leaving us in the kind of darkness that’s blinding. My heart races and mind spirals at the feeling of being trapped in a horror movie.
“We’re just going to hide out here for a moment. I sent a text to the boys, they’ll be here soon.”The boys…Ryder. My heart stutters in my chest just thinking of him. Seriously, what is wrong with me? The guy clearly doesn’t want me. I need to get over myself, but most importantly, I need to get back home safe.
“So you’re not trying to kill me and dump me here?” A breathy, humorless laugh leaves my constricted throat.
“What? No. What the hell?” he shakes his head, brows pinched as he glares at me like I’ve grown five heads. “I’m trying to keep you safe. You have no idea what you’re up against.”
What am I up against? Hell, it’s not like anyone is just tossing that information out right now. It’s all secret coded, half bullshit. Now, I have people following me that I’ve never met or seen, and still nobody will fucking tell me what’s going on. “Well, I’d like to know!” I yell, and I instantly regret it. It’s not really his fault. “Nobody will tell me what’s happening,” I say more softly, staring at my fidgeting fingers in my lap. I shouldn’t have yelled at him. Now I feel like a giant ass.
He sighs heavily, “I’m sorry. I wish I could tell you what you want to know, but Ryder has to do that.” He reaches over, hooks his thumb under my chin, and tilts my head up, forcing me to look at him. “I need you to trust me.”
“Can we please just stop talking about Ryder?” My eyes begin to burn. “He doesn’t give a shit, and stop pretending he does. He’s so confusing and might be the biggest asshole I’ve ever met.” Anger replaces the unease, and I feel it burning my skin, like an inferno.
He cups my cheek, brushing his thumb against my burning skin. “What do you need me to do, sweetheart?”
“I need you to make me forget about him.” Tears prick my eyes, threatening to spill. “I don’t want to want himanymore.” I finish on a whisper, as the first tear slides down my cheek, feeling cold against my too-hot skin.
Hayden leans over the console, unbuckles my seatbelt, and brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“I can do that.” He says. “Come here.” He taps his jean-clad thighs.
“Oh. I…” Before I can finish that sentence, he grips my waist and pulls me to straddle his hips as if I’m a feather and nothing more. I squeak out at the sudden movement. My head spins as the blood rushes in my ears. My heart pounds so loudly, I just know he can hear it too.
