You’re not alone anymore.
No one had judged her for keeping Ivy a secret from Heath. Would they be as understanding about Royce and fleeing like she did? Only one way to find out. After patting her face dry, Olivia marched out of the bathroom with her head held high, until she heard a voice that turned her insides to ice.
“Hello, Olivia.”
Chapter 34
Olivia turned around to face the man she feared as much as Royce, standing in the door way to the back. His right-hand man, Jax. A man she had hoped to avoid the rest of her life. He was as mean and as ruthless as his boss. He obeyed Royce without question and was fiercely loyal.
Jax was close to six and a half feet tall and solid muscle, and he liked to show off with cut off shirts, exposing his arms. His head was shaved clean, and it always looked polished, as it shone in the light. He was covered in tattoos from his neck down. He was in every sense of the word a bad ass and had earned a reputation for being fast and deadly and had a habit of choking his victims. She heard he liked to watch the light fade from their eyes, as they died in his hands.
Olivia didn’t want to ever find out the truth of that statement. She judged the distance to the diner and Heath, but Jax sensed her thoughts and reached out lightning fast and wrapped a hand around her neck.
Fuck, she had been standing closer to him than she thought, because she didn’t see him move.
“You’ve been a pain in the ass, making me track your worthless ass all over the country. You’re lucky boss man wants you back alive, otherwise, I’d kill you for the inconvenience.” Jax growled.
He couldn’t kill her. That was some relief. It could give her time to try and find a way to escape or scream for help, if she could get enough air in her lungs. That short lived relief died, when Jax pulled her closer, and she could feel his minty breath fan her face. “But he didn’t say anything about not fucking you up.”
He let the words penetrate her oxygen denied brain. Jax couldn’t kill her, but he would make her wish that she was. Jax’s gaze raked over her body, letting his meaning be clear. Not only did he plan to beat her to a pulp, but he planned on raping her. At least, there hadn’t been any mention of Ivy, and she prayed her daughter stayed hidden in Kathy’s house, until she could get Heath. She just needed to get Jax to let go of her neck long enough to call for help. It was time to put those self-defense lessons Heath had given her to use. It would have to be quick, as her vision was already winking in and out.
“I’m going to enjoy plowing that ass of yours.” Jax taunted.
Olivia tuned him out, and instead, put all of her remaining energy on getting out of Jax’s grip. Instead of clawing at the hand at her throat, she went for his vulnerable spots. First his eyes. Using her index and middle finger, she jabbed him in the eyes with all of her strength. Jax howled in pain and shook his head away from her, easing the pressure on her neck, but he didn’t completely release her. Onto his next vulnerable part quick. She rammed her knee into his crotch with all the force she could muster, and Jax hadn’t been prepared for it and fully released her to cup himself.
Olivia whirled around to race into the diner, but Jax latched onto her shirt and dragged her back.
“You fucking bitch.”
His hand cracked her across the face, whipping her head to the side. The blow momentarily dazed her, but it was enough to allow Jax to get the upper hand and drag her across the concrete. Olivia knew he was taking her to a car somewhere. If he got her in the car, it was all over. She’d have no way to escape.
“He—,” she started to scream, but Jax didn’t allow much more that, before he silenced her.
“Shut up.” Jax backhanded her. Olivia lost her balance and fell to the ground, skinning her knees. Her ears were ringing, and she tasted copper and knew her lip was split. He hit just as hard as Royce, holding nothing back. She just had to hold on a little longer. Heath would come for her. Someone would notice she had been gone to long and come investigate. As long as it wasn’t Ivy.
Jax reached down for her to pick her up, but Olivia was ready. Her nails scored across his face, dragging across his cheek to his lip, and then she clamped her teeth on the closest flesh she could get, which happened to be his bottom lip and bit down, until she tasted blood.
Jax thrashed around, before pushing her off of him. She glared up at him, as blood oozed from his mouth. Olivia thought she was going to be sick, when she saw a chunk of flesh missing. She had bitten a section of his lip off.
Jax’s eyes narrowed on her with murderous intent. “Fuck Royce’s orders. You’re dead. You’re not worth the headache.” Jax kicked her hard in the ribs, robbing her of breath. Instinctively, she curled into a ball to protect herself, but Jax had no intention of kicking her again. Jax’s fingers latched painfully around her neck. Any second she was sure it was going to break. Her eyes felt like they would bulge from the pressure, as they watered.
The fight was draining from her body. Her eyes started to drift closed, and her body began to grow slack. It was a good thing Jax was breaking his promise to keep her alive. It was better this way. This was preferable to the torture he had planned for her. Ivy would be safe. She was safe in Kathy’s house. Her only regret was not getting to see Heath one more time. To tell him she loved him. So much for her rescue.
Suddenly, the pressure was gone. Air wheezed through her abused throat, making her cough, which hurt even more. Olivia heard several sets of footsteps and angry voices, before she was lifted from the ground and cocooned in strong arms, and the scent of peat smoke.
Heath.
“Easy, sweetheart.” Heath cooed to her, as he stroked the back of her head.
Heath, he had come to save her. She had hoped he would but had feared he would be too late.
Heath pulled back, and his face hardened, as he took in her appearance. Olivia was sure she looked a mess, but she was alive.
“I’m okay.” Olivia assured him.
“Babe, you’re bleeding.” He said, touching her chin.
“Just a split lip.” She assured him. Maybe, a cracked rib, but she’d hold off telling him that. “The rest of it is his. I bit him.” She said proudly.
