Gun shots ring out from boat behind us; we’re being ambushed. On instinct, Lucas and I both hit the ground with Kaleb and Logan ducking behind the doors of the SUV. It must be bulletproof.
Fuck this.
I make a run for it, dodging bullets and grabbing Logan before he can shut the door. With a sharp crack, I land my fist straight into his nose. His head snaps back and blood spatter sprays out.
Lucas makes a run for Kaleb but is dropped by a rogue bullet. He’s clutching his leg and is still alive. I reach for my .45 but Logan grabs my wrist. Lucas is able to get to his and effectively shoots Kaleb in the hip, bringing him to the ground.
Logan yanks at my wrist, trying to pull the gun free. I push my weight into him, and knee him in the groin as hard as I can. It works because he lets go. When he’s doubled over, I kick him as hard as I can in the face.
His body slumps forward and hits the ground face first, knocked out cold. I jam the needle in his neck, ensuring he stays asleep. Lucas has the other shot.
After securing his wrists with zip ties, I glance over at Lucas; he’s sitting up messing with his pant leg. I run around the back side of the Escalade where Kaleb is trying to hide. I kick him in the face. The satisfying crack of his nose breaking and blood flying is music to my ears.
He’s on his back, holding his hands over his nose, blood dripping down his face. I stomp down as hard as I can, knocking all his rotten teeth out. He coughs hard, choking on the fragments. I deliver a couple firm kicks to his ribs, making sure to break as many as possible. He’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
I run over and check on Lucas who is using his belt and flashlight to cinch down a torniquet on his leg.
BOOM! A blast rings out, sending me flying through the air and smashing onto the pavement several feet away.
My ears ring, my chest hurts, and I’m dazed. My eyes struggle to focus on the blazing fireball rolling a hundred feet in the air where my warehouse was, the boat that fired at us also now gone. I try to get up, but I stumble. I’ve got to get out of here right now.
It’s a miracle I’m not dead. The SUV took the majority of the shock wave from the blast. I look over at Lucas and he’s lying motionless on the ground, as are Logan and Kaleb.
The cops will be here soon and I’ve got to get to my cupcake. She’s in trouble. This was planned out and I played right into their hands. I crawl to my Mustang, pulling the door open and doing my best to clear the shattered glass from the seat. Fuck it. I’ve got to go now.
Everything hurts, I can barely breathe, but I manage to pull myself inside. I can’t reach for my phone, but it will connect to the car automatically so I can call Vade.
“There’s been a setup, get her out now!” I scream.
“I know, we’re trying to get to her!” he breathlessly yells.
The air leaves my lungs.
“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN TRYING? GET HER OUT NOW!”
Chapter 36
Maya
From what I saw yesterday, wearing pants and a hoodie is a very real temptation. My skin has been crawling all day with the thought of the kind of men I’m going to have to deal with tonight. There’s no way in hell any one decent steps foot in that place.
Ethan’s been watching the cameras for most of the day, and I was pleased when he told me it was slow. Hopefully things will go by smoother with less people. I didn’t ask what time I get off. I’m assuming 1 a.m. because that’s when they shut down.
I zip up my skirt and throw on a halter top. It’s the only thing I have to wear that somewhat covers the marks my Hannibal Lecter man candy left all over me last night. The obedience chair he strapped me to was the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced. I couldn’t move, couldn’t see, and at one point he put headphones over my ears, blocking out my senses completely.
He hasn’t officially asked me to be his girlfriend. Not sure what we are, but it’s safe to assume it’s more than friends with benefits or fuck buddies. Everything is moving so fast, and I barely know him. It would be a lie to say I’m not scared shitless.
“Let’s go! We’ve got to get your tracking bracelet situated.” Ethan calls from the hallway.
Stuffing all my makeup and hair stuff back in the drawers, I have to chase the orange asshole around my room to wrestle my extra set of fake eyelashes from her. Who knewkittens could be so damn bad? I thought they were cute and cuddly.
I haven’t heard from Nick since this morning. He said he was going to be busy all day. I’m really not sure how he does what he does. We didn’t come in until after four in the morning. He had to be up for work at six.
“Now, Rivers! Nick will kill me if everything isn’t perfect before you go in there!” Ethan yells again.
I can’t help but smile. He really does care about me even if he’s off the deep end about most things. My therapist and her DSM-5 would have a heyday with him—not that my history is much better.
“Alright! What is it with you Ryker men? So damn impatient.” I stomp out to the foyer. I wish I’d thought earlier to make a drink and knock the edge off.
