The men back toward their van, dragging Lucy a few steps with them before roughly pushing her away. They climb inside, the engine roaring to life.
“Tell Havoc we’ll see him real soon,” one calls out before slamming the door.
The van peels away, tires screeching across the asphalt.
Viper lowers his gun once the van disappears around the corner. His hands are on me immediately, turning me to face him, his green eyes scanning me for injuries.
“You alright?” he asks, his voice gruff but concern evident beneath the surface. “They hurt you?”
I shake my head, adrenaline making my limbs tremble. “I’m okay.”
He nods sharply before turning to Lucy, who’s pressing a hand to her bleeding lip.
“You good?”
Lucy nods, wiping blood from her chin. “Just a split lip. Nothing serious.”
Viper pulls out his phone, his eyes never stopping their scan of the parking lot. He keeps one hand on my shoulder as he makes the call, his touch protective rather than possessive.
“It’s me,” he says into the phone. “Yeah, I got them. Forsaken Kings tried to grab her.” He pauses, listening. “No, everyone’s fine. Two guys, black van.” Another pause. “Yeah, I recognize one of them. Switchback’s cousin, I think.”
I wrap my arms around myself, the reality of what just happened sinking in. They tried to kidnap me. The same men who killed my parents nearly took me too.
“We’re leaving now,” Viper says into the phone. “Be there soon.”
He hangs up and turns to me. “I’m taking you back to the compound. Now.”
It’s not a question, and I don’t argue. The compound suddenly seems like the safest place in the world.
Viper glances at Lucy. “You okay to drive back? Follow us?”
Lucy nods, fishing her keys from her purse. “Of course. No problem.”
“Good. Stay close.” Viper’s tone makes it clear this isn’t a casual suggestion.
Lucy gives me a quick, reassuring hug before heading to her car. Viper leads me to his motorcycle and hands me his helmet.
“Hold on tight,” he instructs as I climb on behind him.
I wrap my arms around his waist, clutching his cut. The Wicked Sinners patch stretches across his back, and I’m suddenly grateful for the protection it represents.
The ride back to the compound passes in a blur. I cling to Viper, my hands trembling against his leather cut, even as the wind whips around us. Every shadow on the road looks like that black van, every car in my peripheral vision a potential threat.
When we pull through the gates, relief floods my system. Home. Safe.
Diesel and Stray are already waiting in the parking lot, tension visible in their rigid postures. Lucy pulls in behind us, parks her car, and rushes to her husband.
“Baby, what happened?” Stray’s face transforms from concern to rage when he sees her split lip. His fingers gently brush her face. “Who did this to you?”
“Forsaken assholes,” Viper answers, helping me off his bike. “Two of ‘em tried grabbing Sasha. Lucy fought like hell.”
Stray’s eyes darken dangerously. “I’ll fucking murder anyone who puts their hands on my old lady.”
“I’m okay, baby,” Lucy says softly, placing her hands on his chest. “Really. It’s just a little cut.”
He’s not listening, already mentally planning retribution, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. Lucy takes his face in her hands, forcing him to look at her.
“Stray,” she says firmly. “I’m okay.”
