“Cole!” I screamed as loud as I couldas I kicked and struggled with everything I was worth. I was shoved into thebackseat with Kat. I saw Cole and the rest of the guys come hurtling out of thedoors, murder in their faces as we tore off from the curb.
“Why the fuck did you take her?” Jakedemanded gesturing to Kat, his eyes blazing as the SUV swerved through traffic.I didn’t recognize the driver. It had been eight years since I’d set eyes onJake and the years had not been kind. His dark, wavy hair was now shaved closeto his head, making his already hollow face look more so. His dark brown eyeslooked wild, andthey were framed by dark circlesashe glanced around the truck with a hysteria that I’d never seen him exhibit. Hewas either on something or was just that deranged. There was nothing left ofthe Jake I remembered from my youth, though that fact had already beenconfirmed during our last encounter.
“I don’t know, she was just there so Igrabbed her,” Victor replied as both men tried to subdue us. Neither Kat nor Iwas making that easy, as I bit down hard on Jake’s forearm.
“Mother fucking bitch!” he bellowed,punching me hard in the face. Kat screamed.
Damn that hurt. Especially with thatfucking ring he was wearing. I saw stars briefly but it only served to piss meoff more. “Do you have a fucking death wish?” I screeched.
“Not as much as you do,” Jake sneered.“Now calm the fuck down,” he barked.
“Let Kat go, she has no part in this,”I demanded.
“She does now,” he answered sharply.
Fuck.
I heard the roar of Harleys behind usand realized that Jake really had lost his mind. How had he figured he’d snatchus without swift and violent retribution? I hadn’t known Cole long, but I knewJake would be lucky to escape with his life after this stunt. You did not fuckwith another man’s woman, especially on his turf.
“You tell your new boy toy that thisis only a taste of what I’m going to do,” Jake demanded, pulling my alreadybruised face close to his. “You tell him they better start giving me somegoddamn respect,” he added before he kissed me roughly on the mouth. I foughtback the urge to gag. “Missed you babe, look forward to having you back whereyou belong,” he said with a cruel smile. “But until then…” he trailed off asthe door was swung open.
My heart raced as I realized hisintention--what his intention had been all along. This was simply a stuntdesigned to scare me and fuck with the Knights, and it was one that Kat and Iwould pay for with blood. “Don’t toss ‘emtoo hardVic, I need her in one piece,” Jake called casually as Vic made a grab for Katand hauled her out of the SUV to the pavement. I heard her scream and bit backa sob, caring far less what happened to me. Kat was just an innocent bystanderin this mess.
“I hate your fucking guts,” I seethedwhile looking at Jake straight on.
“We’ll see,” he said, watching as Imet the same fate as my best friend.
Pain seared over the exposed skin ofmy legs and arms as the pavement came cruelly up to meet me. It sliced throughmy hip and side as I came skidding to a painful halt. The SUV had slowed someas we were tossed out, but not enough to prevent injury. I heard a screech oftires and voices shouting as I tried to ascertain if I was still in one piece.
“Mother fucker!” I heard Cole roar ashe came crashing to my side.
“Kat?” I asked desperately.
“She’s okay,” he bit out, looking downat me with an expression so angry I could barely see the blue of his eyes.
“Where else are you hurt?” he demanded,his eyes taking a quick survey of my body. “Is anything broken?”
“I’m not sure,” I answered honestly.“Just give me a second.” I breathed, lying on my back looking up at the sky. Mywhole body throbbed, it was impossible to tell what kind of state I was reallyin.
“Where’s Kat?” I asked after heragain.
“She’s sitting up, Sal’s with her.She’s okay baby,” he soothed, his voice gruff with emotion.
I nodded as tears welled up in myeyes. “It’s my fault,” I said hoarsely, feeling so insanely guilty for what hadhappened to her.
“Baby, this shit is not your fault,”he said angrily. “Put that out of your head and let’s focus on getting you upoff the road okay?” he asked.
I nodded, glancing around. We were outin the middle of nowhere. Jake’s SUV had quickly and purposefully headeddirectly out of town, not hard to do since the club was already on theoutskirts.
“Do you need an ambulance?” he asked,his voice tight with worry.
“I don’t think so,” I said as I shookmy head. I took a deep breath and made an effort to sit up. Cole brought hishand to the back of my head helping me carefully. I sat up looking arounddazedly until I located Kat, sitting not fifteen feet away. Sal was hunchedover her but she looked okay. I sighed in relief.
“Pop’sbringin’the truck, then we’re going to the hospital,” Cole said firmly.
“I think I’m okay,” I argued.
“Baby, I don’t want to freak you out,but you’re in shock. Trust me we need to go to the hospital,” he answeredfirmly.
