What a sight.
I support her weight as she collapses and rides out her orgasm. The warmth of her in my arms feels like having her come home. I don’t want to move, afraid to break the spell.
I have to, though.
She’s safe for tonight, but I came here for a reason. A promise. If Landon is just another pawn, I need to find the next piece.
I wait until Gianna starts to support some of her own weight again.
‘See what happens when you’re honest with me? I need you to trust me, Gianna. Completely.’ With her still leaning against my chest, I grip her chin with wet fingers, tilting her face up to meet mine. Making her watch as I lick every one of my fingers, wishing I could drown myself in her taste.
‘Youdotaste like my new favourite meal.’ Reluctantly, I release her.
If she’s safe in bed and the Mustang is in the fortress that is the Fernando Garage, nothing will be going down tonight.Still, I should check in with Ty and see if he’s got any updates with that new tracker.
I’m about to turn away, but I give my girl one last look. Cheeks still flushed, golden skin shimmering with a sheen of sweat.
God, she’s beautiful.
I lean in, ghosting a kiss across her cheek then she turns completely and I meet her eyes as I say, ‘Lock the door behind me.’
Chapter 22
Gianna
FOUR YEARS AGO
Life can flip in a fraction of a second.
My breath leaves my lungs quicker than I can take it in as Ryker and I rush back down the hill toward where we left Renny, Tyler and Monz. I stumble on a few uneven tufts of grass, but hearing the screams get louder makes my legs pump harder. We get closer to Renny’s and Jace’s car lights and see my brother wrestling someone on the ground in a blind fury. As the two thrash around, it takes me a second to realise the other guy is Erik.
Then Erik flips and pins Jace down with his left elbow. ‘Cute masks,’ Erik says, right before ripping the silver skull from Jace’s face. Then Erik thrusts his right fist an inch away from Jace’s nose.
‘You already fucked up my hand,’ Erik snarls. ‘May as well make it worthwhile.’
Erik rears back, ready to land a hit on my brother, but Ryker rushes into the huddle and rips Erik away, sending him skidding across the dirt. There’s a mad glint in Ryker’s eyes that makes my blood run cold. My insides twist seeing blood drip from my brother’s nose and his busted lip. Renny and Tyler are off to the left, fighting their own assailants.Monique’s on the side of the scramble, looking on with wide eyes. When I reach her, she grips my arms.
‘Oh, thank god you’re okay,’ Monique cries. ‘What do we do?’
‘I don’t know,’ I say, taking in the tussle though it’s all a blur of limbs colliding in the headlights of the cars. ‘How did this happen?’
‘They just came over the hill …’ she pants. ‘It happened so fast … How can we stop them?’
I’m at a loss.
Then I see the Mustang, and it gives me an idea. ‘Go get X,’ I tell her, ‘in case this doesn’t work.’
She nods a few times before dashing off toward the crowd. I rush over to the Mustang and sink into the front seat. A mixture of relief and fear floods my system when I see the key in the ignition. I give it a twist. The rumble of the motor amplifies all my senses.
Breathe. Feel the car.
I shift into gear and, just like Ryker taught me, I hit the accelerator. The car lurches toward the ECU boys, who retreat instantly. I slam on the brakes just before I hit anyone. They yell, all of them looking at me. I rev the car hard, letting them know I won’t back down if I’m pushed. They take heed of my warning and start to retreat.
‘We’ll be back!’ Erik glares at Ryker, cradling his right wrist, before they all dart off into the night.
I cut the engine. Monique appears with X as I step out. My shoulders relax, relief pouring through me now that it’s over.
‘That fucker Erik nabbed my necklace.’ Jace grips at the neckline of his shirt – his chain with the silver bar readingBullittis gone.
