Part 26 (2/2)

He dropped me, but then did something that shot an electric pain through my wrist. And my gun was no longer in my hands. All I had left was a throbbing arm and a new wave of fear.

But I was still at the door, so I reached behind me. He slammed me against the frame with one hand on the center of my chest, and my gun against my cheek.

”That was really, really stupid,” he hissed as he took the gun away, slipping it somewhere on him. Then he gripped my shoulders, his face was too close to mine, body pressed into me. ”I had thought you smarter. When I realized you hadnt told Gage, I thought maybe you would be different. You certainly seemed different.”

I had to turn my head to the side as his breath heated around me, his nose almost skimming mine.

He used one hand to grip my face, turning me back towards him. ”But I think youre weaker than ever before. Its a shame what you let him do to you.” His other hand slid down my arm and up my legs, his height giving him the reach to feel the top of my boots without giving up leverage. ”You have any other weapons on you?”

”No.” I closed my eyes against his touch, but I could still feel it with every cell.

His hand slid higher up my inner thighs, slow and firm, and then he swirled it out to my hips and skimmed in the band of my jeans, fingers trailing over my skin.

His breath was harsh and hot as he leaned into me, lips now at my ear. ”I only wanted to talk. Why do you always have to f.u.c.k things up? Push me too far?”

Then I was falling, landing on my side as he threw me into the room. Every action I saw of his was slow and deliberate, but he attacked in bursts too quick to see coming, like a shark.

I scrambled to my feet. His eyes flashed with lightning, warning me that the storm was only just beginning.

”I didnt know what you thought. I didnt know if you blamed me. I was only trying to protect myself.” I kept one arm out as I backed away. This room had too much empty s.p.a.ce, a couch along the wall, a pole in the center with a small platform, all reflected in the mirrors on the ceiling. There was nothing to use to my advantage.

”What would I blame you for?” He stopped walking, but his eyes followed my movements.

My heart was in my throat, pounding, choking me, but I tried to talk him down, or myself down. I couldnt tell what was happening, I couldnt read him at all. ”Going to prison.”

He smiled, a small slick smile, and his eyes darkened as he took a step towards me. ”No. I dont blame you for that. I know whose fault that was. What else?”

I shook my head, still making my slow retreat to the door. ”You might have thought I told Gage. And you said you would hurt me.”

”Tch” He sucked his teeth. ”I never said I would hurt you. And you didnt tell Gage, so you have nothing to worry about. In fact, hes given up the club too, so it looks like I owe you.” His head c.o.c.ked to the side. ”Stop running, it makes you look guilty. But you didnt do anything wrong, did you?”

My feet stilled, listening to the command before I could even think. The adrenaline pounding in my head left little room for real thought, and his words took what little s.p.a.ce there was.

”This is wrong. I shouldnt be here.” I wasnt even talking to him; it was my thoughts mistakenly spoken out loud.

”Then why are you here?” There was an excitement in his voice as he stepped towards me. All of a sudden, he was back in my face, his hands on my waist.

I tried to pull away, or push him away, but he wrapped his arms around me, pinning my arms beside me in a constricting hold that took away my air.

”Relax sweetheart.” His voice sent s.h.i.+vers over me, ice dripping into my veins as his nose slid up my neck. ”Admit it,” he whispered the demand in my ear, squeezing me till tears slid from my eyes. ”You wanted to see me, you heard I was out, and you couldnt resist. You dont have to hide that with me.” One hand slid around my waist, fingers splayed over my stomach. He met my eyes for a moment, an understanding sparking in them. ”Its true.” His grip loosened some, and I tried to break free, but he pulled me back in, trapping me in his arms. ”Shh-shh-shh.”

He held tight while I struggled in his arms, and then he gave up and jerked me, fingers digging in my arms. ”Stop,” he commanded. ”Youre going to need me more than ever if youre pregnant.” It almost sounded like a threat.

”Why?” I stopped fighting, stilling my body but not my racing heart and not the tears flowing in silent pleas.

”Sweetheart, dont cry. Ill help you,” he murmured, loosening his grip on my arm but pulling me close, like he was providing comfort instead of trapping me. ”Gage cant protect you, let alone-”

The door flew open, and Gage stormed through. Rusnak dropped me as Gage lunged for him, fist connecting with his face. Rusnak was pushed back with each blow, and Gage kept coming forward, never letting up until he was on the ground. Then Gage was swinging both fists, pulling them back and releasing them in a wide ark. Rusnaks head snapped from side to side. The attack was silent, only the rasps of breath could be heard under the ba.s.s of club music flowing through the walls and open door.

My legs wobbled beneath me, tension breaking as I watched Rusnaks face bleed, wet splatters across the dark carpet with every hit from Gage.

Then others rushed into the room, men I didnt know, and two pulled Gage back, the third going to Rusnak.

Gage tossed one man off of him, shoving him away with the shake of his shoulder.

The other man pulled out a gun and pressed it to his neck. ”Hvat.i.t.”

But Gage whipped around, flipping the gun from the guys hand into his own and backed him up with it. Then he turned to Rusnak, who had his own gun out.

”Dont be stupid, boy.” Rusnak was on his feet and he spit blood onto the floor. ”Dont throw it all away over some girl.” He held the gun pointed at Gage with one hand and flicked his other hand, signaling for the men to back off.

”You know theres more to it,” Gage ground out between teeth. ”This has been coming for a long f.u.c.king time.”

My stomach was already a whirlwind, but now it contracted painfully as I watched his finger grip the trigger.

”Do it and she dies.” Rusnak swept his arm, pointing his gun at me. The long barrel was directly at my head, I could see into the darkness. ”You might get off your shot, but so will I.”

Gages eyes barely glanced towards me; all his focus was on Rusnak.

Rusnak must have saw the answer in Gages look because he started walking towards the door.

Gage kept his gun trained on him but didnt stop him, instead he nodded in the direction of the exit. ”Get out then, but this isnt over.”

”Its not.” Rusnaks gun stayed on me as he touched the tips of his fingers to his b.l.o.o.d.y nose and inclined his head to Gage. ”I owe you one.” Then he disappeared out the door with his men following behind him.

Ian closed the door as he entered. ”What the h.e.l.l does that mean?”

”Get Sal to meet me out back. And get the others. I have to make some calls, and we have to go.”

Ian left without another word, and then it was only Gage and me in the room. He wouldnt look at me, and I couldnt speak.

We both stood there, tension on fire between us. Then he combusted. His fists flew at the wall, leaving dents and holes with every swing. I flinched with each punch, sure the anger was directed at me. I had no doubt it was when he charged at me with burning eyes.

”What the f.u.c.k were you doing with him?”

I could only shake my head as I stumbled back to the couch against the wall, landing on my b.u.t.t.

”Why the h.e.l.l are you here? I told you to stay away.”

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