Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
They tried to scramble and get away, but I wasn’t finished.
Not even close.
I grabbed the first one from the ground and started laying into him. Punch after punch, and then, I moved to his buddy. I beat the hell out of them. Both of them.
This wasn’t just some brawl in the parking lot. I was sending them both a fucking message. I broke ribs, cracked lips, and busted knees. I made sure every blow counted—not just for her but for every other girl they’d ever laid hands on.
When they finally stopped twitching, I opened their car door and reached inside, popping the trunk. I tossed one in, and I was about to go for the next when I heard Skid coming up behind me. “What the fuck?”
“They were trying to take the girl.”
Skid rushed over and knelt beside the girl as she was still pretty out of it. “They drug her or something?”
“No idea.”
I grabbed the second guy and tossed him inside the trunk with his buddy. I made sure their arms and legs were tucked in and slammed it shut. I leaned back on the taillight and lit a smoke. My hands were still shaking with fury when I pulled my burner from my cut and dialed Smitty’s number.
“Got a gift for Grim,” I said. “Two of ’em. They’re over at the back lot of the Vault. In the trunk of a silver Lexus. Come get ‘em. And tell Grim they tried to take a girl.”
“Got it. On our way.”
I hung up and turned my attention to Skid. He was trying his best to get her to come around but wasn’t having much luck. “Hey, hey. Stay with me now.”
“They were…”
“Hey, you’re okay. Creed got ‘em for ya.”
She blinked and tried to open her eyes as she explained, “They gave me something… I didn’t want it. I didn’t know…”
“It’s okay. You’re safe now.”
I tossed my cigarette and went over to her, kneeling beside her. “He’s right. You’re okay now. We’re gonna get you home.”
She leaned against me like the fight had finally drained out of her, and I cradled her against my chest like a damn child. Her head wobbled back, and she closed her eyes. The girl was close to passing completely out when I gave her a slight shake. “Need to know where you live.”
She mumbled it out. It was barely coherent, but I was able to make out an apartment complex off Cantrell. I lifted her gently, and Skid helped me get her in the passenger seat of my truck. “Stay with the car until Smitty gets here.”
“You sure you don’t want me to come give you a hand with her?”
“I’ve got it. Just stay here and wait for Smitty. Then go see that friend of yours.”
He nodded and watched as I backed out of the parking lot. I drove over to her place with one eye on the road and the other on her, making sure she stayed breathing.
By the time I pulled into the parking lot, she was out. I reached for her purse and sifted through it until I found her keys. Thankfully, it had her apartment number etched into the center, so I had some clue where I was going. I scooped her up and headed up to her apartment.
I had no way of knowing if she had a roommate or a boyfriend, so when I reached her door, I knocked and waited a few seconds to see if anyone would answer. I was about to knock again when I heard the lock unlatch, and the door eased open. A short redhead peered through the crack, and her mouth dropped when she saw that I had her roommate.
“Oh my, God! Gabbi!” She opened the door further as she asked, “What happened? Is she okay?”
“She’s a little out of it, but she’s fine.” I carried her over to the sofa as I told the roommate, “She had a run-in with some guys at the club. Looked like they were trying to take her.”
“Take her?”
“Two guys were trying to force her into their car.”
“Oh, God,” she gasped. “Did you call the police?”
“No, but I’m taking care of it.”
“What do you mean, you’re taking care of it?”
“I’m. Taking. Care. Of. It.” I held her gaze for a moment, then covered the girl with a blanket and started for the door. “Might wanna get her some water and a couple of Tylenol. She’s gonna need ‘em.”
“That’s it?”
“Your friend got lucky tonight.” I turned and looked at the young roommate as I said, “She had no business being at the club alone. If she keeps at it, she might not be so lucky next time.”
“I know. She’s going through some things, but I’ll talk to her.”
“Be sure that you do, and if you need anything…” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a card. “Give me a call. The name’s Creed.”