“Baby!” Shadow grabbed her, but it was no use. She couldn’t stop it. All of the occasions of her past, and everything else, it was just too much. Every single memory, every single pain, it was all there, blooming within her chest, and she couldn’t make it stop.
“I’m sorry,” Shadow said.
Something pinched her arm, and it wasn’t long before the world went blank.
****
Shadow caught Riley in his arms before she completely passed out. He wouldn’t let her fall, and he’d never seen a woman lose it so quickly. This wasn’t just about the man she’d just killed. He’d seen the horror in her eyes, and in that one action, all of the pain from her past had come through, trapping her. Lifting her up in his arms, he looked at Boss.
“Women really don’t know when to shut up,” Boss said.
“This shouldn’t have happened.”
“I know, but who would have known he’d take a hit out on a girl that stole his phone?” Boss shrugged. “Talk to Killian, Viper, even fucking Bain. Women in this industry are going to get hurt. There’s no way you can stop it.”
“I don’t want her hurt.”
“Yeah, well, you’re going to have to protect her now.”
“What the fuck does that mean?” asked Shadow.
“They know her. She’s made herself a target. We’ll get this place cleaned up, but she can’t come back here until we get everyone available in his little circle,” Boss said. He turned to look at El Diablo. “What about you? Are you willing to take a chance with the good guys?”
Shadow rolled his eyes.
“You’re not the good guys. No one is a good guy. Killing a man to save someone, still makes you a murderer,” El Diablo said, spitting on the floor.
“Yeah, I can do without the philosophy debate. Really not interested. I only care if you can kill and do the job quietly.” Boss handed him a card. “There’s a price tag for every kill related to that fucker.” He turned back to Shadow. “Hide her.”
“What do you know?” Shadow asked.
“I know that people like this bastard have a following. She’s going to be on their shit list, so be ready to start a mass kill. We’re going to need to take them all out.” Boss stared at her. “This wasn’t her first kill.”
Shadow didn’t say anything. He’d already figured that out.
“Protect her,” Boss said, stepping away.
He didn’t wait around to question Boss’s sudden protective nature. This was one of those moments where Boss confused him.
Taking her out to the car, he lowered her into the back seat, closing the door. Climbing inside, he took off, knowing there was only one place he could go. The injection he’d given her would have her out cold for a few hours, and he had time to get her settled.
Never had he been more terrified than seeing that fucker in the bakery where she worked. He’d raced to get there, but he’d been too late. He couldn’t bring himself to even think of life without her.
Damn it.
How had his neighbor gotten under his skin so fucking fast? He didn’t want to even think about it. Pulling up outside of the gym, he
picked her up out of the car.
Ronny was outside having a smoke, which he tossed away the moment he saw Shadow.
“I didn’t know you were coming.”
“What have I told you about that shit? It’ll fucking kill you if you keep it up.” He nodded for Ronny to open the door, and he did. It wasn’t long before several of the guys were surrounding him. “Give me some space.”
They stepped back. “That’s the chick from the other night,” one of the boys said.
“I’m taking her back to the office. None of you have used it to fuck, have you?”