Prepare to bolt.
“Don’t you think I deserve to make my own decisions?” I shouted back. “I will not be your prisoner too!”
Two. One.
Now!
I reached for the doorknob.
“Stop!” Storm yelled.
Blinding pain exploded in my left wrist. I screamed when someone jerked me back. Squeezing my eyes, I swung my right fist out from my side, aiming for the son of a bitch.Fight or flight.I would damn well fight to the death. Putting all my energy and fury into it, I connected with flesh.
“Motherfucker!”
I opened my eyes, face to face with Zach. All I saw was blood.
He glared, holding his hand over his face, blood spilling through his fingers. “I think you fucking broke my nose!”
“Let go of me,” I growled back at him, tears burning my eyes.
He threw my arm back, making me stumble into the lap of one of his brothers.
An arm went around my waist. “You okay, sweetheart?”
“Lynx, shut it,” Zach hissed. “Aspen, get over here,” he demanded with a murderous glint in his eyes.
Fight or flight.
Fight.
I leaned into Lynx, pressing my back to his front, and covered his arm with mine to hold it in place. He seemed like a safe choice compared to the other men in the room.
I turned my head for a look at his face. His handsome face. “Please don’t let go.”
The corner of his lip curled as his hazel eyes twinkled. “Not on your life.” His gaze traveled over my face. “Tell me, was your dad a boxer? Because sweetheart, you’re a knockout.”
Chuckles filled the room.
“Jesus Christ, enough with your cheesy pickups!” Zach told Lynx. He reached for my arm. “Aspen, get the fuck off his lap.”
Lynx swatted Zach away. “You’ve already hurt her once. No more, man. I won’t let her leave.” He pulled me tighter against him.
Okay, this was not going the way I planned.
“I’m warning you, brother. Release her, or I will rip your fucking head off.” Zach kept his hand over his bleeding nose, making a mess all over himself and the floor. He didn’t appear to care.
It seemed he hadn’t outgrown his volatile temper. Why didn’t Storm or anyone else make Zach stop? Maybe tell him to back the fuck up and go take care of his nose? It was like they just let him be an asshole.
Zach had no right to tell me what to do or Lynx, who seemed to be protecting me from the brutal man before me. Even with a room filled with bikers who could pass as ancient gladiators, my money was on Zach. He’d deliver them to the afterlife.
Lynx breathed heavily into my back, taking my hand, and gently pulled the sleeve up.
I hissed, tears pooling in my eyes. Some of the cuts had reopened, evident by the blobs of red on the gauze, thanks to Zach’s massive paws and brute strength.
“Aye, see that?” Lynx gritted out. “Not cool, brother.”
Zach took a couple of steps back, eyes locked on my wrist. His ice-blue eyes flicked to mine, then back to the bandages. I didn’t want him looking at me or what Casso had done. It was personal.