They’d dragged her in and tied her up. She thought her life was over when Tank showed up out of nowhere. Alone. How did he even know she was there?
“He your boyfriend?” the man asked her. She heard some of the men refer to him as their prez. He had a thick beard and evil eyes. She didn’t trust him at all.
“No, I spent a few nights with him a couple of months ago. That’s it,” she said. Bell thought it was best to follow Tank’s lead if she wanted to survive. Her chances felt slimmer by the minute.
“So you wouldn’t mind if I put a bullet in his head?”
“I don’t condone any violence,” she said. “Are you going to let me go or what?” Bell wanted to take his focus off of hurting Tank. If he did anything to him, how would she live with herself? Panic began to slice through her body. She wanted Tank to run, to get on his bike and ride, anything. They were going to kill him, and she’d have to sit there and watch. Then she’d be next.
“We’ve got company,” shouted one of the men near the gates.
“Protect the prez,” said another. Only, they didn’t usher away the man beside her. They ignored him and ran toward their clubhouse in the back. The guy playing prez was just a goodactor.
The entire yard shifted into organized chaos, bikers running to different areas, weapons being passed out. They wouldn’t act like they were heading into a war unless their enemies were on their way.
“It’s Lord!”
Men cursed, running in different directions, and bikes lined up near the gates. Everyone started to forget about her and Tank. They made eye contact, and for that moment, they were the only people in the world.
He straddled his bike and walked it toward her.
Once next to her, he leaned over and used a switchblade to cut the rope around her wrists.
“Get on, baby, and hold the fuck on.”
The moment she wrapped her legs around him and hugged his body close, she felt completely safe. God, she loved him more than anything.
Gunfire erupted outside the gates and more chaos ensued. Within minutes, the walls were breached. It was the Straight to Hell MC. She recognized several of the men riding in, raining fire on their enemies. Tank immediately revved his bike and drove around the perimeter of the yard toward the entrance, keeping out of the line of fire.
As they passed Brick, the VP, he shouted to Tank. “Get her out of here!”
Tank didn’t argue, riding through the gates and into the barren countryside. And safety.
He did a half circle, turning to face the compound before cutting the engine.
“What’s happening?” she asked. “Why are they here?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t tell anyone I was coming.”
“Whydidyou come?”
He got off the bike and stood over her. “You never shouldhave come here, Bell.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
“Lose the attitude. You could have gotten yourself killed,” Tank said. “How would I live with myself if that happened?”
She felt the heat between them, the pent-up fear, nerves, and love. “Are you going to kiss me or what?”
He didn’t hesitate, grabbing the sides of her face and kissing her hard enough to make her forget everything. She closed her eyes and savored their connection, the feel of his lips, and the warmth of his skin.
They were both alive.
They’d entered the dragon’s den and came out whole.
When he pulled back, his hands still cupping her face, she repeated, “Why were you here?”
“I had to try to make things right. I can’t live without you, Bell.”