I got out.
I got out.
"No!" I scream as his hand lands on my shoulder. Spinning around, I barge past him and race for the door, tears cascading down my cheeks, blurring my vision. Pushing out the door, I grip the railing of the stairs and fold into myself, my legs turning to jelly. I gasp, dragging gulps of air into my lungs, my fists clenched.
He has no power over you.
It's a lie.
The door behind me opens, and like a frightened rabbit, I jump up and dart across the street. Getting into my car, I drive away without looking back.
I’m not strong enough.
I have to be.
I pull into Kirby's Bar, swinging my car into the first parking spot I come to. Shoving my gun into the glove compartment and slamming my hands on the wheel, a strangled scream retches from the deepest parts of me.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I swipe the tears from my eyes and take a deep breath, frowning when I recognize the people coming from the bar and walking past my car.
Chaos.
Without thought, I jump from the car, the gravel crunching under my boots.
"Hey! Wait up!" I call out as they make their way across the lot to their bikes. The scent of summer rain clings to the air and dampens the roads. Rays of sunshine soak through a break in the clouds, warming my skin.
A smirk tugs up Leo's lips when he sees me approaching them. Chaos stands with his legs slightly parted, his hands clasped, dangling below his waistband, head tilted, studying me.
"Twice in one day, lucky us." Leo beams. "What can we do for you?"
I'm focused on his brother when I say, "I'll help you."
Leo's deep chuckle hums through the air, washing over me. "With what?"
"Getting the girl back."
Leo shakes his head, looking around to make sure we're still alone. "I don't think your brother would like that."
"Why?" Chaos interrupts, his brow pinched. "Why do you want to help?"
I step closer, until we're almost boot to boot, nerves bouncing around inside my stomach. My head is fuzzy, my eyes swollen and burning. "Because I want you to help me with something in exchange."
The wind picks up a scattering of leaves, swirling them around our feet. The trees looming over the parking lot sway, the heavy branches hanging like gallows.
"Zane, come on. Animal won't like this either."
"I don't see anyone else lining up to help you." A lump forms like a brick in my throat. Desperation seeps from my pores.
"What makes you think I need help?" Serenity gleams from Zane's ocean-blue eyes. I want to bathe in them, soak up every part of him, calm the turmoil ripping me apart.
"Because, if you really thought you could get in and out undetected, you wouldn't have come to the club earlier asking if the brothers would come for you if shit turned bad."
"Animal's a friend. We came out of respect."
"Let's help each other."
"Sweetheart, I don't think you'll be much help." Leo frowns, running his gaze down my body.