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"Hello, Matthew," he said, his voice sending ice through my veins. "Your godfather sends his regards."
I backed away, terror shooting through me. "How—"
"Money talks," the man said simply, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. I glimpsed Tik Tac on the ground outside, unmoving. "And bikers aren't as loyal as they pretend to be."
My back hit the kitchen counter. My hand fumbled behind me, searching for something—anything—I could use as a weapon.
"Harold sent you to kill me?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady as my fingers closed around a knife handle.
The man shrugged. "Nothing personal, kid. Just business." He reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun with a silencer attached.
Terror froze me for a split second, but then instinct took over. I yanked the knife forward and threw it with all my strength.Years of knife-throwing at summer camp—sent there so he didn't have to deal with me on summer vacations from school—paid off. The blade caught him in the shoulder, not fatally, but enough to make him howl and drop the gun.
I lunged for the weapon, but he recovered faster than I expected. His boot came down on my hand, grinding my fingers into the hardwood floor. I screamed in pain as he yanked the knife from his shoulder, blood seeping through his jacket.
"You little shit," he snarled, raising the blade.
The door burst open with a thunderous crash. Novo filled the doorway, his expression murderous. Behind him stood Cruise and several other club members, all armed.
Time seemed to slow. The intruder spun, knife still raised. Novo moved with shocking speed for such a large man, crossing the room in what seemed like a single stride. His fist connected with the man's jaw with a sickening crack, sending him sprawling across the floor.
The knife clattered away as Novo descended on him, delivering blow after devastating blow. Blood sprayed across the pristine wooden floor.
"Novo," Cruise shouted. "We need him alive."
It took both Cruise and Tex to pull Novo off the now-unconscious intruder. Novo's knuckles were split and bloody, his chest heaving with each breath. When he turned to me, his eyes were wild with rage and fear.
"Matty," he growled, dropping to his knees beside me. "Are you hurt?"
I couldn't speak, couldn't breathe. The adrenaline that had kept me moving was draining away, leaving me shaking uncontrollably. Novo gathered me into his arms, cradling me against his chest as if I were something infinitely precious.
"I've got you," he murmured against my hair. "I've got you, little one."
I clutched at his shirt, burying my face against his neck as sobs tore through me. The thought that I'd nearly died—again—was too much. That someone had betrayed the club, betrayed Novo, to get to me.
"Tik Tac?" I managed to gasp between sobs.
"Alive," Novo assured me, his large hand stroking my back. "Knocked out, but he'll be okay."
Cruise knelt beside the unconscious intruder, checking his pockets. "No ID," he reported grimly.
"Take him to the garage," Novo ordered, his voice hard as steel even as his touch remained gentle on my back. "I want answers."
Cruise and Tex dragged the man out, while other club members secured the area. Novo didn't move, just held me as I trembled in his arms.
I couldn't do this. I couldn't do this anymore and for the first time I wondered if it would have been better if the man had succeeded.
Chapter nine
Novo
I wouldn't let goof Matty, not until the club had secured the perimeter and Jono confirmed we had patrols in place around the entire compound. My heart was still hammering in my chest, rage and fear battling for dominance. I'd nearly lost him. Again.
When I finally carried him to the couch, he was still trembling, his eyes wide and unfocused. I recognized the signs of shock immediately.
"Matty," I said gently, kneeling in front of him. "Look at me, little one."
He didn't respond, just stared straight ahead, his breathing shallow and rapid.