Page 16 of Beneath His Vow (Knocked Up and Locked Down #1)

It sits on the tip of my tongue to tell her to go to hell, but I can’t do that to Tasha, to my team. My friends. It’s them who will suffer when I’m gone, not Janice. Sure as hell not James.

It’s only three days and then I’m free. “Fine. But if anything interferes with my pregnancy in that time I’m walking. I am not risking my child anymore for a job that doesn’t appreciate me.”

I don’t wait for her reply. I leave the room, heading back to my desk. Tasha lifts her head over the cubicle. “Everything okay? Is she still giving you shit?”

I wince. This is going to hurt. We’ve been friends the entire time I’ve been at the company. “I just quit.”

She stares at me for a moment and then blinks. “Like quit quit?”

I rest my hand on my bump. “I can’t do this anymore, Tash. I’m exhausted.”

Her eyes soften. “Nothing is worth that, but shit, I’m going to miss you so much.” She comes into my cubicle and hugs me. “I can’t believe you’re leaving.”

My throat feels tight, my heart heavy, like I failed somehow by not continuing to stand up for myself. “We’ll still keep in touch. We’re friends.”

“Damn right we are. Plus, I want to see how beautiful your baby is.”

I snort. Then become serious. “Be careful around James.”

“Right? The man is a snake.”

“No, Tasha. I mean it. Don’t be alone with him. Not ever.”

She stares at me. “Did he… Did he do something to you?”

“Just be careful.”

The rest of the day passes in a fog. I move, but I’m not there.

Casey messages multiple times to make sure okay, and I feel better knowing he’s only on the other end of the phone if I need him.

By 5 p.m. I’m still transferring stuff to the main server. I can’t stop without having to restart it in the morning, so I drop Casey a message telling him I’ll get a cab back to the clubhouse when I’m ready to leave.

Casey

You don’t owe them your time.

I know, but I’m not doing it for my bosses. I’m doing this for my friends.

Casey

Fine. But don’t get a cab. Message me when you’re ready and I’ll come and get you.

The office empties out creating an eerie stillness. I clean out my desk drawers while I wait for the upload to finish and then I head to the break room to refill my water bottle.

I peer over the top of cubicles, usually filled with colleagues, but every single one is empty. Am I the only person still here?

Shit. Okay, get some water, finish this damn upload. Maybe call Casey to come and sit with me until it’s finished.

I head into the break room. The only sounds are the fridge humming and the water cooler gurgling. I fill my bottle, and then I hear it. A noise behind me. I turn quickly and my stomach plummets.

James.

He’s standing in the doorway, blocking my entrance. Cold spreads through me at the way his arms are folded over his chest.

I swallow the lump blocking my throat and fold my hands over my belly to hide the shaking.

“You’re leaving.”

“End of the week,” I say. “I’m sure you’re pleased to hear that.”

He clicks his tongue. “Why would I be pleased to hear that, Alexis? You’re a key part of my team. We’re going to feel your loss.”

He walks toward me, and I step back, my spine hitting the counter behind me. “I need to finish my upload.”

I try to slide around him, but he moves into my space. Then his hands are either side of me and I’m trapped between him and the counter.

Scream.

Shout.

Do something.

But I can’t. My body is frozen.

“You’re really glowing. Pregnancy suits you.” He leans in, his breath hot and vile against my neck. His hand cups my belly and that’s what breaks through my fear.

I shove him and he stumbles back. “Get the fuck away from me!”

I move, darting toward the door. I barely make two steps before he grabs my wrist with bruising force and yanks me back. I slam against him, trying to protect my belly.

“Where the fuck are you going?” He hisses the words in my face, his eyes wild. “We’re not done here, you teasing little bitch.”

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!

Run.

Fucking run.

“Let go of me!” I shriek, trying to tear my arm free from his grasp.

When that doesn’t work, I slam my fist into his face, just like Nitro taught me last summer.

His head snaps to the side, and he loosens his hold for a second, but not long enough for me to get free. He slams me against the wall behind him, my hip and back taking the brunt. All I can think is, please don’t hurt my baby.

He pins my arms over my head so I can’t move, his hand roaming over my belly like he’s entitled to touch me.

Fuck that.

I slam my knee into his groin with every ounce of strength I have. My bump makes it hard, but I know I’ve struck when he’s yells, and bends over, clutching his balls.

“You bitch,” he rasps. “You fucking assaulted me. You’re done for now.”

I don’t care about repercussions, or how ‘done for’ I am.

I rush for the door.

I’m almost through it when I’m dragged back by my shirt. I let out a cry as the material stretches tight around me and then tears at the shoulder.

I don’t think. I twist hard, knee him, claw at his face like I’m possessed. He screams as I catch him close to his eye, and then I’m free.

I bolt, adrenaline drowning my veins. My belly heavy, I run down the hall straight for the stairwell. I don’t wait for the elevator. I’m too scared he’ll come after me. I hit the door at speed, bursting through it and gripping the banister as I move down the steps as fast as I dare.

Reception is empty when I burst into the foyer. There’s no sign of security, and it takes too long to get the front door open.

When I finally stumble out onto the street, relief floods me.

Crying, barely able to speak or think, all I know is I need to get somewhere safe. And that safe place is always Casey. Cupping my belly, I flag down the first cab I see and tumble into the back.

“Take me to the Crimson Sinners’ clubhouse. It’s off Bridge Avenue.”

He stares at me over his shoulder, taking in the disheveled state of me, then he turns forward and drives.

My head is pounding and my throat is so dry my tongue is a stone in my mouth. I wish I had my phone so I could call Casey, but I fled with nothing.

My insides are knotted, my fear thick in my throat. Our daughter is moving inside me— a good sign that she didn’t get hurt in that attack.

I protected her.

Bile coats my throat.

I can’t stop shaking, can’t drag in more than shallow breaths either.

I’m not safe.

I’m not safe.

I don’t relax until the cab pulls up to the curb outside the clubhouse. The driver turns, waiting for payment. Shit. I don’t have anything on me.

“One of the guys will pay. I just need to get them.”

I open the door and stumble out, searching behind the fence for anyone, but of course there’s no one around.

My wrist is snagged and I flinch savagely, the trauma still fresh. He doesn’t notice—or doesn’t care. “You need to pay me, lady.”

I try to pull free, panic clawing at my throat. I don’t know what I’m screaming at him, the words garbled.

“I’m calling the cops.”

“What the fuck is goin’ on here?” Nitro’s voice cuts through my terror.

Familiar. Family. Safe .

I’m not sure where he came from. I don’t care. His eyes drop to my torn shirt, the red marks around my wrists, the man behind me, and the tears streaking down my face.

He’s between us in less than a heartbeat, shoving the cab driver back. “You put hands on her?”

“She stiffed me?—”

Nitro grabs him by the throat, slamming him against the side of his cab. “You shut your fuckin’ mouth right now.”

“He didn’t do this,” I blurt the words in a rush.

Nitro turns his head just enough to glimpse me.

“I owe him money.”

Nitro lets go of the cab driver long enough to take out a wad of cash, which he slams against his chest so hard it knocks the breath out of him. “Get the fuck out of here.”

He doesn’t argue. The man gets into his cab and peels off like the devil is on his heels.

Nitro doesn’t watch him go. He’s already in front of me, his eyes roaming like he can’t believe what he’s seeing.

“Who did this to you, Lex?”

I try to speak, try to find the words to explain what happened in that room, but my throat feels like it’s closing. “I need Casey. Please, Nitro, get Casey.”

He leads me inside, hovering close but not touching, as if he can see the trauma stamped into my skin.

And as soon as we are through the doors, he yells, “PREACHER!”