Page 32 of Endure the Pain
The guys had started begging to know whether or not I was okay. Then threatened that they were coming in after me.
“I’m fine,” I croaked as I pulled my gun out of my purse. I sucked in a few more breaths and cleared my sorethroat. “The asshole wouldn’t die.” I glanced back over at Dustin. He wasn’t moving and didn’t appear to be breathing either.
“You need to get out of there,” Asher said.
“You have a little time but not much. Everyone in the bar is steering clear of the bathrooms because they think their buddy is getting laid,” Rourke explained.
“Okay,” I said and got myself to my feet. Moving quickly, I put my breast back into my bra and fixed my clothes. I put my jacket back on because from my neck down, I was covered in blood. I hooked my purse strap across my chest and glanced back at Dustin’s body. I wanted Buck and his gang to know this was revenge. That I was the one who had killed Dustin. I walked over and crouched next to his lifeless corpse. His eyes were partially open, and his throat was still leaking blood. I started patting his pockets, feeling around for his cell phone. I found it in his right pants pocket and quickly tossed it into my purse. My eyes darted back to his bloody neck and a sick idea popped into my head. I swiped two of my fingers over his cut neck, coating them in his blood, then walked over to the mirror above the sink. I drew half a shamrock, went back to his neck to coat my fingers once more, then completed the second half. I rinsed myfingers in the sink but didn’t bother trying to clean up the rest of me. I was a horrific sight.
“What’s taking so long, Maura?” Dean grumbled.
“Keep your panties on, Grumpy. I’m coming out now,” I said and cracked the bathroom door open. I didn’t see anyone but could hear voices and music coming from the main area of the bar. I poked my head out next and found the hall empty. I stepped out of the bathroom and dashed for the back exit.
Just as I was about to shove open the door someone shouted out, “Hey!” I refused to stop and shoved the exit door hard, making it swing open wide. With my gun clutched in my hand in front of me, I stepped into the dark back parking lot. A couple of Aryans were standing just outside smoking. My appearance took them by surprise, and I saw that as an opportunity. I lifted my gun and pulled the trigger.
I had the silencer on, but it wasn’t exactly quiet. Especially since they yelled out when they saw my gun. I hit one of them in the chest. The other ducked and I missed him. He went to pull out his own gun, but the rapid sound ofPop! Pop! Pop! Pop!cameand the Aryan’s chest exploded with holes. I looked out into the parking lot, finding Asher and Rourke standing outside the van with their rifles aimed at the dead Aryan.
“Get your ass moving!” Dean yelled into my ear.
I ran, weaving through the cars while Rourke and Asher covered me. I made it to the van when Asher and Rourke started firing again, walking backward as they did. Dean grabbed me and pulled me inside. He shoved me on the floor and covered me with his body.
Rourke climbed into the van next, then covered for Asher to climb in last. Owen, who was seated in the driver’s seat, shifted the van into drive and floored it. Asher and Rourke didn’t stop firing until we were out of the back parking lot and driving down the road. Once the van’s side door was slammed closed, Dean got off me and ripped open my leather jacket.
“Where are you hurt?” he demanded, while he frantically lifted my shirt looking for any sign of a wound.
His fingers tickled my side when he tried to roll me over and I giggled. “Stop! It’s not my blood!”
Dean froze his search. Once my words seemed to register, he let go of me and he sat back on his haunches. His shoulders slumped. “You look like you showered in blood.”
I pulled my bloody shirt down and sat up. The rest of the van was quiet as they took me in.
“Care to share what the fuck happened in there?” Rourke snapped.
“In a second,” I said and dug around in my purse for Dustin’s phone. After I found it, I went through the contact list for Buck’s number. I hit call and put the phone to my ear.
It rang three times before he answered. “Who the fuck is this?” Buck sounded mad.
“I assume you found Dustin’s body in the bathroom,” I said calmly.
“Again, who the fuck are you?”
“You seem to be under the assumption that I answer to you, Mr. Werner.”
“You stupid cunt. When I find out who you are, we’re gonna find you and I’m gonna enjoy gutting you.”
“I’ll save you the trouble,” I said. “You see, Mr. Werner, your little gang is in my territory and you’ve started a war with my family. You’ve killed three of mine. So I killed three of yours. You also stole from us, which means we’re not done with you yet. The last name is Quinn in case you haven’t figured it out. Until next time, Mr. Werner.” I hung up on him and tossed the phone to Vincent. He quickly ripped off the back and removed the battery.
“You going to tell us why you look like that girl from the movie Carrie?” Rourke asked.
For the rest of the drive home, I explained everything that had happened in the bathroom.
CHAPTER 11
“Are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere?” Dean asked after I was done telling the guys everything. I may have skipped over how rough Dustin had been when he'd touched me. They didn’t need to know that. I’d talk to Jamie about it after he was done being mad, because there was no doubt that he was going to be pissed after he found out that I had kissed Dustin and let him touch me. My darkness had relinquished its hold and now it felt like I was re-feeling everything, only heightened, as I thought back on all that had happened. Like the panic Dustin had conjured with his bruising grip when he had touched me intimately. My breasts were extremely sore. Every pulse of pain made me feel sick to my stomach. It sucked, but it was proof that I was stronger. A year ago, being touched like that would have been debilitating.
“Maura?” Dean said, pulling me from my thoughts.
“I’m fine,” I said firmly. “Just a few bumps and bruises.”