Page 15 of Her Nosey Biker (Savage Kings MC #10)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

GRACE

I ’m smiling and humming again as I brush my hair out in front of the bathroom mirror, thinking of the homemade dinner I have planned for Jarron.

I’m going all out, lit candles and all. He’s made every moment I’ve spent with him feel like a core memory, the best memories.

I’m hoping to add just one to his collection.

My hands are still wet from the shower, and my brush slips from my hand, falling into the sink with a loud bang.

I wince but stoop and pick it up. As my eyes return to the mirror, I see two dark, unfamiliar eyes staring back at me.

I scream, but it's muffled by the man's hand as he quickly places his hand over my mouth. I fight with everything in me. I fight. I scream behind his hand, but it does nothing. My kicking, scratching, and punching do absolutely nothing either. He’s so strong, and as I meet his eyes in the mirror, I notice he’s not even struggling.

I’m putting up the fight of my life, and he’s not even breaking a sweat.

It’s as if I’m a tiny kitten fighting a big ass polar bear.

What’s even more surprising is that when I meet his eyes, I don’t see a hint of evil or anger. I’m startled to see… is that sadness?

I’m so startled that I’m momentarily paralyzed.

I stop fighting for only a moment, but that moment gives him the time he needs.

Not noticing the big bay window is wide open, he simply steps out, me in tow.

Oh my lanta, what the heck? I always thought I would be impossible to kidnap without at least two feral men.

It turns out that all it takes is what looks like a wounded bird, and here I am, compliant.

Once again, I repeat my efforts to break his hold.

Again, though, my struggling is for nothing.

With each step we take further from the cabin, further from the first and only home I’ve ever known, my heart cracks more and more.

When we reach the edge of the woods, tears are flowing freely down my face.

Then it dawns on me. I’m making it way too easy on this turd.

Drawing my eyebrows down in determination, I lift my foot high with my next step, then bring it down hard on his toe.

“Ha, take that,” I say, muffled behind his hand. Until the feeling in my foot returns and it starts to sting… badly. I’m guessing those were steel-toe boots, and I’m still barefoot, not even given the chance for slippers.

“Would you chill the hell out?” he says in such a calm and was that… offended manner?

“Excuse me? You just kidnapped me, dragged me out of my home kicking and screaming, and now you are telling me to calm down?” I feel my eye twitching.

“Saved you,” he says simply.

“Saved me? What the heck do you mean, saved…” Before I can finish my sentence, bright lights flare up and take over the night sky as fire erupts around the house.

“NO!” I yell out and run toward the flames, but again an arm comes around me. And that darned hand.

“Again with the screaming,” he sighs, and I swear I can feel his eyes roll.

Is this guy serious right now? He’s acting like this is some typical day at the dang office or something.

“Listen, if I take my hand off again, you’ve got to promise you won't scream. Fuck, I would have bet my rank Goins would have picked a girl with some semblance of stealth.”

He mutters that last part, and I narrow my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest and murmuring some not-so-nice things about the guy.

I’m the perfect and only woman for Jarron Goins, dammit.

Then I realize he didn't use his club name or his first name.

This has to be a military brother, and there's only one that I can remember being alive.

As his hand leaves my mouth and he slowly releases me, I take a slow step back and turn to look at him.

“Drake?” I ask hesitantly. From what little I know about this guy, he’s not the biggest fan of Jarron. Actually, the word I remember hearing was ‘dangerous.’

“Don't worry. I’m not here to hurt you, Squeaky. If I had wanted you dead, I could have done it before you caught me in the mirror,” he says, shrugging and then turning back toward the house, completely at ease with that entire statement.

“You can't just say that to people… wait, did you call me squeaky?” I ask, the nickname finally registering.

“Yeah, you have a squeaky voice about you. Might try toning it down. Actually, turning it off would be nice.”

“Why are you so rude?” My voice rises, and again I hear the sigh, then I actually catch the eye roll as he turns to me.

“Cause you are going to give away our position, squeaky,” he says, pointing to the house, and then I notice the two figures standing in front.

We hide in the dark shadows of the trees, but we have a clear view of what is happening.

There, standing in front of the house, is Jarron, the man I love, looking tortured as he gazes toward the house.

The man holding the gun pointed at Finick.

“Oh, hell no! No one points a gun at my baby.” I don't even think; on silent, bare feet, I take off.

Years of being silent, invisible, and hidden from prying eyes come in handy as I slip toward the house.

Turning slightly to look back and see if Drake will try to stop me.

This time, I’m going for the balls, no mercy, but he is nowhere to be seen.

Screw that, though; both my loves are in danger, and nothing is going to stop me from at least trying to help.

I get close to the house, grabbing a large brick as I pass, trying to stay as hidden as possible and away from the fire.

I can barely comprehend the fact that everything we love, everything Jarron has worked so hard to build, is crumbling to the ground as we speak. Instead, I focus on my mission.

I make my way closer, one slow step at a time.

I hear the man-baby bitching about one thing or another, a payday gone wrong or something.

His life didn't turn out like he wanted, blah blah blah.

That's freaking life! No one's life turns out as they planned, and how boring would that be if it did?

Who wants to plan out their future so young, while you're still learning, while there's still time to grow?

When people focus on the bad, the good gets lost, overshadowed by what could have been.

Another step closer; this time, I’m four big steps away, and it's close enough to get the attention of my girl. Her soft, too-intelligent eyes flick to me with so much love, so much trust that it almost breaks my heart. If that gun goes off, we’ll lose her forever.

I won't let that happen. Raising the brick high above my head, I ready myself to take the last few steps and slam down, but Finick’s flick of acknowledgement must give me away because with lightning-fast speed, the figure turns, and the weapon is aimed at my chest.

“Oops,” I let slip as a roar came from Jarron at the sudden shift.

“GRACE” is screamed into the night, but it's like time slows as an evil smile creeps across that sinister face covered in dark shadows. Staring down the face of evil, I see the end coming. I know he’s seconds from pulling the trigger, but at least it should have given Jarron enough time to get away.

Still, it’s a pity I never got to tell him how much I love him.

Just as I close my eyes and accept my fate, a flash of fur comes out of nowhere, plowing right into the arm holding the gun and biting down, hard.

The bastard screams, and I gasp at the sudden vicious sight. Before I can move, another flash comes from the shadows, and Drake tackles him from the side. I can't help but glare down at him as he pushes the guy onto his face, subduing him.

I place my hands on my hips and seethe, “Took you long enough! You couldn't have done that before the gun was pointed at me?”

“A thank you would work just fine, Squeaky,” he says, again sighing. I’m pretty sure that's the only language this guy knows how to speak. Before I can tell him to cut it out with the nickname, I’m being wrapped in familiar, strong, safe arms.

“I thought I'd lost you. I’m so sorry I left you. I should have been here. I should have…”

“Shhh, shh, it’s okay. I’m safe. I’m here,” I tell him as I turn and place my hand on his cheek.

Waiting until our eyes meet, I give him a soft smile, my lips gently touching his.

He exhales so deeply that it's as if he's been holding it in all day.

How long had he been torturing himself, thinking I was burning alive in that house?

“I couldn't get to you. I was trying, I swear.”

“Hey, it's okay, Jarron. I promise. I know you would have made it to me on time. You would have saved me. The big jerk got there first, but I know I would have made it back to you,” I tell him with utter conviction in my voice. I hear Drake murmur behind me, but he stays quiet.

“I’m just so glad you're safe,” Jarron says, burying his face in my neck and taking a deep breath. Behind us, the fire rages on, but I can see flashing lights in the distance and know that soon we will find steady ground. For now, I’m safe, I’m alive, with him.

“I couldn't leave you without telling you,” I say, smiling as I run my fingers through his hair.

“Tell me what?” he asks, lifting his head to look at me.

“I love you. With everything in me, I love you.”

And the fire in his eyes far outshines the one burning around us.