Page 88 of Tied to You

She muses, but she doesn’t believe me. I can tell by the way her eyes droop. “I think it would take something pretty huge to make me want to leave the farm.” Our eyes lock, and I know what she’s thinking.

I lean forward, taking her hand in mine. I kiss the back of it, then hold it as I look deep into her thoughts. “I’m not going to hurt you or give you a reason to leave, baby.”

Her chocolate eyes mist over. “Do you promise me?”

“I promise.”

Over her shoulder, I see the van reversing, moving closer to the front of the restaurant. I notice the bright white lights getting closer, wondering when the fuck he’s going to start slowing down.

He doesn’t.

I’m motionless as it mounts the curb outside, narrowly missing my bike, before he’s gaining momentum, the sound of his engine getting louder and louder.

“Mollie, run!” I yank her hand, dragging her from the table, and scoop her into my arms out of the van’s path.

It collides with the glass, shattering it to a million pieces. My ears are ringing. My hands shake. The aftermath of his destruction echoes all around us.

The van door opens with a swing, and I see the look of hatred smothered across the driver’s face through the dust in the air. He’s looking for someone. The awful knot in my gut tells me it’s me. There’s no one else in this building who deserves to be mowed down so callously.

I uncurl my arms cradling Mollie, knowing I don’t have long. “Are you alright?” I whisper. The rubble around my feet shifts as I urge her to sit up.

“I’m fine.” She’s trembling. Her fear evident.

“Mollie, look at me, baby. I need to go see who did this. I want you to go. Get back to the clubhouse as quick as you can.” I guide her to her feet, my eyes quickly checking for any signs of blood. There’s none.

“What?”

The dust is clearing. My eyes look back seeing the driver and another man looking through the crowds.Fuck!“No time for questions. Get them out,” I lift my chin to a family screaming and crying, “then get yourself to the clubhouse. Mollie?” I give her arms a little shake. “Mollie! God damn it are you listening?”

“What are you going to do?”

I’m guiding her to the family, taking her face in my hands. “I need to see who they are. Go. Now!” I don’t give her time to argue with me any further, physically pushing her away.

She looks back, and I nod my head, before turning and seeing the two men.

They see me, both stalking closer.

I hear a door close in the distance, and I know Mollie’s gotten out.

Spotting a baseball bat in the guy to my left’s hand, I internally shudder. That’s going to hurt. Still, I say, “You can’t park there.”

He swings, and I brace myself. The thud cracks the side of my ribs, theblow bowing my body in the middle. I grind my teeth, then the other one swings his boot, catching me on the jaw. I hit the ground, stars dancing wildly. Rolling to my back, that’s the worst thing I could have done. Another blow with the bat to my gut, and my body starts convulsing. I choke. Gag. Retch. The air’s unable to go in my lungs.

“Good job we were passing. Might have missed you otherwise.” I can’t see anyone. I can only hear his Scottish accent. It’s thick. Heavy. “Now where’s my man?”

Who?I try to roll my eyes open, only managing a fraction. “Wakey, wakey.” He slaps the side of my face. “I asked you a fucking question. Nathan’s nephew. Where is he?”

“Who?” I manage to ask, my voice virtually non-existent. I don’t know anyone called Nathan.

“He’s a joker,” the other man says, striking his foot into my already, presumably broken, ribs.

I grimace, not anticipating it. “He was in here with a girl. Go. Find her. She can’t have got far.”

No!

The man who isn’t the Scot, stands to full height.

I reach my hand out, making him stop. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing, but I’m sure as shit not letting them get their hands on Mollie. They’d have to kill me first. “Wait.”