Page 167 of Hate Me

Groaning, I went to get up, only for a searing pain to tear through my left side.

My hands were shaking as I reached down to the site and I lifted the side of my jacket to see a jagged piece of glass protruding from my flesh.

Fuck. This was bad.

I tried again, but I couldn’t get up, a scream tearing from my throat from the effort.

But I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t give in.

Bastian needed me.

I couldn’t leave him out there against them alone.

Digging my nails into the rough floor, I dragged myself along, inch by excruciating inch until I reached the door and was able to see outside.

My breath caught in my throat when I saw Bastian being beaten down.

My vision was partially blocked as four guys strode toward the store, coming for me.

And then a ear-piercing squealing sounded.

A moment later, I was just able to make out that Jaguar from earlier ripping into the area.

“Go! Take him!” I heard the attackers yelling about Bastian.

“Fucking get her! Now!” another called out, which had the guys coming toward me speeding up.

They came in through the shattered glass window, shadows looming over me, coming closer and closer.

And there wasn’t a thing I could do about it.

I couldn’t help Bastian either.

“Bastian!” I choked out. “No!”

“Seb!”

I stilled at the sound of that familiar voice.

Damien?

I heard a commotion, guys screaming, and then Bastian roared out, “No! Save her!”

“Seb—”

“Please, brother!”

I heard Damien cursing.

And then the guys were on me, dragging me out through the window and really antagonizing my injury as they forced me along. I could feel blood dripping down my side, over my shirt and pants, and I caught sight of it soaking the ground too.

A roar sounded, and in moments they were ripped from me.

I hit the ground again, and craned my neck through now rapidly blurring vision as the blood loss started to take me down, to see Damien tearing into them really fucking brutally.

As soon as he’d put them down, I saw him rush toward Bastian.

But it was too late.

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