Page 90 of Manacled Hearts

A rumbling growl mixes with the base of the music, and I narrow my eyes at the sound. What a strange song. But then my eyes fall on Madds, and his gaze fixed on the stunning, blonde woman. He watches her with a mix of exasperation, anger, and something that looks a lot like yearning.

Yup, alcohol has certainly affected my perception of reality.

A few minutes later and lots of protest from Lulu, mainly aimed at Madds, and we’re out at the front of the bar. He’s on the phone telling someone, probably Finnigan, that we’re heading home now. I have a gnawing suspicion that he’s the reason why Madds came to find us. No. Find me. Otherwise, how come Finnigan is at my apartment?

We’re in the small parking lot next to the bar, less than twenty feet away from Maddox’s SUV, and it takes me too many seconds to realize what an idiot I am.

Once again, I ignore the ominous prickles marring the back of my neck, I don’t pay attention to my surroundings, to the faint screech of tires as they stop not far behind me, to the car doors opening, or to the steps nearing us.

I don’t pay attention until…

“I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

That voice seeps out of my nightmares, shattering the silence along with my soul, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to pick up the pieces this time around.

“Frankie…”

CHAPTER 20

EVELYN

Against my better judgment, I freeze in place, his voice snaking around my body and holding me pinned. I should run. I have to run. But my mind and body are not in sync, and no matter my internal screams, my legs can’t move. My lungs are blocked with ice and no breath seems to penetrate.

“Evelyn!” Someone’s bellow pushes through the terror and yanks at me. My instincts kick in and I start fighting against the hold, blinded by the memories.

“It’s me, it’s Morri! Run, Evelyn, run!”

I faintly register the words and my vision clears enough to see her flaming locks, and air starts to fill my lungs again, pushing through the frost that stalled it. My feet feel like my own again and I push against the asphalt, letting Morri pull me away. The sound of the world explodes around me, and I hear Maddox’s rage, the violent commotion, grunts of pain and cracking bones.

Maddox!

I falter for a split moment, turning to see if he’s safe, and my nightmares come to life all at once.

“Hello, gorgeous. I like your new hair.” Frankie’s sleazy face is too close to mine, and his bruising grip circles around my middle.

“Nooo!” The scream rips from the bottom of my lungs as I thrash against him.

“That’s it. You know I like it when you fight me.”

His lisp makes the memories too real, and thorned vines wrap around my spine, spreading around every bone of my body on a violent tremble, until they reach my fingertips.

But somewhere through the bone-choking panic, Maddox’s training comes back to me.

“Get the fuck away from me!” I can hardly believe those words left my mouth, but I’m proud of the confidence in them.

Grabbing one of his fingers splayed over my belly, I twist back until the crunch tears a scream out of the man who raped me. I don’t let him dwell on it, whipping my head back until it makes contact. I have no idea what I hit, but the pain in my skull and his curses are enough to tell me my aim was good. His grip falters enough for me to pull out of it, and I swing my elbow back, slamming into his middle, before I whirl and swing my foot at his dick.

I smirk when he doubles over in pain, proud that my actions took him by surprise. I take advantage of the distraction, and uppercut him under his chin while he’s bent over his precious balls, then sidekick him to the chest. He lands against one of his men who staggers on his feet, a limp look in his bloody eye, and they both fall to the ground.

My training is still fresh, my body only starting to become stronger, and without the element of surprise, I don’t think my moves would have worked this well. Though, a kick in the balls will always work.

I don’t dwell. Madds screams at me to get in the car, and I run before he finishes the sentence. Morri shoves me in the back, and we watch as he fights six, crap, no—eight guys. Including Frankie now, who got his bearings and rose. Only, he turns his attention to our car, distracting Madds from the men he’s fighting off. Some go down, but—

“Behind you!” I yell, but he can’t hear me from the car, and I bang my fists against the window, hoping it will work.

Madds catches Frankie in a headlock, and I take momentary pleasure from his bulging eyes, the pressure in his head likely growing. But in this moment of distraction, another guy punches Madds on the side of his head and Lulu’s fear-stricken wail makes me flinch as I suck in a breath.

“I have to help him!” I shout and grab the door handle.

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