Page 85 of Charger

“Now that! That is why they call me Bullet.”

I’m stunned, looking from the body to Bullet. Damn, he’s a good shot. Thank fucking God.

“Jules, pretty girl.”

My head whips to Zach, who’s already stalking toward me. I unglue my feet from the ground and start running to him. Closer and closer, we lessen the distance between us. When I make it to him, I throw my body into his. It crashes hard and I bury myself in his chest. His strong arms tighten around my back, securing me against the beat of his heart and exactly where I belong. All the fear, the terror, vanishes from my body. His arms are my safety net.

“Jesus, Jules, I’m so sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.” He breaks us apart, tugs his cut off and pulls his t-shirt over his head. “Put this on.”

His shirt comes below my waist, stopping just above my knees and covering my undergarments. It’s warm and smells like him. I wipe the tears from my cheeks and he tugs me back to him.

“Please tell me they didn’t hurt you.” His hand cups the back of my head; his other arm closes around my waist. My cheek is pressing onto his hard, bare chest and I relax into him, closing my eyes and finding comfort in listening to his heartbeat.

“No, they didn’t. You got here just in time.”

I feel his body loosen underneath mine.

“Fuck, man, at least take me out first.” I tilt my head to the opposite side, enough to see Venom being manhandled by Tank. He’s shoving him toward one of the cars.

“Come on, pretty girl, we have to get out of here. The guys will take care of all of this.” He dips down, securing an arm under my knees. He picks me up in an effortless swoop. I lock my wrists around his neck while he carries me off.

“Hey, son, we got this. Get your girl home. One of the guys will drive your bike back.” Chain tells Zach.

“I’ll drive you both.” Bullet nods our way.

Zach agrees, lowers me to the back seat of the Traverse, then scoots in beside me. He pulls me over so that I’m cradled in his lap. I curl up in his arms until I drift off.

THIRTY-SEVEN

Charger

I glance down at the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She’s strong, powerful, and she’s mine.

She’s lying motionless in my arms. Arms that were supposed to protect her, but couldn’t. I failed. I’ve never been so scared of losing someone, and the thought of her being… For what it’s worth, that’s one thing I am happy about. They didn’t touch her in that way. Thank fucking Christ.

Her small breaths hit my naked chest. I lean down, kissing her forehead, and she stirs at my touch.

“Hey.” Her gorgeous eyes look up at me.

“Hey, pretty girl. We’re almost back home. You slept the whole way.” Her exhausted, saddened eyes make my smile fade. “Jules, I…” Her finger presses to my lips.

“You, Zachary Scott, will always be my everything. And today was not your fault. I can see it in your eyes—that you’re blaming yourself. Don’t you dare. It was going to happen regardless. So, you being in my life just saved me from a miserable, painful future. I love you, Zach. I love you until every star in the sky burns out. I’ve loved you since we were kids.”

“I love you too. With every last fucking breath I take, I will always love you.”

Her eyes, her smile, everything about her turns my world upright. It just makes sense. She makes sense. We make sense. I’ve waited for her for so long, and now I have her in my arms. But what if something like this happens again? Being in my world, the risks are always high. What if I can’t protect her and Chloe? What if something worse were to happen, and I’m not able to save them?

Bullet pulls up to the clubhouse and I open the door, tucking Jules into my chest while scooping her up again. “You know, Zach, I promise you I can walk.” She smirks and I grin back. “Yeah, babe, I know. But I would rather have you in my arms, if that’s okay?”

She shrugs. “I don’t mind.”

I walk inside, carrying her up to my club bedroom. Setting her down, I take out a pair of sweatpants. “Angel called your parents. They’ll bring Chloe back tomorrow when we know shit is safe.”

“I’m sure they were a frantic mess.” Jules hugs her midsection.

“Yeah, I’m probably back on the shit list with your father. At least, I would guess.”

“Zach, I told you it’s not your fault. You got me back.” She steps closer, cupping my face. “This is where I want to be. With you. Us. Chloe, you, and me.” She steps up on the tips of her feet and touches her lips to mine. I groan as she teases me with her tongue, the sensation shooting straight down to my dick. God, I want her. What kind of sick man wants to fuck his girl after she was kidnapped? “Zach, I want you to make love to me.”

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