Page 4 of Festive

Wraith and Neon dive in, moving like they’ve done this a hundred times before. In one swift motion, they grab the guy, yanking him off her with a force that sends him stumbling back. He’s no match for them. I reach for her the second she’s free, pulling her off the car and into my arms. She crashes against me, her whole body trembling, and her arms wrap around me like I’m the last solid thing in her world. Tears streak down her face, smearing her mascara, black trails running along her cheeks. She’s a mess—her hair disheveled, breath coming in sharp, panicked bursts—but it’s her eyes that get me.Fear. Pure and raw. It’s like she’s been trapped in this moment long before we ever showed up.

My voice softens, steady, even though my pulse is racing. “Don’t worry, ma’am. We won’t let him hurt you.”

She clings to me, her grip almost desperate, fingers digging into the back of my club cut. I feel her heart hammering against me, her shaky breath warm on my chest. She’s holding on like I’m her lifeline, and I let her, even as the pressure tightens a bit too much. Her fear is palpable, cutting through the adrenaline still pumping in my veins, and I can’t help but wonder how long she’s been dealing with this.

Behind me, Wraith and Neon have the guy pinned, but not for long. He shrugs out of their hold with a sharp huff, shaking them off like he’s more annoyed than anything. His face is twisted with frustration, but it’s clear he knows he’s outnumbered.

“Fuck this shit,” he spits, his voice dripping with contempt. “You’re not worth the headfuck, Amber.” He turns on his heel and stomps away, not even sparing her a second glance. Just like that, he’s gone, leaving her standing there, shattered and holding onto strangers because he couldn’t be bothered to care.

Letting out a long, steady breath, I glance down at her, still clinging to me, her sobs quieting into shaky breaths. “It’s okay,” I murmur, hoping my voice can calm the storm inside her. But I can feel the weight of it—whatever he has done or put her through, it’s heavy.

I glance at this woman in my arms while she pants for breath. “Are you okay?”

Amber blinks rapidly and sniffles. “I… I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come and saved me. Bradley is crazy. I wasterrified.”

So the asshole has a name?

“Bradley… he an ex?” I question.

Amber nods. “Yeah, we rented a house together, but we broke up, and he kicked me out. I had to leave my dog behind, and now I am out on the streets. The problem is he keeps finding me and then threatening me. Please, if you have it in your hearts to help me, I couldreallyuse somewhere to stay. I’m not past begging.I’m desperate. Bradley scares me to death, and honestly, I just don’t know what to do anymore.”

I edge Amber toward Neon and step to the side with Wraith for consultation. “What do you think, VP?”

Wraith’s gaze shifts, catching something out of the corner of his eye. He straightens, his brow furrowing as he glances over at Bradley, who’s perched casually on the hood of his car. At first glance, Bradley looks relaxed—too relaxed for the chaos that’s just unfolded. His arms are crossed loosely over his chest, and one boot is propped up on the bumper, but it’s the way his eyes glint that sets Wraith on edge. There’s something cold and calculating in his stare, like he’s watching a scene in a movie rather than a real person’s life unraveling in front of him.

Bradley isn’t just observing. The bastard is enjoying this. The corners of his mouth twitch like he’s fighting back a smirk, as if the drama unfolding before him is some kind of sick entertainment. He doesn’t flinch at the violence, doesn’t even look concerned. Instead, his gaze flicks between Wraith, the girl, and the rest of Defiance, like he’s sizing us all up, deciding whether or not he wants to get involved—or if he’d rather sit back and watch the show.

Wraith narrows his eyes, his instincts buzzing. “There’s something off about the way he’s lingering, too detached, too entertained. Like he’s waiting for something else to happen, and that glint in his eye... it’s as if he’s silently daring us to make a move, to see how far he can push this. I think the asshole’s waiting for us to leave so he can come back and finish the job. If Amber wants our help, we should offer it. If she’s got nowhere to go, she might be able to lend the club girls a hand. Maybe doing general shit around the club to pull her weight?”

Glancing over my shoulder at Amber, I see it. She’s pretty. She could be helpful as a club girl, and if it gets her out of the situation she is currently in with this asshole, then it’s got to be abetter option, right?

“Agreed… let’s talk to her.”

We step back to Amber and Neon. The poor girl looks shaken, but her eyes fall on me instantly as I approach. “Amber… we want to lend you our protection. But to do that, we need you to come back to the clubhouse so we can keep an eye on you. We’ll give you a roof over your head, but you’ll need to work for us in return.”

She narrows her eyes on me. “What kind of work?”

“You’ll cook, clean… and do any odd jobs we need around the clubhouse.”

“So I will live at the clubhouse, working for you guys, and that’s all it takes for your protection?”

“That, and Neon will have to run a full background check.”

She glances over at Bradley and nods. “Yes, if it will keep me away fromhim, I’ll do it. I will do anything. Sign me up.”

Shifting my gaze to Wraith, I shrug and nod. I don’t know what Rebel is going to think about us taking on a new member in our perfectly functioning family, but we will have to wait and see. It’s against my better judgment to invite someone we know nothing about, but this is an extenuating circumstance. The woman clearly needs our help, so I extend the invite. “Jump in your car and follow us back to the clubhouse.”

Amber’s eyes glisten with happiness as she stares at me. “Thank you! You’ve honestly just saved my life.” She races forward, taking me into a tight-as-fuck embrace, my eyes widening with the force as I reluctantly push her back. The guys are grimacing as I slowly pull Amber away from my body.

“Don’t thank me yet. You have to meet the old ladies when we return,” I tease.

Her face plummets as she swallows heavily, the other guys laughing at my quip. “Why… are they mean?” she asks.

I smirk, shaking my head. “Not at all, just protective. C’mon,let’s head back.”

She sheepishly nods, turning for her car as I signal the guys to return to our rides.

Looks like things are about to change at Houston Defiance MC.

---