Page 72 of Eagle

Checking my mirror, I didn’t see any cars coming down the ramp, so I grabbed my phone, popped the trunk, and got out, walking to the back. The back right tire was practically in shreds. At least I had some money to get it replaced. Lifting the trunk, I found the divot and pulled up, exposing my donut. Pulling it out, I located the jack and wrench tucked underneath. Using my phone, I did a quick refresher of the process to get the jack under the car in the right spot.

“Hey,” Shiv said as she got out and walked to the back. “I can’t just let you sit out here doing this alone. Tell me what to do. I still say I should just call AAA.”

“It’s really fine,” I said as I crouched down to find the spot to place the jack. “Actually, I could use some light.” I couldn’t hold my phone properly and work, so I tucked it back into the safe, aka my bra. My pants were too tight to shove anything in those pockets.

Shiv pulled out her phone and shone the flashlight for me as she crouched down next to me. I grunted and breathed heavily as I cranked the jack then started to work the lug nuts off. “Shit, these are on there good.”

“Need some help, miss?” a deep voice asked from the back of the car.

“I got it, thanks,” I said as I stopped working the lug nuts.

“Oh, that tire is shot. I can give you a lift somewhere,” the man said, still from behind the car. I couldn’t see him since we were off the highway and the light was at least a quarter miledown the ramp.

Dealing with pushy men at strip clubs left me with the knowledge that if I seemed scared, they’d take advantage. Standing up, wrench still in hand, I said, “No thanks. The donut can get me to my man’s. Have a good night, though.”

The man, that I could now see was dressed in all black, moved his hand and my gut twisted. My body shook as I scrambled for an idea. Without taking my eyes off the gun pointed at me, I quietly said, “Run.”

Shiv was still low and she shifted closer to the car. “Lacy, I can’t leave you,” she tried to whisper but I’m pretty sure the man heard.

“Don’t be stupid, ladies.”

I remembered some late night show I was watching, at Tony’s compound of all places, that said never let them take you in their vehicle. Risking being shot was actually less likely to get you killed than going with your attacker. Looking around quickly, I didn’t see a vehicle on the ramp, so he must have parked on the highway. Maybe someone would see me if I made it back to the main road.

My chest heaved as I found the courage to take off. I looked down at Shiv, her eyes wide and glistening. My eyes shot to the side and I hoped she understood. We needed to run in opposite directions. I’d run where it would be closer to grab me than her. We had a silent conversation with our eyes that seemed like a lifetime, but was just seconds. When she finally gave in and nodded, I waited for her to get her footing, then I shouted, “Run!” and we both took off.

But instead of him following me, I glanced in her direction and he was following her. “No!” I yelled and my body turned, watching in horror. “Take me, you asshole!”

Before I could move my feet in their direction, arms wrapped around me from behind. I still had the wrench in my hand so I tried to use it to hit my captor, but with my arms trapped by my sides, I probably didn’t do much damage.

I screamed and kicked, still grasping the wrench in case I got a chance to really swing it. My heart sank and I sobbed as I saw Shiv being carried by the man who first approached the car. Squirming and shouting, I looked toward the highway, thinking surely someone saw all of this happening, but nobody stopped.

Shiv looked lifeless as they came closer. My sobs quieted my screams as grief and shame washed over me. Maybe if I’d just let her call AAA, this wouldn’t have happened. Or better yet, if I hadn’t talked her into coming into my fucked up world, she wouldn’t be here with me for this.

A black SUV pulled from the wrong direction on the highway, down the ramp, and the tires squealed as it stopped near us. It was the one I saw before. They must have pulled off ahead of the ramp when we turned off.

Getting a glimpse of his gun as the man carrying Shiv got closer, it hit me–it wasn’t a blowout; they shot my tire. On my new car.Shit. Every time I think something good is happening, the universe swoops in and fucks it up.

I was shoved into the back of the SUV and immediately turned, banging on the back glass, when Shiv’s body fell next to me. Horrified, I stopped and grabbed her.

“Nobody can see out the back, honey. And if you don’t make trouble, we won’t make trouble,” the man said as he climbed in casually next to Shiv like he didn’t just pluck me off the side of the road.

I stifled another sob, but my chin trembled along with my body as I cradled my friend. Feeling breath on my arm, Ifrantically checked her neck. I wasn’t a nurse or anything, so I wasn’t sure where exactly to press, but I felt around and finally found a pulse.

Relief washed over me. She was alive, at least. But as the SUV took off onto some side roads, I worried how long either of us would be.

My phone buzzed in my bra, and I almost grabbed it, but the inside of the SUV was dark and if I pulled it out, they’d know I had it. I had to wait for the right time before trying to contact Eagle.

Hopefully I got a chance to do that before it was too late.

Chapter 33

Eagle

Work had been a breeze with just a few small pieces for a group of friends. I took a couple and Blaze took a couple. Falcon had a larger piece already and Scar was off. Even with the simple workday, I was uneasy. Not only did I have to spend the evening with myfavoritefucking person, but Lacy texted me that she had some friend coming to town. She had told me once that she didn’t hang with bikers before we saved her, but what kind of name was Shiv? And where had this Shiv person been that is magically showing up now?

Naturally, I immediately told Keys to keep tabs on her. He already had the tracker on her phone, and now on the car, but since I was going to be tied up, I needed eyes on her. I had plenty of questions, but I had to tread lightly. She was coming around; I could feel it. I trusted her, but I didn’t trust any blueblooded mother fucker that wasn’t part of DE around her. Hell, I would even keep a close eye on some of my brothers around her. She was mine. But having spent so much timesurrounded by dudes with names like Shiv, I didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. If I pushed too hard, she’d take it as not trusting her and only distance herself again.

“Hey, man,” Falcon said as I took a seat. I stopped at the clubhouse to grab a few things and a bite to eat before I got stuck with Butch for the rest of the night.

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