Page 116 of Dizzy

Dizzy sprints for me, bulldozing men out of his way. Heavy, Charge, and Wall are behind him.

“Wait there. I’m comin’!” he shouts, pointing at me, and by some miracle, I hear.

A drug-addled dude stumbles into his path. Dizzy picks him up with his one free hand, pitching him out of the way like a ragdoll. Right into one of the bikers trying to ride out.

The man’s bike wobbles. Topples. The druggie scampers off.

The rider roars, untangling himself from the machine and bolting for Dizzy. The guy is not that tall, but he’s wide, solid, and really fuckin’ pissed. His rocker readsLos Insurrectos.

All his brothers lower their kickstands, and now it’s a melee.

Wall plows through dudes like a mad bull. Heavy’s knocking men over with single blows. And Dizzy’s a rabid dog, ripping and tearing through anyone in his path, heading straight toward me, eyes burning, his gaze never wavering, not for a second.

I’m so struck that I don’t notice Dober.

Not until his fingers dig into my upper arm and the cold tip of my knife dents the tender skin under my chin.

“Don’t move.” His breath is hot on my ear.

It’s like someone hit pause.

Everyone around the campfire freezes mid-motion. Around us, it’s pandemonium, but within this circle, time has stopped. From the corner of my eye, I see Nickel and Bullet creeping closer.

Steel Bones are behind us. Dizzy and the others are facing us, guns raised.

All the other Raiders are gone. Dober’s alone.

Fear grips my chest and squeezes. He’s trapped. Desperate. I’m fucked.

“Back up!” He raises his elbow until the knife is perpendicular to my jugular. I shallow my breaths, stay as still as I possibly can, but I’m shaking.

Heavy is the first to drop his weapon. He takes a small step forward and lays it carefully on the ground. The knife pricks my skin.

Heavy freezes, squatting, holding up his palms. “I see we’re at an impasse.”

“What the fuck is that?” Dober spits.

“A stalemate.”

“Speak English, motherfucker.”

“Let her go,” Dizzy orders. I’ve never heard him sound like this. His voice is a rumble, as deep and resonant as Heavy’s. Everyone’s gaze flies to him. Among all these armed outlaws, it’s crystal clear. In this moment, he’s the most dangerous. “Let her go now, and you live.”

“You ain’t gonna let me walk out of here.” Dober’s losing it. The knife is nicking me, and I don’t think he means it to, but a trickle of warm blood drips down my neck. Dizzy’s sees. His jaw tics every time the knife touches me, and he readjusts his grip on his shotgun.

“You can ride out of here. You have my word,” Heavy says. “But if you don’t lower that knife, my brother here is going to blow your brains out. You have my word on that, too.”

“As soon as I let her go, you’re gonna shoot me.”

“In front of all these witnesses?” Heavy scoffs. “That would be crazy.”

Dober snorts.

Dizzy clears his throat, and when he has Dober’s attention, he slowly squats next to Heavy, lowering his shotgun to the ground.

“See? Everything’s cool. It’s gonna be fine.” He smiles gently. It’s meant for me. “Don’t move,” he says, low and calm. “I love you. I’ve never felt this way before in my life. You’re it for me.”

A strangled sob escapes my lips. “Now?”

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