Page 93 of Pulse

Wow, after only a few weeks of dating a biker, she’d crossed to the dark side.

“Of course, it’s nice. We’re a fantastic time.” Liv climbed off the bike, then took her helmet off before laying a long, passionate kiss on Spec. Guess she was through icing him out.

“Where’s Lug?” she asked of the prospect who’d been on guard duty earlier. Talia didn’t step any closer to Spec. Liv could come to her. Maybe down the road, she’d be comfortable around the man, but the memory of his gun against her temple was too fresh to be relaxed with him in her personal space.

“Sent him home.” Spec grinned. “I’ll tail you ladies to the bar and hang while you get sloshed. I imagine Pulse is hearing about it right now and will be here to rip me a new one before we get the chance to ride out of the lot.”

Frowning, she glanced at the quiet road leading from the office.

No Pulse yet.

“I thought you wanted nothing to do with us.” She folded her arms across her chest as Liv sashayed her way. It was the only accurate word to describe the woman’s confident, sophisticated gait.

“I don’t.”

“Spec.” Liv huffed.

He shrugged. “It’s true. But Livy wants to go out, and she wants you there, which means I go too.”

Rolling her eyes, Liv slipped her arm through Talia’s. “He’s a little cavemanish when it comes to my safety. Come on. Let’s go meet the others.”

“Am I dressed okay?” Talia asked as she looked down at her black pencil skirt and cream silk camisole. She could lose the cardigan for a bit of a more casual look, but the outfit screamed attorney.

“Yes, of course. You always look fantastic.” Liv waved her concern away as though the woman didn’t resemble a damn supermodel in her leather miniskirt and hot pink crop top. Talia wanted to hate her, but Liv made it damn impossible.

“All right. Let’s do it. That’s me down there,” she said, pointing to her car at the far end of the lot. She always parked under the streetlamp at the end so clients could take the spots closer to the building.

“I’ll be right behind you,” Spec called. “Don’t try to lose me.”

Talia rolled her eyes. “I’m not an idiot,” she mumbled.

“C’mon.” Liv, the peacemaker, glared what seemed like a warning look at her old man before tugging Talia down the sidewalk toward her car. “Brooke texted and said they got a table. We picked a place close to here. It’s only about a five-minute drive,” she said as they reached Talia’s vehicle.

“Perf—”

A sharp staccato cut through the night air.

“What the hell?” Liv started to turn just as a pain-filled grunt left her man. “Spec!” she screamed. “Oh my God,” she shrieked, instantly hysterical. “Talia, he’s been shot!”

Talia watched in horror as Spec crumbled to the ground next to his motorcycle. The bike provided the only protection from a continued barrage of bullets.

“Get down,” he screamed.

The command jolted her into action.

Liv lunged forward toward Spec, who continued to scream at them to get down. Bullets bounced off Talia’s car with an eerie metallic plink.

“No, Liv,” she shouted to the woman trying to dash across the parking lot toward her man. “They’re still shooting. We need to get behind the car.” Talia grabbed her friend and tried to pull her to safety.

Liv fought her. “I have to get to him.”

“Liv, we’re sitting ducks.”

A bullet whizzed by so close she felt the rush against her ear.

“Talia. I need to get to him.”

Fuck.

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