Page 50 of Unmasked Legacy

It’s a beautiful day out, so I decide to walk to the compound, needing the fresh air. I stick to the side of the road, so I’m not at risk with passing cars, and slowly make my way in the club’s direction. Distracted in a world of my own, I don’t hear the car slowing down behind me. In fact, I don’t even notice the car until I’m slammed from behind.

It isn’t going at a rapid speed, but it’s still a car and the force is enough to send me launching a few yards ahead, stumbling to the ground, my hands going out in front of me in a futile attempt to protect my body from the impact. I hit the dirt all the same, and pain shoots through my body as I roll to my side, toppling off the road and down the small ledge on the side.

“Get the fuck out, kidnapper.”

The voice comes from a man, and the car skids away quickly, shooting gravel and dust over me.

I lay on the ground, gasping for breath, the wind knocked right out of me as I process what just happened.

They hit me with their car.

Tears burst forth and roll down my cheeks as I struggle to push myself back into a standing position. Turning my hands over, I see they’re bloody from the impact and my knees are torn up, too. It’s not bad, but it hurts like hell and more than that, the shock running through me is crippling.

Letting the tears flow, I continue walking toward the club, not bothering to wipe my face.

I’m nearly at the edge of my rope, and I’m not sure how much more I can take.

Reaching the compound, I walk past the bikers lingering around the front gate smoking. I don’t bother to make eye contact, they know who I am. That doesn’t mean I don’t notice their lingering stares as I walk past them, blood running down my legs because of the cuts on my knees.

My hands burn, and I’m fighting to keep it together.

I’m just approaching the warehouse when Wolfe steps out with Esme close behind him. Great, this is the last damn thing I need. The moment his eyes fix on me, he growls, “Where the fuck have you been?”

Then his words fade off when he really takes me in.

“What the hell happened to you?”

“I’m not in the mood for you today, Wolfe. I’m just here to get my things and then I’m leaving.”

I try to step past him, but he takes my arm, hauling me back.

“What the fuck happened?” he demands.

“Someone hit me with their fucking car,” I bark, my voice shaking. “Does that make you happy? I’m sure you’re thrilled to know the people in this town want me out as much as you do. Now, if you don’t fucking mind, I want to get my things and get the fuck away fromyou.”

His eyes flash, and Esme has the audacity to fucking grin.

“Keep that grin and I’ll wipe it clean off your fucking face, Esmerelda,” I snarl, my voice a low hiss.

Her head jerks back, and her eyes darken. “What did you fucking say to me?”

“I didn’t stutter.”

She takes a step toward me, but Wolfe puts his arm across her chest to stop her. “Enough,” he warns.

“That’s right, listen to your biker. At least we can both agree on one thing. Wolfe is an exceptional fuck. I just wish youdidn’t interrupt so I could have at least finished,” I throw at her, turning.

“Oh,hell no,” she yells, then she shoves Wolfe’s hand away and lunges at me, slamming into my back.

I fall face first onto the ground. I deserve it, I know, but that doesn’t stop me from fighting back. Cursing, my knees screaming in pain, I toss my body up as hard as I can, throwing Esme off. Then, I roll and slam into her, pinning her to the ground. Before a single punch can be thrown, bikers are running over, pulling us apart. I see it’s Kael that has me, and there is no breaking the death grip he has.

Wolfe hauls Esme off the ground, but that hasn’t stopped her mouth from running. She is still screaming curses at me.

“Fuck you,” I spit.

“At least he wants me here,” she screams, squirming. “You were just a bit of fun; it was me that he came after.”

That stings.

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