Page 107 of Kings Against the World

He slides a tall glass of pale brown liquid across the counter at me, complete with straw and lemon.

Before I can respond, Ozzie strides back from the bathroom, rubbing his hands together.

“What are you two talking about?”

The heat in my face intensifies, and I look down, suddenly very interested in my drink. “Nothing. Just getting to know each other.”

Mick only smirks, winking at me. “She’s right. Just a little chitchat with this fine young woman you’ve brought to our establishment.”

Ozzie looks caught between curiosity and amusement as he slides onto the stool next to mine.

“Let me find out you two are already plotting against me?—”

His voice is drowned out by the sudden eruption of gunfire. Bullets fill the air, shattering the windows and bottles behind the bar.

The club is under attack.

29

OZZIE

I watchas the first shot shatters the front window. The glass explodes into the air in sharp, jagged shapes that scatter the floor. The same happens to the liquor bottles behind the bar counter. They erupt and make it rain broken pieces of glass.

Mick’s thick brows scrunch together and his eyes bulge as he screams out in shock.

“EVERYBODY TAKE COVER!”

He and the others dive behind whatever they can. My gaze snaps to where Zoe’s at my side and my arm instinctively stretches out to grab her, but she’s already a half second ahead. She jumps down from the barstool, landing in a one-kneed crouch.

I throw myself off the barstool to follow her on the way down. I want to shield her, push her further back. My natural instinct is to get her out of the way.

But it’s not what Zoe needs.

I just have a hard time accepting it.

The rest of the club is out. The Road Rebels played us. They lured most of club away only to stage an attack once they weregone. It’s left up to me and guys like Mudd and Flanagan to defend our clubhouse.

“Zoe,” I shout over the chaos. I press my back against the bar as more shots rip through the air. “Go with Mick. Get to the stock room and stay there ’til it’s safe. Zoe!”

She can’t hear me. Her gaze is trained on the front door. Bullets punch holes through the wood, splintering it in halves. There’s a spark in her eyes—a lit fire from within that changes the hazel shade of them. It’s the look of a woman on a mission.

“Zoe!” I snap. “Are you listening? Get the hell behind the counter. Go with Mick!”

She does the opposite. She takes off in a crouched run toward the armory door. Darting out from behind the bar counter, she flits between the tables. Never once does she hesitate, even when she’s in open view.

She’sactuallycrazy. Actually so damn fearless she’s risking it all just to make it to the armory.

AndI’mthe fool rushing after her.

“Damn it!” I hiss, pushing off the bar and chasing after her. More bullets ricochet off metal and wood, kicking up splinters and dust as we dodge and weave through the chaos.

Zoe bolts into the armory, and by the time I make it inside, she’s already got her hands on a semi-automatic rifle.

“What the hell was that?” I growl, stepping toward her. “I don’t want you in this. The deal was you help with the armory. Not defend the club. Me and the others got it?—”

She spins toward the door, slinging the rifle strap over her shoulder as she cuts me off.

“Now isnotthe time to be a knight in shining armor, Oz. Get in the fight!”

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