Page 40 of Laying it Bare Biker Style - Grayson

One of the bullets hit its target and after he shot me a bewildered look, he crumpled to the ground.

Setting the weapon beside me, I loosely wrapped my arms around myself and curled into a lax ball. I was so tired.

Commotion sounded from outside the storage room he had me locked in. Of course his buddies would have heard the gunshots and would come to investigate. I didn’t have the strength to fights off any more attacks. But I knew I’d have to do something so I closed my eyes briefly to help scrounge up some energy.

When the door burst open, I could barely peel my eyes open to slits.

“Fuck, look at the bloodshed in here.”

Was that Grayson’s shocked voice or was I dreaming? Please tell me I’m not dreaming and they found me.

When he moved closer, my blurry eyes recognized my rescuer.

He knelt down beside me and ran a hand gently along my head, my shoulder, my arms, and down my hips to my legs. “Fuck, Princess. You didn’t leave us anything to rip apart.” Over his shoulder – but not taking his eyes from me – he added, “We need an ambulance and the coroner; in that order. No serious bleeding, but she has a lot of bruising.”

“I don’t like violence.” My fuzzy gaze locked on his concerned one. I had been fighting for my life, but that didn’t mean I liked the carnage I had left behind.

“This wasn’t violence, Princess. This was fucking self-defense. You were in fear for your life so you used deadly force to protect yourself. Nothing wrong with that. Hang in there. Help is coming.”

I closed my eyes again. I was finally safe and still so incredibly tired.

“Don’t close your eyes, Baby. Stay with us.” He clasped my hand in both of his. His warm grip felt wonderful against my chilled fingers.

“It hurts to breathe, keep my eyes open, everything. Tell my daddy you found me. He has to be so worried.” Scrounging up a tiny swell of energy, my words puffed out barely above a whisper.

“He’s here with me.”

I peeked my eyes open again.

My dad’s panicked face came into blurry view.

“Keep talking to Grayson, Brooke. Help is coming.”

Noise across the way drew my dad’s attention. “Get her on that fucking stretcher now and into the ambulance!”

“Thank you for rescuing me, Grayson.” I just hoped it would be enough. It was borderline impossible for me to keep myself conscious. Exhaustion and pain consumed me.

“You didn’t need rescued, Princess. You just needed someone to help get you out of here. You took care of that bastard all by yourself.” His words were drenched with pride.

My eyes slipped shut again. “Don’t leave me, Grayson.”

“I won’t ever. But you need to stick with me too, Baby. Open your eyes, Brooke.” Panic rose in his voice.

My body was lifted onto something pillowy, but the sheet lacked that extra softness you adored while in bed. God, how I craved Grayson’s bed or even mine. But at least this felt a hell of a lot better than the cold cement I had become well acquainted with during my captivity. Grayson took my hand in his again. As I was rolled out of the room, I worked to force my eyes open. But it required too much effort and with Grayson at my side, I was under his protection so I could just rest.

“You’ll have a police escort the entire way there. Drive like a wave of lava is on your ass.” My dad’s angry voice demanded.

His livid words were the last thing I heard as silence engulfed me.

Sometime later – I wasn’t sure if it was hours or days – low murmurs and the sound of something beeping pulled me from my drowse, but I didn’t have the energy to hold onto it for long and drifted off again.

The next time I was drawn from my nothingness, my brain picked up on male voices talking quietly. I smiled to myself since I recognized them. I was safe and had a pretty good idea where I was, but I needed to be sure. After several attempts, I managed to pry open my eyes, blinking many times before the room came into focus. I slowly trailed my gaze down the many wires attached to my body. Ah, that explained the steady beep. I tried to swallow, but it was like I had consumed a pound of sand and the taste wasn’t any better. I must have made a sound of disgust because Grayson and my dad turned at the noise. Relief and absolute joy radiated from their faces as the concerned press of their lips pulled up into huge smiles.

“Oh thank fuck.” Grayson was the first to reach my bed.

With my dad positioning himself on the other side.

Grayson leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Oh Princess. We’ve been waiting for you to open your eyes. How do you feel? Can I get you anything?”

---