Page 454 of The Tempted

Give me something.

Tell me it’s not too late.

She took another step away from the car, tucking her hair behind her ears and then smiled back at me.

I love you, Kitten.

Gonna show you just how much.

It’s me and you against all this shit.

You just need to give me one last chance.

“Park the truck over here,” Pipe hollered to the driver. “Over here!” He demanded. “What the fuck, are you assholes deaf? Park the fucking truck over here,” he shouted

Life was too short to live it running scared. It was too fucking precious to live in the shadows of a threat. I gave Wu too much power over me. It was time to own my love, my heart and take back what was mine. I’d hang on tight and never let anyone take my family from me.

My family.

Wow.

“Shit! Get down,” Pipe shouted.

Lauren’s eyes widened and I followed them to where Pipe was shouting, waving his hands and shaking his head.

Everything went silent.

I didn’t hear the shouting.

I didn’t hear the gunfire.

I watched as the back of the truck lifted open and the Red Dragons appeared firing machine guns. The guns they took from us. They shot at us with our own fucking guns. I reached for my gun as the rest of the Knights appeared from the clubhouse and we started shooting back.

“Lauren, get down!” I screamed over my shoulder.

“Riggs!” She shrieked.

“Get down,” I yelled, as I ran backward, shooting my way toward her.

“Get your girl,” ordered Jack, coming up beside me and firing his AK-47 at the targets I was aiming for.

I turned around to where Lauren was but I didn’t see her. I frantically searched the lot and saw her running toward the clubhouse.

“No!” I screamed, the shrill sound of my cries vibrating through my ears as I watched the bullet fly through the air, headed straight for her.

I started running, my eyes widening, my heart dropping as the bullet struck her.

“NO! NO! NO!” I screamed. “Lauren!”

She turned, her eyes widening as she lifted her hand to her chest and stared at the crimson that painted her fingertips. I shook my head, tears falling down my face as Bones jumped in front of her, as two more bullets flew in her direction.

I skidded to a stop on the asphalt just as the two bullets pierced my best friend. I watched as his gun dropped out of his hand and his body lurched back from the impact of the bullets. His eyes met mine before he dropped to the ground beside Kitten.

My gun fell to the ground as my whole world crumbled before my very eyes.

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