Page 46 of The Tempted

Chapter Sixteen

I lowered my gun reaching behind me tucking it safely into the back of my pants. Jimmy Gold stared at me with a grin stretched across his face and amusement shining in his eyes. I didn’t know if he was laughing at the fact that I was pointing a gun at them or the raging hard-on that was straining against my pants for everyone to see. Lucky for me Victor seemed too relieved to see his daughter safe and sound to care much about the erection I was sporting.

Nikki brushed passed me running straight to her father taking him into her arms.

“I’m so glad to see you, sweetheart,” Victor said, closing his eyes as he embraced his daughter. Jack, Bones and the prospect walked inside behind Victor and Jimmy closing the door to the small cabin behind them. The room felt immensely small with the five of them standing there. I looked over at Jimmy and the poor bastard looked haggard leaving me to believe he had a rough twenty-four hours being second in command to Victor.

Victor pulled back keeping Nikki at arm’s length, as he looked her over carefully concern reflected in his tired eyes.

“Are you okay? You weren’t hurt were you?”

“No, I’m fine,” she replied, glancing over her shoulder at me quickly before looking back at him. “We both are.”

He nodded before setting his gaze on me for the first time. I crossed my arms over my chest and returned his stare. He dropped his arms from Nikki shoving one hand into his pocket.

“You did good son,” he said. I bit the inside of my cheek absorbing the four little words that packed a punch pride shining in his eyes as he said them.

“Is everyone else okay? Mom? Adrianna?” Nikki asked, interrupting the silent moment Victor, and I seemed to be sharing.

He looked at her. “They’re fine.”

“Luca?” she whispered.

“Safe and sound,” he said sighing tiredly before sitting down on the couch. The newspaper that Jack had shoved between the cushions brushed against his leg, causing him to lift himself slightly and pull the paper from beneath the cushion. He unfolded the newspaper and stared at the front page momentarily not speaking. After a few moments, he folded the paper and leaned forward, placing it on top of the coffee table.

“I’m going to go wash my face and then I’ll be ready to go,” Nikki said turning on her heel. “I’ll be right back.”

All eyes watched her silently make her way into the tiny bathroom. The water sounded from behind the door and Jimmy turned around to look at Victor as he spoke.

“This should be fun,” he said sarcastically. I turned towards Vic watching him run a hand down his face as he sighed.

“Everything you asked for is in here,” Jack said, placing a manila envelope on the coffee table in front of Victor. “If there’s anything else you need just holler at me.”

Vic looked up at Jack giving him a quick nod. “Thank you for all you did last night,” he pointed to me. “For getting these kids to safety and all your help is always greatly appreciated. Jimmy will take care of you and your brothers,” he stood up and extended his hand towards Jack.

Jack shook his hand. “Anytime brother you know we have your back. Do you want me to stick around or do you and your men have it from here?”

“We’ve got it from here,” Victor said before moving to shake the hands of the other two bikers that stood on either side of their president. “Thanks again fella’s.”

Jack looked over at me. “Take care kid. Try not to freak out so much,” he grinned at me. “Christ, I wish I was a fly on the wall…,” he mumbled before slapping me on the back. Bones laughed beside him and the three men made their way out the front door.

I looked back and forth between Victor and Jimmy not liking their expressions one bit. Jimmy looked at Victor trying to hide his amusement the fuck that he was while Victor looked as if he was nervously contemplating something.

“What the fuck is going on?” I asked dreading the answer.

“Watch your mouth,” Jimmy spat. “We’ve had a rough night and we’re not in the mood for your lip,” he said showing authority for the first time since I had been back in their company.

“You’ve had a rough night? I’m sorry I didn’t know we spent the fucking night in paradise,” I said my arm making a motion around the small cabin.

“You little shit be happy that you didn’t have to deal with what the fuck we did,” Jimmy snapped, rising to his feet to get in my face.

“No, I just had to deal with bullets flying at us and getting Nikki the hell out of the club! She could’ve been shot!” I said, shoving my finger into his chest.

“Newsflash kid we all could’ve been shot! Just be grateful you didn’t have to kill anyone or spend the night in a fucking cell.” He said, twisting my wrist as he dropped my hand from his chest. “A word to the wise kid if I were you I’d keep your fucking hands off me.”

“You prick!” I yelled as I lunged for him.

“Enough!” Victor shouted, causing me to freeze. “Sit down,” he said, pointing to me. I looked at him as if he had lost his mind. “SIT.” He clipped.

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