Page 40 of Trigger's Temptation

My blood boils when I take in the man who took Elise. He’s still conscious and fighting Derange and Zach against his binds. Derange cold cocks Jonas in the face, knocking him out.

Zach leaves and comes back with the van a few minutes later. Once Jonas and the stranger are secure and the guys get their bikes, we take off back to the Clubhouse.

Tension thickens like a storm, ready to break. Blood, sweat, and tears muffle the cries of our captives, but I don’t give a shit. Not anymore. These motherfuckers will pay for what they did.

Chapter 17

TRIGGER

Seth grips the wheel as we speed through the night. Elise's limp body rests in my lap, her head against my chest. She’s stirred a couple of times since we pulled her from that basement, but each time, she drifts back under. A blessing in disguise. If she’s as bad as I think, the pain will be unbearable when she wakes up. I try to keep her still, but in the back of a van with no seats, it’s damn near impossible.

Guilt eats away at me for leaving Aerianna there without my protection, but I didn’t think about it at the time. I had to get my sister out of that house and get the medical help she needs. I pray Aerianna will forgive me for pulling a dickhead stunt like that.

Pretty Playboy sits beside me, his knee bouncing, jaw tight. With each passing mile, the deeper the worry etches into his face about Elise’s condition. I see it, but I can’t afford to focus on his feelings. Elise comes first.

“Call Bones, I bark. “Have him get Jezebelle and have her ready to see Elise.”

Pretty Playboy fumbles for his phone, and his hands are shaking as he dials Bones’s number. “Hey, I need you to getJezebelle into the infirmary. We’re bringing Elise in, and she’s in bad shape.” He nods his head while his gaze sweeps over her bruised form. “I don’t know, man, but it’s bad.”

Pretty Playboy hangs up his phone and shoves it back into his pocket. “He’ll have her there and ready for whatever Elise needs.”

“Thanks.” Silence stretches between us before I finally ask, “Can I ask you something?”

Pretty Playboy exhales. “Yeah.”

“This thing between the two of you. Is it serious, or are you just passing the time?” I keep my voice low so I don’t disturb Elise.

Pretty Playboy pulls his knees up so his hands are resting between them. “Honestly?”

I nod.

His breath comes out heavy. “I don’t know.” He leans his head back against the van. “She’s off-limits, but that doesn’t stop me from wondering what it would be like to be with her. I see all of you pairing off and finding your other person, and I wonder if she’s mine. But she’s forbidden. And even if she weren’t, what if I’m not good enough for her?”

I sigh, running a hand down my face. “Or what if you hurt her? Don’t you think she’s been through enough?”

“I know she has.” His voice is quiet. “And I don’t know if Iwouldn’thurt her. But it doesn’t matter, I don’t need to know if we have a chance. She’s off-limits. End of story.” He pushes to his feet, stalking toward the front. Slumping into the passenger seat, he props his feet on the dash, closing the conversation.

Did I just fuck something up for Elise? Is Pretty Playboy good enough for my sister? These questions swirl in my mind when Seth drives through the Clubhouse gates. Before I can think too much about it, the side door slides open. Bones, Dagger, and Jezebelle stand on the other side, ready.

Jezebelle climbs into the van, eyes sharp as she assesses Elise. I growl and pull Elise against my chest tighter. “I know my husband is the one with the medical degree, but Trigger, you’ve got to let me check her over before we move her again.”

With a huff, I relax my grip on Elise and let Jezebelle do her thing. “Don’t hurt her,” I growl through clenched teeth.

“I’m not, I swear.” Jezebelle opens Elise’s eyelids and shines a penlight in each of them. Then she runs her hands softly down Elise’s arms, chest, and legs. “Nothing appears to be broken, but I want you to carefully lift her and move her to Dagger and Bones.”

“No. I can carry her. I can climb out without them taking her.” I’m not letting my sister out of my sight.

“You could,” Jezebelle agrees, her voice calm. “But if you jar her stepping out, it’ll hurt like hell. You don’t want her hurting any more than she already is, do you?”

“Fine.” I begrudgingly agree.

She nods. “On three, pass her to Bones, then he will pass her to Dagger. We’ll take it from there.” Jezebelle counts down to three.

I carefully lift Elise and hand her over to Bones, whose muscles are straining with her weight. He then shifts her to Dagger, who holds Elise with no issues. Swiftly and carefully, he takes her inside, and I follow.

Bones glances at me. “What the hell happened?”

“We’ll talk when everyone’s back.”

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