Page 19 of Downward Dawg
Kickstand down, he killed the bike and unsnapped his pistol’s holster with a quick flick of his wrist. He could pull it from the small of his back in a fraction of a second, and would if needed.
They put their fuckin’ hands on Ella. I won’t hesitate a moment to end their asses.
From inside the trailer, he heard loud yelling, both male and female voices. Unable to make out the words, he still recognized Ella’s angry screams just as a hand drew back the curtain over the window on the door.
Pausing before the aged trailer, he gave the door handle a hard yank, breaking the latch and pulling it wide open. In one leap, he jumped past the couple of stacked cinderblocks that served as steps. The man who’d been checking through the window was standing in the middle of the room, hands submissively up by his ears.
“He’s cutting her loose now,” the man shouted, face pale. “Jesus, please don’t kill me. It wasn’t my idea. None of this shit was my idea. Jesus.”
Ella stumbled out of the hallway to the left, tumbling and going to her knees on the dirty kitchen linoleum. She yelled wordlessly, face red with anger, then swung her head and saw Mad Dawg. In an instant, she had regained her feet and was in his embrace, clinging to him like a spider monkey. Her arms were tight around his neck, nearly choking, but he didn’t care. He quickly stepped to the side to give his brothers room to come in and let himself focus on her, trusting them to do what was needed.
“Baby,” he crooned, mouth close to her ear. “Ella, baby. My Ella. Are you okay?” His hands slipped up and down her arms, feeling for injuries. He cupped the curve of her skull and pulled back slightly with difficulty. She didn’t want to let go her hold on him. When he could see her face, his breath caught at the bruising at the side of her head. It was darker than in the photo, purple spreading along her brow and over her ear. Dried blood marked her jaw and neck, a smear of brighter scarlet along her upper lip. Cold fury infused him.Put their fuckin’ hands on her. Bastards are gonna pay.“Baby, tell me you’re okay.”
“I didn’t know what to do.” Her eyes lifted and their gaze met. Her pupils dilated widely, and she started shaking. Her visceral terror built the rage already bubbling inside him higher. The idea she’d gone through all of this because of him was a cold weight in the center of his chest. “I’m okay. I think I’m okay. I just kept yelling and yelling, hoping someone would hear me.”
“You did just right, baby. Just right. Someone did hear you. Brought me here. You did good, Ella.” He gathered her to his chest again, rocking her back and forth slowly, trying to calm them both. “Everything, just right.”
“My studio,” she gasped, pulling away. “They took me from there. I don’t know what they did to it.”
“Nothing. They didn’t do anything other than lock the front door. It’s all okay, baby. Everything’s going to be okay.”
No matter what it takes, I’ll make it right. The only thing I can’t handle is not having her. Whatever is needed, I’ll make it right.
“It’s going to be okay,” he reassured them both, praying it was the truth.
***
Elodie
Heart still racing, ears ringing with adrenaline, Elodie doubted it would be okay as easily as Dawg declared.
She had to admit it was really good to be held tightly in his arms right now. And to know she’d been correct.
I knew he’d come.
This had been the second most frightening thing she’d ever endured. Part of the fear had been tied up in not knowing what was coming next. More had been in the fact it had been bikers who’d taken her hostage.Kidnapped me. Took me.Even before they’d gotten to the trailer, she’d been certain they weren’t Mad Dawg’s friends, not in his club, because the patches didn’t match. Which had left the men in the no man’s land of potentially foe.Most definitely foe.While tied up in the bedroom, she’d overheard one of the men talking about the encounter on the road the previous night, and that had told her everything she’d needed to know.Bad guys.
The only thing that kept her sane had been the knowledge that if Mad Dawg knew what they’d done, he’d come find her. She’d believed that, deep down in her soul. The connection they shared wouldn’t let him do anything else.
I was right. I was right, and he called me his Ella. He’ll always be there for me.
She snuggled against him a little tighter, trying to calm the trembling in her limbs. Slowing her breathing didn’t help much, but it eased the ringing somewhat. Knowing this was an adrenaline drop didn’t change how it all made her feel. Vulnerable in a way she hadn’t allowed in years. Elodie shook her head, trying to drive the ancient memories away. From the first moment they’d put their hands on her today, things had been out of her control, and now her mind and body were betraying her.
“Baby,” he murmured, lips soft against the side of her head. “I wanna get you home.”
“And I wanna go home, so we’re in agreement. Please, Dawg.” She blinked at the bright lights, then closed her eyes against the smears of color. “Can someone lock my shop?”
“Already handled,” he reminded her.
“Oh, yeah. Sorry.” She leaned her head against his chest, his arms a solid comfort against her back.He’s got me. He’ll keep me safe.“Can you take me home?”
“I got the bike with me.” He paused, then continued less certainly, “I can have someone bring a car if you want.”
“No, Dawg. I’ll ride with you.” Rearing back, leaning against his strong arms, she looked him in the face. His expression changed as his gaze explored what must be spectacular bruising if the rage emoted was anything to judge by. It sure hurt like it was bad. “I’m safe with you. Always safe with you.” His face softened as she echoed her thoughts, and he raised a hand to cup the side of her face not bruised.Maybe he needs the reassurance too.“I was so scared when I woke up in the trunk of the car. Scared out of my mind. All I could think of was that you’d take care of me. I knew you’d come. I knew it.”
“God, woman.” The words were filled with gravel as he gathered her close again, his embrace strong but oh-so tender. “You fuckin’ kill me. Slay me with your trust.”
“I’m safe with you,” she repeated, eyes closing with relief. “Take me home.”
