Page 58 of Killian
Vane and Diesel were on either side of the bar, and everyone was giving them a wide berth. Considering they looked like they’d eat little children, it was the safest bet. It didn’t stop the barflies, though. In their tight little mini-skirts and tits practically hanging out, they tried getting the guys attention.
Once I saw Diesel smirk, but that was all.
Vane’s gaze was very alert at every second. No way in hell would he allow someone to hurt me like before. He felt so horrible for it, and he beat himself up more than I ever could about it. Therefore, I let it go; not saying a word.
He was a good guy under all those bad boy tattoos.
Bri was supposed to meet me here. Her brother Brayden came and picked her up from Killian’s, saying she had to go home and get some things to sleep over at Killian’s tonight.
It was nice having her around. Like old times. I felt safe with Killian and knew it was the best place for both of us.
While I missed the bar, part of me wanted to go back to Killian’s. It was starting to feel way more comfortable than it should. It kept slipping my mind that Killian would more than likely move on after all of this was done. I’d tried preparing myself for it, but it didn’t work well. I just kept blocking it out of my mind.
Finishing up the drinks and setting them in the waitress area, three more drinks were called out. I filled, took the money, and cashed them out. There wasn’t any downtime in the bar. It made the nights go crazy fast.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket, and I pulled it out and looked at the display. It said ‘Bri Calling’.
A flashback to the mess we had earlier flickered through my brain. Lord, please let this be that she’s on her way. It was déja vu, though, considering I was in the same spot as when I answered that time.
I held up an index finger to the other two bartenders, getting a chin lift, and then made my way to the office.
“Yeah,” I said into the phone, plunging my finger in my ear so I could kind of hear.
“Ellie!” Bri screamed in a terrified way that freaked me the hell out. Chills ran down my spine. When she didn’t say more, my heart about jumped out of my chest.
“Bri! Where are you?” I screamed into the phone as I shut the door to my office. It was so much quieter in here that it literally sounded like I was screaming.
“Come out back. Now!” The phone line went dead. I dialed her number, and it went straight to voicemail. Taking off like a shot, I threw the door open and barreled through the crowd, waving at Vane and Diesel. Remember, I said I didn’t have a death wish? Yeah, these guys were needed for whatever was happening behind my bar.
The problem with my rationale was they were too far behind me, and when I opened the door to the back alley, all hell broke loose. Taking in the situation, GOON one from my kidnapping had Bri in a chokehold. She was kicking and struggling to get loose. The asshole had a hard grip on her, and his hand around her throat tightened, cutting off her blood circulation.
“What the hell is going on here?” I said, moving toward the man with Bri.
“Looks like we meet again, you little bitch. I’m going to gut you like a fish,” he snarled as a woman's scream came from my right. Looking out the corner of my eye, the other GOON had Khloe, but she wasn’t moving. He had her up in a fireman’s hold, and she looked like a limp doll.
“Khloe?” I called out to see if I could get a response. Nothing.
A large black van pulled up, and the door opened. The guy holding Khloe threw her in like a rag doll and climbed in behind her.
“Bitch, get in,” Daniel ordered as I stood there. Only a couple more seconds to stall them, and then Vane and Diesel would be coming out of these doors. Just a little bit of time.
“Let Bri go,” I demanded, taking another step forward.
“Hell no, this little whore is coming with us. Payback for ratting us out to the cops.”
“I didn’t do shit,” Bri choked out, her face turning red.
Shit, he was choking her to death. Not Bri. She was my ride or die. No way in hell she was dying.
Where in the hell are Vane and Diesel!!I screamed in my mind.
The GOON moved to the van, pulling Bri with him. Bri was my best friend. I’d do anything for her, and this was something I had to do…
I charged forward and knocked Bri to the ground as she heaved for breath, hands going around her throat as she choked and gagged. Lifting my knee, I made contact with Daniel's package and he cried out in pain. I had to get Khloe out, and I hadn’t thought out this plan well.
There was no time because Daniel shoved me forcefully into the other guy’s arms and jumped into the van behind me.
The van sped off, and I looked in the rearview mirror. Bri lay on the ground as Vane and Diesel burst out the door. A little too late…
A tear rolled down my cheek as fear gripped me. This time would be worse. This time … I didn’t think I’d see anyone I loved ever again. It didn’t mean I wouldn’t fight trying.
