Page 51 of Broken Pawn

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

ETHAN

The moon shifted in and out of view as I struggled to maintain my awareness. My body was already sorefrom the hard asphalt. To put myself back together, I needed a bed, a warm bath, and many other things.

The night's chill sunk its fangs into my flesh, and I embraced it to keep me awake.

Where am I? It took a moment for me to remember. Lights…cars…accident…brawl…Vanessa!

I tried to get to my feet but couldn't. Half of my body hurt, while the other half was numb. I looked behind me and saw my men running forme. Tristan was in the lead, leading them to me.

My gaze searched the crowd for Vanessa, but she was nowhere to be found.

"Where is she?" I askedthe men as they approached me.

"She's…" Tristan began but never completed. He quickly helped me up, and I felt a few more hands assisting metowards the cover of our vehicles.

"Where is she?" I asked again, but Tristan still ignored me, which worried me even more.

I yanked myself free with what little strength I had left and turned to face them furiously. "What happened to her? Where's Vanessa? One of you better respond right now!"

"They've got her," said one of my men. I looked to Tristan for an explanation, who gave me a guilty look.

"She intervened intothe fight and hit Mullen off you," he explained. I turned around to see Vanessa struggling against Mullen's stronger arms in the distance.

"That coward," I yelled as I turned to face him and his men.

"Boss!" my men called back, but I didn't respond.

"Leave her alone!" I yelled at Sean Mullen, who turned to face me.

"Why should I do that?" he asked. He wasn't scared of me, but he relaxed his grip on Vanessa's neck.

"Because if you don't, I'll kill you," I swore to him, and I meant it.

My fists were clenched, and my heart pounded in my chest as I braced myself for another fight. I could feel adrenaline coursing through my veins, which I appreciated. My rage fueled me.

I saw him holding Vanessa in front of him. She struggled to break free from his grip, but I knew she couldn't. Her terrified expression broke my heart. I had never doubted my ability to protect her since she had been with me until this moment.

I marched for her and Mullen, my murderous mood heightened by the desire to protect my woman.

Sean Mullen's men poured out from behind him, fists raised, comingat me. I had recently lost a fight but was filled with rage to save Vanessa, so I confronted them head-on.

Tristan and the men joined behind me. We could use our guns, but it was too bright to see. No one wanted to accidentally shoot Vanessa.

My legs were pumping as I got closer to her. I sprang, my fist strong enough to break a man's jaw in one hit, but was immediately knocked down by a punch to the temple. I collapsed to the ground, dazed.

Vanessa…Vanessa,her name rang in my ears, urging me to get up even though I couldn't see clearly. When I stood up, another hit from the darkness that covered my eyes knocked me down again.

I was dragged up and restrained with my feet bent toward the ground.

"You fought harder than you did against me." Mullen turned Vanessa's chin to face him "Maybe that'sbecause you care about this woman.Is sheyour fucking toy?" he asked.

I struggled against the men who had me bound, but it was in vain.

"Perhaps I'll have some fun with her while you watch," Mullen suggested.

No.

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