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I hold my breath, staring at him. There is no way the people who work for my mother would ever allow Marek to come in and be in charge. No way.

“They’d never allow it,” I whisper.

“Who is more powerful than your mother?”

I meet his eyes. “You.”

“Then you and I both know they’ll allow it.”

Because he’ll kill everyone who doesn’t.

“How?” I breathe.

“I have not yet figured that out.” He waves a hand, his Russian accent so thick sometimes I don’t understand what he’s saying. “Toss her out. I’ll call for her when I need her again. In the meantime,sweetheart, you will deal with that biker club.”

Shaking my head, I don’t get to say another word before I’m being dragged out. I don’t have the power to kick, to fight, to do anything because my body is so weak. The moment we reach the front gates, the man holding me simply tosses me out. Hitting the dirt, I cry out in pain as I roll to my side. I know I’m supposed to leave, but I don’t know how I’m meant to stand, let alone take a step.

I need a plan, but right now, I can barely take a breath without my body screaming in agony.

How the hell am I going to find my way out of this one?

12

“Jesus Christ.”

Jayme’s voice when he opens the door is exactly what I was expecting. I know how I must look. I don’t know how I found the strength to get up and move after they tossed me out, but I did. I got up, and I walked. I dragged each foot, one by one, until I finally made it to the only house I knew. I had no phone, no way of paying for a ride, or anyone to turn to. The only person in the world I know would open their door to me at whatever time of day is Jayme.

“What the fuck happened? Jesus, Acacia, I have never seen you like this. Come on.”

Reaching out, he curls his arm around mine— the moment he does, I collapse. Safety isn’t something I feel often, but with him, I do, and knowing that I’m okay, my body finally gives way. Cursing, Jayme reaches down and scoops me into his arms, stepping into the apartment and kicking the door closed behind him. He walks me to the sofa, placing me down, and I wince in pain. Every part of my body hurts.

I have no doubt I should seek medical attention, but there is no way I could ever explain this.

“You went to Marek, didn’t you?”

He knows.

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