Page 8 of Hell on Wheels

The bully turned in my direction, and he ticked his chin as if he thought I’d understand his actions and agree if he explained. “She has it coming,amigo. No need to get involved.”

I’d seen men like him plenty of times in my life. Nice clothes. Money. Power. Aggression. Thought they had the world by the balls and could do or say whatever the fuck they wanted. Not in my neck of the woods.

“Not gonna repeat myself,” I warned.

Amusement and frustration competed for dominance in his dark eyes, followed by a coldness I knew too well. There was a flash of impending violence, and I knew his arrogance would cause trouble. Men like this didn’t give up or surrender. It wasn’t their way.

I’d seen enough battles to know when it was time to fight and time to run.

My feet planted shoulder-width apart, and I shrugged, ready to act fast if this went to shit.

I hoped it did.

“Walk away now, and I’ll forget we met.”

“Can’t do that,” I admitted, reaching inside my leather to pull my gun free the exact moment he reached behind his back and whipped out his own, pointing his weapon in my direction.

“Listen,cabrón. You don’t know who you’re messing with. Back the fuck up or—”

“Let the girl go,” I commanded calmly, interrupting the stupid fucker. I didn’t need to hear his bullshit.

His face flushed as he pulled the trigger, and I dropped to the ground fast, rolling out of the way before I was back on my feet. Two shots left the barrel of my 9mm Luger. One hit his left shin, the other his left hand. His gun clattered to the ground as the girl screamed, and I rushed forward, picking her up from the ground as my free arm swung around her waist.

A string of curses left the mouth of the bully, along with numerous threats. I didn’t give a shit and kicked his gun into the yard of an abandoned lot next door. It clattered away out of view, and I knew it didn’t buy more than a few minutes before serious trouble started heading my way.

Running for my Harley, I didn’t stop until I lowered her onto the seat. “Get ready to ride,” I rumbled, throwing a leg over in front of her as my ass planted onto the leather.

“Shit,” she cursed.

“Arms around me. Now,” I ordered, kicking up the stand. I pulled back on the throttle as the bike roared to life. The heavy beast growled as her arms wrapped around my midsection. We sped off, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm in my chest. Well, fuck. I sure jumped into the shit this time.

“Hold on!” I yelled as she buried her head behind my back.

Two slim hands clutched at the material of my jacket, and the weight of my choice sank in. A life I now had the responsibility to protect. Something I swore never to do again. Fuck me.

What the hell was I thinking?

“We don’t have long,” I blurted in a rush as I rolled up my driveway and hit the opener, watching the door rise into the air. I parked my ride inside the garage and closed the door before I stood, ticking my head in her direction. “I’ll take you wherever you want to go, but neither of us can stay here. Trouble is comin’, darlin’.”

“Yeah. I think I figured that out when you both pulled guns.”

The girl turned my way, proving she wasn’t the teen I mistook her for earlier. No. The goddess in front of me had to be in her mid to late twenties, much younger than me since I had turned thirty-six last month. She had all the sass, grit, and curves of a woman who knew her mind and body.Sexy as fuck.

I was struck dumb as vibrant green eyes settled on my own.

She expected me to speak, but I chuckled.

“He’ll come after us. We’re both good as dead.”

Startled, I watched as she paled, frightened by the idea that she would be hunted down. She squared her shoulders, pushed out her tits, and what perfect tits they were, and leveled me with a hard stare.

My gaze swept over her, and I couldn’t rush the moment, taking in every detail. It was a shit time to notice my attraction, but I was beyond controlling it. My vision cleared up better than I could hope, and I realized I’d just stolen a prize from that asshole—a beautiful treasure.

He didn’t deserve her.

He sure as fuck wasn’t getting her back.

Full pouty lips begged for my mouth to explore every delicious inch of her skin. Dark hair, exotic features, and a figure ripe and full enough to take the hard pounding I suddenly wanted to give her. I liked a woman with meat on her bones. A little cushion for the pushin’, as my old man used to say.

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