Page 58 of Ruthless

“Lucas isn’t there,” Rachel’s voice broke through the noise in my head. “I don’t understand.”

Viper turned to her. “We won’t let you go unless—”

“She’ll be fine,” I cut him off, giving her a smile. “You don’t need us, right?”

She didn’t say anything to my cruel comment. I felt instantly guilty for it, and I saw the warning glare from Viper. But lashing out was how I was dealing with the rejection she had thrown in my face. I would’ve been different with her had she admitted to our connection.

I would’ve been with her—all the way.

But it was all the way or no way now.

“Stay in the van,” Viper instructed me. “I don’t want you starting anything.”

“I’m not fucking staying in the van,” I argued, slinging my door open before he could contest it anymore.

He let out a ragged sigh, and turned to Gunner and Will. “Then you two stay in the fucking van just in case.”

They both nodded, and Gunner gave me a weary look—that I ignored. I slid out into the cool dry air, appreciating the desert for making the simple act of breathing a little easier… Because I was already struggling for oxygen as I got closer to Victor.

Chaz looked similar to Rachel, but his hair was darker and his frame much larger. His eyes were also nearly black in the night, while Rachel’s always stayed more golden. I didn’t recognize one of the men, who was equally as beefy and dark… But it was the third, cunning bastard with a big toothy grin on his face that left me feeling sick.

He had piercing eyes, the kind that made you question whether or not it was actually possible to kill someone by just looking at them. His hair was a light blonde, standing out against his dark skin. I assumed that it was natural—it had always been that color ever since I had met the vicious psycho when I moved to California and got more acquainted with the underworld…

But he had a worldwide reputation.

“Oh,Axle,” he greeted me, his tone as dark as his aurora. “How nice to see you again. You know, I always thought we had a lot in common. It’s not surprising our taste in women is the same.”

Bile shot up the back of my throat, but before I could bark something back, Chaz swatted him on the arm.

“Shut the fuck up or I’ll let him drop you right here.”

“I’d love to see him try,” Victor’s eyes shifted back to mine, a sickening glint in them.

I took a step toward him, and he did the same, puffing his chest out like he actually ever fought like a fucking man. We all knew he was the kind to take cheap shots.

“Axle,” Viper growled, just as Victor’s chest brushed mine.

That was all it fucking took. I shoved him back, and he burst into a fit of laughter, filling the night air.

“He’s got it out for me, boys,” Victor mused as he skidded across the sand. “Oh, this could be so much fun.”

“Let’s get this done,” Chaz grunted, shaking his head at Victor. “Knock it off. I want my sister away from these assholes.”

“You could just entrust her to me,” Victor shot him a wink. “You know I’d take care of her.”

I lunged for him again, intending to tear the fucker to shreds, but Viper clamped down on my arm, stilling me. “Let me go,” I growled to him.

The look of warning in his eyes was enough to make me cease from killing—or trying to kill—Victor right there on the spot. I bit back the anger and stepped back, not missing the hatred in the asshole’s eyes.

“Okay, now that the beasts have settled,” Chaz chuckled, “let’s get this done. Go get my sister and we’ll get your cash.”

Viper nodded, looking back to the van, and then nodding again. I watched carefully as the third man went to the Bronco, rather than the SUV, and retrieved a bag. I saw there was a shadow of a man in the front seat of the Bronco, and I hoped like hell that it was Lucas who would take Rachel to safety—and not the SUV carrying Victor.

“Here she is,” Gunner said from behind me, leading Rachel with her hands behind her back, still bound. Victor’s gaze laser focused behind me, and the lust in his eyes filled me with even more murderous rage.

“Quit looking at her,” Chaz growled at Victor before I could. Victor obeyed, his eyes casting down at his feet. While strange, I appreciated Chaz in that moment, doing what I had wanted to. “Give Viper the money,” he turned to the third, unknown man, who was holding the bag.

Viper stepped out and took the bag from him. He dropped to his knees, beginning to count it right there in front of everyone. My heart pounded in my chest as I kept my eyes trained on Victor, his eyes staying on his feet. I didn’t give a shit what was going on with the cash… I just wanted that psycho to keep his eyes off Rachel.

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