Page 92 of A Ryan Recollection

Jason’s brother looks at his two buddies. “Where was that fire escape?”

“End of the hallway,” the reindeer replies.

“You take me out of here and they will come for you,” my voice trembles but I tip my jaw in defiance. I have dealt with scarier and tougher men than these before. “That is an inescapable fact. But you let me go back upstairs and you at least have a chance.”

“Shut her the fuck up,” Jason’s brother orders.

Jason makes a grab for me but I dodge him and knee him in the balls, causing him to drop to the floor.

“You shouldn’t have done that. Dumb bitch!” His brother snarls as he wraps a thick, tattooed hand around my throat and his two buddies close in on me too.

He squeezes tightly, making my head spin. I claw at his arms and try to suck in a breath as I prepare to try and fight my way out of this. I would rather die than let them take me away from this club. Because if they do manage to get me out of here, they only have one option and they know it. They need to make me disappear.

“Youreallyshouldn’t have done that, asshole,” Mikey’s voice washes over me and I almost pass out with relief. His fingers curl around Jason’s brother’s wrist as it’s wrapped around my throat, and he squeezes hard enough that I hear the crunch of bone. The elf jumps on Mikey’s back but he shrugs him off as though he’s made of air.

When the grip on my throat loosens, I stagger backward, stumbling against the wall and rubbing the reddened skin on my neck.

“One of them has a knife,” I croak but Mikey already has Jason’s brother on the floor. He stamps on his head and the sickening crunch of bone almost makes me retch.

My eyes flicker closed as blood thunders around my body and I sway on my feet, feeling like I’m about to faint. That’s when I feel the two strong arms wrapped around me and I sink against his chest, seeking the comfort and warmth of him. The familiarity of his touch, his smell, his arms — they all soothe me.

“Liam,” I murmur.

“I got you, baby,” he says, stroking my hair as he holds me tight.

“Get her home. Now!” Shane’s deep voice fills the room and I look up to see him and Conor running inside.

“Come on. Let’s get you out of here,” Liam whispers as he picks me up and cradles me to his chest.

“I’m sorry,” I rasp, my throat raw.

“Don’t, Jessie,” Shane barks as he grabs Jason by the jaw and pushes him back against the wall. Then he starts to pummel his face with his fist and Jason screeches in agony. Meanwhile Conor grabs both the elf and the reindeer by the throat at the same time. He doesn’t even look at me and that makes me want to cry.

I have ruined the whole night.

“I said get her out of here, Liam,” Shane barks again and the harshness in his tone makes me bury my face in Liam’s chest.

Before we leave the room, I take a final glance back at Conor and Shane and the scene is like something from an action movie.

Conor has the reindeer in a headlock while he kicks the elf in the chest, sending him flying across the room and landing near Shane’s feet. Shane still has hold of Jason, whose face is a bloody pulp, by the throat, but he looks down and kicks the elf in the head like he’s kicking a soccer ball.

I want to help. I want them to know I didn’t mean for this to happen, but then Mikey closes the door and they’re gone.

“Keep the hallway clear. Escort any guests to and from the rooms for the rest of the night,” Liam says to the two bouncers who are standing in the hallway.

“Yes, Boss,” they reply.

“Nobody is to know anything has happened. Make sure the customers have a good night, right?” Mikey adds.

“Always,” one of them replies.

“Are you okay, Mrs. Ryan?” the other one asks me, his face full of concern.

“Yes, thank you,” I say, forcing a smile.

“Shane and Conor will debrief you when they’re done,” Liam adds. Then he tucks my face back into the crook of his neck and walks down the hallway to the fire exit.

“The car is here, baby,” he whispers. “We’ll be home soon.”

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