Page 114 of Straight to Me

Jaw aching, ribs burning in agony and breathless, I collapse where I’m dragged outside. “On your feet,” the driver commands. But I can’t move.

Drew huffs behind us, struggling to shift Jack’s body on his own.

“This cunt’s a fucking giant.”

“Stop bitching, get him out now.”

Jack’s body flops unmoving to the ground at the same time the driver pulls my hair, making me stand. His roughness brings more tears to my eyes.

Headlights suddenly light up the area, catching the two men unaware. My heart stops, frightened at the prospect of more of these animals showing up. I wish I had the energy to run.

The driver grabs me by the arm, pulling me in front of him. They mustn’t have planned whoever it is that’s coming. I’m held in front, my body used as his shield.

Before the vehicle gets close, the driver holding me opens fire, yanking me backwards as he retreats. His arm moves around my neck, tightening with every second that passes.

The headlights from the unexpected vehicle are blinding. My eyes dazzle from the beams blurring my vision. I hear doors swing open and more footsteps hammering the gravel.

“Mads!” The vibrations from the man I love’s voice catch my ears and the hairs on my arms stand on end. He found me! He’s okay.

Upon hearing his voice, my heart leaps my body into action. “Get off me!” My hands claw at the same time I kick my shoeless foot back at the driver dragging me away. He presses his gun roughly to my temple and stops.

“Mads!” VP shouts again. His voice sounds broken this time as he points his gun at the man holding me.

“Put the fucking gun down!” The driver shakes me slightly as he barks his instructions. VP moves cautiously, lowering his weapon to the ground right away. “Now get on your knees.”

Hesitating, VP looks at me before slowly bending one leg. “Don’t!” I yell, earning me a deep thrust of the barrel being pushed against my head.

“NO!” VP hollers, his voice cracking.

“I said, on your fucking knees.”

I sob as VP holds his hands up in acceptance. Worry overwhelms me. If he kneels fully, he’ll surely be killed before my eyes. What’s to stop them from straight up shooting him? “It’ll be fine Mads,” VP reassures me. But he can’t possibly know that.

From out of nowhere, Drew reappears. He looks smug and arrogant at VP unarmed on the ground. He draws a gun, stalking forwards.

This can’t happen. Please God, not like this.

Drew’s body hits the deck, as a rip-roaring crack opens up his skull. My eyes snap back and lock on VP. He doesn’t even look at Drew. He knew he had someone waiting to back him up. The man holding me is too busy looking frantically for more Rippers, that he has no clue VP’s on his feet.

He doesn’t see VP charging toward us.

With a shattering blow, VP knocks the man backwards to the ground. The force knocks me back with him. Another man I recognise from the clubhouse appears next to me and quickly drags me to one side, his arms sheltering me as best he can. There’s an ear-splitting gunshot that shatters my eardrums.

“Mads!” VP’s shout is muffled by my palms surrounding my ears with my head buried deep against the man protecting me.

My eyes are still closed when a hand touches mine, making me flinch. I’m scared to look, but as soon as I open my eyes and see it’s him, I know I’m safe.

Uncontrollable tears stream down the sides of my face as he scoops me up like a rag doll, carrying me away. I wrap my hands around his neck weakly, crying out in breathless agony as my body folds against his.

“I’ve got you,” he tells me. I want to tell him I love him. I want to tell him Jack squeezed my hand, but the pain in my ribs is turning the lights out in my head. My grip on him is loosening.

“Jack?” is all I can muster.

“Harper will get him. I need to get you out of here.”

He has to be alive.

I sob as VP runs with me back to the van he arrived in. He opens the passenger door and carefully places me on the seat. He straps me in and a groan leaves my chest as it comes into contact with the seatbelt.

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