Chapter 18 #2
When I started peppering the road they were travelling on, one was torn off his motorcycle right away, another biker slamming into him, the bike flipping high in the sky, arcing just before landing on him.
The others scattered like wildfire, trying to catch their breath as two ditched their bikes, immediately brandishing their weapons.
As the stench of gunpowder filled the air, smoke from the one bike catching fire creating a thick haze, I moved closer, firing indiscriminately.
Unfortunately, I’d underestimated the number of bikers who’d signed onto the suicidal event, at least six more of them roaring around the corner. The SUVs’ placement barely slowed them down.
I turned in a circle just as a biker appeared out of the smoke.
With no time to fire my weapon, I threw a punch.
Then another. He was pitched backward, but I didn’t stop there, kicking him several times when he tried to lunge toward me.
He rushed forward, managing to get of a single wild jab in my gut.
My patience was toast. I pulled away, firing off three rounds in rapid succession. He went down like a rock.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!
The bullets continued to fly, another biker crashing. Another fire.
Additional acrid smoke.
I could still hear the roar of engines. At least three of them were trying to play chicken, racing around the perimeter taunting me.
After another few shots, they suddenly stopped firing.
A sound caught my attention. I spun around realizing I could no longer see the Charger due to the smoke.
The hard bang was followed by the sound of glass shattering. The fucking window of my car had been smashed. The shriek that filtered above the rumbles cut through the night sky. Cutting through me.
Josette.
I rushed forward just after the passenger glass was smashed by a huge sledgehammer. Instantly the fucker reached in, jerking her out.
Indiana was barking, his growl unlike anything I’d heard.
Even with rifles in both hands, there was no way I was risking taking a shot.
As she was dragged onto the broken pavement, she continued screaming, twisting her body and fighting him. The gang member’s bike was standing by idling.
The motherfucker thought he was going to take her. Away from me.
Indiana jumped clear of the window and in a show of force, nothing would stop the furry creature from protecting his mama dog.
“Get off me,” the man hissed, kicking Indiana in the gut.
Indiana whimpered, his body pitched away.
“Fucker,” I hissed, rushing closer.
“No!” she screamed, beating her fists against the man.
I grabbed his arm, yanking him away, but I was grabbed from behind, pitched backward by several feet, one weapon tossed from my hand.
From there, all sound seemed blocked out as the biker tossed her over the bike, crawling on behind her.
Somehow, Indiana was on his feet, the silence of the vacuum I was in preventing me from hearing his growls and yelps. But his teeth were bared and he was ripping at the man’s jeans.
She was kicking, twisting, and fighting him with everything she had.
And I was firing, utilizing the skill taught by my father.
First the motherfucker who’d tried to stop me from getting to her. Down with a single bullet between his eyes.
The biker managed to pull away, ready to accelerate.
That wasn’t allowed.
I threw myself into the air, tackling him to the ground. With three savage punches to the face, I jumped back, standing at my full height.
“No one touches my woman.”
Pop! Pop!
The vacuum faded seconds later, the sound returning.
I rushed to her side on the pavement where she remained, Indiana’s body covering a portion of her.
He growled as soon as I approached, uncertain what the fuck was going on. Hunkering down, I held out my hand. “It’s okay, boy. I’m not going to hurt her. I promise you.” I fisted my hand, allowing him to gather a whiff of my scent.
I knew the second he was pulled out of his heavy fog and sense of duty, his tail thumping. I crawled closer, gently turning her over. As soon as I brushed the hair from her face, she opened her eyes.
“Fuck. Are you okay?” Goddamn it. I would fucking rip the assholes from limb to limb for touching her. For hurting Indiana.
“I think so. What… My baby.”
“Indiana is right here, my little wildcat.”
I gathered her into my arms, hearing footsteps a second later. With her protected in my arms, I threw the weapon out, prepared to fire.
Enzo threw up his hands as he approached. “Whoa, boss. Just me. It’s over. They’re down. Every last one of the motherfuckers.”
Very slowly, I dropped the weapon, placing it on the ground and peering down at her. She pressed her hand against my chest, offering a slight smile.
“You know how to end a date. I think I prefer something else like ice cream.”
Half laughing, I shook my head. “Anything broken? Are you hurt?”
Her attitude still intact, she wiggled her hands and feet. “Nothing a tall glass of wine won’t cure.” Her words were full of jest, but there was no doubt she was shaken.
I’d never been so enraged in my life.
Indiana licked her face and at least she could still laugh.
I gathered her back into my arms, cradling her close to my body as I stood. The carnage was significant and I kept her from seeing as much of the wreckage as possible.
“You’re safe now,” I told her, hugging her even closer. She felt so light in my arms, so fragile.
“Safe. Is there anything such as safety in your world?” She closed her eyes, pressing her face into my chest.
Within Indiana following closely behind, I returned to the Charger, surveying the scene.
Utter chaos.
Her question was worthwhile, a decent reminder of my world, which was completely displaced from hers. “Yes, there is, my sweet Josette. No one will ever hurt you again.”
Enzo finished breaking the glass in the passenger window, pushing the shards onto the pavement. He eyed me carefully and opened the door, even brushing off the seat and waiting as Indiana climbed into the backseat. Once I had her belted in, I gently caressed her face.
Her expression was one of uncertainty, but the fear I’d seen had faded. She gripped my wrist like she’d done before, offering another sweet smile. In those few seconds, our connection was stronger than ever.
Even if it was twisted in violence and bloodshed.
I closed the door, studying the few fires remaining.
“Check all of them. Don’t let a single motherfucking asshole remain alive.”
“Yes, sir.”
If the motherfucker wanted a war, he’d just gotten one.