Chapter 5
5
LINDSAY
O ne second, Beck glared at me as though I’d said something infuriating. The next, his lips were on mine.
My brain didn’t even register the kiss until it was almost already over. Which sucked because I didn’t get to give my all to my first real kiss.
I wasn’t sure what I’d expected from it, but the way his mouth claimed mine hadn’t been sweet. His kiss had been full of a fire that left me breathless when he pulled back, his hazel eyes burning into mine.
My lips tingled, my knees felt shaky, and I couldn’t for the life of me remember what I’d said to provoke that reaction. Which was too bad because I already wanted a repeat of that kiss, so I’d love to know which button to push to make it happen again. And again.
“You done arguing now?” he asked, voice low and rough.
My mouth opened, but no words came out.
“That’s what I thought.” He smirked. “Guess I know how to handle that sassy mouth of yours.”
I made a mental note to amp up my cheekiness if getting kissed by Beck was the result. “Maybe it won’t work the same next time.”
His smile widened as he reached down and laced his fingers through mine. “Let’s go. I’m taking you home.”
“Wait—”
“It’s not up for debate, baby.”
I barely had time to think, let alone argue, before he was steering me across the parking lot. My thoughts were a jumbled mess of heat and confusion, but I managed to pull myself together enough that I was about to point out that my car was in the other direction when a van screeched around the corner, tires shrieking against asphalt. Beck stiffened instantly, dropping my hand and stepping in front of me just as the side door flew open and two men in black masks jumped out.
I didn’t even have time to scream. The men moved fast—one lunging toward me while the other circled wide, something long and glinting in his hand. Sunlight flashed off the blade—a knife.
Panic crashed through me like a tidal wave as the closest guy grabbed my arm, yanking me forward so hard that my shoulder jolted. My shoes skidded on the asphalt as I tried to twist away, but he was too strong.
Luckily, Beck didn’t have the same problem. His fist slammed against the forearm of the man who grabbed me, hard enough for him to finally release me.
“Get the fuck outta our way,” the guy growled.
“Shit, man. Do you see his cut? He’s an Iron Rogue. Let’s get out of here,” his partner yelled, pivoting on his heel to dive back inside the van.
“Fuck,” the man who’d grabbed me muttered, his furious gaze darting toward me as he backed away. “Today was your lucky day, bitch. But not next time.”
“You won’t get another chance at her, motherfucker.” A gun was suddenly in Beck’s hand, drawn so fast I didn’t see where it even came from.
“Fucking hell,” the guy yelled, turning toward the van.
My knees gave out, dropping me butt-first onto the pavement. Then I was the one screaming when the first shot cracked through the air, the sound deafening and making my ears ring.
Beck didn’t hesitate, seemingly unbothered by the noise. Another shot rang out—this time into the front tire of the van, rubber exploding with a sharp pop. The driver floored it anyway, and the vehicle jolted forward, the other three tires squealing as the second man dove for the open side door.
He almost made it inside before Beck fired again, the bullet slamming into the frame of the van just above his head. The guy bumped into the doorframe before falling forward, his partner hauling him inside. The van swerved, metal groaning as it fishtailed and tore out of the parking lot with several more bullet holes in the side, courtesy of Beck’s gun.
I was on the ground, breathing hard as I gaped at the disappearing van. My shoulder twinged where the guy had grabbed me, but they were gone, and I was still here.
I was shaken and shivering a little. But at least I hadn’t been kidnapped. If Beck hadn’t been there to rescue me, I would’ve been in a heck of a lot of trouble right now.
He was beside me in a blink, holstering the gun like he hadn’t just fired a bunch of bullets in a hospital parking lot. His hands were on me instantly—skimming over my arms, his expression all dark fury and hard edges.
“You hurt?”
“I…” My voice cracked. “I don’t think so. Just frazzled.”
He let out a low, ragged breath, then reached down and helped me to my feet. His touch was careful, but his body vibrated with barely restrained violence. His eyes scanned the street, the rooftops, and the corners of the lot as though he was expecting someone else to come for me.
The idea should’ve been ridiculous, but I hadn’t expected anyone to try to grab me in the first place.
Beck hauled me in close, his arm banding around my waist as though he didn’t trust the ground not to fall out from under me. His other hand skimmed down my arm, fingers brushing the spot where the guy had grabbed me.
“Fuck,” he muttered, voice low and tight with fury. “That bastard put his hands on you.”
“I’m fine,” I whispered, bracing my palms against his chest.
His hand snapped up, gripping my jaw just firmly enough to stop my words cold. His hazel eyes were molten. Dangerous.
“Don’t say that,” he ground out. “Don’t tell me you’re fine after what just happened. You were two seconds away from being thrown into that van.”
“But I wasn’t,” I argued, even as my voice shook.
His touch was protective but commanding. He seemed very close to completely losing control. “If I hadn’t been here…”
“You were, though. And you stopped them from taking me.” I stroked his broad chest, hoping to defuse the situation. “Although you missed out on your chance to see my ninja moves in action. I was just about to kick some serious butt before you stepped in.”
His nostrils flared. “Don’t push me, Lindsay.”
“What? You don’t believe me?” I asked, blinking up at him as innocently as I could.
Beck stepped even deeper into my space, one large hand sliding into my hair and fisting the strands at the base of my neck. His hold wasn’t rough, but it was just tight enough that I gasped and went still, my breath catching.
“Now is not the time to give me your sass, baby. Save it for when I have you somewhere safe.” His deep voice was gravelly and sent goose bumps up my spine. “If you don’t get on the back of my bike in the next ten seconds, your ass’ll be red before I let you sit on it.”
My jaw dropped. It was the second time he’d threatened to spank me. I should’ve been furious over him bossing me that way. Insulted. At the very least, offended.
Instead, a rush of heat rolled down my spine, confusing and overwhelming.
I swallowed hard, my knees wobbling in a way that had nothing to do with the adrenaline still in my veins.
“You’re being ridiculous,” I managed, trying to keep my voice steady. “It’s over. They’re gone.”
“For now.” He released my hair but didn’t move back, his body still crowding mine. “But I need to get you outta here in case they change their minds and come back.”
“We can’t just leave.” Even if I wanted to, the idea of them returning was now cemented in my brain. “You just fired a bunch of bullets with a ton of people around. The cops must be on their way.”
“Your safety comes first,” he insisted, nudging me closer toward his motorcycle. “And the Old Bridge PD isn’t gonna give me shit for gettin’ you behind our gate before calling them. We have too many ties to them for that.”
My brows drew together at the mention of the Iron Rogues compound. “You don’t have to protect me?—”
“Yeah, I do,” he cut in, his voice low and final. “We’ve been over this.”
“But…why?”
“Because I take care of what’s mine.”
I froze.
He’d just called me his.
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Beck didn’t waste his golden opportunity to get me on his bike. Wrapping his hand around my arm, he led me over to it as though he hadn’t just flipped my entire world upside down. Even more than almost getting kidnapped had.
I told myself what he’d said was heat-of-the-moment macho crap. It was just the adrenaline. Too much testosterone.
But my heart was pounding as though it didn’t believe me.