Chapter Nine
A HORN BLARED as Kelsie flew through a yellow light—okay, fine, red—one car behind the sporty Beamer. Shopping centers whizzed by as she navigated the busy streets without paying a lick of attention to where she was. All her focus narrowed on the silver car transporting the devil.
After ten minutes, he pulled into the parking lot of an automotive shop. Kelsie swung in and parked Brooke’s car opposite him. She watched through the rearview mirror as the man jogged from his car into the shop without a care in the world, as though he hadn’t ruined her life.
Would he do it again? Would he find another way to purchase a woman and violate her in the worst way? When the Handlers rescued Brenna and her, they’d taken care of anyone in the building. Some were arrested, and others had been dealt with before the cops were called in by an anonymous caller long after she and her rescuers had fled the scene.
But not this guy. He must have had alternate plans that night. He was probably home with his oblivious wife and children, enjoying a nice dinner and a nightcap.
Fucking monster.
She needed to do something. He couldn’t be allowed to hurt another woman.
And she was going to stop him.
Kelsie whipped her head back and forth, frantically searching for anything to help her. Nothing caught her eye. Brooke kept her damn car as clean as the day she drove it off the lot. Kelsie lifted the center console and rifled through the contents, sending a packet of tissues flying in her frantic search.
Dog treats.
Hand sanitizer.
A baggie of hair ties.
Fucking nothing.
She yanked the glove box open with trembling hands and rummaged through the contents. Brooke’s registration fell out as Kelsie’s hand bumped something hard and metal.
She froze.
Holy shit. Was that a gun?
She grasped the object and drew it from the glove box without breathing. It’d been ages since she’d held a weapon, but her youth’s training hadn’t failed her. She checked the clip with competent movements and then clicked the safety off.
The beast would never hurt anyone again.
TY GLANCED UP as the bell over the door jangled, indicating a customer’s arrival.
“I got it, boss,” Jinx said as he strode from the stock room. The bastard sent a mischievous wink Ty’s way, knowing that Ty hated it when he called him boss. Of course, that made Jinx say it every five seconds.
Idiot.
“Hey, man,” Jinx approached a register. “How can I help you?”
“The BMW dealership is out of the tires I need and won’t have them in until the end of the week. They said you might have them.” His disdain-filled voice had Ty glancing up, curious to see who the owner was.
It was a snazzy man in a fancy suit that probably cost as much as Ty’s bike. He hated wearing a suit, but this guy looked right at home in the outfit, complete with a haughty look of superiority. He probably couldn”t fathom a generic tire shop carrying any luxury brands. Little did he know Ty worked with many high-end clients and even dealerships.
“Whatcha got there, man? That an Alpina?” Jinx asked, craning his neck to see the pricy vehicle parked in front of the shop.
“Yes, it’s an Alpina XB7, twenty-twenty-four.”
Jinx whistled. “Nice ride.”
The guy’s smug grin doubled in size. “Sure is. If you can afford one.”
Jinx grunted. “Let me check our inventory,” he said as he moved to the computer.
Ty narrowed his eyes at his club brother, who damn well knew they had the exact tires in stock because he’d signed for the delivery two days ago. Guess the guy had to get his kicks somewhere, and making rich assholes wait was great fun.
He went back to restocking their inventory. Business was booming, and he’d been hard-pressed to keep up with demand.
“We got ‘em,” Jinx said a few moments later. “I can do it for you right now if you’d like.”
“I’d like to see them first.”
Ty peered up from his work in time to see confusion cross Jinx’s face. “See the tires?”
“Yes, all four of them.”
“You afraid they’re dusty?”
Ty bit his lip to keep from laughing. Respect was important with clients, but he’d never expect Jinx to take shit from a rich douchebag.
“No. I want to make sure you’re not trying to sell me knockoffs.”
That had Ty straightening. He knew Jinx well enough to know the man would blow if Mr. Moneybags kept pushing.
Jinx rose to his full six-foot-five inches. “You calling me a liar?”
Shit. Time to intervene. Ty took a step forward as the bells jangled over the door again. Just what he needed, another customer to witness this conflict. “One moment, pl—” He gasped.
Kelsie burst into the building wide-eyed and swinging a fucking gun from left to right as though searching for something—or someone. Her trembling arms aimed at Mr. Moneybags the second she saw him.
“Oh shit!” Jinx yelled.
Ty vaulted over the counter. “Sweetheart, what the fuck are you doing?”
She blinked and flicked her gaze his way before focusing on the douche again. “Ty?”
“Yeah, honey, it’s me.” He didn’t want to use her name in front of the man at the business end of her pistol.
Confusion scrunched her face. “W-what are you doing here?”
“This is my shop.”
Mr. Moneybags turned. “Oh, holy fuck!” he screamed, then started to run toward the exit.
“Don’t move!” she shouted at Moneybags. “Do. Not. Move.” She jabbed the gun forward with each word.
“No one’s moving, sweetheart,” Ty said, even as he took another step toward her. Christ, what the hell had happened? Did she snap? Did something trigger a flashback so bad she’d reached for a gun? And how the hell had she ended up in his shop? “Why don’t you put the gun down, and we’ll talk.” He stepped in the path of the weapon.
She’d never shoot him.
A flash of a similar scene only a few months ago hit him—Kelsie standing before Spec with a knife. Spec’s knife. Brenna managed to de-escalate that situation, but she wasn’t here now.
Kelsie shook her head. “I can’t,” she whispered, outstretched arms quaking. “Please move. I can’t let him do it again.”
His blood ran cold.
“You know this crazy bitch?” the man yelled. “I’m fucking out of here.”
“Jinx,” Ty called out. As insane as this entire situation was, something about the absolute terror in Kelsie’s eyes had him questioning the man with the expensive BMW. She might have a mountain of issues to work through, but she wasn’t delusional. If she’d singled this man out, she had a reason. Probably a damn good one.
“On it, boss. He’s not going anywhere.” Jinx’s voice held a note of menace. He might be a jokester ninety percent of the time, but in the ten percent where the club needed him serious, he could scare the piss out of any man.
Ty stepped forward so close to Kelsie that her gun bumped his chest.
“Dude,” Jinx sounded worried, and for good reason. If Kelsie got too spooked and pulled the trigger, Ty would be a dead man.
“I need you to put the gun down,” he said to her as though talking to a wounded animal. “It’s pointed right at my chest.”
Surprise and horror crossed her expression as though she’d forgotten she held a deadly weapon, but she didn’t lower it. “I can’t,” she said again, so low he strained to hear it. “Please, Ty, move. I don’t want to hurt you, and I need to stop him.”
She wouldn’t shoot him. Ty might have been an asshole and pissed her off, but there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that she wouldn’t shoot him on purpose. The asshole behind him, though?
Yeah, she had the balls to end that fucker. But Ty wouldn’t let her take that risk or have a death on her conscience. Killing changed a person, and with all that Kelsie had been through, she didn’t need to add that trauma to the pile.
He cupped her face between his hands, tilting her face so she only saw him. “Jinx has him. We will not let him get away, I fucking swear it. I need you to put the gun down before someone comes in here and calls the police, and I can’t protect you.”
Her breath hitched in a near sob. “H-he hurt me,” she said.
His heart cracked as she confirmed his worst fear—this fucker had somehow been involved in the human trafficking group that had abducted and abused her only a few short months ago.
Her three words sealed the man’s fate. The monster wouldn’t meet a pretty end.
“What the fuck? I don’t know this crazy bitch,” the man screamed at the top of his lungs. The thrashing sounds rang behind him, but Ty didn’t bother to look. He had complete confidence in Jinx’s ability to restrain him just as he had full confidence in Spec’s ability to find out minute by minute what this piece of shit had done to Kelsie.
“Are you sure,” he asked, gazing down into her tear-stained face.
“Yes,” she whispered with a nod. “One hundred percent. He—” She shook her head and then finally lowered the gun. It hung limp at her side. “He just hurt me. That’s all I can say right now.”
Ty growled from low in his gut as he relieved her of the weapon, securing it at the small of his back. It took all his strength not to turn and put a bullet between the man’s eyes. Only the worry over Kelsie witnessing the event kept him from the vengeance his fury demanded.
“We’ll take care of him. By the time we’re done with him, he won’t be able to hurt anyone ever again. The pain he caused you will be nothing compared to what we’re gonna make him feel.”
Kelsie’s eyes widened, but she didn’t try to pull out of his hold.
“Get your fucking hands off me!” the man shouted. “Do you know who I am? The connections I have?”
“We don’t give a shit,” Jinx said without inflection.
“I have money. I can pay you. You want money?”
“Nope. We want blood. Your blood.”
Ty finally smiled. “Jinx, get him back to the clubhouse.”
“My pleasure.”
Ty didn’t bother to instruct his brother on what to do with the guy when they got to the clubhouse. He had complete faith and trust in his brothers. They’d know exactly what to do and wait on Ty when he was ready to act. And he would be soon, but first, he had to take care of Kelsie. If he were smart, he’d call one of the ol’ ladies to hang out with her, but as he’d demonstrated multiple times, he didn’t have a lick of intelligence when it came to this woman.
He scooped Kelsie up in his arms, much as he had when he’d rescued her. She immediately buried her face in his chest, and within seconds, wetness soaked his shirt.
Christ, not tears. He could handle a lot, but the feel of Kelsie weeping silently in his arms went beyond his limit.
Holding her as tight as he could without bruising her, he carried her outside. Brooke’s SUV sat parked in his lot. Pieces of this puzzle began to fall into place. She must have borrowed the car, and everyone knew Brooke kept a pistol in her glove box. All the ol’ ladies knew how to shoot and had a weapon on hand for protection. Unfortunately, the club had enemies, but his brothers were smart enough to ensure their women could protect themselves. He’d be sure to take Kelsie to their makeshift range once things settled.
He set her down next to his motorcycle. Even on her feet, she pressed her face to his chest, hands fisted in his shirt. With a gentle touch, he pried her hands off him but didn’t let her go. She lifted her head, gazing up at him with sorrow and embarrassment.
Christ, even tear-ravaged, she was so pretty his gut clenched. How could any man be in the presence of such beauty and try to destroy it?
“I can’t ride in a car right now,” he said, holding her hands against his chest. “I’m too jacked up. I need the space, or I’ll explode.”
Her eyes widened. “I-I’m okay to drive Brooke’s SUV.”
The fuck she was. He shook his head. “Think you can hang on to me on my bike?”
She gasped. “Your bike?”
“I’m not letting you drive right now. The car will be fine here, and someone will come get it later.”
“Brooke won’t be pissed?” Kelsie asked as her gaze drifted to the SUV.
“Fuck no. You could set fire to the thing, and she wouldn’t give two craps.”
His reaction brought a small huff of almost laughter. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
“Positive.” He released her hands and grabbed his helmet before settling it on her head.
“What about you?”
“I’m good.”
As she reached to buckle it, he batted her hands away and did it himself. She gifted him another of those near laughs. Her gaze remained locked on his face as he secured the helmet.
“What?” He could feel the gears turning in her head.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “You’re really good at making me feel cared for.”
He grunted. “Wish that was true. Pretty sure I’ve fucked up more often than not when it comes to you.”
Kelsie shrugged. “You’re entitled to your opinions.”
“Sweetheart…” He cupped her chin and tilted her head up.
She licked her lips, and he nearly groaned. That goddamned mouth was so fucking tempting. Would he be able to taste the sadness on her lips? Would the flavor change if he kissed her until she grew needy and couldn’t remember a single reason to be upset?
“Ty?” she said when he did nothing but stare at her mouth.
Fuck, why the hell was he thinking about kissing her? “You ready?”
Her nose wrinkled, causing his fingertip to tingle with the need to smooth it out. “Yeah. I’m ready.”
“Great.” He mounted the bike and then glanced at her over his shoulder. “Hop on. All you have to do is keep hold of me and lean with me when I turn. ’Kay?”
“Got it.” She lifted her leg over the rear seat of his bike, and Ty forced his gaze away from the sleek line of her smooth thigh. Fuck whoever invented those teeny-tiny denim shorts women wore. Fucking sadist.
She slid onto the seat and huddled against his back, wrapping her slender arms around his waist. With a little wiggle, she settled in. “Like this?”
Christ in heaven, give me strength.
He could feel her tits, soft and warm, against the middle of his back. The heat between her legs seared him as she nestled his ass between her thighs. His dick grew hard in an instant, caught miserably between his body and the unyielding metal of the bike. At this rate, there wouldn’t be enough blood in his brain to remember the rules of the road.
“Ty?”
“Perfect,” he croaked. Thankfully, she had no idea when he said perfect—he meant his fantasies of her naked and pressed against him in other ways.
Every filthy way he could imagine.
God, he was one sick fuck. If she had any idea what was in his head right now or what he’d thought about as he’d yanked his dick to completion in the shower earlier, she’d run screaming and never return.
Tonight, he’d see if Curly would play wingman and accompany him to a bar. It’d been too long since he’d gotten laid. Not since he’d met Kelsie, which was a mind fuck in itself.
He needed to remedy the situation to keep his sanity.
He kick-started the bike and pulled out of the parking lot. As soon as the motorcycle moved, Kelsie squeaked and tightened her grip. Ty gritted his teeth. This was going to be the ride from hell.
Kelsie leaned with him as he took the turn. Of course, she had to be a natural on the back of his bike.
Instead of going directly to the clubhouse, Ty chose Masochist Lane and headed for the beach, telling himself he needed some ride time to clear his head.
Five minutes into the trip, he accelerated onto the highway. Kelsie let out a whoop and laughed as soon as he hit seventy. The joyful sound did nothing to calm Ty’s desire. In fact, it skyrocketed, knowing he was the man to give her a slice of happiness. Hell, if she liked riding, he’d take her out every damn day.
To help with her healing and recovery, of course. Not because she made him hard. That was only because he hadn’t gotten laid in too long. Tomorrow, it wouldn’t happen anymore.
You fucking liar.
Familiar landmarks zipped by. Before he realized what he was doing, Ty had pulled into his driveway and killed the engine. He lived on the end of a mature street in a small, Mediterranean-style ranch he’d owned since before his marriage.
As soon as he killed the engine, Kelsie hopped off the bike. “That was the best thing ever,” she said, breathless.
He lifted his leg over the bike, turning to put both feet on the ground. “You liked it?”
“Did I like it? Not even close. I loved it.”
He met her gaze. The pure pleasure in her eyes kicked him in the gut with the force of a mule. Christ, he’d been attracted to her before, but Kelsie, without the weight of her baggage dragging her down, was so stunning he couldn’t do anything but gawk.
“God, I needed that.” She spread her arms and inhaled a long breath. Her tits rose as her chest filled, and he tried to look away, but they looked so fucking appealing—high, round, and big enough they’d perfectly fill his mouth and hands. His palms itched to touch.
He nearly groaned. Why on earth did he bring her here?
Kelsie opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Thank you, Ty.”
They stared at each other with only ten feet separating them. Sparks crackled in the empty space, live and popping. Was that interest in her gaze?
His cock was hard and ready for action. Were she any other woman, he’d take her inside and spend the rest of the day making her scream. But this was Kelsie, for fuck’s sake. A woman twenty years his junior who’d been abused in the worst way. Who trusted him to keep her safe, not to try to fuck her. What was wrong with him thinking of her that way? Of course, she didn’t want him. What he saw was gratitude and excitement over the stress-relieving ride. Nothing more.
“I”m glad you liked it,” he said as he stepped back. “Come on in. I’ll make some coffee, and then we can talk.”
Her smile deflated, making him feel like the worst kind of bastard, but at least he’d gotten his mind out of the gutter.
For now.