Chapter 29
Worley
Dancing. Of all the nonsense that could happen tonight.
Dancing wasn’t one I planned for. I don’t dance.
Never had the desire to learn. If only Jack could have stopped them.
Why did Lily have to drink tonight? Why did Kayla have to get involved?
Why did we have to come here? I glance at my brother behind the bar.
Yeah. Bankz is why we’re here. He deserves our support.
He’s not happy with a few of these ladies tonight, either.
The first few songs aren’t so bad. My temper eases slightly watching my ole’ lady move to the beat.
Dancing might not be as bad as I thought, just not in public.
In our bedroom, I could definitely be persuaded to try.
Anything to put that smile on her face. It’s the only reason that I’m not pulling her out of here right now.
I haven’t seen her smile in days. That’s my fault.
I refuse to ease up on her protection until her ex is found.
The next song changes my mind about everything. The college kids shout and rush to the dance floor the moment the music starts. This nonsense can’t be real music. Christina and Lauren aren’t comfortable with it either. Lauren manages to get away and return to their table. Jay looks relieved.
I turn back to the dance floor, and my world falls apart. Where is she? Kayla and Lily are dancing. Well, it’s more like they’re bumping into people.
“Christina!” She wouldn’t be able to hear me over this music.
I shouldn’t have taken my eyes off of her. I grab my phone, hit the SOS, and shove the man in front of me out of the way. I continue moving people aside all the way across the dance floor. She’s not here. My phone vibrates in my pocket. I don’t have to look. My brothers are already moving.
He's here, and he has her. I head straight for the back door. Women line the hallway waiting for the restroom. The back door is locked. Nothing looks out of place. The alarm sounds the moment I shove the door open. Jack and Jay are right behind me.
Patches stumbles around the side of the building, blood running down the left side of his head.
“Side entrance.” He points to the alley.
Bankz grabs him. “Let’s get you to Lily.” He drags the prospect through the back door.
The boys and I run to the alley. No one’s here. No cars drive away. I spin around and scream.
“This way!” Jay runs down a path toward another alley.
We reach the service parking lot behind the old hardware store. A black car with the trunk open sits in the shadows. A man dressed in black looms over a woman pinned against the car. My woman. He has my woman. I push past Jay.
He slams his fist into the top of the car. She flinches. The loud noise. I’m going to kill this man.
“You should have stayed hidden,” he sneers in her face.
“You definitely should have.” I see red. Everything around me fades.
The moment Sean Gilbert’s head snaps in my direction, his face meets my hand.
“Darin,” Christina cries.
Jay grabs her and pulls her away. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Stop him,” she pleads.
“No can do, Aunt Chrissy.” Jay hands her off to Jack.
I don’t stop pounding this man into the ground. I don’t give him time to defend himself. I don’t let him speak. I don’t even want to let him breathe.
Jack wraps Christina in his arms, holding her against his chest, and turns her away. Jay joins me in serving this piece of trash the punishment he deserves.
“Jack, stop them.”
“I can’t. I won’t.” Jack looks over his shoulder. “Hurry up before the cops get here!”
Jay and I don’t stop until sirens are heard. I drag Sean to his feet. I have to hold him up. Pretty sure his legs are broken. Fear settles in his eyes. He should choke on it.
“Crawl off somewhere and die.” His nose cracks when my fist connects with his face again.
Jay grabs my arm. “Gotta go, man.”
I drop the unconscious dirtbag and leave him where he lands. If the cops don’t find him in time, he can die right here.
Jack passes Christina to me as we hurry back toward the Roadhouse.
“No.” Jay pushes us toward another alley. “This way.”
We follow him without question. Surprisingly, we end up at Jay’s Garage. Our trucks are here. No clue how. Hendrix steps aside. Lily runs to Jack. Lauren runs to Jay and then to her sister.
“Sissi, are you hurt?”
Chistina shakes her head. “Not physically.”
I cup her cheek in my hand. “Wanna go home?”
“Do I have one?” Tears flow from her eyes.
“Yes, ma’am, you sure do. Your home will always be with me.”
“You’re angry. I didn’t listen. I caused this.”
“No, ma’am, you didn’t cause any of it. A man not worthy of the title or your attention caused all of it.”
“You still want me?”
I rest my forehead against hers. “You are mine. I will always want you.”
“Well, he did claim you,” Jay says.
“What?” She leans back slightly. “You claimed me?”
“I darn sure did.” And I claim her lips with mine.