Ruthless

by Gillian Archer

  But it was a close call.

  Once his eyes had crawled from her undulating hips to the soft, sweet curve of her breasts and eventually to the gorgeous features of her face, he noticed her trepidation. Her wide eyes and nervous smile, not to mention the way she clutched her red party cup like her life depended on it, had Zag cursing under his breath. He knew he shouldn’t have let her out of his sight. Christ only knew what Brittany and the other women had told his Jessica.

  When she got within arm’s reach, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into him. He took a second and breathed in the sweet scent of her hair and smiled as he felt her body melt into his.

  “So I take it this is your lady?” The laughter in Bumper’s voice was unmistakable.

  Not that Zag gave a shit. “Yup. Bumper, Jessica. Jessica, Bump.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Since she didn’t have a free hand—one was wrapped around Zag’s back and the other clutched her beer—she tilted her drink in Bumper’s direction.

  “I’ll be fucking damned.”

  Brittany stepped around Jessica and completed their tiny circle. “Probably so, but anything in particular that’s damning you today?”

  But Bump just shook his head. “I’m going to go get another. Anyone need a top-up?”

  “No, thank you.” Jessica answered.

  Zag shook his head.

  As Bump walked away, an awkward silence descended on the trio, broken only by the sizzle of the grill a few feet away as Axle loaded it again with another round of burgers.

  Brittany smiled as she looked between the two of them. “I’m just going to go check on Stitch. See if he needs anything.”

  After giving them another wide grin, she turned and disappeared around the side of the house.

  “So…”

  “So…” Jessica echoed.

  “You having fun?”

  Jessica stepped back and immediately Zag felt the loss of her sweetly curved body. She bit her lip as she tilted her head to the side, clearly debating her answer.

  “Because if you’re not, I can take you back home. Before it gets too rowdy here.”

  “No. I mean yes.” Jessica laughed and shook her head. “I am having fun. And I also wanted to apologize for before and the whole old lady claiming thing.”

  “Forget about it.”

  “No, really. It wasn’t the time or place to say any of the crappy things I said. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you in front of your friends.”

  “Apology accepted.” Zag shrugged, feeling all awkward. He couldn’t remember a time when one of his exes had apologized to him for causing a scene. Most of them seemed to get off on it like it was an expected part of a relationship or some such bullshit. Yet another example of how different Jessica really was.

  Definitely too good for a son of a bitch like him.

  “You should hang on to that one.”

  Zag spun around at Axle’s declaration. He’d forgotten for a minute that they weren’t truly alone. Or even in a PG-rated atmosphere, judging by Tucker’s wide eyes.

  He gave Axle a smug little smile. “That’s the plan.”

  At least until she realized who he really was.

  Chapter 15

  Jessica

  JULY 18

  Another long day behind me, I stepped off the elevator and into the parking garage. Today had been full of people with missed reservations and upset mothers with squalling babies. Between the raised voices and the fire alarm just after lunch, I couldn’t wait to get home.

  Tonight was going to be a girls’ night out with my besties. I hadn’t seen them in what felt like forever, although I knew it’d only been a few weeks. In fact, I was so excited, I didn’t bother to wait for the usual MC-provided escort to my car. It’d been two weeks since Preacher was released on bail. Zag was just paranoid.

  Of course, I didn’t get very far. Three steps into the parking garage, the other elevator dinged and Bobby stepped off.

  “Shit, Jess, you didn’t wait for me. Not cool. How many times do we gotta tell you?”

  I rolled my eyes. “It’s twenty yards to my car. I think I’m gonna be okay.”

  “Do you not remember what happened the last time you were alone in this parking garage?”

  “I really doubt Preacher would come back here. No one’s that stupid.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Zag’s orders—you get an escort no matter what.”

  I rolled my eyes but still fell into step with Bobby. It’d taken a few days, but he was starting to grow on me, or maybe I was the one who was changing. Barbecues and late nights with Zag and his True Brothers had to be having an effect on me. This had become my new normal.

  I really needed a night out with the girls to ground me again.

  Halfway to my car, I heard a sound that made me pause. My spine prickled. I tossed a glance over my shoulder but saw nothing. Feeling more than a little bit paranoid—I was beginning to really hate parking garages—I looked over at Bobby. He was looking left and right, too.

  “Stay close.”

  The ball of nerves in my stomach doubled. I just wanted to get to my car and get the hell out of here. Starting tomorrow I was parking somewhere—anywhere—else. Maybe across the street in the satellite lot.

  “Oomph!” Bobby let out a grunt, then collapsed boneless at my feet.

  And I lost it.

  “Bobby!” I screamed. Then screamed again as someone grabbed me from behind and started dragging me away. “Oh my god! Oh my god!”

  I clawed at the hands wrapped around my waist. My body bucked in some unknown man’s arms as I tried to head-butt the asshole behind me. On my third attempt, blinding pain seared the back of my skull as I connected.

  “Son of a bitch!”

  And then I was free. I ran to Bobby and felt for a pulse. He was alive. I didn’t even have time to consider my next move. I froze at the telltale sound of a handgun cocking.

  “Not so fast, pretty lady. Or should I call you princess?”

  My blood ran cold. I held my hands up and turned to face the man holding a gun on me. I’d only seen him once before, but I’d never forget that ugly face. Preacher.

  He gestured with the gun. “You and me are gonna have a little talk.”

  “Okay.” I nodded jerkily. “What do you want to talk about?”

  “I see what got Zag all tied up over you. You’re a little tigress. Too bad I won’t have time to inspect the merchandise myself.”

  I shuddered at the thought.

  “The way I figure it, I’ve only got a few minutes until security shows up because of your fat mouth. So let’s get one thing clear: You didn’t see anything here a month ago. You don’t know me and you won’t pick me out of a lineup.”

  I nodded again. Anything to get him out of here and away from me and Bobby.

  “Say it! I wanna hear you say it.”

  I flinched. “I-I-I didn’t see anything. Then or now.”

  “Perfect.” He took a few steps toward me until he was inches from my face. His sour breath filled my nostrils. “Too bad me and you didn’t meet first. I know just how to handle a stuck-up princess like you.”

  I closed my eyes and swallowed hard. Dear God, please make him leave.

  And then he did the most disgusting thing ever.

  He leaned down and licked my cheek in one loud, long slurp.

  This time I couldn’t hide my reaction. I pulled back and my shoulders jerked with my dry heave.

  “Fucking bitch.”

  The right side of my face exploded with pain and I fell to the ground. I covered my head and balled up into the fetal position, afraid of more blows. Once my ears stopped ringing, I became aware of the fading roar of a motorcycle and realized Preacher had left. I lowered my hands and took a cautious look around. He was really gone.

  I rolled over and looked for my purse. Finding it within arm’s reach, I grabbed it, then pulled my phone out. I thumbed through the screen setting until I found the se
curity number I’d logged in after my last run-in with Preacher.

  “Mother Lode Security.”

  “This is Jessica Miller. My friend and I have been attacked. We’re on the third floor of the parking garage. Please send security and call for an ambulance and the police.”

  I didn’t even wait to hear an answer. I dropped my phone as a loud groan filled the structure, followed by a weak gasp.

  Bobby still lay prone on his side, clutching his head. My heart lurched at the blood streaming from between his fingers.

  “Oh my god, Bobby.” I dug through my bag until I found the pack of travel tissues, then raced back to his side and dropped to my knees next to him. “Oh God. Oh my god. I’ve called for an ambulance. And security should be here soon.”

  “No!” he barked, then winced in pain. “Don’t call security. Call Zag.”

  I ignored him as I fumbled with the plastic wrapping. Finally getting the blasted packaging open, I pulled out all the tissues and pressed them against Bobby’s wound. My stomach lurched at my brief glimpse of his wound before the tissues were quickly soaked with Bobby’s blood.

  “Shit, shit, shit. The one day I don’t bring my gym bag. You’re going to be okay, Bobby. Help will be here really quick.”

  “I don’t need help. I need you to call Zag.”

  I tried to keep my tone light. “What you need is a doctor and a couple of stitches.”

  “Jess. Call. Zag.” Bobby’s eyes were surprisingly bright, considering he’d been unconscious just a minute ago. “Call him.”

  I looked at him with indecision. I knew the minute Zag found out about all this he’d go all scary biker. Right now was the time for clear heads, especially when the police showed up. “I’ll call him once you’re on your way to the hospital.”

  “Not going. Call Zag. Tell him I need Doc.”

  “Dammit.” If Bobby was anything like Zag—and so far he seemed to be—I knew there wouldn’t be any negotiating with him. Damn stubborn men. Decision made, I dug my phone out of my purse, then thumbed through the contacts and made the call.

  “Hey, princess, are you guys on your way?” Even through my panicked haze, I could hear the sexy, smoky quality in his voice.

  “Zag, Bobby’s been jumped. Preacher came out of nowhere and—”

  “Where are you?” His tone quickly changed to bone-chilling scary biker guy.

  “I’m on the third floor of the Mother Lode’s parking garage. I just got off shift and he came up behind us—”

  “Are you guys alone?”

  I looked around the still empty parking garage. “I think so.”

  There could’ve been anyone lurking behind any of the cars. I shuddered.

  “Fuck,” Zag muttered.

  “Bobby told me to call you. He says he won’t go with the ambulance when they come. He wants you to call someone named Doc?” I deliberately downplayed my conversation with Preacher. We needed cool heads here, and I knew when Zag heard everything that’d happened he’d go ballistic. Despite the cool façade I was trying to project, my teeth started to chatter.

  “Put Bobby on the phone.”

  I handed my cell to Bobby and knelt beside him, holding my sides as shivers overtook my body in spite of the harsh July heat.

  “Yeah,” Bobby groaned. “It was Preacher. The bastard pistol-whipped me, I think…Yeah, I’m okay. Nothing a few stitches won’t cure.” He paused and his eyes swept over my hunched form. “Okay. I think your old lady’s going into shock…Uh-huh. I can do that.”

  Bobby ended the call without letting me speak to Zag again. “Come on, Jess. You’re going to take me over to Zag’s place.”

  With a slight moan and still clutching his head, he slowly rolled over into a kneeling position, then painfully pushed himself up into a crouched stance.

  I watched his painful progression to stand and knew I should’ve helped—I just didn’t know where to put my hands. I didn’t want to hurt him anymore, and he didn’t exactly ask for help, either.

  He pressed the phone into my hand and I looked down at it helplessly. What was I supposed to do now?

  “Jess!”

  My head snapped up at his barking tone. So very similar to Zag’s.

  “Snap out of it. You’re going to help me over to your car and then you’re going to drive us both to Zag’s place.” Bobby paused and turned his head to spit some more blood. “Come on, Jess, I need you.”

  I nodded robotically. “But what about security? They should be on their way. The police, too.”

  Bobby stared at me for a moment, then cursed under his breath. “Fuck me. Of course you called the authorities. Come on, I’ll help you up.” He held out an arm like a little old lady.

  Little old lady. I giggled helplessly and took it. His arm felt hot against my cold, clammy skin.

  A few seconds later the parking garage echoed with the sound of what seemed like a thousand sirens, and chaos ensued. I was pulled over to one side with the security guards and later the police, while Bobby was being looked over by the paramedics.

  “So tell me again what happened.”

  I looked at the officer in disbelief. This would make the third time I’d run through my story. “Are you not taking notes? Why do I have to keep repeating myself?”

  The officers exchanged a glance. “Ma’am, you’re in the company of a True Brother—”

  “Who was assaulted,” I cut in.

  “So you say. But—”

  “Wait a minute. Is there some doubt that I was assaulted, too? The son of a bitch hit Bobby hard enough to knock him out, and then he hit me. My face is still throbbing. And he threatened me against testifying in court about the drug deal. What part of all that is confusing you guys?”

  “He touched you?” Bobby tore away from the paramedics, gauze dangling from the side of his head. “He put his hands on you?”

  The rage on Bobby’s face took my breath away. I knew better than to tell him about Preacher’s tongue, too. I brushed away Bobby’s hands after he turned my head to the side to get a better look. “I’m fine. Nothing’s broken.”

  “Son of a bitch.” Bobby bit the words out. “Come on, let’s go.”

  “Sir, you cannot leave. We need your statement, too.”

  “Bullshit,” Bobby yelled over his shoulder. “If you don’t believe her, you sure as hell won’t believe me. You fucking cops are all alike. And we’re refusing medical treatment, too.”

  I didn’t want to make the situation any worse, so I just shook my head at the cops and let Bobby frog-march me to my car. “You guys have my info. Call me if you want me to sign a statement.”

  Reaching my car, I hit the unlock button on the key fob, then opened the rear driver’s side door.

  “I think maybe I should drive,” Bobby muttered. “You don’t look too hot.”

  Considering the condition he was in, that was more than a little insulting—and helped me snap out of it. I had to be strong. “If I don’t look hot, you look like shit.”

  Bobby’s head jerked up, then he groaned at the swift movement. “You’re starting to sound more like yourself. You sure you’re good to drive?”

  I scoffed. “There’s no way in hell I’m letting you drive my car.”

  Bobby chuckled weakly. “Fuck, you sound just like Zag.”

  My heart stuttered at his proclamation. Sounded like Zag? We barely knew each other. He couldn’t have been rubbing off on me already.

  “Yeah, well, try not to bleed all over my upholstery,” I muttered. I slowly helped him onto the backseat, then gave him a towel. Once he was settled in the back, I slammed the door and bolted for the front seat and locked the doors behind me.

  Feeling more than a little paranoid as I drove out of the parking garage, I kept my eyes and ears peeled for any sign of Bobby’s and my attacker. Between my paranoia over being followed and Bobby’s soft groans, the drive to Zag’s house felt endless. Every time Bobby moaned, I’d look over my shoulder and be reminded just how bad off he
was.

  “Oh God. Are you sure you don’t want me to take you to a hospital?” I asked when I couldn’t take the sounds any longer.

  “No. I’ve had a concussion before. I know what it feels like.”

  Not sure if I was comforted by that piece of information, I turned back to the road and drove a little faster. My sigh of relief on turning onto Zag’s street quickly morphed into a gasp at the sight at his curb. More than fifteen motorcycles lined the street in front of Zag’s house. I slowly weaved between them and pulled to a stop in Zag’s driveway.

  Before I even had a chance to open my door, it was ripped open and Zag’s angry face stared down at me. He unbuckled my seat belt and snatched me out the car while I was still trying to make my tongue work and say something.

  “Are you hurt? Did they touch you?” His hands were all over my body, scanning for any sign of injury. I carefully kept the left side of my face away from him.

  My heart melted a little even as adrenaline still surged through my body. I tried to pull away and go to the rear passenger door to reach Bobby, but Zag had an unbreakable hold on my arms. “No, Zag. I’m fine. Really. We should—”

  “Where’d this blood come from?” Zag zeroed in on a smear on my sleeve. He pulled up the material and would’ve ripped off my blouse if I’d let him. I struggled over my sleeve and hem with Zag, determined not to show the other bikers in his front yard all my assets.

  “It came from Bobby.” I gave up the tussle over my blouse and cupped his face in my hands. “I’m fine, but we need to get Bobby some help.”

  My touch seemed to calm him, but when my eyes clashed with his, I caught my breath at the torment I saw there. His eyes had a wild, primal wide-eyed stare. Then they narrowed on the left side of my face. “Son of a bitch!”

  I winced as his palm cupped my still-smarting cheek.

  “Fuck, baby. I’m sorry.” He tilted my face to the side and looked at what I was sure was going to be an amazing bruise tomorrow. “Did he touch you anywhere else?”