One by one, the brothers unlocked the girls. When Jules was free, I sat back against the wall with her cradled to my chest. Sirens wailed as ambulances pulled in. Paramedics come down the stairs, their reaction exactly like ours. They shook their heads, a couple turning green, visibly appalled by the sight and smell. It was something that would haunt the strongest person until the day they died.
“Help me!” As two medics rushed to my side, I laid her out for them, frantic. “She passed out about fifteen minutes ago. I don’t know if it’s because she’s exhausted or if something’s wrong with her.” I took a deep breath as they motioned me to step back and started working on her. I dragged my hands through my hair, wanting to be by her side, but knowing they needed room to work. “We called as soon as we found them. I have no idea how long they’ve been here.”
I wasn’t sure if anyone was listening, I just felt the need to explain. To say something, anything to get my mind off the crazy fear eating me alive. Would Jules be all right? Had they hurt her, like, touched her? If they had I’d kill them.
The paramedics looked all the girls over, poking and prodding and starting IVs, giving them what I could only assume was fluid in those clear bags. Then they loaded them on gurneys and carried them up the stairs one at a time.
I walked beside Jules, holding her hand until they loaded her into the ambulance.
Sal walked up, horror and fear written all over his usually stoic face. “Is she all right?”
I scrubbed a hand through my hair as they strapped her in. “She passed out. Other than that, I have no idea.” I couldn’t keep my voice from shaking. She had to be okay.
I overheard one of the EMTs calling it in. “We have five female victims that appear to have been held captive. Severe trauma. ETA fifteen minutes.”
Severe trauma. The words kept ringing in my head. How bad was she hurt?
Sal interrupted my thoughts. “Son, we have a problem. That’s not John,” he whispered as he pointed to the man my brothers had surrounded over by a tree.
Damn. I’d hoped they’d have him out of here, but they had to wait for a car since they’d all ridden their bikes. Wait. What did he say?
“What?” It had to be him. “What do you mean?”
“Dom, that is not John. He’s not here.” Panic laced his voice as he moved closer. “This isn’t over.” He shook his head, looking at his daughter in the ambulance. “You have to protect her. Stay with her at all times. Got me?” True fear seeped through his tone. “At least until I find him. He knows all my safe houses.” Failure echoed in his tone. “I can’t protect her right now, but you and your club can.” He made eye contact with my brothers, and they all nodded.
Sirens from cop cars screamed in the distance. I looked around in a panic. There was no way we could get these guys out of here before the cops arrived. I ground my teeth. I needed to punish someone for what they’d done to Jules.
Sal laid a hand on my arm. “Go with Jules. I’ll stay and finish up with the cops.” I glared at him and he seemed to understand. “I’ll make sure nobody says anything about the third guy or John. He’s ours to deal with.”
That calmed me a little. “Okay. I’ll let you know how she is.” A sudden thought hit me. “Don’t forget to call Gia, will you?” She was important to Jules, and she should know we’d found her.
He nodded and moved to meet the officers pulling up. I climbed into the back of the ambulance, immediately latching onto Jules’ hand. I looked around and noticed that each ambulance had one of the girls in it and each of the girls had one of my guys sitting with them.
“Guard them with your lives,” I mouthed to them. Each one gave me a nod as the paramedics closed the doors.
Waiting in the emergency room waiting area was hell on earth. My whole body revolted against letting her go. I didn’t want the woman I loved out of my sight ever again. Closing my eyes, I tried to calm my breathing, focusing on her face in my mind. Knowing I would be with her as soon as they were done checking her over helped soothe me some.
I let my mind drift to the night I first told her I loved her.
I walked out of the bike shop, ignoring the guys. I was used to catching shit from them lately. I didn’t care they were making fun of me. I couldn’t erase the smile from my face. I was a goner for that girl, and I had plans for her that night. I shot her a quick text.
Me: Get ready. I’ll be there at seven, beautiful.
Jules: Where are we going?
I didn’t bother responding because I had no intention of telling her.
I picked up Jules at her apartment. I knocked on her door, then got knocked on my ass when she opened it. She was dressed in the tightest pair of jeans I’d ever seen. My own jeans got uncomfortably snug. The top she had on was just as tight, highlighting her perfect breasts. She looked gorgeous, all the way down to the black boots she was wearing.
Grabbing her and picking her up, I kissed her hard as she wrapped her legs around my waist, shoving her tongue down my throat. I loved how eager she was. Gripping her ass and giving it a squeeze, I gently nipped at her lip. She let out a cute little squeak.
“Hi, beautiful,” I murmured as I kissed down her jaw line. “You ready to go?” I set her on her feet.
With a shimmy of her ass,
