Page 53 of Bolt's Flame

“James,” I breathed, my voice barely a whisper, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts all at once. But one stood out.

What is he going to do?

He took a step closer, his smile cold and sharp, sending a wave of nausea through me. “You didn’t think you could hide from me forever, did you?”

I swallowed hard, my hands shaking as I clutched the bag of berries to my chest like a shield. “What do you want, James?”

“What do I want?” he repeated, his voice dripping with mock amusement as he closed the distance between us. “I want you to come home, where you belong. With me. I’m sorry, and I’ll never hurt you again... I swear it. You know how much I love you.”

I took a step back, my heart racing, my mind screaming at me to run, but my feet felt like they were glued to the ground, my eyes scanned the parking lot and there were so many people around surely, he wouldn’t try to take me. “I’m not coming back to you, James. It’s over.”

His smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating glare that turned my blood to ice. “No, Fiona. It’s not over. It will never be over until I say it is.”

I shook my head, trying to summon some of the strength I’d found since leaving him. “You don’t control me anymore. I’m not afraid of you.”

He laughed, the sound harsh and cruel. “Oh, but you should be,” he said, his voice low and menacing as he took another step toward me. “You should be very afraid, Fiona. Because if you don’t come back to me willingly, I will make your life a living hell right along with anyone who gets close to you.”

My breath hitched, the fear rising up inside me, threatening to choke me. I had to get out of here. I had to get away from him. I took another step back, my mind scrambling for a way out, for something to say that would get him to leave me alone. Hoping that Josie would show up and run James off.

“You can’t do anything to me,” I managed to say, my voice trembling but defiant. “The club will protect me.”

His eyes darkened, his jaw clenching as he reached out and grabbed my wrist, his grip like a vise. “You think those bikers are going to save you? They don’t care about you, Fiona. They’re using you, just like everyone else. But me? I’m the only one who truly loves you.”

I yanked my hand away, fear turning into anger, a hot, burning rage that gave me the strength to push him back. “Stay away from me, James. I’m not yours. I will never be yours again.”

For a moment, he just stared at me, his eyes narrowing with fury. He looked around and noticed that people were now staring at us. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd like he’d never been there at all.

I stood there, my body shaking, my mind reeling from the encounter. He was still out there. Still watching, and now he knew where to find me. The safety I’d felt at the clubhouse, the illusion that I could start over, was shattered in an instant.

I needed to get back. I needed to tell dad, to tell Devil, even Bolt. They had to know that James wasn’t going to give up, and that he was still a threat.

With shaking hands, I fumbled with the keys, unlocking the car door and sliding inside. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, but it was no use. The fear was there, clawing at my insides, refusing to let go.

A knock on the window caused me to jump. “Fiona?”

I breathed a sigh of relief. Josie. I unlocked the door and watched him slide into the driver’s seat. “What’s wrong? Tell me,” Josie demanded.

“He was here, and he threatened me,” I explained, my voice shaking.

“Dammit!” Josie thundered, his hand hitting the steering wheel. “I knew I shouldn’t have left you alone to take that phone call.”

“It’s not your fault. I figured since I hadn’t heard from him in so long, I was safe.”

“You’re wrong, Fiona,” he replied, looking over at me. “I know more than anyone how a bastard like James thinks and should have known he was following you.”

“Let’s just get out of here.” I rubbed my arms, my skin prickling with fear. “I feel like he’s still watching.”

“Yeah, let’s get you back,” Josie said and started the car, pulling out of the parking lot.

I WAS SITTINGin the common room, nursinga beer and trying to ignore everyone around me. It felt like I was going through the motions, watching everyone else laugh and carry on while my mind was living in hell.

Just then, the door opened, slamming shut with a little too much force. I looked up, my heart seizing in my chest when I saw Fiona standing there with Josie, her eyes wide with fear, her entire body trembling like she’d just seen a ghost.

“Fiona?” I shouted, standing up and going over to her.

She looked at me, her eyes scared, before she focused on Horse and Brenda, who were already rushing toward her, their faces filled with worry. “Dad... Brenda... he found me.”

My blood ran cold at her words. I didn’t need to ask who she was talking about. Her ex-bastard. That miserable fucker had found her.

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