Page 116 of Retaliation

The morning air was crisp, the city just beginning to wake. She could feel the bike’s power beneath her, a raw, untamed force. She twisted the throttle, and the machine responded with a roar, launching her into the streets. The sensation was exhilarating, the speed intoxicating. She wove through traffic, the world blurring around her as she pushed the bike harder, faster.

Every corner, every straight stretch, was a burst of freedom. Her thoughts, which swirled with dark clouds thinking about Scorpion, his betrayal, his coldness toward her, now cleared, all le pain in her body evaporated, leaving only the pure, unfiltered joy of the ride. The wind whipped past her, carrying away the remnants of her frustration, pain and anger. She was untouchable, unstoppable.

But as she sped through an intersection, the flash of blue lights in her mirrors pulled her back to reality. A siren wailed, cutting through the euphoria. Poison’s heart sank, annoyance and resignation filling the void where excitement had been.

She pulled over to the side of the road, the bike’s engine purring beneath her as she waited. The cop approached, his expression stern and condescending.

He tapped his knuckles on her helmet. “Morning, Miss. Having a little too much fun, are we?”

She removed her helmet, shaking out her hair as irritation and anger dug its claws into her chest.

“Morning, officer,” she said, plastering on a sweet smile, despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

“Do you have any idea how fast you were going?” he asked, his tone dripping with superiority.

“Fast enough to get your attention, apparently,” she replied, unable to keep the hint of a smirk off her face.

The officer’s expression didn’t soften. “License,” he demanded, extending his hand.

She handed over her license, trying to tame her irritation.

The officer scanned her information, then looked back at her with a condescending sneer.

“Nice bike. Bought it with Daddy’s money, did you?” he asked, flicking the bow on her helmet.

Poison’s jaw tightened, but she forced a smile. “Actually, it was a gift.”

He handed her documents back with a smirk. “Of course it was. Daddy forgot the training wheels?” He shook his head, clearly enjoying the show of power. “I’m going to let you off with a warning this time. Try to keep it under the speed limit, Princess.”

She took a deep breath, punching a cop would not do her any good, sliding her helmet back on. But the officer’s next words pushed her over the edge.

“Better yet, leave the riding to the men. Girls like you shouldn’t be on a bike anyway.”

Poison’s vision narrowed, a red haze of anger clouding her thoughts. Before she could stop herself, she swung her leg off the bike and marched up to the cop. Without a second’s hesitation, she head-butted him with her helmet still on.

There was a sickening crunch as his nose broke, and the cop stumbled back, falling to the ground. Blood poured from his nose as he swore at her, fumbling for his gun. He pointed it at her, his hand shaking with rage and pain.

“You crazy bitch!” he spat, his voice muffled by the blood. “Get on the ground, now!”

Poison’s heart pounded, but she kept her stance firm. “You sure know how to flirt, Officer. Pulling a gun on me? I’m flattered.”

His eyes widened in disbelief and fury. “I said get on the ground!”

She took a step closer, ripping off her helmet, staring him down despite the gun aimed at her.

“Or what? You’ll shoot me for defending myself? Go ahead. I’d love to see how that plays out for you.”

The cop’s face twisted with rage. He lunged at her, forcing her to the ground. The rough pavement bit into her skin as he wrestled her arms behind her back and slapped on the handcuffs.

“Assaulting an officer, huh? Let’s see how tough you are in jail,” he growled, yanking her to her feet.

Her mind raced, her body thrumming with adrenaline and anger. She watched helplessly as he grabbed her bike’s keys and pocketed them, then shoved her toward the patrol car, picking up her fallen helmet.

He opened the back door and roughly pushed her inside, her head hitting the top of the door frame. She bit back a curse as he slammed the door shut. Climbing into the driver’s seat, he radioed for backup, his voice muffled by the blood streaming from his nose.

“Dispatch, this is Officer Jenkins. I’ve got a suspect in custody. Send a tow truck to impound the bike at my location.”

The car started moving, and Poison stared out the window, fury burning in her chest.

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