Page 68 of The Hunted

“This is Raven, she’s… He looks to me for a moment before continuing, “she’s mine. I need you to guard her with your life.” He brings me into his side, squeezing my shoulder. Hearing him call me “his” sends a thrill through me.

I’ve fallen so hard, so fast for this man.

“Why the fuck would we baby-sit your bitch?”

Knox steps forward as gray beard raises his gun. I press myself in front of him and he gently moves me behind him.

“You get this one fucking time to speak to me like that, one fucking time to call my woman a bitch.” Knox speaks quietly, deadly. His nostrils flare, his ruthless rage barely contained. I’m hanging onto his bicep, trying to tamp down the beast.

Calm down, Knox. We need their help.

“I... I, uh…” Gray beard is at a loss for words. I don’t blame him. I’m about to tell the man to run for his life when a voice sounds from behind us.

“Shut the fuck up, Punch, and back the fuck off before Bane fucking drives his fist through your skull.”

I turn to see Lazz coming through the gate. He made it out. He looks like pure hell, though. Blood soaks his clothes, but from the fluid way he moves, I can tell it’s not all his.

Lazz comes over and shoves gray beard backward, and he turns, walking off toward the other men.

“Pay no attention to Punch. He’s a dumb shit. A good soldier but a dumb shit.”

“You made it.” I offer a smile.

I never thought I’d be happy he was safe.

“Sure did, darlin’. Had to fight my way out of that fucking tunnel, but these fuckers can’t kill me before I spill their blood.”

He shoots me a wink and a devious smile.

“What’s the plan, man?” Lazz asks as he turns his attention to Knox.

“I need someone to watch after Raven, and I need guns and ammo.”

Lazz smiles. “We’ve got that covered. My old man founded this MC on gun runnin’ and we have carried on that tradition. What do you need?”

Knox’s eyes light up, and he heads over with Lazz to a SUV to pick out what he needs. I stay out of his way as much as possible. Knox picks up guns, loads them, and starts strapping the guns and ammo to his body. Every now and then, he turns and gives me a small smile as he arms himself to do battle to the death. I’m trying to stay strong for him, but inside, I’m falling apart. He is going back in there, and no amount of pleading can stop him. This war with his father is far worse than I could have imagined. I now know first-hand what lunacy Vaughn is capable of.

“Lazz, can you give us minute?” Knox asks.

“Let me know when you’re ready. I’m going with you.” Lazz walks over to some of the men standing nearby.

Tears blur my vision. I never thought I’d find this here, him. I can’t stand the thought of him not coming back.

“I don’t want to watch you walk off again and not know if it is the last time I’ll see you.”

I know this is the truth. I curl my arms around myself, dreading these final few moments with him. It’s morbid, final. It’s as if in my heart, I know I will never see this man alive again.

How can I live without him?

“I have to finish this. There’s no other way. If I could choose, I’d take you in my arms and never turn back, but we would have to look over our shoulders the rest of our lives if I don’t kill him. I can’t let you live your life that way, baby. I just can’t. He’s done so much shit to everyone I care about. It has to end. He has to end.”

His sad eyes hold mine as he rakes his fingers through his hair. I wish I could wash away everything this strong, kind man has gone through.

“I know.” I answer as I lower my head.

Sadness for him, for us, for what we could be if given the chance swallows me. Knox tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

No matter how horrible a person Vaughn is, he’s still Knox’s’ father. Taking his own father’s life won’t come without some sort of sacrifice on his part.

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