Page 2 of Living Without

He was sweet, caring, rough, and just what I’d needed.

He showed me I was worth something. His time and feelings.

Even a part of my heart warmed to the idea of letting it all go to Jerimiah. He treated me right. He didn’t ignore me or look at me with disgust in his eyes. He didn’t think I was being a stupid girl with a small crush.

Saxon had been hurtful on so many occasions, so why couldn’t I let my whole heart fall for Jerimiah and let go of what I tried to cling to for Saxon? I should hate him. He wanted me to. He tried to get me to in so many ways.

Sighing, I unlocked my car door and tried to rid my thoughts of Saxon. Besides, I was heading home to meet with Jerimiah for a study date, which would probably end up in a make-out session. My boyfriend was sweet and very thoughtful. He was hot, as in smoking, and his smile always brought one of my own to my mouth.

“Nary.” My name was yelled from across the yard. Looking up, I spotted Josie standing near the building, under the light, smiling wide and waving. I giggled to myself. Jerimiah had probably called her or one of her guys to make sure I made it to my car safely. Jerimiah had wanted to stay back with me, but I’d told him not to because I was safe at the always-bustling university, no matter the time of the day or night.

Everyone who had a connection to the Hawks MC was more cautious because of Baxter Davis. He had it out for all members of Hawks and wanted us to pay in one way or another. I wasn’t sure why he had a vendetta against my Hawks family, but it was there, and until someone put a stop to him, we all had to be careful, making sure no one was alone.

Still, I thought no one would be stupid enough to try anything at the university. As I looked to Josie and offered a smile and wave back, I noticed all the people walking or rushing around, either coming from the cafeteria or going out for the night. Just behind Josie, my eyes landed on Billy. He somehow saw my gaze and offered me a chin lift. What could have helped his view of me was the street lamp I’d purposefully parked under. My friend was one lucky woman having two men at her back. Two men who loved her so deeply, they were willing to share. She deserved happiness.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I yelled with another wave. I wanted to get in the car so I could get to my place and Jerimiah. My stomach growled at the thought of the delicious pizza. It also flipped at the thought of the man who would be waiting for me. Things were progressing well with Jerimiah and myself. We hadn’t moved to the final stage of the relationship. Something was holding me back from sleeping with him. Yet, we still fooled around and a thrill bubbled up inside me each time, even when the learning process was sometimes embarrassing. Still, Jerimiah was patient, and he enjoyed teaching as much as I loved experiencing.

As I threw my bag across to the passenger seat and I was about to slide in myself, my name was screeched across the area. My gaze rose to see Josie running for me. Billy was on her heels and about to take over her as he reached into the back of his jeans and pulled a gun, pointed right at me.

My eyes widened. A scream built in my throat, but it never erupted from my mouth because a hand covered it.

My eyes connected with Josie’s. Fear. All I could see was fear. My stomach dropped in panic. My body trembled in terror. People roared in alarm as a shot was fired. My captor, a man, something I could tell from the large body behind me, cursed as I was roughly pulled down to the ground. A car’s engine revved high near us. I craned my neck back to try to get my mouth free. I couldn’t. Still, I screamed behind it. I kicked, grabbed hold of the arm holding me around the waist, and ripped into the skin with my fingernails. He swore and jolted me back and forth hard against him. “Stop,” he warned.

Why wasn’t anyone doing anything?

I heard more screams around me. People rushing our way. People running away. Another shot was fired. It pinged off the roof of the car just before I was pulled up and shoved inside. I yelled, kicking out at the man trying to get in after me. He grabbed my leg and bent it in a way that I cried out in pain.

He shoved harder, and I scooted back and tried the other door. Even though the lock wasn’t in place, the door wouldn’t open. I growled in frustration at my attempt. I banged my fists against the glass. I screamed, cried, while tears ran freely down my cheeks.

Nothing worked.

No one helped me in time.

The car sped away with me inside it.

Frantically, I climbed to my knees. My hands went to the back window. Billy was there, standing in the middle of the road, lights shinning down on him. I saw the gun pointed right at us. Though he didn’t fire, no doubt worried it would hit me. His face crumpled in rage before he threw his hands up in the air and screamed. Josie ran onto the road and started for the car. I could no longer see her face clearly through my own tears and the darkness surrounding us, but I knew she would be feeling everything I was.

Pure horror.

My hair was grasped and my head tugged back. The man sitting next to me moved his face close to mine. He was in his early thirties, with a shaved head, a beard, and blue eyes that told me I was not in a nightmare. I was living one, and he would be happy to deliver some pain.

“Sit the fuck down,” he bit out. “You’d better behave. I don’t have to deliver you fully intact,” he commented before he harshly pushed me back to my bottom in the corner of the car.

“D-do you know who I am?” I asked on a whisper. Glancing to the man in the front driving the car, who drove like a crazy person, I saw his gaze flick to me. Hard, dark green eyes stared back for a second before they went back to the road.

“Nope, and I don’t give a fuck. I was told to keep an eye on you, grab you when I could, so I did.” He eyed me up and down my body, a smirk spread across his face. “Boss Baxter knows when a good thing would pay and, honey, people will wanna pay big bucks for you.” He studied my face and abruptly asked, “How’d you get the scar?”

“A gun shot.”

“What happened to the person who gave it to you?”

“He’s dead. Just like you will be if you don’t let me go. My family will do anything to get me back.”

He scoffed. “Yeah? And who’s your family?”

Sitting up, I jutted my chin out in fake bravado and replied, “The Hawks MC.”

His gaze went to the driver’s in the rear-view mirror. The driver shrugged and my captor turned back to me. “Like I said, don’t give a fuck. You’ll be outta my hair and in my boss’ soon enough, and then it becomes his problem.”

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