Page 169 of Monster

“Why?” I croaked.

“I need to get you three to safety,” he answered.

Kai, in the front passenger seat, turned to the man sharply. “I’m not fucking leaving.”

“You’re not arguing with me, kid, so don’t try, or I’ll fucking drug you and chain you in my fucking cabin.”

“Damn it, Roman. I’m not leaving the club the way it is.”

Roman shook his head. “If Dominic is dead, who do you think all those other bastards will be gunning for next?”

Kai punched his fists on the dashboard. “Then let them fucking come.”

Roman tightened his grip around the steering wheel. “I need you to protect Emmy and Ryleigh. Got it?”

“No,” Kai answered, his voice in a low growl that almost sounded like Dominic. I closed my eyes as pain pierced my heart sharply. “We’re not fucking leaving with our tails tucked behind our fucking legs. We’re gonna fight.”

“Damn it, Kai. I can’t—”

A car slammed against the truck, sending it spinning. Luckily, we were on a small, deserted street.

Ryleigh screamed as Roman pumped on the brakes.

One black truck and several bikes surrounded us.

Oh, fuck.

My heart slammed against my chest, and Roman pulled out his gun.

“Once I start shooting, you gun the gas and drive the fuck out of here, got me?” Roman said to Kai.

“You’re fucking outnumbered. How the hell am I supposed to just leave?”

“You protect Ryleigh and Emmy. And my unborn son. You got it? You protect them all with your fucking life, and you don’t turn back for me.”

Someone shot the back of the truck. I flinched and bit my bottom lip, trying to keep from making any noise.

I looked out the window and saw the man in the middle aiming his gun at us. His voice was drowned out by the growl of the motorcycle engine, along with us being in the truck, but it was easy to make out the words he was mouthing.

Get out of the fucking car!

“Roman!” Ryleigh cried.

He turned around and reached over, cupping her cheeks. “Shh. It’s gonna be okay, baby.”

She grabbed his arms, pulling on him desperately. “Come with us.”

He shook his head. “We can’t outrun them. But I can buy you guys some time.”

“No!”

“Baby,” he said sharply. “Be a good girl for me and protect our son, yeah?”

“I don’t want to leave you,” she cried.

My fists clenched. How the fuck did things come to this?

I looked out the window and saw a familiar-looking man hop out of the truck. I frowned.

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