Page 40 of Striker

I sunk down in my chair and let my head drop to the table.How could I let this happen? Maybe I’m not cut out to be President anymore.

“I know what you’re thinking, son, and it ain’t gonna do you any good.” I looked up and saw my Pop standing at the other end of the table. “I’ve been there, Striker. Got your Mama into some trouble and felt like a failure of a man. But you know what I did? I manned the fuck up and saved my Old Lady. It made me a better President. I was more careful, more precise because I had the love of my woman to look forward to. Things like this are going to happen. Your Old Lady is a weak spot and people will do anything to take you down. But you can’t let them get to you. Do you know what you do, son?”

I looked up at him and shook my head. “You fucking grow a pair, Levi. You go and get your woman, you kill the bastard who took her, and come back home and party. Better get used to it if you plan on marrying that girl. You’re doing a great job with the club, but starting to step on some toes. Expanding the club will be good but you know you’ll run into other clubs that aren’t so happy about it. You can’t keep Lilah in a bubble or chained to you every hour of the day. And you sure as fuck know Lilah would pitch a fit if you even suggested it. She’s a stubborn one, but has the fighter in her. She’s gonna be okay.”

I stood up and gave my Pop a big hug. “Thank you. Thank you, Bear, for the advice on the club and thank you, Pop, for advice on life.” My Pop laughed as he walked toward the door.

“Now that we got all that sappy shit out of the way, let's go bring Lilah home.” I brushed my hand through my hair and headed toward the weapons room. I was going to get my woman no matter what the consequences.

Chapter 25

Lilah

My eyes slowly openedto the stench of stale beer and sweat. My head was pounding and everything on my body was sore. I could feel rough hands on my legs and heard the tearing of fabric. A cool breeze hit my legs as the tearing continued. Straining my neck, I looked down to see Danny at my feet, a knife in his hand as he tore and cut away my clothing. I tried to scream, but my mouth was so dry that nothing came out. I closed my eyes again and tried to take a few deep breaths. Danny was still cutting away and had made his way to my shirt.

“Dan..Danny.” He looked up at me and an evil smile spread across his face.

“Well hey there, Princess. Glad to see you’re awake.” He turned back to cutting my shirt off as he ripped the shreds of pants away from me.

“Wait, wait. Please. Just wait.” I was breathing heavy and trying to remain calm while he stood up and got in my face again. “It’s going to get cold tonight. I’ll get sick if I’m not wearing any clothes.”

Danny scratched his chin while staring down at me. “And...and when you bring me into the city, everybody will see me like this. Do you want everybody to see me naked?”

His face got red and he stood back. “You’re not as stupid as you look, Lilah.” Danny walked back to the hole in the wall and checked outside, then pulled his cellphone out.

“Not much longer, Princess. Looks like it’s too late for your criminal fiancé to save you.” He threw his head back and laughed. I knew time was running out and I needed to do something to either save myself or delay our departure.

“You’re right...” Danny jerked his head in my direction. “He’s not coming for me. If Striker wanted me, he would have already been here. We both know how brash he is.” His face was starting to soften and my plan was working. If I could convince him that I was starting to see his side of things, maybe he would untie me. I would have the chance to run.

“He probably hasn’t even noticed that I’m gone with that fire you started. You killed one of their men and that club will always come first to him. I was so stupid to ever think he would change his mind.”

“Well, well, well. Looks like you’re smartening up, Lilah. Maybe your little nap helped some.” He walked over toward me and slid the knife along my cheek, drawing tiny dots of blood.

I quickly turned my face away from him, “There’s no need to hurt me even more. Please, Danny.” He bent down and leaned into my ear; his disgusting, warm breath wafting over my face. “I promise, no need to hurt me more. I’ve learned my lesson. Please.”

His snake like tongue shot out and licked the outline of my ear. “Oh, my sweet Princess, I’ve missed you. Looks like we have some time to...reconnect.” Danny bent down and shoved his lips against mine. It took everything in me not to throw up all over him.

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