Page 90 of The Villain

He didn’t ask for my help to put the tee on, though there was no hiding how painful it was for him.

“We need to go.”

My brow creased, and I peered out the window on the door. “Isn’t someone coming?” I assumed that was what his phone call had been about.

“We don’t have time to wait.” He pushed his leather jacket in my direction.

“We’re going to take the bike?” My jaw went slack. “But you’re?—”

“Capable of riding my motorcycle.” He took my arm, ending the discussion as he led us out of the house.

“Did you see who it was?” I couldn’t stop myself. The questions oozed from me like my own brand of wound.

“No,” Darius said with a glance backward. His steps faltered the moment he realized I didn’t need his hand on my arm to guide me any longer. I shivered as soon as he let me go.

“You said Ivans…”Was dead.

“I know.” He stopped at the side of his bike and handed me the helmet.

“Then who…”

He inched closer to me and cupped my cheek. Maybe I should’ve pulled away, but I couldn’t resist the feel of him. The security of his touch. Even knowingwhohe was…and having a million questions about why he’d broken my heart.

“I’m going to find out, Athena. I promise,” he swore low.

“Okay.”

His hand fell, and he climbed onto the dark silver Harley, the engine awakening with a snarl as I found my seat behind him and carefully wrapped my arms around his middle.

Again, he’d saved my life. Protected me. But this time, the flutter in my chest was weak like a bird whose wings were clipped.

Itwas strange toseethe garage rise up in front of us. Strange to see a place I’d experienced so differently for the first time. It was large. Impressive, but unassuming. And not at all like what I’d pictured as the front of the safe house.

The hollow in my chest grew larger, realizing there was even more to this I was missing.More that had been kept from me.

As we slowed, the bike wobbled for a second, forcing my arms tighter. Instantly, we leveled and came to a stop in front of the open garage bay.

My jaw dropped a little. There were so many bikes perfectly positioned as though this were a museum rather than a garage.

The engine cut off, and Darius held out an arm for me. I tried to put as little weight on the support as possible, but I still heard his groan of pain as I climbed off the bike.

I pulled off my helmet to see him slightly slumped forward on the seat, and my heart jumped into my throat. He needed help. Everything else could wait.

“Rob?” I called into the space.

“Dare!” Another man called from the far end of the garage. His jog slowed when he saw me. “Athena.”He knew me.

“He’s injured—shot,” I blurted. “He needs a doctor?—”

“Rorik is on his way.”Thank God.“I’m Tynan—Ty,” he introduced himself as we both turned toward Darius.

He stood next to his bike, both hands resting on the helmet on the seat.

“Darius?”Something wasn’t right.He looked at me silently—and ashen.And Istarted to run.

“I’m sorry,” he slurred right before the mountain of his body collapsed to the ground.

“Darius!” I cried out, my knees landing with a thud on the concrete.

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