Page 22 of Emmy's Ride

And that’s when I saw them. Diesel and Tank, leaning against the hood of Emmy’s car like they had all the time in the goddamn world.

Diesel raised a brow. “Took you long enough.”

I scowled. “Where the hell were you when I needed backup?”

Tank smirked, crossing his arms. “Thought you could handle it.”

Diesel let out a low chuckle. “Yeah, Prez, you’re always telling us how badass you are. Figured you had it covered.”

I ground my teeth. Smartasses.

“Get my bike home,” I ordered, carefully opening the car door and easing Emmy into the passenger seat.

She still didn’t say a damn word. No argument. No glare. Nofuck you, Austin. I can drive myself.Nothing.

Tank and Diesel watched as I closed the door, my movements gentle in a way that had both of them exchanging curious glances.

Diesel couldn’t keep his mouth shut. “You need us to tuck her in too, or you got that covered?”

I shot him a look that could’ve killed a lesser man.

Diesel held up his hands. “Alright, alright. We’ll get your baby home safe.”

I didn’t waste another second. I climbed into Emmy’s car, started the engine, and peeled out of the lot, white-knuckling the wheel.

The ride back to the compound was silent. I stole a glance at Emmy. She was staring out the window, her fingers gripping her seatbelt like she was holding herself together by sheer will alone.

My jaw tightened, but I didn’t say a word. Just drove. I’d never forget the fear I’d felt when I saw her being dragged down that hallway. Knowing what the bastard would do to her.

This wasn’t the type of life for a woman like Emmy. I needed to find Luke so Emmy could leave and get back to her world. Away from the dangers that came with the club. Away from me.

Back at the clubhouse, I carried her straight to my room. She didn’t fight me. Didn’t argue when I kicked open the door and set her down on the edge of my bed. Her continued silence was a goddamn iron bar across my chest.

I knelt in front of her, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“Emmy. Sweetheart, are you hurt?”

She blinked at me, disoriented, like she hadn’t heard me. I reached out and caressed her cheek with my palm, and she nuzzled her face against my hand.

“I’m fine.” She tried to dismiss my concern and that hit me the wrong way.

“You almost got raped, Emmy,” I snapped. “Don’t tell me you’re fine when we both know you aren’t.”

She let out a harsh laugh. “That’s funny coming from you. You don’t get to act like you care.”

Her eyes burned with anger. “You didn’t care about me back then. You sure as hell don’t care now.”

I stilled, my own anger rising. Wrong. She was so fucking wrong. “You really believe that?”

She scoffed. “I don’t have to believe it. I lived it.”

I surged to my feet, looming over her as I ground out, “You think it was easy for me? Watching you walk away and letting you go? It brought me to my knees to lose you.”

She flinched. Just barely, but I saw it. Then she snapped back.

“No,” she seethed. “You didn’t want to lose the Kings. Your brothers were more important than I was.”

My temper frayed. “The club is my family.”

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