Page 16 of Goose's Wren

“Enough, Goose!”Prez barks, yanking me off the guy as I lunge forward again.“You’re gonna fucking kill him!”

I’m breathing hard, every muscle tense, my hands shaking with the force I’m holding back.

The asshole groans on the pavement, blood leaking from his mouth and his cheek swelling fast.

He props himself up on one elbow and spits out blood like it’s nothing.Fucker must be on something.

Even his eyes suggest he’s been on a bender.How the fuck did Wren get hooked up with this mother fucker anyway?

Then his eyes cut to Wren, filled with something ugly and he sneers, “This is your fault, bitch.I’m fucking done!You’ll pay for this!You hear me?”

I nearly break free again, but Blade tightens his grip on my jacket.

“Don’t.”he warns low.“Not here.Not now.”

I’m still seething, but Wren?She’s just standing there.Her sunglasses gone, her bruise now on full display.She’s trembling, but her chin is still high.She looks like she might fall apart at any second.

The Prez releases me slowly.“You good?”he asks under his breath.

No.Not even close.But I nod.Because right now I’ve got one priority and that’s getting her away from him.

And after that?That son of a bitch better pray I don’t find him alone.

Wren

I stand there frozen, gravel biting into the soles of my boots.I wrap my arms tightly around myself as Tim’s car screeches out of the parking lot, tires kicking up dust and rage behind him.

And just like that, he’s gone.With the last of my cash.With my clothes.With my safety.What little I had anyway.

I don’t even realize I’m shaking until the taillights disappear down the road leaving behind just me and the silence that comes after disaster.

What the hell am I supposed to do now?

I’m stuck in the middle of a parking lot full of people I haven’t seen in years, with nothing but a bruise on my face that won’t stop burning.

I take a step back, swallowing hard, blinking fast to keep the tears at bay.My whole body’s wired tight, like a guitar string pulled too far and ready to snap.

“Wren.”

I spin around at the sound of my name, and Goose is standing a few feet away like some kind of dark storm still coming down from the high of nearly beating a man to death.

And they’re all with him.The whole damn club and their women, staring at me like I’m some wounded bird that just crash landed on their doorstep.

I feel exposed.Cornered.And then the shame curdles into anger.My eyes lock on Goose, my voice sharp and too loud, but I can’t stop it.

“What the hell do you think I’m supposed to do now?”

He opens his mouth, but I don’t let him speak.I’m spiraling and I know it, but I can’t stop.

“You just beat the shit out of him in front of everyone.You think that fixed anything?”My hands are shaking, my voice rising.“You think that made things better for me?”

Goose takes a step forward, his jaw clenched, eyes softer now but still dangerous.Too much.It’s all too much.

I wave him off before he can answer.

“Everyone saw.You think I can go back there now?”My voice cracks on the last word.“You think Tim’s just gonna let that slide?He’ll kill me next time, Goose.He’s high and he’s crazy, and you just gave him a reason.”

Silence stretches across the parking lot.No one moves.

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