Page 11 of Ride Hard
The knife slid against my skin, and I crumpled to the ground, my hand going to my neck. The sound of a fist slamming into flesh pulled my attention back to reality, and I gasped as the man stumbled back against the wall next tome.
Chaser shook out his hand and reached into his jacket. A second later, a knife appeared, and he held it out toward theman.
“I’ve got a message for you,” he said. “You go back to your boss, and tell him handsoff.”
“Fuck you, pretty boy. What are you going to do with that? Trim mybeard?”
Chaser’s eyes narrowed, and he aimed at the man’s thigh and threw. The knife spun through the air and embedded into the man’s flesh almost up to thehilt.
He howled in pain, and Chaser was on him in a flash. He grabbed the end of the knife and drove it all the wayin.
“I said,” Chaser murmured, closing his hand around the guy’s neck, “go back to your boss, and tell him if he or any of his thugs come after the girl again, I won’t be so gentle next time. She’s Fortitude property. Gotit?”
“Eat shit,” the man said with agroan.
Chaser twisted the knife, causing him to roar inpain.
“Got it?” he askedagain.
“Okay, okay.I’ve gotit.”
Ripping out the knife, Chaser shoved the man away and watched as he attempted to run. He dragged his leg behind him, disappearing into the darknessbeyond.
My hand went to my neck again, and when I pulled it back, it was red. I stared at the smear of blood, feeling sick to the stomach. It was just a nick, but I still felt lightheaded as I rose to my feet and fixed the button on myjeans.
“Happy I stuck around?” Chaser asked, smirking at me. Always with the smirk. He smirked so much the word was losing allmeaning.
Fortitude property? I had to get out of here while I still had an out.Now.
Backing away, I pulled the door open and darted into the club. Weaving through the dimly lit corridor, I snatched my bag from my locker in the staff room and legged it through the bar. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Chaser appear, his head swiveling from side to side as he searched forme.
“Hey, Bobby,” I called out as I neared thedoor.
“Hey, Sloane,” he replied, his face lighting up when he saw me. “Is everythingokay?”
“See that guy over there?” I pointed out Chaser to the oversized brawn who was Teasers’ meanest bouncer. “He’s been giving me trouble. Can you hold him here for a while? I’m on my way home, and I don’t want him to followme.”
“Sure thing,sweets.”
“Thanks. You’re a sweetheart.” Rising to my tippy toes, he leaned down so I could kiss him on thecheek.
“That’s what I like,” he said with a chuckle. “Go on home. I’ll watch out foryou.”
“Thanks, Bobby. See you tomorrow night?.” I gave him a little wave and slipped through the golden tinsel covering thedoor. ??????
It was time to cut ties and disappear. And this time, I would do a better job ofit.
