Page 4 of Royal's Reign
I turn swiftly on my feet. My foot hits something. An empty beer bottle, that has not made it into the dumpster, spins across the ground and smashes noisily against the wheel of the dumpster, instantly making them aware of my presence.
The man on his knees lifts his head; the light catches the fear in his eyes. Then, as one of the two men steps forward, bringing him further into the light, I can see his face clearly.
There’s something familiar about him. My school years come to the forefront of my mind, making me think that he must have attended around the same time I did. Hecouldn’t have been in the same year as me because I knew, and remembered, most of the kids in my year. I can’t come up with a name. Although I’m sure we’ve all changed somewhat in stature and looks in the years that have passed. But one thing that strikes a chord, makes me think that I’ve seen him before is his stance, the air of arrogance and danger that shrouds him.
Seems, I haven’t changed that much either because the one man who is stood observing the violence calls out my name seconds before the booming sound of a gun as it discharges against the forehead of their victim, his body crumples to the ground. I stare in horror, red-hot fear soaring through my veins, leaving me rooted to the ground.
‘Giorgia,’ he shouts again, taking a step towards me. It jerks me back to my senses and ignites my survival instincts.
I run.
With the sound of pounding footstep behind me, matching the rapid speed of my heartbeat, adrenaline and fear race through my veins. I keep on running until I come to the only place I can think I can truly be safe, knowing that those who are after me will think twice before stepping on Saint’s Outlaws property.
As soon as I’d step over the threshold, the tears flowed fast and relentless, and if it wasn’t for the state of me, fear oozing from every pore, I’m sure that my brother would have reprimanded me from stepping into the place he’d banned me from. But instead, he brought me into his embrace, quickly scooted me through the common roomand into the back, away from the eyes of the crowd of people.
Now in theconfines of a room that looks to be an office, my fear subsides, but then I catch sight of Royal, anger rolling from him like a tidal wave. His expression is one I’ve not witnessed before as he stands, fists clenched at his side, back ridged. A breathtaking sight. His focus fixed on me, he snarls, “Who the fuck do I need to kill?
Chapter
Two
Royal
Ican see the fear in her eyes, and it’s fucking killing me. I want to hold her, soothe away the fear, reassure her that she’s safe and I’ll protect her. I’m also conscious that Grinder is here, and he’d fucking bust a nut if he knew what was going on in my head. So, I check myself and hold steady.
“You’re cold,” I voice when I see that she’s shivering. Only to be expected as she’s soaked to the skin. The thin strapless dress she’s wearing clarifies that she’s been out partying. I quickly shrug out of my cut and flop it over the back of the chair, before unzipping the Saint’s hoodie that I’m wearing and slipping that off too. “Here, put this on.” I lay it over her shoulders, tugging it tightly together at the front. She’s tiny comparedto me, soit wraps all the way around her, which will not only give her warmth, but will stop me from glaring at the outline of her hard nipples, tits and curves as the wet fabric clings to her like a second skin. “Now,” I say once I have no distractions. “Tell us what’s got you so scared that you’d risk your brother’s wrath by turning up here?”
“He chased me.”
“Who did?” I bark harsher than I should. I’m not mad at her, but at the fucker who was after her.
She looks up at me with glassy eyes, and I fall into Prez mode. I fire instructions to Grinder.
“Get Banshee, Nytro and Scotty to check the perimeter, see if anyone is hanging around outside waiting for her to leave here.”
Grinder hesitates for a moment or two. I can tell he struggles with the idea of leaving his sister, but I give him a quick reassuring nod of the head, to which he responds.
“On it, and I’ll get Forger to check the security cameras to see if they picked up anything.” With that, he turns and hurries towards the door.
“If there is, get him to enhance the images, see if we can get an ID on this fucker,” I shout after him before the door swings shut behind him, leaving me alone with Gio.
I pop my ass onto the edge of the desk so I’m facing where she sits, cold and fearful.
“Now, start at the beginning and tell me exactly what happened.”
Giorgia takes a deep breath before she begins to recount how her evening had started off being out with girlfriends.
“When it came time to make my way back home, the cab waiting time was crazy, so I decided it would be quicker to take the bus,” she explains.
“Gio,” I click my tongue against the roof of my mouth. “I know the city isn’t the crime capital of the world, but still. No woman shouldn’t be walking around late at night, especially on her own.”
“Don’t reprimand me,” she drops her gaze to her hands that are resting in her lap. “Believe me, I know I made the wrong choice. I should have stayed and waited for a cab.” A huge shudder takes over her body, so I drop down into a crouch in front of her and place a hand on each of her upper arms. Slowly, I stroke, in an attempt to generate some warmth into her.
“You’re safe here, Gio. I ain’t going to let anything happen to you.” I slide my hands down her arms and bring them to rest on top of her hands, still sitting in her lap. She raises her gaze to mine, and as I look into her beautiful eyes, I add, “I promise.”
The way she looks at me, if she wasn’t Grinder’s little sister, I might have acted inappropriately. I swear I can see a fire in her eyes. The same heat that I’ve been trying to discount since that day, three years ago, when I’d given her a ride home from the clubhouse. My skin tingles where our hands touch, and it’s at that point I realize our hands are now palm to palm, our fingers laced together like lovers. I pull backtersely to break the inappropriate joining, only to find that I immediately miss the connection.
“So, what happened then?” I ask, pushing back up to full height and going back to resting against the desk. The space between us needed to stop me from putting my hands on her again.
