Page 5 of Linc

I get in the truck, trying to hide the pain in my ribs, but he catches the way I hug them just a little tighter. His hands grip the steering wheel, causing his knuckles to turn white.

“I’m guessing this isn’t the first time?”

“No.” I shake my head. Though this isn’t the first time Jace has hit me, this is the first time I’ve admitted to anyone what goes on behind closed doors.

“Where is he?” Linc growls.

The question startles me. “Why?”

Linc’s gaze bores into mine, and the storm I see brewing in his eyes promises violence and retribution. I should be scared. I’m in the company of a violent man. He doesn’t try to hide it, and I can read his face clear as day. I’ve gotten quite adept at reading someone’s body language. With Linc, though, it’s not the same expression I’ve seen so many other times in Jace’s eyes. His anger isn’t directedatme but what’s been donetome.

“Because no man has the right to put his hands on a woman. Ever.”

I nod, acknowledging what he said, but I’m still confused. Why would a stranger I just met tonight want to get mixed up in this mess? Jace is dangerous. He’s erratic and unpredictable, not to mention connected to a criminal organization, but he doesn’t know that I know that.

“Were you leaving him?”

“Yeah.” The word comes out in a broken whisper, so quiet to my own ears compared to the storm raging outside the truck. I squeeze my eyes shut as shame washes over me again. Why did it take me so long to make this decision?

“You don’t have anything with you?”

“There was no time.” I didn’t even grab my phone, which is still in the kitchen. God, I am so freaking stupid.

Linc lets out a slow breath and fixes me with his stare.

“Let’s go get your stuff, then.”

He turns the truck around, and we head back in the direction I was walking from.

“I can’t just go back in there,” I say in a small voice. “He won’t let me leave again.”

And it will be even worse if I go back.

“He’ll let you, Charlie. I’ll make sure of it.” He sounds so sure, as if it’s going to be that easy.

“Jace is dangerous. He has a couple friends there, too. I don’t think this is the best idea.” None of this was a good idea. I should have waited, prepared.

A dark chuckle escapes Linc. “He has no idea what a dangerous man looks like.”

With nothing to say to that and no fight left in me, I give him directions to the trailer park. When we pull up, I spot his friend’s car still parked in front.

“There’re three guys in there with him.” My warning seems to fall on deaf ears as he stares at the trailer. A war is raging inside of Linc. I can feel it. I don’t know who it’s with, or who is going to win.

“We don’t have to do this,” I try one more time. “I can come back when he isn’t around.” Though he rarely leaves these days, and he’ll more than likely be here waiting for me if he thinks I’ll come back for my things. That doesn’t mean I want to watch someone get hurt trying to help me now, though.

There’s more than just his temper that makes Jace dangerous. Linc needs to know what he’s getting himself into. Just as I’m about to explain, Linc reaches under his seat and pulls out a gun. He checks the clip and I’m stunned that he’s driving around with a loaded weapon.

Who is this man?

Linc turns to me while my mind is racing, thinking of all the possibilities of why he’s holding a gun. He gently sweeps his hand just above the cut on my forehead, then down to my split lip. The pain I see in his eyes doesn’t seem to be for me. It’s almost as though he’s seeing someone else.

“Wait in the truck. I’ll come get you when it’s safe.”

Linc gets out and walks to the flimsy door, kicking it in. I jump in my seat and open the passenger door when Jace’s friends tumble out of the trailer, making a run for it. They get in their car and peel away, throwing up gravel in their wake. I rush away from the truck and run to the busted door. Inside, Linc has his gun raised, and it’s pointed at Jace.

“Make a move, motherfucker. Give me a reason.”

Jace’s glare meets my wide eyes, and the movement distracts Linc for a moment. He looks back at me while his gun is still on Jace, but the momentary shift in his focus is enough to give Jace the chance to rush Linc. I watch in horror as both men fall to the floor. The gun slips from Linc’s grip before he flips them over and Linc lands on top, raining blow after blow to Jace’s face. I’m frozen solid as I watch Linc become completely unhinged. I don’t even recognize Jace’s face after what can only be mere moments. The sound of his bones crunching under Linc’s punishing blows echoes through the tiny trailer. Jace isn’t moving or fighting back, but that doesn’t stop Linc. I’m not sure he realizes that Jace is no longer conscious.

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