Page 69 of Battered Moves

Panic rises when I get pushed completely out of the crowd, landing on my ass on the concrete. I scramble back to my feet, cursing under my breath while I try to push my way back in, but it’s no use.Fuck!

I’m frantically searching my pockets for my phone, intending to call for backup, when Gunner suddenly appears, running toward me from the parking lot. He’s dressed in a black suit, earpiece in place, and doesn’t even look at me or slow down his run when he reaches the crowd. He just gets right at it, pushing the people out of his way like it’s nothing. He towers over all of them, and I watch him grimace when he finds her before lifting her up to his chest as if he’s holding a little girl. Compared to him, she’s so small.

He holds her up with one arm under her butt like she weighs nothing while he pushes a reporter away with the other. When he makes his way out to me, he just nods his head in the direction of the parking lot, telling me to follow him without words. Liv’s face is nestled against his chest as we jog towards his Land Rover, the crowd following suit. He places her gently on the backseat, and I quickly take my place beside her, pulling her into my side while he heads to the driver’s seat. Before closing his door, he loudly addresses the reporters who followed us.

“I don’t care who stands in front of my car. Move away or risk getting run over.”

It seems that they all decide not to fuck with the mountain of a man, so we have no problem driving off, not one of them even attempting to follow us.

He drives like a maniac. I glance down at Liv, who is trembling even more than I am. I kiss her head repeatedly, whispering apologies to her.

“I’m so sorry, Liv. I’m so damn sorry.”

My own eyes tear up as well.How could I have messed up so badly?I hold her tightly, and she winces.

“What’s wrong?” Gunner asks from the driver’s seat, and I scoot back slightly, examining her from head to toe. Her right upper arm is red, and you can even see a handprint. “Who did this to you? I swear I’m going back to fucking kill some people.” Gunner’s eyes are focused on the rearview mirror rather than the road, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

“Keep your eyes on the road, man,” I caution him.

“Oh, don’t you dare tell me what to do, or I’ll go off on you. Why the hell weren’t you with her?” he says.

I can’t even defend myself. I messed up.

“Stop it, Gun,” Liv says, her voice hoarse from screaming. “I’m fine. They caught us off guard. It’s not Chase’s fault.”

“It was. I should have paid better attention,” I say, shaking my head.

“Oh, you think so?” Gunner scoffs.

“Guys,” Liv croaks out.

“Where are we going?” he asks, his tone softening as he speaks to her.

“Looks like you’ll have to set foot in that fancy ass fitness studio after all,” Liv smiles at him.

I glance up and catch a smirk on his face in the rearview mirror.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Ryder

River and I just arrived at Tanner Fitness after our classes. Word was spreading around campus about another press commotion involving Olivia Baker, and they weren’t saying kind things about her. After witnessing and hearing all that, I understand Liv’s past much better. It must have been torture for her to deal with it all on her own. We tried calling her and Chase multiple times, but neither of them answered, so we hurried here, hoping they might have already got here, but they hadn’t. We filled Jaxon in on what we’d heard, and now we’re standing in the reception area, waiting anxiously. Finally, a black Land Rover pulls up in front of the glass doors. Chase steps out from the back, helping Liv out as well, but before they can move, Gunner stands in front of her, leading the way in a protective manner.What is he doing here?

“Liv,” Riv calls out, jogging over to her and pulling her away from Chase’s grip. He kisses her temple. “Are you all right, beautiful?”

She merely nods, but it’s evident that she’s barely holding it together. He brings her over to me, and I pull her close.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there, baby,” I whisper, and she nods against my chest.

I release her to let Jaxon embrace her as well. He hugs her tightly and then turns her in his arms, resting his chin on her head.

“What happened?” he asks, looking at Gunner, who’s surveying the studio, his expression a mix of impressed and annoyed.

“Ask him,” he practically spits out, nodding towards Chase, who avoids eye contact, nervously tugging at his curls. I approach Chase and place a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

“What happened, bro?” I ask, my voice filled with concern. Chase takes a deep breath, his eyes flicking around nervously.

“We were ambushed by the press,” he admits, his voice strained. “Liv and I were leaving the building, and they were so aggressive, we got separated. It happened so fast.” River’s jaw tightens.

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