More teeth.
Now the screaming multiplied.
Someone fired a gun.
The metal walls turned it into thunder.
I saw Parker stumble against the ropes as one of the Beasts of Prey barreled into the ring, clawing at the canvas to stand.
“Get back!” someone yelled.
Another infected crashed through the betting table, and money scattered. Chairs flipped.
George grabbed my arm hard. “You move toward that door and I?—
I twisted and swung the bat as hard as I could. He let go with a grunt, staggering back, clutching his ribs. I moved toward the ring, but before I could get far, Biddy grabbed my sleeve and shrieked. “What the hell is happening?”
Another body hit the concrete, and I shook her off.
Parker swung at one that came through the ropes and landed the hit clean. It didn’t seem to matter because the infected didn’t flinch.
Parker yelled to Beck, eyes wide and frightened, “What the fuck is this?”
Beck didn’t respond as our eyes met. I tilted the bat toward the loading dock exit. He struck the attacker’s temple with his fist, pushed the body off the canvas, and vaulted over the ropes.
I expected him to head in my direction, but he grabbed one of the wooden chairs, broke the leg, and headed toward George. When George noticed him, he pulled his fist back to hit Beck, but before he made contact, Beck ducked, then came up and jammed the splintered chair leg into his eye.
“I told you to keep your filthy eyes off my girl. Now you don’t have a choice.” Beck laughed.
My mouth dropped open in shock. Damn, he was a man not to be fucked with, and I was glad he was on my side.
Prez was screaming for someone to close the doors. What a freaking moron. That was exactly the wrong instinct.
Two more infected burst through the partially open bay door, apparently drawn by the gunfire and shouting. One headed toward me, but before it could make contact, I swung the bat so hard I caved in its skull, breaking its jaw simultaneously.
The warehouse was a cage now. Everyone who stayed in it was either going to become infected or dinner. I had no intentions of being either.
Biddy screamed behind me in horror at the sight of an infected munching on the guts of a man who was still alive and screaming in agony.
“Run, you fucking idiot!” I growled at her, wiping the blood off my bat on her shirt.
She looked down at herself in horror, but did as I told her. I figured that would get her attention.
Parker hit the ground hard as an infected tackled him from the side. He rolled, panic flashing across his face, and barely kicked it off before it could sink its teeth into him.
He then glanced desperately in Beck’s direction.
Beck didn’t pause or attempt to assist him. He was like a missile headed straight for me.
He grabbed my wrist and glanced down at the infected that had attacked me. “You become more perfect for me every day. Now we need to get the fuck out of here.” Beck pulled me in for a quick, rough kiss.
I touched my lips, slightly dazed by the tingling his touch left behind. “Wow,” I muttered.
Beck smirked at my reaction. “There’s more where that came from, but I think we could find somewhere with a little better ambiance.”
Gunshots erupted again, this time from outside. The roar of motorcycles cut through the chaos like a blade, and the bay door jerked higher.
Steele Reapers.
