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Back then, I was naïve and didn’t understand whytwo hot businessmenwould even need that feature on any of their cars. As time went on, it became obvious what they did. And once Jenna started working at Euphoria, and we became friends, my entire world changed.
“What the hell?!” I jerked back from the window at an approaching Jeep to my side.
“That’s Nico and Ice Man,” Ian said.
Turning around, I peered out the back window. “Who’s behind us?”
“Some friends of mine.”
More than anything else, I just wanted everyone else safe tonight, even if it meant risking my own life for theirs. I might have just been the bait, but I’d also be the target if I had to. Tyler had three kids, Ian had one and another on the way, and Luke may as well have been Madison’s father since her real one was in prison.
“When we get out of the car,” Ian interrupted my thoughts, “I want us to form a circle around her.”
“I’ll be fine,” my voice cracked, making me sound less convincing than I felt.
“I don’t like this one bit,” Chance muttered under his breath.
Luke turned into the desolate parking lot. Multi-color cargo containers were stacked on the opposite side of the enormous area near a couple of old ships. I knew this place well. Growing up, I was told funny stories about my grandfather working for the Fitzgerald Tobacco company.
I even visited him a few times and recalled the aroma of the leaves hopping on long mazes of conveyor belts. That buzzing sound and jade green metal was imprinted in my mind forever. For a moment, I lost myself in the memories of the women stacking cigarettes at the end of the line, complimenting my dresses while my grandfather proudly held my hand.
“Amber!”
I snapped my gaze to the front, but my attention caught movement on the ground. “What’s that? That’s a person!”
“Oh shit, it is.” Ian put his phone to his ear.Unidentified person down, just on the other side of the shadow. Okay. He pressed the screen, then held the phone out.
Hold back and let us check it out first. It might be a trap.The deep voice on the speaker ordered.
Luke slowed the SUV, letting the other vehicles drive ahead.
“I don’t like this,” I hissed.
Ian, it’s a girl.
“What do you mean?” Luke asked.
The girl! Get over here now!
“Go, go!” Ian commanded.
Luke sped up, parking next to the Jeep. We’d barely come to a stop before he and Ian jumped out, leaving the doors open. They sprinted to the body crumpled on the broken cement. Ice Man dashed over to them. Tyler flew by me, exiting the SUV on my side. He almost fell on me while getting out then sprinted to the guy.
“She’s alive! Roll her over! She’s choking!” Ian spat orders at Nico and Tyler, who were bent over, assessing the damage.
A silver bracelet and a small clover tattoo on her wrist caught my eye. “Oh my God, Roxy!” I hopped out, hurrying to her side in seconds.
She was barely recognizable. Her clothes were bloody and torn. Chance’s arms enveloped around me from behind and he heaved me back. Just as he let go, he and Luke drew pistols, aiming them in all directions. I was too concerned about her to know if they saw someone. Roxy groaned, trying to move.
I kneeled over her almost lifeless body. A stinging sensation radiated through my knees as they hit the loose gravel from the weathered pavement. “We have to get her to a hospital, Ian! Please!” I moved her clothing, searching for the source of the blood. It was puddling beneath her. “Roxy, you’re okay! You’re going to be okay! Ian, we really need to get her out of here.”
“Shit, Amber.” He squatted down. “Where’s she hurt?”
Nico pushed my hands out of the way, examining her closer.
The moment she made eye contact with me, I panicked. “Luke, she’s going to die if we don’t get her to a hospital! She’s just a kid! Ian! Either of you, please!”
Both of them were frozen, staring ahead at the warehouse. The sound of several guns cocking, and the stillness around me, frightened me. Glancing up, I saw three men standing next to the building, weapons at their sides. Wiping tears from my face with my arm, I focused my attention back on Roxy. I didn’t care if I died saving her, I had to get her out of here as soon as possible.
