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Running barefoot across the parking lot, I thank God we relieved our bus driver of his duties as soon as we got into the city. There’s no combat pay big enough to explain tonight away. The doors open as Lennon and I get on together and Orion practically carries Atlas up the stairs.
Turning, I dash away my tears. “I can’t believe you did that,” I wail as Orion pushes him into a seat and pulls off Atlas’s shirt.
“I’d do anything for you,” Atlas grunts as Orion puts pressure on the wound. Mav runs out with Tyler and Draven, looks of concern crossing over their faces. “I’m fine, guys.”
“I heard what you said,” Mav says quietly as he pulls me into his arms and watches Atlas carefully as Greg turns on the overhead lights to work on him. Derek moves around us, and I lean into Mav, knowing that the bus will start moving soon.
“Hold on, we gotta go!” Derek says, getting into the driver’s seat and closing the door. Bullets start to hit the bus, making me flinch as Derek slams on the gas. “Holy shit,” I squeak as Mav holds me tightly. Everyone else hangs on as Derek maneuvers this beast of a vehicle.
Thankfully, a car chase isn’t in our future as he turns the bus around the corner.
“How much trouble am I in?” I ask, wincing.
Greg snickers as he finds an exit wound and starts to patch Atlas up. “You’re damn lucky,” Greg grunts to Atlas before glancing at me. “I don’t think Líadan is going to be interested in revenge while trying to bury her father and solidifying her position, Layla. What exactly happened?”
“Seán told me Líadan was a puppet for him as heir and it was basically a power move,” I murmur, struggling to remember. “I’m pretty sure she heard what he said just before I buried my pin in his neck. Jordan told me to run right after. I think he’s valuable enough to her that he’ll be okay. I’m so angry for her, fathers are supposed to be better than this.”
Lennon swallows hard next to me, Roark’s arms wrapped around her. It looks as if our men aren’t going to be letting us out of their sights for a while. I can feel blood on my face and my once beautiful dress is a mess. Lennon looks just as bad, and our hands are covered in blood.
Fuck, it’s like a really bad horror movie.
“They aren’t always as good as they should be, Lay,” Lennon reminds me. My dad would lose his damn mind if he knew I was in love with four different men…
Woah. The room spins as I realize I’m in love with these men. Atlas took a bullet for me…
“I don’t feel good,” I whisper.
“Woah, Little Flower, come sit. Do you want water or soda?” Tyler asks, sitting as Mav carefully moves me into Tyler’s lap.
“I don’t know,” I moan. “I’m going to get blood all over you, though.”
Ignoring my words, he lays my head on his shoulder. “So we burn everything we’re wearing later,” Tyler chuckles. “I heard my girlfriend was a badass and needs a hug.”
Lennon moves to grab a soda from Draven, who was already moving to get it when I said something.
“You were a total badass.,” Lenny smirks, handing me the open can. “Just like we planned, huh?”
Nothing about this went according to plan, but it makes me burst into laughter with her. If a tear or two escapes for the fact that I had to leave Jordan behind, no one mentions it as Tyler holds me tightly.
Twenty-Nine
TWO WEEKS LATER
TYLER
Staring out at the turquoise water as I walk with Layla alone down Myrtle beach, I think about how close I was to losing everything. I called the label the day after we met with Seán O’Brien and canceled the next month of shows. We’ll reevaluate afterwards to see how Atlas feels about playing.
“Penny for your thoughts, baby,” Layla murmurs as she snuggles into my side.
“I’m really glad Seán is dead,” I grunt. “I died a thousand deaths watching you on stage, but I’m glad it’s done.”
I got up when I saw Cormac walk up to the stage. I didn’t want to get in her way, so I helped Derek smuggle in Orion and Greg and then went to the bus to make sure no one could use me against Layla. If I was sitting next to Jordan, I know Seán would force my girl to quietly go with her buyer.
Any scenario where I lose Layla is unacceptable.
“It got a little close.” Layla winces, wrapping her arm around my waist to snuggle in as we walk. We got up early this morning to chat, have coffee, and watch the sunrise together. “I wish I could talk to my uncle, but Greg told me that the new O’Brien heir is scrambling to hold onto her power. It also looks like I’m going to be related by marriage to Líadan.”
“Hmm,” I mutter. “It’s a smart business decision for her to marry Jordan. He’s very capable…”
