Page 114 of Under His Guard

If he gets sloppy, I might be able to get Clara and me out of this yet.

If I don’t lose consciousness.

Two more blows land on my ribs, smartly aimed away from my head. This fucker wants me conscious, too.

Can’t talk if I pass out.

“Luke!”

Clara shouts from across me, but I don’t dare look. I can’t let this fucker see how much I really care about her.

At this point, he could still buy that she’s just a booty call. I need it to stay that way.

“Where are they? Where’s that club owner and his bitch?”

Another punch, and I groan around the growing pain. This asshole is good at his aim, I’ll give him that.

My ribs ache, and if he keeps landing attacks on the same spot for too long, I know one of them is bound to crack.

Trying to sit up straight again, my stomach muscles are all bunched up from the pain, and my words come out through gritted teeth.

“What do you care? Ethan is long gone. You’re not being bankrolled by that asshole anymore. Move the fuck on, bro.”

I’m aware that Ethan Noble is very much in jail.

Still, I also know the mess with Chloe was just a part of the Crimson Cobras’ business portfolio.

“You don’t mess around with the Cobras,” Marco drawls, almost bored. “You get what’s coming to you. You and all your fucking family.”

“Better start looking somewhere else for a new hobby, Marco.” I say the next words slowly, emphasizing each one. “I’m. Not. Telling. You. Dick.”

My ass bones are really starting to kill me sitting on this fucking concrete, and then Marco lands another punch, this one to my shoulder.

It’s the ideal uncomfortable spot because of the fact that they’re strained right now, my wrist secured behind me and forcing them into an uncomfortable position.

“Stop! Leave him alone!”

Clara’s voice rings out, and I risk a glance at her. Marco sighs, standing up and walking over in her direction.

No, no, no. Don’t do that, asshole. Stay focused on me.

But I can’t stop him, and Marco fists Clara’s hair, yanking her head slightly to the side as he lowers down in front of her.

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you, bitch.”

He drags a finger down her cheek, probing a spot that must be sore for the way Clara flinches.

“I’ll be asking you the same questions in just a minute. So maybe if you want to avoid the same pain, you’ll come up with a better answer for me.”

“She doesn’t have family, you fuck.”

The yell is enough to get Marco coming back toward me, but it also earns me a backhand across the face.

“Don’t fucking lie to me!” The rage I’d assumed was behind this calm facade of Marco’s flares to life. “I know she’s got a sister with a kid. We’re going to find them and kill ’em. Just like yours, asshole.”

“No!”

I know she’s panicking, but I can’t have Clara screaming again. When Marco looks in her direction, my stomach drops.

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