Page 2 of Intertwined Souls
“Watch your fucking mouth,” Ryker seethes, stepping forward towards him.
The man tsks, “I wouldn’t if I were you.” He whistles, and more men step out from different areas surrounding them in a large, loose circle.
There are now more of them than us. But I can’t be worried about the numbers. We have one thing they don’t have: a fuck ton of rage and protectiveness over the ones we care for.
Connor yanks me to my feet, stepping behind me and pushing the gun into my side. He shoves me forward, and I stumble over my feet, feeling dizzy and lightheaded as we walk out from behind the tree and across the street to stand next to the man leaning against my bike.
With a hard shove from Connor, I land back on my knees with a small grunt. Harley gasps when she sees me, her eyes wide with concern.
But Ryker’s eyes narrow at Connor behind me. “You fucking traitorous piece of shit. I’m going to kill you,” he hisses. His jaw clenches, and his body is practically vibrating for a fight to expel the anger coursing through him.
Connor lets out a small chuckle, “I don’t think you’re in any position to be making threats.” Without even being able to see him I know there is a smug look on his stupid fucking face as he pushes his gun harder against my temple.
“Come with me peacefully and we will let the boys live,” the man I still don’t know says.
Like fucking hell any of us will let Harley go anywhere with this fucker. I almost laugh out loud.
Ryker curses under his breath, and I know he is preparing to say no just like me because fuck that. We can fight our way out of this. I’ve been working my wrists this entire time and can finally feel the rope loosening around my raw skin.
But before Ryker can do anything, our redheaded spitfire steps forward, her expression twisted with pure hatred. “I’ll go.”
Ryker grabs Harley’s upper arm and yanks her back against him. “No, the fuck you won’t,” he growls.
Harley opens her mouth to say something but with a glance at Ryker’s pissed-off face, she pinches her lips shut. He turns slightly, looking down at me, and I give him a small nod, then glance at Grayson, who also gives a small nod. Grayson might not like getting his hands dirty, but he has been trained to handle himself if needed.
Ignoring the pain of my raw wrists, I twist again and pull as hard as I can until one hand slips free. Giving myself a split second to shut down any fears or worries, I take a deep breath and then reach up and grip Connor’s wrist that has the gun to the side of my head.
Moving faster than he can register, I immediately yank his wrist up until it pops, and he drops the gun. I hear commotion behind me, but I keep my eyes focused on what I’m doing. I have to trust that my brothers have Harley and are keeping themselves alive.
They can handle themselves, I remind myself over and over again.
Snagging the gun from where it fell on the road, I jump to my feet and spin around, bringing the butt of the gun down on Connor’s temple as hard as I can, knocking him unconscious.
One of the guys who came out to surround us charges at me, and I quickly take a shot right between his eyes.
No remorse, boy. My father’s words echo in my mind as the man slumps to the ground, lifeless.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I let out a groan as my vision blurs again and I sway slightly. Attempting to push back the feeling that something is wrong, I shake my head just as Ryker yells, “Harley, don’t!”
Turning around, I spot Grayson fighting off a guy while Ryker is taking on two. Another one starts moving up behind Grayson, but before he gets close, I easily take him out.
Swiveling around, I spot Harley slowly walking towards the man she recognized. Her face is pinched in pure determination as she stalks toward him. He smirks and stands tall but makes no move to do anything. His fucking mistake.
I hesitate, not sure whether to follow Harley or help my brothers, but when the guy fighting Grayson gets the upper hand and wraps his fingers around Grayson’s neck, I immediately sprint towards them and fire a shot at his knee. As soon as he releases Grayson, I take him out.
My hand trembles slightly, and I can’t help but glare down at it. Why am I feeling so many things? Is this all because I have Harley in my life now?
I need to turn it all off and focus, but turning it off leads to his voice in my head.
This is who you were meant to be, boy. Kill them. Clenching the gun in my hand, I shake my head, trying to dislodge my father’s voice swirling around me.
“You or them.” I turn my head and look at Gray. “Say it. You or them. It wasn’t a choice. Don’t spiral. We need you. Harley needs you. Keep it the fuck together.” The venom dripping from his voice and the use of the word fuck draws me out enough that I give him a sharp nod.
“Me or them,” I affirm. I have to focus.
“You get Ry. I’ve got Harley.”
Spinning around after Grayson’s command, I head towards Ryker. He took down one of the guys but is still fighting the other. He bounces on his toes, his face split into a wide, dangerous grin. Getting within a few feet of them, I can clearly see that Ry has it under control.