Page 49 of Wicked Truths

I try to catch myself as I fall, but his weight pushes me down faster. The concrete cuts the skin of my knees as tiny pebbles dig into the palms of my hands.

“Fuck.” I groan as the pain from the fall and the stinging from the cuts spread throughout my body.

Jax wraps his hand around my wrist and drags me toward the front gate.

“Help!” I yell as I thrash around the ground like a fish out of water. Maybe someone will hear me.

No one besides the crew working to unload the shipment is here, but they aren’t being nosy, so hopefully my yells are heard over the beeping of the forklift.

I yell over and over as I pray for someone, anyone, to come rescue me. I’ll even deal with the lectures and disapproving looks from Dad and Joey if I can make it out of this alive.

The concrete cuts my legs as Jax tugs on my arms. My muscles burn as I continue to fight and kick, but his grip on my wrist only tightens.

Tires squeal behind me as Jax drags me past the front of the building.

This was all a setup to kidnap me. But why? What do they want with me?

I just moved back to town, and I don’t know what my family has been up to for the past two years, so I can’t answer any questions regarding any of the businesses.

And even if I did know something, I’m not going to betray my family by revealing our secrets. Jax has to know this. So what do they want with me?

“Jax, please. Don’t do anything you’re going to regret.” I beg once again, hoping this time he comes to his senses.

My family might be pissed at me for following them, but their anger will be tenfold toward Jax.

The explosion of a gunshot echoes off the building.

I freeze and hold my breath.

Did Jax somehow pick up the gun as he was dragging me?

Did he shoot me?

I wait for the pain to seep into my brain, but it doesn’t come. Instead, Jax collapses to the ground, landing on top of my leg. He wraps both hands around his bleeding leg as he lets out a long, pain-filled groan.

Pushing him away, I breathe a sigh of relief. Someone has come to my rescue, but Jax is still capable of hurting me.

I jump to my feet and sprint toward the shadows. Toward the back of the building. Toward my family.

Something slams into my back, tackling me to the ground before strong arms wrap around me and lift me up.

I try to wriggle my way out of their grasp, but it’s pointless. They are much stronger than me.

I scream out, hoping my rescuer can get to me, but in my heart, I know they won’t.

The man lifts my entire body off the ground and tosses me into a van as if I’m as light as a feather.

Tires squeal as the van takes me from my safety.

Chapter Fourteen

RHETT

When you’rein the mafia, you have to put your wants and needs on the back burner.

The family comes first.

Always.