Page 104 of Truck Up
“I know you didn’t come here to tell me to come home. What’s the real reason you’re here?”
“Rumors in this town spread fast. We know he’s back. And we need answers,” Linden says. He doesn’t sound as angry and dominating as he usually does. There’s a hint of worry behind his question. Linden steps closer and lowers his voice. “Is he dealing drugs?”
“What?” I stare at him in disbelief.
“We need to know why he keeps disappearing.” Linden continues. “The rumors are concerning. He’s going to be thefather of my niece or nephew. I have the right to know if he’s doing something illegal.”
“You’re unbelievable.” I roll my eyes, ready to head back inside and slam the door in my brothers’ faces. I can’t believe they came here for this.
“Just answer the question. We need to know.”
“She doesn’t need to answer any of your questions.” Christian growls from behind me. When I spin around, I see every one of the Mutter men standing behind me.
Christian is close to my back while the other six men form a wall as they stand shoulder to shoulder with their arms crossed over their chest like sentinels. A wall of strength, ready for battle. With as tall as they are, they’re quite intimidating.
“Let me deal with them.” I press my hand on Christian’s chest. His heart is beating so hard and he’s taking low, shallow breaths. His eyes are fixed on Linden. I cup his cheek and force him to look at me. “Please.”
He gives me the slightest shake of his head.
“You gonna let her stand in your way?” Tanner says, antagonizing him. It’s such a foolish thing to say, given they’re outnumbered.
Christian steps around me and rushes toward Tanner. He gets right in his face. “She’s not standing in my way. I listen to her because I respect her. Something all you assholes could learn a thing about.”
Tanner grunts. “Like you know anything about respect. You’re nothing. Just a shit addict who’s working for a motorcycle club.”
“Easy now.” Aaron reaches for Tanner’s arm and tugs him back. “Don’t do this.”
Christian’s eyes snap to Aaron. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Just here to pick up the pieces after you kick their asses,” Aaron answers. Even if he hadn’t helped Christian and Edge with Hannah, this would probably still be his reply. He’s not nearly as invested in the feud as Linden and Tanner.
“Who said they’re going to kick our asses?” Tanner looks offended that Aaron would suggest such a thing.
“Look around, dumbass.” Aaron waves his hand toward the porch where the rest of the Mutter men remain. “You lay one hand on Christian, and they’re going to tear you apart.”
“He’s not wrong.” Chase calls out. Then he cracks his neck and clenches his hands into fists. The smile that covers his face has a sinister edge to it. “Throw a punch. Please.”
“No one’s throwing punches,” I say.
“Go inside, Lia.” Linden orders like he’s in charge of me. “Let us deal with this.”
His words anger me to the point I see red. I barge past Christian and slam my fist into Linden’s chest. He stumbles back in surprise. I punch him several more times before I stop. He’s too stunned to stop me himself.
“Lia! What the fuck!” he calls out.
“I’ll tell you what the fuck,” I spit out the words as I poke him in the chest in the spot I punched. He winces like it hurts. “You’re going to turn around right now and get back in your car. You’re never going to antagonize Christian again.”
“The fuck,” Tanner says. Then he pulls his fist back and hits Christian square in the jaw.
“Tanner!” I yell, just before chaos breaks out.
Before I can take my next breath, I’m surrounded by a pair of strong arms and pulled out of harm’s way. The last thing I see before a wall of Mutter men blocks my view is Christian grabbing Tanner’s jacket and punching him in the jaw. Tanner goes down like a limp rag.
“Stop!” I struggle against the arms that hold me tight, but it’s useless. I can’t break free.
“Hold still,” Aaron says in my ear. I was too busy kicking and wiggling to free myself to pay attention to who grabbed me. “You can’t get in the middle of that. Think of the baby.”
His last words have me falling still. He’s right. I can’t jump into that mess and risk getting hurt. No one would hit me intentionally, but in the heat of the moment, they probably wouldn’t notice I forced my way in.