Page 37 of Truck Up
Whatever reprieve my sensitive stomach gave me is gone now. I feel more nauseous than I have since this pregnancy started. The last thing I need is to get sick in front of half the town.
The soft rumble of the room slowly drops to dead silence. The only sound is that of boots pounding across the floor as Liam, Garret, Ash, Chase, and Mac rush toward my brothers and form a wall of muscle between them and the rest of the guests.
Warren doesn’t follow his brothers. He remains leaning against the side wall with his arms crossed over his chest. Somehow, his aloof demeanor also expresses a hint of anger.
It’s been so long since he left town, and I’ve no clue how he feels about this feud. If looks mean anything, he’s annoyed that my brothers showed up, but not enough to do anything about it.
I don’t have to search the room for Christian. I feel his presence behind me without looking. He’s not touching me, but he’s so close I can feel the heat radiating off his body.
The same tingling sensation I feel every time he’s close washes over me. I want to lean into him. Accept his protective embrace and absorb the safety he always gives me. The desire to do so is so strong, it’s almost instinctual.
My body gets a mind of her own when I’m this close to Christian. My mind loses all control, and my body goes to him like a magnet drawn to metal. It takes serious effort to keep my hands to myself.
I feel my cheeks warm, and I press my shaking hands over them, hoping no one will notice me blushing. If they do, maybe they’ll think it’s embarrassment and not attraction to the one man I shouldn’t be attracted to.
“What’s with the mean face?” Tanner says to Chase as he pushes past him. He pats him on the shoulder like they’re old friends. The grin on my brother’s face suggests he’s ready to start some shit and doesn’t care who he pisses off in the process.
My brothers are outnumbered, though, and it would be wise for them to leave. Unfortunately, smart decisions are not something they’re known for.
“You’re not invited.” Garret’s voice is a low grumble. He grabs Tanner’s arm and pulls him to a stop. “No Kochs allowed.”
Tanner’s grin grows before he looks around the room and finds me. “Then why is my sister here? If she’s invited, then so are we.”
“Maybe because she’s not an asshole,” Mac says. His tone gives off a jovial hint, but there’s nothing joking about his stance. His back is straight, and his arms are crossed over his chest like he’s ready to block an army of enemies.
“Then we should fit right in with the likes of you.” Linden grumbles. He follows Tanner across the room and right toward me. Badger is only a few steps behind them.
“Well, well, well, sister.” Tanner’s glare is directed over my shoulder and right at Christian. “Getting a little cozy with the enemy, don’t you think?”
I cross my arms over my chest and huff. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Tanner reaches around me and gives Christian a hard shove. “This asshole needs to step away.”
Instead of falling backward like Tanner intended, Christian grabs Tanner’s arm and twists it in such a way that Tanner falls to the side and stumbles. He doesn’t hit the ground, though. Tanner recovers his footing and his body leans into mine instead, causing me to fall.
My hip meets the floor with a hard thud, and I cry out.
“Lia, babe.” I’m pulled into Christian’s arms and wrapped in his embrace before I even have a chance to assess the situation. “Are you okay?”
“Hey!” Tanner yells. “Let go ofmysister.”
My body is jerked forward when Linden joins Tanner. Together, they pry at Christian arms until he loses his hold on me. Once again, I fall to the ground. The next thing I know, I’m lifted off the ground and held tightly against Badger’s chest.
“Let me go!” I push against him, but he’s too strong for me. I’m trapped against his body as he cradles me close like I’m a baby.
Panic consumes me, making it hard to breathe. The last time I was this close to Badger, the unthinkable almost happened. I kick and punch, but with little effect. The way his arms are wrapped around me is making it hard to move.
“Christian!” I try to scream, but his name is barely above a whisper. My anxiety is winning, and I can hardly breathe.
“He can’t save you now,” Badger whispers into my ear. “You’re mine.”
My skin crawls at the aggressive undertone to his words. This man will never understand how much I hate him.
I frantically search for Christian. My brothers are egging him on like they’re trying to start a fight, but he’s not listening to them. His eyes are trained on Badger. He’s ready to tear him apart.
Determined to get free, I arch my back and kick my legs until he loses his balance. His grip around me loosens as he stumbles, and we both fall to the ground. This time my head hits the floor, and it knocks the wind out of me. Tears sting my eyes as pain radiates throughout my body.
“Amelia!” Christian yells my name just before I hear a loud roar. His arms fly out and he pushes Linden and Tanner away, effectively breaking past them with ease. He shoots forward like a bomb went off beneath him.