The crowd moves closer. I hear laughing from people as I twist around and shove the asshole off me. After he falls to the ground, I should run to safety. Instead, I jump on top of him and start bashing him with my fists.
On my second hit, the key makes contact with his cheek and draws blood. He shoves me back and I skid on the gravel again. Once on my ass, all hell breaks loose.
Imagining him pinning me to the ground sends me into a wild panic. I kick and hit like a crazy person. Hitting and kicking, I refuse to let him get the upper hand. Around us, people are laughing and I hope to kick their asses next.
Quickly, I’m on top of Nice Guy, smashing his face with wild punches. The keys are still in my hand, tearing into his skin. He yanks at my hair and struggles to shove me off. Cussing and punching, I’m too afraid and angry to stop.
Finally someone takes me by the back of my jacket and lifts me off Nice Guy. Before the fucker gets up, a boot shoves him back down. The guy stepping on my wannabe rapist is Pax and I find Ford behind me.
“I had it handled!” I yell, freaking out. “I didn’t need your help!”
Ford smiles softly, clearly wanting to laugh. Pax gives into his urge, laughing loudly.
“I wasn’t helping you, darling,” Ford says, cupping my face and studying it for injuries. “That guy works for the club. I was saving an asset.”
“Fuck him and fuck you too!” I scream, afraid to calm down.
Panic strikes when I think about how I hurt someone the club protects. Am I in trouble? Will they gang up on me? Should I run? Where the hell can I go?
Ford leans down and rests his forehead against mine. “You have no idea how hard I am right now. Violent chicks just do something to me.”
“Fuck off,” I say with less heat.
Ford stands up and smiles really big like I’m hilarious. “I’ll have someone drive you home while we deal with Creepy Spencer here.”
“I drove myself.”
Pax reaches to take the keys from my hand. At first, I consider fighting him, but the fear I refused earlier now overwhelms me.
“We’ll get Darby’s car home,” Pax says then takes a bat someone hands him. “You go home and we’ll teach Creepy Spencer a lesson.”
“I already taught him plenty,” I mumble.
Carrying my hat in one hand, Ford wraps an arm around my shoulders and walks me towards the road.
“This isn’t about you, Shay,” he tells me. “This is about respect. See, the other night you got my dick all excited. After you left, I called dibs. Creepy Spencer heard me call dibs, yet he made his move. Even though you taught him a lesson, I still need to teach him mine.”
Looking up at Ford, I realize I’m shaking. His expression is relaxed and I want to trust him, so I say the words.
“Am I in trouble?” I whisper.
“For what?”
Shrugging, I frown at a car screeching to a halt in front of us.
“Lucky’s old lady will give you a ride home. Tell Darby her car will be delivered later.”
Still staring up at him, I struggle not to say something stupid. I don’t even know what I want to say. Ford feels warm and safe and I’m cold and scared. I want to share with him feelings even I don’t truly understand.
Ford removes his arm from around me and opens the door to a big SUV. Inside, a blonde woman smiles slightly at him.
“Get a haircut, Ford,” she snaps.
“Thanks, mom,” he replies then gestures for me to climb into the car.
I obey and glance back at where Pax waits for his brother. “I don’t know what to say.”
“That’s cool. I’m not in the mood to chat,” he murmurs and I smile like a dope.
Ford shuts the door and I look at Jenn. Probably in her thirties, she’s beautiful and I can see why Lucky wants her. After she hits the gas pedal, I realize she’s a little scary and I know why Lucky’s scared of pissing her off.
“Got a little banged up, huh?” she asks.
Even as my shaking lessens, the shock of what just happened leaves me wanting to hide in bed.
“People are talking about you,” Jenn says while we stop at a light. “They think you’re pussy Lucky’s obsessed with because he’s going through a midlife crisis. That or you’re his love child from an old fling.”
“I’m not sleeping with your husband,” I mumble, crossing my arms.
“I know. You’re not his type. I also know if you were his kid, he’d tell me.”
“Am I in trouble?”
“For what?”
“I don’t know.”
Jenn smiles as we near the house. “Take a hot shower and get cozy in bed, but don’t forget what happened tonight. Men like that asshole are a dime a dozen in Little Memphis. Has Darby told you about the guy she killed?” When I shake my head, she continues, “This town is full of stupid people. Lucky and the club can’t keep you safe. Most people listen, but not guys like the one tonight. They’re headed for early graves, so you need to toughen up if you want to live here.”
“Thank you for the ride,” I say as she parks in front of the house.