Outlaw Revenge (Back Down Devil MC #1)(11)

“Nothing makes sense,” Emily said.

“Welcome to my world, beautiful.”

Gaige inched closer. Emily was taken right back to the scene of the fights. When Gaige was about to kiss her. Right before all the bullets started flying. And yet here he was, getting very close again.

For a split second, Emily felt the touch of Gaige’s lips. The roar of a motorcycle sounded and it stole Gaige’s attention and the kiss he was about to share with Emily.

Emily tensed up even though she knew the motorcycle racing toward them had to be part of the motorcycle club. There was no way an enemy would have the opportunity to access the compound so easily. When the motorcycle came closer, under the spotlights high above the large lot, she saw the black hair and snake like eyes.

It was Blaine.

Emily couldn’t help herself as she looked behind Blaine, hopelessly hoping that Rachel would be straddling the motorcycle, her hands tight around his waist.

Emily hung her head and fought back tears. The reality of it all hadn’t quite settled in yet. It probably wouldn’t for a while. Not with how suddenly everything had changed course.

Blaine put his motorcycle in line and stepped off his bike. He slid his hands into his pockets and moved slowly but with enough swagger to make Emily angry. The guy had no care or consideration for what had just happened.

“Hey bro,” Blaine said to Gaige.

“What’s it like over there?” Gaige asked.

“It’s a mess.” Blaine put a hand to Gaige’s shoulder. He leaned close but Emily could still hear him. “Most of everyone cleared out. The two that were fighting were taken away. I don’t think there’s much blame there on us. But the shooters… man, they were pissed off. I don’t know how they didn’t put a bullet in my head for good measure.”

“How the hell did you get out of there?” Gaige asked.

“I can handle myself,” Blaine said. His eyes moved to Emily. “About your friend…”

“What about her?” Emily asked. She jumped from the rail.

“Wait a second,” Gaige ordered.

Emily refused. “What did you do?”

“Trying to give her some respect, that’s all,” Blaine said. “I took her to her car and put her in the driver’s seat. It was the best I could do. They’ll find here and start investigating, but there’s nothing else I can do. She’s gone, babe. She’s gone.”

“Babe?” Emily asked. “Who the hell…”

“Whoa,” Blaine said. He put his hands up. “I took care of her, okay?”

“You held her… she was shot…”

“Listen, babe, that first bullet was it. The rest, yeah, that was for my protection.”

Emily felt her blood boiling over. She looked at Gaige and saw him cross his arms. Maybe it was some kind of signal or sign, maybe it wasn’t.

“I mean, don’t get me wrong,” Blaine said, “if I could have my way with her… alive or gone…”

Emily snapped. She lunged at Blaine, knowing damn well the risk of trying to attack a biker.

She slapped Blaine across the face. Her hand stung. He touched his cheek and shook his head, then smiled. He smiled. He f*cking smiled. Emily snapped again. She took both hands to his face, clawing at him, wanting to rip his eyes out. When she scratched him, Emily felt her nails ache as they pulled back. She was using all her strength, hell bent on actually hurting Blaine. This was all his fault. He did this. He flirted with Rachel. He confused her. He invited her to the illegal fights.

“You f*cking killed her,” Emily yelled as she clawed and swung at Blaine.

Blaine simply stepped back, allowing Emily to have her peace with his face. When she stopped for a second, she saw deep scratches on his left cheek. He put his hands up and smiled. There was a smear of blood on his teeth.

“You calm yet, babe?”

“You took my best friend from me.”

“I didn’t, babe. The bullets did.” Blaine touched his chest. “I’m in pain too. It hurts.” He reached down and cupped himself. “I’m in pain here too. I wanted to f*ck…”

Emily growled and spotted an earring at the top of Blaine’s ear. She reached out and stuck her finger through the loop and pulled. Blaine bent over and the earring ripped free. Emily let out a cry and stumbled back. She collided into Gaige and he wrapped his arms tight around her.

“That’s enough,” Gaige ordered. “No more, beautiful. No more.”

“It’s his fault,” Emily said as the tears filled her eyes. “He f*cking did this…”

“No, he didn’t,” Gaige said. “I did. Turn around and f*cking look at me.”

Emily slowly turned and looked up at Gaige. She blinked away the tears.

“I did it,” Gaige said. “This shit is on me. And I’ll make it right.”

“Hey, babe?” Blaine called out.

Gaige opened his arms and Emily turned. There was blood dripping from Blaine’s ear now.

“I’m sorry,” Emily whispered.

“No, don’t be. Fuck it. I have something for you.”

Blaine reached into his pocket and pulled out a fist. He reached for Emily’s hand with his other hand. He rolled her fingers open and placed his fist to her hand. He opened it and pulled away. Emily looked down at a necklace.