Viper's Kiss (Back Down Devil MC #8)(90)

Lena snuck down the hallway. She heard a few booming voices and looked over her shoulder. She took notice of Blaine and Gaige. They were in a heated conversation. Lena darted to the right and then found a door. She bit her lip and turned the knob. The door was unlocked. She opened it and found it was some kind of closet. And it stunk like dirt, sweat and body odor.

When the voices went away, Lena opened the door and continued her journey to escape. It was such a weird feeling right now. Escaping somewhere safe. With someone who would help her. Someone who listened to her, touched her, made her feel really good.

By the time Lena found the door and started down the steps, her heart was pounding in her chest. When she got outside and felt the sunlight hit her in the face, her heart started to ache. Of course it had to be a beautiful day, right? It couldn’t be dark and dreary, the kind of sad day that would make all of this somehow romantic and poetic.

Romantic? What the f*ck is romantic about my life?

Lena chased away the questions and ran to the railing on the side of the building. She eased her way along, always looking around, fearing that there had to be more than just the MC guys around here. The place was just far too big. She considered running through the junk parts and cars, but she had no idea where that would end up taking her. Plus, what if they had junkyard dogs or something? That would be a horrible fate… trying to get away and then getting mauled by dogs.

Near the front of the building Lena saw that there were a handful of motorcycles missing. A lot of the guys were out on a ride. That was good. Lena took a few more steps and then peeked back to the clubhouse. There wasn’t a soul around. The remaining guys - including Jett - were inside. A moment of hesitation attacked Lena and she caught herself just standing there, staring.

What if…

“No,” she whispered.

There were no what ifs? in this.

She turned and crouched a little, running behind all the motorcycles. Trying to stay low and out of sight. And by some damn chance of a miracle - or maybe it was simply fate - she made it to the front of the lot without being spotted. She tugged on a door at the gate and it swung open. Again, another sign of fate. That this was the right thing to do, even if it left her heartbroken, empty, and completely terrified.

Lena made it out of the lot and turned to the right. She made it out. That was the first part of this plan. The second part was to find a vehicle. She could just bust into a car and go for it… maybe think of something else. Or just start moving.

Lena walked two steps when she saw a black car approach and stop. The doors opened and the two men that climbed out put Lena in a state of total paralyzation. They were big, they were in suits, and they were ready for a fight. To make matters worse, they took their suit jackets off, showing that they were wearing weapons.

Bottom line… they were Victor’s men.

They were right here, ready to get Lena.

Maybe Lena should have just ran to the big guys and took her punishment. But the want and desire to survive got the best of her. Slowly, she started to back up. She put her hands out and kept going, step by damn step, until she reached the gate. She retraced her steps right back into the lot of the Back Down Devil MC compound.

Lena pulled the gate shut and swallowed the lump in her throat. She was shaking with fear, wondering what the hell to do next.

Jett. I need Jett. I need him…

Lena spun around and let out a scream.

“Hey there.”

It was Miller. The President of Back Down Devil MC.

“People are coming. Two men. They have guns.”

“You seem terrified,” Miller said.

“They have guns.”

“They might be friends of mine. Right?”

Lena shook her head. “No… they…”

Miller grinned. “So your memory is back?”

Lena felt her stomach drop and flip.

“What’s going on out there?”

Lena recognized the voice as Jett’s. She saw him walking toward the scene.

Miller turned and said, “Seems like she remembers a lot more than we know.”

“Jett, they’re here,” Lena said. “Two of Victor’s guys. They…”

“What are you doing out there?” Jett asked.

Lena saw the hurt on Jett’s face. He knew what she was doing out here. It was obvious… trying to make a run for it.

“I don’t want anyone hurt,” Lena said. “I’m sorry. I just…”

“Fuck,” Jett growled. “Miller, we have to hide her.”

“Do we?” Miller asked. “If these men are here for her…”

“Christ, don’t do this,” Jett said. “Let me handle this.”

“Let you handle it,” Miller said. “Like you’ve been doing? So what do we have here? A liar? A rat?”

“I’m not a rat,” Lena said. “I didn’t… they attacked me. I stabbed Victor. I was knocked out. Jett helped me…”

“Miller,” Jett said. “We can figure this out.”

“I guess we have no choice,” Miller said.

He gave a nod and Lena turned. The two men were at the gates. Their shoulders massive, their arms even bigger. Their faces cut like stone. They were almost robotic and were paid to be that way. Everything they did was programmed by command from Victor. Lena wasn’t sure if their presence meant Victor was alive or dead.