Reign (Sin City Outlaws #1)(48)

“Jesus, the man is relentless.” Bikes roar up behind me, clearly going way too fast. They pull to the side, allowing a white truck to pass between them. It looks like a lifted Cummins. It’s a big truck, and speeding, as well.

I swear if this is Zeek’s way to get me to talk to him, chasing me down while I’m on duty, I’ll shoot him. My heart flutters that he would do such a thing, but realistically that would out both of us and what we’re doing. I doubt it’s him.

A motorcycle rides up beside me, clearly a Sin City Outlaw. Looking behind him, he gives a thumbs-up.

What the hell?

My car is suddenly thrusted forward, the wheel trying to slip from me.

Fuck!

Glancing in my rearview mirror, bright headlights blind me as the truck slams into my cruiser again.

I scream as my body pushes against the seatbelt with force.

The truck clips me again, making me lose control of the wheel and drift sideways. I reach for my radio to call in backup, and white lights head right toward my door. Thinking fast, I cover my face and brace for impact. The truck slams into the side of my car, flipping it like a tin can.

My head bangs against the roof of the car over and over again as it rolls. The windows break out, and my body feels like it’s being smashed into the ground with every flip.

Finally, the car stops, everything upside-down.

My breathing is harsh, and my chest hurts. I cough, the dust from the desert filling my mouth. My wrist and ankle scream with pain.

A motorcycle pulls up to my window, and a boot steps down right in front of my face. I close my eyes, tears falling rapidly. Terror wracking my body that I might die here tonight.

“Let this be a warning. You don’t f*ck with the Sin City Outlaws.”

The motorcycle and the truck make an illegal U-turn. They’re leaving. A sob escapes my mouth, my emotions and feelings everywhere. I reach for my radio, but I can’t reach it. I grab the one over my shoulder instead.

“5Paul69. Open radio. Send backup.”

“All units, all units. 5Paul69 needs assistance. Calling all units.”

Headlights shine from the opposite direction of where the Sin City Outlaws drove off.

Brakes screech as a car comes to a stop. I try to pull on my seatbelt, but it’s locked up and won’t let me out.

“Jillian!”

I stop struggling at that.

It sounds like Zeek. Is he here to hurt me, too? He sounds panicked, though. My thoughts race, my heart picking up its pace because I’m not sure what to do.

Boots skid, like someone sliding into home base in baseball, and Zeek is suddenly in my face.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Tears spring from my eyes. I swallow, trying to get my shit together.

“I’m stuck. My seatbelt is stuck,” I croak.

Pulling a gigantic buck knife from his boot, he cuts the seatbelt, and I fall out of my seat.

Sirens sound in the distance, the faint light of red and blue.

“You need to go. They’ll recognize you.”

“Fuck that. I’m not leaving you.”

“You have to. You have to go. Nobody is going to believe that you just stopped on the side of the road to help me.”

His face contorts in pain. His plush lips are in a hard line, wrinkles distorting his forehead. He jumps up and runs. Slowly, I crawl out of the broken window, but my body seizes in agony.

“Wait, let me help.” My head snaps up, surprised Zeek didn’t run when given the chance. He has on a black baseball cap and a white hoodie instead of his leather cut. He actually looks like a normal civilian. Grabbing my hand, he helps pull me from the rubble.

My legs weak, I fall in to him. His large, bear-like arms catch me, pulling me close. Lifting my head, I peer up from under my wet lashes.

“I’ll kill them if it’s the last thing I do, Jillian,” Zeek promises, his voice laced in anger, as if he feels the pain I’m experiencing this very moment. More tears fall; my cheeks feel chafed from all the crying, my eyes swollen. My arms clutch him tighter, his body heat a comfort.

“But you cannot tell anyone who did it.” He lifts my chin, making sure I have 100% eye contact.

“What? Why?”

He blinks, like my question stunned him.

“Because my club will kill you.”





TEN





ZEEK


Sitting on the tailgate of the truck, I watch every officer and deputy assess the scene. Finally, an ambulance shows up to take Jillian to the hospital.

“Sir, I want to thank you for helping our deputy tonight.”

I nod and stand quickly. “Yes, of course.”

He holds his hand out and gives me a firm shake. I smirk, my chest feeling all cozy and shit. I’ve never done a good deed before, and to be praised for it feels foreign.

“Did you see anything prior to pulling up? Any cars or anything?” I shake my head out of imaginary land. I can’t tell them who did it. If I do? they’ll think Jillian spilled their names and they’ll come back to finish the job.

“I sure didn’t.” I grimace, shaking my head.

“Okay. Well, again, thank you for helping out. The lieutenant thanks you.”

He gives my arm a pat and starts to walk away.

“Is she going to be okay?”