His friends moved on me, but I shifted to my right and took my startled father with me. This move gave me a few extra seconds to pound the asshole in the ribs. His bones shattering under my punches, I didn’t hold back or worry about the damage I might do to him. I needed him to suffer.
Even as his friends jumped me, I only had eyes for my gasping father. I heard screaming nearby and figured students were running around in panic. The police would arrive soon. The Reapers too, but I didn’t care. With Bailey ready to use her gun, my only concern was making this vile man beg.
Everything moved so quickly as one of the guys wrapped his arm around my throat. Air cut off, I still kicked at Dad, nailing him in the knee. He toppled to the ground as the others ganged up on me.
“Nick!” Bailey cried.
Hearing the panic in her voice returned me to a world outside my vengeance. I would pass out soon, leaving only Bailey’s gun to protect her from these fucks. No doubt she would use it, but I hated to think of the mess my past might create for her future.
I heard a grunt from behind me then the pressure around my throat ended. Turning quickly, I noticed Dylan pounding on the guy who’d been throttling me. No time to thank him, I shoved the nearest guy into his buddy. They landed hard under me as I punched at any open spot. Kidney shots made them both howl then someone yanked me off them.
“I liked you better in the closet,” Dad said, shoving a blade against my throat.
“Fucker,” Bailey growled as the muzzle of her gun smacked him in the temple. “I’ll kill you and walk away from it. Back the fuck off.”
My dad stepped back, but I knew he was going for the gun. It never occurred to a man like him to fear a woman. Before he could grab her, I barreled into his midsection and flipped him over my back. He came crashing onto the asphalt and the knife skidded towards Winnie. Even freaked out, she grabbed the blade and held it at the ready.
Sirens finally broke up the commotion and I patted Dylan on the back. We stepped away from the bloodied men while nursing our own wounds.
“Thanks, man.”
“We might be newbies to the crew, but that don’t mean we can’t back each other up.”
Grinning, I hugged Bailey to me. “You’re so sexy when you wave that gun around.”
“Motherfucker,” was all she could say.
“It’s okay.”
We backed away from the scene as the police arrived. Looking at the man who gave me life, I saw him for the loser he was. I also saw too much of him in me. I knew the other students saw the similarities too. This guy was poor white trash and so was I.
Nearby, a cop attempted to coax the knife from Winnie, but she ignored him. Dylan stepped closer and spoke softly. Winnie never lifted her head or peeked out from behind her hair, yet she handed him the knife.
Bailey left me and hugged Winnie. “Did the fuckers hurt you?” she asked softly. “Did they touch you?”
Winnie shook her head and whispered something. Dylan glanced at me and I sensed he wanted to pound on the guys again. I did too, but the authorities were fully in charge.
The deputy Bailey dated for like five minutes over the summer came strolling towards me and Dylan. I knew he was going to be an asshole. Bailey likely knew too because she quickly returned to my side.
“Dylan, can you take Winnie home?” Bailey asked.
“Sure.”
The deputy frowned. “He needs to stay and give his statement.”
Bailey ignored Darling and gestured for Dylan to go. Winnie followed him without looking up, still hiding behind her curtain of dark hair.
“You aren’t the law here, Bailey,” Darling said.
“Tell that to my dad, dingus,” she grunted then turned to me. “You got banged up. Let’s go while the cops take these fuckers to jail.”
“What…?” Darling started to say until his voice was drowned out by the roar of arriving Harleys.
“Whatever you have to say, tell it to my brother,” Bailey told the cop as she tugged me to my bike. She climbed on the back then waited for me. Watching my dad hauled off the ground and walked to a cruiser, Bailey caressed my cheek. “Tucker’s here. He’s got his guys too. It’ll be fine. Let’s go.”
I looked at her and sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“For having a shitty dad? Last I checked, it wasn’t your choice who you ended up with.”
Even nodding, I felt like the filth of my past had officially tainted my new life and there was no washing it off.
Chapter Thirty Three ~ Bailey
Before we even reached the apartment, I knew Nick needed a shower. Still edgy, he kept his shoulders tight even when I nuzzled his back.
“Get cleaned up while I check to make sure Winnie got home okay,” I said, climbing off the Harley.
Nick just stared at the woods. Watching him disappear into himself, I wanted to say the right words to make him happy. Instead, I left him to clean up while I walked to the house.
With Mom picking up Sawyer from school and Pop fishing, the house sat empty. I rested on the couch and called Winnie’s cell. When she didn’t answer, I called Dylan who said he dropped her off a few minutes earlier. Finally, I got hold of Harlow.