Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 41918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41918 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 210(@200wpm)___ 168(@250wpm)___ 140(@300wpm)
The intruder finally makes it to Luke, ripping off his scraped-up helmet and dropping it to the ground. I wasn't really paying attention until now, too lost in my revelation about my feelings for Luke, but when the man reveals his face, I feel like the floor has fallen away from beneath me.
"Emma," he sneers, a mean smirk taking over his face. "I thought that was you."
Then a man who I know well steps forward. Jason. His blond hair and blue eyes would be considered conventionally handsome by some, and yet all I see is a monster. The way he used to intimidate and control me. And now he's here to ruin my new, hard-earned life. I can feel myself spiraling back to that dark place in my mind, that horrible night so long ago with Macy, but then I feel Luke's hand in mine, warm and comforting. His voice is soft and reassuring, telling me to focus on him and his presence. It grounds me and calms me. I'm safe. Jason can't hurt me.
The whole situation with Jason was just one in a long line of terrible relationship experiences, but Luke has been a revelation. He squeezes my hand once for reassurance, and then turns back to Jason, all intimidation and power. Behind Jason, the rest of the Iron Guardians are gathering, all eyes on Luke, waiting for their leader's command. Feeling untethered, I pull out my phone and send a quick message to Sarah.
Me: OMG Jason just showed up at the Iron Guardians ride looking for me. I'm freaking out.
Having a connection to someone outside of this slowly building nightmare helps ground me.
"I don't care how you know her or what you want, Jason," Luke starts. "And I will give you this one moment of leniency for trying to ride with the Guardians after I made it clear you had no place with us. Get back on your piece of shit bike and get out of here. If I see your face again, I'm putting my fist in it."
There's a murmur of agreement from the Guardians, but Jason isn't swayed. There's a mania to the look in his eyes, and it makes me supremely uneasy.
"You don't care?" Jason laughs once. "You don't care that she's my girlfriend and that I've just caught her slumming around with you, old man?" His gaze shifts to me. "Is this some sick way to get back at me, Emma?"
Luke seems to grow even taller, and I feel red-hot rage start to bleed through the cracks of his calm, cool exterior. "We broke up forever ago," I assure Luke, stepping forward so we're side by side and I can see his face. "He's been skulking around the school trying to get my attention, but I swear, Luke..."
"Baby girl." He spares me one glance, and there's just a hint of a reassuring smile for me when he does. "You don't have to explain a thing. I trust you. Now let me handle this."
I take a few steps back and give him space. Jason, in true asshole fashion, snorts with derision when he sees it.
"Oh wow, he's really got you whipped, Emma," Jason taunts. "How far have you sunk to be sleeping around with an old man like that? Or maybe you aren't sleeping with him. Maybe you're still just a frigid bitch."
Luke starts to step forward, more of that rage seeping through. "You better fucking apologize right—"
Then a horrible thought comes to me. "Wait." I turn back to Jason. "Luke said you tried out for the Guardians and didn't make it. But when? Were you..." I swallow hard. "Trying to get to me? Have you been watching me, Jason?"
Jason just laughs, a cruel and grating sound, like he's got the upper hand somehow. Like he's holding some kind of power over me. He's always been a controlling jerk, but this feels different. Like something more has tipped his scale into being unstable and unpredictable. "Yeah, maybe I have. Maybe I saw you kiss this guy when you wouldn't even give me a second chance, and I decided to join up. Is this what you want?" He spreads his arms out. "You want a biker? Fine, look! I'm a biker now. And you can be my old lady, Emma. Right here. Right now."
Luke looks shocked at this. I see it in his expression. It's clear to see, even as his face clouds with rage and he squares off with Jason, like he's a bull ready to charge. "You tried to get into the club to be close to Emma?" he growls, a low and dangerous sound. "My club? You fucking dare..."
He doesn't need to finish. The implications are clear. Jason has been stalking me—maybe both of us now and got way too close to the vulnerable people that the Iron Guardians protect. The rest of the club buzzes with anger now, and if Luke's command wasn't so solid, so unquestionable, I'm sure they'd all have beat the shit out of Jason and thrown him over this overlook already.