Coyote (Hawks MC Next Generation #1) - Lila Rose Page 0,22
be up in my grill when I was baking.
In the first few days, I messed up a couple of recipes and felt like a moron. It put me behind, and I had to deal with Stanley when he came in complaining it was too hot. Though, the heat from the ovens helped me blame my red cheeks on the warmth in the room when Cody got too close.
“Mornin’,” Cody greeted when I climbed into the SUV.
“Hey,” I said and glanced in the back. “Where’s Ruin?”
“Meetin’ us there.” He put his hand to the back of my seat and looked over his shoulder when he backed out. I’d asked the first time why he didn’t just use the darn reversing camera. He said he didn’t trust it. I gritted my teeth and tensed when his thumb brushed my shoulder.
Why was he doing this to me? Did he expect a reaction? It didn’t make sense because other than these little touches, he didn’t come across like he wanted more from me. He wasn’t really flirty, like Ruin… just nice.
Although, I could just be reading into this more than I was supposed to. He could want to just be friendly. I hadn’t been around him with other women present, so I didn’t know what he was like with others.
Crap, I had to keep my emotions in check. It could all just be because I was attracted to him.
Right. I would steel myself, my heart, until this was over, and then I wouldn’t see him again.
I could go another week or two like this.
I could.
“Got you a coffee,” he said when he started driving and nodded down between our seats.
Stupid nice gesture. “Thanks,” I replied. It was the first time he’d brought a coffee. Nope, I wouldn’t think into it. Usually I made one at the shop, but he’d got it before even picking me up. Slyly, I glanced around to see if he got Ruin one, but I couldn’t see a third.
The stupid nice gesture wouldn’t work on me.
It wouldn’t.
I took a sip of the warm coffee and shut my brain down. The bakery wasn’t far, and as soon as I was in there, I could just get to work and forget he was even about.
At least I’d try.
Glancing out my window, my eyes widened, and I screamed, “Cody!” A vehicle slammed into the side. I heard Cody curse. The seat belt tightened as our car shifted, rolled. I put my hands out, but they were shoved back as an arm whacked into my chest. My head banged into the window, eyes slammed closed, glass shattered, and the seat belt pulled tight again before everything stopped.
Blinking dazedly, the first thing I noticed was that we were upside down. My whole body ached, but the worst of the pain was in my head and chest.
“Cody?” I whispered. “Cody?” My heart thundered in my ears, even over the ringing. Slowly, I turned my head to see Cody hanging there lifelessly. “No, no, no, no,” I sobbed. Blood dripped from somewhere near his head and arm, down onto the roof.
Wincing, I reached around to undo my seat belt and cried out when it gave and I fell to the roof. A hiss escaped me when glass sliced my arms, but I ignored the pain and frantically got to my knees. Reaching out, I held my breath as I pressed two fingers to the pulse at his neck.
Oxygen rushed out of me when I felt a steady rhythm pushing against my fingers. I dropped my hand and sighed.
Thank you, God.
A scream tore out of me when something suddenly grabbed me from behind. It dragged me backwards, and I tried to grip something, anything, but my hands were slimy and everything I touched slipped through my fingers.
Still, I fought when I was free. I screamed, I kicked, I hit… until something hard was pushed against my temple.
“Remember me, bitch? Move and I’ll shoot.” He kicked me and I moved with it, rolling over.
My gaze landed on the man who’d held the gun to Texas. Tears welled, my throat thickened, and my body shook.
Was this it?
Was this where I died?
All because I helped a man, all because I wouldn’t allow someone to die when I could stop it? Would I have changed my decision? No, no I wouldn’t.
Three others stepped up behind him and utter terror burned inside me. It froze me. One person I could take on, even with his gun, but more? I didn’t like my chances.