3. The Player And The Blade

The light faded from my vision as a large figure bled into view. Not a second later, there was a thumping sound, followed by Dwane’s fingers going limp around my throat, and we fell backward together.

I tried to block my fall, but the dizziness was so overwhelming it was a fruitless attempt. I barely landed on Dwane’s motionless body when a low whistle sounded, and strong arms scooped me up.

I was halfway stuck between slipping into the never-after and fighting my assailant–the person carrying me–thinking this was another attempt on my life.

But the more I aimlessly tried to push away from this person, the stronger his hold became. “Hey, I’m trying to help you here. Knock it off.” The voice was calm, clear, and had a mischievous kick. “Any reason our alpha’s beta is trying to kill you?”

I recognized this voice from somewhere. I faintly recall it being paired with me getting a face full of mud pie in middle school. “Holy shit, it is you!” the voice cried out, stopping for a moment. “You definitely grew up. A lot.”

My eyes flickered open, and I met up with a pair of butterscotch eyes and a handsome face. I muttered a curse. “I still hope you fall off the monkey bars.”

Jace Blaine chuckled. “Oh, you do remember me.”

“It's hard to not know people if we run in the same pack,” I muttered, trying to shake my head to straighten my vision. “Snake Eyes…He tried to…” I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud. The sting of betrayal was so deep that it cut off my air supply. 

“Yeah,” Jace replied. “I saw. What the hell was that about? I thought he was supposed to be like close family to you, or something like that?”

“I thought so…too.” I tried to wriggle free. “I think I can stand on my own, thanks.” “No can do,” another voice cut in from beside us. It had a sharp edge to it but in a sexy way. I lifted my chin to peer up at the guy with the attractive voice, only to find myself blinking stupidly at him as he kept up with Jace’s pace. He looked familiar, but I wasn’t sure I knew him.

Hell, I’d remember a face and voice like his. He was equally hot compared to Jace. But, as Jace vibrated with light, he was dark. Where Jace had messy honey-colored hair, his hair was pitch black with a thick, crimson streak through it. Where Jace was bulky and tanned, he was pale, more of a lean-muscled build and covered in tattoos and few piercings. I’ve never been into guys with piercings, but as his ice-blue eyes met with mine, my heart did a funny tumble inside my chest. “We can’t waste time,” he carried on, breaking our locked gazes and staring ahead as he walked. “We already wasted enough rescuing your damsel in distress.”

My jaw went slack. “Excuse me?”

“Screw you, Hunter.” Despite Jace’s words, he playfully punched Hunter while keeping me steady on his chest with his other arm. “If we can help a few folks on our way out–”

Hunter cut him a sharp look. “You mean, if you can save a few people with perky boobs on our way out, you might get lucky tonight.”

That was it. I dug my nails into Jace’s forearm and kicked myself free, almost landing on my ass on the grass as Jace cursed. “I’m trying to help you here!”

Hunter kept walking, not looking back as I straightened and almost toppled over again from dizziness. I cursed.

Jace’s arm shot out to steady me. “Ignore him. He’s got a stick up his ass.” Jace sighed. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I cut short. “I just want to go home.”

Jace nodded. “That’s the plan. Your dad needs to know his wingman was trying to kill you.”

I nodded toward Hunter as he slid into a black, sleeky car across the parking lot. “Are you sure? He doesn’t look like he wants to help.” I peered at Jace. “Maybe…” Shit, my dad’s going to kill me. “Call my dad?”

Jace frowned, peering over at Hunter. “He’s already doing that.”

“Oh.” I crossed my arms, unsure if I should follow Hunter to the car or wait here and pray I didn’t get mauled or shot. I peered back toward the large building where the fight broke out. “It’s quiet. Why is it so quiet?”

“Things are under control.” Jace nodded toward the car, not giving me any more information. “Come on, let’s get you out of here before the Snake wakes up.”

I nodded, turning cold all of a sudden. I couldn’t believe Dwane, who was considered family–an uncle to me–had tried to kill me.

I shook my head once more before Jace led me to the car. I was about to get in the back when Jace grabbed my wrist, shaking his head. “You’re sitting in front.”

My eyes shot through the door toward Hunter. “Yeah. No, I’m good at the back, but thanks.”

Jace took a step toward me, slightly leaning down and looking at me like he was talking to a child. “One, it’s good manners to let someone sit in the front.”

I could hear a snort coming from Hunter inside the car. I crossed my arms to my chest, focusing my attention on Jace as he continued. “And secondly, with the packs going apeshit at the moment, there’s a good chance we might get followed and someone will likely shoot. And if you’re any wiser, you’d know the back gets hit first. Thirdly–”

“Just get in the fucking car!” Hunter shouted. “Chances are we will get followed because of you two taking your damn sweet time!”

Jace rolled his eyes, and I shot Hunter a mean glare. Jace motioned me to the front passenger side. I wanted to argue but instead drew out a hefty breath and got in. When the door clicked beside me, I peered over at Hunter. “You phoned my dad?”

Hunter ignored me, turning on the ignition and shooting Jace an irritated look in the rearview mirror. “It’s on your ass if this goes wrong.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jace drawled, shutting the back passenger door. Not a moment later, he appeared between the two front seats. “Let’s go.”

As the car slid out of the parking lot, I asked no one in particular, “You didn’t by any chance see an orange Buggy leave earlier?”

The two men exchanged questioning looks, to which Jace replied. “No. Why?”

“Nevermind,” I sighed, peering out of the window. I still couldn’t believe Loren had left me here. Much less process the night’s events.

I almost died a few times tonight. I shot a suspicious look toward Hunter, praying I wasn’t in for another round. I strongly doubted I’d win a fight against him, given I’d be put on the spot. Not only that, I was shaking–working hard not to show my fear–and downright exhausted.

I sighed again, peering back out of the window.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe,” Jace spoke up as if he could hear my troubling thoughts. “We’re taking you straight home. Your dad’s probably already have a hunt out for those bastards and the Snake.”

Hunter cleared his throat, rolling his shoulders and shifting in his seat. He didn’t glance away from the road as he countered, “Actually, we’re on our way to the police station.”

My head swung in his direction as Jace’s eyes bulged. “Are you insane?” Jace croaked. “We already have some shit with the guys in blue. If anything, I bet they have a price on both our heads.”

I couldn’t help but wonder what Jace did to be in trouble with the cops. He didn't strike me as someone who would stir trouble with the legal system. Girls, undoubtedly. But not the police. 

“That’s why she’s going in alone,” Hunter retorted.

Hunter was another matter. He looked like someone who would sacrifice kittens in his basement purely for the kicks of it. 

“The hell I am!” I cried, leaning forward in my seat to glance at them both. “My dad will know what to do. Not the cops!”

“Your dad is the one who told me to take you there. Immediate protection for you while he takes care of the shitfest,” Hunter replied, not looking at me. “Once the storm has settled, the cops will take you home. No big deal.”

There was a pause, then Jace nodded, “He has a point. You’re not in trouble, so you’ll be fine.”

“I was at an illegal race!” I snapped. “You think that is something they’ll just pretend didn’t happen?”

“Which the cops don’t know crap about,” Jace shrugged. “Your dad likely told them you were in the wrong place at the wrong time and a fight broke out. You know our alpha. If there’s one thing he’s good at, it’s sweeping shit under the rug. That, and you being his daughter, I have no doubt he’d go at extra lengths to make sure nothing bad happens to you.”

I thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “I guess you’re right.” My father wouldn’t ditch me. Ever.

A gentle hand rested on my shoulder, and I didn’t need to look to know it was Jace. A warm tingle spread across my body, and I started questioning my perky hormones.

The ride felt longer than I appreciated, and I was relieved when we finally made it to the police station. Hunter ignored me flatly while Jace released me and helped me out of the car.

“So, this is it,” he grinned at me. There was something expectant in the look he was giving me, and I was starting to wonder if Hunter was telling the truth when he said that Jace just wanted to get lucky tonight.

I tore my gaze from Jace and peered over at the entrance. “Thank you. For everything.”

“Sure thing,” he replied. An awkward silence followed. “So, I guess I’ll see you around?”

“Yeah.” I glanced back at him and offered him a genuine smile, hoping he wouldn’t think it was an invitation. “And thank you for saving my life. I’ll make sure my dad hears all about it.”

Jace suddenly looked embarrassed. “Yeah, that’s great. Thanks. And no problem. Uh…”

“Jace!” Hunter snapped and started the car up again. “Cops!”

I spun on my heel to see five cops dashing straight toward us, three of them pointing guns at us. I immediately held up both hands in surrender, getting a glimpse in my peripheral as Jace jumped into the car, and they sped off.

Great.

I turned, assuming the cops would chill as I wasn’t the one in trouble with the cops, only to have two of them face-plant me into the concrete and cuff me.

“Elise Cartwright. You are under arrest for trespassing, possession of illegal substances, and underage drinking. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?”

Well, shit.