Out of the corner of her eye she saw Henry sitting on a bench not too far away. Relieved, Vida walked towards him, but stopped at the look on his face, something was definitely wrong. His eyes, which were usually filled with warmth, were filled with fear for her. He was practically screaming at her to run silently. In a glance, she understood why. The pretty young girl sitting next to him with her purse in her hand had a gun pointed at him. She could see the girl's hand buried in the purse and the outline of the gun through the material pointed at Henry.

Vida started to turn and run, but stopped. She couldn't leave Henry to their mercy when it was her they wanted. If there was a chance for Henry to walk away, she had to give it to him and take a chance that King would save her.

She saw the anger in Henry's face directed at her as she walked towards them, angry that she hadn't taken the opportunity to run.

When she drew close enough to hear her, the woman spoke.

"That black car over there, get in the backseat." The woman nodded to an inconspicuous dark car just a few feet away.

Vida nodded and started walking towards the car. As she came closer, the door opened from within and she hesitantly slid into the car. As soon as she shut the door, the car started and drove out into the busy street to be swallowed up in traffic.

"Is she going to let Henry go?" Vida asked, terrified for Henry.

The driver didn't respond to her question. Vida was frightened and couldn't stop her legs from trembling. She had no choice other than to lean back into the leather seats as she waited for the ride to end. When the car came to a stop, she became even more frightened when the driver got out and came around to her door. Opening it, he motioned for her to get out of the car.

The driver's cold expression left no doubt that she was in trouble. When the word trouble hit her mind, she was able to get herself back under control and hide the emotional turmoil that she was going through her. Stripping had taught her to hide her emotions, she needed that skill desperately now or the driver would be packing her into the house kicking and screaming.

Vida stepped out of the car, finding herself looking at a large home in an isolated area. Surrounded by a stone and metal fence, it was clear the owner wanted his privacy. She followed the silent driver into the house as he led her to a large room. As she walked into the room that held an expensive desk, a tall man rose from his chair and walked forward.

"Close the door, send in Briggs and Morgan." The driver closed the door, leaving Vida alone with the man staring back at her with malevolent eyes. He came closer, circling her as his eyes took in every aspect of her body. She felt as undressed as if she had been on stage at King's nightclub.

Stopping in front of her, his hand rose, backhanding her with such force her head snapped back, causing her to lose her balance and fall to the floor. Vida held her frightened cry inside, terrified that he would hit her again. Her shaking hand went to her burning cheek, hearing the door opening and closing, she looked towards the door to see Briggs and another man she recognized as Morgan from the club. She had performed lap dances for both of them. Neither of them acted like they had ever seen her before. No help would be coming from their direction.

"Get up, you stupid c.u.n.t."

Vida managed to get her feet under her and shakily rose up. The second time he hit her, she barely managed to stay on her feet, which was a mistake because his third hit was with his fist and sent her crashing back down to the floor. This time she was unable to keep her cries silent and she didn't try to get back up.

"You have been a pain in my a.s.s for the last month. You should have stayed out of my business. Sawyer is mine, therefore she's my business." Laughing at his own joke, Digger leaned back against his desk, satisfied she wouldn't get up again.

"Briggs and Morgan tell me you can shake your t.i.ts and a.s.s, so now you're my business," he informed her.

"King won't let you get away with this, I'm under his protection." Vida stared up at the ugly b.a.s.t.a.r.d who stood there as if he had the right to do anything he wanted.

"f.u.c.k King, I'm not afraid of him. Has he managed to get Sawyer back?" Digger laughed sarcastically. "He couldn't even keep me from taking you from that stupid bodyguard. Take her up to my bedroom, I'll be up shortly." He went back behind his desk, sitting down to pick up a ringing cell phone.

Vida felt Briggs take her by the arm, helping her to her feet.

"Wait a minute, Briggs; put her on the chair. Seems like we have company." Digger put his phone back on the desk. Vida felt herself shoved down onto a chair in the corner of the room. Briggs stayed by her while Morgan stood by Digger. Vida noticed that Digger's countenance had undergone a change; she thought she caught a small glimpse of worry. The self-satisfied smile from moments before was gone.

Digger's driver, who no longer looked neat and refined, opened the door. Now, he was holding his ribs and his nose had blood dripping onto his white shirt. The man walking into the room wasn't any of the men she was expecting.

Colton strode into the room with an air of menace so visible that it frightened even Vida, who had had lived with him the last few weeks, unaware that he could be completely frightening when he was furious.

"Colton, I heard you were out of prison." The amicable tone coming from Digger had Vida's eyes turning back to him in surprise.

"Did you also hear Vida was living with me and was under my protection?" Colton's voice wasn't so amicable, in fact, in was downright threatening.

"Briggs might have mentioned it, but since you've been f.u.c.king anything that has a p.u.s.s.y since you've been out, I didn't think she was important."

"You thought wrong, Digger." Vida saw Colton take in her bruised face and blackening eye. His lips tightened and the air in the room turned more menacing.

"You hit her?"

"A mistake. Calm down, Colton. I apologize; I was misinformed as to her relationship with you." As Digger tried to excuse his behavior, she noticed Morgan's hand slip under his jacket.

"Come here, Vida." Ignoring Digger's excuse, Colton's voice spoke over his.

She looked up at Briggs who didn't make a move to stop her. Slowly, still expecting him to prevent her from following Colton's order, she rose to her feet and walked to stand by his side. His hand reached out, smoothing her hair back into place. Taking her jaw in his hand, he turned her face to the side so that he could see the damage inflicted by Digger.

"You f.u.c.ked up, Digger. You knew better than to touch something of mine," Colton threatened.

"I didn't know she was yours." This time the worry in his face became more p.r.o.nounced.

"I was staying out of your disagreement with King, tried to show you respect, even though I knew it was undeserved, but I tried to give you-a former brother-leeway while King dealt with you. That is no longer the case."

"Colton, I don't want any trouble with you." Vida's head was spinning. Digger was afraid of Colton? He hadn't been afraid of King or his men, yet the obvious fear in his face showed that he hadn't wanted to antagonize Colton.

"You should have thought of that before you took her, much less laid your hand on her." Vida couldn't believe that she had thought at one time that Colton was afraid of Digger. Now that she had her eyes opened, she remembered that even King had spoken to Colton with mutual respect, not like he spoke to his men.

"A week, Digger. That's all I'm giving you to get Sawyer back here."

"That's not possible, Colton. She's out of my reach for the next three weeks. Obviously, I would get her back if I could to make amends, but it's impossible," Digger prevaricated.

Vida stiffened, about to demand that Sawyer be returned immediately when she felt Colton's hand on her arm. Looking into his tight face, she remained silent.

"Three weeks, Digger, not a minute more." Vida saw Digger's eyes glance towards the security screens in front of him.

"Three weeks, she'll be here. Will that pacify the Predators?" Digger asked.

"For now. Don't disappoint me," Colton responded with cold finality.

"I won't," Digger stood up, coming forward as Colton turned Vida toward the door. His expression was ungracious. "I'm sorry, Vida. There was misinformation on my side. I would never have touched you had I known you were Colton's woman."

Colton's fist flew out, striking Digger in his lying mouth. Vida couldn't prevent the vindictive satisfaction she felt when she saw Digger almost lose his balance at the power of Colton's. .h.i.t. Briggs and Morgan moved forward, but Digger motioned them back to their positions. Wiping the blood dripping from his mouth away with a handkerchief from his pocket, Digger didn't return Colton's aggressive move.

Colton walked to the door, holding on to Vida's arm, not worried about Digger attacking him while his back was turned. Vida couldn't help being amazed at Digger's deferential treatment of Colton. When they walked out the front door, Vida understood perfectly.

Well over a hundred motorcycles were on the yard in front of the house, parked everywhere. The manicured lawn with its pretty flowers was completely destroyed. Vida recognized one particular face towards the front of the pack.

Max got off his bike, crushing the few remaining flowers that had survived under his feet. Coming to stand in front of her, he took one look at her face and a furious look came over his features. He took a step towards the house, but Colton dropped his hand from Vida and held Max back.

"I already handled it, Max."

"Then I'm going to handle it some more. I'm going to f.u.c.k him up." Max shook Colton's hand off.

"Max, we need him in one piece to get Vida's friend back, not with his mouth wired shut for the next few weeks. We'll handle him when she gets Sawyer back."

Max paused, looking down at Vida. "As soon as she's back, he'll regret ever touching you," he promised.

Vida stared at the group of men surrounding the house. "I think he already regrets it."

Laughter sounded from the rough looking men. Colton took her hand, leading her to his bike. Climbing on behind him, she held on to his waist as the men turned their bikes, driving out of the destroyed yard. Colton rode in the middle of the large group until they reached his apartment building. With a wave of his hand, he broke off from the pack. Colton then drove his bike into his parking spot, got off the bike and helped her off before turning to the four bikers waiting for his attention.

One biker was parked slightly ahead of the others. Colton grasped Vida's hand and led her to the man sitting casually on the bike.

"Vida, this is Ice, President of the Predators."

Vida didn't know how to react, so she gave him a smile and nodded her head.

"Vida? I like your nickname better." Ice gave her the once over before looking toward Colton. "Colton, you must be getting weak in your old age. If this pretty little b.i.t.c.h was mine, she d.a.m.n sure wouldn't be putting those t.i.tties and a.s.s out there for show." Watching Colton get reprimanded by a man who looked around the same age had Vida almost smiling. His hair was lighter than Colton's, but his att.i.tude, while laid back, held a steely undertone of authority. Even if Colton hadn't told her he was the President of the Predators, his att.i.tude would have given it away.

Colton stiffened. "She won't be any longer."

"I'm going to miss the show. Bring her around the clubhouse sometime," Ice invited. Vida tried not to blush when she realized Ice and the men behind him had seen her show. She recognized Max, whose bike was next to another biker. He gave her a wink.

Her eyes were drawn to the lone bike sitting further away than the rest. He kept Ice and the others within his sight, but continually surveyed everything going on around them. She had noticed several bikers through her lifetime; this one took dangerous to the next level. He wasn't good looking in the least; his face was too harsh. His features were actually handsome; it was what had been done to his face that had destroyed what, at one time, would have made women stop in their tracks. A scar ran the length of his face from his eye to just beside his mouth, giving his sensuous lips a cruel appearance. Vida's eyes were caught by his mocking green ones that were well aware she was staring at him.

"Go on up to the apartment. I'll be there in a minute," Colton told her, seeing her wince when she reached up to brush away a loose strand of hair.

Vida left, feeling the eyes of everyone on her back.

Colton turned back to the President of The Predators. "Thanks, Ice."

"No problem. Missed having you around the club the last three years." Colton and Ice stared at each other, both remembering their friendship and the fun they had partying together. "It's hard to think of Goldie's kid all grown up. She's a definite looker. Didn't make a move on her out of respect to Goldie."

Colton didn't say anything. Ice continued, "h.e.l.l of a situation you're in, man. Wouldn't want to be you." Ice started his bike. "Give me a couple days warning before coming by the club. I don't want to f.u.c.k with your parole. How long you stuck for?"

"One year."

"f.u.c.k. It would kill me being away from the brothers that long. I hope this time you're smart enough to leave that b.i.t.c.h. I warned you from the beginning Tessa was bad news," Ice reminded him.

Every one of his brothers had tried to warn him about Tessa. He had listened, but hadn't played it smart. He had learned his lesson the hard way, in prison. If he got caught at the Predators' clubhouse, he could lose his parole and spend the last year of his sentence back in prison. He wasn't going to let that happen. More importantly, if he was seen there, it would open up the possibility of the club house being raided by the police, and he wasn't about to see his brothers suffer. He had lost the right to be a Predator when he had stepped forward and took the blame for Tessa's crime. Predators never got caught; they lived and breathed their motto.

"Already took care of it, two more weeks and the divorce is final," Colton explained to his former president.

Ice nodded. "Need anything?"

"No, I'm good. Thanks, Ice."

"Anytime, brother." Ice throttled his motor, driving the bike onto the road with the other club members following behind. Colton watched them leave until the last bike disappeared around the corner in the road.

Chapter 10.

Vida was sitting at the table with a baggie of ice against her swollen eye when Colton came in, slamming the door shut.

"What the f.u.c.k were you thinking?"

Vida stared at him in shock. She hadn't expected him to baby her, but she hadn't expected him to be so angry with her, either.

"What do you mean?" Vida asked, confused.

"I f.u.c.king mean, why in the h.e.l.l would you get in the car in the first place. You should have run like the f.u.c.king devil was on your a.s.s. They wouldn't have run you down on the campus."

"I was afraid they would shoot Henry," she explained.

"Again, a campus full of college kids. They would have had a SWAT team on them before they could have gotten away."

Vida began to feel stupid. "I didn't think."

"That's for d.a.m.n sure. This whole situation you've put yourself in is one big f.u.c.king mess."

"I may have made a mistake with Henry, but the rest I have done what I had-" Vida tried to defend herself.

"No, Vida, what you should have done is what I told you to do long ago, and that was walk away," Colton interrupted.

Vida began to get angry herself. "I wasn't about to walk away from a degree that has been hard to earn. Plus, I will also be paying for it the rest of my life. I wasn't going to leave Sawyer behind, either; we made a pact. She worked a full time job then waitressed at night to pay the bills so I could finish school. We've saved and pinched every dime so that we would have enough cash to be able to go where we wanted. I am not f.u.c.king leaving without her!"

"I have news flash for you, Sawyer isn't f.u.c.king here. She's not here for you to leave behind. You're both going to be lucky if you don't end up buried next to your friend."

Vida sucked in her breath at his cruel words.

"You a.s.shole. Don't you tell me what to do. The only thing you're attached to is your d.a.m.n d.i.c.k. You don't know what loyalty is; you f.u.c.k around on your wife. Not only do you f.u.c.k around on her, but you can't even f.u.c.k one woman, you f.u.c.k anything that moves and breaths in your direction." She had no qualms about showing her disgust.

"I haven't f.u.c.ked you," Colton taunted.

"No, you haven't, because you are smart enough to know I don't want your s.k.a.n.ky a.s.s," Vida snapped back.

All the fear and loathing she had been holding inside for the last month was released into the harsh words she spewed towards Colton. She should have been thanking him for saving her from Digger, who had hit her and was obviously going to rape her before disposing of her. However, Colton's words about Sawyer and Callie had brought out the fight in her, which she couldn't get back under control.

"Is that so?" Colton questioned, his expression thunderous.

"Yes!" Vida spat back at him.

"Go get a shower. There's Ibuprofen in the medicine cabinet; you're going to be sore later tonight. I'll fix us something to eat." Taking a deep breath, Colton managed to do what she hadn't been able to do. Reign in his temper.

Their argument ended so suddenly it took Vida several seconds to realize that Colton was no longer partic.i.p.ating.

"I'm sorry, Colton. I didn't mean to fly off the handle. You were right; I shouldn't have gotten in the car. I didn't mean to snap your head off," Vida apologized.