Page 82 of Allegiance
“Bye, Lena,” Sarah called out from the kitchen.
The sound of the back door closing echoed through the bistro. For a few seconds, Lena could only watch Tank, who was looking out the front window.
“What time do they usually come in?” he asked.
“About this time. They’re not supposed to come for another couple of days, though.”
“Yeah, well, they’re coming tonight.”
“How do you know?”
“I just do. You’d better get going.”
“Okay. I should lock up, or they’ll wonder why the door’s open.”
“Do you have a spare set of keys so I can lock the door when they’ve gone?”
“Hang on.” Unlocking a drawer under the cash register, she pulled out the spare and walked over to him. “Here.”
His fingers brushed against her wrist as he took the key. The touch jolted her with an intense emotion. At that moment, she craved the comfort of his arms around her, and the feel of his hands stroking her back.
“Lock the door and go.” The rumble of his voice almost made her cry.
Tank stood to the side, plastered against the wall when she crossed the room and went to the door. Just as she was locking it, Cougar appeared on the other side.
“He’s here,” she whispered.
She rushed behind the counter as the biker flung open the door and sauntered in.
“I’ll get your money.” She forced herself not to look at Tank. So far, Cougar hadn’t seen him.
“We’ve got time for that, sweet cheeks. We’re gonna have some fun first.” A cruel smile twisted his lips.
In her peripheral, she saw Tank, gun in hand, creep toward him as quietly as a leopard stalking its prey. Raising his arm, he swung the gun at the back of Cougar’s head. Blood spurted out, spraying minute droplets over the glass cases.
“Fuck!” Cougar cried out.
As Tank was poised to deliver another blow, Lena saw Cougar’s accomplice and two other mean-looking men rush.
“Tank!” she screamed as one of the men punched him from behind, the blow forcing him to his knees.
The man kicked the gun out of Tank’s hand, and it slid under one of the cases.
“You fuckin’ traitor!” Cougar growled, stumbling to his feet. “I had a feeling you’d be here to help your whore.”
That’s why he brought men with him. How is Tank going to fight them all? I can’t call for help because the damn sheriff’s in on this.Her mind raced a mile a minute, trying to come up with a plan to help him.
“You know what we do to traitors, asshole,” one of the men hissed as he rolled his hands into fists.
Cougar was leaning against the wall, barely able to stand up. Maybe it would be enough to keep him out of the fight.
Tank grabbed the leg of one of them and yanked hard, bringing him down, then pushed up to his feet.
“Watch his fuckin’ legs!” Cougar roared.
While Tank fended off the other two bikers, another one took out a heavy-duty chain from his pocket and swung it at Tank’s legs. When the metal snake wrapped around them, the biker yanked it back, pulling Tank’s feet out from under him.
Rolling over, Tank pushed himself up and bent down low, delivering a punch to the man’s stomach.
