Affliction

“You tell him if he doesn’t tell me where my wife is, he’ll know what I’m feeling real soon.” He releases me, pushing me back with such force my head hits the back of the high booth seat. And as quick as he was there, in our space, he’s gone.

“Are you okay?” Kadence reaches for my throbbing arm, her soft touch soothing the dull ache.

“Yeah,” I say, still not believing what just happened. “Are you okay?” She doesn’t reply, already dialing out on her cell.

“Nix?” she says, looking up at me. “Some asshole just approached and threatened us.” She stops to listen to what he says. “We’re fine. Yeah, Happy Chef,” she confirms before hanging up.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks again looking down at my arm.

“I promise. Just give me a moment,” I tell her, trying to grasp the reality that I’m sitting in a diner and not back in that awful barn.

“Nix is on his way down,” she informs, her hand moving to mine, offering me a tight squeeze.

“Is everything okay here?” The waitress comes up checking on our meal.

“Yes, can we have some cold water?” Kadence asks before dismissing her. “Wanna tell me what’s happening?” she asks after a few more minutes of me trying so hard not to be dragged down into the dark part of my mind. I have fought day and night these last few months not to be held hostage in those memories, and with one touch, I’ve spiraled back into it. Enough is enough.

“I’m good,” I finally say, coming out of the moment.

“Okay, good. ‘Cause Sy was with Nix and even I know he’s going to be pissed with what’s happened.” She points to the outline of the five-finger death grip the asshole just left me with.

Oh, shit.

***

“Tell me exactly what he said,” Nix asks, sitting next to Kadence, his temper rising by the minute. Three of them walked in thirty seconds ago, exactly ten minutes after Kadence called out the SOS. Sy, Nix and Hunter.

“He said to tell him where his wife is or you’ll know what he feels like,” she relays the message back but I don’t hear his response. I’m too lost in Sy’s stare.

“Sy?” I ask, hoping he doesn’t lose it. I’m trying to let him work out whatever is going through his mind, but I can see him struggling.

“I’m going to fucking kill him,” he growls his first words since walking in to the diner.

“No one is killing anyone. You both need to calm down,” Kadence says, trying to be the voice of reason in this cloud of anger.

“I might not kill him, but I’m gonna fucking try.”

“Sy, I’m okay. I promise.” I reach out to soothe him with my touch.

“You don’t look fine.” He comes in closer and searches my face. “Did you have a panic attack?” he asks, seeing what I hoped he wouldn’t.

“Just a small one, but it’s okay, Sy. I’m fine,” I try to reassure him. I feel good I was able to bring myself out of it; that I didn’t let it take me completely. In the past when I’ve had them, they drain me, but right now, I’m feeling good. Strong.

“You haven’t had one in a couple of weeks.” He shakes his head like he’s still working it out. “I’m gonna fucking kill him,” he says, working himself up again.

“Okay, well, this is getting us nowhere. Nix, talk some sense into him. This guy is the mayor’s son, right? You can't kill him.” Kadence tries to reason with Nix, giving up on Sy.

“I don’t give a fuck if he is Gandhi, Kadence. This fucker has been messing with us for three weeks now. Shutting down the bar with licensing dramas and harassing the boys, we can deal with that, but this is going too far. Threatening something that is mine, my wife, my child, the fucker is going to be in a world of pain.” Nix looks to me, then to Sy and I see it in their eyes: this is serious shit.

“Gah, seriously, this is pointless. Come on. Let's just go back to the clubhouse.” Kadence looks over at me, trying to get me to convince Sy to calm down. I really don’t think that’s going to work.

“Good idea. Hunter, follow them back and stay there until we get there.” Nix stands, moving out of the booth and letting Hunter sit.

“Nix, no,” she tries to argue, but I already know it's not worth it. The boys have made up their minds.

“Baby, stay with Kadence until I get there,” Sy tells me and then kisses me gently.

“Sy, please don’t go,” I try to get him to see reason.

“Holly, this is one of the times where you just have to turn the other way. He put his hands on you, marked you. Don't ask me not to do anything about it.” He leans back in and quickly kisses me again, then pulls back.

“Sy,” I call, but he’s already moving out through the diner to go who knows where to do who knows what.

“Watch her, Hunter,” Sy says, holding his gaze, and something passes between them before he pushes through the door out to his bike. Nix follows behind and we look through the glass shop front as they climb on their rides and roll out.

“What the hell just happened?” I ask Hunter, feeling like nothing but a world of trouble is heading our way.

“You fuck with Sy, this is what happens, Holly. Trust them to do what they need to do.” He leans forward and eats from Kadence’s plate.

“It was kinda hot,” Kadence says, lost in the moment.