Affliction

“Umm, sure,” Kadence says, looking at me, trying to gauge if I know him.

“I was just watching you from across the diner,” he says, looking smug like he has a secret and is ready to share it.

“Yes?” I prompt him when he stops for some reason.

“And you are absolutely glowing.” His lips thin, attempting a smile, but failing miserably. Insincerity oozes out of him.

“Oh, well, thank you,” Kadence awkwardly replies.

“Yes, definitely glowing,” he repeats, reaching out and stealing a fry from my plate. Is this man for real?

“Excuse me, we’re enjoying a lunch date here, so if you don’t mind…” I try to be diplomatic and not come across as a bitch, but this guy is seriously starting to creep me out.

“I wonder what your husband would do if you just went missing one night? Perhaps not make it home from Rushford Primary,” he questions with a high dose of threat.

“I beg your pardon?” I exclaim and go to stand, but I don’t get far when his large grip is thrown out, squeezing tight around my upper arm to get my attention.

“Sit down, bitch. I’m not done,” he sneers, his grip tightening when I try to kick him under the table.

“Let go of her, asshole,” I hear Kadence say, and for some reason, I can’t help but get thrown back into a memory.

“Don’t fucking touch her, asshole,” I yell out to Zane.

“Don’t worry, Holly. You can watch. Then you’ll be next,” Zane taunts and the bile I had been holding down since being thrown in the van, slowly starts to rise.

“Don’t,” Kadence pleads with him. “You can have me, but please don’t touch her,” she says, giving herself over to him.

“What the fuck is wrong with her?” I hear someone ask, but it comes from a distance and I feel myself slowing starting to fade into the black. The threat of this man is pushing me back to that day in the shed.

“You're fucking scaring her, asshole,” Kadence says, her voice laced in concern. Breathe, Holly, my mind tells me, trying to take back control. I shake my thoughts clear, not letting myself get pulled back into the past. My eyes come to Kadence and her body relaxes when she realizes I’m not about to have a meltdown in the middle of the diner.

“I’ve got a message for your husband, Kadence,” the man spits out her name, which concerns me even more. Who is this man? His hold on my arm tightens when I try to pull out of his grasp. A whimper leaves my lips, his fingers digging deeper. I should shout out, lash out, but I still feel like I’m in a daze; like I’m watching the moment happen but have no control over it.

“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. “Wa

“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 go

“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 go

“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.

“Well, let's hope they don’t end up in jail,” I reply, concerned at what they are about to do.