Never Enough: The Vipers MC by Lexi Cross

shaking from head to toe.
     
    “Don’t worry, baby. It’ll be okay.” Hands shaking, I was just about to call 911 when I thought twice. They could get there quickly, but then what? Would I have to tell them about the money I owed the loan shark? If they caught the man inside the apartment, they might know who he worked for and put two and two together. Once they knew I was in debt to a criminal, they might take away my son. I would have nothing.
     
    I couldn’t let that happen. Instead, I texted Grayson. He would be better in a situation like the one I was in. He was used to working outside the law.
     
    My fingers shook as I typed the message, and I kept having to erase letters as I mistyped them. I groaned in frustration, breathing rapidly as my panic escalated. Finally, I managed to type Come quick!!! Please!!! Somebody’s breaking into my apartment!!! I sent it, praying he would see it. What if he were in the shower, or sleeping, or doing whatever it was he did with his time? I didn’t dare call him, didn’t dare make a sound if I didn’t have to. I stared at the phone, willing him to see the message.
     
    Moments later, a reply. I closed my eyes and thanked God that Grayson was paying attention to his phone. Are you sure?
     
    Yes. Positive. I heard the living room window open. I’m in the bathtub. I cupped my hand over the phone, trying to hide the glow of the screen in case the robber was outside the door. I held my breath and strained my ears but could hardly hear over the beating of my heart.
     
    I’m on my way. Stay there. Don’t do anything. Do you have a weapon?
     
    A bat , I replied.
     
    It’s better than nothing. Be there in five. Stay there, don’t move, don’t make a sound . I nodded as though he’d said it to me and could see my response. “Please hurry,” I whispered.
     
    “Who was that, Mama?”
     
    “Shhh…” I picked him up, holding him in my arms, rocking him. My mouth was at his ear. “We have to be so quiet now. Okay? Don’t say a single word. It’ll be okay.” I wrapped my arms around him, cradling him, determined to protect him. His head was against my chest, and I willed myself to calm down so he wouldn’t hear the frantic thudding of my heart against his ear. I held a hand over his other ear to muffle the sounds of the intruder going through our apartment. Every time something crashed, we both jumped.
     
    What could he want? I didn’t have anything of value. There was little chance of carrying my TV down the fire escape. I didn’t have jewelry, either—I’d given the diamond ring back to Grayson when I left him, and even if I’d inherited anything from my mother when she died, I would have pawned it long before then out of sheer desperation.
     
    He had to know I didn’t have money or valuables. What, then? Was he just trying to scare me? Was he trying to hurt me? The messages were escalating. Joe Green, or whatever his name really was, didn’t play games for long. He wanted me to be sure he would get what he wanted, one way or another.
     
    Living room…kitchen…bedrooms…It was only a matter of time before he got to us. I prayed with all my might that Grayson would get to us first.
     

 
    Chapter Nine
     
    Grayson
     
    I had ridden fast all my life, ever since I first got on the back of a motorcycle when I was thirteen years old. One of my cousins had saved up for years, working in a garage after school and on weekends. When he finally bought it and rolled up in front of my house, I had almost broken my neck flying down the steps to see it.
     
    I had begged him to let me ride behind him—I didn’t know back then only girls usually rode behind guys, unless it was like an emergency or something. I didn’t know why Kyle didn’t want me to ride. Finally, I got down on my knees with my hands folded. He’d hauled me to my feet and told me to stop embarrassing him, then let me get on behind him. I thought I would die from excitement—he wasn’t the