It All Started With Hate

lock | part 2 (e)

Without hesitation, I pushed the front door open. My eyes quickly found the brawl.

Luke was on top, throwing the deadliest of punches one after the other. The man beneath him was writhing, trying to evade Luke's punches but failing miserably. His every move seemed to guide Luke's fists.

The door slammed against the wall as I entered, the loud thud drawing their attention. Both of them turned their heads in my direction. Shock flashed across their faces, followed by unbridled anger in Luke's eyes when he saw me.

His voice boomed through the house, "Maggie..." He attempted to control his rage, but his nostrils flared, and his glare pierced through me, even through the blood. His voice made me jump, "Norris, you get your ass back in that room, right now, do you hear me?"

I remained in place, my grip tightening on my gun. I couldn't tell if it was shock or fear of something happening to him that kept me rooted, but I didn't budge.

Luke narrowed his eyes at me, the warning evident. The man beneath him seized the opportunity and threw a punch, prompting Luke's retaliation.

Before he acted on it, though, Luke shot another glare at me, his voice steelier than I'd ever heard it, "Go, Maggie! Now."

I snapped to attention. My legs should have moved forward, but I stumbled back before regaining myself and rushing back to our room.

Just as I reached the hallway, another gunshot echoed behind me. My body tensed, and I turned, despite Luke's orders.

A breath of relief I didn't know I was holding escaped me at the sight. Luke had risen from the man's chest, which now had a hole in it.

Luke's chest heaved from the physical activity as he wiped his blood-stained hand across his forehead. My startled body shifted toward him again. He was okay.

As I took a step in his direction, an arm snaked around my neck, pulling me back into someone's body. The same arm knocked my gun from my hand.

At the sound of the clattering gun, Luke spun around.

My skin crawled as I realized who had me. Their foul breath reached my face, and simultaneously, the cold metal of their gun pressed against my temple.

"Well, wasn't this fun?" my dad mused, frustration lacing his voice. "I hate to end it so soon, but it's gone far enough, now. Maggie and I, though, we're gonna head—"

Luke's reaction was lightning fast. He aimed his gun, shaking his head at my dad. "Only over my dead fucking body."

"It's over, now, Luke. Give it up."

"Nothing's over until you have a goddamned bullet in your skull." Luke's glare turned deadly. "Let her go."

My dad scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Do you really think I'm gonna do that?"

"I don't give a shit what you think you're gonna do with her," Luke gritted out, stepping closer, eyes locked on my father's. "I promise it won't ever happen while I'm here."

I winced as my dad pressed the gun harder against my head. "That's the problem, isn't it?"

Luke's expression turned ice-cold. "Let her go."

"You first," my dad hissed. "I mean, what the hell hooked you on the girl in the first place?" A scoff escaped him. "Just let her go, Luke. You're a Vaudest. She's a—"

"She's mine. She always has been mine, and she always will be mine."

My heart soared at his words, but it quickly froze as my father pressed the gun against my head again. My jaw throbbed from his grip, but I couldn't escape.