Rory (Coded for Love 1)

They’d just mounted the first few stairs when the sounds of a motorbike roaring sounded behind them, followed by a loud bang.

“Shit,” Jackson exclaimed, craning his neck to see through the open stairwell. “He’s only taken the hoarding out with his bloody bike!”

Sky couldn’t help herself. She laughed. It was a nervous laugh, but she laughed all the same.

“Get inside!” Jackson glared at her and shoved her up the stairs.

With his fist full of her jacket, he led her along a dank cement corridor and into a room crowded with discarded furniture. She counted five geeks sitting in there, each of them glued to a laptop until Jackson stomped in with her in tow.

“Dino, he’s on his way up. You hold the girl.”

Sky pulled free of his grip, dusted off her jacket, and put up her hands. “No need to hold me, I want this done as much as you do.”

The guy called Dino stood up and walked to her side.

A moment later Rory was in the room, helmet in hand, face like thunder.

Staring at Sky, his eyes were dark with anger. “Has he touched you?”

She shook her head. Her heart hammered against the wall of her chest. Anger vibrated off him.

“Oh my, isn’t this touching.” Jackson feigned adoration.

Rory gave him a warning glance. “Fuck off, asshole.”

“Give me what you owe me and you two can skip off into the sunset together.”

Sky could scarcely breathe. She knew he didn’t want Jackson to have the kit, but hadn’t a clue what he might do. If he destroyed it now, in front of them, it would kick off. The tension between the two men was practically humming in the atmosphere. She made ready to bolt for the door. Once Rory destroyed it, it would be over.

Rory pulled a USB from his pocket and held it in the air.

Shifting, she could see the red dot on it. Was he really going to hand it over? He wouldn’t ever be happy with himself if he did that. Suddenly afraid she’d pushed him int

o doing just that, she shook her head at him

He glanced her way, but his expression was inscrutable. Then he tossed the USB to Jackson.

Sky gasped in disbelief. She’d expected him to destroy it, she was poised to run.

Jackson caught the stick and then gave it to Dino. “Check it out. No one leaves until I’m happy.”

Rory folded his arms across his chest. “I’m happy to wait, but I’d like to see you try to stop me leaving if I wanted to.”

Jackson frowned.

The guy called Dino took the USB and loaded it into his laptop. A few moments of scanning and he nodded. “Looks good to me.”

Sky’s heart plummeted to her feet. She’d forced him into it. He’d never forgive her.

Rory briefly glanced at has watch. “Right, I’ve handed over what you think I owe you, my precious tool kit.” Sarcasm rang in his tone. “Now I get to even the scales. Give you what I owe you.”

Inside a heartbeat he’d closed the space between them and floored Jackson with a swift right hook. Jackson scrabbled to get upright. Rory grabbed him by the scruff of his jacket and hauled him up, only to take him out again.

Dropping to his knees over Jackson, he pinned him to the floor, holding him around the throat with one strong fist. The other guys in the room were eon their feet, ready to intervene.

Sky moved, circling them, staying behind Rory.

“If you ever come near her again, I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”