The Beginning

Nicky

I awoke with a start. My fists clenched, ready to swing at the person nearest to me. Blurred vision focused on Vin's features as he caught my wrist. I tried to shake him off but felt a twinge in my abdomen.

"Whoa, Nicky, relax. It's me." He soothed.

"Get away from me." I commanded weakly. Pain shot across my chest, through my lungs and down my stomach as I sat up in bed.

"Don't get up, man. You were stabbed up pretty good." Vin stood to lower me back down.

The night before had become a blur. We walked out of the bar after I beat the piss out of Tess's ex. I couldn't remember hearing any footsteps, but I could see the blade that glinted in the streetlights overhead. It was the same one that had been plunged into me, over and over. The first time, I stumbled backward. The second time I swung, only catching the air. Short of breath, my vision blurred, and I landed beside her.

I gasped.

Tess. She was already on the ground. Had they gotten her, too?

My breath was stolen again. "Tess?" I looked at Vin.

He averted his gaze. "I should tell everyone that you're awake. Ozzy will call the doctor back."

I snatched his arm. Stitches struggled to move with me. "Give me a minute." I took breaths in small gasps. "Where is she?"

Vin shook his head. "They said they heard her scream. Everyone went running, but by then you were on the ground, and she was gone." Vin took his chair and placed a tattooed hand over mine. "We went out to that house and we broke in, but nothing had changed. He was a step ahead of us the whole time. We went back to his mom's house to see if he'd stopped by." He shook his head with disappointment. "Si and Marc are watching the houses, but there hasn't been any movement."

"How long have I been out?" I tried to wet my lips, but my mouth had gone dry.

"A day and a half." He murmured. "Roni's on her way."

"Tell her not to bother." I shook him free and sat up. Kicking my legs over the edge of the bed, I hissed as I attempted to stand.

"Stop Nicky, you're going to make it worse." Vin urged me back into bed.

"Get off me." I struggled against him. The harder I fought, the weaker I felt. I realized Vin only had a hand on my shoulder, keeping me in place. "Vincent." Defeated, I beat a fist on my bed. Then I immediately regretted it as everything began to pulse. I clutched my chest with both hands to ease the pain.

"What are you going to do, Nicky? You going to go out there and fight him yourself?"

I looked up at him from beneath my knitted brow.

"You can't fight right now. It'd be like putting a baby in a cage match."

"A baby?" I bit.

"I know you, man. I know you're tough and I know you think you can take on the world. But right now, I need you trust us to get the job done." Vin persuaded.

I couldn't trust Vincent as far as I could throw him. He was his father's favorite child, no doubt a pivotal part of what happened last night. I couldn't help the snarl that pulled on my lip.

"Go ahead." I nodded the door. "Go tell 'em." I urged.

Vin narrowed his eyes at me. Suspicion was outweighed by the fact that I was done arguing. He turned on his heel to head for the door, stopping only once to look back at me.

I gave him a wave from the bed. Once Vin crossed the threshold, I stood all too quickly and shut the door behind him. Twisting the lock, I moved to the dresser and grabbed for anything I could easily slide on. Sweatpants, T-shirt, a pair of socks, and a twice worn sweatshirt. I slipped my feet into a set of trainers.