It's Hard Not to Hate - An Outlaw Love Story

Chapter Forty-Four.

Taylor's head pounded, the blood pulsing in her ears to the beat of her racing heart. Goosebumps pebbled her skin under her hoodie, sweat rolling down her back and settling at the waistband of her jeans.

She could hear the rumble of a bike as it approached, the crunching of gravel under the large tires. It sounded like only one, but she couldn't be sure, and she was too afraid to look.

The stranger's hand settled around her throat, exerting only a small amount of pressure, but enough to elicit a sharp intake of breath from Taylor.

In that moment he looked like the epitome of evil as he stared down at her, a crooked grin on his face as he watched her begin to panic.

"He really is a cute kid," he spat, directing his gaze behind her, to where Abel sat completely unaware of the danger around them.

Abel. In her petrified state she had almost forgotten that her son sat mere inches behind her, blissfully unaware of the danger that surrounded him. Her only concern became protecting him, but she was at a loss of how to do that. She was at a complete disadvantage. But she couldn't let them win.

"Fuck you," Taylor hissed. The man's hand came across her cheek quick, just as the words had slipped from her mouth, the loud smack of his skin on hers echoing through the air. Her eyes widened as her entire face began to sting.

"Listen here, bitch—"

"If I were you, I'd back away from the girl. Right. Fucking. Now."

A tear escaped Taylor's eye and she let out the breath she had been holding. She knew that voice well, and right then it was the most magical sound she had ever heard.

The man backed up a few inches and Taylor turned to see Bobby dismounting his bike, his hand firmly planted on the pistol that was tucked into his jeans.

"Taylor, where's Abel?" He asked as he strode towards them.

"In the car," she all but whimpered.

"You best stay out of this, old man," he snapped. "This ain't none of your business."

Bobby laughed, the sound void of any humor.

"Actually, it very much is my business."

"What, your vice prez too much of a chicken shit, had to send you out here to fetch his woman?"

Taylor choked on the saliva pooling inside her mouth. She realized in that moment that he knew who she was, that he had sought her out. She was unsure of how long he had been following her, not that that really mattered.

Bobby sidled up and pushed his body in between hers and the Mayan. He slipped his gun out from the holster and pointed it at the men.

"Well now, you've either got a death wish or are just plain stupid if you thought you could get away with messing with Jax Teller's old lady," Bobby spat.

"You gonna kill me old man?" He taunted. Bobby laughed again.

"No, I'm not. I'll leave that honor to Jax once Alvarez finds out what you were up to. I've known him much longer than you esé and he'll be more than happy to hand you over to us."

Fear flickered over the stranger's features, the threat obviously resonating with him. He ground his teeth, huffed deep under his breath, and spat at Bobby's boots.

"This ain't over," he barked as he backed away, joining the other man at their bikes. Bobby gripped his pistol tighter, wanting nothing more than to rid the earth of the scumbag who would put his hands on a woman.

But he didn't. He remained planted in front of Taylor as he watched the men speed off, their middle fingers raised, disappearing down the street in a cloud of dust.

Taylor heard the air rush from Bobby's lungs and a wail escaped her, her knees buckling under her. Bobby turned quickly and caught her before she crumbled to the pavement. He pulled her into his arms as tears spilled from her eyes. She grabbed at his leather, trying her best to control her emotions, but as the adrenaline waned the gravity of the situation began to settle in her bones.

"Shh, Taylor, you're safe, it's okay," Bobby purred in her ear, his big hands rubbing at her back. She hadn't seen this side of Bobby before, but she was more than grateful for it.

After a few moments she forced her sobs to subside enough so she could speak. and pulled back to face him, wiping at her tear-stained face.

"How did you—" she paused.

"Someone, or something, must've been looking out for you today," he sighed, his eyes examining the large welt forming on Taylor's face. "I was headed out to see an old friend, I normally don't take this route, but for some reason I decided to change things up. And I'm sure as hell glad I did."

"So am I, Bobby. I—I have no idea what would've happened had you not have shown up when you did." Taylor swallowed hard, wiping at a stray tear. "Actually, I have a pretty good idea what would've happened."

"Don't even let your mind go there. You're safe."

"Thank you Bobby. You—I'm forever grateful." Bobby nodded, giving her should a squeeze.

"Let's get out of here. Think you can drive?" Taylor nodded. "I'll follow you home."

Bobby strode back to his bike, and Taylor yanked open the rear passenger door of her car, leaning in until she was face to face with Abel.

"Mommy 'kay?" He babbled.

"Mommy's just fine, baby boy. You ready to go home?" She ran her fingers through his soft hair, her eyes staring into the deep blues that reminded her so much of Jax.

Abel directed his attention back to the toy car in his hands, and Taylor hurried around and slid behind the wheel, the car rattling to life, and with a nod in Bobby's direction she pulled out of the parking lot to head in the direction of home.