Free Save Me by Abigail Stone

together in their 20s. The Disciples weren't nearly as big or influential as some of the clubs that resided in south central LA, but that never seemed to bother Leo or his brothers. It never seemed to matter. They kept their head in the sand and aside from the odd bar fight every now and again  –  they never pissed anyone off.  They didn't have enemies.
    Until now.
    – 
    Present

    "Can I turn around?" Leo asked Layla, pulling himself from his thoughts.
    Layla nodded. Then, realizing that he couldn't see her, she spoke.
    "Yes."
    Leo turned around to face her, walking towards the door and peeking out of it to make sure no one was coming. When the coast was clear, he extended his hand to her. Layla looked at it hesitantly.
    "Come on," he urged.
    It was just as she had expected. Paparazzi were flooded around every major exit and entrance of the large hospital, all of them eagerly awaiting the moment Layla would walk through the door.
    It was the most attention she had recieved from them in years, but that wasn't much of a surprise. The world had a way of reveling in the mistakes of celebrities – even C list ones.
    "Come on," Layla heard Leo say, "I know another way out."
    She followed him through an isolated hallway, through heavy swinging doors and a barrage of busy nurses and doctors who bustled quickly past them. Then, he caught off to the side, grabbing Layla's hand as he threw his large body against a locked emergency exit, causing it to swing open and reveal a staircase.
    "Hurry, before someone sees!” Leo urged, slamming the door shut as Layla entered and pulling her downwards as a nurse scurried past them. When she was gone, he stood up and Layla followed him down the long flight of stairs, which led to a basement level parking garage.
    "I'm right over there," Leo said, nodding at a shiny black motorcycle through a tiny glass window on the only door that kept them both from freedom. When he was positive that no one else was in the garage, he swung open the door, racing towards his bike with Layla in tow.
    "Slow down!” she gasped.
    He picked up pace. His bike was only a few feet away now. They were home free.
    "I hope you don't think I'm getting on that thing!" Layla exclaimed, breathless and exhausted as Leo started up the ignition, sliding his heavy helmet over her tussled hair and setting her sternly on his bike before she could object further.
    "Don't tell me you've never rode a bike before,” he laughed, easing himself on the leather seat in front of her and revving up the engine.
    "What with all your fancy movie roles and all."
    "Those were stunt doubles!" Layla called out over the noise, gripping Leo tightly as he took off through the dimly lit garage. When they finally hit the surface, the daylight nearly blinded Layla despite the helmet and the sunglasses Leo had given her. She felt as though she hadn't seen sunlight in days.
    Leo eased into the heavy flow of traffic, past the pack of rabid paparazzi that lined the front of the hospital. Eventually, they were nothing more than tiny specks in the distance.
    "Where are we going?" Layla yelled over Leo's muscular shoulders, but she didn't get a response.
    About a mile down the road, just past the Hollywood sign, Leo veered roughly to the left, gravel flying around them.
    "We're going to make a quick stop,” he yelled over the sound of cars and trucks honking angrily and moving past them.
    If there was one thing Layla knew, it was that LA drivers had very little patience for motorcyclists – especially ones like Leo, who felt as though the rules of the road didn't apply to them. He brought the bike to an abrupt stop in front of a convenience store just before the freeway, shutting off the engine and reaching back to pull his helmet from Layla's head.
    "You coming?” he asked, but it was more of an order than a question.
    Layla followed him through the entrance, through shelves that stretched from one end of the small store to the next, stacked full of