But I don’t move.
I don’t budge.
He moves in beside me, spinning my chair to face him, commanding in every way. Imposing. Fierce. Unyielding. His knuckles rest on either side of me on the armrests of my chair as his face drops to meet me. His glorious eyes rage while he glares at me like I have hit one hell of a serious nerve, but still, I don’t back down. He leans closer so we’re inches apart, his threat clear, his breathing so frantic I smell the beer on his breath. “Is your motherfucking recorder still fucking recording this?” He growls the words, his voice so low, so menacing, I almost want to back down.
But I don’t.
I won’t.
Instead, I simply glance at the table to see the red light still glowing. “It sure as hell is,” I reply, full of gumption.
Sin’s breathing quickens even more as his brows furrow while he stares at me like he is trying to figure me out, the closeness between us causing my stomach to flutter. And I just can’t figure out if it is from nerves or excitement.
“You want an answer? Here’s your fucking answer.” His eyes slide down my blouse, which even I admit is probably a little too revealing, then they flick back up to me. “You come intomyclubhouse, wearing all leather, trying to portray this tough-girl image and attitude, and pair it with the skimpiest blouse so my brothers out there can seeallyour damn assets, and you didn’t think for a single second that one of them, a 1%er, was going to make a sexual remark about you?C’mon now…” He draws out the words. “You knew what you were doing, wildcat. You’re aninvestigative journalist trying to dig up dirt,right?So you come in here with ammunition ready to go, in the form ofyou! Donotthink I don’t see what you’re doing, Miss Hale. Deek is the weak link here, right? The problem is, he was messing around, and out of everyone here at the club, he is the least likely to be an issue when it comes to women—”
I snort out a laugh. “You’re just trying to protect your men—”
“You bet yourassI am. If you think you can come in here with some narrative you’ve already soclearlygot in your head, then you can walk your leather-clad ass right back out of my motherfucking door. You’re here to look at us subjectively, and if you can’t take off your pessimist filter and actually give us a chance, then we aredonehere, Elizabeth.”
A slow smirk begins to inch across my lips.
Sin spots it, lets out a heavy huff, and then pushes himself away from my chair, creating distance between us. His heavy boots pound the floor as he paces in front of me, running his fingers through his hair. “You were testing me…weren’t you?”he snaps, turning back, glaring at me.
I softly shrug, letting out a small exhale. “I could already tell when I was out there that Deek is a joker. I didn’t take him seriously at all. I never once thought I was in anyrealdanger…” I pause with a smirk. “I just wanted to see how the leader of this club would protect his men. Would he stand up for values and morals, or would he just go for the opportunity if it presented itself?”
Sin’s posture softens as he moves to the wall, leaning back against it, shifting his foot up in a move that somehow makes him look even more authoritative and powerful at the moment. “Risky move! What if Ididtry to take advantage of you?”
I weakly smile, that same fluttering feeling in my stomach crashing over me as our eyes meet again. “Part of the job, but… I also had a gut feeling about you. It’s why I pushed you so hard.”
He narrows his eyes, simply humming under his breath. “Hmm…” he replies, shoving off the wall and moving back to his seat at the head of the table. He draws in a long sigh as I turn to face him, clicking off the recording so it’s just him and me.
Sin places his hands on the table, and I can’t help but notice the poker chip that has appeared as he flicks it between his fingers effortlessly. “Why do you want to write about us? Honesty this time, Elizabeth,” he asks, his voice even but his eyes sharp. “What’s your angle?”
I meet his gaze, keeping my expression neutral. “I think people have the wrong idea about clubs like yours,” I reply, the lie coming far too easily. “I want to show the human side… the loyalty, the brotherhood.Notjust the headlines about crime, violence,and…sexual exploitation.”
He lets out a small harrumph, watching me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re new to reporting, yeah?”
Sucking in a breath, I nod. “I am.”
Sin clears his throat and stands from his chair, moving back around the room toward me, stopping by my side. “Make this feature a good one, and it could really ignite your career. So far, wildcat, from what I’ve seen in our limited time together, you’re gonna be one hell of an investigative journalist.” A bright smile lights my face as I go to reply, but he cuts me off. “But, if you come at me with that fucking technique again, this process will be over, and I’ll withdraw permission for every-single-fucking-thing you gather here to be used in your piece. Do.You. Understand me, Elizabeth?”
Clearing my throat, somehow the demanding way he’s talking to me is making all my bravado sink inside myself, so I simply nod, biting down on my bottom lip in the first sign of nervousness I have shown him.
A mischievous smile lights his face like he knows he’s won this round.
Asshole.
“Now, let’s go back into the clubhouse, and I’ll introduce you to everyone and show you around a little more.” I simply nod as he glances down at my blouse, inhaling and shaking his head. “But for God’s sake, Elizabeth, do up a couple of buttons on your blouse. It really is distracting, and Iamtrying to be a gentleman here.”
I snort out a laugh, raising my brow at him, and when he turns, heading for the door, I do as he directs, then stand, reaching for my recorder, and take off after him.
I guess it’s time toreallyget this party started.
Chapter Three
ELIZABETH
As we walk back into the club room, everyone turns, looking at me. Swallowing heavily at the weight I have to carry on my shoulders for this task, I plaster on a fake smile as Sin leads me through. His warm hand is spread across my lower back, again, commanding in the way that he does. The strength in that small gesture doesn’t get past me, either. Or the show of dominance he’s clearly trying to display over me. Normally, I would swat a man’s hand away for being so presumptuous, for assuming that I can’t lead myself into a damn room, but I need to be on my best behavior.
