“Saxon? Are you guys on first-name terms already? So my sister is getting cozy with the guy who’s trying to kill me?” He shifts in his seat, his shoulders tense.
“He’s not trying to kill you. If he was, why didn’t he do that back at the house? You’ve dragged the whole club into this with you. And our family.”
“He’s got to you. Saxon can be a charming fucker when he wants to. If you want to take his side, you do it. I’m good on my own.” He folds his arms.
I reach my hand out and rest it on his forearm. “I’m not on anyone’s side. I want you to get better. You need to grieve. You’ve never stopped to be sad, you’ve just caused as much havoc as you could.Stop. Please.”
My brother turns his body away from me and takes a pull on his beer. I guess this means our conversation is over. I stand up, passing two women who look me up and down as I pass. After the night I’ve had, it’s the last thing I need.
The big husky dog walks over and sniffs my hand. I crouch down and pet him, and he wags his tail. He walks with me as I go over to the staircase and we both climb it. Up here there’s a long hallway with doors covered in more stickers, posters and biker memorabilia. The dog stops outside one of them and barks, then scratches the door.
Saxon opens it. He’s wearing a tight-fitting T-shirt that highlights his broad shoulders and muscular arms. The dog noses inside the door.
“I see you’ve met Bones.” Saxon holds the door open for me.
“Bones?”
“Yeah, I named him. Was a skin-and-bones pup when I found him on the side of the road. He likes Star Trek too, so the name suits him.”
Bones leaps up on the big bed and howls.
I laugh. “He sings!”
Saxon smiles and his eyes crinkle at the corner. “He can wake the whole club up if he doesn’t get his breakfast in time. Joker calls it his show tunes repertoire…”
I sit carefully on the edge of the bed.
“I’ll take him downstairs. Can I bring you a drink? You’ve had a hard night.”
“Thanks. I’m not much of a drinker, but maybe a brandy? I’m a little cold.”
“Sure thing. C’mon, Bones.”
Saxon takes Bones out of the room and I scoot back on the huge bed until my back is against the wall. The bedroom is painted a deep red and the bed has a wooden frame, with four big posts at each corner. The headboard is leather and the sheets are the same deep red as the walls. Framed vintage motorcycle posters are on the walls, and there’s a flatscreen TV mounted on the wall. The dim lighting casts shadows on the walls and the raucous atmosphere of the club downstairs is muted.
I’m surrounded by Saxon’s belongings and it doesn’t make me feel anxious, or afraid. This man who my brother is convinced wants to eradicate him has treated me like I’m some delicate, precious object that needs to be taken care of. Told me I’m his future wife. Brought me to safety. Maybe I’m a fool for believing him, but for the first time since my parents died, I feel safe.
The door swings open and Saxon comes back in. He’s carrying a glass with a wire frame around it. He sits down on the bed next to me and hands the glass to me. It’s full of a steaming, lemon-scented liquid.
“What’s this?” I inhale. It smells like honey.
“Hot toddy. The best thing when you’re feeling cold. Can’t have my angel chilled.”
I take a slow sip. “This is delicious.”
He reaches his hand up and rubs my arm. “Should warm you up a little.”
I trace my fingers over the scars on his arms. “Do you mind me asking where you got these?”
“You can ask me anything you want. Had to pull some of my army buddies out of a burning jeep, managed to set myself on fire while I was doing it.” His laugh is dark.
“I’m sorry.”
“We were in Iraq, in 2009, when one guy went rogue and put the whole squad in danger. Two of my buddies died. I got shipped back home, medical discharge and pension. That’s when I started watching Star Trek, when I was recovering. I got bored after a while and set up the MC. Joker was the first member.”
“Is he your…vice-president?” I ask.
“Yes. We have a whole process to recruit people now, but back in the day it was just the two of us roaring around town. I had hoped your brother would straighten himself out. He’s one hell of a rider.” Saxon shakes his head. “Blade’s agreed to show us where he’s hidden the bag. Joker and Hawk are driving him out there now. He’s still mad as hell, so I’m not counting on anything being where he says it is.”
