Chapter 1
The thunder of engineshad always been the one sensation Hunter trusted.Even with his hearing shot—deaf in both ears—the thrum of motorcycles vibrated his bones.The steady rumble of pistons firing was like a heartbeat, a language he understood better than most words.
But tonight, he chose quiet.
He sat astride his bike at the edge of the highway, the neon glow of a closed gas station flickering behind him.The rest of the club had gone back to the compound hours ago after escorting the semi full of chopped car parts to the edge of the city limits of Vancouver, Washington, but Hunter stayed behind, liking the solitude.He didn't need the constant frustration of trying to figure out what everyone was bullshitting about or the endless movements of trying to read the conversation that went on around him.Every twitch, jaw rub, body shift, and darting eyes exhausted him.
He could remember a time when all he needed to do was listen, and he could hear the world around him.Life was easier.Simple.
He tugged his leather vest tighter against the chill and scanned the road.The night air carried a faint scent from the Camas paper mill to the east.His gaze tracked headlights in the distance as the car weaved down the two-lane stretch.Hunter's instincts sharpened.Something was wrong.
The headlights swerved.Hard.
In the beam, a figure darted into the road, arms pumping, hair flying loose in the wind.A woman.
Hunter's pulse kicked in.
The car tracked her instead of going out of its way to avoid her.This wasn't a near miss.The car was chasing her.
He didn't think.He started the motorcycle, gunned the throttle, and rode forward into danger.Gravel spat from his tires as he let the side of the road and hit the asphalt.The woman stumbled, nearly falling, but Hunter leaned low, one arm reaching out.She looked up at him, eyes wide, lips parted in a scream.He caught her wrist, swung her up behind him, and felt her body slam against his back.
The car swerved again, trying to cut them off.Hunter twisted the throttle harder, the Harley screaming as it ate up the road.Wind tore at his face, but he kept the bike steady, muscles locked, every nerve on fire.
The woman clung to him, her fingers digging into his stomach.He could feel her trembling, the frantic rhythm of her breath as her body moved against his back, unable to get her feet on the pegs.
Hunter didn't look in his side mirror.He knew the car was still chasing them.
He cut down a side road, then another, weaving through the dark until the headlights finally faded.Only then did he ease off the throttle, guiding the bike toward the clubhouse on the outskirts of town.
The compound loomed ahead, a fortress surrounded by a six-foot fence, the club's colors painted boldly on the gates as a warning to others.This was Royalla territory.
The woman would be protected here until he figured out what was happening and who was after her.
Rocco rolled the gate open.Hunter rode inside, going to the back of the compound, and parked.He killed the engine and felt the silence crash down on him when the vibrations stopped.The woman slid off the bike, legs unsteady, eyes darting like a cornered animal.
Hunter swung his leg over and stood, towering over her.He cocked his head, taking her all in.
She was five feet six inches, barely reaching his chest.Slim and hidden in an oversized sweatshirt.Her dark hair was a tangled mess, half covering her face.Dirt streaked her cheeks.Her wild, blue eyes looked terrified.Her lips moved frantically, but he only caught fragments."Please...help...can't..."
He raised a hand and patted the air, signaling for her to slow down.Her mouth snapped shut, chest heaving.
Hunter pointed to his ear, then shook his head.He watched her eyes widen as she understood.
" I-I'm sorry," she said, slower this time, shaping each word clearly."You can't hear me?"
He gave a single nod and touched his lips."I can read."
"My lips?"Her throat worked as she tried to catch her breath."Can you help me?"
He looked around the compound.Rocco was still at the gate.He couldn't pull him away.
Vein stood in the open bay of the garage, watching them.Hunter lifted his hand, whistled, and motioned for his MC brother to come to him.
The woman stepped into his view and said, "My name is Annie.Please...I...sister."
She talked too fast.Hunter's gaze flicked over her again.Her jeans were torn, and her hands were bloody.Someone had hurt her.There was fear in every movement of her body.
Vein arrived.Hunter pointed at the woman."Listen."
