Chapter Five
Mara walked fast downthe highway, backpack slung over one shoulder, her steps quick and nervous on the gravel shoulder.Her nerves still hadn’t steadied since that morning.Every passing motorcycle made her flinch, every echo of an engine made her glance back.
She’d eaten at the diner hours ago, but her stomach was still in knots.After her car had broken down, she’d thought about catching a bus, about heading further north, maybe even crossing a state line.However, she figured she could save a little and walk to the next town before dark.
The afternoon heat shimmered on the road when she caught the low growl of another bike.One, then another.The sound hit her spine like a warning.
Mara’s pulse spiked.She turned, and her worst fear took form on the horizon.Two riders, both wearing the unmistakable leather cuts of the Iron Serpents.Her mouth went dry.They slowed as they spotted her.
“Hey, sweetheart!”one of them called, his voice carrying over the rumble of the engines.“Been looking for you!”
Panic shot through her veins.Mara ran.
Gravel sprayed under her boots as she bolted toward the thin line of trees that bordered the road.A hand caught the strap of her backpack, jerking her backward so hard her breath left her lungs.
“Gotcha.”
She twisted, struggling, but the heavyset man with a beard matted from the ride, yanked her back against his chest.His partner dismounted and stalked closer, grin sharp as a knife.
“Your old man and our Prez are both real eager to see you again,” the second one said, grabbing her arm.
Mara’s heart slammed.“Let me go!”
“Don’t fight.We’ll make it easy.”
She kicked out, catching one in the shin.He cursed, tightening his grip.
Then another sound cut through the scuffle.A deeper growl, low and dangerous.A Harley engine, throttled hard.All three froze.The bike came out of nowhere, roaring down the side road before skidding to a stop in a spray of dust.
The man who climbed off it was tall, broad-shouldered, and all steel in motion.Viper.Mara’s breath caught.
She’d seen him briefly that morning and couldn’t be forgetting him anytime soon.He moved like someone who knew violence the way other people knew breathing.Right now, he looked ready for it.
The Serpents turned toward him, both wary and hostile.
“Ain’t your business,” one growled.“Walk away.”
Viper didn’t.He took a slow step forward, expression unreadable.
“Funny thing,” he said.“I don’t like watching two grown men drag a woman off the road.”
