“Oh yeah, that’s like… Official motorcycle stuff, right?“
I grunt in response.
“I suppose I’ll learn all about that when I start working here,” she states confidently. “You’ll find that I’m very organized, detail-oriented, and punctual. Basically, everything you could possibly want for a front desk person or a secretary. And, no offense…” She looks around suspiciously, as if checking to make sure no one‘s listening in. “But I think I might be a little more welcoming than some of your other employees.”
I huff out a laugh, setting my coffee cup on the counter before walking around front and facing her. She’s at least eight inches shorter than my six-foot-three, and I have to tilt my head down to make eye contact. “Actually, with my clientele,you’dbe the one out of place.”
“This is good,” Lynx says enthusiastically. I give her a questioning look. “We’ve moved on from grunted responses to full sentences.” She grins at me, an eyebrow lifted in challenge. She’s enjoying our back-and-forth.
Fuck. I think I’m enjoying it, too.
“Look, lady, I’m not–”
“My name is Lynx, actually,” she says, cutting me off. It’s been a long time since anyone has shown me this much disrespect. It should infuriate me. But the playful glint in her mesmerizing eyes almost makes it worth the trouble.Almost.
“Lynx,” I start again. “There is no job for you here. You can try a coffee shop or maybe a bookstore. That seems better suited to you.”
Lynx crosses her arms over her chest, inadvertently pressing her breasts together and putting them on display for me. I tear my eyes away from her curvy form, biting the side of my cheek to keep me grounded.
“And what do you know about me?” Lynx fires back. “I would think someone in your lifestyle would be a little less judgmental, but I guess not.” The little spitfire has an edge to her voice now, her eyes slightly sharper than they were before. I know that look. She’s desperate, but I’m not sure why. I don’t deserve to know why, and I certainly can’t afford to take on her baggage. I watch as the woman slips out of her defensiveness and puts on a cheerful, but fake mask. “That’s Okay. I’ll just have to prove myself.”
I’m about to protest, but before I get a chance, my phone goes off. The woman jumps slightly, but gets herself under control quickly.Interesting.
I turn my back on Lynx, focusing instead on the call from Shadow, the MC’s top Enforcer.
“Tell me you have an update,” I answer, not bothering with small talk.
“Yes and no,” he hedges. Shadow knows that’s not what I want to hear. “We have confirmation that Sons of Destruction are the local contacts for the illegal auction house. They’re the ones scoping out locations, securing contracts, and drumming up business for the first officialauction.”
Shadow grits out the last word with the same amount of anger and disgust as I feel. I got an unexpected call from an old friend, Jackson, last week. His woman, Sage, was caught up in a dangerous situation, and he needed backup. We helped connect the dots between Sage’s father and Sons of Destruction MC, who we now know are working with some sick psychopaths to set up an “auction house,” aka, a place to sell and traffic women to the highest bidder.
“And?” This isn’t new information, but I guess more confirmation is never bad.
“And… Right now, they don’t have a permanent location. We have leads on possible places the Sons of Destruction might setit up, but right now, the auction varies in location and time of night. So far, we’ve only been able to find themafterthe auction has taken place.”
“Fuck,” I mutter. It’s not the news I wanted to hear, but I know my men are working on it. We’re all enraged knowing this vile shit is happening in our backyard. I called in several tips to the local police about a trafficking ring, but they didn’t do jack shit. Their hands might be tied up in red tape, but mine aren’t. I’ll do what they can’t. I’ll get rid of the threat for good.
“I know,” Shadow says, deflating a bit. I picture him plopping down into his favorite booth in the Wicked Riders clubhouse. When he orders a beer, my suspicions are confirmed.
“I’ll meet you at the clubhouse soon. Second round is on me.
We hang up, and I wipe a hand down my face. What else can we be doing to hunt these motherfuckers down? How many more women have to suffer before we shut the auction house down? It makes me sick to my stomach. How did this slip under the radar? How did we let this happen in our town?
I get so lost in my thoughts that I almost forget about my annoying little intruder. Turning back around, I sweep the lobby area for the bubbly thorn in my side, only to find the place empty.
My heart shouldn’t be sinking to my stomach at the thought of not saying goodbye. Will I ever see the raven-haired, curvy goddess again? I rub the heel of my hand over my chest, right where my treacherous heart is pounding. I don’t think I’ve ever been so affected by someone in such a short time.
I need a ride on my bike and a beer or five with a friend. That’s the only way I’m going to forget Lynx. Even as I think the words, I know she’ll be in my mind for a long time, whether I want her or not.
2
LYNX
I’ve been standing outside of the Wicked Riders repair shop for over an hour now, waiting for my second chance. A few strands of my long hair whip around my face, and I restrain them behind my ears before smoothing out the wrinkles on my dress.
Frowning, I see the dress, while cute, is definitely in need of a wash and an iron. Too bad I haven’t had access to either of those things in several days. Or any other creature comfort, for that matter. I was lucky enough to be able to grab the clothes I did, as well as a few toiletries and other essentials. If I don’t find a new source of cash, however, I’m not going to last out in the big bad world for very long. Just like my father always told me.
I ball my hands into fists and shut my eyes against the memory of the night I left home. My breathing grows shallow as pieces of the last conversation with my dad rattle around my mind.
