I leaned in slowly, close so my lips were close to her ear."The one where two adults who are attracted to each other leave a shitty bar for somewhere private to fuck the shit out of each other."I kept my voice low, letting the very real desire I had for her show in my words and tone.When I pulled back, I watched her reactions carefully.
Her lips quirked up."Oh, I’d say we’re on exactly the same page."
Decision made.I nodded, not trusting my voice suddenly.If things went well, Wren would never know about my ties with the Copperheads, or that those ties were lies to get the information Vittorio Luca and his brothers needed to stop the pipeline of forced sex workers, many of whom were underage.Once I had what they needed, I could leave that fucking place forever.And Vittorio would kill them all.
We finished our drinks and I followed her lead as she began weaving through the crowded bar.The place had filled up even more, bodies packed together in the smoke-filled space.This time, I had my arm firmly around Wren’s waist, wanting everyone in the place to know she was leaving with me.
A few Bound in Blood turned to watch our exit.An older Bound in Blood member frowned slightly, but Wren gave him a small nod that seemed to satisfy him.The network around her was apparent even in these subtle exchanges.I liked how protective the club seemed to be of the women under its care.Under other circumstances, Bound in Blood would be a club I’d be interested in patching into.
As we neared the exit, Wren paused to say something to the bartender, who glanced my way with a measuring look before nodding.Covering her bases, letting someone know who she was leaving with.Smart girl.Her survival instincts were solid.Ghost had definitely done right by her, which made me respect the man all the more.
The cool night air hit us as we stepped outside, a welcome relief from the stuffy bar.The parking lot was crowded with motorcycles, their chrome gleaming under the security lights.Music and laughter spilled out each time the door opened behind us.
"Which one's yours?"Wren asked, looking around at the bikes.
I led her toward the far corner where I'd deliberately parked away from the main cluster of motorcycles.My saddlebag contained my Copperheads vest, hidden but accessible if things went sideways and I needed to establish my affiliation fast.I'd calculated the risk of bringing it, weighing the danger of discovery against the protection it might provide if shit hit the fan with a rival club.Better to have it and not need it.
"This beauty," I said, stopping beside my black Harley with subtle custom detailing.Nothing flashy enough to be memorable, but distinctive nonetheless.
Wren let out a low whistle, dropping to a crouch to examine the engine.Her dress rode up her thigh, revealing more of the knife strapped there."You weren't bullshitting about her being a beauty.This is gorgeous work."
I blinked, surprised at her immediate recognition."You know bikes?"
"Grew up around them."Her fingers traced the custom exhaust with appreciation."Your work?"
I nodded, genuine pride mixing with my operational awareness."I rebuilt the entire bike the way I wanted it.It’s fast, powerful, and mean on the road."I reached for her hand, pulling her close to me so I could wrap my arm around her slender waist.I wanted to drop my hand and squeeze her ass, but figured that was a step too far.Besides, I didn’t want anyone seeing what I did with Wren.No man but me would ever see the look of utter bliss on her face as she came but me.And I knew I could get that look on her face because I’d keep at it until I learned how to get her there."You still want to get out of here?"
"Where we headed?"she asked, watching my hands as I unlocked the saddlebag to grab my helmet.I kept my body angled to block her view of the Copperheads vest nestled at the bottom.
"My place is about fifteen minutes out.Not much, but it's private."I handed her the helmet."Unless you had somewhere else in mind."
"Your place works."She jerked her thumb over her shoulder.“I’m over there.I can follow.”
“Fair enough.”I stifled the urge to tell her to be careful.Even though I knew she was a capable rider, I wanted the feel of her at my back as I blazed a trail down the highway, but not only because I was a possessive bastard.I wanted to know she was as safe as I could make her.And the caveman in me believed I was the better rider even though I was pretty sure it would be a toss up between us.
"But fair warning, if your apartment's as meticulously clean as your bike, I might start asking for house keeping advice instead of whatever else you have in mind."
I laughed, surprising myself with how genuine it sounded."I promise to be distracting."
I swung my leg over the bike, settling into the seat and firing up the engine and waited for her to do the same.I’d parked close to her deliberately.I’d questioned the move, but now I knew I’d planned on leaving with her all along.I just refused to admit it to myself until now.
I pulled out of the lot, keeping an eye on her as she followed before pulling up beside me.I grinned at her then put my focus on the road ahead stretching over the land dark and promising.I twisted the throttle, picking up speed and Wren followed suit.The full moon shone down on the road ahead, turning the pavement into a glittering silver ribbon that mirrored her bright, beautiful smile.
Chapter Three
Rocky
Ipulledintothecrackedasphalt parking lot behind my apartment building, the rumble of Wren's bike right behind me.The moon cast long shadows across the concrete as I cut the engine, watching her swing her leg over her seat with a grace that made my mouth go dry.Purple hair wild from the ride, that dress hiked up high on her thighs revealing the knife still strapped there, she looked like every fantasy I’d ever had and a few I never knew about until tonight.
"Nice neighborhood," she said, glancing around at the run-down complex with a smirk that suggested she'd seen worse but not by much.
"It's temporary," I replied, which wasn't a lie.Everything in my life was temporary.The apartment, the job.All of it would disappear once I finished this job for Vittorio.I reached for her hand, surprised at how naturally my fingers laced with hers.She looked up at me with a raised eyebrow but I ignored her, figuring she could tug away if she wanted free.Then I led her inside the building.
The building was deceptively run down and dingy.The stairwell stank of stale cigarettes and cheap weed, fluorescent lights flickering overhead as we climbed.I felt her eyes on me, studying my back, probably wondering what she’d gotten herself into.
"Hope you're not expecting much," I said over my shoulder, fishing keys from my pocket as we reached the third-floor hallway."Not exactly the Ritz."
"If I wanted luxury, I wouldn't be following a stranger home from a biker bar," she countered, her voice carrying a lightness that didn't match the calculation in her eyes.
