Rolling my shoulders back, I pushed the breath through my pursed lips to a ten count. But the air was knocked right out of me when I caught sight of the bar’s newest patron.
Deep brown eyes, a short chestnut shag, a grin that threatened to turn my stomach entirely — and awoman.Still my eyes caught on the thick leather jacket hugging tight to her shoulders, the charming smile that played at her lips as she lifted her whiskey glass to me.
I smiled before smoothing my hair and gluing my eyes down to the counter.God, I wish I was that cool.
As the bartender set the tray in my hands, I dared one more glance up at the strange woman, wondering if she would tell me where she got that jacket. But before I could even consider it, a sharp pain through my shoulder tore me back down to Earth.
“What the fuck is taking you so long?”
With one tug, Gabe sent the tray tumbling from my hands, sixteen shots painting the front of my shirt in a second. “What the?—?”
“You’re embarrassing me, Kiera.” His grip tightened as he pulled me closer, the force of his fingertips burning even through my sleeve.
“You’ve done plenty of that yourself already…” The bartender grumbled as she wiped down a glass.
“Did you say something?” Gabe whipped his head around to glare at her, but she was already moving back to Mr. Moneybags. He turned his rage back on me, but his grip loosened as he shoved me toward the bathroom. “Go clean yourself up. Now.”
“Screw you.” I muttered, brushing past him toward the bathroom.
He wanted to talk about being embarrassed? I was covered in alcohol, and any of the makeup I’d managed to clean up was certainly streaming down my face along with my tears. But itwasn’t just how I looked, it was how I’d been treated: how I waslettinghim treat me.
I couldn’t figure out when I’d started just biting my tongue and letting him have his way all the time. At some point, my brain had decided that he was better than me, smarter than me, more important than me.
Just like my mother would have wanted.
One look, and even the fucking bartender could tell that he was a loser. All of the expensive vodka and thick cologne in the world couldn’t hide it.
I wasn’t sure why it had taken me so long to admit it. But I was sure of one thing: I was out of there.
Before doubt could creep in, I spun on my heel, turning away from the bathroom and marching back in Gabe’s direction. His quiet irritation morphed into complete confusion as he barked at me. “Where do you think you’re?—”
“Kick rocks, asshole.” I shoved past him, taking advantage of his shock to put some space between us. I threw the door open, letting the brisk fall air whip against my flushed cheeks as I tried to straighten my mind.How the fuck am I getting out of here?
There was no time to call a cab. I probably had seconds before Gabe came out here to collect me himself. But I needed something fast.
And then I found it.
A bright blue motorcycle, parked right out front. It was just one of dozens lining the block, and I had no clue which of the bikers lingering on the street it belonged to.
But it looked fast. Fast enough to get me the fuck out of here.
I strode over to the bike, hoping I looked more balanced than I felt as I laid into the horn. “Whoever owns this thing, get the fuck out here! You’re my ride!”
For a long moment, the blare of the horn was nothing but a siren telling Gabe exactly where to find me. My heart racedas I considered what I’d done — who I’d fucked with. Gabe wasn’t just any asshole, and this promotion wasn’t just some pay increase.
But then, from the shadows, two men in biker helmets appeared, exchanging a glance before heading straight for me.
2
KIERA
Hovering over their bikes,I swallowed hard as the towering men walked closer. They didn’t bother to lift the shiny, opaque visors that covered their eyes. Instead, the two of them stood in front of me and stared down at me.
Maybe this is a mistake.My throat tightened as I realized just how big the pair were. One of them was tall and broad, his muscles straining on the zipped-up, brown leather jacket.
If it was a mistake, it was too late to back down now.
Besides, I’d dealt with plenty of assholes. Plenty of men had taken advantage of my weakness, of my vulnerability. But I’d survived.
