Naya exhaled as she turned the third lock in her door and leaned against it.She glanced around in a daze before stripping out of her clothing, tying her hair up, and stepping into the shower.
After washing the smell of sweat and booze from her body, she pulled on a large t-shirt and fell into bed.She made sure the alarm was set, closed her eyes, and was out within a second.
Naya felt like she had just fallen asleep when the alarm went off.A groan tore from her throat as she struggled to pull herself from bed.She squinted her eyes as the light over the bathroom sink turned on.
“Jesus, I look like I’m forty years old instead of twenty-two,” she said out loud to her reflection in the mirror.Her face was pale and gaunt, and her once-shiny hair was dull and lifeless.
Naya shook her head.She didn’t have time to whine or cry, so she stepped into the shower and washed her hair.She let the water cool, which helped her to wake up a bit more.
After dressing, brushing her hair, and putting it in a ponytail, she grabbed a Pop-Tart and her purse and rushed out the door.Just another day in her dismal life.She just hoped she’d be able to move on soon.
Chapter Two
Naya walked into theautomotive garage where she worked.The owner, Mark Landry, was already in his office, which was in a room off the front waiting area.
He glanced up from his computer when she came to his door.“Good morning, Naya.There are a bunch of invoices that need to be typed into the computer.”
“Good morning.I’ll get right on that.”
He nodded and returned to his work.
Naya went back into the small lobby and slid her purse into the bottom shelf of the tall counter she worked at.Her main job was to prepare invoices for customers who came in and to collect their payment upon completion.She got to work.
The bell over the door chimed, gaining her attention.Her heart stopped when the three huge bikers strolled through the door.The men had been in several times since she started working for Mark.They had terrified her at first, but she’d slowly relaxed when she got to know them better, and the fact that her boss had known them a long time and trusted them, helped ease her fear.
The first and biggest one stopped in front of her and grinned.
“Hey, babe.”
She cleared her throat.“Hi, Dutch.”
Dutch tilted his head to the side and studied her.“You look thinner and more tired than you did just a few days ago.”
Naya looked away.
“Babe.Look at me,” Dutch said.
