“I see.”
“Do you know him well?”
A smile plays at her lips as she twists her blondish locks into a braid. “Well enough.”
“And you’re married to that guy. Blood?”
“Yeah.” She gets this dreamy expression on her face.
“No offense, but you look kind of young.”
“I am, but Blood is it for me.” She studies me for a minute and the scrutiny is unnerving. “You really don’t remember anything?”
“Not the things that are important. Like I know simple things. Like how to mix a margarita, but not how old I am or where I’m from.”
“I’m sure it’ll come back to you.”
“Hope so.” I stare out at the ocean, and though I’m surrounded by people and the sun is burning my skin, I’ve never felt more lost or alone.
“I’m serious about that sunblock. If you need anything, I’m your girl.”
“Babe,” a deep voice rumbles from behind us. That Blood guy struts to the other side of his wife’s chair. He’s intimidating and hella hot. Much like Kevlar, he’s got plenty of ink. He towers over Ashley, leaning down to claim her mouth in a fiery kiss that feels inappropriate to watch. A patch on his leather vest says he’s the president of this crew of outlaws. Nothing about the people or the beach seems familiar.
Everything is new to me. Maybe that’s a good thing. I have this inkling that whatever brought me to this beach wasn’t anything good. Like maybe I was running from something or someone. I just wish I could recall who or what that is.
“I’ve got to take care of something. Stay here till I get back.”
I get the feeling he’s telling her to stick around and keep an eye on me. The stranger.
I can’t help but wonder what kind of situation––trouble I’ve landed myself in. I may not remember how I got here, but I know these men are dangerous.
They’re outlaw bikers, and they protect what’s theirs.
And to them, I’m an outsider.
An intruder.
Unwelcome.
He shoots me a look, not a friendly one. Icy. A stare that says he’d rather kill me than look at me.
“Be nice.”
“I’m not nice,” he growls back at her, giving me another menacing glare. I should probably get out of here, but I don’t exactly have anywhere else to go or the means to do it.
I’ve got no money. No identification.
I’ll take my chances with these bikers.
Blood stomps off, and Ashley watches him go.
I turn my attention back to Kevlar as he does laps in the pool.
“Don’t mind Blood. He’s just got a lot on his plate.”
“I get it. You don’t know me and have zero reason to trust me.”
“No, but you’re kind of stranded and it would be shit of us not to look out for you and help you figure things out.”
