Because she deserved a man in her life that would give her the love she deserved.
“Oh, good,” Nadia said as she rushed up to me. “I was hoping you’d get here before we started serving lunch. Can you keep an eye on the apple pies in the oven? I have to help unload a massive truck that just pulled up with a donation.”
I nodded. “Sure. You need any help with unloading that food, though?”
She looked at me warily. “Normally, I’d set a timer and say yes.”
“But…?”
“Coming through!” a familiar voice exclaimed.
I balked at the sound of Bender’s voice. The second he charged through the back doors with an arm full of boxes, I scoffed to myself. Of course, it would be him and his club that showed up with that donation after the shit that had gone down at my place.
I peeked over at my sister before heaving a heavy sigh. “I’ll be by the ovens.”
She giggled. “I figured as much. But trust me, you can help me put it away once they get it off the truck.”
I practically sprinted over to the ovens and tried to ignore the fact that Bender stared me down every chance he got. I refused to look at him. I refused to acknowledge his presence. But I couldn't ignore the fact that they were unloading enough food for the homeless shelter to restock all three of their pantries completely. My eyes widened with all of the boxes they brought in. Even with the ten volunteers on staff that day, it took all hands on deck just to get the boxes opened.
And I couldn't help but stare at Bender’s smile as he walked over to the hot food line.
“You guys need any help serving today?” he asked.
Nadia smiled. “You guys always ask, and you know what the answer always is.”
Fangs chuckled. “We can stick around and help serve. You know, get the line going a bit more.”
“Plus,” I called out from the ovens, “we could always use help restocking the pantries.”
Nadia pointed over at me. “Bingo. So, we’ll split you guys in half: some of you on the line, some of you restocking the pantries. Thank you so much.”
One of the guys smiled a bit too hard at my sister while he nodded his head and spoke with her, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. But feeling Bender’s gaze on the side of my face pulled me away from the big, broad man hovering over my sister while trying to converse with her. She deserved better than someone that came from a tight-lipped motorcycle club.
Then again, what kind of law-breaking club helped homeless shelters like this?
“I’m surprised to see you here,” Bender said as he walked up to my side.
I didn’t bother looking over at him. “Don’t worry, I’m just as shocked to see you guys here.”
“Why? Didn’t think we were good guys?”
I shrugged. “Still not convinced that you are.”
“Look out!”
Out of nowhere, pops rang out in the distance. My sister yelled for everyone to get down as people from the streets stuffed themselves into the homeless shelter. Before I knew it, my body was tackled to the ground, and I found Bender on top of me as he worked his sidearm off his hip.
“What’s happening? What’s going on?” I asked breathlessly.
“Stay down,” he commanded.
He jolted upright and headed outside where gunfire rang out. I crawled to my sister and covered her head as she cried into the tiles of the shelter floor. My eyes darted around as people screamed. Cried. Called out for help. And as the bullet-popping grew closer, I watched a couple of men vault over the hot food line.
“Hit the deck!” Bender exclaimed.
He slammed on top of me, guarding my body as well as my sister’s, and as glass broke and shattered everywhere tears dripped down my face. My sister shook beneath me. I tried to keep my cool while Bender shrouded both of us with his body.
And as bikes tore off into the distance, Bender shot upright before sticking out his hand.
