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🔥🔞"Right here. Lift your skirt." Every damn time, my boyfriend dragged me into public spots for this shit—he was rough, brutal, controlling. This time was worse: he bent me over in the middle of the crowded pub. "Matt, we're done. I'm not doing this here anymore." He froze for half a second. Then his hand came across my face so hard I tasted blood. "No f*cking way you're leaving me." He was already unbuckling his belt, his c*ck hard, ready to force his way in. I stumbled, vision blurring, desperate to run—when suddenly a tattooed arm wrapped around my waist and yanked me onto the back of a roaring motorcycle. "Call yourself a tough man, huh?" Logan smirked, revving the engine. "You think it's okay for a guy to put his hands on a woman like that? Beat her bloody, drag her by the hair, force himself on her?" He slammed his fist into Matt's face, splitting his lip, then grabbed a fistful of Matt's hair and slammed his head forward. Blood sprayed. "She's not your property," Logan snarled. "She doesn't belong to you unless she chooses to..." ---------------------------------------- Chapter 1 -Hailey- Heat rose in my chest, and my fingers tightened around the glass of whiskey in front of me. The bar was dim and crowded, and the hum of conversations blended into a dull roar. But it was Matt’s voice that cut through everything. “You’re always so damn defensive, Hailey,” he said with a smile. To anyone else it might’ve sounded playful, but I knew the bite underneath. His dark eyes drilled into me, and I could see his jaw clenching and unclenching. The telltale sign that he was just getting started. “I’m defensive because you’re always picking a fight,” I shot back. My voice was steadier than I felt. “Why can’t you just let it go for once?” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Baby, I’m just trying to talk to you. Why do you always make me out to be the bad guy?” I focused on my glass of whiskey, taking another swig. “Yeah… I’ll let it go,” he continued after a beat. His smile vanished, and his hand came down hard on the bar. I jumped as the sound rattled through the room. A bunch of heads turned, but I was used to it. My pride was already in shreds, and the whiskey burning in my chest wasn’t doing much to calm my nerves. “Shit, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he murmured a second later, running his fingers down my arm. Soft now, almost tender. “You know I don’t like it when we fight.” The shift made my skin crawl. He always did this. Twisted the knife, then acted like he was the one holding me together. “You act like you’re so perfect. Like I’m the problem.” He kept going, his voice rising. “Maybe if you weren’t so fuckin cold all the time, we wouldn’t have to fight.” “Cold…” I laughed, but it came out dry. “You’re the one who’s always twisting everything, Matt. You’re the one who—” I stopped mid-sentence, my gaze moving past him to the far end of the bar. Two bikers sat there, the patches on their vests catching the glow of the neon signs above them. They were watching us. Their expressions were casual, but their attention was undeniable. One of them leaned back with his arms crossed, while the other rested an elbow on the bar, his eyes locked on mine. I felt a shiver crawl up my spine, but I couldn’t tell if it was from the intensity of their stares or the way Matt’s hand suddenly gripped my arm, pulling my attention back to him. “Don’t look away when I’m talking to you,” he hissed, his fingers digging into my skin. I jerked my arm free, my pulse racing. “Stop it, Matt,” I said, my voice colder now. “You’re hurting me.” His eyes narrowed, and for a second, I thought he might lash out again. But then he leaned back, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, you’re always the victim, aren’t you, Hailey?” he muttered, finishing off his whiskey. I didn’t answer. My gaze drifted back to the two at the end of the bar, and this time, one of them — the one with the piercing eyes — nodded at me, ever so slightly. I didn’t know who they were or why they were watching us, but something about their attention made the air feel heavier. Something about the way they held themselves felt… dangerous. Matt followed my gaze, scoffing when he noticed them. “Who the hell are they?” He gave me another tight smile. “See? You love this, don’t you? Getting other guys to look at you.” “I don’t know who they are, Matt. But I’m done,” I said quietly, sliding off my stool. My legs felt shaky, but I forced myself to stand up straight. “I’m not doing this with you. Not here.” His jaw dropped, and for a second, he looked stunned. Like he hadn’t expected me to push back. Then his face darkened, and he stepped closer, crowding me against the bar. “You’re not going anywhere,” he hissed. “I’m not done.” I froze, my blood running cold, and out of the corner of my eye I saw one of the bikers shift in his seat. He stubbed out his cigarette and stood up, his movements slow and measured. Matt didn’t notice. His hand was gripping my arm again, and I knew I’d have a fresh bruise there tomorrow. But before I could say anything, before I could even think, the biker was there. He stepped up beside us with a calm, intimidating presence that made Matt’s hand drop instantly. “Problem here?” he asked, his voice deep and smooth. His eyes were locked on Matt. Matt hesitated. The biker moved like a shadow, his body slipping into the space between Matt and me. Matt’s eyes narrowed, his face twisting into a snarl. “How about you mind your own fuckin business,” he spat, his voice rising. He took a step back and swung without warning, his fist aimed straight for the biker’s jaw. The guy ducked it, like he’d been expecting it. The punch whistled past his head, and in one fluid motion he grabbed Matt’s arm, twisting it behind his back. Matt let out a grunt of pain, his face contorted with fury. “You don’t wanna do this, bud,” the biker said calmly, but there was an edge to his voice that sent goosebumps up my arms. The other biker was on his feet now, striding over with a lazy smirk. “We got a problem here, Logan?” the second one drawled, cracking his knuckles. Logan… He did look like a Logan. Matt struggled against Logan’s grip, but it was useless. His strength was effortless, and he looked like he was carved out of stone. Like some kind of heavily tattooed Greek god. “Get your hands off me, asshole!” Matt hissed, his face turning red. Logan glanced at me for a split second, his green eyes unreadable. Then he nodded to his friend. “Let’s take this little party outside, shall we?” The next thing I knew, they were dragging Matt toward the door, and his curses were echoing through the bar. I stood frozen, my heart thudding against my ribs. Part of me wanted to stop them, to scream at them to let him go. But a deeper, darker part… felt something like relief. The door swung shut behind them, muffling the sounds of the fight that broke out almost immediately. I could hear the dull thuds of fists connecting with flesh. My legs felt like they might give out, but I forced myself to follow, pushing through the crowd that was gathering to watch through the windows. Outside, the cool night air sobered me up immediately. Matt was on the ground now, covered in blood, with the bikers standing over him like predators circling their prey. Logan’s fist was bloody, his posture relaxed, but his eyes were blazing. His friend was lighting a cigarette. He almost looked bored. “Tough guy, huh?” Logan said, his voice calm but carrying across the parking lot. “You think it’s okay to put your hands on a woman?” Matt coughed, spitting blood onto the pavement. “She’s MY fiancée,” he muttered, his voice hoarse. “You don’t know shit about us.” Logan’s jaw flexed, and he crouched down, grabbing Matt by the hair. “She’s not your property. Unless she wants to be…” He looked up at me then, like he was waiting for me to respond. I felt a lump rise in my throat. I didn’t know what to say… what to do. This wasn’t how I wanted things to go. But Matt had pushed too far. Again. And these guys weren’t like anyone I’d ever met. “Um,” I murmured, pausing for a second to steady my voice. I should’ve been worried about Matt bleeding at my feet. Instead, all I could think about were those green eyes, piercing straight through me. “Let’s… uh… go home and get you cleaned up, Matt…” I avoided the bikers’ stares, embarrassed to look at either of them. “Give me the keys.” “Really,” Logan said, his tone incredulous. He stood, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his vest. “Alright... Your choice.” He lit one, exchanging a look with his friend. Then they turned and headed back into the bar, leaving me to help Matt stumble to his car. Chapter 2 -Logan- The bar smelled like stale beer and bad decisions. Same as always. River was running his mouth about the curvy blonde bartender, Brittney, and I wasn’t listening. My eyes were scoping the room. Scouting for tail. Then she walked in. The chick from last week. The one with the asshole fiancé who thought it was smart to take a swing at me in public. Hailey. She looked smaller without him next to her. Tiny waist, long dark hair hanging down her back. Tattoos on everything below her neck — and a massive purple bruise around her throat. Fresh. Dark. The shape of a hand burned into her pale skin. I felt my jaw flex. Heat crawled up my neck… the kind that made my fists itch. “Jesus, man, you’re starin’ hard enough to catch charges,” River muttered, leaning toward me. “You wanna wipe the drool off your chin before she notices?” I shot him a look. “Shut the fuck up.” He smirked, unfazed. That was River for you — never serious until it was time to get bloody. I pushed off the stool before I thought better of it. My boots carried me across the floor, and River trailed behind like he was coming for the show. Hailey nodded to Brittney, slid onto a barstool, and kept her eyes straight ahead. “Evenin’,” I said, sidling up next to her. She froze, glancing sideways. Up close, that bruise looked worse. Rage rolled through me, hot and sharp. River slid onto the stool beside her, grinning like a wolf. “I guess introductions are overdue. I’m River. That’s Logan.” Her eyes darted between us. Wary, but not running. “Hailey,” she said finally, her voice soft. “Yeah,” I said. “I remember. Your man was shoutin' it across the bar.” I caught Brittney’s eye, jerked my chin. “Whiskey. For her. Put it on me.” Hailey shook her head. “I can buy my own—” “Don’t need to,” I cut in, and the words came out harder than I meant. She went stiff, but she didn’t push it. She took the glass when it landed, and her fingers were trembling just enough for me to notice. She lifted it, took a long swallow. Then another. Like she was trying to burn something out of herself. “Bad week?” River asked, lighting a smoke. She laughed, but it came out dry. “You could say that.” I leaned in just enough for her to feel my eyes on her. “That bruise… He give it to you?” Her fingers froze around the glass. She didn’t answer right away, just stared at the whiskey like it might answer for her. Then, finally, her voice cracked soft and bitter. “Caught him cheating... I confronted him. He didn’t take it well.” I gripped the edge of the bar so I wouldn’t put my fist through it. My knuckles ached anyway. “Where is he now?” I asked. “He’s at work,” she murmured, still staring at her whiskey. “Where’s he work?” I asked. She blinked. “What—why—?” “Where.” Her eyes finally landed on me, wide and bright-ass blue. I didn’t break the stare. After a little while, she whispered, “The garage off Highway Seven. He’s a mechanic.” I nodded once, then tipped my head at River. He stood, cracked his neck, and strolled toward the door without a word. A few seconds later, the bar filled with the growl of his Harley starting up. Hailey’s breath hitched. “What are you—” I turned back to her, voice flat, steady. “You’re not goin’ back to him.” Her eyes flashed with defiance. “That’s not your decision.” “No,” I said. “It’s yours. But you’re not makin’ it tonight. You’re comin’ with me.” She stared at me like she couldn’t decide if I was a savior or the devil. I was almost always the devil… but tonight, maybe I was both. “I don’t even know you,” she whispered. “You don’t need to,” I said, tossing a few bills on the bar and standing. “Come on.” For a second, she didn’t move. Then she pushed her glass away and followed me. Pride had her chin high, but I saw the way her hands were shaking at her sides. The night air was sharp and cool. River’s taillight disappeared into the dark, the echo of his pipes rolling over the street. Hailey froze at the sound, hugging her arms around herself. I started my bike and swung a leg over, then held out my helmet. “Put this on.” Her eyes darted from me to the bike, to the helmet, then back again. “I don’t—” “On,” I repeated. “Come on, Hailey, we ain’t got all night.” She swallowed hard but stepped closer, sliding the helmet over her head. Her hands fumbled on the strap, so I reached out and snapped it into place. She flinched a little, then relaxed. I didn’t say a word. When she climbed on behind me, her grip was light. Uneasy. By the time I gunned the throttle and pulled us onto the street, her arms were wrapped tight around me. I could feel her little fingers on my abs, clutching like I was the only solid thing in the world. The clubhouse came into view after a ten-minute ride through back roads, neon buzzing over the rusty old sign: WARRIORS MC. The lot was full of bikes. Laughter and music bled out from the open doors. Hailey slid off the bike slowly, tugging the helmet free. Her hair came out messy, her eyes wide as she took it all in. “Where are we?” she asked, voice thin. “Home,” I said, leading her inside. The air was thick with smoke and cheap perfume. Brothers were scattered around, playing pool, throwing darts, drinking like tomorrow didn’t exist. A couple of them looked up when I walked in with Hailey. Curiosity. Interest. My sister was perched on Monty’s lap near the bar, beer bottle in hand. She arched a brow at me, then at Hailey. “Well, well. Who’s this?” “Hailey,” I said. “She’s with me tonight.” That drew a couple whistles from the guys. I ignored them. I guided her toward the table where a few of the old ladies sat — Ruby, Kayla, Becky, and my Aunt Trina. “They’ll take care of you,” I told Hailey, sitting her down in an empty chair. “If anyone gives you shit, let me know.” Her eyes went wide. “What does that even mean? You’re leaving me here? Where are you going?” I crouched down so we were eye level, and for the first time I let her see the heat in my stare. “To finish something.” Her breath caught. “You’re going after him.” “Fuckin right I am.” I stood up, tugging at my cut. “He put his hands on you again. That makes it my business now.” She shook her head. “No—Logan, you don’t—” I leaned closer, my voice dropping lower. “You’re not goin’ back to him. Ever. You got me?” Her lips fell open, but no sound came out. “Good.” I turned, nodding toward River and the brothers who were already on their feet, geared up and heading out the door. Engines roared to life outside, shaking the walls. I gave Hailey one last look before heading out. Her blue eyes were wide, her shoulders stiff, but under the fear there was something else. Something I shouldn’t wanna see. Hope. The door slammed shut behind me, and the night swallowed us whole. Chapter 3 -Hailey- The door slammed behind Logan, and the building vibrated with the roar of engines. I sat frozen in the chair he’d left me in, with my heart slamming against my ribs. He was gone. Just like that. And yet, somehow, I didn’t feel abandoned. I felt… claimed. “Well don’t just sit there lookin’ lost,” a voice drawled. I looked up to see a dark-eyed girl with glossy black hair and a cigarette balanced between her fingers. Smoke curled lazily around her head, and she smirked at me like she knew all my secrets. “Name’s Ruby. Come on, girl… Tell us your story.” Another girl — round face, soft smile, a streak of silver in her hair though she couldn’t have been older than thirty-five — reached out and dragged my chair closer to her. “I’m Kayla.” The other two ladies at the table were older, maybe in their fifties. One had long gray hair and kind eyes. The other one with fiery red hair smiled at me, her expression warm. “I’m Trina. This is Becky. What’s your name, honey?” “Uh, Hailey,” I replied quietly, glancing around the table. “She’s soft,” Ruby chimed in. Trina smacked her on the arm. “Don’t mind her, Hailey. She likes to scare the new girls.” I glanced up at Ruby, my lips quirking despite everything. “Careful… I bite,” I said softly. Ruby barked a laugh. “Oh, I like her already.” I stared at my hands, still shaky from the ride. And from… everything else. Music thumped from the jukebox in the corner, men laughed too loud, glasses clinked. The air was heavy with cigarette smoke and testosterone. The girl Logan had spoken to first wandered over to the table. She looked me over from head to toe, assessing. I admired her dark curls, her deep blue eyes. I wondered if Logan had ever slept with her. And then I wondered why I'd even wonder. “I’m Scarlett,” she said slowly, tilting her head. “So. Logan brought you here. That’s… new.” I rested my elbows on the table, tugging my hair forward to hide the bruise around my throat. Heat crept into my cheeks, and I didn’t know what to say, so I kept my mouth shut. Ruby’s gaze sharpened, following the motion, and her smirk vanished. “Men like that don’t change,” she said flatly, flicking ash into the tray. “Good thing you caught Logan’s attention before your jackass killed you.” Her bluntness hit me like a punch. “Does he… do this often? Bring women here?” “Literally never,” Ruby said. “Don’t get it twisted, though… he gets around. Everywhere but here.” I swallowed hard, staring down at the tabletop. Scarlett arched a brow, sipping her drink. “Relax,” she said. “Logan… doesn’t bring girls here. So if you’re sitting at this table, it means something. Question is, are you strong enough to handle it?” The way she said it made my pulse spike. “Handle what?” “The life,” Ruby said simply. Her tone wasn’t mean, just factual. “Being with a Warrior means loyalty. Standing tall when shit hits the fan. Knowing the club comes first, no matter how much it might hurt sometimes.” My throat felt tight. “I’m not—” I hesitated. “I don’t even know what I am right now.” Scarlett’s expression softened for the first time. “Well you should figure it out fast. Because once you’re in, you’re in.” The table went silent. I tugged at the sleeves of my shirt, sort of wishing I could disappear. The bruise on my throat throbbed under their stares, like it had its own heartbeat. Ruby finally crushed her cigarette out and leaned back. “You don’t have to decide tonight. For now, you’re safe. That’s more than you had an hour ago.” Safe. The word felt foreign. “I’ll get us another round,” Trina said, pushing out from the table. “What’s your poison, Hailey?” “Uh, whiskey,” I said. “Maybe just bring the bottle. Thanks.” Trina raised a brow, a smirk crossing her face as she turned toward the bar. “So, Hailey,” Kayla said as Trina returned with a fresh round of drinks. “You from around here?” I took the glass of whiskey Trina handed me. “I’m… not,” I admitted. “I grew up a few hours from here. Moved here last year with—” I stopped myself, swallowing hard. “With him.” Ruby’s eyes went sharp. “The one Logan’s beating the piss out of right now.” I nodded, my fingers tightening around the glass. “Yeah… Matt. We were supposed to get married next month.” My laugh was bitter and hollow. “Guess that’s not happening now.” Trina reached across the table, her hand warm on mine. “Better to find out now than after the vows,” she said softly. “I’ve seen too many women waste years on men who don’t deserve them.” I stared at her hand. “I just… I don’t know how I got here,” I murmured. “I thought he loved me. I thought I loved him.” Kayla leaned back in her chair. “Love’s complicated,” she muttered. “Especially when it’s mixed with fear. You think you can’t live without 'em, until you realize you can’t live *with* them.” “Sounds like a shitty country song,” I said. A few of them laughed. But her words burrowed into me, and I felt tears at the corners of my eyes. I blinked them away, refusing to cry in front of these women I barely knew. “I just… I don’t know what to do now,” I admitted. “We were high school sweethearts. I don’t even know who I am without him.” Ruby smirked, lighting another cigarette. “Stick with us, babe. Breathe. Take it one day at time. You’ll figure it out.” I nodded, taking a deep breath. The weight in my chest felt a little lighter. “So, what about you?” I took a sip of my whiskey, letting the heat curl through me. “What brought you all here?” “I’m with Link,” Ruby said, tapping ash into the tray. “Been with him for eight years. Almost as long as he’s been with the club.” “I’m Mason’s old lady,” Kayla said. “It was kinda the same as your situation. Abusive ex-boyfriend. Mase is so good to me, though.” Becky spoke for the first time, leaning back in her chair. “I’m with Dex… Been with him for twenty-nine years… married for thirteen. He’s a royal pain in my ass.” Trina laughed, shaking her head. “I’m Jake’s old lady. He’s club president. I’ll introduce you when they get back, if you want… And I’m Logan’s aunt. River’s mama.” Oh, so Logan and River were cousins… “I’m Maverick’s old lady. Everyone calls him Monty. And I’m Logan’s big sister,” Scarlett said with a playful smirk. “AKA the Golden Child. Our dad is club VP… He and mom are out of town right now.” And she was his sister? Yeah, I could definitely see the resemblance… For some reason, I felt better knowing that. A mix of exhaustion and clarity settled over me as the whiskey burned its way down my throat. These women were a strange kind of comfort. They didn’t sugarcoat anything, didn’t tiptoe around the truth like everyone else I’d ever known. It was refreshing, even if it was a little terrifying. Scarlett tilted her head, studying me. “So, what’s your plan, Hailey? You gonna stick around? Or you just passing through?” I stalled under the weight of her question. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I don’t even know where I’d go if I left. Over the years, Matt kind of… cut me off from my friends and family.” Trina leaned in, her smile warm. “Well, whatever you decide, you’re welcome here. We look out for our own.” Our own. The words echoed in my head. I wasn’t sure if I belonged here… wasn’t sure if I ever could. But for the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel completely alone. But even as I started to relax, I couldn’t shake the image of Matt’s face when Logan twisted his arm behind his back. The fury in his eyes, the way he spat that word — fiancée — like I was property he owned. What was happening to him right now? What were they doing to him? Then Logan crept into my head. Crouching in front of me, those green eyes burning into mine. Ruby leaned forward, her cigarette dangling from her fingers. “You’re thinkin’ about him, aren’t you?” I blinked, caught off guard. “What? No, I—” “It’s okay,” she smirked, cutting me off. “I’ve seen that look a thousand times. You’re wonderin’ what he’s doing, if he’s okay... If he’s coming back.” I felt my cheeks flush and looked down at my whiskey. “It’s not like that. I don’t even know him… I was just picturing him naked.” Everyone laughed. “First of all,” Scarlett said, “Gross. Second, I can tell he’s already under your skin. Logan’s good at that. Hell, he has all the single girls in this place drooling over him constantly. Thank god he doesn’t shit where he eats…” Kayla reached over and squeezed my hand, laughing. “Logan will be fine, girly. But your fiancé, on the other hand...” I didn’t get the chance to dwell on it. The rumble of bikes rolled in like thunder. My stomach dropped as every head in the clubhouse turned toward the door. Boots scuffed against the floor, people standing, voices going quiet. They were back. And my stomach twisted while I waited to see how much blood was on their hands. Chapter 4 -Logan- The place went quiet when we walked in. Happens when you show up to the party covered in someone else’s blood. River peeled off toward the bar like he didn’t still have pieces of the guy’s face on his knuckles. I didn’t stop. My eyes found Hailey and didn’t look anywhere else. She looked small at the old ladies’ table, fingers pale around a glass of whiskey, hair covering her shoulders like she was trying to hide. Blue eyes locked on me. Something hot slid under my ribs and settled there. “He’s not gonna bother you again,” I said. Her face turned white. “What did you do?” I reached into my cut, set the crumpled paper on the table. She took it with shaking fingers, unfolded it. Matt’s handwriting crawled across the page — what he did to her, how many times, where. His signature at the bottom like a white flag. Probably wasn’t all of it, but it was enough. “He signed it,” I said. “Voluntarily.” “Voluntarily?” she whispered. Not exactly. But she didn’t need to know how easy it was to make him beg. I felt my jaw flex. “Let’s just say he was… motivated.” Ruby stubbed her cigarette out. “Well? Dirty details, boys.” River flopped into the chair across from her, popped the cap off his beer with the edge of the table. “Prince Charming took a little nap against a tool chest.” Kayla shot him a look. “River.” “What?” He lifted a shoulder. “Man’s got a glass jaw. Not our fault.” “Is he—” Hailey swallowed hard. “Did you—” “He’s alive,” I said. “Probably wishes he wasn’t. He’ll be talkin’ a little less for a while.” River leaned back and propped his feet on an empty chair. “Told him if he came within fifty feet of you, we’d break somethin’ he actually needs. Then I broke his hand to illustrate the concept.” “Niiice,” Ruby said, clearly enjoying this. Hailey looked queasy. She stared at the paper like it might bite her. Relief flashed on her face and then died, chased by guilt, then anger. I watched every second of it play out. I wanted to take the whole mess out of her hands and light it on fire. I heard footsteps behind me and Jake slapped a hand down on my shoulder. “Go wash up, kid.” He pointed down at my bloody boots. “You’re gettin’ scumbag all over my floor.” “Yeah. In a minute,” I muttered, my eyes still glued to Hailey. “Hailey,” Trina said, warm smile and sharp eyes. “This is Jake.” “Welcome, Hailey,” Jake said, pulling up a chair next to her. “So, you gonna press charges?” He nodded toward the paper. “Club’s got a killer lawyer. She’s been with us for years. Mostly on the defense, but she’s handled cases like yours too.” “I… I don’t know,” she murmured. “I mean, it’s not that simple.” Jake nodded. “It never is,” he said. “But you got options. And people here who’ll back you up, no matter what you decide.” She looked so small. Tired. I needed to give her an out… this shit could wait til tomorrow. “Come on, Hailey,” I said, nodding toward the stairs. “Let’s go.” She looked up, confused. “Where are we going?” “Upstairs.” She hesitated. “Why?” “Because you’re sittin’ here lookin’ like you’re about to bolt, and I’m not lettin’ you.” I watched her mouth open. I wasn’t prepared for the feisty comeback. “You think you get to decide that?” she asked, chugging the rest of her whiskey. Alright, I’d play hardball. “Yeah. I do. You’re stayin’ here tonight. Tomorrow you can do whatever the fuck you want.” That might’ve been a lie, but I won. She stood up slowly and followed me. The whole room watched us go, but I didn’t give a shit what they thought. The stairs creaked under my boots as we climbed up to the second floor. A few of the bulbs in the hallway were blown out, and long-dead brothers stared at us from the old pictures on the walls. It was all peeling wallpaper, scuffed floors and numbered doors. I stopped at the one at the far end of the hall — the only one with no number — and unlocked it. “My place,” I said, holding it open for her. She hesitated before stepping inside. She scanned the room, and I knew what she was seeing. The place was big and bare. Leather couch. Workbench buried in manuals and parts. TV too big for the wall. It smelled like motor oil and cedar. The mural took up the entire outer wall — a 10-foot raven with its wings out. Her eyes landed on it. Of course they did. That gaudy thing was half the reason I never brought chicks here. “You like ravens, huh?” she murmured. “This is beautiful.” “Nah. My old man painted that. This used to be his place.” She nodded, finally taking her eyes off it. “You can stay here tonight,” I said, closing the door behind us. “Unless you’d rather stay in one of the empty—” “No,” she cut me off. “I’d rather stay here… with you.” I tried not to read too much into that. “Sit down. Relax. I’ll grab you a drink.” She looked unsure, but she sat. I headed to the bedroom first, laid out one of my tees and a pair of boxers for her on the bed. Then I hit the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. When I came back, she was staring at the damn paper again. I tried not read too much into that either. I handed her a glass of whiskey, then headed toward the bathroom, kicking off my boots. “I need a shower,” I said. “Gotta get this shit off me. You uh… you good?” She nodded. “I’m fine.” She was lying. “Another bathroom in the bedroom, if you wanna get cleaned up…” I said, pointing down the hall toward my room. “Laid out some clothes for you.” “Thanks,” she whispered. I didn’t like what it did to me, but I didn’t hate it either. I stood under the shower, watching red water swirl down the drain as I scrubbed the day off my skin. I leaned against the tile and closed my eyes for a minute. Hailey was just a few feet away in the other bathroom. I could hear the water running through the wall. I imagined her standing there, her hands rubbing all over her soapy, naked body… I shouldn’t’ve been thinking about her like that. She was raw, and I didn’t wanna let my thoughts go there. But I couldn’t help it. She was naked under my roof, about to be wearing my clothes, and something about that twisted me up inside. I wanted her to walk in here and slip into the shower with me, to let me take the weight off her shoulders, even just for a night. But she didn’t. The water ran cold before I finally shut it off. I wrapped a towel around my waist and went to the bedroom to grab a pair of sweats. I barely had them on before I heard the bathroom door creak open. I turned, and there she was. Standing in the doorway, hair dripping wet. My shirt hangin’ halfway down her creamy, inked-up thighs. I felt my cock twitch. I had to drag myself out of my thoughts. I cleared my throat. “You good?” I asked again. Like a goddamn parrot. She nodded. “Alright… Bedroom’s yours,” I said, heading for the door. “Oh, uh,” she murmured, making me pause. “Where are you gonna sleep?” “Couch,” I said. Doubted I’d be getting much sleep, though. “Oh… You don’t have to—” “Yeah I do,” I said. For some fuckin reason. “Get some sleep, Hailey. You look like you’re about to fall over.” I pulled the door shut behind me and exhaled slow. I heard her phone buzzing in there — muffled, insistent. Had to be Matt. I collapsed on the couch, staring at the raven until the urge to put my fist through the wall passed. I brought her here to keep her safe… from him. The longer she stayed, the less safe she was from me. I dragged a forearm over my eyes and told myself to sleep. Didn’t work. Tomorrow we’d figure all this shit out. Tonight, I was on my back in the dark, rock hard and pissed at myself for not makin’ her mine. I told myself I was keeping her safe. But I wanted her under me more than I wanted her out of danger. Chapter 5 -Hailey- The bathroom was full of steam. Logan’s shirt hung down to my thighs, soft and heavy, smelling like leather and spice. I rolled down the waistband of the boxers one more time so they wouldn’t slip, and I tried not to think about the fact that I was naked under a stranger’s clothes. Well, not really a stranger. Not anymore. When I stepped out, Logan was standing there shirtless, gray sweatpants slung low on his hips. My breath caught in my throat. His gaze lifted and caught on me. His skin was covered in tattoos. Ink sprawled across his muscles, down into the waistband of his sweats. Like a road map I desperately wanted to follow. I tried not to stare, but his green eyes locked onto mine. The air felt too thick to breathe. “You good?” he asked, his voice rough. Heat climbed up my neck, settling under the bruise on my throat. For a second, nothing in the world existed but the two of us and the space between us. I nodded, but it was a lie. My heart was racing, and I couldn’t tell if it was from fear or something else entirely. He didn’t look convinced. “Alright… Bedroom’s yours.” I wanted to tell him to stay. To not leave me alone. But I couldn’t bring myself to say it. “Get some sleep, Hailey. You look like you’re about to fall over.” He pulled the door shut behind him. Disappointment hit me so fast it made me lightheaded. Stupid. Reckless. I clutched the hem of his shirt in my fists. He’d said my name like it was both a promise and a warning. Shadows pooled around the edges of the king sized bed. The sheets were crisp, neatly tucked in and folded over. I sat on the edge of the mattress and told myself to breathe. My phone started buzzing on the nightstand. Matt’s name flashed on the screen, and my stomach lurched. I flipped it over and shoved it under a pillow, letting it buzz again and again until it stopped. I lay back and stared at the ceiling. This morning I’d been arguing about wedding playlists. Tonight, I rode on the back of a stranger’s motorcycle. I followed a man covered in my fiancé’s blood up a flight of stairs. And put on his clothes. Insane. That’s what this was. Ridiculous. Irresponsible. Every word my mother would’ve used. And yet, for the first time in months — years — I felt… safe. The bruise on my throat pulsed in time with my heartbeat. I pressed two fingers to it and winced. Through the door I heard movement — the faint creak of couch springs, a muffled curse, then silence. I pictured him on the couch, arms folded behind his head, staring at that raven on the wall like it could talk him off a ledge. I wondered if he was thinking about me the way I was thinking about him. The thought didn’t help… it made it worse. After a while, I got up, restless, and tiptoed back into the hall. The apartment was dark, TV painting the room with shifting light. He was exactly where I’d imagined him, sprawled on the couch, eyes on the ceiling. He didn’t react when he noticed me. Just flicked his gaze to me and back up again. “You should be sleeping.” “I tried.” My voice came out hoarse. “It didn’t take… I came out for a glass of water.” “Don’t drink the tap water… There’s a filtered pitcher in the fridge.” “Okay, bougee…” I poured a glass and joined him in the living room. “Do you always keep it this… empty?” I asked, glancing around. “It looks like you live here, but you don’t… live here.” His eyes tipped toward me again. “I work. I ride. I sleep… It’s all I need.” “And the raven?” I nodded at the mural on the wall. “You keep that for the aesthetic?” “My old man would have my head if I painted over it.” Something softer slid through his voice, then it was gone. “It’s his, not mine.” “Where is he?” I asked, curiosity winning. “He’s the club’s vice president, right?” He stared at the ceiling long enough that I thought he wasn’t going to answer. “Him and my mom are on vacation,” he said finally. “They got a house on the coast out in Washington. Sometimes they stay out there for months.” Silence again, but not the brittle kind. “Thank you,” I said finally. It came out smaller than I meant. “For everything. For… this.” I tugged at the hem of his shirt. “For not making me feel like a stray dog you dragged in.” “You’re not a dog,” he said, eyes cutting to mine again. “More like a kitten. And I didn’t drag you.” “Felt a little dragged,” I said. I needed to tease him to keep myself from falling into those eyes. His mouth curled into an almost-smile. “You walked.” We looked at each other for too long. Heat pooled low in my stomach, mortifying and undeniable. I broke the stare first, wrapping my arms around myself like it would lock the feeling in. I wanted to crash into him… feel his hands on me, his mouth on mine. I wanted a lot of things I wasn’t brave enough to ask for. I stood there, clutching the glass of water, my bare feet cold on the hardwood floor. The silence between us felt charged. Logan’s eyes drifted back to the ceiling, but his presence was like a magnet, pulling me closer. “You’re not really gonna sleep out here, are you?” I asked finally. He didn’t look at me, but his jaw flexed. “Don’t think sleep is in the cards for me tonight.” I hesitated, my heart thudding in my chest. The couch wasn’t big enough for someone his size. “You could… I mean, the bed’s big enough…” The words tumbled out of me before I could stop them, and I immediately regretted it. Heat flooded my cheeks. His eyes snapped to mine, sharp and searching. “No. I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands to myself.” Heat curled through my core again. I couldn’t believe he just came out and said it… but it gave me the courage I needed. “What if… I don’t want you to.” He ran a hand over his face. “Fuck, Hailey.” His voice was gravelly, and it sent a shiver through me. I took a step closer. The glass of water was trembling in my hand, and I set it on the coffee table before I dropped it. “I’m not… I don’t know what I’m doing,” I admitted, my voice quiet. “But I know I don’t wanna be alone tonight.” He sat up slowly, his tattoos shifting with the movement of his muscles. His green eyes burned into mine, and I felt like he could see everything — every scar, every bruise, every broken piece of me. “You’re not makin’ this easy,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “You’ve been through hell, Hailey. You’re vulnerable. You’re probably drunk. I’m really tryin’ here… to not take advantage of that.” I swallowed hard. “I’m not drunk. And you’re not taking advantage. I’m asking.” His jaw clenched, and he looked at the floor, like he was wrestling with something inside him. When his eyes met mine again, they were darker. Hotter. “You don’t know what you’re askin’ for.” “Maybe not,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “But I know I trust you.” That seemed to hit him harder than anything else. He exhaled sharply. “Fuck,” he muttered again, dragging a hand over his face. Then he stood, his presence towering over me, filling the room. I didn’t move. I couldn’t. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest. He stepped closer, his heat radiating against my skin, and I tilted my head back to meet his gaze. “I never bring girls here,” he murmured. “I don’t do relationships, Hailey. I don’t stick around long enough for anyone to catch feelings. But you’re… different. And that scares the hell outa me.” His words were raw and honest. “I scare you?” I whispered, almost laughing. “You look like you could bench-press a Honda Civic.” He smirked. “You don’t get it. You’re too brave. You’re sittin’ here, bruised and broken, and still lookin’ at me like I’m some kind of hero. I’m not, Hailey. I’m the guy who breaks things. Including people.” I shook my head, stepping closer until my chest was almost touching his. “You can’t break something that’s already broken.” He groaned, low and frustrated. “Hailey…” I reached up with both hands, my fingers running lightly over his neck. His skin was warm, and I could feel his heart beating. “I know what I’m risking,” I said, my voice steadier now. “And I’m okay with it.” His hands came up to grab my wrists, stopping me but not pulling away. “You shouldn’t be. You deserve better.” I tilted my head, meeting his gaze. “Says you.” His grip tightened, and for a second I thought he was going to push me away. But then he exhaled, a long, shaky breath, and pulled me against him instead. His hands gripped my hips as he stared into my eyes. “Fuck,” he muttered finally. “I can’t… Not like this. Go to bed, Hailey.” My heart sank into my stomach. I took a step back. “Fine… But I’m leaving the door open. In case you change your mind.” As I backed away, I grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the coffee table. And with a smirk, I let his boxers fall to my ankles, stepping out of them as I turned toward the bedroom. If he followed, fine. If he didn’t, fine. Either way, I wasn’t scared anymore. Chapter 6 -Logan- The boxers hit the floor. She turned on her toes, whiskey in hand, those bare legs walkin’ away from me like a dare. The bedroom door stayed open behind her. Not cracked… wide open. I didn’t move. Every muscle was locked up like a jammed trigger. My brain said don’t. My dick was trying to drag me down the hall. “Jesus,” I muttered. I stared at the open door til my eyes burned. Then at the boxers on the floor. I went to the cabinet, grabbed a bottle of tequila. Swallowed the heat until my throat felt cauterized. It didn’t help. Nothing would except going down that hallway, and that was the one thing I wasn’t gonna do. I rubbed a hand over my jaw. Pulled a smoke out of my pack and was about to climb out the window onto the fire escape. A sound came from the bedroom — the rustle of sheets… a sigh. My imagination ran away with it. Her bare legs sliding across my bed. My shirt hitching higher when she moved. I pictured her thighs wrapped around my face, and I almost threw the bottle at the wall just to see somethin’ break that wasn’t me. She told me she trusted me. That word hit harder than any punch I’d eaten all year. Trust is heavy. You carry it wrong, it breaks your back. You drop it, you don’t get to pick it up again. I shoved the window open and climbed out, lighting my smoke. I tried to think of anything else. Rides scheduled, parts on order. The list didn’t stick. Every line ended in her, the open door. The way she said, ‘What if I don’t want you to.’ I thought about what I’d tell River tomorrow. Nothing. He’d see it on my face and make it worse. I thought about what Scarlett would say. ‘Careful,’ in that voice, like she already knew I wouldn’t be. Another sound from the bedroom. A gasp — barely there, like she didn’t mean to let it out. Fuck… she was playin’ with herself. It hooked me under the ribs. I stubbed my cigarette and climbed back in the window before I knew I was moving. “Don’t,” I told myself out loud. The word hung there, stupid and thin. “Just go to sleep,” I muttered, like she could hear me. “Please.” Please. That was new. I didn’t like it. I went back to the living room. Grabbed a throw blanket I never used and unrolled it across my stomach like that would chain me to the couch. It didn’t. It would be easy… that’s what scared me. Easy as crossing a room, easy as bracing a hand on the doorframe and saying her name. Easy as finding out if the heat in her eyes matched the heat between her legs. I laid back down and anchored myself with the blanket. With the memory of her voice saying ‘I trust you’ like it wasn’t a loaded gun in my hand. Then another sound from the bedroom. A single word. “Fuck…” And I was on my feet. —————————————— -Hailey- I lay in his bed with the whiskey bottle in one hand, the other trailing down my stomach. My skin felt too hot, too alive. His sheets smelled like him, and it twisted something deep in my gut. I couldn’t stop thinking about him out there. About those green eyes burning into mine, the way his hands gripped my hips like he wanted to pull me apart. I’d never done anything like this before — never been so bold, so reckless. But here I was, sprawled on his bed, legs spread, his shirt barely covering me, and the door wide open. I didn’t know what he was doing. Didn’t care. Maybe it was the whiskey, but all I knew was that I wanted him. And if he didn’t come in here soon, I’d go back out there. I’d crawl out of this bed and find him on the couch. Crawl onto his lap and start grinding until he gave in. My fingers dipped lower, and I gasped, biting my lip to keep the sound from carrying. My body was on fire, every nerve ending lit up like a live wire. I wished it was his hands on me, his mouth, his— A creak from the hallway made me freeze. I heard him push the window open, smelled cigarette smoke waft in. Good, I was getting to him. Another gasp escaped me as my fingers kept working. The heat between my legs was unbearable. I didn’t mean to make noise, but it slipped out. I froze, listening for his reaction. Any sign that he’d heard me. I heard the window close. “Don’t,” I heard him mutter, his voice rough. “Just go to sleep. Please.” Please. The word echoed in my head, soft and desperate, and it lit something inside me. I wanted to hear him say it again, to see his control unravel. I bit my lip, my fingers moving again, slow and steady. I wanted him to hear me… to know what he was doing to me. Still, the footsteps didn’t come. “Coward,” I whispered, sinking back into the pillows. But then I heard it — the faintest sound. Like a breath catching in his throat. My eyes snapped open, and I strained to listen. Was he imagining what I looked like right now, spread-eagle on his bed? The thought sent a fresh wave of heat through me, and I couldn’t stop myself. My fingers moved again, faster this time, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps. “Fuck…” I murmured, pushing myself closer to the edge. I was close, so close, when I finally heard the footsteps. Slow, tortured, like he was fighting with every step. My heart raced, my stomach twisting with anticipation. I slowed my pace as the shadow appeared in the doorway. He stood there for what felt like forever. I couldn’t see his face, but I could feel his eyes on me, burning into my skin. I knew he could see everything — the way my body arched into my own touch, the way my lips parted as I gasped his name. “Logan.” -------------------------------------------------- There are limited chapters to put here, click “learn more” to open App to continue reading (It will automatically jump to the book)

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