Chapter Two

Kyla

“What do you mean I’m going with you? I don’t even know you!” The giant with the bald head, full beard, and hypnotic blue eyes gave me a look that was part annoyance and part amusement.

“Don’t worry about that, we’ll know each other soon enough. Pack,” he ordered with a hint of command but not malice.

I didn’t like the way this guy barked orders at me, and I hated the way his searing gaze made my body respond to him. Those blue eyes might as well have been his big hands roaming over my body with the way all I could think about was the feel of his callouses, the firm squeeze of my thighs, my breasts. Someone was trying to kill me, and here I was soaking my panties at the sight of an overgrown biker. “Where are we going, exactly?”

“I have a place on the outskirts of town where we’ll stay.” The man didn’t waste words, that much was for sure.

“Together?” Why did my voice squeak like some terrified virgin?

He laughed and—holy hell—it softened the harsh cuts and sharp edges of his rugged face. “If I was gonna leave you alone that would kind of defeat the purpose of protecting you, wouldn’t it?” There it was again, that damn amusement like he was laughing at me.

Too bad I couldn’t hold on to the anger about the fact he was laughing at me. Instead, I couldn’t look away from piercing blue eyes and that dimple high on his cheek. “Obviously. I meant will your family be there too?”

He shook his head. “I’m a grown man, Kyla. My mom lives somewhere in Arizona and my brother and sister live in their own homes.”

I looked at him, trying to figure out if he was being purposely obtuse or messing with me. His expression told me the answer was neither. “I meant a wife or girlfriend, kids.”

His serious expression spread across his face, and I had to press my knees together to keep from throwing myself into his arms. “I know.” He winked and that deep rumbling laughter ricocheted through my body, pinging off my organs before settling deep in my core. With another smile and a nod to the pile of clothes still on the bed he said, “You’re safe with me, Kyla, I promise. I don’t take unwilling women to bed.”

“Fine.” I wanted to tell him I might be all too willing to fall into his bed, but now wasn’t the time so I repacked the clothes I’d washed when I got home and grabbed my toiletries. “Where do you live?”

“Why?”

I huffed. “Because my dad—”

“Knows where I live,” he finished before I could.

I stomped my foot in frustration. “Why is it a secret?”

He sighed and swiped a hand over his beard. “Because this isn’t a vacation, Kyla. You can’t tell people where you’ll be staying, and you can’t post photos on social media. None. Got it?”

I nodded. I understood the precautions even if I didn’t appreciate them. “One more thing.”

Surprisingly he didn’t show even a hint of impatience, though I knew my questions had to grate on his nerves since he was the one doing me the favor. “Yeah?”

All the tension left my body as that gaze settled on me, well on my boobs covered in a pink tank top and nothing else since I got rid of the hoodie that provided me a layer of warmth earlier in the night. Or morning. I wasn’t sure anymore what time it was. “What’s your name?”

He smiled again, and I dropped down on my bed before my knees took me to the floor. “Everyone around here but your dad calls me Torch. My parents named me Colt.”

“Okay then.” I flashed my own killer smile and snapped my suitcase shut. “I’m ready.”

Torch picked up both of my suitcases like they weighed nothing and motioned for me to walk ahead of him as we made our way down the stairs of the in-law apartment I’d stayed in until all hell broke loose down below. I watched the play of his muscles as he tossed my bags in the back of a black SUV and then held open the passenger door for me. “Buckle up.”

I laughed when he slid behind the steering wheel. “You’re bossy.”

“On the contrary, sweetheart. I have what some might call ‘leadership skills’.”

That made me laugh. “Thanks, Torch. I needed that.” We rode in silence until a massive compound I’d seen from the freeway came into view. I knew of this place but nothing specific. “Why are we here?”

He threw the SUV in park and smiled at me indulgently. “Don’t worry, Kyla, none of us here will harm you, I promise. Hell, this is the safest place in town aside from the cop shop.”

I didn’t know why I believed him, but I did. There was something about Torch that made me believe him when he spoke. “That still doesn’t tell me why we’re here. Is this where we’re staying?”

“Hell no, these guys are pigs. But there’s someone here I need you to sit with for a bit.” His big body slid from the vehicle and gracefully walked around to my side, leaving me transfixed at how someone so large could move so smoothly. Torch opened the door and practically picked me up out of my seat, holding my elbow as he guided me through large wooden metal doors.

“Wow. Did someone make these doors for you guys?” They were large and ornate, looking more like they belonged in a gothic novel than a biker hangout. Inside was like a frat house for boys with more money and experience under the belt with two pool tables, a foosball table, card tables, dartboards and even a few pinball machines. All around each were scantily clad women and men wrapped in leather and silver.

“One of our members is a metal artist,” he answered absently and looked around.

“Is this some kind of private bar?”

“No, sweetheart, it’s our clubhouse.” He pulled me toward the bar where a beautiful woman with black hair sat, a baby with a cap of black hair in her arms. “Talon, this is Kyla, the sheriff’s daughter. Keep an eye on her while I track down Baz.” Then he was gone, and I stood staring at the woman like a deer in headlights.

“Have a seat, Kyla. I’m Talon, Mick’s wife.”

“Wife? You’re married to one of these guys?” She seemed so…normal.

Her laugh was husky and not at all offended. “I am. And I believed exactly what you did when I first met Mick, but then we fell in love. Hard and fast.” The smile never left her face as she told me all about the first time she saw the redhead who’d helped me last night.

“Congratulations,” I told her sincerely. I’ve never been in love, but she seemed like a woman happy with her life. “Is this darling yours?”

She nodded. “Meet Megan, she’s only three-months-old. Want to hold her?”

“I’ve never held a baby before,” I explained, but Talon was already shoving the baby in my arms. “Okay then, hello, beautiful.” Big violet eyes looked up at me, and I swear the baby smiled.

“How are you doing, after everything?” Her gaze was so sincere I immediately felt my body relax.

“Scared. Worried. Grateful.”

“You’re in good hands. Torch seems like a roughneck, but he’s a big ol’ softie.”

I had a hard time believing that, but I didn’t say so.

Violet eyes laughed at my disbelief. “Here. If you ever want to talk, give me a call. I own and run Black Betty’s, but I’m still getting the hang of motherhood so I always have time to talk.”

My eyes went wide at her admission. “You own Black Betty’s? What happened to Magnus?” The old guy owned that restaurant for as long as I could remember, and he had the kindest eyes despite his tattoos.

Her smile softened, but sadness tinged her eyes. “He was killed before I made it to Brently, but he spent his whole life looking for me. He was my father.”

“He was always so nice, and he made the best grilled cheese with a little bit of jalapeno for a kick. I’ve been gone too long.”

Torch reappeared wearing a dark scowl. “Baz is still on the road coming back from visiting his sister. I’ll have him come to the house. Come on.”

“Bossy,” I mumbled and handed baby Megan back to Talon as he pulled me out of the clubhouse. “If you’re not up for this, Torch, I’m sure Daddy would understand.”

That brought him up short. “It’s fine. I wouldn’t have volunteered if it was a problem. Let’s go.”

I hopped in the car and crossed my arms. “Grumpy bastard.”

His laughter was the only response as he closed my door and jogged around the car.

***

Holy. Shit. Torch’s “house” was more like a mansion with a long winding drive about half a mile long and ending on a circular drive with a fountain in the center. Of course, instead of chubby little cherubs it was a topless mermaid. But the house was a magnificent Victorian style mansion covered in gray stone. It should look drab but the sun hit it just right, and it looked right out of a Jane Austen novel. “This is your house?” Surely Daddy wouldn’t let criminals thrive like this in Brently? “For real?”

The SUV stopped at a gate that opened when he palmed a black screen. The car stopped in front of the stone staircase and he stepped out, grabbed my bags, and made his way to the big double doors. He smiled as I stepped through the door. “You mean, did I steal this house from someone. Sorry to disappoint, sugar, this is all mine.”

I gasped as I took a look around the large open foyer with black and white marble tiles and the glass chandelier above cast a rainbow across the floor. “Gorgeous.”

He shrugged. “It’s all right. I haven’t done much with it yet, but it’s home.”

“You could do so much here, Torch!” My fingers itched with ideas, and I wrapped my hands around his impressive biceps. “Why isn’t this the clubhouse?”

He laughed. “Can you picture them in here? Anyway, this is my space when I want to be alone.”

My brow furrowed. “But…how?”

He didn’t answer for so long I figured he wouldn’t answer at all. And when we climbed the long curved staircase, I knew he wasn’t going to answer. He stopped and pushed the door open. “This is the only other room with a bed so you’ll stay here. My room is across the hall so if you hear anything, don’t be a hero. Come and get me.”

I nodded at his words and stepped inside the room. The furnishings were utilitarian but high quality with a queen sleigh bed, an armoire, and two nightstands. No photos decorated on the walls, and the closet was empty. “Thank you, Torch.”

“No problem. You hungry?”

“Always,” I told him and patted my belly, making him laugh. Then his gaze heated and raked over my body until I shivered.

“I find that hard to believe, but nothing is sexier than a woman with a healthy appetite.”

His voice took on a gravelly quality that said he was being honest, but I wasn’t sure. “You really believe that?”

“Hell yes. A woman who eats is a woman who can enjoy all the pleasures life has to offer.”

I smiled at his poetic words, though he’d probably die if I said as much. He’d said the one thing I’d always struggled with in my life. As a tall woman with curves, I loved food, and eating salads on dates just wasn’t my thing. But with petite little things with big fake tits getting all the attention, it was hard to stay confident. That’s probably why I liked Chase. He loved my body because it was the body of a woman. Not a little girl’s. Dammit. I felt tears sting my eyes and my body began to shake. “I’m sorry I just…your words made me think about Chase and, oh god, he’s dead!”

Torch pulled me in his arms and stroked my back in gentle soothing circles. He had a light touch for such a big man. “I’m sorry about your boyfriend, sweetheart.”

I shook my head, struggling to explain. “He wasn’t my boyfriend. He was a friend with benefits, but he was a good guy and didn’t deserve to die like that. Your words reminded me of him and how he’d always seen my body. And then I just flashed to his head being blown off.” I squeezed my eyes shut and buried my face in his chest.

“Well, he was a smart man to want a hot piece like you.”

I laughed and shook my head. “You’re sweet, Torch. At least you are if you meant what you said about feeding me.”

He laughed and grabbed my hand to pull me from the room and back down the stairs. “Come on, I’ll make you my famous fish tacos.”

“Are they famous?”

“Hell yeah. Just wait and see.”

My tears dried up quickly and for a moment I thought maybe this was the best idea Daddy had in a long time.