Fuck me. She looks damn good.

Standing at about 5’6, full lips, and bangin’ curves—the complete package.

He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. One thing he knew for sure, she was a woman grown.

As far as he knew, she was still away at university, studying. How can it be that a smart, gorgeous young woman like this isn’t at home with her boyfriend right now? If she were Jaxson’s girl, he would have her locked up at this hour where no other guy could get to her. You sure wouldn’t let a rare catch like Chloe get stolen away if you could help it.

Will she notice me and say hello? Or, would she go to the bar? She had to be meeting someone here.

Nothing. Instead, she stood there, looking as awkward and exposed as she felt. Every man in the bar openly leering at her.

What’s a girl like this wasting her time in a bar full of scumbags like us for? What the hell is she doing? It’s obvious she’s new to a bar like this. Jaxson chuckled to himself. She either had to be a virgin or just too damn young to notice she was now a fully grown woman, to be naïve enough to walk into a bar full of men in that tiny skirt and skimpy top. He couldn’t help but think that if she were his, no way would he be comfortable with her bare legged, wearing so few clothes in male company. Although, for Jaxson, she still had far too many clothes on. If only she knew the things she was making him fantasize about.

By the time Jaxson had broken from his thoughts, she was standing at the bar. He had to say hello, at least. Sure, he knew he couldn’t have her, but there was no harm in talking to the girl. Besides, he needed to protect her from the animals in this bar before she became somebody’s prey.

“Who’s she?” Dino looked up with a wide grin on his face. He was perhaps the only man in the bar that hadn’t noticed her yet.

Kim, the barmaid, sitting on his lap was instantly fuming and glared deadly spears at Chloe.

Crap! It all just dawned on him. Dino couldn’t know who she was. Nobody could know. “Only… J- Just a friend, I’ve got it.” Jaxson shot up out of his chair.

“Ah fuck, she’s taken. How do you know her?” Dino carried on.

Jaxson had already grabbed his jacket started to turn away.

“Well, have a good time with this friend,” Dino called after him, giving Jaxson a wicked wink, before turning his attention back to Kim, who was now standing, arms folded, tapping her foot.

As Jaxson approached Chloe, he narrowed his eyes at the men at the tables beside her in warning.

Fucking-hell! Did this girl walk here in the rain or something?

Sitting at the bar, her light brown, wavy hair looked wet and unruly as she swiped it from her face.

She’s even more stunning up-close; even if she is a hot mess right now.

When Jaxson was about three paces away from her, he took a breath to calm himself. “Chloe! How are you? It’s been too long.”

She jolted in her seat, and then looked up slowly in his direction.

He noted the widening of her eyes and the parting of her lips. Those innocent, come-fuck-me eyes met his. Jaxson noticed her checking him out and there sure was no harm in letting her look.

She let out a deep sigh of relief. “Jaxson.” Her sweet voice was barely above a whisper.

He loved the sound of his name on her lips. It seemed odd to him that she wasn’t her usual outgoing, lively self. But he felt relieved that she at least recognized him, he stepped forward to greet her.

She lifted her arms to hug him.

Damn, she read my mind. Throwing his arms around her, he squeezed her in tight against his firm chest; one arm around her waist. Shit, that feels good. He couldn’t resist getting a feel of those gorgeous curves for himself. He lingered there, running his hands up to her shoulders before letting go reluctantly. Jaxson wanted to follow his lust right there and kiss her full, sweet lips. Oh, shit! He caught himself doing it again. This girl was strictly off-limits.

As he held her, he realized her breathing was fast and loud, as she gripped his shoulders, squeezing him close and tight, as though she never wanted to let go. Fuck I knew I could turn a woman on fast but holy shit…. Her sweet scent flooded his senses. He looked down at Chloe, and quelled the urge to kiss her, her eyes sparkled…

No! What the fuck? She’s crying.

She looked up at Jaxson with genuine fear in her eyes. Eyes that were slightly bloodshot. Tears started to stream down her face. She rested her head on his firm chest, nestling her cheek on his peck. “I’m so glad I found you here.” Her voice was soft and deeply distressed.

As he looked down at her more closely, Jaxson winced at the scratch marks and bruises on her bare arms. “Chloe, what the hell happened to you? Was it somebody in this bar?” He gazed around with a hard glare.

She broke the hug but kept hold of his hand. Her face showed her fear and her shock as if she was reliving what had happened to her.

“You’re safe now, Chloe,” he said, kissing the top of her head. Her hair was wet and her clothes soaked through, her body had left a damp patch down his shirt. A new and tense sensation of protectiveness surged through him, leaving guilt in its wake. He should have been watching her more closely.

She slowly seemed to relax in Jaxson’s presence.

“It’s ok. I’ve got you. I’ll protect you from who or whatever it was.” He put his arm around her, possessively, and sat her down at a table next to the heater.

She stared blankly down at the table, motionless.

“If you want, we can get out of here?” he asked, as she didn’t seem ready to talk about it; whatever it was.

“No. I’m fine here,” she replied, robotically. She leaned toward the heater, taking a minute to try to compose herself. “H-he t-tried to…” Her voice caught in her throat, and she stopped.

Holy Shit. What the hell happened to her? Jaxson’s mind and emotions started to swirl, racing with all the possibilities. His temper flared, heart pounding. He felt a pang of intense guilt and worry: It’s my job to protect her; my job to keep her safe.

Breathing heavy, she suddenly spilled everything, “He came home from work, drunk again. Mom was out, next second he had me, my arms between his hands, pinned against the wall. I couldn’t stop it. At least, I thought I couldn’t. Then, panic took over. It saved me. I kneed him in the groin before he could get my clothes off. Then as soon as he started to double over, I got myself out of his grasp and flew out of the house.”

“What! Who’s ‘he’? Who did this to you, Chloe? Tell me. Not that guy who’s shacked up with your old lady?”

She nodded fast and in a mild panic, she stuttered out, “M-my step-dad.”

“That sick bastard.” Jaxson growled. Anger rumbled inside of him again. He had no right to touch her. “You promise that asshole didn’t do anything to you?”

“No. I got away Jaxson. I…”

Fuck. Every time she said his name, he felt a jolt run right through him.

“…he screamed at me as I ran out the place, said he’ll kill me if I tried to come back.” Her voice still sounded fast and urgent. “I ran all five blocks hoping you would be here. I wasn’t going to step a foot near that clubhouse of yours—it scares the crap out of me. Plus, I’m no club whore.” She closed her fingers around one of his hands.

Now, he gave into the urge to move up close again and pull her back against him to hold her. “I’m so sorry.” Jaxson pulled her in tighter s his hand grazed her skin. She had a worried, almost frantic look in her eyes. She was breaking down in front of him, but at this point, he didn’t know how to fix it. The bastard had scared the living daylights out of her.

Shit. Now here she is looking up at me with those big eyes like she is about to cry all over again.

Anger rose within him. This time, he couldn’t control it, he was visibly shaking with rage. What kind of disgusting son of a bitch would do this to a sweet girl like her? An image of that bastard fucking her against the wall flashed through his mind. He couldn’t let her down again. He had a duty to protect her; she was his responsibility. One thing was for sure; she didn’t deserve this. Still holding her close to his chest, he closed his eyes in shame.

As his eyes shut, he shivered. No. Not now. His mind flashed to the night her father died—sacrificed himself for another—for Jaxson. That night by the docks ten years ago, Chloe’s father, a Blood and Bones MC member had shown up to supervise the loading of some moonshine. A good man, when he saw what he thought were a few young kids breaking into the old factory, he went after them, as he knew it was unsafe. It was too late. The young men had already fallen through the mezzanine floor, but he could hear that at least one was still alive. He lowered himself down the buckled steel frame to rescue them. When he got down to the basement, Jaxson was the only one still alive, trapped behind a giant pile of galvanized flooring.

Jaxson watched as the man lifted a girder as a lever to free him with otherworldly strength. Finally, Jaxson was able to pull himself out, and he ran to the side to get well clear. As Jaxson turned back, he saw the man’s Jacket on the floor – a Blood and Bones jacket! Seconds later, part of the framework tumbled and smacked the man across the body, pinning him to the floor and knocking him out. Police sirens sounded outside. In a panic, Jaxson grabbed the man’s flashlight and ran to escape. His mind filled with the vision of looking down at Chloe’s father, lying bloody and unconscious on the ground. The thought still made his stomach churn.

Try as he might, Jaxson had never been able to delete that memory from his mind.

The next day, word flew around the MC that two of their prospects had gotten themselves killed at the docks. Nobody knew Jaxson was there that night. Nobody could ever know that Jaxson left his brother’s for dead. A week later, news broke that Terry Maziano, a Blood and Bones MC Member, had died in the event too. Although the guys were more interested in the widow he left behind—an ex-model. It turned out, the poor woman had a twelve-year-old daughter and was working at the local food place, Mandy’s, and at all hours to look after her. With no money for childcare, she brought the kid with her after school hours.

Jaxson began eating at that place nearly every night, tipping generously, just to make sure little Chloe was ok. At 16, Chloe worked there too, and he became like a big brother to her. It always did baffle her that Jaxson was the only male friend she had who didn’t try to get into her pants. She trusted Jaxson. And Jaxson owed his life to Chloe’s father, and he would do anything for her. The worst part—she had no fucking idea.

Jaxson’s mind whirled again with hellish thoughts. She probably thinks I’m some hero who’s going to save the day. But I’m a monster; a cold-blooded shark just like Bruno, a scruffy, tattooed guy in a motorcycle jacket, who smokes too much. She deserves better than a punk-ass biker who runs from the law. He shook his head and told himself to snap out of it.

The day Chloe’s father died, he unwittingly left her fate in Jaxson’s hands. But for the girl whose father had died an MC man, an MC protector, it was the last thing she wanted. Every one of the brothers scared the living daylights out of her. Jaxson represented her worst fears. It’d been a life she’d distanced herself from since the day her father passed. Danger, criminals, violence, and death. Jaxson knew this about her as they’d talked several times about it. It hadn’t hurt his feelings in the least, as he agreed with it whole heartedly.

His lips touched her forehead, and he cupped her head in his palm. “I won’t ever let him touch you again. Not ever.” Jaxson’s heart sank to see her so distressed. “You need a drink.” Before she could protest, he waved his hand at the barman and ordered her a shot of jack.

When it arrived, Chloe downed it in one gulp. She relaxed a bit and wiped the tears from her cheek with his jacket.

Jaxson looked outside; the rain was coming down steadily now. “You will have to come home with me tonight Chloe. You need a place to sleep.”

Chloe’s eyes widened for a second in fear as her breathing picked up. She hadn’t seen Jaxson in three years.

Chloe wasn’t the only one who felt nervous. If anyone who knew both Chloe and Jaxson were in this bar, there would be hell to pay. As it was, none of them here knew who she really was. If anyone baited them out, Jaxson would be out of his club for sure. The moment they stepped out that door together, Black Devil law would be broken. She‒a daughter of the Blood and Bones MC and he‒a Black Devil. If Jaxson had thought he was having a bad day an hour ago, things had just taken a turn for the worse. He knew with a sinking feeling that his loyalty to his club was now in direct conflict with his vow to keep Chloe safe.

He was damned.

Jaxon knew it but there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to change it.

Right now, it didn’t matter. Chloe was his to cherish and protect. The smart, beautiful girl he didn’t deserve was leaving with him. Jaxson turned to Chloe and smiled confidently. “You’re coming home with me tonight. You ready?”

She didn’t answer right away. He had drawn her in with a touch and voice so gentle. “Yes. It’s been a long day. But just for one night. Deal?” Chloe took a deep breath and smiled at him.

He nodded, “Deal. One night…”

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