It felt like one of the bikers had hit her with his bike, not his fist. She could not move at all without flinching or pain rifling through her. The headache was worse than any migraine she had ever had. Eyes closed, she took a deep breath and moved to sit up. “I need to help Cody,” she whispered to herself.

“Easy,” a low, gruff voice said. He touched her shoulder.

“You’re not arrested?” she asked, tears leaking out of the corners of her eyes. Cody wasn’t in trouble. Thank bloody goodness.

“They let me go,” he whispered in her ear and stroked her hair.

Slowly she opened her eyes, thankful for the closed blinds. She was worried the brightness would hurt her head more. “I’m so sorry!” She turned her head slowly toward him, his handsome face making her forget about her headache for a moment. “I can’t get this asshole to leave me alone. Damn you, Nelson!”

Then she remembered. Oh, shit! Lenny!

“How’s–?” she gasped.

“He’s doing better,” said Cody, knowing she was going to ask about Lenny. He stroked her hair.

It felt like he was not telling her the truth. She searched his eyes for some sign but didn’t press, because she couldn’t imagine anything but the worst possibility. She reached for Cody’s hand. “Did the doctors say anything about me?” She gingerly touched her face and winced. “Nothing’s broken, right?”

“Not that they can tell. The doc said the X-rays were clear.”

“I wonder if I can go home,” she said, trying to think past her headache. “Can you borrow that Dodge again?”

“You didn’t pick up your car after all?” he remarked, his eyebrows rising. He looked like he wanted to say something more, but seemed to be biting his tongue.

“No…” she said, but she was slow in remembering why. She laughed nervously. The answer felt like it was there somewhere, but she could not connect to it. “I think you’ll have to ask Lenny,” she said wearily and lied back down.

“I’m going to let the nurse know you’re awake—in case they want to check your blood pressure or something.” He leaned over her and tenderly kissed her. He seemed in a hurry to talk to the medical staff.

He returned a few moments later with a doctor and two nurses. It was hard for her to learn that she had been in the hospital for a couple of days, and that Lenny was in an induced coma in the ICU.

Gravel wasn’t going to be playing anytime soon. As things were explained, she began to recall the whole thing from start to finish, all the violent facts.

However, apparently the police couldn’t connect Nelson to the incident with the rest of his bike club. The police had no proof of his involvement and didn’t consider it a violation of his restraining order. He was not in custody.

After a series of tests and Mariah’s insistence, the doctor agreed that if she was alright through today, then in the morning she could be released. Cody and the doctor agreed that she should stay at Cody’s.

“This way,” said Cody, “I’ll behave, too. Everyone thinks I’m not as likely to hunt him down and kick his ass with you in my house.”

---

Mariah was cleared the next morning, and Cody picked her up. He took her to his house, and had his guest room set up so she had her own space. He wanted her to heal properly, and said he had no intention of setting her back until the doctors cleared her for any physical activity.

Mariah wasn’t so sure that was true. He acted like the perfect caretaker, and had gone to the trouble of getting some of her things, but it wasn’t comfortable staying with Cody. He seemed oddly distant, like he was hiding something or trying to avoid talking to her. The awareness kind of got in the way of her recovery. She had sustained a concussion… most likely from the fall to the ground when the biker punched her, or when the biker hit her; the doctor wasn’t one hundred percent sure.

She was resting in the guest room a few days after Cody had brought her home when she awoke to voices. Groggy, she thought at first she was dreaming and then that it was maybe from the television. She rose quietly from her bed and went to the railing over- looking Cody’s living room. He turned his head and looked up at her over his broad shoulder. A group of guys, obviously bikers, were gathered in the living room. Mariah recognized Cody’s pal, Adam, who had been there when the band played Carl’s.

It was definitely a club meeting.

“Hi there,” he said, smiling a little too widely. “Did we wake you?”

Maybe they had. She had no idea. He had a funny look on his face, like he didn’t want her to be there. The meeting paused while she remained at the banister.

“Can I get you something?” he asked her, the stupid smile still on his face.

“No, I’m going to go back to bed.” Mariah faked a yawn. When she got back to the room, she left the door open a crack so she could catch as much as possible. She heard Nelson’s name several times. She had the feeling if she confronted Cody about it when the bikers left, he would deny it. That’s why he was acting off. He didn’t want her to know they were settling the score.

As she stood up, the room spun so she got back into bed. She was in no shape to go against him, or try to talk to the bikers downstairs. He would want her to stay in bed and let him take care of her. Tiredly, she decided to close her eyes and let her thoughts rest. Her head needed it.

She must have drifted off, as she woke what felt like a moment later to the rap of knuckles on her door.

“Hey there,” Cody said softly.

Mariah pushed herself up so she was sitting up straight. He was trying to be charming. She liked it, but she had the very distinct feeling he was handling her. “Hi there,” she said sweetly; despite everything, she was happy to be in his house, having him protect her. “Sorry if I interrupted something.”

A guilty look crossed his face. “Did you hear anything?” He cleared his throat. “The, uh, guys don’t like anyone listening in.”

“Just Nelson’s name,” she confessed. “Please don’t do anything stupid on my account. Let’s let the police handle it.”

Cody’s jaw tightened. Even when angered, his face was unbelievably handsome. Mariah wanted to kiss him but now was not the time.

“The cops suck shit,” he said, and he left it at that.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed. “You forgot to add: ‘but we’re going to handle things our way’.”

“I’m not saying a thing.” He put his hand on her forehead. “You should probably take the Tylenol-3s the doc prescribed.” He left and returned with a glass of water and a pill. “I gotta go out for a little while,” he said, his gaze not meeting hers.

“Where’re you going?” she asked reflexively. She covered her mouth with her fingertips. “I’m so sorry. That’s none of my business.” She laughed. “I sound possessive; like I own you.”

“That’s okay,” he said, petting her hair. “I’m going with the guys. We’ll just be gone for a little while. Text me if you need anything.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

She lifted her head and brought her lips to his. “Take it easy.” She wanted to beg him to stay, to be careful, but held back from saying anything.

His tongue slipped into her mouth. Mariah’s insides warmed. She was beginning to feel better, just not a hundred percent.

Once she heard his heavy biker boots crossing the floor below her, the front door opening and closing, and then the racket of bikes starting up, Mariah got dressed. It was early evening, not a conventional time to start her day, but she didn’t have a choice. Cody had a plan.

Well, so did she.

She called a cab. She was going to go to all the places she thought Nelson would be. She was going to find Cody and stop trouble before it started.

All the conversations Mariah had with Nelson Primeaux as he bragged about how big and bad he was to her played through her head. She knew he lived over on Robinson Street. According to him, he had the nicest house on the block.

The problem was that, when she gave the cabbie the destination, he wasn’t too happy. He knew Robinson Street, and no one wanted to go there. Not on purpose.

“I’ll pay you double. I’m just checking up on someone. If they’re there, we’ll turn around and come back,” she said in the sweetest tone she could.

The cabbie looked at her with reservation.

“Please,” she said seriously. “Five, ten minutes’ worth of work. Twenty-dollar tip in it for you. Cash. Don’t even bother starting the meter.”

Finally, Mariah was speaking his language. She was bound and determined to keep Cody Dallas out of trouble if she could. There was no use having a mad crush on a person if he was going to go and get locked up, all because of her.

Mariah’s hunch paid off. She just had the cab troll down the street until she saw the bikes. She knew it was Robinson Street biker territory, but she was getting pretty good at picking out bikes. She spotted Cody’s right away.

Nelson’s house was completely lit up. It may not have been the best house on the street, but it was the brightest. She saw a flurry of men running through the house, fighting.

It took less than a second to zero in on who she was looking for. Cody.

He was slugging it out with Nelson. They had caught him alone and off his guard. She told the driver to wait.

“Nuh-uh,” he said nervously.

“I’ll only be a sec,” she pleaded.

“Be as long as you want. But if I feel the heat, I’m not waiting around,” he warned.

Mariah tiptoed up the walk to Nelson’s house, not wanting to be seen. The fight between Cody and Nelson traveled through the house. She had no idea where they were as she peered through the windows.

By this time, other bikes were roaring down the street towards the house. Robinson Street bikers. Mariah ducked into the shrubs. And the cabbie, true to his word, pulled away.

Cody plowed down the stairs out the front door and onto the front porch, leading Nelson Primeaux by the hair. Nelson’s face was bloodied and his hair matted. He was no match for Cody.

“Leave her alone, do you get it? Leave anyone who knows her alone,” Cody growled.

With the head of their captain in Cody’s hand, the Robinson Street Biker club was not about to attack. Cody held Nelson down until the Dark Riders collected alongside of him.

“We’re leaving,” said Cody ominously. “If anything happens to us, your captain’s house is now wired for show. One push of a button and it blows.”

“Bullshit,” challenged one Robinson Street biker bravely.

“Wanna find out?” asked Cody darkly.

“Shut the fuck up!” screamed Nelson.

“We’re leaving,” said Cody.

Mariah scurried from the bushes and glued herself to his backside. He didn’t say a single word. His crew shielded the two of them as they mounted Cody’s bike. Cody was not the warm, sensual guy she’d had the pleasure of riding behind when she climbed onto the bike. He thrusted his helmet into her hands and he rode without.

Cody’s bike sliced through the dark street, spotlighted with porch lights and street lights. His broad back covered in leather cut the clear sky as they rode. His sexy dark hair, not corralled by a helmet, whipped in the wind. He was more than angry; she knew it, but he was so hot. Mariah held onto him with everything she had.