It was at that moment that I realized why I had been drawn to Shadow in the first place. Subconsciously, I knew he could handle anything that came his way, even my father and that he would protect anyone he cared for. As soon as I told him that I was in trouble, he didn’t hesitate. He didn’t weigh his options or consider the risk before offering to help me. I knew Shadow meant it when he said he would be there to help me fight. I could see it in the way he looked at me, spoke to me, and as much as I wanted to believe that he could, he didn’t know my father, not the way I did. If I tried to stay, it would only be a matter of time before my father would find me, and once he had, he’d come after me. It was inevitable, and if I let Shadow get involved, there was a chance that he could get caught in the crossfire. I couldn’t let that happen. If something happened to him, I would never be able to forgive myself, so whether I liked it or not, leaving town was my only option.

“I can’t let you do that”—I knelt down and picked up one of the boxes, then I tried to get past him—“but just so we’re clear, I’m not just going to give up and accept my fate. I won’t be going back there without a fight.”

As I made my way around him, he asked, “Go back where, Alex?”

“Just leave it, Shadow. It’s none of your concern.”

He reached for my elbow and pulled me towards him as he argued his point. “If you’re involved, then it is my concern.”

“Why? Because you’ve had coffee in my store a couple of times or because we slept together?”

Fire flashed through his eyes as he replied, “You’ve got no fucking idea, do you?”

“How would I know what’s going on in that head of yours, Shadow? You never talk to me. Hell, I don’t even know your real name.”

“Mason. My real name is Mason, and for future reference, if you want to know something, then all you have to do is ask.”

“Well, thanks for the heads up, but it’s too late now.”

“If something is important to you, it’s never too late.”

“What exactly are you proposing here?”

“Come to the clubhouse. Let me and my brothers protect you from the people who are after you.”

“I can’t ask you to do that. It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to them.”

“You didn’t ask, Alex.”

His mere presence was all-consuming, and having him so close was making it impossible for me to think. I was trying to come up with a viable reason why I couldn’t accept his offer when one of Shadow’s brothers appeared at the bottom of the steps. He looked up at us and shouted, “Hey, I hate to interrupt this little lover’s quarrel you two have going on, but can I make a suggestion?”

“What?” both of us grumbled simultaneously.

“You seem to have yourself a nice setup here, and from what I can tell, you seem to like it here. So, why don’t you just do like Shadow suggested and come back to the clubhouse with us for a few days? Give him and us a chance to help you get some of this shit sorted, and if it’s something we can’t see you through, then you can go. Then, when it’s all said and done, you’ve bought yourself a little time.”

I hated to admit it, but he was right. I needed a minute to collect my thoughts and make sure I was truly prepared to leave the city. I looked up at Shadow and said, “Okay. I’ll go with you, but only for a couple of days.”

Without responding, he picked up the second box and followed me downstairs. When we entered the bookstore, I was surprised to see that Berny was missing. As I locked everything up, I glanced around the room, searching for any sign of him. Shadow’s friend must’ve noticed my concern and said, “Don’t worry. I took care of him.”

“Umm … okay.” I had no idea what he’d meant by that until we walked outside. When we reached their truck, I spotted Berny in the back, bound and gagged, and he was still unconscious. I didn’t know what they planned to do with him, and I honestly didn’t care. I wouldn’t mind if I never laid eyes on him again. When Shadow opened the passenger side door, I remembered that my car was still parked across the street. “What are we going to do about my car?”

“Where are the keys?” I reached into my pocket and pulled them out, dangling them in front of him. Shadow took the keys from my hand and then tossed them over to his friend and pointed to my car, which was parked up the street. “Follow us back over to the clubhouse.”

With a quick nod, he turned and started towards my car. Seconds later, I found myself inside the truck with my belongings carefully stowed away in the back seat. I quickly glanced over at Shadow, and as I watched him pull out onto the main road, it hit me: By going to his clubhouse, I was about to enter the world of Satan’s Fury—a place I never dreamed I would ever step foot in. Jason’s earlier warnings came racing back to me, which made me even more anxious. Until that moment, I hadn’t even considered that I could be rushing from the flame only to jump into the fire. I tried my best not to think about it and turned to look out the window. As I sat there staring at the people walking along the city street, I heard Shadow ask, “You okay?”

“No. Not really.” I let out a deep breath as I said, “I’m just so tired. I knew this day was coming. I’ve tried to prepare myself for it, but now that it’s here, I can’t seem to think straight. I just want it to be over. I want to stop looking over my shoulder and just live my life.”

His voice was low and tender as he asked, “Can you tell me what’s going on? It would make it a lot easier if I knew what we were up against.”

“I know, and I will. I promise, but can you give me a little time?”

“Yeah, I can do that.”

“Thanks. I just need a minute to wrap my head around it all.”

I felt the warmth of his hand on my thigh as he added, “I want you to know that you can trust me, Alex.”

While I’d always liked the name I’d made up for myself, hearing him call me Alex only made me feel worse. I’d just given Shadow a hard time about not telling me his real name, which was totally unfair considering I hadn’t told him the truth about mine. I knew I should tell him, but I simply couldn’t. I was scared. I was worried that Shadow would change his mind about me when he discovered who I really was, and I couldn’t take that risk. He made me feel treasured and protected —and even if those feelings were just something I’d concocted in my head, I wanted to hold onto them for just a little longer. Without turning to look at him, I placed my hand on his and whispered, “I know I can, and thank you for that. Thank you for everything.”

“Nothing to thank me for. I’m doing this as much for me as I am for you.”

I was about to ask him what he meant but got distracted when we pulled up to a large metal gate. As it crept open, I leaned forward to get a better look at the clubhouse, and it was nothing like I’d expected. It was a beautiful, old brick building. “Is this the clubhouse?”

“It is.”

“Wow. It’s nothing like I would’ve expected. This place is amazing.”

“I’m glad you like it. At one time it was one of the city’s largest train depots.” It was obvious that they’d done a great deal of work remodeling the lighting and some of the windows, but it still had that vintage vibe to it, making me feel a little less anxious about going inside. Once Shadow parked the truck, he turned to me and asked, “You ready?”

“I guess.” Just as we were getting out of the truck, Shadow’s friend pulled up next to us in my car. “I need to get the duffle bag.”

“I’ll get it.” Shadow walked over to the back of my car and shouted, “Hey, Gunner. Open the back door.”

Once he’d grabbed my bag, he motioned for me to follow him inside. As we walked by the back of the truck, I noticed that Berny was no longer unconscious. “Um … What about him?”

Before Shadow could answer, Gunner replied, “I’ve got it handled.”

“What are you going to do with him?”

“Do you really want to know?”

Realizing that I didn’t, I replied, “Um … No. No, I don’t.”

“Didn’t think so,” he snickered.

When I saw that Shadow was already well ahead of me, I rushed over and followed him inside. As soon as I stepped through the door, I noticed the beautiful, ornate light fixtures that cast a serene glow along the long hallway. I wanted to stop and take it all in, but Shadow kept walking forward. As I followed behind him, I noticed how the dark wood and exposed brick gave the place a masculine feel to the décor, but it was perfect for such an old building. We passed doorway after doorway before finally stopping at one of the rooms at the end of the hall. I had so many questions floating around my head, but I kept them to myself—or at least I tried to. When Shadow opened the door and led me inside a large bedroom, I couldn’t hold them back any longer. He tossed my duffle bag onto the king sized bed, and I asked, “What exactly is this place?”

“The clubhouse. Why?”

“I know it’s the clubhouse, Shadow, but what’s all here? Is this where you have your meetings, where you live, or just a cool place for you guys to hang out?”

“Yes, to all … at least for the most part. Not all of the brothers live here. Most of them have their own places, but each of them have rooms here for when they need them. There are also conference rooms, a playroom with TVs and stuff for the kids to mess with, and a full kitchen.”

“Kids?”

“Yes. Kids. Like I told you, we are all family here. Many of the brothers have ol’ ladies and kids, and some even bring their extended families by from time to time.”

“Wow. I had no idea.” I glanced around the room, making note of the large oak desk in the corner and the flat screen TV mounted on the wall. While it was a nice room with its own bathroom, there were no pictures scattered around, nothing of color or interest that made the room feel inviting. Instead, it felt cold, like it didn’t belong to anyone. “So, whose room is this?”

“It’s mine. It’s not much, but it’s home.”

My eyes made their way back over to his bed—the bed where my duffle bag had landed, and I suddenly started to feel anxious. “So, um … where will I be staying?”

“In here … with me.” He cocked his eyebrow as he asked, “That gonna be okay with you?”

As soon as the words slipped from his mouth, I glanced over to his king-sized bed, and my mind went to a place it had no business going, especially considering my present circumstances. I should’ve been focused on my father and the wrath he would bring when he discovered I’d slipped through his fingers, but I wasn’t. In fact, he was the last thing I was thinking about as I answered, “Yes. It’s more than fine.”

He opened the drawer to his dresser and started moving things around. Once he made some room, he turned to me and said, “You can put your stuff here when you get ready.”

“Okay.”

“You want a hand?”

The adrenalin that had been pumping through me was starting to diminish, and I needed a minute to catch my breath. “No, thanks. I can do it.”

“Alright. I’ll leave you to it, then.”

“Are you leaving?”

“Just going to check in on Gunner. I’ll be right back,” he assured me.

“Oh, okay.” When he started for the door, I asked, “Do you mind if I take a quick shower?”

“Not at all. Help yourself.”

“Thanks again, Shadow. I really do appreciate all this.”

He walked over and gave me a brief kiss on my forehead as he replied, “You can stop thanking me, Alex. Really it’s nothing.”

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving me alone to sort through the mountain of thoughts racing through my head. After I grabbed a few clothes out of my bag, I headed into the bathroom and turned on the water. Once it was hot, I stepped inside, letting the warm water cascade down my shoulders. My mind drifted back to my father and the numbness I felt last time I saw him. The next thing I knew, the water had turned freezing cold and I was shivering at the bottom of the shower with my arms wrapped around my knees. I reached up to turn off the water, and my entire body trembled as I pulled myself to my feet. After drying off, I put on my clothes and dried my hair. Before heading back into the bedroom, I glanced at myself in the mirror and groaned when I noticed my red, swollen eyes. I’d tried to make myself believe that I was strong enough to handle anything, but as I stood there looking at my reflection, I started to have my doubts.

I wiped the last of the tears from my eyes and went back into the bedroom. Shadow still hadn’t returned, so I went over to his dresser to start putting my things away. I’d just pulled the bottom drawer open when he came walking through the door. I glanced over at him, but quickly turned away when I remembered my puffy eyes. “Hey. You doing okay?”

“Yes.”

“You sure about that?”

I closed the dresser drawer as I turned to face him. As soon as our eyes met, I knew he’d see that I’d been crying and I knew he’d want to know why. It meant a great deal to me that he cared, but I didn’t want to talk about my father or anything else for that matter. I just wanted to escape in his arms and ignore the anxious feeling that was festering in the pit of my stomach. I needed to touch him, to feel his body against mine, and forget about the insanity that had become my life. There was no hiding my intent when I answered, “No. No, I’m not, and I need you right now… I need you to help me forget, even if it’s just for a little while.”

In just a blink, he was there, towering over me with a look of lust in his eyes that made me want him even more. I placed the palm of my hand against his cheek and said, “I don’t know how much time I have. I just know I want to spend it with you.”

His hand slipped behind me, pulling me close to his chest, and when I felt the warmth of his body next to mine, my world stopped spinning. His intoxicating scent, a mixture of cologne and leather, surrounded me, and when he leaned over and covered my mouth in a hungry kiss, everything else around seemed to fade away. The caress of his lips was pure magic. I felt safe in his arms, like nothing in the world could come between us, and for just a moment, I was able to consider the possibility that maybe there was something more happening between us than just fulfilling some carnal need. As he pulled me even closer and delved deeper into my mouth, I could feel his heart racing, and it was all I could do not to completely unravel in his arms.

He released my mouth just long enough to look down at me and say, “You gotta know that you deserve more than a man like me.”

“No.” My eyes locked on his as I whispered, “If you could see what I see when I look at you, feel what I feel when we touch, then you’d know just how amazing you really are.”

“You’re wrong, but I’m done trying to convince you. I want you, Alex. All of you,” he whispered, the warmth of his breath caressing my cheek. I could see the longing in his eyes, the same longing I felt deep inside of me.

He studied me for a moment, searching for some kind of confirmation that I wanted this moment as much as he did, and once he found it, his mouth crashed against mine. We both let go of our doubts and just let ourselves get lost in the moment. The tips of his fingers trailed along my spine, and I arched towards him, seeking the heat of his touch. He continued to kiss me, and I could feel a fire burning deep inside me, smoldering as it spread through my body. The feeling only grew more intense when he reached for the hem of my t-shirt. As he pulled it from my body, I felt the palm of his hand linger over my bare flesh, making me shiver with anticipation. Unable to wait a moment longer, I lowered my hands to the waistband of my shorts, and with Shadow watching my every move, I lowered them to the floor.

His eyes roamed over me, and when I noticed the passion that lay behind those beautiful blue eyes, my pulse pounded harder, roaring in my ears as he inched closer. He ground his hips into mine, revealing his growing erection as the bulging denim ground against my center.  Everything was happening so fast, but it felt like a dream, every detail playing out in slow motion. I wanted it so much. I wanted him so much, and I couldn’t wait a moment longer. Groaning into his mouth, I eagerly unbuckled his belt and released him from his jeans. I reached for him, my fingertips gently brushing across his swollen shaft. I heard him take in a hastened breath as he reached behind me to remove my lace bra.  

Once it hit the floor, his eyes dropped to my breasts, and he breathed, “So damn perfect.”

“Mason…,” I pleaded, stealing the last of his restraint. I gasped when he lifted me up, cradling me close to his chest as he carried me over to the bed. He held me tightly, making me feel safe and secure in his arms, then lowered me down onto the mattress. He stood over me, gazing down at me as he removed his clothes, and a rush of heat washed over me as he lowered himself onto the bed, covering me with the warmth of his body. His mouth dropped to the crook of my neck, and he began trailing kisses down my collarbone. When he reached my breast, he gently took my nipple in his mouth, taking his time as he nipped and sucked at my sensitive skin before lowering his mouth to the curves of my stomach. I groaned with anticipation when I felt him lower my panties down my legs before settling his head between my thighs.

My legs quivered as his tongue gently raked over my center. His touch was soft and gentle as he circled my clit, making my entire body tingle with need. While he continued to torment me with his mouth, he eased his fingers inside me, twisting and swirling as he found the spot that caught my breath. I loved how his hands felt against my skin, so strong and solid, and after just a few moments, I could feel my release approaching, causing me to whimper as my body tensed and filled with heat. When the sensation grew to be more than I could bear, I screamed out with pleasure, calling out his name over and over as my orgasm exploded, rocking me to my very core.  

“Unbelievable,” he rasped as he rose up to his knees. When I caught sight of his throbbing erection, I couldn’t resist the temptation to reach for him. I took him in my hand, then slowly started to stroke him. A sense of satisfaction washed over me as I felt him grow even harder, urging me on as I moved my hand up and down his long, thick shaft. He shifted his body closer, and his eyes were trained on mine as I leaned forward and gently sucked the tip of his cock into my mouth.  

“Fuck,” he growled. 

“Hmm,” I moaned and opened my mouth wider. His hand dove into my hair, gently tugging as he silently begged me for more. When I took him in my mouth as far as I could, he tilted his head back and incoherently muttered my name. I loved seeing him so completely lost in the pleasure I was giving him. A low rumble worked its way through his chest when I started to move faster, licking and sucking his cock, making him struggle to maintain his control. I listened to his sharp breaths and watched the torment on his face until his eyes suddenly opened and locked on mine.  

“Need to be inside you, Alex. Now,” he growled.  

He reached for his jeans, and I lay back on the bed, watching as he slid the condom down his thick shaft. Seconds later, he was settling himself between my legs. He looked down at my body with desire so intense I could feel the heat of his gaze burn against my skin, leaving no doubt in my mind that he wanted me just as badly as I wanted him.