SEVENTEEN
Burned
Seven
The sun might as well have been a biohazard sign in the sky with its bright color and cautionary danger. Between my breasts, I felt sweat gather as I unlocked my bike from its secure place in Giovanni’s parking lot. I was just putting on my protective anti-radiation gear when Trey found me. “Dammit,” I muttered. I’d been avoiding him for most of the day so when his arm slid around me, I stiffened.
“You shouldn’t be riding that bike in this weather.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Let me give you a lift home. I’ll pop your bike in the back.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I don’t want you to go through all that trouble.” I actually just want you to leave me alone.
His bright eyes sparkled. “I insist.”
“I’m really okay, Trey.” Please leave me alone.
“Come on. Don’t be stupid.” He turned towards the parking lot without waiting for an answer.
To say I was tempted was an understatement. The sun was brutal today, taking no prisoners as it did its best to incinerate us to ashes. I felt haggard after a long day at work and just didn’t want to brave the heat. “You coming or what?” Trey called out from beside his pickup truck.
It was now or never, Seven. I inhaled a breath of courage. “Trey, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Get in the car first. You can tell me on the way home.”
“No, you don’t understand. I don’t think you’ll want me around you after you hear what I have to say.”
The boyish features of his face transformed into one of confusion. “Is something wrong?”
“I made a mistake the other night. I’m sorry.”
His eyes examined me, seeing the regret in my eyes. “With me, you mean?”
I nodded.
“Why would you say that?”
“I was drinking and other things were on my mind at the time.”
Trey moved closer. “Was it something I did?” His expression turned into horror. “Christ, Seven, did I hurt you? I’m so sorry if I did.”
“No, no. You didn’t hurt me.” I couldn’t bear to think that he believed that he’d done something wrong when in actuality it was I who had failed to stop things when they should have been stopped. All of this was my fault.
“But you’re upset.” His hand came up to touch my face. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”
That would have been simple if not for the fact that it involved telling him about Lucky. Although I knew Trey was a gentleman, I wasn’t stupid to think that he wouldn’t be offended if I said that someone else had been on my mind while his hands and mouth were on me. “I should’ve told you sooner, but I was afraid. I didn’t want to hurt you. But—”
Toni emerged through the doors then, coming to a stop when she saw the two of us. “Hey, guys!” she said cheerily, unaware of the serious conversation she’d just interrupted. “What are you two still doing here?”
How to answer that? Oh, I’m just ending my two-date relationship with Trey in the parking lot. No biggie. Drive safely!
Thankfully, Trey answered for me. “I’m trying to convince Seven to let me drive her home.”
Toni’s gaze landed on me. “When a man like that offers a ride, woman, you’d be a fool not to take it.” Was she trying to tell me that I was making a mistake here? Would ending things with Trey put me on a road that would leave me forever alone?
“You coming or what?” Trey asked. Toni shot me a “go on” look.
“Oh, all right.” This was hardly the place for this conversation anyway. Without a word, Trey hauled my bike into his truck, telling me to “get in” when I tried to say thanks. This car ride would no doubt be awkward as hell now. I sat in silence as Trey drove me back to Ward Four, gazing out the window at the uneven terrain.
When the silence got too much, I slid a look at him. He had a firm hold on the steering wheel, jaw locked tight, gaze firmly on the road before him. I checked the speedometer. Normally, going seventy miles per hour wouldn’t be a cause for alarm, but with the roads so uneven, it was making for a really rough ride. Thank goodness I had my seat belt on. Just then, my phone rang and I pulled it from my purse. “Hello?”
“Where the hell are you?” Hanna cried on the other end of the line.
“I’m on my way home. Why?”
“Why aren’t you here yet?”
“I didn’t know I was supposed to be there.” I could feel Trey’s eyes on me as he listened. “Why? What’s going on?”
“Shit. My bad. I might’ve forgotten to tell you the other night. Glory’s throwing a party for Lucky’s sister.”
Wait, what? “Lucky’s sister?”
“Yeah, didn’t you hear? She’s coming here for a visit.” Lucky’s sister was coming here? Why was I just hearing about this now? “Hurry up, we’ll wait for you!” Hanna hung up before I could ask any more questions.
“Gotta be somewhere?” Trey asked when I put my phone away.
“Uh, yeah. Glory MC wants me to head over to Neptune’s.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“No. It’s okay. I can just ride there on my bike.”
“Seven.” His hand came over to squeeze mine. “I’ll drive you.”
Surprised by the gesture, I couldn’t do anything more than shake my head. “Trey, I’m really sorry.”
He waved it off and turned towards Neptune’s in silence. In less than fifteen minutes, we were pulling up to the dive bar. Despite the heavy awkwardness in the truck, Trey came around the back and unloaded Shelby. “Thanks. Look, Trey. I really am sorry.”
“I know you are. I’m trying really hard not to . . .”
“Trying not to what?” I asked when he didn’t finish his sentence.
“To kiss you.”
Whoa. I wasn’t expecting him to say that. How could he still be so sweet when I was being such a bitch? Before I could form a proper response, a loud popping noise startled us both. “What the hell was that?” It had sounded a lot like gunshots.
“It’s coming from inside.” I jumped towards the doors, pushing my way through the crowd.
Inside, a brawl was in full swing. Men were throwing punches and whirling insults. Hanna, red-faced from anger, pushed her way through the crowd, holding a pistol in her hand. “Break it up, break it up!” She landed her own jabs and bonks on the head with her fist. “Don’t think I won’t shoot you in the ass!”
“Jesus,” Trey breathed from behind me as his eyes took in the twelve men brawl.
I moved into action, trying to break them apart. It was either that or watch the place be wrecked. Since many of them were drunk off their asses, they didn’t put up much of a fight. Hanna managed to simmer the other boys down with threats until they quieted. “What the fuck was that all about?” I gasped.
“Bunch of fuckers.” Hanna tucked the pistol into her apron. “Nearly took down the wall. Remind me to tell Angel to fix that hole I made in the ceiling.”
I looked up to see a small bullet hole in the wooden rafters and laughed. Meanwhile, Trey was glued to my side, glaring at anyone who looked at me for too long. Hanna’s eyebrow arched in silent question and I shrugged in answer. “So what’s this thing about Lucky’s sister?”
“She’s coming to visit him. It’s her first time here so we’re throwing a little celebration for the occasion.”
“Why didn’t Lucky tell me she was coming?”
Hanna shrugged before going to pour another draft. “A lot has been going on. Maybe he forgot.”
“Where is he now?”
“He’s gone to pick her up. The rest of the guys are in the back, trying to convince the girl to eat something. Poor thing hasn’t touched anything we’ve offered her.” After suffering the abuse she had for so long, I wasn’t expecting her to fall back into normal society so quickly. She would need time to adjust. A lot of time given the bleak look in her eyes when Kitt and Beck had carried her inside the first time I saw her.
The sounds of heavy boots told me someone was approaching even before they asked, “Who’s your friend?” I spun around, finding Angel hovering over me with a look of scorn in his eyes. In response, Trey edged closer to me.
Before I could respond, Lucky entered, flanked by a teenager who looked just like him and an older man I didn’t recognize.
“I work with him,” I told Angel. My eyes shifted from the prospect to Lucky again. Angel’s eyebrow arched in challenge, no doubt on the verge of asking him to leave. “He’s okay,” I reassured him.
“He shouldn’t be here.”
Lucky approached then, his gaze landing on me. I felt my body heat with the one look and became immediately aware that Trey was sitting too close beside me. Maybe coming here had been a mistake. “What’s he doing here?” Lucky asked.
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” came the muttered response from the prospect.
Trey pushed off from his chair. “You got a problem with me?”
Oh boy. I had to intervene before this got out of hand. But just as I stepped in between them, the teenager who I assumed was Lucky’s sister broke the tense moment. “Are you Seven?” she asked as she extended a hand. I slid a look at Lucky once more. Yup, still pissed.
I pasted on a smile for Lucky’s sister’s sake. “Yes. Lennon, right? Nice to meet you.” I shook her hand.
She turned, allowing the other man I didn’t recognize to come forward. “This is Dex. He’s my boyfriend.”
I couldn’t help myself. My eyes widened and collided with Lucky’s. The light blue lasered into me with startling intensity and my initial instinct to comment on the age difference vanished. “A pleasure,” I said as I shook his hand.
Just then the back doors opened, revealing the prez of Glory MC. Knuckle made his way to Hanna, wrapping one meaty arm around her. “Was that a gunshot I heard earlier?”
Hanna beamed up at him, blushing a little. “Had a little mishap with some drunks but I handled it.”
Knuckle chuckled. Uh oh. What would Knuckle say when he noticed Trey here? Even though Lennon had tried to go in for a save, Lucky was still burning a hole into me with his eyes. They sent a message loud and clear: Get rid of him.
Before I could act on that, Kitt, Beck, and Hastie came out next, walking forward in a tightly formed group. It took me a moment to realize that they were shielding the girl who had been rescued, like a human imitation of a force field. Against their size, she looked tiny as a bird.
“Lennon!” Hastie cried when he saw Lucky’s sister. They embraced and Hastie introduced her to Indy. As they all finished their introductions, Lucky’s eyes met mine briefly, harsh and unrelenting. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Lucky was jealous.
Feeling awkward, I turned my attention to the girl again. Her wide eyes watched Lennon and Hastie as they spoke, fear creating a blank look on her face. As she realized that some of the patrons were staring at her, she blanched further.
Now cleaned from the dirt and blood, I could see her pale, alabaster skin. The cuts and scrapes on her arms, chest, and legs were made more visible whenever she moved beneath the dim lights of the dive bar. The rest of her body was thin, made so by the abuse she’d endured and likely the starvation as well. She couldn’t have been that much younger than I was.
The dress Glory MC had acquired fit her perfectly though I figured she didn’t care for it one bit by her expression. Despite her meek movements, her eyes were alert, bouncing off everything placed in front of her, absorbing it all in. “Are you hungry?” Kitt asked her.
The girl gave a shake of her head.
“Do you want to sit down? Maybe listen to the music?” Beck offered. His voice was as gentle as I’d ever heard it. It didn’t take me long to figure out that she still didn’t trust us, which was why she was refusing everything. I had to change that.
“Hi, I’m Seven,” I said in as cheerful a voice as I could manage. “What’s your name?”
Everyone stopped their conversations to stare at her. Her eyes widened with fear, but she didn’t pull back. So I waited for her to relax, to get used to the idea of friends. I had no doubt that Glory MC had been kind and gentle with her, but I knew from experience that they weren’t the most patient of people.
Her intelligent eyes roamed over my features, searching my expression for any threats of harm. Smile still in place, I kept my hand open and upturned. Not threatening in any way.
After what felt like forever, her small hand lifted tentatively and clasped mine. It was surprisingly strong despite her frail appearance. “Tansy,” she answered. “My name is Tansy.” I smiled in triumph while everyone else in the room seemed to be frozen in shock.
“It’s a pleasure, Tansy. You’re probably sick of seeing all these ugly mugs”—I waved a hand to indicate the boys and ignored their responding scowls—“so if you want, you can hang with me.” I had a feeling that the men hovered over her constantly, never allowing her room to breathe. Maybe if given freedom, she’d see us less as guards and more as friends who wanted to help her.
Tansy’s eyes dropped but she made no effort to move. Catching Hastie’s eyes, I made a shooing motion with my hand. If there was one thing I knew about bikers, it was that they could be too possessive sometimes.
I pulled out the stool next to me, but didn’t push Tansy further. She would decide at her own pace. The last thing she would want was to have her choice taken away from her again.
It took a while but Tansy did eventually sit down beside me. Though her spine was ramrod straight and her hands were clasped firmly in her lap, it was monumental progress. Her eyes even sparkled when Indy placed a soda in front of her, a blatant prize for her efforts.
Over my shoulder, my eyes met Hastie’s and the smile he gave me told me that I had done well. Now, if only I could get Lucky to smile at me like that.
Lucky
“Atta girl,” Hastie said with a smile. He and I were watching the bar intently, focused on the two girls whose backs were turned towards us now. To our right, Lennon and Dex sat, enjoying the food that Indy had brought over for them. After the long car ride, the two were famished. There was no talking between them as they shoveled food into their mouths.
My eyes traveled back to Seven, noticing the golden skin and the toned muscles of her back and shoulders. She looked glowing and healthy compared to Tansy’s paleness. But in time, we were all hoping that Tansy would reach her optimum weight again as she rejuvenated her body of everything she was deprived of.
“Seven did good,” Hastie drawled. “But what was she thinking bringing that asshole here with her?” His eyes lasered into Trey’s back where he sat beside her.
“Hell if I know.”
“Kick his ass out.”
“And make a scene? No, thanks. Hanna will rip me a new one.”
“I heard the gun shot earlier,” Hastie said with a smile. “She does that all on her own. Look, if you like Seven, stop kidding yourself. Just tell him to fuck off.”
In answer, I brought the beer up to my lips and took a long swallow, careful not to meet his eyes. What did Hastie know about how I felt about Seven?
“Come on, man. Don’t act like you don’t give a shit. I’m your best friend. I can read you easier than a motherfucking newspaper.” He sighed heavily when I remained silent. “Better act quick because it looks like he’s making his move.”
That comment had me looking up, eyes turning murderous in seconds. Hastie chortled beside me but nothing could peel my stare off the asshole who was tucking a lock of hair behind Seven’s ear. It was a gentle gesture, if not innocent, but it signaled every one of Trey’s intentions. In response though, Seven backed away from his touch.
My brow arched. Now that was interesting. Why did she bring him here if she wasn’t comfortable with him?
Before I knew it, I was walking towards them, taking my bottle of beer along with me. I took a long swig as Trey’s eyes landed on me. “We’re having drinks,” Seven said when she realized that my gaze remained on the hand settled on her thigh.
“I can see that,” I bit out.
“Are you going to join us then?”
Join them? No, I wanted to rip him apart. I glanced at Tansy and caught her looking at me, eyes widened with the same fear I’d seen in her eyes when I had found her in the cage. Shit. What the hell was I doing? With great effort, I put a cap on my jealous rage and forced a smile. It came out strained and exposed sharp teeth.
Hastie rushed forward then, sensing my fury. “Hey.” He turned to Tansy, careful not to accidentally touch her. “If you’re done eating, I thought we’d go for a walk. I’d like to show you the rest of the clubhouse.”
As intelligent as she was, Tansy knew that what was going to happen next was none of her business. So she got up and followed Hastie, leaving Seven and me alone with the asshole.
“Are you all right?” Seven asked me. She looked so innocent while a man’s hand was steadily climbing up her thigh.
Easy, Dylan, I reminded myself. She isn’t yours.
“Never mind,” I gritted. I wasn’t about to beat a man for touching Seven. “I’ll just see you at home. Have fun, bunny.”
“Bunny?” Trey echoed.
I grinned fiercely as Seven stiffened in her seat. “Yeah, like Lola Bunny,” I drawled, stepping into her personal space until there was no way she could ignore the flash of heat between us. Gently, I picked up a stray tendril of hair with a fingertip. “She has blonde hair. A stunning body.” My fingertips lined the curve of her neck, tracing her delicate décolletage. “Beautiful breasts.” I felt her pulse tick at the hollow of her throat. “A nice, round ass.”
All the while Trey’s eyes were on my hands, growing murderous as I marked her body. I reckoned the look on his face was the same one I sported just seconds ago when his own hand was playing on Seven’s thigh.
The corners of my lips tipped up when my touch elicited a low moan from Seven before she seemed to catch herself. Her guilty gaze collided with Trey’s. “Yup,” I grinned wolfishly. “She’s Lola Bunny, in the flesh.” My hand dropped as I met Trey’s murderous gaze. He looked like he wanted to throttle me. “I’ll see you at home,” I whispered to Seven.
As I walked out of Neptune’s, I called out for Lennon and Dex. A second later, they were at my side. A smile built steadily on my face. There was nothing Trey could do. If I’d wanted, and if Seven was willing, I could’ve stripped her right there in front of him, touching her as I pleased. Any fight he would put up would result in Glory MC jumping on him like a wildcat, tearing him to pieces.
But I wouldn’t let them. I wanted the pleasure to do it myself.
Seven
As Trey pulled up to the house later that night, I practically jumped out of his truck, slamming the door shut with the need to pummel Lucky for pulling that shit. “Hey, you all right?” Concern was woven into Trey’s features. I forced myself to relax enough to say goodbye.
“Yeah, sorry. I’m just . . .” I blew out a breath. “I’m sorry about what happened earlier, at the bar. I don’t know what got into him.”
Trey laughed. “It’s okay, it’s not the first time I had to deal with him.”
If Lucky hadn’t walked away when he did, I was sure that fists would’ve started flying. There was this predatory gleam in his eyes as he spoke to me. For a moment, I didn’t understand. But then his touch confirmed it. The way his rough fingertips grazed me sent sparks of sensation through my system. The bastard was playing my body to make Trey jealous.
“Thanks for the ride,” I told Trey. “And for bringing my bike back for me.”
A teasing smile spread over his lips. “You like to thank me a lot, don’t you?”
“You’re just really nice to me, even when I don’t deserve it.”
“It’s not your fault he was a dick. I probably shouldn’t have been there tonight. But,” he reached out to touch me. “I wasn’t about to leave you there either.”
“Thanks,” I replied dumbly, flushing with embarrassment at my idiotic response. Trey didn’t seem to mind though because he leaned in, pinching my chin with his thumb and forefinger as he brought his mouth down to mine.
As I stiffened, Trey pulled back. “Shit, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” A reluctant smile curled his lips. “But I’m kinda glad I did, crazy, possessive bikers notwithstanding.” He winked to someone behind me and I spun around to find Lennon and Lucky standing there. Lennon’s mouth was a wide O as she looked on, but my eyes were trained on Lucky. He looked absolutely furious.
With a smile, Trey got back into his truck and drove away, leaving me alone with the onlookers. As I approached the house, Lennon didn’t try to hide her shameless smile. “He’s really hot. I’m so jealous. Is he a good kisser? I wanna—”
“Go inside, Lennon,” Lucky barked, effectively silencing her. Lennon shot her brother a glare before slipping back inside. Lucky shot me a slicing look.
“What’s your problem?” I asked him.
“Was that the first time he kissed you?”
Jesus Christ. “Are you drunk?”
He took a step forward. “Answer the question, Seven.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. Stance effectively projecting: Back off. “It’s not any of your business.”
His icy eyes flashed fire. “Has he fucked you?”
“Fuck off,” I said, pushing past him. “This conversation is over.”
Lucky grabbed my arm. “Why are you wasting your time?”
“What do you mean?” I yanked my arm out of his grip.
“Do you get off on fucking with a man’s head?”
“I never once claimed to do any of that!”
“No? Then why are you with him?” His voice seemed warped, almost as if he was in pain.
“Well, for one, he’s not a jackass like you. He’s nice.”
“Nice?” Lucky took one simple step forward and it was as effective as dropping a blanket over me, cloaking and heating me all at once. “Since when have ‘nice guys’ interested you, Seven?”
“You don’t know what I want.”
“You’re denying yourself.”
“Oh, right. And you’re saying that I secretly want you, is that right?”
“Am I wrong?”
I rolled my eyes and began to walk into the house. “You’re so full of yourself.”
“Am I wrong?” The corners of his lips tipped up. He was finding this so fucking amusing. “Come on, baby,” he whispered lowly. “Tell me, have you ever thought about that kiss?”
“No.”
“Don’t lie.” He stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “You like them bad, Seven. Polite manners are nice to bring home to your ma, but that’s not what you want, is it. You want a real man to bring home every night. To strip you of your clothing and pleasure you until you’re begging. You want someone who is going to fuck you hard and fast. In every position imaginable. Until he’s wrung out all the pleasure from you, you feel like you’re a husk of a woman. Tell me I’m wrong.”
“You’re a jackass, that’s what you are.”
Lucky chuckled, stepping back. “No, I’ve just realized the truth.”
“And what is that?” I walked towards the kitchen, desperate to get away from him. Standing so close to him was making it difficult to concentrate.
“We’re more alike than you think.”
He was crazier than I ever imagined. “I’m nothing like you.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“Nothing.”
Another smug smile appeared. “I bet you’re gonna go to bed thinking about me now. Dreaming about what it would be like for me to touch you.”
I caught the challenge in his eyes, daring me to admit I wanted him. “And if I did?”
Lucky’s light eyes went dark. “Then there’s no question who you want, is there,” he said before walking away.