“Fuck, man, you sure that was a good idea?” Malakai mutters, running his hands through his hair. “She’s your maid, and she’s a good chick. You don’t want to lose someone like that; you won’t find another one very easily.”

“Fully fuckin’ aware of that,” I growl at him. “Pretty sure it was a mutual thing.”

“Sounds to me like you just wanted her to stop seein’ that fuck head in prison,” Maverick adds. “You sure you’re not into her, bro?”

“We fucked because we wanted to fuck. I didn’t want her seein’ that jock monkey because he’s only goin’ to cause problems, and if he causes problems for her, it’ll cause problems for me.”

“Fuck knows we need some entertainment ‘round here,” Koda grunts. “I’m fuckin’ bored as shit. Can we go start somethin’, bash someone, fuck some shit up? Might make bein’ here that much easier.”

“Calm the fuck down, Dakoda,” Malakai growls. “We got enough shit to do around here. You’re just pissed because it doesn’t involve killin’ anyone.”

“Speakin’ of killin’,” Boston adds, “heard any more about what happened to Shanks’ people after he was taken out? Any word on what they’re up to?”

“Far as I know—” I light a cigarette “—there are a handful of them left, determined to find out what happened and who double crossed them.”

“Won’t take them long to figure out it was Slater,” Malakai adds. “Speakin’ of, anyone heard from him?”

“Layin’ low,” Maverick tells Malakai. “Told him to for a couple months. If he pops straight up here, they’re goin’ to put two and two together.”

“Anyone checked in on him?” Malakai questions.

“Went in yesterday and had a beer with him; he’s still searchin’ for Ellie in his free time,” I tell Malakai.

“Any leads on that?”

“Not as of yet, we’ll start lookin’ as soon as he’s passed probabtion here at the club,” Koda informs.

“Can’t see Slater bein’ a prospect real well.” I snort.

“Well, he’s willin’ to, and I think he’ll be a good asset to the club, so we’ll see,” Malakai says, standing. “I’m goin’ to find my woman, take her home, and fuck her until morning. You boys enjoy your evening.”

He turns and walks out, and I stand. “I’m out.”

“Be nice to that lady, bro,” Boston points out. “She’s a fuckin’ sweet one.”

“Sweet,” I grunt. “Yeah.”

I walk out of the club and to my bike, then I get on and ride home. It’s just hitting sunset, but there is still enough light around for me to notice the car parked just outside my front gate. I left this morning after Saskia was in a weird mood, figured she wanted to be alone. I study the car. She didn’t mention visitors. It doesn’t necessarily look like it’s up to no good, but there isn’t another house for at least two blocks, so why a car would be parked there is beyond me.

But it doesn’t seem right.

I get off my bike and walk to the house and see the front door is wide open. Saskia never leaves the door open. I clench my fists and step inside quietly, walking through the living room. Nothing. I move further into the house and go up the stairs, that’s when I hear her voice. Terrified. Scared. She never sounds like that. Not ever.

“There is nothing here, I have nothing.”

“Liar,” a male voice hisses. “This house is loaded full of goods, gotta be something worth selling in here. Jewelry. Something.”

“I have no access to any of that.”

“Listen to me, you little bitch, Enzo owes me a fuck load of money and it just so happens your name popped up as a place to start looking. He’s locked up, so he’s useless to me, but you, you’re here and you’re not useless to me. I’m sure he wouldn’t like to find out his precious little lady was found with a bullet in her skull because she didn’t deliver for her boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Saskia says, her voice shaky.

“Not what I heard. Heard you got the cash. Heard you’re the person. I have many many ways I could get it out of you, little lady. I’d bet you have a sweet pussy underneath those pants. I wonder if I tied you down and fucked you a few times if you’d come up with the goods.”

Fuck no.

Not here.

Not in my house.

I step into the room without thought and see a large, white man holding Saskia, knife to her throat. I don’t hesitate. He hears me and turns slightly, and my fist finds his face before he even has a chance to open his mouth. He stumbles backward, releasing her, but not the knife. I step forward again, without hesitation, and drive another fist into his mouth. He splutters, and then gets himself together, swinging the knife in my direction. I raise a hand up, and it slashes across my palm.

The burn is instant.

And it only pisses me off more.

“Nobody comes into my fuckin’ house and threatens anyone who lives here.”

I raise my leg, using my booted foot to drive him in the stomach, sending him flying backward. Then I storm over, only once the knife has fallen from his hand, and lift him up by the shirt, driving my fist into his face over and over until he falls unconscious onto the floor, blood pouring from numerous places on his face. I pull out my phone and dial Malakai.

“What’s up, bro? Better be good.”

“Man in my house, threatenin’ Saskia. Get someone to come collect him. He ain’t goin’ anywhere.”

“Fuck. She okay?”

“Yeah.”

“On our way.”

I hang up the phone and shove it into my pocket and then turn and look at the girl who has backed right up. Her eyes are wide, and she’s staring at me, a mixture of horror and awe on her face.

“You okay?” I ask her.

“He had a knife,” she whispers.

“Yeah. You okay?”

“And you just ... took him down.”

“Yeah, lady. You okay?”

“You’re so strong. I’ve never ...”

“Saskia,” I walk over, grabbing her shoulders. “You okay?”

She looks down at her shoulder, and gasps, “You’re bleeding.”

“Woman, fuck, are you okay?”

I shake her a little and her eyes meet mine.

“You saved me.”

I exhale. “I’m going to knock you the fuck out in a minute if you don’t fuckin’ answer me.”

She smiles, but it’s shaky. “I’m okay.”

“Okay,” I say, letting her go.

“Your hand ...”

“We’ll deal with it later. Right now, I’m dealin’ with him. Then you and me, we’re goin’ to talk.”

She swallows but nods.

“Mason?” she calls out when I walk over to the unconscious man on the ground.

“Yeah,” I say, not looking at her.

“For a minute there, for just a single minute, I was so afraid.”

I look over at her. “Don’t ever gotta be afraid when I’m around.”

Her cheeks go pink.

Fuck me.

In the middle of all this, and all I can think about is going over there and ripping her clothes off.

I want her.

More than I’m willing to admit.

Fuck.