Jerk.

Super. Mega. Fucking. Jerk.

I can’t believe he walked out this morning and acted like that. It’s not like I was throwing myself at him after what happened last night. I simply offered him a damned coffee. He didn’t need to be such a jackass about it. Anger bubbles in my chest as I swallow the lukewarm coffee because I’ve been sitting here brooding. The club coming for a visit tomorrow can’t come quick enough.

I’m not sure what I’m capable of right now, I’m so angry.

Fuck him.

I finish the last mouthful of my coffee and take a deep, calming breath.

The front door slams, and Koda walks out onto the patio, glancing at me, before walking to the front steps.

“Where are you going?” I ask him.

His shoulders tense, and he turns, glaring at me. “If I wanted to fuckin’ tell you, I would.”

Gah!

“Last time I checked, you’re supposed to be protecting me. If you disappear, who will do that?”

His jaw clenches.

I know that was a bratty thing to say, but fuck him.

“I’m going to get fuckin’ fire wood, around the corner. Unless someone is hidin’ in the fuckin’ woods, ready to jump out, you’re fine.”

“How do you know they aren’t?”

He looks like he’s doing to snap me in half.

I should stop pushing him.

But dammit.

I can’t.

“I’m goin’ to give you three fuckin’ seconds to lose the attitude, because I am not in the mood today.”

“Why, wasn’t last night’s sex good enough? I don’t imagine it would be, considering half your club has probably ploughed that same hole.”

I bite my bottom lip, because I know those words will set off a fire inside him.

I’m right.

He storms over, putting two big arms on either side of me and leaning down so his face is so close to mine, I can smell his breath. It smells incredible, by the way. Masculine, strong, gorgeous. I want to kiss him. After I bite him. Dammit. Jerk.

“Listen to me, woman,” he sneers in my face, “my patience with you is at an all-time fuckin’ low. I don’t tolerate shit on a good day, and today is not a fuckin’ good day. Do not doubt me when I say I will fuckin’ lock you in that room and let you out only to piss and eat. That what you want?”

“You and I both know that’s not going to happen,” I snap back.

“Fuckin’. Try. Me.”

He’s serious.

I can see it in the angry set of his eyes.

He’d find a way, and strength wise, he overpowers me in a big way. So, I do what any smart girl would do. I clamp my mouth shut and simply scowl at him. He stays in his position for a moment, just glaring at me, then finally he pushes off and stands. He turns, without another word, and disappears around the side of the house. I exhale and take my phone from the table beside me.

I don’t use it much, because, honestly, what’s the point? Nobody calls me, because very few people have my number. Once I changed my name, and my life, I was very picky about who I gave it to. I click into the screen and notice two missed calls from a private number.

On any other occasion, that wouldn’t bother me. I’d assume it was someone trying to sell something, or a cell company trying to give me an upgrade. But now, with a million-dollar hit on my head, everyone has a different agenda. And when you want to find someone, with the right people, you can.

And will.

My heart leaps into my throat and I stare at the screen for a while. The phone is on silent, so I didn’t hear it ringing, but it was only a couple of minutes ago. Will it ring again? Will I answer? My stomach feels as though it’s going to twist its way up my throat and out of my mouth, and my heart is racing so hard I can feel it pulsing, even in my head. Has he found me? Does he already know my name? Where I am? Who I’m with?

My father is a smart man.

He also has friends in low places.

And high places.

And every damned place you can have a friend.

Which means it rarely takes him long to find out things.

There is a hit out against me, and with that hit would come a picture. So, my father already knows I’m out there. But, is he getting closer to finding exactly where I am? Is it him calling? How did he find my cell number? Putting myself out on the streets for the club was a bad idea. All my father would have needed to see is a photo or a description of a girl with red hair and he’d know it was me.

Why didn’t I think more about it?

Why the hell didn’t I dye my hair? Or change my name to something completely different? After all, Charlie is hardly different from Charlene.

I feel so incredibly stupid.

And so scared.

So damned afraid.

Should I tell Koda?

If I do, he’ll ask questions. But maybe it’s time for those questions to be answered. If they’ve found my number, it’s only a matter of time before they find me. And when they do ...

I shudder and rub my arms.

Tomorrow, Malakai is bringing some members of the club up here.

I’ll tell them then.

I’m safe here, for right now.

Right?

~*~*~*~