Fuck.

As I was riding to the bar, I saw Crowley’s cop car with its lights on in the parking lot of the motel—shit had hit the fan faster than I was expecting it to. Reluctantly, I pulled in behind his car and made my way into the office. He was taking Sloan’s statement, and she was crying, terror blanketing her entire body. My heart sank.

“His name is Ray…”

I coughed a little, interrupting her. “Crowley, I can explain.”

“Lawrence, what are you doing here?” Officer Crowley’s eyes narrowed as I searched for words.

Slap.

“What do you know?” Sloan screamed as her fingers left red marks on the side of my face.

Rubbing my cheek, I let out a sigh. “I have the car up at our shop.”

Crowley shook his head at me. “Damn it all the hell, Tre. You nearly gave this woman a fucking heart attack. Why in God’s name did you take her car?”

Thank my fucking lucky stars Pete Crowley was the responding officer. If it had been anyone else, I would have been in handcuffs already. “It needs a paint job. I was going to surprise her. Trying to be a nice guy for once.”

Sloan looked like I had just killed a kitten in front of her. “You fucking piece of shit! I told you I didn’t want your help.”

“Is that true?” Crowley asked me.

I nodded.

“Do you want to press charges for the stolen vehicle?” Crowley was asking Sloan, but she was glaring at me.

“Take me to get my car right the fuck now.” She was an inch away from me. Her hair was still wet from the last time she washed it, and the smell of the motel’s strawberry shampoo permeated the air.

Officer Crowley handed his business card to Sloan. “If you need anything else, ma’am, don’t hesitate to call. Trent, from now on, don’t take someone’s vehicle without permission. Next time I’ll be carting you away in the back of a wagon.”

“I understand, sir.”

I shook his hand and then led Sloan over to my bike. I got on and held my second helmet out for her to take. She stood with her arms crossed, glaring at me.

“It’s not going to bite you.” I tried to play off how fucking nervous I was around this chick. I knew I’d really pissed her off and I felt terrible about it, but at the end of the day, it was easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

“I’m not getting on the back of your bike,” she flatly stated. Her arms were crossed over her chest with her feet planted firmly.

“Listen, sweetheart, if you want to get your car that bad, you’re going to have to get on the back of this steel horse.” I had to rapid-fire the statement or it was never going to be said.

Putting one hand on my shoulder, she narrowed her eyes at me. “I swear to God, if you try anything, I will have your balls in a damn vice before you can say motorcycle.”

I smirked at her. “Just get on and put a little bit of trust in someone else for once.”

For the couple of minutes it took to ride to the shop, Sloan had a death grip around my waist. Taking off my helmet, I looked over my shoulder at her. “Was that your first time on the back of a bike?”

She bit her lip and nodded. It was the first time I saw her guard even remotely down. Her brokenness shot through my heart, each shard of her crashing into me. I wanted to pick up every piece and glue them back together. I knew someone had done a number on her, and I was determined to make him pay for what he had done.

Ozzy lumbered his burly ass out of the first bay. “Tre!” he hollered over with a wave before I even had my kickstand out.

“What’s up, brother?” I asked while helping Sloan off the bike.

“I was able to get the white Camry fixed up without having to paint it. Mineral spirits did the trick.” He was one of the best damn bodywork masters I had ever seen.

“Ozzy, you’re a lifesaver. Thanks man.” I patted him on the shoulder before turning to Sloan. “I’ll walk you over to your car. It should be ready to go.

“If there isn’t anything else you need, I’m going to call it quits for the night.” Ozzy rubbed his face as a yawn took over.

“Naw, man. Go on home. Nice work today.” I waved goodbye to the old man.

“Thank you.” Sloan smiled sweetly at Ozzy before following after me. “And I owe you a thank you as well.” She shoved my arm as she trotted at my side.

I dug my hands deep in my pockets as I slowly turned to her. “I should be apologizing to you.”

She grabbed my forearm, stopping me dead in my tracks. It was the first time I got to look into her dark brown eyes, and they were stunning. They weren’t just brown; they also had flecks of amber and crimson with a dark black ring around them. I was mesmerized.

“I’m not used to strangers being so nice to me. I don’t know who the fuck y’all are, but I am grateful I stumbled into this town.” She wiped a few tears from her cheeks.

Well, that is a change in character.

“Sweetheart, who tainted you so badly that you lost all trust in humanity?”

She diverted her gaze. “Some douchebag that doesn’t deserve the breath it takes to talk about him.”

I put my hand on her shoulder. “Whoever it is you’re running from, we’ll protect you if you want.”

“You don’t even know me.” She sniffled.

“Yeah, I know.” I put my hand on her cheek, wiping away another lone tear. “But I would like to change that soon, if you’d let me.”

She crossed her arms over her chest, bouncing her knee as she glared at me. “Why?”

“Because I see something in you. It’s in me too. You don’t feel like you should be alive, but here you are.”

Her eyes got wide. “How’d you know that?” she whispered.

“How about you just give me a week?” I was flying by the seat of my pants, hoping she wouldn’t think I was creepy as fuck for trying to convince to her to stay.

“I don’t think I should stay in once place that long right now.” The terror in her eyes broke my heart.

“I can keep you safe.” I grabbed her, pulling her tiny body into mine. We were standing in the back of the garage, completely alone. It was after hours and Red was the only one left because he was fucking living there.

“The cops can’t even keep me safe.” Her breath was hot on my chest.

I tightened my grip on her. “Trust me, we’re better than any police you’ve ever met.”

“Why are you doing this? Why do you want to help me so badly?” She pulled away to look up at me.

“Because I was given a second chance at life years ago, and maybe protecting you is the reason why that happened. I haven’t found a better one yet.”