This tiny bit of movement we have out here is the only freedom we have.

“And I’m going to leave them there so each time you come out here, you’re reminded of what happens when you cross me.”

I gag and Rainer squeezes my body.

He’s going to leave them there.

I just lost another piece of my heart.

~*~*~*~

NOW

Pippa

Music flows through the clubhouse, mixing with the sounds of laughter. I’m sitting at the bar, watching Tyke with Andi. He hasn’t looked my way once. Obviously he’s still angry about the kiss. That hurts, but I don’t let it show. Tonight it’s Krypt’s birthday, and so the club had a massive cookout for him.

I never miss the cookouts, I like them.

The rest of the club business I tend to stay out of. I’m sitting with all the girls, and they’re chatting about babies, kids, husbands and houses. I listen, smiling and nodding, joining in where I can. Santana is beside me, and every now and then she reaches over and squeezes my hand. I think she feels guilty that I’m one of the few ladies who have no idea what they’re talking about.

“How’s work, Pip?” Ash asks, smiling at me.

“It’s good.”

“Are you meeting some awesome people?”

I smile. “None as awesome as you.”

She flashes me a smile and Santana turns to me when the conversation flows again. “How did it go the other night with Rainer?”

My smile gets bigger. “It was amazing, Tana. I thought he wouldn’t want to see me, but he did.”

“How is he doing? You know, now he’s free like you?”

I shrug. “The same as me, I guess. He said he had a big problem with drugs and had to go to rehab.”

Santana’s eyes flash. She understands that better than anyone. “Poor guy. I know how hard that is.”

I squeeze her hand.

“Are you going to catch up with him again?”

I nod. “Yeah, I felt comfortable with him. That’s a nice feeling to have.”

“And Tyke?” she questions.

My eyes flick to Tyke, and I catch him staring at me. He turns away and as he does, something passes in his eyes that hurts me – it looks a whole lot like regret. I wish he would talk to me, express how he’s feeling. He kissed me, but now he’s acting as though he regrets every second of it. That makes no sense to me.

“Can I tell you something?” I say, turning back to her.

She nods, and turns closer to me so no one else can hear. “Of course.”

“He kissed me.”

Her eyes widen. “He did?”

“Yeah, but then he went completely cold and shut me out.”

She narrows her eyes. “That’s weird.”

“I know,” I agree. “It was amazing, Tana. Then he acted like it was the worst thing he’s ever done in his life.”

“Did he explain why he did it?”

“No. He just dropped me home and I haven’t heard from him since.”

She nods, biting her lower lip and looking over to Tyke. “You should talk to him, if you can. One thing I’ve learned with bikers is that you don’t beat around the bush. Just outright ask him what the problem is.”

She’s probably right, but I won’t get the chance to ask him anything with Andi hanging around. She’s already shooting daggers in my direction, maybe he told her about the kiss. Hell he probably made it sound like it was my fault. Maybe it was.

“I’m going to use the bathroom, but I’ll be back.” I smile.

Santana lets me go and I disappear down the halls. The bathroom inside is occupied, so I head outside towards the sheds to use theirs. It’s dark, so I just walk in a straight line towards the sheds. I crash into a hard, massive body when I’m about halfway there. A squeak is ripped from my throat and I leap backwards, unable to see the person I ran into.

“Careful there, darlin’,” he murmurs.

What a voice.

It’s a voice I’ve never heard before. Slightly accented, with what I don’t know.

“Ah,” I whisper. “Sorry.”

“Maybe you can help me. I’m looking for Maddox.”

It’s odd for a stranger just to walk into the compound. I can’t even see him to see if he’s a bad guy or not. As if reading my mind, he pulls out a flashlight and the space between us suddenly lights up. I look up, and up, and up. This guy is big. Like, Hercules big. My mouth drops open as I take in his face.

I haven’t seen a man so dangerously good looking since, well, maybe the first time I met Maddox. This guy has the same edge. He’s tall, broad, and even bigger than Maddox across the shoulders. His eyes, they’re the strangest amber color, and his hair is a dark mess atop his head. He has a slight scar on his cheek and his nose is crooked, but he’s handsome, so handsome it takes me a minute to find my voice.

“I’m, ah, yeah, he’s inside,” I whisper.

The stranger smiles, and my heart pounds.

“What’s your name?” he asks, studying me.

“Ah, Pippa. I haven’t seen you around here before.”

“Nah, I’m just here to get some help from Maddox. My name is Raide Knox.”

Raide.

What a cool name.

“Well, Raide Knox,” I whisper. “I’ll go get Maddox.”

He grins lazily, and nods. I turn and rush back into the clubhouse. I find Maddox standing with Krypt and Mack. I walk over and touch his arm. He looks down at me and his eyes soften with fondness. “What’s up, Pip?”