6

Mia

I watched in disbelief as Steel manhandled the two idiots as if they weighed nothing at all, but my jaw dropped when he called me his woman. Seriously? Did he really call me that? My blood started to boil. How could he say that when not a few hours ago he was smiling indulgently at my sister after the horrible things she had said to me? Then he’d agreed to a nice long ride on his bike with her wrapped around him. I knew how that felt, and like a fool, I loved it. I cherished the times I was on the back of his bike with him. Being part of the MC, riding on the men’s bikes, was part of normal everyday life. All of us girls were familiar with being a passenger, and the guys made sure they taught us how to be safe with them. And I always felt safe with Steel when I rode behind him.

Not able to stay there a minute longer, I took the opportunity to escape from the bar area. I just needed a minute to gather myself. That guy hurt me when he grabbed my wrist, but when the other one grabbed my breast, it really hurt. Without even looking, I knew there would be bruises tomorrow. Pushing my way past the waitresses who had stopped to watch the drama unfold—not help, mind you—I ran to the staffroom.

“Mia, sweetie, what’s wrong?” Rainn came out of the door leading to the downstairs cellar, two bottles of the most expensive scotch we offered for sale in her arms.

“Rainn, can you cover for me? I just had a run-in with a couple of those uni guys, and I don’t think I can finish my shift,” I pleaded with her. I couldn’t tell her I also needed to hide from Steel. I needed time to think about what he said and how he reacted when he walked in and saw the guys assaulting me. My mind was a rush of so many emotions—elation, annoyance, thrilled, and pissed off. There were just too many conflicting thoughts flying through my head, and if I had to talk to him or see him, I was worried I would say the wrong thing. Damn, I was worried I would fall to my feet and beg him to claim me, and then I would be that woman who had a man who liked me but loved someone else. My sister. And that was all kinds of fucked-up.

I turned my head when I heard Steel’s commanding voice telling the wait staff off for not doing their jobs properly, and he sounded close. Too close. I spun back to Rainn.

“Please, Rainn. I just can’t... I can’t see him right now,” I begged.

Rainn gave me a sympathetic smile. “I know, sweetie. Go out the back. I’ll hold off the movie-star biker for you.”

I leaned over and gave her a quick hug. “You have been hanging around Shiloh too much,” I joked with her, knowing that was something Shiloh would have come up with to call Steel.

Laughing, Rainn nodded her head. “Most likely. Our club princess is definitely the queen when it comes to nicknames.” Giving me a gentle shove, Rainn urged me down the hallway where the exit door to the car park was at the end.

Moving fast, I made my way out the heavy door and looked around the well-lit car park. The guys made all the businesses safe for their employees with not only seeing to security but making us safe with ample lighting for late-night shifts. Getting to my car, I reached for my bag, but my hand only found my shirt. Damn, shit, arsehole. I left my bag behind the bar and my jacket, too. Good grief. If there were a prize for not using your head, I would definitely be a top contender. I mean, look at what I had done so far? I’d fallen in love with a man obsessed with my sister, and drunk dialled him—twice.

I’d told him I loved him and was rejected in return, not to mention I practically threw myself at his club brothers and got rejected there, too. Yeah, there was no way I was going back in there to get my stuff. No thanks. I’d had enough humiliation for a lifetime. Been there, done that, and got the T-shirt to prove it.

Rubbing my arms against the chilly night air, I pointed myself in the direction of Rainn’s place. It was a ten-minute drive from here, so I should be home within the hour if the boogieman didn’t get me on the way. Laughing at myself, I started to set a brisk pace. Despite my bravado, walking late at night was not my favourite thing to do, especially with a madman out looking for vengeance against the club.