This had to be one of the weirdest conversations he had ever had. “You ever thought about killing someone?” he asked.

Constance shrugged. “No. I can honestly say that I’ve never thought about ending anyone’s life. Why would I want to do that?”

“You asked me what it was like and we’re here in a graveyard full of death. Are you one of those freaky chicks that gets off by being around dead things?”

She burst out laughing. “Are you for real right now?”

“I just thought I’d ask, and besides, it made you smile.”

“Very true. Congratulations, Vengeance. You made me smile, which I never thought would happen in a place like this.”

“So we’re getting off to a good start then.” He stared at the headstones.

“If you’re part of an MC, why are you out here late at night? Shouldn’t you be partying it up?”

“I needed a break away from all that shit.”

“All that shit…” Her voice faded. “I get that. When my parents and fiancé died, everyone was always staring at me, full of pity. My entire life had completely disappeared, and then all of a sudden, it was like everyone could tell me how great everyone was, you know? They didn’t give a shit when they were alive but now they were suddenly going to start telling me how good they were, and they wouldn’t be replaced.” She stopped, and he heard her sigh. “Sorry. I don’t know you. I really shouldn’t be talking about this shit with you.”

“Well, if you can’t talk to a stranger, who can you talk to? You’re alone in the world. Did your doctor advise some kind of therapist?”

“She advised, and I declined it. I’m not the kind of person who can sit around and talk all day. They’re dead, and I’m moving on.”

“You’re moving on sitting in a cemetery late at night with a flashlight.”

“I’ve got nothing better to do. What is your excuse?” she asked, shining the light on his face. “What scary things are in your closet, Vengeance?”

“Not a lot. I’m a boring guy with a boring future ahead of him.”

“Even being in an MC?” she asked. “And with all of your killing? You’re a bad ass, Vengeance. There’s no denying it.”

“I’m not denying it. I’m not exactly scary right now. I’m in one of the most morbid places in the world with you.”

She chuckled. “Yeah, you really do need to start questioning your priorities. But then again, so do I.” She sighed. “As much fun as this could be, I’ve got to go home. I shouldn’t be out after dark.”

“Leaving already?” he asked, getting to his feet with her. It was rather strange but he didn’t want her to leave.

“My sanity. See you around.” With that, she made her way out of the cemetery. What a strange, but very incredible woman.

He couldn’t leave it at that, though, and so he followed her out. “Hey,” he said.

She stopped, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”

“How about I take you to dinner?”

“You do know it’s late.”

“Then how about I take you for coffee?”

She smiled. “Sure. Coffee sounds great.”

They walked side by side down the long street.

“So, are you seeing anyone?” she asked.

“No. Why do you ask?”

“Small talk. I didn’t know if you had an old bird or something.”

“An old bird?” he asked, laughing.

“What do you call the women that you keep?”

“They’re old ladies.”

“What about the girls that you screw and don’t have a care for?”

“They’re clubwhores or sweetbutts. And they are there because they want to be.”

“What charming names.” The sarcasm was dripping from her.

They found a late-night coffee shop. Entering, he took a seat at the counter, along with her.

“Hey, Benny,” she said.

“You bringing in some trouble?” Benny asked, teasing.

Vengeance sat down at the counter too. “I come in peace.”

“He’s fine, Benny. We’ll take two of your coffees.”

Benny nodded.

“You come here often?” Vengeance asked.

“Yes. I do. Going to the cemetery is thirsty work.”

Benny approached and put down their coffees. “You okay?” he asked, looking at him.

“You’re killing him with your look, Benny. Believe it or not, I think I may have just found a new friend.” She smiled at Vengeance.

He didn’t have a clue what he was doing with this woman, or even why he was here now. None of it made any sense to him.

She picked up her coffee and blew across the surface.

Vengeance was taken by her beauty, and how she didn’t seem to try to impress him. The women he had been around at the club were always intent on impressing him, getting his attention.

Well, not just his attention. They wanted anyone they could get.

“You’re staring.”

“I am.”

* * *

Vengeance was a strange man but to Constance, he had her heart in a flutter. She didn’t know what to think of him but then, what did he think of her? She had been staring at gravestones and he had sat with her.

She liked the way he kept looking at her, as if she were the only person in the world. Sipping at her hot coffee, she knew Benny was worried about her.

Vengeance was well over six feet tall, and built of solid muscle. No one would be able to stop him, if he decided to do something scary. But she felt safe with him, which was weird given the fact they had just met.

The air of fear that people seemed to feel around him thrilled her. She didn’t know why, but it was nice being with someone who made people feel something more than pity.

“Do you ever get used to that?” she asked.

“Get used to what?”

“People kind of scared of you?” She watched his lips, waiting for him to speak.

“No, I really don’t care. I’m used to people being afraid of me.”

“Don’t you ever want to … be the same as others? You know, follow what other people do?” she asked. MC members were known for defying tradition, right? They did what they wanted without a care in the world. Or at least she assumed.

“I do whatever the hell I want to. Don’t you ever want to forget what people are thinking?”

She smiled. “Always.”

He tilted his head to the side, smiling at her. “I bet you’d be one party animal if you just let yourself go.”

“I’ve never given it a try.” She was tempted to, though. How many times had she thought about just screaming at life, and going ahead and doing her own thing? It had been too many times. Biting her lip, she watched as he took a long swallow.

“You ever gone on a ride on a motorcycle?”

She shook her head.

“What do you say to a ride?” he asked.

“Really? Now?”

“Yes.” Vengeance finished his drink and threw down some money onto the counter. He held his hand out. “Come on. I promise it’ll clear your head.”

Hell, he could have been a psycho, but damn, she wanted to go.

Her heart began to pound, and she stared at that hand. It offered so many different possibilities it was impossible to focus on just the one. Should she take the hand and take a chance, or ignore it and go back to her boring life where she followed everyone else? Their pity, their concern, she was tired of it. She was fed up.

“Constance,” Benny said, warning, or maybe concern in his voice.

She turned toward the man she had come to know because of her late-night cemetery visits. There was worry on his face, and she just knew.

There was only one way to break out of this world that she had created for herself, and so she took Vengeance’s hand. “I’d love to.”