“Come on, Sienna,” I whisper, praying she’ll pick up.“Please.”
When she finally answers, I slump down on the barstool.“Sienna, I don’t know what to do,” I whisper into the phone as my eyes remained glued to the parking lot outside. The oppressive darkness makes it hard to breathe. I can’t see anything or anyone clearly.
“Why? What’s happening?” Sienna asks.
“That guy. He’s following me. And my tire blew out. I’m at that biker bar just off the highway.”
“What? The same guy from earlier?”
“I think so.”
“I’m going to come get you, okay? Just stay put.”
“Hurry, please,” I say before ending the call.
“Excuse me, miss?” A rough, sexy-as-hell voice startles me.
I turn to find a stunning man standing next to me. He’s about five million percent hotter than any man has a right to be. He’s so scorching hot I’m pretty sure he can melt panties off with a single look. In addition to being well over six feet tall, he’s got that sexy redneck vibe that’s super dirty, yet down-home good ol’ country-boy at the same time. He’s wearing cutoff jeans and a white tank top under his motorcycle club vest. A patch displays his unusual name.Talon. But the most intriguing thing about him is his eyes. They’re green with flecks of gold, and they’re absolutely mesmerizing.
“Are you okay?” he asks, sounding genuinely concerned.
“Um …” My mind races as I struggle to form a coherent response. This man stands out like a beacon of hope amid the chaos swirling around me. But can I trust him?
“Sorry,” I finally manage, averting my gaze in an attempt to regain my composure.“I just … my tire blew out and I don’t know what to do.”
“Do you have a spare?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe?” I admit, hating how helpless and terrified I sound. My mother always taught me to stand on my own two feet, to be strong and independent. But right now, all I want is for someone—anyone—to save me from this nightmare.
“I can take a look at it if you’d like. I’m good with my hands.” His slightly wicked grin sends butterflies flitting through my belly.
“If you don’t mind …” My voice trails off as I struggle to break eye contact with him. The intensity of his gaze warms me from the inside out. Thinking about this man’s hands and how good they might feel against my skin is the last thing I need to be doing right now.
“Come on. Let’s see what we’ve got.” He gently grasps my hand in his before tugging me out of my seat.
“Thank you,” I whisper, looking up into his irresistible eyes once more. I search them for any hint of malice, but all I see is a man who wants to help me. I’m not entirely sure why, but I trust him. There’s a sincerity in his gaze that gives me hope. For the first time tonight, I feel safe because I have him by my side.
As I follow Talon through the dimly lit bar, I wonder if fate has brought us together for a reason. Or maybe I’m completely wrong about him, and this is yet another cruel twist in a night that’s been filled with terror.
Chapter 3: Talon
Jessica looks like a princess who stepped into the wrong fairy tale. Everything about her screams wealth, from her designer clothing to the expensive purse hanging off her shoulder. She’s completely out of place in a biker bar, yet that’s exactly why I find her so intriguing. I want to find out more about her. She’s so different from the usual crowd, not just because of her undeniable beauty, but because people who come from money don’t slum around with guys like me. She’s sexy as hell, but there’s more than that drawing me to her. Something feels off, and I want to find out what’s really going on.
As we step out of the bar and into the dark parking lot, I glance around, making sure we’re alone. Even though I’m used to being out here, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched. But is it because of her, or am I just being paranoid?
“Where’s your car?” I ask, redirecting my focus to the task at hand.
“Over there.” She points to a silver Range Rover SUV parked behind a row of bikes. Its shiny exterior stands out like a sore thumb among the beat-up trucks and motorcycles surrounding it.
“Nice ride,” I say, trying to make small talk as we approach it.“So, what do you do for a living?”
“Thanks,” she smiles, clearly proud of her car.“I’m a fundraising specialist for a non-profit animal shelter.”
“Really? That’s pretty cool.” However, it doesn’t make any sense. Non-profits never pay very well—unless they’re a front for money laundering. Even so, it’s not often I meet someone with such a selfless job, especially around here.
“I really love what I do,” Jessica says, beaming with pride.
As we reach her car, a strange sense of foreboding overcomes me. This whole encounter is just too odd. I can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. But for now, all I can do is escort this misplaced princess back to her world and hope that whatever brought her here doesn’t follow her home.
