“It’s not that kind of problem, but thanks.Nice to know you’d have my back.”
Flash stared out into the darkness.“This have anything to do with Celia?She didn’t look too happy when she came back inside tonight.”
“She’s decided she wants to be my old lady and I’m supposed to be grateful some skank wants to use me to climb the social ladder in the clubhouse.I’ve told her to leave me the fuck alone, but she doesn’t seem to be getting the message.I’m sorry I ever fucked her, and if I could take it back, I would.”
“That your only problem with her?”
“No one wants to hear what I have to say about Celia.The Pres blew me off and so did the VP.Far as they’re concerned, she’s just a party girl like the rest of them, ready to suck cock and bend over at the crook of a finger.”
“But you think there’s more to her than that.”
Blaze nodded.“I think she’s trying to steal from us, at the very least.I caught her in the Pres’ office snooping around and she gave me some bullshit story about trying to find the bathroom.”
“I’ve been watching her lately, when she thinks no one is looking.There’s a coldness in her eyes, as if she’s plotting our destruction.I’ve wondered if a rival club didn’t send her in as a mole.I have to admit, she’s damn good at what she does.Could even be a pro.”
Blaze regarded him.“Think she might be?Maybe her pimp sent her in to lift some cash and drugs.Who would suspect her?”
Flash grinned.“We would.She definitely needs to be watched.”
“As long as it’s from a distance.”
“You and me both, brother.You and me both.”
Blaze straightened and looked out into the night again.“I think I’m going to get out of here for a while.I have a nice, soft bed at home I haven’t seen in a few days.Living at the clubhouse isn’t as fun as it was when I was younger.”
Flash laughed.“All right, old man.I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Blaze gave him a one finger salute and then clomped down the steps to his bike.He was a little relieved to have someone on his side, someone else that saw Celia for the traitorous bitch she was.Now he just had to hope they could do something about her before it was too late.
Chapter Two
LunaSylvestrotuckedawayward strand of hair behind her ear as she locked up the small, public library.They’d been closed for hours, but she’d been so caught up in their latest collection that she’d lost track of time.A shiver ran down her spine as she stared out into the inky darkness, the humid air licking at the back of her neck.She clutched her purse strap tighter, gripped her keys in her hand, and started across the parking lot toward the lone car.Her beat up Toyota mocked her in the black of night, the distance seeming twice as far as it had in the daylight.Sweat trickled from her hairline down the side of her face and she hastily wiped it away.
She’d always felt safe in the tiny Texas town of Willow Lake, but not anymore.Not since the phone calls started.At first, she’d thought it was a prank call, some teen calling and hanging up just to annoy her.Maybe one of the troublemakers that came in after school each week.Then the heavy breathing had started, and later, the whispered word ‘bitch’.As the calls grew darker and heavier, she’d begun to fear for her life.It didn’t take a genius to figure out that her brother had found her.She couldn’t think of anyone else who would intend her harm.It wasn’t like she garnered a lot of hate over book fines or not getting enough copies of the latest popular book.
Luna had escaped the Desert Dogs M.C.when she was sixteen years old, the night she’d heard her brother’s plans for her.She’d huddled in the dark of the porch, terrified of being discovered, as he’d talked to the V.P.about selling her to Black Dagger M.C.President in exchange for enough heroin and cocaine to put them in business for months.Luna wasn’t stupid.She’d seen the Black Daggers President and knew what kind of hell she’d be living if she fell into his hands.It sickened her that she was betrayed by her own brother, but Ricardo had always hated her, even as a small child.The night he’d sneaked into her room and cut off all her hair when she was four, she’d realized there was something cold and dark living inside her big brother, and she’d known even at that tender age to keep away from him.
It had taken more courage than she’d thought she possessed to get away that night.With two changes of clothes stuffed in a backpack, along with a burner phone, she’d slipped out her window while her brother was entertaining the Black Daggers in their living room.It had been risky, but she’d had no choice.At the front of the house, she’d frozen.A large shadow had loomed on the porch and she’d known it was one ofthem, but the man didn’t stop her.He’d blown out a stream of smoke, chuckled, and in a deep, raspy voice said, “Run, little girl, while you have the chance.”
Luna had run as fast as her legs would carry her, and gone as far as she could on her own.At a truck stop on the edge of town, she’d managed to hitch a ride with an older truck driver, who’d said she reminded him of his granddaughter.He’d taken her from Phoenix into south Texas and she’d walked the rest of the way into Willow Lake.It hadn’t been easy, trying to survive on the streets, but she’d caught a lucky break.The diner had been hiring.Miss Judith had seen the troubled look in Luna’s eyes and taken her under her wing, giving her a cot in the back office to sleep on and paying her cash under the table.
It had taken a lot of hard work to earn her G.E.D., and even more work plus a lot of student loans to get her degree, but she didn’t regret a moment of it.Miss Judith had given her a chance at a life she could have never experienced if she’d stayed with her brother.But if Ricardo had found her, she was in a lot of trouble.She’d made a fool of him by sneaking away like that, and she’d been gone these last eight years, vanished without a trace, or so she’d hoped.But if he was here, if he was stalking her, it was only a matter of time before he caught her and made her pay.
Luna slipped into her car, locked the doors, and drove home with one eye on the rearview mirror at all times.No one followed her, but that didn’t ease her worry in the least.If he knew her number, he knew where she worked, and it was only a matter of time before he discovered where she lived—if he hadn’t already.One thing was very clear to her.She either needed some protection, or she would have to leave town, and she really liked Willow Lake.But where would she find a bodyguard?No, she didn’t need a bodyguard.She needed someone who would kill without question, someone who wouldn’t hesitate to slit Ricardo’s throat the moment he came after her.Mercenaries weren’t exactly listed in the Yellow Pages though.
So consumed with her thoughts, it was almost too late when she saw the red taillight in front of her.She slammed on her brakes, causing th wheels to lock up and the stench of burnt rubber to fill the air.The motorcycle in front of her sped up and then pulled off to the side of the road.She watched, heart in her throat, as the largest man she’d ever seen slid off the bike and approached her.When he drew near enough for to make out more details, the black leather cut draped across his wide shoulders nearly made her panic.
She quickly scanned the patches on the vest.Sergeant at Arms,1%,Steel Riders, and others adorned the leather.A frisson of fear held her locked in place as he approached.It had been a long time since she’d been face to face with a biker, and those were far from happy times for her.Was it a coincidence that she’d nearly run him over, or had Ricardo sent him?She didn’t know who was in bed with the Desert Dogs these days, and she didn’t want to know.
He tapped on the window when he stood by her small car and she hesitantly rolled it down.She peered up at him as he hunkered beside her, removing the helmet from his head.It was too dark to clearly see his features, but dark eyes under arched eyebrows studied her.
“Are you all right?”he asked.
“Me?”
“You’re the one I’m talking to.”
Luna swallowed the knot in her throat.“I-I’m fine.S-sorry for almost running you over.I didn’t see you.”
