“None of this is your fault. I shouldn’t have put my hands on you. I’m not that kind of guy, and I didn’t know what you meant to Chainz. Where is he anyway?”
“He was sleeping when I came down here, but I’ll let him know you’re doing better.”
“He’s got a lot of shit to deal with. Don’t make him worry about you too.” He hands back the beer bottle. “I need to rest now. Get rid of the contraband on your way out.”
“Alright. Get some rest.” I turn on my heels and head out the open door, tossing the bottle in the trash on my way upstairs. My mind may not be ready to accept the feelings I’m developing for Chainz, but my body has plans of its own.
When I enter the bedroom, I find Chainz staring out the window into the darkness. He’s taken his cut off so I can see how his white t-shirt molds to the curves of his muscles and jeans hug his thighs. This man is sexy as sin, I could stare at him for hours.
“Don’t just stand there. Get over here.” His raspy voice draws me to him like a magnet. I can’t stay away from him even if I want to. It’s not just my body that craves him, it’s my heart too. My head needs to fall in line or get out of the way.
I close the gap between us, coming up behind him I snake my hands over his shoulders and down his chest, enjoying the way his muscles flex under my fingers. Chainz reaches behind him, placing his powerful hands against my hips and pulls me closer. The contact sends tingles down my spine and an ache of need between my legs. I want to lose myself in his touch, to feel his naked flesh against my skin. When he touches me, the world disappears, and I can let go of the guilt that weighs on me.
I rest my head in the crook of his neck, inhaling his masculine odor. He even smells like sin. I’m playing with fire, I know. He’ll break my heart or worse if I don’t live up to his demands. “Stop it,” I silently command myself. He’s not like Adam, he won’t hurt you. Give him a chance for god sakes.
Something outside the window catches his eye. “What the fuck?” Chainz drops his hands to his side and takes a long hard look out the window, “Stay here.”
Without another word, he pushes past me, grabs his cut and rushes out the door. I turn back toward the window and glare into the darkness, trying to see what he saw. I can’t make out anything until Chainz moves out of the shadow and crosses through a beam of light. Alarm bells ring in my head. Ignoring his order, I rush the stairs. The party is in full swing and between all the people and the loud music, no one notices me slipping into the kitchen and out the side door. I follow behind him, far enough away he doesn’t notice me tailing him. He pulls open the garage door and disappears inside. As I near the building, I hear loud voices coming from inside.
“What the fuck, Fuel? I thought we were going to find you in a shallow grave. Where the hell have you been?”
“I got in over my head, Prez. I didn’t want the club to pay for my mistake, so I tried to handle it on my own. I fucked up.”
“I know what that feels like, but we’re a family man. Your troubles are ours. Tell me what the hell happened.”
“Remember when I got pinched on the gun run for the Demon Sons a few weeks back? When I was in custody, there was an Agent that offered me a deal. He said he had enough to bring the club down, but he’d bury it all if I helped him get to Raven. I agreed to get out of jail, but I didn’t want to do it. Agent Ward came down hard on me when I didn’t come through. I thought I could protect her, but I couldn’t. One of his men shot me in the shoulder and took me captive. Tonight, I escaped.”
“That Agent raided the compound a few nights back. He offered me the same deal. Come on, we end this now.”
I stumble backwards, the sting of betrayal slicing through my heart like a knife. I can’t unhear his words, confirming my worst fear. After what we shared, Chainz wouldn’t sell me out. Would he hand me over to Adam, knowing he’ll kill me? Needing some time to gather my thoughts, I head toward the courtyard and slump onto the bench, hanging my head. There’s a dull ache throbbing behind my eyes, so I squeeze them closed and rub my fingers against my eyelids. I press so hard and for so long, spots form. I force my eyes open and the tears seep out, blurring my vision even more.
I hear footsteps behind me, but I can’t face Chainz. Not yet. I’m not ready to listen to what he has to say. Even if Chainz never followed through, they both contemplated it. That’s just as much of a betrayal as killing me themselves. How could I be so dumb? I trusted him. I shrug him off as his hand lands on my shoulder.
“Go to hell.” I scream.
“Not without you.” A hand covers my mouth and before I can put up a fight, darkness drags me under.
