Page 8 of Mercenary's Redemption

Besides, it's probably for the best that I put some space between us. I don't need her soft skin or sweet floral scent lingering too close for too long. She's a temptation with a capital T—exactly the kind I need to steer clear of right now.

I've got my hands full just trying to keep this ramshackle bar afloat and dealing with the Rogue biker club business. I don't need any more distractions, especially of the female variety.

The few relationships I've tried never ended well, mainly because of my surly attitude and tendency towards...destructive behavior.

"You're bleeding!" Holly suddenly exclaims, eyes going wide as she takes in the various cuts and gashes crisscrossing my shoulders and arms from the shattered glass. "We need to get you to a hospital right now."

Before I can react, she reaches out towards me, likely intending to inspect the wounds closer. On instinct, I throw out a hand to shove her back, perhaps a little too forcefully. The girl lets out a startled squeak as she tumbles backward, hitting the floor hard.

Immediately, I regret my harsh reaction. But I quickly bury it, fixing her with a steely glare as she stares up at me with those big, wounded doe eyes.

"You need to quit acting like I'm some kinda good guy here," I growl. "Ain't no way in hell I'm going to no hospital. You're damn crazy if you think so."

To her credit, she doesn't cry or look scared this time. Holly simply grits her teeth, pulling her dark hair back into a messy ponytail that somehow makes her flushed cheeks seem even rosier.

"Well, you're lucky I'm a nurse then," she bites out, returning my glower. "And that I took an oath to help everyone in need of it. Otherwise, I'd leave you here to bleed all over your precious bar without a second look back."

Chapter 5 - Holly

My hands are still trembling slightly, but I force them into steadiness. I need to focus and help him. Sure, Chance seems like a big, bad man on the outside.

But he protected me without hesitation, put himself in harm's way. A man like that can't be truly bad deep down, can he? And despite the trickles of blood seeping from his muscular arms, I can't help but notice how ruggedly handsome he is.

"I’ve told you. I don't need your help," Chance growls, folding those massive arms across his broad chest.

I lift my chin defiantly. "Well, it's the least I can do after you saved me...again."

He huffs out a gruff breath, rolling his eyes.

"Whatever. Don't you got a kid to be getting back to?" He jerks his chin towards the shattered windows. "Don't know if those biker enemies will circle back around."

A spike of cold fear lances through me at the thought of Jayden. What if those maniacs had come after us at home instead? The idea of my son being put in danger like that makes me feel sick.

"But...your friends went after them, right?" I ask hesitantly.

Chance gives a curt nod. "Sure, I trust Trickster and Knowledge with my life. But I can guarantee you we got more enemies besides just those two dumbasses that attacked us."

Instead of feeling scared by his ominous words, I can't help but let out a shocked little laugh.

"Trickster and Knowledge? Those are your friends' names?"

Chance's brow furrows into a scowl as he scrunches up his nose.

"We all got codenames in the club. Don't you go mocking our traditions."

"Oh! No, I wasn't mocking at all," I reassure him quickly, waving my hands. "It just...caught me off guard, is all. I'd actually love to know your codename.”

Chance lets out a disgruntled sigh at my question like he's not too happy about indulging my curiosity. Finally, he grunts, "Don't know why I'm telling you this, but...they call me the Mercenary."

I gulp, feeling my throat go dry. The man who just saved me - twice in less than 24 hours - is known as the Mercenary? A tremor runs through me as the realization sinks in. He must have seriously hurt people, maybe even worse, to earn a name like that.

"Wh-Why do they call you that?" I stammer, unable to keep the tremor from my voice.

Chance's eyes narrow, and he shakes his head curtly.

"You're asking too many questions. It's time you realized the real world isn't all daisies and sunshine. We got too relaxed here—you should get back to your easy, peaceful life."

The rebuke stings, and I feel my cheeks flush hot with indignation.

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