Page 27 of Biker's Property

“Take a detour.”

“Why?”

“Fuck, Hunter. I never ask for shit.”

“I know,” the voice apparently named Hunter says. “That’s why I’m asking.”

He looks over at me and his eyes are strangely warm. It’s the first time in my life a man has ever looked at me with that much warmth.

“I need to help a friend of mine. She’s in big trouble.”

“Does it have anything to do with the mass grave situation?”

“Just get here. I’ll send my location.”

“Fine.”

He hangs up.

“Who was that?” I ask, doubting that he’ll tell me, but curious all the same. He sets his phone down, so I don’t think he’s calling anyone else.

“The only personI trust with my life,” Steel says. “My twin brother.”

This isthe first I’ve heard of Steel having a twin brother. I assume his twin brother is identical and shiver at the thought of two terrifying hunks of muscle likethatwalking through the world. I wonder if his brother is just as rough around the edges. He must be, since he’s the only person Steel trusts with this.

I’m grateful when Steel doesn’t drive the truck much longer after making that phone call. Once he catches the glimmer of a giant Flying J gas station’s neon sign, he relaxes his grip on the steering wheel.

“Her brother was out therein the desert,” he says to me. “They took off his head. Coleton Sinclair… First cousin.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Brinley works at the gas station. She’ll look after you tonight,” he says. “But… it might not be pretty.”

“I–

“The boss will send people to get the bodies back. That SLITLICKER character you mentioned might be a problem.”

I hate that I don’t want him to leave. The desire is definitely misplaced. Steel is just as dangerous as any other biker I could come across. But I still don’t want him to dive headfirst into danger. I have this strange attachment to his well-being – mostly because he saved my life. His broad shoulders and handsome face don’t hurt.

I wonder why he’s telling me until the liquor on his breath makes its way over to me. He would tell his secrets to a squirrel if it stood still long enough. Steel ignores the deep concern on my face as he drives the truck to a spot in the parking lot behind the air pump. Nothing you hide behind could make that truck subtle.

He sighs once he parks. “I’ll have to tell her we found him. Shit.”

“I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head. “Doesn’t matter. I’m just worried about you.”

He looks at me,and I feel that weird mixture of fear and… the other thing. The weird desire for him to not stop looking at me until I stop feeling afraid of him. Steel’s brow softens, wrinkles forming as he reaches out to me, then seemingly changes his mind and touches his lap instead.

“I trustyou can handle staying here overnight?”

I nod, although I’m terrified of being anywhere near my ex-husband, even if it’s a highway gas station with protection from some outlaw bikers.

“What do I do if the cops show up?”

“Brinley can handle any cop.”

He leans overand plants a kiss on my forehead. I think he meant for the kiss to comfort me, but Steel’s lips touching my face for the first time only confuses me. His lips are soft and warm, just like his hand on my neck. But those lips are so oddly welcoming.

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