Page 4 of Jaded Soul

“Well… I, uh… Coffee?” I stutter out. “Or maybe I can interest you in the bacon, mushroom, white cheddar omelet?” I ask, hoping to get the focus off of me.

I have my notepad in one hand and my pen in the other, waiting for his order. Jett never breaks eye contact as he slowly reaches out, covering both of my hands with his massive one.

“You’re trembling, beautiful,” he murmurs.

I didn’t realize I was still so shaken up from my walk over here, but as soon as his warm skin grazes across mine, the last of my anxiety leaves me. How did he do that with just one touch?

“Weird morning,” I finally settle on. “I’m just being silly,” I say dismissively.

“It’s more than that, but I won’t press. Just know I’m here. I don’t talk much, but that makes me a good listener, right?”

I nibble on my bottom lip as tears threaten to spill down my cheeks.Why is he being so nice? Who is this man and why does he care so much? Also, did he call me beautiful?

All I can do is nod. Jett senses the moment is too much and he withdraws his hand. As insane as it sounds, I miss his touch already. A familiar, cold loneliness creeps into my bones in his absence.

“Just coffee today,” Jett says, the intensity of his stare making me feel exposed. “Take your time, Rowan. I’ll be right here when you’re ready.”

I know he’s not just talking about waiting for his coffee. He’s waiting forme.

“Thank you,” is all I can say before turning and rushing to the bathroom.

Once inside, I rest my back against the cool metal of the door, allowing myself a few deep breaths. What the hell was that? And why do I want to fall into his arms and tell him all of my secrets?

No. Nope. It’s too dangerous. I won’t be here forever, and the fewer connections I make, the better. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. Truthfully, I’ve been alone for so damn long. Even before going on the run, I had no one protecting me. No one watching out for me. No one and nowhere safe to hide.

But Jett… Jett makes me feel safe and seen, maybe for the first time ever.

3

JETT

“Alittle to the left,” Domino tells me and a pledge as he directs us where to hang the shelf behind the bar in the new clubhouse.

“That’s what she said,” Diesel shouts from across the room. A few snickers break out across the clubhouse while Domino rolls his eyes.

“Are you talking about your right hand again?” I reply, earning me some chuckles from the other members. We may be rough, tatted, scarred sons of bitches, but even as hardened bikers, our sense of humor rests at the twelve-year-old boy level.

“We can’t all be in a silent relationship with a waitress,” he shoots back at me. I glare at Diesel, narrowing my eyes at his big, dumb grin. I know he’s just giving me shit, but I’m feeling extra protective of Rowan since our interaction yesterday.

I knew something was wrong the instant she walked into the diner. Her pale skin, trembling hands, and wide, terrified eyes showed me everything I needed to know. She’s definitely running from something or someone.

When she pasted on her smile for me, I couldn’t stand the thought of her hiding her true feelings. Ironic, since I haven’tbeen able to express anything to her all week even though my mind is constantly racing with thoughts of her.

God, and when I held her shaking hands in mine… just that small touch drove me fucking wild. Not only did it send my heart into overdrive, but it also cemented my need to find whatever is making her so afraid and end it for good.

“Settle down,” Domino says, commanding the attention of the room. “Let’s hang this damn shelf and then we can all go to Gracie May’s and visit Jett’s not-girlfriend.”

Several shouts and whoops are heard from my brothers, who are all finishing up their own projects around the clubhouse. We’ve come a long way in the few weeks we’ve officially owned the place. Domino’s girl, Calista, found the perfect location, only to have some of our ex-members come in and vandalize the property.

Our newly appointed Prez, Domino, chose to buy the place anyway and enlisted every single one of the Deviant Souls members to help clean, restore, and redecorate. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure he’d made the right choice at first. After those first few brutal days of scrubbing graffiti off the walls and hauling out the destroyed furniture, however, I started to see the genius in his plan.

We’ve all sacrificed our blood, sweat, and tears for this new clubhouse, and we’re all invested in seeing it thrive. The club, as well.

Fifteen minutes later, we’re pouring out into the parking lot of the clubhouse and getting ready for the short ride to the diner. Domino pulls Diesel and me off to the side, letting the other guys rev their bikes and peel out before speaking.

“I saw something last night I want you two to be aware of,” he says in a hushed tone. “I saw some men in the same leather cuts Zeke, Tank, and Rocky were wearing when they came here to destroy the place. Two pistols crossed over a large flame.”

“Fuck,” I say at the same time as Diesel. “I thought they’d be long gone by now. We handed over all the evidence of Zeke and his merry band of assholes vandalizing this property to the cops. Did they not do anything with that information?”