Page 18 of Devil's Vengeance

I threw out the challenge, knowing he wouldn’t take it. Trick wasn’t that stupid. It might have been years since we were around each other, but he knew he couldn’t beat me in a fight. It was true then, and it was truenow. Using a woman as a shield was the only way he’d live through the night.

“Nah,” he chortled. “I just don’t feel like wasting my time on a piece of shit like you. I honestly don’t know how you got invited into a crew. Get on your knees for your Prez to earn your patch?”

I didn’t take the bait. He was hoping I’d react so he could blow the woman’s brains out and blame it on me. That wasn’t going to fucking happen.

Offering my hand to the woman, I ignored the triumphant look on Trick’s face. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”

“That’s right. Such a good boy,” he crooned, watching as I helped the woman to her feet and tucked her behind me. His fucking dick still on display. Disgusting piece of shit. Slowly, so I could keep my eye on him, we backed out of the bathroom and into the hall toward the back door. My bike wasn’t far and Trick didn’t chase after us. It was a coward’s move to go back on your word and he was proving a point. He wasn’t afraid of me. I’d make him regret it.

CHAPTER 12

MARIAH

Despite the location change, the evening ended up being a good time. The club VP, Nevada, stuck around to watch the baby and his wife joined us for drinks and socializing. And when I was ready to go back home, the prospect was allowed to drive my car and got picked up by someone else after dropping me off. No chances for drunken relations with Chase. I reminded myself a couple times not to be disappointed by that.

Chase hadn’t stuck around anyway. He dropped us off and left to deal with whoever showed up at the club. None of the girls knew who it was, and despite the feeling like I recognized one of them, I couldn’t figure out how. We all let it go and moved on. Lacey and I even made plans to meet up for self defense lessons. She went to a gym in the city because it had child care and I didn't mind the drive if it meant better self defense lessons than I was getting at the place in town.

I kept waiting on Chase to show up the next time I had work, figuring he’d at least have something to say about the way I dismissed him the last time we spoke. But he never did. After two weeks of him showing up regularly, it surprised me when he wasn’t there. I wasnotdisappointed. Nor was I going to waste my time crushing over a man who pretended I wasn’t there and growled at me whenever he couldn’t ignore me.

No matter how good the sex was, or how much hero worship I once had. Still had. I didn't want to admit out loud that he still intrigued me.

“Aw, you’re breaking my heart, honey. Why the long face?”

I glanced up, surprised. I’d been unfocused, frowning at my computer screen while I tried to convince myself I wasn’t hung up on someone not worth my time. The library was usually quiet right about now, everyone at lunch or working. I hadn’t even heard anyone come in.

“I’m sorry, I was focused on something else. Can I help you?”

The man who’d startled me didn’t look all that upset about my lack of focus. Thankfully. It didn’t happen often, but sometimes people showed up and threw a fit if they weren’t helped immediately and efficiently. This guy had a smirk on his face, so he obviously didn’t mind. He was handsome, too. Shoulder-length blonde hair, steel-gray eyes, square jaw with a light beard. He leaned casually on the desk, his eyes dancing, giving him mischievous vibes.

“Dunno. I told my mama I’d read more this year but I’ve been slacking. Got any recommendations?”

I pursed my lips at his flirtatious tone. Part of me wanted to turn him down flat before he got any ideas. I knew why, though. And I was done being hung up on Chase. Besides, it was just a little harmless flirting.

“Of course. What genres are you interested in?”

I pushed to my feet, coming around the desk to show him around. Getting a full view of him made me pause, though. He was a biker. The outfit that tipped me off. Club vest, jeans, leather boots. Not anyone I’d seen on Chase’s crew, though I hadn’t met all of them. But I feel like I would’ve noticed him. Alarm bells went off in my head, remembering Chase’s warning about their life being dangerous and rival crews showing up to the club. But that had nothing to do with me. Right?

He eyed me up and down, his expression appreciative. “If the librarians looked as good as you when I was a kid, I might’ve read more books.”

Despite the trepidation, I found myself smiling. “Yeah? What did your librarians look like?”

He made a face. “Old. One walked with a hunch. She spit every time she shushed people, even if they were right next to her.”

My mouth twisted in a grimace, which made him chuckle.

“Alright, yeah. That sounds awful. When I was in school, the librarianwas a middle-aged woman with a perma frown. I felt really cool because I was the only one she ever smiled at.”

“Ah. You were one of them, huh?” he teased.

He was charming for a biker, less rugged and growly than Chase or the other guys I got to know at the party. He followed me through the library, flirting up a storm, doing everything he could to make me smile. And he actually seemed to care about the recommendations I made him. I figured suspense was more his style and showed him a few popular ones, and he was curious enough to take them. I was a little disappointed when we walked back to the circulation desk. I couldn’t keep him here forever just because I liked the attention. It was nice to be around a guy who wasn’t glaring at me.

“So the books will be due back in a week, but if you need an extension, you can just tell me. As long as someone else isn’t waiting for them, I can give you more time.”

“Is that a comment on my intelligence?”

When I looked up, startled, he flashed me a massive grin. I rolled my eyes, biting back a smile.

“You’re awful. That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

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