Page 1 of Griz's Edge

PROLOGUE

GRIZ

Never in my life did I think I’d fall for someone. It’s not in me to give my heart to another. Yet, the woman got under my skin in a way I can’t get her out.

I don’t understand the reasons for it. My old man once told me that the soul knows its other half. The heart recognizes the one meant to hold it close. He also used to say when a woman gets under your skin, that’s where she stays. There’s no working her out.

I always figured it was total bullshit. The old man was what some would call a dreamer, but he swore by what he said. It’s why he never remarried or found another woman after my mom passed away. She died when I was ten, and I can remember for the first ten years of my life the way my mom lit up a room as soon as she walked in. Dad said she had a pure soul yet was filled with wildfire. Growing up, I knew what I wanted in the woman I chose for myself.

Then I met Hattie. She blew me away the moment I saw her. Her deep blue eyes with a heart-shaped face and ash brown hair. Hattie wormed her way in easily, and I thought she could be theone for me. Then I found out she was lying to me. It might have been by omission, but a lie is a lie. I’m not one to deal with liars. I didn’t hide the fact I was in a club. I told her straight up the club was my life, and being with me meant accepting that part of who I am.

The night I caught her on the phone with her dad, a cop, I ended it. I can’t be with a woman who’s a cop’s daughter.

Since that night, I haven’t been able to get her out of my head. I’ve done everything I could think of, but nothing’s worked thus far. She’s stuck under my skin, and I can’t get her out. I’ve thought about calling her up and maybe seeing if I could get in her bed, thinking a night of fucking her would get her out of my system. I didn’t do it and don’t plan to, either.

We’ve got enough going on around the clubhouse, and I don’t need to add more potential bullshit to it. Besides, I’ve got plenty of work to do at the garage, and I’ve been going on every run we’ve had come up.

Like today, I’m at the garage working on an SUV that needs a new water pump installed. I’m immersed in my work when I hear Torch call out my name. Twisting only my head to look in his direction, I find the other man standing near the office doors.

“Yeah,” I shout, not wanting to stop what I’m doing. If you don’t set the water pump just right with the seal, it’ll have to be readjusted, which I really don’t feel like having to do. On top of that, the bolts for these things are a pain in the ass to get threaded in.

“Got someone that needs to speak with you in the office,” he yells over the noise of air tools being used.

“Who is it?” I don’t know anyone who would be visiting me here.

“Didn’t give me a name, but she says it’s important.”

Well, fuck.

Straightening fully, I grab the shop rag hanging out of my back pocket and wipe my hands while making my way toward Torch. “This better be damn good.”

“From the looks of that sweet piece in there, I’m thinking it’ll be worth it.” He grins.

I glower at him as I pass by and step into the office, and my eyes lock on one hell of a sight. The woman has got to be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Standing there in front of me, heels giving her the extra boost in height she evidently needs, brings her to my shoulders, whereas without them, she’d probably come just to my chest. Being six-foot-three, it’s common for women to be smaller, but this woman has a fairy look to her that makes her look much more so than others. Add to that the shimmering emerald eyes and her deep red hair, and she’s a siren waiting to sing her song.

To make matters worse, the rack she’s sporting is just enough to make my mouth water. It doesn’t help that she’s got her arms crossed in front of her, pushing them up higher.

“Can I help you?” I finally ask and clear my throat.

“Are you Graham Holland?”

Fuck me if her saying my name doesn’t send a jolt right down to my dick. “Griz,” I correct her. “No one calls me that name. What can I do for you, sweets?”

I’m willing to bet she’d be the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.

“Mr. Holland,” she says sweetly and steps toward me. She drops her arms, reaches into her back pocket, and pulls out an envelope. She grabs my hand, turns it palm up, and places the damn thing in my hand. “You’ve been served.”

I’m stunned speechless. I stare at her for long moments as she steps back, turns, and starts to walk away from me.

Then it hits me. She just served me with papers. I quickly rip open the envelope and scan over the document. Fury rushesthrough my veins, and I clench the paper in my hand, wrinkling the damn thing and cursing.

I toss the damn thing to the desk and start after the woman. I don’t know who the hell she is, but she’s not about to hand me those papers and not answer some questions. Like, what the fuck her name is.

CHAPTER ONE

MARLEY

Taking a breath, my lungs expand and deflate with each and every one. It wasn’t easy. Not with having to stand off with a man as sinful as the one I’d just served papers to.

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