Page 53 of Ox

Knowing he was out of moves, Maze jerked his chin at the man holding me and the asshole let go. Stumbling forward, I ran over to Geo and hid behind his muscular back.

“Thanks for giving me the chance to look like Prince Charming, boys. My dick appreciates it,” he quipped.

Maze laughed. But the sound held no humor in it. “Ghost won’t be pleased about this, Geo. I’d rethink your dick’s choices before you pick this fight.”

Geo appeared unfazed. “Tell your fucked-up Road Master that my dick isn’t worried. He likes his chances against not only Ghost, but your whole worthless Club. Now I suggest you guys take a hike. Men who prey on women aren’t welcome in our Club’s bar.”

Putting his hands on my hips, Geo propelled me forward and directed me toward the main bar area where Ox and his Club were waiting for us.

“Thank you,” I whispered, starting to shake as the adrenaline drained from my body.

Geo skirted me into a dark alcove before entering the main bar. His eyes swept me from head to toe, checking for anything out of place. “Did those fuckers hurt you?”

His face, usually so easy going and calm, now looked mottled and stormy with rage. “They didn’t hurt me. But if you hadn’t come along, Ghost definitely would have.”

I began to move around him to seek out Ox then, but Geo stopped me. “What was that all about? Tell me you aren’t foolish enough to have dated Ghost?”

Boy, when a biker shows disdain for you dating one of their own, you know that man is bad news. “Of course not! The jerk won’t take no for an answer. My friend dates one of the Devil’s Riders. She told them about what was going on and they offered to help me get free of him. That’s how I met Ox.”

Geo studied my face to see if I was telling him the whole truth. “I feel like you’re leaving a few details out of this story.”

Frustrated, I blew out a deep breath. “That’s because I am. Look, I appreciate everything you just did for me back there, Geo, but I don’t want to get into my drama with Ghost any more than I want to keep Ox waiting.”

“Give it a minute, you don’t want to go in there right now looking how you look,” Geo cautioned.

Frowning, I looked down and gave myself a quick once over. “How do I look?”

“Terrified! And I don’t want your guerilla boyfriend to think I inspired that expression. I also don’t need him hauling off and attacking the Watchmen tonight. Half my Club isn’t even here to back us up. Let the Watchmen clear out of the parking lot first, then join Ox. You can tell him all about your little adventure tonight on the ride home.”

He was right. I wouldn’t have to say a word. When Ox saw me, he’d know something was wrong. And after I’d explained what happened, he’d want to confront the problem head on. Which meant a fight. Exactly what I’d been trying to avoid all night.

“That makes sense,” I agreed, slowing my breathing some. “Thank you,” I repeated, grateful once more, for Geo’s cool headed logic. “You didn’t have to step in back there, but you did. And I won’t forget it.”

Geo’s gaze intensified then. “I didn’t do it because I’m some kind of white knight, Kayla.”

I nodded my understanding. “I know. You did it out of Club loyalty. I get it.”

He shook his head. “No. I’m not a nice guy, Babe. I meant what I said earlier. I like the thought of us together. And I’m hoping you do, too.”

His roguish smile told me one very specific part of him liked me, all right. And it wasn’t his heart. “I’m with Ox,” I returned, wanting to make things very clear. “That isn’t going to change unless he wants it to.”

Geo shrugged with that easy going grin he wore so well. “If it does, you know where you can find me.”

Ignoring his little speech, I said, “I think the Watchmen are probably gone now.”

“Then you better go and find your man before he comes looking for you,” he said, turning me in the opposite direction and giving my rear a firm pat.

Rushing into the bar, I bumped into Ox straight away. When I threw my arms around him and squeezed, he squeezed me right back even harder.

Breathing in my familiar scent, he asked in a no-nonsense tone, “What happened? Why are you shaking?”

Pulling back, I looked up at him. “I’ll tell you all about it on the drive home.”

His muscles bunched, but Ox didn’t explode and pester me into telling him every detail right here and now like some men might. Another reason the big guy really got me. He didn’t strong arm me into things. He knew I’d tell him the truth, because he trusted me. And I trusted him. More than he would ever know.

Tucking me protectively under his arm, Ox escorted me outside without another word. As soon as we got into the truckand pulled out of the parking lot, I explained what had happened with the Watchmen, trying hard to keep the quiver out of my voice as I spoke.

Ox listened to my story, a nerve twitching in his cheek as I explained how several of the Watchmen had been in the back of the bar when I’d exited the restroom. That their president had threatened to deliver me to Ghost when Geo had shown up and made some threats of his own.

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