Page 41 of Property of the Hellfire Riders

He rubs the back of his neck, looking around the apartment then back at me.

“I meant with that ex of yours.” A curved eyebrow raises, and he watches me out of the corner of his eye.

“Oh…” I trail off, face flaming. “I don’t think he’ll be much trouble now that I’m here with you guys.”

Vance nods, but his eyes tell a different story. Something dark and knowing flashes in them for a moment, like he knows I‘m hiding something. He chuckles then, low.Did Hawk already tell them what I said and did?

He walks toward me, leaning one elbow on the tall dresser.

“I’m not one for bull shit.”

My heart wedges itself into my throat. What does he know?

“I don’t know what you’re-‘

He steps close enough that our chests practically touch, his scent of leather and pine envelopes me, overwhelming my senses.

“Don’t lie to me. Say what you want to the others, but not me.” His silver eyes narrow. “We don’t need to talk about it today, but I know you’re up to something Izzy, and I fucking hope you know what lines you never cross.”

All I ever do is cross lines.

“Are you threatening me?” I ask in the most innocent sounding voice I can create. It works on him, because he closes his eyes and takes a long deep breath. “God this isn’t fair.”

“What?”

“That Hawk’s claimed you as his girl.” His jaw clenches tightly.

“Yeah, Tank brought that up earlier,” I say, looking down at my hands.

His eyes widen, filled with a heat and hunger that I can’t quite explain. “And it’s gonna fucking kill me to watch him put his hands on you.” More of that liquid heat pools into my stomach and between my legs.

Maybe it’s from Hawk leaving me on edge or the storm brewing in Vance’s eyes, but knees are weak again and my breath hitches. Please. Give me a break before I rip at my seams.

“You’re the only girl he’s wanted back at the clubhouse in four years, Izzy. It means something. It’s in his nature to protect what is his. You came here and asked for something. There are no free favors when it comes to the Hellfire Riders. Besides, you should know how this works, right?”

They’re all testing me, I realize. All pressing for my history to figure out what I’m after.

“Anyway, I’ll bring you some food in a bit. I imagine you’ve got to be pretty hungry.”

“I’m not sure I have much of an appetite right now.”

“Too bad. You need to keep your strength up, alright? Have anything in particular you like?”

“No. I’m not too picky,” I say.

“I guess you did agree to Tank’s cooking,” he smiles and the warmth of it relaxes me a touch. “Are you from around here?” The sudden switch in conversation throws me.

“Yeah. Born and raised.”

“So how the hell did a young woman, clearly well educated, end up with the Dead Demons.”

“Fate, I suppose. Life just moves along and sometimes you can lose track. Why do you think I’m educated?”

He frowns. “Well, you just answered my question with a very vague and philosophical response. Not really typical. Most girls around here got in trouble when they were young, fell in love with the wrong guy, some shit like that. But not you.”

“You want my life story or something?” I ask sharply.

“Lay it on me.”

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