Page 5 of Savage

"Don't text and drive," he told her. "Get home safe and when you do, make sure to text Makenzie and Em and let them know, okay?"

As he turned to leave, Savannah called out, "Why me? Why are you being so kind?"

Savage paused, looking back with a hint of a smile. "Everyone deserves a chance to belong, Savannah."

She closed the door and started the engine. Glancing at him through the window, his intense gaze met hers, sending a shiver down her spine. She'd never met a more handsome man in her life.

"Get it together," she whispered to herself. "You can do this. There’s no other choice."

CHAPTER 2

SAVAGE

The Spartan Watchmen clubhouse buzzed with activity as Savage leaned against the bar, scanning the room as he always did. Part of his role in the club was to keep order and enforce the rules. There were very few incidents where things started to get out of control at the clubhouse, and zero incidents where it had reached chaos. He took his job seriously, if someone looked like they’ve had a few too many, he’d cut them off quickly. If two members started having words, he’d make them take it outside.

After getting out of the military, he traveled around doing security jobs. He ended up working for Spartan Elite with his good friend Hunter for a while before he met Rider on a job. Rider, noticing Savage’s motorcycle, told him about Valhalla and the town of Grand Ridge and introduced him to Mad Dog. It took one ride to know this was where he belonged. He’d saved up enough money investing during his military career. Between the large savings accounts, investments, his veteran’s disability and his military retirement pay, he wasn’t hurting for money.

The Watchmen gave him a new purpose. Occasionally, Hunter would call, and he’d take a security job, but for the mostpart, he’d made his life the club and protecting Grand Ridge, serving as a reserve police officer for the town.

He took a drink of his coffee and put down the mug. “Hey, Irish,” Savage called out, approaching where his good friend sat. “You remember the new girl at the playdate last night? Savannah?”

Irish raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “Yeah, I remember her. Why do you ask?”

Savage shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “Just curious.”

Emilee, who was chatting with Makenzie next to him, perked up at the mention of Savannah's name. “Oh, that poor, sweet thing,” she said, her voice tinged with concern.

Savage's interest piqued, his muscles tensing involuntarily. “What do you mean by that?”

Makenzie leaned in; her voice lowered. “She lost her mom recently. And she's been staying at that run-down motel on the edge of town. She’s trying to start over fresh somewhere without the pain of memories, from what I gathered last night. She was quiet but we got her to open up a little bit.”

Emilee nodded; her eyes wide with worry. “The motel she’s staying at is not a good place for anyone to be alone in. Especially someone as sweet as Savannah. I was going to offer to let her stay with us last night, but as soon as I started to, she cut me off. I understood why she might not be comfortable staying with a stranger she met at a BDSM club. She’d only met me once after all.”

Savage's jaw clenched, his protective instincts flaring. He imagined Savannah, vulnerable and alone in that seedy motel, and something inside him twisted painfully. Even though it wasn’t inside of Grand Ridge, the location was too close for comfort for not only The Watchmen but also his close friends on Valhalla.

He knew what kind of illegal and depraved behaviors occurred there. The club had dealt with more than one lowlife trying to sneak their crimes into Grand Ridge using the motel for an operation center. Phantom and Lucky were working together to get it closed down, they’d even offered to purchase it, offering way more than the value. Although they didn't know who owned it, the owner of the shell corporation refused their offer flat out. They’d tried having the health department close it down, but that hadn’t worked either. Because it was outside of town limits, Grand Ridge PD didn’t have a dog in the fight.

“She is starting a new job and she’s definitely not happy about it,” Emilee continued.

“How do you know all this?” Savage asked, his tone sharper than he intended.

Emilee fiddled with the zipper of her sleeper, a habit she often fell into when discussing serious matters. She looked adorable in her adult sized pajamas and Savage softened his tone. “Sorry, sweet girl. How do you know this?” He asked again, gentler.

She smiled widely at him. “She told us when we were playing last night, Uncle Sav.”

“‘Savvy seemed super guarded, but Emilee and I have been texting with her today,” Mackenzie said. “We will get her to open up!”

Savage's mind raced, piecing together the fragments of information from the girls. Savannah’s mother died, she was starting over in Grand Ridge, living in a crime filled motel and beginning a job she already didn’t like. Grand Ridge was a great place to start over, but not in the way she was going about it. He couldn't shake the image of her bright smile at the playdate last night, a stark contrast to the picture Emilee and Makenzie were painting of her now.

“What has she been talking about today?” Savage asked. “Anything important I should know?”

Arrow, who had been silently observing the conversation, spoke up. “From what I understand, even texting she's not exactly forthcoming. Seems like she's got some walls up. She answers mostly yes and no. Although she seems sweet enough.”

Savage nodded, understanding all too well the need for self-protection. But something about Savannah's situation nagged at him, refusing to let go.

“Maybe I should pay her a visit,” Savage mused, more to himself than the others. “She shouldn’t be alone in town. What kind of impression would that make?”

Irish chuckled. “Since when did you become the welcoming committee, Savage?”

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