Page 12 of Hellfire's Mercy

I fix her with a hard look.

"Don't flatter yourself, sweetheart. I barely know you." The words come out harsher than intended, but it's better this way. "What I care about is making sure the Outlaws get what's coming to them. Can't do that if they kill my journalist before she writes the story."

"Your journalist?" She raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying my attempt at detachment.

"Club asset," I correct myself, leaning back in my chair. "Nothing more."

She studies me for a moment, those green eyes too perceptive for my liking.

"Is that why your hand was on my thigh all through dinner? Because I'm a club asset?"

Damn her for calling me out. "You trying to make something of this, little girl?"

"No," she says, standing up and gathering her notes. "Just wondering why a man who 'barely knows me' seems so intent on touching me every chance he gets."

The challenge in her voice makes something stir inside me – something dangerous, something I need to keep in check. I rise too, coming around the desk to tower over her. Part of me wants to show her exactly why they call me Hellfire, but another part knows that would be a mistake. She's not some club groupie or casual distraction. She's...complicated.

"Careful, sweetheart. You're playing with fire."

"Am I?" she whispers. "Playing with fire?"

Before I can stop myself, my hand is on her chin, tilting her face up until those green eyes meet mine. This close, I can see her pulse hammering in her throat, feel her quick breaths against my chest. My bulge throbs, and I know she can tell – her eyes darken as they drop briefly to where my jeans are getting uncomfortably tight.

Fuck. I'm the president of Iron & Blood MC. I've built a reputation on control, on never showing weakness. Yet here I am, practically panting over a curvy journalist half my age.

I force myself to step back, dropping my hand. "It's getting late. I'll drive you home."

"Actually..." she bites her lip, and the gesture nearly breaks my resolve. "Could we maybe take your bike instead?"

I narrow my eyes, suspicious. "Why?"

A shy smile plays across her lips. "I've never been on a motorcycle before. The adrenaline must be incredible."

"Adrenaline junkie, are you?" I can't help but smirk. "That explains a lot about why you were hiding behind my dumpster."

"So?" She looks up at me, eyes wide with hope. "Will you take me?"

The double meaning in her words isn't lost on me, and from her blush, she realizes it, too. I should say no. Should keep my distance, keep this professional. But the thought of her pressed against my back, arms wrapped around me...

"Fine," I growl. "But you follow my instructions exactly. And we're not discussing this with anyone else."

Her face lights up, and something in my chest tightens. My heart actually skips a beat at her excited expression, and I curse internally. This situation is dangerous – she's dangerous.

Not because she's a journalist who could expose our operations but because of how she makes me feel. How she makes me want things I haven't enjoyed in years.

"Let me grab you a jacket," I say, moving toward the door before I can do something stupid like pull her back against me. "It gets cold on the bike."

As we walk out of the office, the bar goes quiet again. Crow and Wrath, the troublemaking brothers, are practically giggling like schoolgirls, but one look from me keeps their mouths shut. They might be two of my best fighters, but they know better than to push me right now.

Angel catches my eye from behind the bar, giving me an exaggerated wink. I shake my head at her. She's been on my case for years about "settling down," trying to set me up with every single woman she deems worthy of her father.

She must be loving this – the big bad Hellfire escorting a pretty young thing to his bike.

But watching Chloe practically bounce with excitement as we head toward my bike, I find myself not giving a damn about their reactions. Let them think what they want.

Right now, all I care about is the way she's looking at my Harley like it's Christmas morning.

Chapter 5 - Chloe

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