Page 53 of Through The Woods

Chapter Sixteen

There were several bikes parked in front of the clubhouse when we pulled up. I slid off the motorcycle just as PD came down the path toward us.

“Got some company, Prez. Neve.” He nodded at me in greeting.

Charm took the helmet from my hands. “Neve needs to run to the store and get some new clothes. I want you to take her. I’ll let you know when to come back.”

I protested. “Can’t I change clothes first?” My underwear was still wet and the thought of shopping in wet clothes was not appealing in the least.

Charm looked toward the lodge. “Where are they?”

“Your office.”

He sighed. “Fine. Take her to change and then go. Do not let her out of your sight.”

Who did he have in there? Al Capone?

I stuck close to PD’s side as we made our way inside and upstairs. I could hear men’s voices coming from the hallway downstairs, but luckily, the coast was clear.

PD stood guard outside the door while I changed and then all but dragged me back downstairs. We’d almost made it to the truck when we ran into trouble.

“Who’s the bitch?” I immediately turned around, ready to fight, while PD moved in between me and the man. The voice sent chills down my spine.

“This doesn’t concern you, Blade.”

The man took a step closer. He had a scar running down the side of his face and messy black hair that fell around his shoulders. He might have been attractive were it not for the permanent sneer on his face.

“Seems to me that Charm’s been holding out on us. He went and got himself a club whore. Where’s he been hiding you?” He reached out to touch my hair and I spit in his face.

“I’m no one’s whore, asshole.”

He reared back, as if he’d never been told off, before cracking his neck and taking another step closer. “You’re a feisty bitch, I’ll give you that. You just need to be broken.”

“I. Am. Not. A. Bitch. Do you hear me, asshole?” I forced each word out in a snarl and lunged toward the man. PD was quicker this time and his hands shot out to wrap around my waist. Axel came running from around the side of the lodge, gun drawn.

“Neve, you okay?” He looked at the three of us, never taking his gun off of Blade.

I nodded shakily and moved toward him.

“You mess with her, man, and Charm will unleash hell. She’s off limits.” PD said everything matter-of-factly, but his voice held a warning.

As if backing up his statement, the other bikers lined up outside the lodge, arms crossed over their chests. Well, not Gunner, but whatever.

“We got a problem, PD?” Rooster called out.

PD shook his head. “Not anymore. Isn’t that right, Axel?”

Axel grinned and winked at Blade. “I think we had ourselves a little misunderstanding with our friend here.”

Blade looked ready to self-combust, but he nodded. “Yeah. She’s off-limits. Got it.” PD nodded to the other bikers and they followed Blade back inside. Axel holstered his gun and pulled me into his side in a rough hug before helping me into the truck.

Once we were safely on the road, PD turned to me. “Do not ever try any shit like that again, Neve. Let us handle pricks like him.”

I pouted. “But he called me those names.”

He nodded, focusing on the road. “I know, but in case you’ve forgotten, you weren’t in great shape when we found you. It can’t be crazy to assume you’ve encountered men like him before, yeah?”

I shrugged. “I mean, sure, but I guess I’ve gotten used to not dealing with it here.”

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