Page 1 of Taming Bull

Prologue

Lily

MY COMMON SENSE rebelled the instant I sat in the passenger’s seat of the shiny black Jag. My fight or flight instincts cranked up to a hundred and I forced myself to focus on breathing, not reaching for the handle to hurl myself out of the car. I was in danger, and I’d survived this long by hiding. Now, I’d agreed to testify against my attacker, drawing a gigantic target on my forehead. What the hell was I thinking? Sure, a motorcycle club of military veterans had offered me their protection—which was why I’d agreed to this insanity in the first place—but I didn’t know them and could easily be taking a luxurious drive from the proverbial frying pan into the fire.

At least I’d arrive in style. Wearing baggy sweats, a T-shirt, and worn old sneakers, I settled into the Jag’s plush interior and buckled my seatbelt as thoughts continued to race through my mind. There’d be a trial. I’d have to testify.He’dbe there, watching as I told the world what he’d done to me.

Emily, the well-dressed, confident lawyer who’d talked me into coming out of hiding to confront the bastard, slid behind the wheel and gave me a bolstering smile. “You’re doing the right thing, Lily. Havoc is a good guy, and he doesn’t deserve to be locked up for helping you.”

Emily was phenomenal at her job. She’d balanced out the guilt and fear, making it sound like she stood firmly in camp Lily and her priority was to keep me safe and seek justice for my attacker. But she was being paid to be team Havoc. I needed to keep that in mind during all her talks and make sure her loyalty to her employers didn’t leave my broke ass hanging out in the cold.

Havoc.

Thoughts of my rescuer invaded. Until Emily showed up on the doorstep of the shelter I’d been staying at with her song and dance, I didn’t even think my rescuer was human. The night of the attack, he looked like an avenging angel, cloaked in shadow, his eyes glowing with fire and fury as he ripped my attacker off me, flung him to the side, and then proceeded to beat the shit out of him.

But it turned out Havoc was human after all. Human and in jail for attempted murder. He’d played the role of good Samaritan and proven the old adage that no good deed goes unpunished. I couldn’t let him rot in jail for helping me, not when it was within my power to help him. Not when the world had such a shortage on good guys.

Emily parked in front of an old fire station and faced me. “You’re very brave for doing this.”

I didn’t feel brave; I felt backed into a corner. If I didn’t stand up for the man who’d helped me, I’d never be able to look myself in the mirror again. I was still figuring out this fucked up mess called life and there weren’t many rules I followed, but I’d seen karma work itself out enough to fear its backlash. I wasn’t acting out of bravery, but rather cowardice. My life already sucked ass. I didn’t need karma out to get me.

I grabbed my bags from the backseat and followed Emily into the old fire station. A blond biker named Wasp joined us at the door. “This all you brought with you?” he asked, eyeing the duffle bag in my hand and the backpack slung over my shoulder.

This was all I had in the entire world. I had no idea how long I’d have to stay with the Dead Presidents, and anything left behind at the shelter would have disappeared before I returned. And it’s not like I was rolling in resources to replace my shit. “Yeah. This is it.”

Wasp held out a hand. “Hand it over. I’ll carry it up for you.”

He didn’t come across as the thieving type, but I liked to keep my stuff close. Tightening my grip on my bags, I replied, “Thanks, but I got it.”

He shrugged and followed us. A few bikers were milling about, and they greeted us as we marched through a huge open area full of sofas and televisions to a staircase. On the second floor, Wasp pointed out the women’s locker style restroom before leading me to a door. “I’m gonna put you up next door to Candice,” he said.

I had no idea who Candice was, but before I could ask, Wasp opened a door and gestured us inside. Then he knocked on the next door.

“You’re staying here tonight, right?” I asked Emily, mentally cursing the slight quaver in my voice, as she swept me into the room. The small space offered a queen-sized bed, a dresser, and a small closet. It was clean and warm, and I’d be comfortable here as soon as Emily reassured me she wasn’t about to lock me in and abandon me.

“Yes. I’ll be on the third floor.”

“Promise you won’t leave?”

She met my gaze. “I have to leave to get an overnight bag, but I’ll be back. Let’s exchange numbers so you can find me if you need me.”

Emily’s phone was some high-tech looking device with a cute protective case. Mine was a dented old piece of shit I had on a prepaid plan in case my boss needed to get in touch with me to work extra shifts. As a part-time employee struggling to keep my phone on and my belly full, I needed all the hours I could get.

My phone chimed with her incoming text, and I saved her contact information as I wandered over and sat on the bed. The mattress was firm, but comfortable, a huge improvement to the shelter’s bunk bed I’d been tossing and turning on for the past few nights.

Wasp entered with another short brunette and a dog. “Emily, Lily, this is Candice.” Facing the brunette, he added, “Emily’s the lawyer I told you about. She’ll probably need to get with you soon and take your statement.”

“Okay.” The brunette smiled. “Whenever you’re ready. Not like I have a lot going on right now.”

Emily looked confused. “Wasp and I need to talk, and I need to grab my overnight bag. I’ll check on you both when I get back.” She hooked her arm in Wasp’s and towed him toward the door.

Before I could respond, they were out the door. Just like that, she left me. In a place full of big scary bikers, no less. My heart started racing and it felt like the room was closing in on me. The dog walked right in and put his head on my lap, staring up at me like I was the most important person he’d ever met.

“That’s Boots.” Candice followed the dog and patted his back. “He’s pretty much the best guy on the planet.”

Boots appeared to be some sort of German shepherd mix, grey with spots of black and white. “Does the door lock?” I blurted out.

Candice watched me like I might grab the dog and run, which, I was considering. “Yeah. The key’s on the dresser.” She pointed and I looked and confirmed she was right.

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