Page 11 of Laying it Bare Biker Style - Grayson

~Grayson~

I had just plated our breakfast when Brooke’s scream tore through the house. And not the sound one let loose when encountering a bee or spider – besides she wouldn’t even flinch in that type of scenario – but one of desperate need. Fury ripped through me and I released a feral roar. “Brooke!” Dropping the silverware onto the floor, I sprinted for the front door, barreled outside, and then around the side of the house, in the direction of her cry. The sight of a member of Brutal Demons attempting to cart her off had my vision turning blood red. And I wanted blood . . . HIS.

When her wide eyes landed on me, she rammed her head back to connect with his face.

I almost smirked at her savageness, but when her eyes closed briefly on a wince and he hurled her body at me, the only thing I could do was catch her in my arms.

Then the fucker sped toward the back of the houses. In that instant, I chose to stay with Brooke to ensure she was okay and that there weren’t any other bastards around that could easily nab her, rather than give chase.

Wrapped up in my arms, I cradled her to my chest and walked back inside, resetting the alarm before heading to the living room. It was in that moment, it struck me that this was the second time an immense wave of protectiveness stunned me when it came to Brooke. However, the wonder quickly vanished because I was well aware Brooke meant more to me than my usual random hookups. For the first time ever, I wanted what Ryder had with Sage. And I was going to have quite the fight on my hands to make and keep her mine. Good thing I never backed down from any fight.

After grabbing Sage’s purple blanket off of the back of the black leather couch, I sat down with Brooke on my lap and covered her up. Taking her face gently in my hand, I inspected the damage. “Fuck, Brooke. Not that I mind you staying with me, but it’s going to be a solid week before all of these marks are gone. And your beautiful face is getting all bruised up; you’re not going to have an inch without coloring.” She now had matching discoloration on her opposite cheek and a red rim starting under her left eye. I had also caught a glimpse of finger outlines on her arm.

She closed her eyes and leaned her head onto my shoulder. “Just let me close my eyes for a moment. I’ll figure something out. I’ll need to get my own clothes at some point for work and my car, but . . . okay too much thinking at the moment.”

I ran my hand gently through her hair. “We have a doctor on retainer. You would really like her. Let me take you to her to get your head checked.” I pressed kisses to the top of her head in the hopes of soothing some of the pain.

“No. I just need a moment. And some food. And coffee. My head is just going to be sore. But I’m okay. Just a little rattled.”

“Did that fucker say anything to you?” My jaw clenched in anger. I could guess what he was after, but they normally didn’t strike during the daylight. Although therehadbeen that incident at Twisted Eats.

“Just that he was looking for another girl, but I would prove useful as well. Did you piss off a boyfriend or an ex?”

And now Brooke could possibly be caught up in this mess. That should work wonders in helping to endear her father to me. I growled under my breath. “No. He was after Sage. For revenge.”

“What?” She popped her head up to stare at me, her eyes wide. “That beautiful soul who is now a mother? Now I really wish I would’ve been able to get in some more hits.”

“You got in plenty. I’m relieved he wasn’t able to drag you off. They don’t have a club stationed here in South Carolina that we know of so it makes it more difficult to find them.” Tucking my hand into her hair, I played with the long strands. “Sage spent some years with Pyro Devils and one day a member from Brutal Demons attacked her while at their club. Ryder and I rescued her when we found her body in the woods. The guy later managed to kidnap her, but she killed him before he could kill her. Are you sure you want to be with someone like me? I know I didn’t like it when you blew me off just because you knew I was a biker. But now that you know some backstory, you wouldn’t be being judgmental.”

“You don’t think shit like that happens to us regular people? And wow, she killed him?”

Unfortunately, too much of that shit happened and she was right, it didn’t discriminate. But the fact that we held the label bikers, it was assumed we brought these things on ourselves and were always asking for trouble. “Since we had found out that the guy was looking for Sage and demanding she be returned to him, Ryder taught her how to use a gun and got her her own for protection. He made sure she wouldn’t be helpless.”

“Good for her. I admire her for that. She doesn’t seem like she has an ounce of violence in her so I’m glad she was able to find it in herself to shove that side down and do what she needed to in order to survive. I’m not sure I would be able to do that.” She paused briefly as her eyes took on a faraway look and sadness passed behind them, but she quickly schooled her features. “And stuff like that can happen even if you aren’t involved with a biker club.” She eyed me for a moment, her gaze solemn, before her lips curled into a teasing grin. “And last night, it was more you were a guy not a biker that pissed me off.”

Since she changed the subject, I didn’t address her first comment. I knew she hated violence and why. And I knew thinking and talking about her mother brought her pain. But I was certain if she ever found herself in desperate need of using extreme violence, she would in a heartbeat. She was feisty and strong even if her past experiences caused her to recoil from it. So instead I went for the comment I could tease her about. “So you like girls.” Rubbing the scruff on my jaw, I smiled despite the main topic of our discussion. “I’d like to watch some of that action while we’re getting to know each other. And then I’m sure I could find a way to – ”

She punched me in the shoulder. “I’m sure the kisses andnightmarefrom last night clued you into exactly what I’m interested in.”

“So you are interested?” Tilting her head up slightly, I dropped my lips to hers in a gentle kiss. However, before I released her mouth, I swept my tongue in for a little taste. “In case there is any doubt; I amveryinterested.” Lifting her from my lap, I set her feet on the floor in front of me. “But let’s go eat before our food gets any colder.”

“Thank you.” Slipping the blanket from her shoulders, she tossed it onto the couch.

“For what? The kiss? Breakfast?” I stared up at her. She knew I was making food for the two of us. And she also knew I wanted much more than kisses despite my teasing.

“Not treating me like an invalid. You don’t assume just because I was attacked that I can’t use my own legs to walk into the kitchen.”

“I know you’re feisty and capable, but you let me carry you into the house without protest.”

“You weren’t swooping in to play hero. Besides, I needed a slight breather after that. I don’t mind some help; we all need it sometimes. But I don’t like to be treated like I can’t take care of myself just because I’m a petite girl.”

Shewastiny – a foot shorter than me – but she packed some immense power into that petite frame. Rising from the couch, I clasped her hand in mine and led her to the kitchen. “Hopefully the food isn’t so cold that it doesn’t taste good. If so, I’ll make more.”

When we plopped down on the stools at the bar, I pulled our plates in front of us.

“Shit. I forgot I had dropped the forks when you screamed.” Rising from my seat, I circled the bar to snatch clean ones out of the drawer. I’d grab the ones off of the floor when we were finished and loading our dirty dishes into the dishwasher. I slid the forks across the bar to our places. “Are you ready for some coffee now?”

“Yes, please. I could really use the caffeine.”

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