Page 9 of Aftershock's Fury

“Low Low, what are you doing here?”

Her body stiffens, then she shifts, and her heel slams into the top of my boot. It hurts a little and surprises me enough to make me let go. She steps away from me and turns to face me before moving back again, running right into Gunny. I reach for her to pull her away, but she pushes back further.

“I was told you knew I was coming,” she says to Kodiak, the hurt clear in her voice. “Forget it.” She turns and rushes from the room, but Kodiak’s booming voice stops her. She pulls something from her pocket, and I watch her clench it tightly.

“Harlowe, stop.” She does, but suddenly there’s a commotion at the entrance and a large dog barrels into the bar. It goes straight to Harlowe’s side and stops. The dog positions itself directly in front of her, shielding her body. It’s huge, black with a tan brindle pattern across its coat. Some kind of mastiff mix. That explains what she pulled from her pocket. Somehow, she called him to her side.

Kodiak moves toward her, and the dog shifts, curling his lip and growling to warn us he’s going to protect her. His deep growl resonates around the room, which is entranced by what’s happening right in front of them.

“Good boy,” I tell him as I move to flank Kodiak. “You’re a very good boy for protecting your mistress. I’m not going to hurt her.” I speak to him as if he understands me. His ears perk up,but he doesn’t move. He relaxes as soon as she rubs her hand along his head.

“Fezzik,aposýromai,”Harlowe says. The big dog leans into her body and settles. She looks at me briefly before her gaze shifts to her brother. I want to demand she keep her eyes on me. “Rylan, I came here tonight not to cause problems. I just wanted to see you. It’s been so long.”

“Stop,” he orders, holding up a hand. “This doesn’t need to be aired out here.” He gestures around the bar.

She glances at the room, realizing everyone is watching us. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”

“No, wait. Let’s talk about this. Come this way.” He motions toward the back where our clubhouse is located.

She nods and reaches down to grab the harness strapped around the dog’s body. That’s when I notice the vest marking him as a service animal.

My eyes move to Harlowe, watching the sway of her hips in those high-as-fuck heeled boots, then trailing over the rest of her. She’s not physically hurt, but when I think about everything she’s been through these past few months, it hits me. Shit, my girl has some PTSD from the attack.

I move up beside her as we walk, placing my hand on the small of her back. She trembles and turns to look up at me through those dark lashes of hers. Her light eyes framed by the dark fringe are mesmerizing.

Kodiak leads us to our secure room for church. Harlowe must understand the significance of what’s going on because she pauses in the doorway.

“What did you say to your dog?” I ask, curious what language he’s trained in.

“I told him to stand down in Greek.” She continues to stand there, not wanting to go into the room. “I’m not allowed in here,” she says in that breathy voice of hers.

“You are now,” Kodiak says as he makes his way to the head of the table.

She finally steps into the room. Members file in behind us, but men like GB stand outside the door.

“Who is she?” GB asks Loki.

He smiles with that devious fucking grin of his. “She’s the princess.” Loki laughs before stepping into the room and closing the door.

Several of the members shift in their seats after hearing what he said. Kodiak stays where he is, and I remain beside Harlowe with Loki on her other side.

“As I told you all before, Anvil was murdered and my sister, Harlowe, was heading this way. Most of you know there’s a price on her head. Until further notice, she’ll have a two-man team with her at all times, along with either Loki, Aftershock, or me.”

“Stop,” Harlowe says, doing the unthinkable and interrupting him.

Here I thought Anvil had been teaching her the rules, but now I wonder.

“I know I’m not supposed to speak. I know I shouldn’t interrupt you, but this is my life too.”

CHAPTER

FOUR

HARLOWE

Ipull away from Crue, even though every part of me protests. There’s something about him that calms me and causes my body to respond in ways it never has before. I didn’t date in high school or college. Guys used to call me an ice queen. I just never felt the butterflies that have been erupting in my stomach since the moment he called me his. But I can’t let these newfound feelings interfere with my plan.

I move to the edge of the long table, pressing my hand to it as I lean forward, making sure Rylan knows I’m serious. I look him in the eye, not afraid of him at all.

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