Page 199 of Relentles
Or maybe not. Johnnie wouldn’t be happy and Outlaw…
Another rabbit hole she’d sidestep.
Sighing, she headed for the steps. Someone walked directly into her path, and she stumbled.
Strong, masculine arms encircled her, preventing her indignant fall.
“Excuse you, asshole,” she snapped, pushing away from him and glaring into green eyes.
It took a moment for her to process the emerald gaze didn’t belong to her brother-in-law. It was harder and colder, set in a pockmarked face, though still ringed by long, dark lashes.
“Excuse me, miss,” he said, his cruel mouth twisting into a sardonic grin. He closed the small bit of distance she’d placed between them.
Kendall straightened to her full height. In her pumps, she was almost eye-level with him. “Obviously, you saw me, fuckhead, and yet you stepped in front of me anyway.” As if hewantedher to see him. “Can I help you?”
He stared into her eyes, glanced at her mouth, and licked his lips.
Memories of Spoon and his assault rose in Kendall’s head. It had taken her years to overcome that abuse. Unfortunately, recent events left her feeling so vulnerable. Now, she also felt threatened. Never a good combination. Instead of showing her fear, she lifted her chin. “Can I help you, sir?” she repeated.
Amusement flickered across his face. “Can you?”
A rebuke died a quick death. She needed escape not escalation. She stepped back and it relieved her when he didn’t come closer again. He was a tall man. Once, he might have been handsome, but the years had ravaged him. His goatee and tattooed head gave him a sinister air rather than a mysterious one.
Startled, she blinked and studied him closer, the cut he wore finally registering. Unlike Johnnie’s with an array of patches, this man’s only had one:President.
“I’m a biker, gorgeous,” he confirmed.
His gravelly voiced use of Johnnie’s special name for her further alarmed Kendall. She licked her lips, then cursed herself when his eyes darkened. “What do you want?” she demanded.
“What can you give me?”
She’d admit to nothing, but try as she might, she couldn’t stop her glower.
He laughed. “Strike that as inadmissible.”
Her tact wasn’t working. The motherfucker was baiting her. “You have the fucking advantage, asshole,” she hissed. “You know me.”
“Do I?”
She glared at him, then started to turn so she could go back into the building, but he moved fast and blocked her.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Famous last fucking words,” she snarled. “A motherfucker won’t admit he’s a motherfucker, motherfucker.”
The asshole laughed again. “You’re amusing.”
“You aren’t. Kill me, kidnap me, or get the fuck out of my way.”
He winced. “Who inhabits your world, princess? It must be monsters for you to assume I’m out to harm you.”
“You wanted my attention.”
“You’re a beautiful woman.”
“Not that way,” Kendall said impatiently. “You wanted me to be aware of your presence. Not as a flirtation but as a threat.”
“Are you sure about that?”
