Page 21 of Q: Satan's Fury MC

“You’ve been up there pulling wire for over an hour.”

“Yeah, well, when we do something, we do it right.Even if it takes some time.”

“Um-hmm.” Rooster lifted his sledgehammer and slammed it into the old drywall, then said, “Stick around. Chains and I will show you how it oughta be done.”

“Yeah, right. You can bite the big one, brother.”

“I would if your new girl was around.”

Rooster’s smile widened as he brought his hands up to his chest and cupped them like he was holding two large breasts. I could tell by the mischievous look in his eyes that he was about to say something he’d regret, so I warned, “Watch it, brother. You’re about to cross a line you don’t want to cross.”

“See. I told ya.” Chains nodded in my direction as he said, “He likes her.”

“Too bad she doesn’t like him,” Rooster goaded.

I was done getting a hard time from my brothers, so I gave them both a scowl and growled, “Don’t you two have work to do?”

“Yeah,” Rooster glanced over at the wall they’d been working on. “Unfortunately, we do. Lots of it.”

“We’ll give you a hand.” I stopped and gave him a warning look as I added, “As long as you stop with the bs about the girl. I don’t wanna hear it.”

“Ah, hell yeah. You got yourself a deal.”

“That was easy.”

“Didn’t have much choice in the matter.” Rooster toyed with his sledgehammer as he continued, “Cotton wants us to make a run to Tacoma to pick up a shipment after work, and the way things are going, we’ll be lucky to get out of here before dark.”

I’d made the same run to Tacoma many times. It was well over two hours away, and while the scenery was pleasant, some of the back roads were in bad shape and made for a rough ride. They were both in for a long night, so it was easy to see why they were so willing to put an end to their pestering over Jules. I was in no position to look a gift horse in the mouth, so I grabbed a spare sledgehammer and got to work.

The guys were pretty quiet, just a few grumbles here and there, so I had a lot of time to think as I helped tear down the old drywall. I tried to keep my mind busy by thinking about all the things I needed to get done at my place—from chopping some firewood to winterizing my ATV, but it wasn’t long before I started thinking about her—the beautiful blonde who’d had me wound up tighter than a two-dollar watch.

I couldn’t understand why she hated me like she did. I was a stranger to her—just some guy who thought she was hot and wanted a chance to get to know her. Trying to figure it out, I spent the next few hours thinking about our encounters. I mulled over every word that was spoken, every look that was exchanged, but no matter how I twisted it, I couldn’t figure it out.

“Hey, Q,” Chains called out, pulling me from my thoughts. “You okay over there?”

“Yeah. I’m good.” I tossed the last of the drywall into the pile as I replied, “Just ready to get out of here.”

“Aren’t we all.”

I looked over to Rooster and watched as he swept the last of the debris over in the corner. “You need a hand with that?”

“Nah, I got it.” He motioned his head toward the stairs. “You guys can go on and head out. We’ll catch up with you in the morning.”

“Sounds good.” As Hayes and I started down to the main floor, I told them, “You boys be careful tonight.”

“You know we will.”

After Hayes and I checked in with Guardrail, we said our goodbyes and headed to our bikes. As soon as I turned the key and the engine roared to life, the sound alone made the tension of the day start to subside. It was just me, my bike, and the road winding out before me.

Port Angeles was a beautiful place. It was even more beautiful at dusk when everyone was home and off the road. Being alone out there on the road made me feel like I was the only man on earth. As far as I was concerned, there was no better therapy on the planet.

By the time I made it home, my mind was cleared, and I was ready to call it a night. I grabbed a bite to eat and a hot shower, then spent a couple of hours watching TV. I could barely keep my eyes open when I finally decided to hit the sack. I thought I’d pass out from exhaustion, but the second my head hit the pillow, she was back on my mind.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about those sultry hazel eyes and the way they seemed to cut right through me. The girl played it tough, standoffish, and cold, hoping that no one would see the pain and fear in her eyes. But I’d seen it. This chick had a story—one that haunted her and kept her guarded.

I had no clue what had happened to her, and the way things were going, it didn’t look like I ever would.

JULES

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