Page 22 of The Echo of Violence

I lean against the bar to the woman’s left, and Splinter stands just behind her so that the three of us are caging her in.

“Nothing for me, thanks.” Her reply is instant, and the smokey quality of her voice makes my cock twitch.

“You sure? If you can’t let loose at a biker party, when can you?”

She doesn’t even look at Knight when she replies. “When I know I’m safe.”

I pause at her answer, my immediate reaction to scoff at her little jab. It’s fucking safe here. Nothing would get past my brothers and me. But then I realize that’s not the kind of safe she’s insinuating, and I’m not sure I like it.

Judging from Knight’s tone, he isn’t either. “You think one of my brothers would do something to hurt you?” His voice is tight with anger.

“No, I don’t think that at all. I think I’m a woman alone in a room full of men I don’t know. I think I’m wild enough to enjoy the moment for what it is and smart enough not to let my guard down because, and it bears repeating, I don’t know anyone here.”

“Why come at all, then?” I ask before thinking better of it.

She turns to look at me, and I find myself sucking in a sharp breath. This girl is really fucking pretty, but not in a way I’m used to. The women that come here are always dressed to impress in clothes two sizes too small for them, their faces and nails painted as if to attract the attention of the opposite sex, and I’ll admit I’m guilty of falling for their charms.

There is something to be said about red lips wrapped around my cock. The woman in front of me has nothing but clear gloss on her lips, making it look like she’s swiped her tongue across them, enticing me to do the same. Her clothes might be sexy, but her makeup is more understated, in a girl-next-door kind of way. An innocent girl looking to be defiled, and dear God, it’s that which sets her apart from everyone else in the room.

“A friend of mine was supposed to meet me here. It was a good place to flirt, have a little fun, and meet new people. But she just texted me to tell me something has come up, so she’s not coming.”

“Some friend. Bailing on you, leaving you at the mercy of a bunch of untrustworthy bikers,” Knight snarls, still pissed.

She turns to face him. “I never said you were untrustworthy, but it’s interesting to hear how you see yourself. As for my friend, you know nothing. Her kid is sick. Would you have a better opinion of her if she bailed on the kid and came here anyway to drink and dance with me?”

When he doesn’t answer, she chuckles. “The joys of being a woman. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t. How about I make this real easy for you? I’m not here to hook up with you. I’m not looking to ride your bike or your dick. I’m going to finish my bottle of water, tick drinking at the Chaos Demons clubhouse off my bucket list, and head home.”

Knight stares at her, but I shrug. It’s her loss. She’s pretty but clearly not cut out for the MC life, and I have zero time for civilians who just don’t get it.

“Whatever you say, lady. You change your mind about taking a walk on the wild side, we’ll be over by the pool table,” Knight tells her, making her huff out a laugh.

“If I get the urge to walk on the wild side, I’ll book a safari.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Jinx

I keep my cool as the guys surrounding me leave me alone. Even the one I sensed behind me backs off.

I blow out a relieved breath and watch them in the mirror behind the bar as they walk over to one of the pool tables. I recognized the one wanting to buy me a drink right away as the guy from the gas station. There was no spark of recognition in his eyes, though. Either I was too shielded by the dark interior of the car that day, or I’m just as forgettable to him as every other girl out there. Maybe I’m making a snap judgment, but the guy has player written all over him.

Keeping my eyes on him, I see a club girl walk over and rub up against him. His hand drifts to her ass, squeezing it before I look away. Yep, just like I thought. Women are interchangeable.

“Hey, you’re still here. I was worried you might have left.”

I lift my head at the sound of my mark’s voice and paste on a smile. “Nope. I was just waiting for you. I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to hang with me, though.” I look over my shoulder before turning back to him. “Think we could sneak out of here for a little while and…you know…talk?” I lick my lips and twirl a piece of my hair, feeling my IQ drop faster than the panties of the club girl dancing at the end of the bar.

He looks around discreetly before nodding. “Sure, come with me.”

“I’m worried about those guys coming back,” I tell him as he comes around the bar and takes my hand. “One of them was angry I picked you over him. Do you think we’d be better off going to my place? It’s only down the road.”

“I’m on duty tonight. If they find me missing, they’ll be pissed.”

“It’s so busy I don’t think they’ll notice. But even if they did, I bet you could say you were sick or something.”

He looks down at me as he leads me toward the door, his eyes dropping to my boobs and the hard peaks of my nipples that press against the material of the tiny bandeau top I’m wearing.

“Fuck it, I’ll think of something. How close are you?”

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