Page 4 of Sentinel

“Good luck with the search, dear.” Millie smiles at me and goes off to tend to other customers and I’m immediately relieved.

I see a few listings that catch my attention, but nothing that genuinely piques my interest. I have a degree in business, and I know I could put it to good use—especially with my past experience as an account manager—but I have to be careful right now. I only have a fake ID and didn’t have time to secure a whole background that included education and work history. So, it looks like I’ll be doing entry-level jobs and working my way up.

The most important thing is to hide out and fit in. I don’t need anyone asking a bunch of questions. David had gotten so controlling over the last year we were together that I have no doubt he’ll come looking for me. Not because he wants me back or actually loves me, but simply to teach me a lesson and show me he’s still in control.

The longer I can stay hidden, the safer I’ll be. At least I have my parents’ life insurance money to fall back on for now. Technically, I have enough money that I don’t have to work for a good bit. But that might be too suspicious. So, it looks like I’ll just have to find something temporary, until I can figure out what the hell I’m going to do.

4

SENTINEL

“Who you staring at, man?” Throttle slides onto the stool next to me and signals towards the kitchen with a lift of his chin.

Pete prepares the usual coffee and muffin without Throttle having to place an order. After setting the food down, the older man asks me, “You need another coffee, Sentinel?”

“I’m good, Pete. Thanks.” He taps the counter in response and leaves us to our conversation. I turn my attention to my brother before answering the question still looming between us. “I’m not staring at anyone.”

Throttle gives me a deadpan look that says he’s not buying my shit. I’m sitting in my usual spot—at the end of the lunch counter—with my back to the wall. It’s the best vantage point in this place.I can see everyone who comes and goes.And it gives me the perfect view of the black-haired beauty I watched last night, the one who’s now sitting at a booth eating her breakfast.

“You wanna lie to me again or…” He follows my line of sight and notices the girl. After blowing out a quiet whistle, he says, “She’s fucking hot. Where’d she come from?”

“I got no idea, but keep your eyes fucking off her.” I practically growl at my brother as I glare at him.

“Easy, man. You don’t usually get twisted up over pussy.”

“Talk about her pussy again, and I’ll knock you the fuck out.” Throttle’s eyes slightly widen in surprise, and I have to admit I find myself a bit shocked too. I’ve never felt this possessive over a woman before, nor can I explain the pull I have deep inside me at just seeing someone I haven’t even met yet.

Realizing he needs to move on to a safer topic, he asks, “So, what do you know about her?”

“Not much. Heard her say her name is Sarah, and that she moved here yesterday from Texas. She’s looking for a job, and I’m gonna offer her one at the shop.”

His head snaps in my direction with a stunned-as-fuck expression on his face. “What do you mean?”

I already know what’s going through his mind. First, there are no women at the shop, and not because hiring them is prohibited or anything. It’s simply because all the employees are brothers. The MC may own the place—we build and sell custom motorcycles—but the business is managed byme. And everything that happens under that roof is my purview, including who works there. AndIsay that I’m offering Sarah a job running the office. Besides, it’ll give me more time to be on the floor with the guys instead of doing paperwork, which will bring in more money.

After explaining all this to Throttle, he seems to understand where I’m coming from. But he still thinks I’m crazy as fuck to offer a perfect stranger a job soclose to home, especially knowing all the other not-so-legal ways we make money. And he’s probably right, but I don’t give a fuck.

“Look, I trust your gut on this, Sentinel. You’ve never led us wrong, and you have a wicked sense about people. If you say this chick is cool, then she is.” He slides off his stool and finishes his last sip of coffee. “You gonna have Maverick run a background on her?” Our club hacker can find anything on anyone. If you stole a pack of gum on a kindergarten field trip, Maverick would know about it.

“Yeah, I’ll have him run a check.”

“Alright, man. I’ll see you back at the clubhouse.” Throttle walks past Sarah on his way out, and I notice (from the obvious way his head’s turned) that his eyes linger on her longer than necessary. He looks back at me over his shoulder, and I know he did it just to get under my skin.Fucker.

A few minutes later, Sarah finishes her meal and leaves cash on the table for Millie, along with a generous tip. Then, after swiping a fresh coat of shiny lip gloss over her full, pouty lips—lips I want to see part in ecstasy when I make her come—she gathers her belongings and slides out of the booth before slipping out the front door. I wait for a few beats, to calm my dick down, then catch up with her around the corner.

Reaching out and tapping her on the shoulder, I say, “Excuse me.” My voice is deep and smooth, and coupled with my 6’4” height and heavily muscled physique, I know I can be a scary motherfucker, particularly to a woman who’s a foot shorter than me. I give her my sexiest smile and hope I appear less intimidating.

She slowly turns around, and her royal-blue eyes travel the length of my body, until her head tilts back and her mesmerizing gaze lands on mine.Fuck me.She’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen. Whatever she wants, I’m going to make damn sure she gets it, because I’m a fucking goner for her. And all it took was one look.

5

EMMA

Ileave the diner, just wanting to walk around a bit and get the lay of the land. But a tingling at the base of my neck gives me the odd sensation I’m not alone—the same unease I felt last night when I was moving into my apartment. So, I quickly turn the corner, altering my intended route, when a hand reaches out and a voice catches my attention.

“Excuse me.” A shiver runs down my spine as the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard graces my ears.

I slowly pivot towards the speaker and allow my view to travel up, and up, and up the body of the man standing before me. Tall, dark, and handsome doesn’t even begin to describe him. More like oversized, walking, talking, sex on a stick with emerald green eyes and thick dark hair. The kind of man you know will give you a spanking if you misbehave. And he has the smile to prove it too. I have to look down just to make sure my panties are still on, because I’m almost certain they’ve melted right off.

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