“I’ll keep the checks running,” Jax, one of my guys, says.

“Yeah,” I grunt, walking inside the compound to the beer, women, and chaos.

“Yo, Pres,” one of my boys yells. “Any luck?”

“None,” I say, shoving my way into the kitchen.

I find the fridge, swing it open, and see it’s empty.

“Stupid fuckers,” I grumble, spinning and slamming into a small, big-breasted form.

I step back and see Miranda, my weekly fuck, staring up at me with doe eyes, and a sweet-ass expression. She holds up a beer. “I heard you come in.”

I grunt at her, and take the beer, swallowing the cool, crisp liquid.

“You look like you’ve had a hard week,” she croons. “Do you want me to come back to your office?”

I stare down at her. Why the fuck not?

“Yeah,” I say, turning and walking into my office.

The minute we get in, I spin toward her, and she screams, scurrying toward the bed. “Don’t hurt me!”

“Get back here, bitch,” I growl, slamming my beer down and charging toward her. She knows how I like to play my games. She’s always been the only girl who lets me play it my way. She gets that I need her fight to be able to fuck her.

I stalk toward her, knowing my eyes are cold and empty. I clench my fists and grind my jaw, hissing through my teeth. “You fuckin’ run, I’ll make it hurt.”

She edges backward, her eyes wide. “Please, don’t hurt me.”

I see a glimmer of true fear in her eyes, just for a split second as my hand lashes out and curls around her shoulder. She plays this like a game, but sometimes I see genuine concern in her eyes. I feel my insides swell with want. Something about having her afraid of me, even if it’s just a touch, has everything in me growing hungry and depraved.

I throw her down onto the bed, and cover her body with mine.

“Fight me, bitch.”

And fight she does.

~*~*~*

MEADOW

I sleep in until ten a.m. the next morning, and then spend the next two hours finding somewhere decent to eat. By the time lunch rolls around, I’ve only just gotten my breakfast. I start work in an hour. It’s a super-long shift tonight, but I need it. I gobble down my breakfast before practically running towards the bar.

The minute I step in, I run into Colt. “Whoa there, steady on.”

I pull back, knowing that I’m flushed. “Sorry Colt, I kind of couldn’t find anywhere to have breakfast.”

He gives me a confused look. “You should have called me. I would have made you some.”

I smile. “Anyway, I’m here. Where do you want me tonight?”

“Tables. I have Selena, another one of my girls on the bar.”

I nod, and duck past him, heading out back. There’s a girl with dark black hair and pale, beautiful skin, standing and applying make-up in the small mirror. She’s got a pair of tight jeans on, and a red top. “You must be the new girl,” she says, applying a layer of lipstick.

“I am, and you must be Selena?”

“The one and only,” she says, turning and giving me a once-over. “I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but they never stay long.”

I raise my brows. “Oh, well, I’m only here three or four days, anyway.”

“You’re better off,” she says casually, gripping her hair and tying it up.

“How so?”

She walks past me, and I get a strong scent of perfume. “Well, it’s basic, really. Colt woos them, he fucks them, they get clingy, he doesn’t do clingy, and he fires them.”

Oh.

I never saw Colt as that kind of man. Though he did kind of woo me last night. If I hadn’t been thinking of another tall, dark stranger, I would have probably fallen for it hook, line, and sinker.

“Well, I don’t even have time to bother getting interested.”

She smiles at me. “Well, good. Come on, I’ll show you how to wait the tables.”

I spend the next hour with Selena, and she shows me how to wait on the tables. When she leaves me to it, I take over without a problem. The afternoon is a busy one, and the tables fill quickly, but that’s okay; the tips are huge so far. I’m already up to $150.

My feet ache as I rush backward and forward, collecting glasses, delivering drinks and snacks. In the late afternoon, when Selena is finished her break, she waves me over. With an achy body, I go. Colt is at the bar when I arrive, and he flashes me a warm smile.

“Sore feet?”

I shrug. “I get used to it.”

“You want a break?”

I nod, walking around the bar and pouring myself a glass of water. I grab a packet of chips off the counter, and hand Selena some money for them. I sit on a stool, and sigh loudly.

“You’re earning some good tips out there,” she says, pouring a colorful drink for a young, annoyingly loud girl who is standing at the bar staring at Colt with a silly expression on her face.

I eye the girl, before looking back at Selena. “Yeah, they’re good this afternoon.”

“It’s those pretty-as-hell eyes,” Colt says.

I shake my head with a grin. “Or, maybe they just like me.”

“Maybe.” He grins.

I lean back, and close my eyes, taking a few moments to myself when I hear the distinct rumble of Harley-Davidsons pulling up outside. I feel my heart begin to hammer, but I know it’s just me being dramatic. Hundreds and thousands of people own Harleys. Stop being so paranoid.

“That’ll be your main man. He’s pissed, I hear,” Selena says to Colt, sliding an empty beer bottle across the bar.

Colt grunts. “Yeah, he’s always pissed.”

“Is that a friend of yours?” I ask, hoping for a little information.

“Yeah, actually. He’s the president of the club I’m with.”

“You’re a biker?” I say, shocked.

He grins at me. “Don’t look so shocked.”

“I thought bikers just hung around each other, and didn’t hold jobs.”

He shakes his head. “Well, this one wasn’t going to do that. I do what he needs, but this is my main job. Besides, the guys love it.”

“What’s your club’s name?” I ask, standing and picking up and towel and a glass to dry, making it look like I’m doing something productive instead of just prying.

“Angels In Leather.”

The glass slips from my hand, and smashes on the ground. My head spins, and I take a step back, putting a hand against my chest. This can’t be happening.

“You’re...you’re...one of Axel’s boys?”

Colt’s eyes widen. “You know Axel?”

Selena stares at me. “Oh, are you one of his fuck buddies?”

“No...not exactly. I...we don’t get along very well. It’s a long story.”

She nods, as if in understanding. “He is such an ass. I wanted to fuck him once, but he’s so broody and angry. He told me to fuck off, and didn’t even give me a second glance.”

Colt ignores her, and narrows his eyes. “Are you okay? You look like you’re about to pass out.”

“I just...thank you, Colt. For all this. But I can’t stay if you’re involved with him. Believe me, we don’t like each other. It’s not worth bringing into your life,” I lie.

“Meadow,” he says, firmly. “You don’t need to run. I don’t have to tell him you’re here if there are issues between you two.”

“You d-d-don’t?” I whisper.

He shakes his head. “Nah, just go on home, and I’ll make sure he’s not here for your next shift.”

I quickly untie my apron. “Thank you, Colt.”

Before I can turn and rush out back, the door swings open. I quickly drop to the floor behind the bar; it’s the only thing I can do. My heart leaps into my throat as I hear boots crunching across the wooden floor. I scoot backwards, pressing myself as close to the bar as I can.

“Colt,” Axel’s voice booms out. “Get me a beer.”

Colt peers down at me, and I give him a pleading look. He must take pity on me, because he shifts the bin under the counter, and points to the space. I crawl in, and tuck my knees up to my chest. Selena smiles at me, a knowing smile, and gets on with her work. Why the hell is Axel in San Diego? Does he live here? If Colt is based here, maybe he does. Only I could pick the one city and the one bar that he’s associated with.

“How’s it, boss?” Colt says, his voice gruff.

I hear the sound of Colt popping the top on a beer and sliding it across the bar. I hear a stool being pulled out, and I realize Axel is right there...just above me.

“It’s fuckin’ crap, that’s what it is.”

“Didn’t find what you were lookin’ for?”

Axel makes a growling sound. “Nah.”

“What is it you’re lookin’ for exactly, boss? You’ve been on it for months. I’m thinkin’ I could use a break. Might come with you.”

“I’m takin’ you on the next run. I need someone that can run fast.”

Run fast. To catch me. Oh, God.

“Run fast?” Colt questions, shifting closer to me and reaching for a glass.

“I’m after a girl. She’s got something I want, but she keeps fuckin’ out-smartin’ me. God help her if I get hold of her now. I’m fuckin’ mad.”

Colt’s hands slide into his pockets. “What’s a girl got to do with anything?”

“Open your fuckin’ ears, boy, I said she’s got somethin’ I want.”

“What’s she got?”

Axel shifts. “Nothin’ that’s of concern to you. I suspect she’s around this area, so keep a fuckin’ eye out.”

I don’t feel so good. My hands begin to tremble, and sweat trickles down my forehead.

“What’s her name?” Colt asks, cracking another beer. “I might have heard of her.”

“Meadow.”

I see the exact moment Colt stiffens, because his legs go rigid. Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Here’s what she looks like. You see her in here, you call me.”

Oh God.

Colt’s silent, and I suddenly don’t feel like being here is a smart idea. If he decides to tell Axel I’m here, I won’t be able to get out. I have to run, and I have to run now. I crawl quietly from my space, and as soon as I’m near the back door, I stand.

“What the fuck? Colt, were you gettin’ your fuckin’ dick sucked while I was talkin’ to ya?” Axel bellows, slamming his glass down onto the bar.

He doesn’t recognize me. Oh God, he doesn’t recognize me because I changed my hair. My heart pounds, and a moment of hope rushes through me. I reach for the door, ready to run, when Colt murmurs, “Meadow, pretty sure there’s somethin’ you haven’t told me.”

“Meadow?” Axel rasps.

I turn, and I meet his shocked expression. His eyes widen, and he skids his stool back. His powerful body launches up and over the bar, sending everything within reach flying. The shrill sound of glasses smashing fills my ears.

That’s when I run.

“Don’t you fuckin’ dare,” he bellows, but I’m already out the door.

I push through the offices out the back, slamming and locking as many doors as I can. My adrenaline spikes, and I duck through the back kitchen and out the back door. I hear Axel’s roar of frustration, and the sounds of smashing coming from inside. Shit. I run across the staff parking lot, and duck into the nearest alley.

“You fuckin’ stop, now,” Axel yells, rounding the corner and charging down the alley after me.

I pick up my speed, running as fast as I can. I reach the street and I skid to the left, shoving through the ocean of people as I try to escape the angry, determined man behind me.

“South of the city, she’s on foot, dark hair. Get moving!”

Axel is ordering his men in. I close my eyes, drop my head, and just run as hard as I can manage. I charge around another corner, and across the road. Cars beep and screech to a halt as I dodge my way past them. I stumble as I hit the gutter on the other side, and I go down with a pained cry. My knees scrape across the gravel and my hands go instinctively out in front of me to stop me from landing on my face.

It’s the moment Axel needs. It’s the moment he’s been waiting for.

He’s behind me before I can even get to my knees. People on the street don’t even stop to see if I’m okay, they just keep about their business. Axel’s hands go around my body, and he hurls me up, pressing me into his chest. He spins us both around, and begins pulling me toward the closest alley. I dig my heels in, not willing to accept defeat. Not willing to give in.

“Let me go,” I cry, squirming.

“Stop doing that,” he growls.

I decide to try pleading. He’s not listening to anything else. “Please, just let me go, Axel, you don’t have to do this. Just stop. Please. For whatever friendship we had all those years ago...”

He flinches, and his entire body stiffens. “I said fuckin’ stop squirming. If you keep it up, so help me God, I’ll put you on your knees and fuck you until you can’t breathe.”