Chapter 2
072
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-Logan-
The bar smelled like stale beer and bad decisions. Same as always. River was running his mouth about the curvy blonde bartender, Brittney, and I wasn’t listening. My eyes were scoping the room. Scouting for tail.
Then she walked in.
The chick from last week. The one with the asshole fiancé who thought it was smart to take a swing at me in public.
Hailey.
She looked smaller without him next to her. Tiny waist, long dark hair hanging down her back. Tattoos on everything below her neck and a massive purple bruise around her throat.
–
Fresh. Dark. The shape of a hand burned into her pale skin.
I felt my jaw flex. Heat crawled up my neck… the kind that made my fists itch.
“Jesus, man, you’re starin‘ hard enough to catch charges,” River muttered, leaning toward me. “You wanna wipe the drool off your chin before she notices?”
I shot him a look. “Shut the fuck up.”
He smirked, unfazed. That was River for you
—
never serious until it was time to get bloody.
I pushed off the stool before I thought better of it. My boots carried me across the floor, and River trailed behind like he was coming for the show.
Hailey nodded to Brittney, slid onto a barstool, and kept her eyes straight ahead.
“Evenin,” I said, sidling up next to her.
She froze, glancing sideways. Up close, that bruise looked worse. Rage rolled through me, hot and sharp.
River slid onto the stool beside her, grinning like a wolf. “I guess introduction’s are overdue. I’m River. That’s Logan.”
Her eyes darted between us. Wary, but not running. “Hailey,” she said finally, her voice soft.
“Yeah,” I said. “I remember. Your man was shoutin‘ it across the bar.”
I caught Brittney’s eye, jerked my chin. “Whiskey. For her. Put it on me
Hailey shook her head. “I can buy my own-”
“Don’t need to,” I cut in, and the words came out harder than I meant. She went stiff, but she didn’t push it. She took the glass when it landed, and her fingers were trembling just enough for me to notice.
She lifted it, took a long swallow. Then another. Like she was trying to burn something out of herself.
“Bad week?” River asked, lighting a smoke.
She laughed, but it came out dry. “You could say that.”
I leaned in just enough for her to feel my eyes on her. “That bruise… He give it to you?”
Her fingers froze around the glass. She didn’t answer right away, just stared at the whiskey like it might answer for her. Then,
13:00 Mon, Dec 22
Chapter 2
finally, her voice cracked soft and bitter.
“Caught him cheating… I confronted him. He didn’t take it well.”
I gripped the edge of the bar so I wouldn’t put my fist through it. My knuckles ached anyway.
“Where is he now?” I asked.
“He’s at work,” she murmured, still staring at her whiskey.
“Where’s he work?” I asked.
She blinked. “What–why-?”
“Where.”
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Her eyes finally landed on me, wide and bright–ass blue. I didn’t break the stare. After a little while, she whispered, “The garage off Highway Seven. He’s a mechanic.”
I nodded once, then tipped my head at River. He stood, cracked his neck, and strolled toward the door without a word. A few seconds later, the bar filled with the growl of his Harley starting up.
Hailey’s breath hitched. “What are you-”
I turned back to her, voice flat, steady. “You’re not goin‘ back to him.”
Her eyes flashed with defiance. “That’s not your decision.”
“No,” I said. “It’s yours. But you’re not makin‘ it tonight. You’re comin‘ with me.”
She stared at me like she couldn’t decide if I was a savior or the devil. I was almost always the devil… but tonight, maybe I was both.
“I don’t even know you,” she whispered.
“You don’t need to,” I said, tossing a few bills on the bar and standing. “Come on.”
For a second, she didn’t move. Then she pushed her glass away and followed me. Pride had her chin high, but I saw the way her hands were shaking at her sides.
The night air was sharp and cool. River’s taillight disappeared into the dark, the echo of his pipes rolling over the street. Hailey froze at the sound, hugging her arms around herself.
I started my bike and swung a leg over, then held out my helmet. “Put this on.”
Her eyes darted from me to the bike, to the helmet, then back again. “I don’t-”
“On,” I repeated. “Come on, Hailey, we ain’t got all night.”
She swallowed hard but stepped closer, sliding the helmet over her head. Her hands fumbled on the strap, so I reached out and snapped it into place. She flinched a little, then relaxed. I didn’t say a word.
When she climbed on behind me, her grip was light. Uneasy,
By the time I gunned the throttle and pulled us onto the street, her arms were wrapped tight around me. I could feel her little fingers on my abs, clutching like I was the only solid thing in the world.
The clubhouse came into view after a ten–minute ride through back roads, neon buzzing over the rusty old sign:
WARRIORS MC.
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Chapter 2
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The lot was full of bikes. Laughter and music bled out from the open doors. Hailey slid off the bike slowly, tugging the helmet free. Her hair came out messy, her eyes wide as she took it all in.
“Where are we?” she asked, voice thin.
“Home,” I said, leading her inside.
The air was thick with smoke and cheap perfume. Brothers were scattered around, playing pool, throwing darts, drinking like tomorrow didn’t exist. A couple of them looked up when I walked in with Hailey. Curiosity. Interest.
My sister was perched on Monty’s lap near the bar, beer bottle in hand. She arched a brow at me, then at Hailey. “Well, well. Who’s this?”
“Hailey,” I said. “She’s with me tonight.”
That drew a couple whistles from the guys. I ignored them. I guided her toward the table where a few of the old ladies sat – Ruby, Kayla, Becky, and my Aunt Trina.
“They’ll take care of you,” I told Hailey, sitting her down in an empty chair. “If anyone gives you shit, let me know.”
Her eyes went wide. “What does that even mean? You’re leaving me here? Where are you going?”
I crouched down so we were eye level, and for the first time I let her see the heat in my stare.
“To finish something.”
Her breath caught. “You’re going after him.”
“Fuckin right I am.” I stood up, tugging at my cut. “He put his hands on you again. That makes it my business now.”
She shook her head. “No–Logan, you don’t-”
I leaned closer, my voice dropping lower. “You’re not goin‘ back to him. Ever. You got me?”
Her lips fell open, but no sound came out.
“Good.” I turned, nodding toward River and the brothers who were already on their feet, geared up and heading out the door. Engines roared to life outside, shaking the walls.
I gave Hailey one last look before heading out. Her blue eyes were wide, her shoulders stiff, but under the fear there was something else. Something I shouldn’t wanna see.
Hope.
The door slammed shut behind me, and the night swallowed us whole.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
