“They don’t seem too happy, do they?”
The biker didn’t even bother to look at her or answer.
“Cat got your tongue?”
T.A. could see a muscle twitch on the side of his neck that was turned toward her as he lifted a beer bottle to his lips.
“That’s cool. I like the strong, silent type.” Turning further to her side, she stared at the biker’s handsome profile. “I’m T.A.”
“T.A., I’m not interested.”
The low voice had heat pooling in the pit of her stomach. Her hand trembled as she reached out to refill her glass.
“I would take it easy on that stuff. This isn’t the place where you can get drunk off your ass without repercussions.”
“Never had too many of those in my life. I usually go with the flow and see where it takes me.”
“That’ll get you in a world of hurt here.”
“I’m stronger than I look.”
The statement finally drew the biker’s gaze toward her.
“Strong enough to take on two or three when Whip is done with you?”
T.A. blanched. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No.”
“You think they’ll let me leave if I try to go for the door?”
“No.”
“Damn. I was looking for a good time, but this might be more fun than I can handle.”
“You should have thought of that before accepting Dagger’s and Nails’ invitation.”
From the harsh expression on the biker’s face, she saw no sympathy for the situation she was in. The bright gray eyes surveyed her. Unlike most men when they looked at her, his were centered on her face and not her chest.
“I’ve never been accused of being smart.” Holding her hand out, she introduced herself. “I’m T.A.”
“I didn’t ask.”
“I was being polite.”
“In case it hasn’t sunk yet, you’re wasting time. You need to be thinking of a way to get your pretty little butt out of here.”
Mischievously, she batted her eye lashes at him. “I haven’t had a little butt since I’ve been in third grade.”
The world-famous eyes narrowed at her. “Since I’m pretty sure you’re not as stupid as you pretend to be, why don’t you just tell me who sent you in here after me?”
“It’s a collaborated effort.”
“You have about another minute before Whip is finished taking his piss. Make it short. Grace or Dax?”
“Grace, but Dax gave the go-ahead.”
“What’s in it for you? A movie role in Dax’s movie?”
“Hell, no. I heard the movie screen puts ten pounds on you. That’s the last thing I need.”
“How much money did Grace pay you?”
“Nothing.”
“I don’t believe you’re helping Grace out of the kindness of your heart.”
The gravelly voice that had feminine hearts swooning since he began acting had her swallowing her gum.
When he looked at her without answering, she reached out to grab his arm when he rose from his stool.
“We’re not. We’re helping you.”
His stunned amazement at her answer had her flushing, sure he was used to women’s reactions to him.
“It’s the truth. Grace and Penni are best friends, and Penni’s brother, Shade, is married to a friend of mine and my friends.”
Dalton’s brows rose at her nervous explanation. It was hard to focus with the rock-hard gaze on her.
“Killyama is a bounty hunter, and they used their contacts to find you,” she finished in a rush, expecting Whip to come back any second.
“Killyama?”
“That’s her nickname.”
“That’s a hell of a nickname. Why didn’t she volunteer to be the one to come into the club?”
“She’s pregnant. Her old man wouldn’t let her.”
“So, you volunteered?”
T.A. grinned. “I won. Crazy Bitch still isn’t talking to me.”
“Crazy Bitch?”
“Another friend of mine.”
Dalton sat back down on his stool.
“How many friends were trying to win?”
T.A. threw a quick look over her shoulder before turning back to face him. “Listen, as much I’m enjoying talking to you, I’m kind of dreading Whip coming back. You mind walking me to my car?”
“Why? So Dax and Grace will be able to talk to me? They’re outside, aren’t they?”
“No.”
“Where are they, then? Across the street?”
“I have no idea where they are. That was the deal Killyama made with Grace, that if she found you, she would just let you know that you and Dax are going to lose your company if you don’t show up for the first day of movie production. The investors are threatening to pull their money unless you’re there.”
“Fuck.”
“You should have answered at least one of Grace’s or Dax’s calls.” Giving him a reproachful glance, she stiffened when she saw Whip coming back toward them. “I’m really hoping you’re a good guy as much as Grace bragged you are, because there’s no way I’m going into that bedroom with him. I’m usually up for a good time, but that dude scares the hell out of me.”
“You should have thought of that before volunteering.”
“I told you I won,” she countered.
“Then you won a lot of nothing.”
“You’re really not going to help me?”
“Why should I?”
T.A. gave him another reproachful glance. “Damn, I was really hoping that you were a good guy. I’m pretty sick of lame-ass men. Later.”