His tone was condescending, and his expression was arrogant, and I felt the need to slap him. Instead, I turned to Devon. “Who is this?” I asked.
“The name’s Zack,” he replied again, cutting Devon off. “And I’m the man who’s graced you with his protection until your boyfriend can be found and dealt with.”
I frowned. “You’re the president of the Fallen Angels?”
“I am.”
I clenched my jaw. He was younger than I had expected… but I supposed that was where his cocky arrogance came from. I could tell from Devon’s posture that he was slightly tense and unsure. I could also sense that he was weary of Zack and unsure of my reaction to him.
“I wouldn’t have accepted your protection if I had any other choice,” I said.
I saw Devon’s face pale a little, and he shook his head at me in an attempt to get me to shut up.
“You disapprove of our lifestyle?” Zack asked quietly.
“You’re all bullies and brutes who throw your weight around to stroke your egos,” I said, still recovering from the fake break-in.
“Your brother is my secretary-at-arms,” Zack pointed out.
“He can do better.”
Zack raised his eyebrows at me, and we stared each other down. It was the only standoff I could manage, and my bruised pride would not allow me to look away.
“Maybe you would do better on your own?” Zack suggested threateningly.
I clenched my jaw. He knew he had backed me into another corner. He knew I couldn’t afford to turn down his protection. I knew what he was waiting for. He was waiting for me to apologize, take back my words, and grovel.
“I… I can’t,” I said softly, breaking eye contact.
He smiled, and I felt a burning coil of anger rip through my body. I looked at the strong, powerful, brutish man in front of me. He was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on, and I hated him already.
Chapter Three
Zack
Her eyes were narrowed in my direction. Her body was tense with frustration and anxiety, and her mouth was turned down in obvious distress. I could sense anger and dislike emanating strongly from her, and every negative feeling I could sense was directed at me. It didn’t faze me in the slightest, although it was a new experience to be sitting across from a woman who clearly wasn’t interested.
“Let’s get going,” I said. “Bring the car out front.”
Devon left immediately, and I turned my gaze on Mila. Her eyes were a soft, calm blue that was similar in hue to Devon’s, but apart from that, they shared very little in common. Mila had long red hair that some would call auburn, and large pouty lips that reminded me of Angelina Jolie. She was tall and willowy and clearly unaware of how attractive she was.
“Come on,” I said, standing up.
Mila stood gingerly and dusted herself off. She went to her bedroom to get her bags, and then she followed me out of her apartment without a word. After she had locked the door, we went downstairs where the car was waiting. I got into the passenger seat, and Mila slipped into the back.
The drive to the clubhouse was a quiet one. I could sense that Mila wasn’t happy about having to come with us, and a part of me was annoyed by it. I could see her in my peripheral vision, and she kept wringing her ha
nds together. Anyone else would think that we were the ones kidnapping her as opposed to protecting her.
We got to the clubhouse in twenty minutes, and after Devon parked, we walked towards the entrance. I didn’t bother helping Mila with her bags. I wasn’t in the mood to be gentlemanly in any case. Devon and Mila followed behind me, and I could hear snippets of their conversation.
“This is the clubhouse?” Mila was asking her brother.
“Yes.”
“It’s…larger than I expected.”
“What… you expected to find us in some sort of hovel?”