CHAPTER FOUR
Talon
I left the office to find Doc. “What do you think?” I asked. “Do you think it was the Demons?”
Doc nodded. “There’s been no talk of a new player in town, especially one with the resources and stupidity to blow up a car on our property.”
I grimaced. That never would have happened under Hawk’s leadership. The Demon biker gang had enough run-ins with Hawk to know better than to mess with him. “I want them hit and hit hard,” I said. “It’s about time they know their place around here.”
Doc nodded. “Absolutely. But maybe you should get the lady settled in first. I don’t think she should go home. Not alone at least.”
He was right. I wouldn’t be surprised if they attacked her home as well. All because her old man owed them money. Pieces of shit.
“Shit,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “Would you be able to take her?”
Doc shook his head. “I’m having renovations done on my house all week. My place is a mess.”
I grimaced. “Axel can’t leave until past midnight tonight. And he’s going to have to collect some debts tomorrow. Maybe I can ask someone else–”
“Why doesn’t she just stay with you?” Doc asked, raising an eyebrow.
I sighed. I knew it was the logical choice, but that was playing a dangerous game. She already set off my Daddy instincts. Having her so close to me would just make it worse. But I knew I needed to do something. I couldn't just leave her to go home and potentially get hurt.
I would have to take her in and somehow try to keep things professional.
I went back into the office. Tina was looking a little better and relaxed. She was still clutching the blanket around her with the stuffy against her chest. She looked up at me with wide eyes. "I don't have a ride to work tomorrow," she said.
"I don't think you should go to work tomorrow. They know where you work, and they probably know where you live. Hell, they might have been watching you for awhile before they approached you. Maybe even to give your father extra incentive to make payments."
She snorted and looked away. "I doubt that," she said. "Those incentives wouldn't work. My father never cared about me. He kicked me out of the house when I was fifteen years old."
I frowned. "Jesus. How did you survive?"
She shrugged. "I got an afterschool job and a babysitting job. I stayed over at friends' houses when I had the option. I stayed in a homeless shelter that didn't ask to many questions the rest of the time. I made do and scraped enough earnings together to eventually get an apartment. I've been trying to get by ever since."
My chest tightened when I listened to her story. It was unfortunately not uncommon, especially in these parts. But it was painful to hear anyway. I was just glad she grew up in this town and not a town like Newbury or Middleton, which the Demons used as hunting grounds for their brothels. She would have been snatched up in an instant.
I cleared my throat and tried to keep my expression neutral. I had to remain professional and unattached. I couldn't let her know how proactive I was slowly becoming of her. "I still think there's a good chance they know where you live," I said. "I want you to stay the night at my place. I have a guest room you can use and you'll be safe there. I promise."
She bit her lip, looking hesitant. "I-I'm not sure. No offense but I barely know you."
I nodded. "I understand. But if the Demons are after you, then you need to be under protection. I could come to your place if that makes you feel better."
She shook her head. "That won't work. I only have a studio apartment. I-- I can stay at your place." She stood up and put the blanket down. "I feel a lot better. Tell Doc I said thanks."
"I will." I surveyed her critically. Her waitressing outfit was slightly skimpy with the short skirt and the bare arms. She would be freezing on my bike in just that. I quickly shed my jacket and handed it to her. "Here," I said. "You'll be warmer in this."
She took the jacket hesitantly. As she did, her eyes traveled over my muscled arms. I couldn't tell if she was looking at the scars or the tattoos that covered them, but a slow blush crept over her face. Fuck. As scared as she was, she was also attracted to me. A part of me enjoyed that. But I pushed that impulse away. I couldn't think about that. Not at all.
Tina put the jacket on and zipped it up. On her, it fell to the middle of her thighs. She was practically swimming in it. But she looked adorable and at least she would be warm.
We left the office. I met eyes with Axel, who was manning the bar. He nodded at me, knowing I would have to take Tina back to my place. I couldn't help but feel some frustration knowing I would have a lot of work I would need to get done tomorrow, and I felt a little guilty for leaving so early in the night. But I wasn't about to make Tina, who was clearly exhausted, just wait in my office all night. I needed to get her home and in bed.
We went outside to my bike. I handed her my helmet. "Put this on," I said. "Have you ever ridden on a motorcycle before?"
She shook her head. "Never." Her eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and excitement.
I smiled. "It's okay," I said. "I'll go slow, I promise." I got on the motorcycle and told her to get on behind me.
As she did, she wrapped her arms around my waist and her tiny body was pressed against my back. Fuck, she felt good.
Slowly, I pulled out of the parking lot and went down the road. I kept my eyes out for someone tailing us, but I couldn't see anyone at all. But it was late now, and I wasn't as experienced as detecting a tail as Hawk was.
Why the hell did he ever make me president? Did I really have what it took to run the Hell's Renegades?
After tonight, I really wasn't sure.
I was going so slow, it took almost an hour to rock up to my home. I lived in a small house near the edge of town. It was a bare bones kind of place, with no frills on the outside, just a weed-filled lawn and a stone pathway leaving up to the door. No flower beds or cheerful shutters. Not even a welcome mat. Tonight was the first time it bothered me. I wish I had a warmer, more welcoming place to bring Tina home to. She deserved comfort, especially after the day she had. Not that she would ever feel comfort with someone like me.