A couple of weeks of dating and I never understood what Grim’s life was like until today. I was far too naïve. The world of bikers, motorcycles, and parties sounded fun and intoxicating but it was far more dangerous than I realized. Thoughts of my stepbrother Moby surfaced, and I buried my head in Grim’s chest as he let my feet drop to the ground but kept one arm securely around my waist. Why didn’t I listen to my gut? The day we met I knew nothing good would come from a relationship with a biker. The Scorpions were the perfect example. Wasn’t Moby’s cruelty enough?
“What you need, pres?”
My head lifted at the same time the new voice spoke. What greeted my eyes was nothing short of a nightmare. Dark circles made the eyes of the man in front of me appear to be some spawn of hell. I screamed as he grinned and his lips pulled back wider, giving him the freakiest expression that I’d ever seen. Black and white makeup covered his face in the mask of death. The guy looked like he walked straight off the set of a horror movie. His shaved head accentuated his lean features and macabre smile.
“Fuck, honey, I ain’t gonna hurt you.” A deep chuckle erupted from between his lips. “Sometimes I forget how startling the makeup can be.”
Grim shot him a glare and tilted my chin up. “Baby, you gotta breathe for me, alright? This is Azrael. He’s my SAA. Not a danger to you at all.”
I tried to nod but all I could do was stare deeply into the only pair of eyes that felt safe to me. Grim leaned down and pressed a light kiss on my lips.
“Pres, what’s the word?”
Another biker emerged and he was a lot less intimidating than Azrael. This one was somewhat normal looking. Thick hair the color of midnight was pulled back with a rubber band. He smiled and my eyes widened. Gold caps covered several of his teeth while the canines were filed into sharp points. He had a twisted and wicked grin like he was thinking about a joke in his head and it was far too naughty to share.
“Wraith, we’ve got trouble.”
“Tell me what you need.”
It occurred to me that the only other guys I had met in Grim’s motorcycle club were Bodie and a huge biker named Mammoth who I later found out was the V.P. No one else ever came inside the Blacktop but I had a feeling Grim didn’t travel without a few at his side.
It was that moment that Bodie came stumbling out of one of the bedrooms, his clothes hastily thrown on. “Fuck, Grim. Sorry, pres,” he muttered as he finished zipping up his fly.
Grim scrubbed a hand over his face. “Listen, Razr was just here. We need to move and now. I want Trish and the entire fuckin’ perimeter secure.”
Azrael narrowed his eyes. “Shit. You got it, pres.”
Bodie pulled out his phone. “I’ve got the prospects watching every window and exit of this house.”
“Good. Find Patriot and Ex. Make sure those two are up to speed. Lucky is on his way back from Reno. Call him, Wraith. I’m texting Mammoth. Check in with Xenon, Bodie. I want to know where he’s got eyes. Need to know if he can hack nearby security.”
Bodie ticked his head once and rushed outside. Azrael followed closely behind. The festive atmosphere was gone but it wasn’t anyone’s fault except for Razr. Grim tugged me over to a couch and sat down, tugging on my hand so I joined him.
“I’m sorry you were bothered tonight. I didn’t think you were alone. Bodie and Suraya were right next to you and I assumed I had a few minutes to talk to Rael.”
“I’m not upset with you, Grim.”
He appeared relieved. “Good, ’cause we need to talk, baby. I’m not sure you’re gonna like what you hear.”
“Can you please make sure my cousin Stef is with Shadow and she’s safe first?” My hands trembled in my lap.
“Sure.” He shot off a couple of texts. Someone responded right away. “Shadow has her. They’re leaving on his bike now. He’ll take her right home and watch over her for the afternoon.”
“She’s sixteen. No sex,” I blurted.
Grim snorted. He sent off another text. The response amused him. “Prospect doesn’t want his dick chopped off so he’s listening.”
Would have been funny under different circumstances. Neither of us laughed.
Grim’s expression sobered. “Angel, I’m sorry.”
Trish was fuckin’ spooked. I could see it in her eyes. When I found her by the picnic bench, I thought she was having a good time until I realized she was not only alone but scanning the entire area like someone was gonna pop out any moment and stab her to death. I never saw her look so frightened and unsure. She stumbled away when I reached out. Pissed, I knew her reaction was because she thought I was in danger too.
Now that we were inside, I needed to make sure we were good. I didn’t need her doubting us right now.
Grasping a light hold on her chin, I kept her gaze focused on my own. “Angel, you were scared today and it’s understandable that would make you feel uncertain and question what’s between us but I don’t want you to use that as an excuse to push away from me.”
She didn’t argue and I wanted to find Razr and fuck him up for going after my woman. He was showing me that he could find her anytime and if he wanted, he could take or harm her before I had a chance to stop him. Wasn’t going to happen but it did show me that he was on the move. I didn’t doubt that Acid was somewhere close. The two brothers were never far from one another.