Page 10 of Rebel

I turned at the sound of his angry voice just in time to see him backhand Nikki and send her flying across the floor. I got to my feet and rushed him, both of us skidded on the floor just as more boots appeared in my view.

“Good thing we showed up before he got his ass kicked.” That was the amused voice of my so-called friend, Maverick. “Need a hand?”

I grabbed his offered hand and got to my feet before I turned to face Nikki. “Are you okay?”

She held one hand to the side of her face. “I hurt a little, but I’ll live. You?”

“Fine.” I helped her to her feet and held her face in both of my hands. “Listen Nikki, this isn’t just a story someone told you on your show. There’s some truth to it and the Blood Fangs are watching you. They won’t forget, I can promise you that.”

Her eyes were round as fear swam in her depths. “So, what do I do? It’s not like the radio station is going to give me a security detail.” She shook her head. “Thank you for stepping in Logan. I really appreciate it.” She laid her hand on my arm and gave it a squeeze. “Really.”

That one touch. One look. So full of sincerity, and if I wasn’t mistaken a hint of longing. “You don’t have to thank me for doing what’s right, Nikki. I won’t let those assholes get close to you.”

She looked away quickly, but her hand stayed on my arm.

“As wonderful as it is watching Rebel’s tongue malfunction, we should get the hell out of here unless we’re ready to whoop some ass.” Maverick’s voice was too fucking amused.

Hawk joined in. “Don’t get us wrong, this is really fucking entertaining and I’m happy to kick some ass. But I don’t have enough ammo if those assholes come back.”

“Ammo?” Nikki whispered softly, her eyes as wide as saucers. “Gun ammo?”

We all laughed. “Is there another kind?”

She rolled her eyes. “I guess not. It’s just that, well the rumor mill about the Steel Demons says you guys have done a lot for Steel City and its citizens.”

“Two things can be true, sweetheart.” Hawk motioned towards the exit with his head. “Let’s get gone.”

I placed my hand on Nikki’s lower back and gave her a gentle nudge towards the door. “I’ll give you a ride.”

She inhaled deeply the minute the cool desert air hit her skin. “I took a rideshare so that would be great.”

Fuck yeah!“I’m over here.”

She stopped at the sight of my bike, eyes wide as her gaze bounced between me and my best girl. “That’s your ride?”

I laughed and nodded. “Kinda hard to be a biker without… the bike.”

Nikki laughed at herself, which was even sexier than I ever thought it could be. “Right. What was I thinking?”

“Scared?”

She shook her head. “Nervous. It’s safe, right?”

“Absolutely. Just hang on tight and don’t work against me. We’ll be fine.”

She nodded and repeated the words to herself. “Hang on tight. No problem.” She shook out her hands as if that would get rid of her nerves.

I let her calm herself while I settled on the bike. “Hop on.”

She stepped on the peg and swung her leg around, settling the warmth of her inner thighs against my legs. “Okay. I’m good.”

***

The ride back to her hotel was short. Too short. I thought maybe she would invite me up and we could have a repeat of our last meeting, but she shocked the hell out of me when she wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight. “Is this good night?”

“Yeah. I still have another twelve hour day tomorrow and then a three hour ride back to the city. I’ll call you when things settle down.”

I knew a brush-off when I heard one. “Nikki don’t make me track you down. I will. Happily.”

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