Page 5 of Toxic Biker

We ride the elevator up to the eleventh floor where Seth’s condo is located, every second ticking by making me more and more aware of his presence and how I’d enjoy feeling him pressed against me again, holding me in place while his mouth touches mine. Christ on a cracker, I’m in trouble.

When Asher pulls out a keycard giving him unrestricted access to my brother’s place, I know I shouldn’t be shocked, but I am.Again.He and Seth clearly weren’t so far estranged from each other that my brother trusted him enough to give him access to his place, at any time.

I knew in my gut that trusting Asher was the right thing to do, and watching him quietly open the door to scout around the entry to make sure it’s safe before allowing me to enter only serves to make me stupider for him. He has to have a girlfriend because if he’s typically like this in everyday life, all growly and protective, then there’s not a sane single woman who’d let him pass by without trying to sink their claws in him.

He checks the entire apartment, going room to room, including rifling through all the closets, peeking under the beds, and exposing a safe room I had no idea existed. “He hasn’t been home in a while. I’ve driven over here every day after I’ve gotten off of work since he won’t return any of my calls.”

“Mistake number one. It’s most likely how those pricks found you to terrorize you. By seeing you here each day, showed them you’re someone important to Seth, and then they took the easy route by following you home. You’re lucky you’re not already dead. They could’ve snuck into your place the first night they tracked you, raped you, and then slit your throat without an issue.”

His reprimand has a fresh wave of tears filling my eyes. I’m already an emotional mess over my family being gone and also from worrying about Seth so much. Add in the poor dose of reality and it has my throat burning, as I suddenly feel like the foolishlittle girlhe’s probably seen me as for so long. No wonder he teases me asjailbait. I must seem like such a naïve fool compared to the people he’s used to in the world he lives in, because apparently, it’s nothing like mine anymore.

“Ah, shit. I didn’t mean it like that, Lacey. The last thing I want is to see you cry. Come ‘ere beautiful.” He tugs me into his chest, wrapping his strong arms around me, making the safe feeling fall over me once more, and suddenly I’m sobbing. Once I start, I can’t seem to stop myself. I hate being a crybaby, hate, hate, hate it, but the waterworks just start and then suddenly they’re pouring out before I have a chance to process the dam has even been broken.

With a sniffle, I immediately begin apologizing. “I’m s-sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m stupid, and it’s fine. I know you probably think I’m wasting your time and I’m sorry, and I j-just don’t know what to do. I’m sad and stressed. Worried to the point of being sick over it all, and you’re the only one I know who can help. I’m sorry.”

His hand moves to my chin, and roughly, he tilts my face up, shocking me enough so my wide eyes meet his furious stare. His nostrils flare as he blows up, “You stop that shit right the fuck now, you hear? Never, and I mean fucking never, call yourself stupid again in my presence. You feel me? And don’t apologize. Not to me about this, not ever about any of it. You have every right to be upset and scared. You’re allowed to feel however it is you’re feelin’ and deal with those emotions in the way that suits you. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently or make you feel unworthy of expressing yourself. Understand?”

Stunned at his outburst, all I can do is nod several times before he’s tugging me back to his sturdy frame and holding me tightly while I have a good cathartic cry. By the time my tears dry up, my nose is clogged, eyes are scratchy, tired, and swollen, and my head pounds something fierce. I felt like such an idiot earlier for my outburst, but then he validated my emotions and it was like I couldn’t get close enough to him or the tears out fast enough. My shoulders slump, body worn out from the overwhelming stress and also the touch of relief I now feel after the massive dump of emotions I just experienced.

He kindly suggests, “How about you grab some clothes from here, if you have any, and we’ll take them back to the club with us.”

“We’re not going to my apartment?”

He shakes his head, “Nah. You’ve dealt with enough today.”

“But I’m scared to go home alone later,” I softly admit. I’m scared of everything at this point, especially after he so plainly laid it out about what could’ve easily happened to me the first night those men followed me home. My stomach clenches and twists with the mere thought of going home eventually.

“Haven’t you figured it out yet?”

“What?”

“I’ll always protect you.”

And because it’s Asher, I know he means it.

Chapter 3

Nobody is coming to save you. Get up. - Nathaniel Brandon

Plague

We climb off my bike, and I tug her to me, softly pressing a kiss on her forehead. I release her, catching her sad stare. “You’re not alone,” I promise.She has me.“Come on, baby.”

“I’m not really dressed to see anyone. My face is swollen and blotchy still.”

“You’re perfect and anyone who says differently can eat my fist.” With that, I stride into the clubhouse. She follows closely behind, chin tucked towards her chest. My brothers notice right away and with how shit went down earlier when she showed up, they no doubt know something is up and I’ll be getting the third degree on it later. Now, however, they do what they do best when it comes to club shit and save their judgments and opinions until they get the facts from me.

“Brother!” Powerhouse greets with a wide smile. I know he’s doing it on purpose, helping to ease the tension coming off of Lacey. “Looks like you found a beautiful woman outside, does she have a sister I can meet?”

Shaking my head, I stop next to him and bump his fist. “Powerhouse, meet Lacey.” I flick my gaze between them and say, “This big oof is Powerhouse, the Sgt. At Arms for the club.”

“I have no idea what that means, but nice to meet you.” She flashes him a timid smile. I hate it that she’s making herself small right now. My brothers and Iaredangerous, but she’s herewith me. She has nothing to fear from any of them. Except maybe Angel. He’s a moody fuck, but even he doesn’t make it a habit to terrorize women unless they’re law enforcement of some type. Blow’s poor ol’ lady will never be safe in a room alone with him. In his defense, we’re not usually law enforcement’s favorite people anyhow, Blow was just an exception it seems.

“Drink, baby doll?” Powerhouse asks with a wink, and I level him with a glare, promising I won’t forget this shit the next time one of his little stripper bitches is around. I’ll see how he likes it when I get them to admit they’d like to bounce on my dick when he’s obsessing over their asses, just to prove a point to him.

“Manic,” I hiss at my prospect. “Get Lacey whatever she wants to drink, and don’t fucking flirt with her.” He’s one person in this club who actually has to listen to me since I’m a patched member and he’s merely prospecting. I sponsored him, so he’s my responsibility if he fucks up. Usually, it’s me getting him drunk while he attempts to recover in time to impress the rest of the brothers. It’s entertaining, and you know what they say: misery loves company and all.

Whiskey’s brows shoot nearly to his hairline at my order. He’s wise enough in his mature age to not say shit, but to just tip his head in a nod my way. I don’t want my brothers scaring her, but I damn sure don’t want them getting sweet on her ass, either. This pussy is allmineand anybody trying to tap her ass will not like what I’ll have to say or do about it.

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