Page 8 of Desert King

“You’ve got some nerve showing up on our turf.” Edge grits out.

The three men shrug, but only one responds. “We were invited.”

“Bullshit.” Edge crosses his massive arms.

“Tell them, Viv.”

The bartender who was kind to me grimaces. “F.O.C.U.S. offered his services.”

“What the fuck, Viv? We protect your business, your women, and you have the nerve to disrespect me by inviting the Royal Bastards to our turf?”

“South Albuquerque is no man’s land.” The man’s face is in shadow as he speaks. His voice is soft thunder. He’ s still, but I get the impression he’s a coiled whip ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

“The fuck it is,” Edge growls. “This is toeing the line, and you know it, Tarak.”

“The lady asked us.” The man called F.O.C.U.S. replies. “Some of us think this war between us needs to end. We’d make better partners than rivals.”

“I don’t give two fucks. Get out.”

“Make me,” he growls, raising a fist. He steps forward. My breath catches. His eyes are the opposite of Edge’s. If Edge has the eyes of an angel, this man’s the fallen one. I could get lost in his gaze, just trying to figure out exactly what shade of black his irises are. They’re so dark they gleam. If that is even possible. His face was carved from the mountains, all hard planes, and angles. His bronze skin is drawn tight over his cheekbones. His lips are full for a man. They’re sexy and full and right now—baiting Edge with a sly smirk. “Bring it.” He opens his palms, turning them up and gestures with his hands for Edge to come at him.

“Whoa. Easy there…” A giant of a man with salt n’ pepper hair places a hand on the guy’s arm, making it lower. His cut says “Creed” on the back. What is going on? Three different MC’s are talking about their beef?

It is only then I notice another giant of a man with a full beard and dangerous eyes, point a gun at the man to Edge’s right. He points a gun straight back. It’s an old Western showdown, but there’s no horses or 45’s. Instead, it’s tatted cowboys riding chrome and wearing leather and I have a front-row seat.

“Let me at him, Rog. You know why.”

“Maybe later. I wanna drink. It was a long-ass ride.” I’m stunned when the handsome older biker turns his back on the lot of them. He must have balls of steel. He takes a seat right next to where my drink was and damn, I want to finish mine. I’m over being the mouse, hiding in the corner… going unnoticed. Squaring my shoulders, I push off the wall and try my best chicken-ass saunter, cutting right through them all. In my mind’s eye, I’m a seductress weaving her way through alpha men drooling over her ass… I almost sigh. From the corner of my eye, I sneak a peek at the tall man, Tarak. The harsh planes of his face could cut stone. His skin is divine. It’s tan but not from sun, from DNA. I shake my head. This is the Wild West with Chrome Cowboys and hot AF Native Americans. He steps closer, staring at Edge over my head. I feel the heat coming off his skin.

“I need a drink, too.”

The air is thick with tension. I cut right through it. But I wasn’t expected the sparks from my left and right. Edge’s eyes promise murder and the man, Tarak’s sparks with interest. But that can’t be right. Who would be interested in a brown, little mouse?

Finally, exhaling, I sit next to the ogre of a man, Rog or something and tip back my glass. The ice has melted, and the tequila goes down smoother. A smirk plays across his full lips. “Whatcha doin’ here, sugar? Got a death wish?”

“Nah. Death already came for me and left empty-handed.”

He lifts a brow and signals Viv. “Next rounds on me. What did ya’ beat? Cancer?”

“COVID-19.”

“No, shit? Good for you.”

“Thanks.”

“Rog? Are you done, making new friends cause still have an issue over here?”

“Boys,” the older, hot guy rolls his eyes.

“I know,” I wink, suddenly seeing the band of gold around his finger, which is too bad because this hot silver fox has presence in spades.

“Name’s Roger.”

“Amber.”

“Nice to meet ya, little lady. Hold my spot. I’ll be right back.”

Viv grimaces, twisting a rag in her hands. “Did you really invite Edge’s rivals?”

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