Page 107 of Filthy Love

But wouldn’t she want someone in that same position to intervene, if only to ask if they were okay?Are you okaycan go a long way to let a person know they’re not alone even when they feel it.

So many what if’s she’d gone through the three years of her captivity that if somehow someone had asked her how she was, she would have asked for help immediately. And with her ongoing therapy twice, sometimes three times a week, Zara was learning to have more courage in life, not just with her recovery. To speak up, to listen to her gut instincts and right now her gut was singing like a soprano that this woman might need help.

“Any time, hope to see you again. Enjoy your books. I’ve read several of them and they were wonderful. There’s a hot tattooed hero in one of them.” Offered Winter with a girlish grin.

Mmm. Just like her own tattooed biker-hero. “Thank you, I will.” Zara took a step towards the door.

Then stopped.

She just couldn’t neglect her instincts. Even if Winter told her to fuck off.

Don’t get involvedher old man would probably say, but she couldn’t help it.

“Listen,” she started. Winter turned from her task, eyebrow raised in question. “I couldn’t help overhearing your call …”

Winter’s face blanched.

Fear was a definitive smell in the air.

“It’s none of my business and I’m not asking for details. I just wanted to check that you’re okay. It looked like it scared you a lot …”

“Oh. I’m fine. Really. Thank you.” There was hardness in her voice and Zara knew the woman wouldn’t say any more. She gave a short head inclined of acceptance.

“Good. I’m glad.” Rummaging in her bag she pulled out her wallet and fished out a small rectangle card. It was the business card for the RS auto-shop/office. “But if you ever find that you’re not okay. Or need help. For anything.” Zara stressed the word, holding the stare of the wary librarian. She pushed the card across the counter with a finger. “You can always call this number or drop by.” She mentioned the road where the compound was situated. Everyone knew of the Renegade Souls MC, but if Winter was new to town then maybe she didn’t yet. “My man is Rider Marinos.” Zara watched the eyes widen. Ah, maybe Winter had heard of all her boys after all.

She smiled. They had such bad-boy reputations. And huge egos to match.

“Again, it’s none of my business, Winter. But if you ever need help. With anything.” She tapped the card and left it there. Turning, she walked back towards the SUV where Slider jumped out to open her door. Such a sweet boy.

Zara’s mind was on Winter the rest of the drive home.

Hoping that phone call she’d overheard was nothing sinister.

The option for help was there if she ever needed it. it was up to her to take it.

For now, she’d go home to her family which now included her favorite sister-in-law and she’d see the librarian next week.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

“Oh, look. It’s the invisible biker.” - Gia

Gia managed to get through the next three days of a no-show Hawk with simmering anger propelling her through each hour. She unpacked most of the boxes for the bedrooms and kitchen and muttered about how she was going to punch him right in the junk the next time she saw him. After three texts and evasive replies of him busy working she’d grown increasingly pissed off, so she’d turned to ignoring him instead.

Five missed calls later she was feeling proud of herself for not pouncing on the phone.

Being messed around was not a nice feeling.

In fact, she felt fucking crappy.

Like he’d followed through with what he’d said he would do for Rider in getting her here and all he’d said to her about sex was just a bare faced lie, pacifying her so she probably wouldn’t chew his ear off.

Whatever. His loss. Which was abig, fat lie.

She’d never be done with Hawk and she felt foolish about that truth. Here she was an intelligent woman, capable of anything she set her mind to and she was churned up over being snubbed by the man she loved.

Men lied every single day. She just hadn’t expected it from Hawk.

First thing first, she was a Marinos before she was a woman, and no one got anything over a Marinos woman. He was in for a world of pain when he showed his face.

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