Page 28 of Tinsel & Chrome

“I’ve got nowhere to be, so the beginning is good.”

She isn’t i two minutes into talking and I’m the one plopping down in the chair across from her.

“Wait.” I cut in. “You’re telling me you have been digging around in God knows how many systems for information on me because you saw me at the courthouse? Are you nuts? Do you stalk people often? Do you even understand how dangerous that is? You dig into the wrong person, and them showing up at your door won’t be to ask why you’re doing it?”

“In my defense, I didn’t right away until... until I overheard a conversation involving my sister. You and the MFMC were the first to come to mind. I don’t know who they were or when, nor why they’re targeting her. Okay, maybe the why.”

“Oh yeah, you are gonna have to do more explaining, so get to it.”

After sitting for I don’t know how long, listening to her convoluted idea I and the club could help her, I was fascinated with how her brain worked.

Then, she goes into the part of how her sister was the only family each other has and she’d do anything to keep her safe. The story of the sisters reminds me of my brother and me. Similar circumstances. And I would do anything to keep him safe too.

I watch her facial expression change throughout along with the use of her hands as she continues to talk. It’s as if her hands are linked to her speech.

Damn, she’s too beautiful for her own good, and the fascinating part is she has no clue. I’d bet money on her not knowing the effect she has on men. Hell, she doesn’t know the effect she has on me at the moment.

Is it wrong to be thinking of how you’d like to explore her body to find out where else she has piercings or tattoos? Maybe, but I can’t find enough reason to care. I won’t lie to myself—I’m drawn to her. I’m so fucked.

Chapter Four

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Holiday

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“Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, can’t you just tell them everything and that I’m really sorry for hacking into the club’s system,” I say as I hand the helmet to Alaric, or Deal as he said his brothers call him.

“I could, but it’s best if you explain it all. I’ll help you either way, but if you want full support from the MFMC, you need to tell the club members, and the prez will have the final say. Just trust me; once you start talking, they’ll fold like a house of cards.”

His lips twitch, and I have no idea how he can find any of this funny. They have to be furious I snooped into their system. Though honestly, I don’t know how they figured it out. I’m going to have to meet the man Alaric called Tracer from the Alabama Chapter. Maybe he’d be willing to share a few skills.

“What’s that smile for?” He asks as we walk toward what I presume is the clubhouse entrance.

I don’t get the chance to answer as we walk in, and the heads of at least a dozen men turn in our direction.

Holy smokes, I should be shaking in my shoes with their presence. Instead, I stare back. There should be a law against so much hotness in one room.

“It’s not a requirement,” Alaric says, then laughs along with the other men.

I feel the heat rise on my face as I realize I said that out loud.

“Sorry.”

“Come on in, darlin’. Let’s hear what you have to say. See if you can win us over. I can already tell Deal is sunk.”

I’m introduced to everyone before I’m led to a chair. It should probably feel like an inquisition, but it doesn’t. For a room full of men, who might look like models, but put off a deadly presence, I’m calm as I sit and begin to tell them everything I shared with Alaric.

Overall, the men stay quiet except at the beginning when I mention seeing Alaric for the first time. There were a few snorts and chuckles, but nothing enough to break my stride.

When I finish, I look over at Alaric and he winks. I smile even though my stomach is in knots.

“Deal, get her something to drink while I hold a meeting in my office.”

I watch as Hardware, the club’s president, who I was informed of earlier, rises along with five other men and heads toward a doorway at the back of the room.

“What do you want to drink, Hols?”

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