by Katie Ball
I was on my own.
Talon
“Talon.” Groaning from the sound of my name falling from her cherry red lips. Drawing me in. Enticing me to kiss her again. To taste her. She was so sweet, like fresh berries. Ripe and begging me to have another taste. My mouth was watering just from the thought of her ruby red lips.
Remembering the way, she felt. My fingers sliding in and out of her tight sex. So wet. She was stunning. Coating my fingers just like I wanted. Tasting her sweetness was heavenly. What I wouldn’t give to bury my face between her legs and drown in her. Taking everything, she gave me.
Watching her come was enough to have me on the verge of joining her. Stunned by her beauty. The sheer rapture on her face. How fucking good it felt knowing I had given her that. Wishing I had time to give her more. If I had the chance, I would have fucked her. Drove myself so deep within her, taking her against that drinks shelving. That’s what I should have done.
She was all I could think about. All I could dream about. Imagining she was here with me. She consumed me. I couldn’t stop it. I felt like an addict, in need of a fix. Desperate to see her again. To gaze upon my sweet little beauty. Remembering how it felt to have my hands on her intoxicating curves. Having her pinned against me, right where she was supposed to be. Her soft little whimpers as I devoured her inviting lips…as I gave her pleasure. She was an enchantress.
The memory of her etched into my soul. Never forgetting the sensual way, she whispered to me. Mumbled my name like a heavenly pray. She didn’t even realise she had done it. I wanted to hear more of it. Wanted to wake up to the enchanting tones of her voice. Falling asleep, to her as if she was my perfect lullaby.
Fuck, I had it bad.
It wasn’t helping that it had been a week since I’ve seen her. God knows what she had been up to. What if some fucker had made a move on her? What if she gave them the time of day? I would commit stone-cold murder, there was no doubt of that. My hands would be stained with their blood if they had touched what was mine. Because that’s what she was to me…mine.
I just had to make her see that, show her that she was all I wanted. That she belonged by my side, on the back of my bike, in my bed, right beside me. That was where she was meant to be.
Mine.
I knew it. I didn’t even need to spend months finding out what she meant to me. The way I was feeling, that was proof enough. Showed me how different she was. How incredibly important she was to me. No woman had ever slipped beneath my skin, burrowed inside of my mind. Consumed my every waking moment with images of them. She was the first and she would be the last.
She would be mine.
“Talon? Safe to come in?” My second in command strolled into my office. Eyes trained on me. I could see Gunner was worried about my state of mind. It had been a long week. Made even longer with restless night’s sleep all because of her and the wicked dreams that filled my head. Driving me fucking insane that I wasn’t with her making them a reality.
“What is it?” I’ve barely been back for five minutes and I could tell he was about to dump some shit on me.
“The Wild Hounds have been sniffing around. Word is they are looking for a way to gain more territory.” Well, they could take a running jump off a fucking cliff for all I care. They wouldn’t get Oakley. I would kill every single one of them. Rip out their throats and feed it to them. This was my home, my family’s home, I would protect it with everything I had.
“Send them a message, make it very clear I won’t take shit lying down. I’ll burn their homes to the ground and leave nothing but rubble and ash in my wake if they aren’t fucking careful.” I was a cruel bastard, ruthless at times. I needed to be to keep my home and the ones I cared about safe.
Were my hands stained with blood? Yes.
Had I taken lives to protect others? Yes.
Made my enemies suffer at my hands? Yes.
Would I do it all again? …Abso-fucking-lutely.
Every single sinful thing I had done, I would do it again in a heartbeat. No hesitation. No question. For the ones I love, there isn’t a single thing I wouldn’t do to keep them safe.
“I’ll get Hog and Tank on it.” Good, they would handle it. Make it clear to the Hounds what happens when you try to fuck with the Kings. “You need one of the girls to come in and help you relieve some stress?”
Glaring at him now. The idea alone disgusted me. Made me feel physically sick. I wanted no one else, no club girl, no groupie, no one…just her.
“No.” If any of them came wandering in here, I would swiftly tell them to fuck off.
“Fuck me, you got it bad don’t you.” Biting down on my jaw, wishing he would do one. I was not in the mood for his shit. I was exhausted. Drained and fucking frustrated, in desperate need of her.
“Haven’t you got shit to do.” Needing him out of my office and more importantly, out of my face.
“How about I babysit Cole, while you go find your bartender. See if she can’t put you in a better fucking mood.” I didn’t trust any of my club brothers to look after my younger brother and keep him out of trouble.
Cole had just been released from a stint in prison.
This past week, I had been following his stupid arse around as he enjoyed his freedom. Riding wherever he wanted. Fucking whoever he wanted. Fighting whoever he wanted. Doing whatever his heart desired.
As his older brother, I took it upon myself to follow close behind. Kind of like damage control, clearing up the mess he left in his wake.
Eventually, I managed to get him home. Mum was thankful for that. Though within seconds of him walking through the front door, she gave him a piece of her mind. His own fault and he deserved every second of her enraged rant.
“I’m trying to keep Cole out of trouble. If I leave him with you lot, all my hard work will be for nothing.” He was about to argue but he never got the chance.
The blaring tone of my phone cut through the moment. A number I didn’t recognise. Who the fuck was calling me?
When I answered, I didn’t say a single word. Letting them speak first. Needing to know who the hell was calling me and how they got my number.
“Hello…is this the Kings of Chaos?” A quiet feminine voice mumbled. I recognised that voice, it was familiar, but I just couldn’t place it.
“Whose asking?” On the defence, not trusting them until I had more information.
“My name’s Jane, I work at Paradiso’s.” My body snapped to attention at the mention of the bar. She must be blondie, Hazel’s friend. Had something happened? Was Hazel alright? The pit of my stomach dropped. I should have paid her a visit sooner, checked in on her, made sure she was ok. If someone had hurt her, I would be on the war path. Undoubtedly lost to the madness.
“What’s happened?” Needing to know Hazel was ok.
“Is this Talon?” Why the hell was she whispering? Who did she not want to overhear her?
“Yeah, now tell me why your calling? Is Hazel ok?” Gunner went to say something, but I stopped him with one look.
“She’s in trouble. She needs your help.” Chill seeped into my bones, freezing me from the inside, out. Worry for a woman I barely knew. A woman I wanted to know with every ounce of my being. She needed me. Whatever it was, I would help, I didn’t care. I wouldn’t let her face anything on her own. I would face her demons, shielding her from anything that came her way.
“Where is she?” Hearing enough to spring me into action.
“The bar.”
“Keep her there, I’m on my way.” Hanging up, slipping my cut over my shoulders. Needing to get to her, figure out what the hell was going on. What she needed from me. I would be at her disposal, even if she didn’t want my help, she had it.
“What do you need brother?” Gunner ready to go to battle with me. That was why he was my VP. Always had my back no matter what.
“Get Hog and Mac, we’re needed.” Moving out of instinct then, stalking towards my bike. My new reality hitting me like a bl
ow to my gut.
For the first time in a long time…I felt fear.
All because of her.
Chapter Six
Hazel
“Another drink?” Shaking my head. I had one, that was enough. I had to get moving, I had been sat still for too long, letting him close in on me. He had been watching me earlier. I just know it was him. He was right out there. Hiding…lurking, biding his time.
“I got to go Jane. I appreciate what you’re trying to do for me, but I need to go.” Did I want to leave? No but what choice did I have.
“Look, just stay for a little longer, we can figure something out.” There was nothing she could do. I didn’t want her tangled up in this, not if it meant she could get hurt. She was important to me, she was family.
“I still say we go to the police.” Ignoring Zach’s answer to this whole situation. Nothing good would come from involving the police.
“We already decided against that.” Jane shot him daggers, not needing his input since he wasn’t helping.
I heard a gentle rumbling then, it sounded like thunder. Though in this town, it was probably just motorcycles. It was a common thing especially when you had a motorcycle club living in town. Not paying it much mind, I never did.
Images of Talon flashed in my mind. God, I would never get to see him again. Never get to see those stunning mossy green eyes shimmering down at me. That wickedly naughty smirk of his.
It didn’t matter anyway. He was never going to be mine. I wasn’t even on his radar. I bet he had a different girl each night this past week. Why would he want someone like me? I must be boring compared to what his used to.
“Running isn’t the answer Hazel. There has to be a better solution.” If there was, I would have thought of it by now. I had thought of every possibility, every idea, nothing worked. Nothing would stop him apart from his death or mine.
Resting my head in my hands, wishing for a miracle, a way out of this nightmare. None would come though. I was just putting off the inevitable. I had to leave, run while I still had a chance. There was no way I would just sit around and wait for him to step out of the shadows.
“I don’t have long. I’ve got to go.” Shooting to my feet, needing to put some distance between me and Oakley. I grabbed my stuff now, needing to head home so I could grab my emergency bag. Once I had that, I could get the hell out of here. Drive as far as I could, find a new car, keep driving, change cars again. Then find a new place to live, just until he found me again.
Then the cycle would begin again.
“Hazel, please let us help. We can help, just please stay.” Jane was at my side, trying to get me to stay here. That wasn’t happening.
The rumbling got louder…and louder. My eyes darting to the door, it was almost like it was right outside. It couldn’t be, the Kings wouldn’t come here. There was nothing for them here.
Then it stopped.
Silence was all that greeted us.
Maybe it wasn’t the Kings. Maybe it was just my imagination, wishing he would appear.
A loud pounding knock on the door had me jumping out of my skin. My airways constricting with terror. Was it him? I couldn’t help but back up, ready to make a run for it. Fleeing out the backdoor if need be, I wouldn’t let him hurt me again.
“It’s ok Hazel.” Jane wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Comforting me, reassuring me. I realised then that I was shaking. Feeling like I was being suffocated by my fear.
Zach headed for the door. Was he crazy? Had he lost his mind? Was he really about to open up the door for that monster?
But as he opened the door, my worries vanished. Locking onto the figure that moved past Zach.
Talon.
Stopping right there, looking as glorious as the first time I saw him. Those emerald eyes seemed dark today. Scanning over me, what was he looking for?
It didn’t matter. He was here, looking fearsome. A ferocity in his eyes, like he was ready to go to war.
What was he even doing here? He shouldn’t be here. There was movement behind him, he wasn’t alone. The three guys from the other night were right behind him. Coming inside the bar, scrutinizing everything. Alert and watching. Observing the scene in front of them, as if they were looking for a threat.
“What are you doing here?” Confused by their sudden appearance. They hadn’t been here all week, why now? Were they back to look for Olly? I thought maybe they had found him. Obviously not if they were back here looking for him.
I clocked the look Talon gave Jane. Glancing her way, I saw the guilt on her face. No, did she…did she call him? I told her I wasn’t involving him or his club.
“You called them?” Why would she do that? That’s why she snuck away to the ladies. Calling them behind my back.
“I’m sorry Hazel.” I couldn’t even look at her. Deep down I knew she was looking out for me, doing what she thought was for the best.
“I told you not to.” The lock clicked back into place, shutting me in here with four intimidating biker Kings. Limiting my escape routes, would they let me leave? They couldn’t keep me here. He wouldn’t…would he?
“Your friend said you were in need of my help.” Gazing at the stunning man stood before me. Talon really was a god among men. Sculpted like Adonis himself, yet he possessed the fierceness and power of a Norse God. He was a modern-day Viking. One I wish wanted me in the same way I wanted him.
Schooling my emotions then, not wanting him to see the amount of pain swamping my system right now. I kept my face stone cold, keeping my feelings hidden away, not letting him get a glimpse of them. He would probably see them as weakness.
“She shouldn’t have called you.”
“Please Hazel, let them help you. Your apart of this town. You can’t just keep running, enough is enough. Let someone help you for once.” Jane was hurting at the thought of losing me. I was her family as well, best friends who were more like sisters. Neither one of us wanting to lose that friendship.
“You don’t get it.” Talon moved closer then, edging closer and closer. He was trying to be subtle about it in the hope of not spooking me, but I was aware of every little move he made though. So, attuned to him.
“Let me help you Hazel. I can help you, but you need to tell me what’s happened.” Shaking my head at him, I wasn’t fooling for this. He didn’t care. He had shown me that with his absence this past week. Information was all he was interested in. I doubt I crossed his mind at all. That kiss…meant nothing. Probably didn’t compare to what he was used to.
“Why would you help me? Do you want some kind of payment?” I could see the flash of anger in his eyes, annoyed that’s how I saw him.
Taking another step in my direction, he was closing the gap between us. He could reach out now and touch me, but he didn’t.
“No payment Hazel. I want to help you, if you’ll let me. Like your friend said, you’re a part of this town. We look after our own.” Staring up into those intense eyes of his, I saw only sincerity and honesty. There was a strength within him that I wished I had. Jealous that he was so powerful, so fierce. I longed to be like that.
If I let him help me then I would have to stay. I would have to be a sitting duck, waiting for him to show up. Could I do that? It certainly wasn’t in my nature.
But maybe Jane was right. Maybe it was time to stop running, I was so tired of it. I wanted to settle down somewhere and make a home. Could this be my chance?
Sighing in defeat, I nodded towards the box. Letting him see what I was running from. Watching as he pushed the lid out the way. His whole body went rigid. Taking it all in, assessing it, analysing every little detail. His anger was contagious. Clenching his jaw as he processed what he was seeing.
Finally glancing over his shoulder at me. In that moment, it felt as if he broke past all my walls…all my barriers…and he saw me. The real me. The terrified little girl that needed someone to protect her when no one else could. To take away her fears…her pain…the torment that she h
ad endured all her life. To shield her from the monster that wishes to hurt her once more.
No wonder he looked like he was ready to murder someone. Brutality and retribution roaring within his emerald eyes, more than ready to fight to the death. He looked vicious…lethal.
I should be afraid, yet all I felt was molten hot desire. A need so potent that it had me shaking with raw hunger for this deadly King.
“Who sent this?” Suddenly nervous about spilling my truth when there were so many strangers in here. His club brothers made me panic. Could they be trusted?
“Hazel?” His voice so soft now. Soothing…comforting. Not something you expect from a dangerous outlaw like Talon.
“My stepfather.” Moving towards me, he guided me over to the table. Sitting down next to me, staying close to me. It allowed his friends to inspect the package, examining it so they knew what they were dealing with.
“Why would he do that?” Talon steered my attention back to him, wanting me to focus on him and only him.
“His been hunting me for a while now.” Noticing his hands were balled into fists, trying to contain his rage.
“Why?” My eyes dropping to stare down at my hands, wishing I didn’t have to tell him, wishing I could keep this part of me to myself. That wasn’t an option. Not anymore.
“Because I ran away from him.” I felt him move, reaching towards me. His fingertip touched my chin and gently urged me to meet his gaze. Our eyes locked a second later and all I saw in them deep pools of green was safety. A protector ready to shield me from anything and everything. There was no judgement, no disgust.
“Why did you run from him?” Tears building in my eyes as images stirred up in my mind. Memories tearing through me. The pain wanted to rake its vicious claws down my chest. Destroying me, ruining me, breaking me.
No…I wouldn’t let them. I wouldn’t let him or the memories he left seared into my brain, wreck me anymore. No more tears, not for that sick bastard.
“He hurt me for a very long time. When I turned eighteen, I built up the courage to go to the police. Figured they could help me. In the end they did fuck all, told me to stop making up cruel lies.” I felt everyone’s eyes on me. Listening…processing. Not wanting to interrupt me. Wanting to hear everything so then they could figure out where to go from here.
