You're Not Broken

by Hart, Gemma

There was something in his voice that caught my ear. A tone of nostalgia mixed with pain, something that said that there was more to his story than just bike riding.

  But before I could question him further, his lips were already on mine and his cock growing between us.

  Agent Todd quirked a brow at me and I noticed I had been smiling to myself.

  “Err, yes,” I said, blushing. “I got some rest.”

  Rowan coughed next to me but I heard the covered laughter beneath it. I would’ve kicked him if the coffee table weren’t so low.

  “Right,” Agent Todd said in a voice that spoke volumes of his understanding. “Well, let’s get down to business. I don’t want to take up any more of your time. I wanted to talk to you about your schedule. I know right now you’re on somewhat of a breather at the moment, which is good. It’ll make our jobs easier. But I saw that tomorrow you have a function you’re attending.”

  I nodded. “The Light Feet Charity Luncheon is tomorrow and I’ve been asked to speak,” I said. Light Feet was a charity that helped bring dance and theater into lower income school districts. I had been a major contributor since the charity’s conception and was glad to be the main speaker for tomorrow’s event. “I can’t cancel on that.”

  Agent Todd held up his hands as if to mean no offense. “Of course, of course. I understand. But you also have an interview as well tomorrow, don’t you?”

  That was what the lunch with Jamie had been about. There was a final interview that the studio wanted me to do for the movie. A big BBC reporter was in LA covering entertainment events and asked to do a story with me. It was good press and good coverage. I had agreed reluctantly. I really had looked forward to a break from such monotonous interviews but I knew that some interruptions couldn’t be helped.

  “I do,” I confirmed. “It’s supposed to be right before the luncheon.”

  Agent Todd nodded. “Okay, well, unfortunately we’re going to ask you to pick one of the two. The luncheon is going to require a lot of manpower and organization and we don’t want to split our focus. Also, we think it’d be safer if we could limit the time you spend out in public for now. No flights out of state, no overseas engagements.”

  “The interview,” I said instantly, relieved that I now had a legitimate excuse to not do it. “I can give up the interview.” I smiled.

  Agent Todd returned the smile. “Thank you for your understanding and compliance, Miss Blair. I know it’s difficult to adhere to all the restrictions but we appreciate how easy you’re making it for us to keep you safe.”

  I nodded graciously. If he only knew the huge favor he was actually doing me!

  Agent Todd rose to leave. I walked him to the door. Before leaving, he said, “One more thing. Not to sound like a broken record but please remember to stick with your security team and Matthews. We want to be able to keep a good location on you at all times. After the luncheon, touch bases with us before heading back to the hotel.”

  I nodded. “Pinky promise,” I said smiling.

  Agent Todd gave us a nod and then left.

  Once the door closed, I turned around and threw my arms up in the air. “No interview!” I cried out in joy and then threw myself into Rowan’s arms.

  He caught me easily and swung me around. “That’s good?”

  “It’s great! I’m sick of being asked how I maintain my body or what my ideal type of man is,” I said, pulling a face.

  “Ideal type of man?” he asked, his eyes glinting with humor. “Well now, I am quite curious, Miss Blair.”

  I blushed. “Oh well,” I said, feeling suddenly quite shy. “I-It’s just one of those silly questions they ask—”

  A musical ring began to echo through the room. It was my phone chiming from the living room.

  “Saved by the bell!” I said as I ran towards my savior.

  “Hello?” I answered.

  “Jessa?” a familiar voice answered.

  “Yes, who is this?” I asked.

  “It’s David. David Francetti,” David answered in a flustered voice. “I apologize for the number. I’m calling from my New York office.”

  David Francetti? I felt a nervous energy hum through me. “Hi David!” I said, hoping my voice didn’t sound unnaturally high. “Yes, I was wondering why I didn’t recognize the number. How are you?”

  “I’m calling about the reel you sent,” he said abruptly, not answering my pleasantries. The man was awkward to a fault. But at the moment, I could care less.

  “Oh?” I breathed, so nervous I felt like even my hair was trembling. “And?”

  “And I’d like you to come into New York to audition,” he said.

  I stamped my feet in place, unable to contain my excitement. “Yes! Yes! I would love to!” I saw Rowan standing near the bar, grinning from ear to ear. He had clearly picked up on what the phone call was about. “When?”

  “Can you come in the day after tomorrow? 10 AM?” he asked. “I know it’s short notice but I leave for Italy that evening so I only have a short period of time to see you.” There was a pause. “But I would like to see you for this role.”

  I thought my heart would burst from happiness. This call was almost as good as actually getting the role itself. “Yes, I will see you in two days then. 10 AM. Thanks, David! Thank you so much!”

  As soon as I hung up the phone, Rowan grabbed me and pulled me into his arms. “I knew you could do it!” he said. “He’d have to be a blind mind to not snatch you up for his movie.”

  I was sure my lips would tear from grinning so much. “Well, it’s not a sure thing yet,” I said, still unable to stop grinning. “All he did was invite me to New York to audition. There’s no guarantee. Although he did sound quite keen to see me.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

  But Rowan furrowed his brow. “New York?” he said. “I thought he’d be in LA.”

  “A man like David Francetti is all over the world. Later that day he’ll be flying to Italy. Why? What’s wrong with New York?”

  Rowan frowned. “You’re grounded, or did you forget? The Feds want to be able to keep a close eye on you so no out of state flights, no overseas engagements,” he said, repeating Agent Todd’s words.

  Suddenly it felt like a splash of cold water had been thrown on all my excitement. I had forgotten. I looked up at Rowan, desperate for him to understand just how important this was for me.

  But I didn’t need to try and explain. I could already see his understanding in his eyes. But there was also a sense of reluctance because he knew he was tied to duty.

  “We could call Agent Todd and ask to sanction a flight to New York,” he offered.

  “But what if he says no?” I said. “I can’t blow this chance. David only has that morning to see me. And if Agent Todd says no then they’ll be wise to the audition and the trip. They’ll make sure I don’t go.”

  “You’re in danger right now,” he said gently, as if trying to delicately crush my dreams. He grabbed my arms and gave me a little shake. “It’s dangerous to be running off without your protection.”

  “But you’re my protection,” I argued. “I have you. You could come with me.”

  Rowan looked like he was about to argue further but before he could, I cut him off. “We could fly out tomorrow night on a private plane and then call Agent Todd or Harrison in the air. At that point they can’t do anything anyway. I’m sure they can have men waiting for us when we land in New York. And then I’d be as safe there as I would be here.”

  Rowan gave me a frown as if he expected me to know that wasn’t exactly true. But I couldn’t care less. My one chance to finally break free from the monotonous ditzy girl roles was here! This was the chance I had been working and studying towards!

  “Rowan,” I said, grabbing onto him, “I have to go. This is a huge opportunity for me. This I what I’ve been working for for a long time. If I give this up, then he—whoever this sick stalker is—has already won. He’s already ruined my life.”

  I could see the
debate behind Rowan’s eyes. He didn’t want me to give up the audition any more than I did. But he knew what the agents had said.

  “I’m going to that audition,” I said firmly. “No matter what.”

  Rowan stared down at me, his face a mixture of exasperation and worry. Finally he threw up his hands. “Well, you’re not going alone, that’s for damn sure,” he muttered.

  I grinned. “Thank you!” I cried as I flung my arms around him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Rowan

  I shifted uncomfortably as I watched the expensively dressed woman laugh and hug each other throughout the wide garden terrace.

  The Light Feet Charity Luncheon was mostly comprised of all women. They were very richly dressed and had that air of exclusivity that only people of money really had.

  Everything was very delicate. The woman were delicate. The china plates were delicate. The crystal cut glasses were delicate. The flower decorations were delicate. It made me feel like an elephant in a china shop.

  I stood guard by a side door, blending in with the regular security, and watched Jessa from a distance. Dressed in a light pink and white dress, she looked like the epitome of spring. Her hair was pulled back, highlighting her rosy cheekbones and her long slender neck.

  I thought of last night and how we spent another night rolling in each other’s arms. Just as Jessa was an honest and open girl, she was an honest and open lover.

  She moaned with abandon when pleasured. She freely gave all of herself to me. She scratched at me as she came. It was like sleeping with passion itself.

  Having acquainted ourselves with each other’s bodies the night before, last night we were able to explore deeper, push further. My body flexed instinctively as I thought about how my fingers had plunged into her silky hair, jerking her head up roughly as I took her from behind.

  Her ass, soft and shapely, felt as if it had been molded just for me. I had pulled her head back as I thrust my cock again and again into her tight warmth. My cock twitched every time I heard Jessa’s throaty moan. I had never been so turned on before. It was like I couldn’t get enough of the woman. I wanted to kiss, lick, pinch, bite every inch of her even though I knew it would never be enough to sate my hunger for her.

  Jessa’s musical laugh echoed across the terrace as she spoke to some women. I watched her move through the crowd, a light around her. She outshone any woman not simply by her beauty but by her genuine nature. There was just something about her that made you stop and stare.

  And of course, it was this nature that was getting her in trouble. It was this nature that had drawn in this demented stalker.

  I really did not want Jessa on that plane to New York. With what happened to her house, I wanted to keep her close to the people who could best protect her. I would lay myself down for her but who knew if that would be enough? I wanted her to have more security.

  But watching her as she took the call from David Francetti, my heart had melted seeing the pure joy and triumph glow across her face. She had earned her reward. She had persevered against her obstacles, against all the naysayers, and had proven them wrong. How could I extinguish all that?

  I had no choice but to make sure that she didn’t fly alone. If nothing else, I was going to be with her at all times.

  “And how do you think you’ll give your guards the slip?” I asked, doubtful that any kind of plan would work.

  Jessa furrowed her brows as she thought. “Well, I’ll need to meet with Agent Todd after the luncheon. Why don’t you go on ahead in a separate car? You can go on ahead to the airfield in Burbank. I’ll make a call tomorrow morning and they should have a plane waiting for us.”

  “And what are you going to say when Agent Todd or Harrison asks where your bodyguard is?”

  “I’ll tell them that he’s gone on ahead to do a security sweep of the hotel to make sure it’s safe,” she said confidently. I was impressed with her quick answer.

  “And then what about you? How will you get to the airfield? Your driver won’t just suddenly up and decide to take you to the airfield. He knows he’d get in trouble for that.”

  The crease in Jessa’s brow deepened before she suddenly broke out into a grin. “You’ll call him,” she said brightly as the idea grew in her head. “The driver and my security team look to you for orders anyway. You’ll call him and tell him you need me at the airfield. He wouldn’t question that. He’d take me there.”

  I had to admit, it was a pretty clever plan. And by the time she called, we would be halfway to New York already.

  “And,” Jessa argued, “I plan on coming back that evening anyway. I wouldn’t even spend a whole day there. So really, the agents should have nothing to complain about.”

  I would highly disagree with that but I could tell there was no talking her out of this. And I wouldn’t let her throw herself into possibly foolhardy danger by herself. So it looked like we would be heading to New York tonight.

  I jerked as my phone buzzed against my thigh. I picked it up.

  “Hello?” I answered.

  “Steel,” Raze’s gravel voice greeted. “Tonight. At the club by 8 PM.”

  Oh come on. Was the universe fucking with me?

  “Raze, I’m not doing this,” I said firmly. I hadn’t yet thought of a way out with Raze. I had hoped that he wouldn’t call for a while yet but clearly that hope had been in vain. “I’m—”

  “Steel,” Raze cut in, his voice as sharp as a blade and clearly worn thin with impatience. “I want you to take a good look at your woman. Looks pretty in that pink dress, don’t she? That’s her second glass of champagne. She better watch herself. Liable to get drunk in such a fancy gathering.”

  I whipped around, trying to find the best vantage points for a sniper. There were too many. With all the buildings in LA, there were too many good spots to hide with a steady scope and rifle. My blood ran cold as I gripped my phone tighter.

  “She’s been chatting with that woman for awhile now, hasn’t she? They friends?” Raze continued. I watched Jessa laugh and chat with a tall blonde woman. “Do you think the blonde is friendly enough to take a bullet for your woman? Or maybe she’ll just end up an innocent bystander in the terrible shooting?”

  “Raze,” I gritted out in warning, sure the veins of my neck would pop. He had a fucking sniper trained on Jessa right now and I was stuck in the middle of a garden party able to do nothing but listen to him taunt me.

  “You get your ass to the club tonight by 8 or you’ll watch me blow that sweet piece of ass right in front of you,” Raze said calmly.

  I ground my teeth, realizing I had no choice. “At the club. 8 PM,” I spat out.

  “Good,” he said before hanging up.

  According to Jessa’s plan, I wasn’t to call the driver until 9 PM. That was the earliest the airfield could accommodate Jessa on such short notice. It would be a damn near impossible mission to get to Low Pointe by 8 and figure out a plan to get Jessa and me safely out of their clutches and then get to the airfield by 9.

  I watched Jessa take her seat at the dais where the speakers sat. She smiled as the head of the organization called the lunch to order.

  There was no choice. I would have to take a gamble and see if I could try and pull Jessa out of Raze’s hands. I couldn’t let him hurt the woman I love.

  And just like that, my heart sang the words loud and true. I loved her. And I had to protect her.

  I just hoped I wouldn’t have to hurt any Black Wings riders to do so.

  Member or no, they had been my brothers once. And I didn’t want to kill a brother.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jessa

  “Miss Blair?” The hangar attendant gently tapped my shoulder. “Our flight plan only allows for another ten minute hold. Otherwise, we need to get in the air.”

  I nodded.

  The hangar attendant stood for an awkward minute before heading back towards the waiting plane.

  I stood by the open hangar doors, l
ooking out for a black SUV. Or anything really. Anything that meant that Rowan was on his way.

  I wrapped my arms around myself as a cool night breeze swept through the hangar. The empty airfield had no hints of any approaching vehicles. I knew the longer I waited the more I risked the chance of getting caught by the FBI. Who knew how long my driver would keep his silence.

  Where was Rowan?

  I had seen him at the luncheon. We had exchanged silent looks throughout most of the lunch. Every time I looked over to the side door, I saw his smoldering gray gaze fixed on me. I had a hard time focusing on whatever the person in front of me was saying afterwards.

  I was happy. This was the first time in a long time where I found myself with a person who allowed me to feel so naturally myself. Actually, it was probably the first time I had ever been with someone who allowed me to feel this way. No part of me was for show and I could be just as real and naked with him as I could with myself.