by Lilly Atlas
And how would she pull off the details of working with them? What if they needed her help when she was already at work in the ER? Where would she get the supplies she needed? Countless questions bounced around her head. She had a disturbing vision of herself sitting in a jail cell for stealing medical supplies from the hospital. This could never work.
“I’m gonna need you to make it a double,” she told the prospect, and dropped her head to her hands as she sank onto a barstool.
Chapter Nine
“One last thing before we vote on this,” Shiv said.
Striker raised an eyebrow at him. “And that would be?”
“Between us, keeping Doc Emerson safe, and her keeping us alive and healthy, we’ll be seeing a lot of her around here. This deal makes her family. She ain’t like the rest of the skanks who come around here looking to bag a biker. This is business, plain and simple. You treat her like you’d treat an ol’ lady. If one of you wants to make her your ol’ lady that’s one thing.” Shiv looked directly at Striker with a smirk. “Otherwise it’s hands and dicks off. I don’t want this deal fucked up because one of you couldn’t keep your pecker in your pants.”
The men nodded though someone muttered something about it being a shame to waste a pair of tits. Striker had to grit his teeth not to snap at them for talking about Lila that way. What the hell was wrong with him when it came to her? Any other woman and he’d be joining in the talk.
“I vote yea,” Shiv announced, kicking off the vote.
Striker couldn’t honestly say he was in favor of this deal. Lila was too good for them, and bringing her into the fold would only drag her down. On the flip side, he was the one who set this whole mess in motion when he went to her for help with Kenny. Plus, he wanted to be the one to protect her. Shit. He really had no choice but to vote it in, and deal with the consequences later. One by one they went around the room, each voting yea until it got to Striker who closed out the unanimous vote.
“Okay, that was easy. Now—” Shiv was interrupted when Gumby burst into the room.
Striker hopped up from his chair. “How far did you tail him?”
“Got as far as the town border. I turned back when he drove into Sandy Springs. With my cut on, and no backup, I didn’t want to risk chasing him through Grimm country.” Gumby sat in the empty seat at the table.
“Thanks, Gumby. At least this points in the direction we were thinking. It’s gotta be the Grimms. Fucking Jackal. What the hell is going on in his club?” Striker had hoped this threat to Lila was independent of the Grimm Brothers, even though he’d suspected that’s exactly who it was.
“I don’t know, brother, but we’ll figure it out. What did I miss?” Gumby asked.
Shiv gave him a quick rundown of the vote. “Sorry we didn’t wait for you. You good with this?”
“Of course,” said Gumby, as he nodded. “I think the Doc’s great. I’m all for having her work with us, and for keeping her safe. My vote would have been yea.”
“Good.” Shiv leaned back in his chair. “Now, let’s come up with a plan to keep the Doc alive so she can keep us alive.”
Thirty minutes after the meeting began, Lila glanced at the clock on the wall for what felt like the millionth time. Was it usual for a vote to take this long? She cut herself off at two drinks, figuring the last thing she needed was to be plastered in this place in the middle of the day. Just when she felt the fingers of panic reaching for her, the doors to the meeting room burst open, and the men spilled out.
Lila didn’t know what was expected of her so she stayed put on her stool and waited for some direction. Shiv and Striker were the last to exit. They came through the doors together, making a formidable pair. It would not be wise to get on their bad side.
They hugged in that manly fashion, slapping each other’s backs before they separated. Shiv nodded in her direction and started up the stairs while Striker aimed straight for her. His face was a blank mask and gave nothing away. Did they agree to what Shiv proposed? Would they respect the five-day grace period he consented to? Lila rubbed her clammy palms on her thighs and waited.
“Vote passed. You’ve got five days to make a decision,” Striker said as he reached her. “That was not what I was expecting.”
The breath she’d been holding whooshed out, and Lila sagged in relief. “What were you expecting?”
Striker shrugged and ran a hand through his hair, mussing it. “I expected you to throw some money at the problem.”
“Throw some money at the problem?” Lila frowned. “I feel like I should be offended by that.”
“None intended. I thought Shiv would offer you protection for some cash. Come on, you’re on my bike.” He took her hand and tugged her off the barstool.
“Are you taking me home?”
“I’m taking you to your house to get your things.” He towed her along toward the parking lot, and she followed dutifully.
“My things? Come on Striker, this is like talking to a wall. More details needed.”
He smirked at her over his shoulder. “Well, babe, we’re going to my house. You’re going to be staying with me until we figure this mess out.”
Holy shit! That was not what she had agreed to. Nor was it a smart idea. She could not take time out of her life to play house with Striker. She had a hectic work schedule that was about to get busier with her new initiative for the high school.
Not to mention she wasn’t sure she could keep her hands off him if they were sleeping under the same roof, if he was only a door or two away. Did he have a girlfriend? She didn’t think so based on the way he kissed her the other night, but that didn’t necessarily prove anything.
When she didn’t reply Striker halted, and faced her, a grin on his face. “That okay by you, darlin’?”
She should not get a warm rush every time he used an endearment, but she couldn’t help it. That did not mean she should be staying at the man’s house, with him. Lila stopped walking. “I’m not sure this is a good idea. It’s probably overkill anyway. You don’t think they’d come to my house, do you?”
The amused expression fell from Striker’s handsome face. “Lila, they already came by your house, twice. Someone saw you leave with me and the car was there this morning. This is some nasty shit, and I don’t think it’s worth taking chances. I truly think you’ll be safer at my house.”
Lila gave him a small nod. “You’re right. Sorry, I’m just freaking out about how this will mess up my life.”
“You on board?” He watched her while he waited for her answer.
Closing her eyes, she swallowed and jumped off the ledge. “Yes.”
“Then let’s roll, babe.”
Lila hurried to follow him outside. It appeared the discussion was over.
It came as no surprise to Lila that the day had grown blisteringly hot. The desert sun scorched the ground and caused her eyes to narrow in protest. Lila’s brain swirled with the events of the past few hours. At some point all of it would sink in. There was a good chance she’d lament these hasty decisions at that time, but for now she decided to just go with it. Seeing how they took the threat against her seriously made her even more certain she needed assistance.
When she reached the bike, she grabbed for the helmet Striker offered her, but he held it captive.
“I’m sorry you got caught up in this shit, Lila. I’m going to be straight with you, I’m not sure this deal is entirely in your best interest, but my hands are tied. If you decide to go through with this I will do everything I can to protect you, from the Grimms, and from whatever else may crop up in the future. You do realize this will tie you to the club for the long term. It’s not something you can decide to do today and change your mind a month from now. You’ll know too much. Shiv won’t let that happen.”
He said Shiv wouldn’t let it happen, as though Striker himself would be willing to let her walk in the future. The look on his face was more concern than warning.
Lila nodded, moved by the po
ssibility that he may care for her, at least a little bit. There was an intense chemistry between them and she wondered how long it could be ignored. Probably not too long if they were going to be sharing a roof. “Thank you, Striker, you’re a good man.”
Striker grunted. “No, I’m not, babe. That’s one thing you’ll damn sure find out soon enough.”
He released the helmet to her, and she climbed on behind him, after securing the clasp with a snap. In the course of a few hours her life had spun out of control and she wasn’t sure she could set it on a straight path again.
Lila thought he was a good man. Hell, if she knew even a quarter of the shit he’d done in his lifetime she wouldn’t want to be in the same town, maybe not the same state as him. There was no way a woman like her, who saved lives for a living could reconcile the type of life he lived. He was an outlaw who frequently danced over the line of the law. He was a fighter who could kill a man with his bare hands—could and had. True, he knew the meaning of loyalty and brotherhood, and he’d do anything for his club family, but she was mistaking that for goodness. He’d never deserve someone like her. Unfortunately that didn’t stop him from wanting her like a drug.
They stopped at her house, and she grabbed enough clothes to last a few days. One of the prospects could take her back during the week to get more if necessary. For now, Striker just wanted to get her under his roof and away from whoever was targeting her, especially if it was the Grimm Brothers.
They stood in her driveway and he strapped her overnight bag to his bike. He felt the tension coming off her in waves as she frequently scanned their surroundings. “It’s okay, Lila, we weren’t followed and no one is on the street. You can relax.”
She gave him a smile and stopped watching the street, but replaced the action with the tapping of her foot against the driveway. “Where do you live?”
“I have a room at the club that I stay at sometimes, but my house is about a half hour out of town, on the lake. You’ll be much more comfortable there than at the clubhouse.” He stepped close to her as he spoke.
“Sounds great. I promise I’ll stay out of your way when you’re home. I’m working the day shift for a while, the hospital hired a physician who wanted to work nights, which is great for me. By the way, how will I get to work? I’m not going to stay home. And now I’ll have committee meetings for the concussion program too.”
“I’m not asking you to barricade yourself in the house. But you will have someone following you and staying with you wherever you go. That’s not negotiable. And I’m not worried about you being in my space, Lila.”
“You may change your mind when I take over your bathroom,” she teased.
He could tell it was important for her to maintain some control over her life by keeping a normal work schedule. “I think I’m man enough to handle it, darlin’.” He stroked a finger down her smooth cheek.
Their eyes locked, and Striker ached for another taste of her. He wasn’t used to denying himself when it came to sex, but he respected her in a way that was unfamiliar to him. She was going to be living with him. It was pretty much inevitable that this attraction between them would ignite, but for the first time, he cared beyond getting her into bed.
Striker cupped the back of her neck and drew her toward him. When she was just a breath away, he paused. “Just a quick taste,” he whispered.
He watched her eyes flare with desire, and before she had a chance to respond, he slid his hand from her neck, up to fist in her hair. In one swift move, he tilted her head back, and crashed his lips down on hers.
She opened her mouth, and melted against him, which only served to amp up his need. He knew if he fell in too deep, he wouldn’t be able to make himself stop for hours, but he slipped his tongue in her mouth and swirled it around hers anyway. She let out a low moan, and clung to the leather of his cut, pulling him closer. He hardened instantly, and pressed against the softness of her belly.
“Shit.” He gasped. Before he got completely lost in her intoxicating flavor, he wrenched away. One of his hands held her hips anchored to him while the other was still tangled in her hair, keeping her head tipped back. “You better get on the bike, babe, before I give your neighbors the show of their lives.”
He released her and mounted the bike after he slid on his shades. From the shelter of the darkened sunglasses, he was able to watch her reaction to his kiss. Swollen lips and mussed hair gave her a sexy rumpled look. Lila hadn’t spoken yet, but as he watched, her tongue came out to trace along her bottom lip as though trying to recapture his taste. He gave a low groan. “Bike, babe, now.”
“Oh, yeah, right, get on the bike,” she muttered. Lila hustled the few steps to the motorcycle, and scrambled on behind him. She wobbled a bit, and he smirked at the knowledge that he was the reason for her unsteady movements. This time when her arms snaked around him she didn’t hang onto his waist but placed a palm on each of his thighs in an intimate hold. His dick twitched and he rolled his eyes heavenward to say a quick prayer that he’d make it home without crashing or getting a ticket for driving while lusting.
Chapter Ten
“Wow! Striker, this place is fantastic. I have to admit it’s not at all what I was expecting.” Lila said as she stepped across the threshold into Striker’s single story Spanish style house. If she wasn’t mistaken, the house sat directly on the lakefront. The view from the back must be breathtaking. She was pleasantly surprised. Add another layer to the many that seemed to make up the man.
After he followed her through the door, Striker shot her an amused look. “And what were you expecting?’
“Oh I don’t know, a biker bachelor den of sin perhaps.”
Striker cracked up at that. “Well, babe, you are officially the first female not related to me, or married to a friend, to step foot into this house.”
“Seriously?”
“Death and taxes.”
“So you’ve never taken a girl here for…whatever?” Lila wasn’t sure if she believed him.
Rumors ran rampant around town about him and his women. It was no secret that he flew through them. Most of the MC members were known for bed hopping. Ha! Bed hopping may be too tame a term; fuck and forget was probably more appropriate. She would never admit this out loud, but instead of being disgusted by the knowledge that Striker had been with many, many women, she was curious to know what it was like to be on the receiving end of all that experience.
“No, Lila, I’ve never brought a woman here for a meal, for a chat, or for a fuck.” He sounded agitated. Had she offended him?
“I’m sorry, Striker. It’s just…well, it’s no secret around town that you attract a lot of female interest, so I guess I just assumed…” She wasn’t entirely sure how to avoid digging the hole deeper.
Luckily, he snorted out a rough laugh. “I’m certainly not a monk, Lila, I just don’t bring them here. This is my home, my sanctuary.”
“So why are you letting me stay here?” Her voice had dropped, and she whispered the question she was both dying and dreading to hear him answer.
“Because from the moment the club decided it wouldn’t be safe for you to stay at your own house, I couldn’t picture you anywhere but here with me.” The heat in his eyes backed up his words.
“Oh.” That shut her up.
“Come on, babe.”
As she followed him through the foyer, Lila absorbed her surroundings. The entryway was sparsely decorated, but very comfortable, and masculine in a way that didn’t scream swinging bachelor. A cozy-looking leather couch took up the majority of the living room. Motorcycle magazines were scattered on a coffee table in front of the sofa, and a large flat screen TV dominated the wall. Shades of beige and peach paint covered the walls, fitting well with the Spanish style of the home.
The living room flowed into the kitchen, giving the place an open and inviting feel. While the kitchen was small, it was equipped with state of the art appliances and had a modern look.
“Do you cook
?’ she asked.
“Some. I won’t win any awards, but I won’t kill anyone either. You?”
“Love to. I find it a great way to destress, although I haven’t done too much since I’ve lived here. Not so much fun cooking for one. That and the fact that I’m at work all the time.”
“Well, feel free to go to town in the kitchen. In fact, I insist.”
Lila chuckled at that.
“The house has two bedrooms, one bath, so, sorry, but we have to share. I know it’s small, but the lot is big, and I bought it thinking it would be perfect to expand on one day.”
“It’s fantastic.” She meant it.
“You haven’t seen the best part. Follow me.” He opened the fridge, reached in and snagged a couple bottles of beer. After he bumped the fridge closed with his hip, he turned toward the sliding glass doors and exited the kitchen onto the deck. Lila followed him out to the backyard. Her mouth dropped in surprised delight when she took in the view.
The backyard was enormous, and all sand, opening right up to the lake, which was about eighty feet back. A huge wooden deck with a fancy, stone encased stainless steel grill ran along the entire length of the back of the house, and extended well into the yard. Near the grill, a picnic style table with bench seats sat waiting for a barbecue. On the opposite side of the deck, two chaise loungers called to her, perfect for watching the sun set over the water.
Striker held a beer out to her. “Pick a chair. We can sit for a while then grill up some dinner. Sunset is killer back here.”
Lila took the offered beer, and plopped down in a lounge chair. The view was spectacular, the beer was cold, and the company, like the air, was hot. She smiled to herself as she leaned back, and relaxed for the first time that day.
