by Storm Savage
“Are you the head of this mangy pack?”
Turning his head sideways, he grinned. “Yeah.” He parked the bike then offered his hand to help her off.
Waving off his gesture, she slid off the seat. “I’m fine. I’ve been riding all my life.”
He led her to a vacant spot near the fire pit. “Have a seat. We’ll relax until I’m sure there are no followers. Most of my crew is up north at a rally this weekend. I don’t need a rumble with the Soldiers when we’re outnumbered.”
With a consenting nod, she plopped down on the sand and crossed her legs Indian-style then rested her elbows on her knees.
“You look quite different in your riding clothes.” His gaze drifted over her. “Or perhaps these are not typical biker leathers.”
“Perhaps.”
“Warrior outfit?”
“You ask too many questions for a man who’s supposed to be giving me answers. Tell me about Aiden. What’s his story and what’s his connection to Hatch?”
Von leaned back on bent elbows and stretched his long lean legs to his front. “Do you remember anything I said on the night you got beat up?”
“Bits and pieces. Maybe you could start at the beginning now that you have me alone.”
He glanced her way and their eyes met. She felt as if the wind had been knocked from her. Those midnight depths just sucked her in. With a slight shake of her head, she turned her head toward the fire.
“Aiden used to ride with us. He started asking around for help and offering payment to anyone willing to help him abduct his ex-wife. He refused to release any details except to the person who accepted the deal.”
“And of course you jumped at it.”
“Not really. I kept an eye on him for a few weeks. When none of the other members wanted to get involved, I dragged a bit more info out of him. He told me you are some kind of warrior from a sisterhood and that Hatch had some pretty heavy shit in mind.”
“What kind of heavy shit?” She forced herself not to look at him for fear of getting lost in those alluring dark depths.
“Your ex didn’t elaborate. He seemed scared of Hatch. All he said was that your fiancé was an evil prick and wanted you for sordid reasons of his own.”
She drew a calming breath, taking in the cool night air. “Let’s say I believe you so far. My biggest question at this point is…where did Aiden get his info?”
“This is where his story starts to fall apart. He told me that he overheard his parents talking with his sister and her husband about you and Hatch.”
Her head turned sharply. She stared him straight in the eyes. “You’re right, that is where it falls apart. Can’t you see it’s just another one of their manipulation tactics to intimidate me? That’s all they ever did during my entire marriage to him, was play wicked head games.”
“Relax, sugar,” his voice had an unusually calming effect. “I’m telling you what I know. Now how those people gained info about your private world is not something I would know. Maybe your ex knows, but if he did, he wasn’t talking. I heard them arguing bitterly that night, yet he never let on that he’d overheard them.”
“You dragged me all the way out here just to repeat idle gossip? You’re insane.”
“Hey, if you have a better explanation for how Hatch and Aiden know about the Satellite and your warrior status, then by all means lay it on me.”
She searched his eyes for any sign of deceit, yet found none. “Wait…Hatch knows about the Satellite, too?”
“So I’ve been told.”
“Impossible,” she growled. “He called the entire story malarkey and tried to stop me. This is just another ploy from Aiden’s family to ruin my happiness.”
“If you’re so happy with Hatch, then what are you doing with his bandmate?” His words hit like ice water.
“You seem to have all the facts. You figure it out.” She looked away, fuming over her ex-in-laws continued attempts to bring her down. “At least they won’t have a chance of getting to Raef. He’s on the other side of the country.”
“I see. You dumped the front man for the bass player, didn’t ya, sugar?”
“I did break up with Hatch but I’ve made no commitments to anyone else. What goes on between me and Raef is none of anyone’s business.”
No way would she reveal her strong feelings for Raef, especially with Aiden’s whereabouts still unknown. Nobody can know how I feel about him. The more secretive I am, the safer my budding relationship with him will be. I won’t risk losing him. We will have to be more discreet from here out until this mess is over. Rage bubbled in her soul. The desire to kill Aiden and his family consumed her. She silently vowed that all of them would pay for what they’d done and she also promised herself that those evil busybodies would never interfere in her personal life again.
“I feel your rage.”
“No, you don’t. You know nothing of the hell they put me through.”
“I mean, I can feel your inner fury right now.”
“Oh…” She gripped the handles of her Sai in self-reassurance. “Yeah, I’m pissed. Sick of those people meddling in my life.”
“You want to kill.”
“Stay out of my head.” She glanced around and noticed that his fellow members had left. “Where did your men go?”
“For a ride.”
“I never heard them leave.”
“You were pretty wrapped up in emotion there for a few minutes.”
“Yeah…but still, I should’ve noticed several men walking away.”
“They can be very inconspicuous when I need them to be.” His voice softened. “I could see you were upset and that this was a very private matter. I motioned for them to check the area for followers.”
Turning to look at him again, she found him staring at her. Their faces were dangerously close. She studied his for the first time. He’d always struck her as inexplicably appealing but she’d never actually looked at him.
He had the most captivating shadowy eyes heavily fringed in black lashes, set perfectly above a straight pleasingly masculine nose and extremely sensual lips. The flawless bone structure of his face still carried a summer tan. His long midnight hair added a serious cool factor and enhanced his enigmatic allure.
The rest of him isn’t too shabby either.
Long muscular arms and legs, broad chest and shoulders beneath the black t-shirt and leather trench—he resembled a modern day Dracula—tall and invitingly seductive. His tight faded jeans were threadbare in all the right places. He was definitely hot.
Get a grip! She gasped and looked away, stunned by the effect he had on her.
Von stood up, walked to the fire, tossed on more wood then squirted lighter fluid from a tin into the dying flames. They leapt to life, making the wood crackle and pop. He pulled a pack of cigarettes from his shirt pocket and lit a fresh smoke by leaning close to the fire. She watched intently as he drew heavily on the stick then tilted his chin upward to exhale. A thin ribbon of smoke curled into the air around him.
Anxiety crept into her soul. She fought it back. Sitting here alone with him should not unsettle her as it did. He’d made no threats and even volunteered information about Aiden. As to the truth of his account, she felt conflicted. How Aiden had come up with this story boggled her mind. Fact and possible fiction.
Fact, Aiden knows I’m a warrior and Von somehow knows about the Satellite. Possible fiction, Aiden overheard his family discussing Hatch and some evil scheme. Fact, they are the schemers. She needed to remain focused on facts not hearsay.
“When will you take me to the Satellite?”
His eyes met hers in a piercing gaze, as if he’d just undressed her then bared her soul.
“Soon. While we wait for the guys to return, would you like a drink or something?”
“Only if you have water, I am thirsty.”
He reached into a cooler chest then handed her a bottled water before sitting next to her again. “I’m curious. You seem much too har
d for a man like Hatch. What made you fall for a spoiled pussy like him?”
“Stupidity.”
“You don’t strike me as a stupid woman.”
She let out a short laugh. “Usually I’m not. I was on a break in New York just to unwind and have fun. I went to a concert with some friends and we were invited backstage by the bouncer to meet the band. I guess I got caught up in the thrill of the rich and famous. Too much work and not enough play clouded my judgment.”
Von seemed to hang on her every word. He remained silent as if waiting for more.
“What?” Nervous flutters swept through her. “Why are you looking at me that way?”
“Just wondering who seduced who?”
“I think it was mutual. Hatch spotted me in the crowd. My friends were excited about being invited backstage. I wasn’t looking for anything serious. I simply wanted some down time after finalizing my divorce. Next thing I knew I was engaged. Like I said…stupidity.”
“Nah, you were duped by a man who saw what he wanted and went after it. What I can’t figure out is how he kept a woman like you interested this long.”
“Well you shouldn’t rack your brain over it. My lapse in sanity has cured itself.”
“And you think hooking up with the second string will satisfy that burning fire in your soul?” His tone of voice took on a sensual undertone.
“Shouldn’t your crew be back by now?” She glanced about but saw nothing but water, sky, rocks, and sand.
“Yeah, they’ll be here shortly. Relax.” His hand floated over the back of her hair. “Do you accept my apology for my part in Aiden’s plan?”
She should’ve pulled away but his touch electrified her. “I suppose. I do remember that you were somewhat kind during that fiasco.”
“I’d never hurt a woman. Anyone in my group who does is out.”
“Is that what happened to Aiden?”
Von nodded. “He knows to avoid me if he doesn’t want his ass kicked.”
“Tough guy, huh?”
“You’re not the only badass on the road, sugar.”
His style appealed to her, though she felt everything about this secret rendezvous was wrong somehow. They seemed to share common interests and values, yet she didn’t trust it. His dangerous allure silently screamed run! But she couldn’t tear herself away. She felt compelled to see this through, hold him to his offer to produce the Satellite or in the event he failed, call his bluff.
“After I give you what you want, will you be riding back to LA with pretty boy Jackson?”
Flame called to mind what the Supreme Lioness had said about utilizing men to benefit their nation or the female population. Von might be reluctant to help if he thinks I’m too heavily involved with Raef. And the less everyone knows about me and Raef the better we will be.
“I have other matters to address once I find the Satellite. My life does not revolve around men.”
“Sounds to me like you’re a free agent.”
“Yeah…I guess I am.”
He leaned closer. His fresh masculine scent swirled around her—sandalwood, patchouli, and leather—a heady combination that teased her senses.
“You are one stunning woman,” he purred. “After this mess is cleared, perhaps you’ll take a ride with me.”
Their lips were close, too close! Everything inside shouted warning, pull away! Her body quivered inside as a stiff breeze tossed his hair around her face. It felt silky on her flushed cheeks. She knew he wanted to kiss her but she didn’t seem to have the presence of mind to stop him and wasn’t even sure she wanted to. His eyes searched hers in a disarmingly sincere way. She gazed back and got lost in those shadowy wondrous depths.
In a slow teasingly delicious manner, he moved his sensually parted lips over her forehead, down the sides of her face and across her lips without kissing her. The way he caressed her face with his lips left her softly panting for more. She didn’t want the feelings he invoked to stop. He had barely touched her, yet she already felt addicted to the aura he cast.
Von continued the pleasing exploration with his lips over her hair then downward to her neck. She released a deep sigh when his seeking mouth nuzzled against her neck. And still he kept one hand buried in her hair while his other lay gently on top of hers at her lap.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” she breathed out the words. “I don’t want your men to get the wrong idea.”
He nipped lightly at her earlobe and he whispered, “Don’t worry, we’ll hear them coming. I’ve longed to hold you again since the day we parted.”
She felt removed, as if watching the scene unfold from above yet powerless to stop it. Why she wanted him mystified her. His softly seductive voice and unusual approach had her reeling. When he lifted his hand to unzip her jacket, she didn’t stop him as she should have. The knowing and the wanting blurred into a haze of confusion.
“Flame…” he murmured at her neck while easing the leather open. “Let me love you so I can save you. I’m the only one who knows the truth.”
“Save me?” She drew back slightly so he’d look up.
“Yes…please don’t ask, not yet. I swear I will never hurt you.” He slid one hand beneath the leather of her unzipped jacket.
Chills raced across her skin at his tender touch, a caress so laden with desire it set her on fire. Her nipples hardened and ached for attention. She gasped for air beneath his passionate gaze. He drew her face close, holding her lips almost against his yet keeping that sexy mouth just beyond reach.
“I-I don’t understand what’s happening,” she muttered in an airy breath.
“Don’t fight it. Just follow your instincts. You know you want this. Want me. You feel the parallels between us. We want the same thing.”
All she could think about was the burning desire coursing through her and his hot breath feathering her lips as he spoke. Her mouth watered for his kiss, which alarmed her and stimulated her at the same time.
“You’re teasing me…”
“I won’t kiss you unless I can have all of you. Once I taste your sweet lips I won’t be able to stop myself from wanting more.”
She moaned against the agony of arousal and her sense of duty. “I need to find the Satellite…”
“You will…I give my word.” He lifted his chin just a little and let his tongue trace her upper lip.
The urge to scream was nearly unbearable. This hot rebel biker had her in the palm of his hand. She cursed her traitorous body as it trembled uncontrollably. He locked his smoldering gaze on her. The sound of his heavy breathing mixed with her own and floated around her in a surreal fog. His scent, his voice—if only to taste him—yes, she needed to taste him.
Her hands went to his hair and took hold. She tangled her fingers in the long, satiny strands and pulled his mouth to hers. When their lips finally met, she swore a spark leapt from them. He groaned softly as his arms encircled her back and his tongue filled her mouth.
Mercy! He tastes even better than he smells and sounds! Throwing caution aside, Flame wrapped her arms around his neck as they sank into a deeply passionate kiss. He kissed her fervently without reserve. Gradually he brought one hand around to caress her bared breasts. She wanted to jump him right then but maintained some control. Their arousal mounted at an alarming speed. Von eased her back onto the sand then positioned his body over hers, all the while kissing her senseless.
Locking her ankles behind his thighs, she drew him tight until the impressive bulge in those sexy jeans pressed into her. There would be no turning back now, this she knew. She’d never teased a man to the point of rage by leading him on then shutting him down. Passion was not something she could fake. She couldn’t deny her passing thoughts of him during the previous months. Tonight her curiosity, her fascination with the mysterious Von Calder would be satisfied.
“Flame! Stop!” a familiar voice shouted from not so far away.
She heard someone running toward them.
Von’s head jerked up. F
ire flashed in his eyes when he saw Raef racing along the beach on foot.
“No, hell no,” he growled before carefully untangling their bodies. He leapt to his feet.
Flame rolled onto her stomach and quickly zipped her jacket. How did Raef find us and how did he get past Von’s men? Panic engulfed her, making her throat dry. She’d been seduced by Von and caught by Raef. This is not good!
She watched the two men prepare to face off then something extremely odd caught her eye. Von’s footprints in the sand were on fire!
Chapter Nine
“Dear God, no!” she screamed.
Raef had no idea he was going head-to-head with the Satellite! Regret, rage, and sadness flooded her soul.
Von Calder…the Satellite. She couldn’t even wrap her mind around it, yet there he was right in front of her.
“Raef, stop! He’s the Satellite!”
Von came to an abrupt halt before he and Raef made contact. He swung around and headed back toward her. A new level of fear gripped her. She had to think fast. His mind powers astounded her. That he could deceive her so easily and appear as a common biker. There had been nothing supernatural about him during their previous encounters. Just a bit of mystery and loads of charisma.
Flame realized how powerful he must be to have lured her into his lair, just as Ian said. Only this time his seduction had been interrupted, giving her a brief window to regain her wits.
“Stay back,” she warned as he approached. She looked past him and saw Raef cautiously advancing.
“Flame, I can help you.” Von walked steadily toward her. “You don’t understand.”
“You…you’re the Satellite. You lied to me.”
“No I did not lie. Everything I told you is true about Aiden, his family, and Hatch. If you would only allow me to love you, I can save you.”
“I don’t need saved!”
“You’re in danger.”
“Yes…I can see that.” She reached for her daggers.
“They won’t faze me.”
