BikersLibrarian

by Shyla Colt

  Turning, he slammed his fist into the wall. She jumped, knowing she’d taken things too far. “Don’t you dare compare me to him. You don’t want me around, fine. But you will stay in my apartment and be followed to and from work until this shit is hashed out. I’m not risking your safety because we picked a shitty time to have our first fight. I’m doing the best I can here, Juliette, give me some fucking credit and a little respect.” He stepped forward and gripped her jaw, pinning her to the spot with pain-filled brown eyes. Something was eating him from the inside out. “You own my fucking heart. Be careful what you do with it.”

  “Shooter.”

  “You’re not the only one with demons, Juliette. I fight mine for you. I need you to do the same for me.” He released her and stepped back.

  Her jaw opened and shut rapidly as she floundered. Regret swamped her. None of this was his doing. She silently pleaded with him to forgive her with her eyes. They’d had many conversations with a mere glance.

  “Pack a suitcase, take whatever you can’t live without and call one of your girls. I’ll follow you back to my apartment.”

  “And then what?” she whispered.

  “Then I’ll give you that space.” She cringed. His words held a bitter tinge she’d never heard before. “I’m going to make some calls, check in and get some air.” He left her in the room. Closing her eyes, she cursed her misdirected attitude. Springing into action, she hurriedly packed and called Joey who quickly agreed to follow Shooter back to his place. She grabbed her bag and lugged it down the stairs. I should apologize. She walked over to the patio and opened the door, sticking her head outside.

  “I’m packed. Joey should be here soon.”

  “I’ll come in a minute.”

  She hesitated, hovering in the door frame. She opened her mouth to speak but froze. The words were a jumbled mess in her brain. The silence between them deafened. Completely drained, she shook her head and moved back into the house.

  * * * * *

  “Can you explain to me what’s going on? The air between you and Shooter was colder than a witch’s tit.”

  “Did you seriously just say that?” Juliette rolled her eyes. Normally she loved Joey’s eccentricities but right then they were too much.

  “Quit stalling.” Joey tossed her duffel bag on the sofa. “I’d think at a time like this you’d be all up under him.”

  “Not when he suddenly decides he had the right to tell me what to do.”

  “Okay, details, babe.” Joey patted the seat beside her. “Come, sit, take a deep breath.”

  Juliette huffed and sank down beside her, retelling the story.

  “Honey, he’s worried about you. Everything going on is backing him into a corner, and he’s fighting back the only way he knows how.”

  “So you’re taking his side?” Juliette huffed.

  “No,” Joey said, obviously exasperated. “I’m not taking anyone’s side. I’m trying to shine a light on his perspective.”

  “Really? ’Cause my life is barely my own these days. It’s one unpredictable, terrifying event after another. Can you blame me for wanting to cling to the little say I do have?”

  Joey spluttered, holding her hands up, palms facing out. “Whoa, whoa. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way but it wasn’t my intention. It’s clear you’re on edge right now. Your emotions are swimming so close to the surface, someone stirs the pond a bit and you become a typhoon.” Joey shook her head.

  “Can you blame me?”

  “No, but you can see why I’m hesitant to hop on the ‘bash Shooter’ train. You’re not yourself right now. It’s not like you to be so…”

  “Crazy?”

  “You said it.” Joey pointed at Juliette.

  Banging the back of her head against the couch, she breathed deep. Safe in Shooter’s place with one of her best friends, she lost the wind in her sail. Nothing would happen to her here. The boys had her on some sort of surveillance and not many would be bold enough to walk up into a Lords member’s home.

  “Okay, maybe I overreacted a little.”

  Joey pushed her lips to the side. “If by little you mean a lot, yes.”

  “In that moment, when he told me I didn’t have a choice, it felt like Peter all over again. Violated, with nowhere to go and no options, I flipped my shit. Too much too soon. My brain overloaded and I took it out on him. I know it wasn’t my best moment.”

  “I get it. But you haven’t. You still have your own place, a good job and your core group of friends. Sure, you aren’t with us around the clock like you used to be. But that’s what happens when you get into a serious relationship.”

  Recalling Shooter’s response to her behavior, she looked down. The sting of embarrassment sliced through her angry haze. Eventually she’d need to mend the hole she’d placed in their relationship. Shoving away the tender emotions, she dug into her reserves. Tonight in bed alone, she’d let the impact of the break-in kick her ass. Right now she needed to keep it together. She couldn’t be that weak-ass excuse for a woman. Joey had seen her at her lowest and Juliette needed to show her how strong she’d become. It was a matter of redemption and pride. This time she wouldn’t fall apart or run scared. She’d stand her ground and prove to herself the past no longer held her in its suffocating chokehold. She owed it to herself, and Shooter deserved someone whole.

  “I guess.” Juliette toyed with the edge of her shirt.

  “What did the police say?” Joey tactfully changed the subject.

  “They think it was teenagers on a rampage.” She rolled her eyes again. Bullshit.

  “You didn’t tell them about Peter?”

  “No, I don’t have any proof and it could come back to haunt Shooter later. He didn’t say anything but there was murder in his eyes.”

  “Good. I hope it’s slow and painful.” She bared her teeth.

  “Josephine.”

  “After all the shit Peter did to you and who knows how many others, I hope they cut off his dick and shove it in his mouth before he dies.”

  “Damn, you’re bloodthirsty!” Juliette couldn’t help but smile at her fierceness.

  “Why aren’t you?” Joey turned her body sideways to face her.

  “Because I can’t afford to be. If I held on to the deep anger I felt for him I’d be consumed by it. I refuse to become a bitter, angry, empty shell while he sits back in his tower, lapping up my dysfunction like a cat with cream. The journey was long and painful, you know.”

  Joey nodded.

  “That place was dark, lonely and cold. I won’t go back. Maybe this time I won’t come out alive.”

  “Jul.” Joey wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in for a hug.

  “I’d rather be dead than live in constant fear. This time the story needs to end with a period. The open-ended thing didn’t work too well for me last time.”

  “Whatever we need to do, I promise you at the end you will be the one standing.” The intensity in her friend’s eyes turned Juliette cold. She hadn’t voiced it out loud, but she shared the sentiment. This was kill or be killed. He’d never stop. Her greatest fear had come to life in the form of his reappearing act.

  “I know we’re a group of girls, but with the Lords protecting you, you know I’m not just blowing smoke up your ass.”

  “I know, but it doesn’t take away the fear. I never know what he has planned next. I’m so damn pissed that I’m afraid to go to work Monday. Every second the clock ticks down panics me and I know I need to be stronger this time.”

  “Honey, you are,” Joey pulled away and took her face between her hands. “It’s okay to be scared. You should be.”

  Chill bumps spread across her skin like wildfire. The game had changed with the break-in. He’d gotten more hands-on. She had a feeling the big bad had descended upon her and soon she’d be caught in the eye of the storm.

  * * * * *

  “Your old lady has no clue what we’re up to right now, does she?”

  Sho
oter glanced over at Moose and shook his head. “No, she’s too busy being pissed the fuck off right now to give a shit. I’m bunking at the clubhouse for the next few days. The break-in has her fucking off her gourd. I’m sure she wouldn’t have asked me for details even if I had told her.”

  “Smart woman. I can’t really blame her for the personality transplant. This shit isn’t the norm for her. Kind of crazy really, that she came with this kind of trouble.”

  “Truth.” Shooter narrowed his eyes and studied the office building where Peter worked. He put in late nights, staying long after his staff left. With Specs and Gadget collaborating they were going to kill the computer, loop the feed and allow him time to get inside and hand-deliver a message.

  Curling his hand into a fist, Shooter cracked his knuckles, anxious for the secretary to leave for the night. “Is he fucking her or what?”

  “I hope not. She’s old enough to be his mother.” Moose wrinkled his nose and Shooter laughed.

  “Never a dull moment when you’re around, bro.” Shooter tapped the steering wheel and shifted his weight in the seat.

  “I know, you’re lucky you got paired with me, eh?” Moose winked and Shooter rolled his eyes.

  The front door of the office swung open and Shooter sat up straight. “Finally.” The secretary, Martha Wash, walked over to her car, got in and drove off. A few minutes later his phone vibrated. Lifting it, he grinned.

  “Gadget says we’re good to go. The video footage has been looped and he’s alone in the building.”

  The world faded around him. One driving thought remained—protect Juliette at any cost. Quietly entering the building, they took the stairs to the second floor. They’d spent a few days casing the place and getting Specs and Gadget inside to set up the equipment. A few inches from the door, Shooter reined in his fury. He wanted to kick the damn thing in and go agro, but it wasn’t what this situation called for. In order to take away Peter’s control he needed to be the master of himself. When you let your emotions rule you got sloppy. The slimy bastard would respect him more if he kept his temper under check. Peter obviously valued control greatly or he wouldn’t go to such lengths to control every aspect of life around him. Turning the knob, he pushed the door in and grinned at the stunned expression on Peter Stant’s face. His jaw flopped open like a fish, and his hand paused mid-signature on a paper.

  “Surprise, Stant. I figured it was time we pay you a visit.” Moose shut the door behind him and leaned against it. “We got your present. Real cute hiring someone else to do your dirty work for you.”

  “I resent those bogus allegations.”

  “Listen to me you, son of a bitch. We both know it was you, so let’s cut to the chase.” He stood in front of the desk, popping his neck to ease the pressure that had formed. “You need to leave Juliette alone. She’s not interested and this time around she has someone who’ll stand up for her.” Reaching across the desk, he gripped him by his lapels and dragged him across the surface, slamming him onto his back. The thud vibrated the room and sent items rolling onto the floor. Leaning over the pale-faced man, he growled.

  “You fucked with the wrong woman. You should’ve stayed away, found someone actually interested in you and your sick games.” Removing one hand, he reached inside his pocket and pulled out a knife. The body beneath him went as stiff as a board.

  “How does it feel being the one to fear for your life?” Holding the thick military-grade blade up, he pressed the sharp point into Stant’s neck. “I don’t bluff. You come near her again and I’ll come back here and start carving your ass up like a turkey. Maybe I should start now. Give you a couple scars to match that ugliness you got inside.”

  “N-no, please.” His voice wobbled as he begged. Fear clouded his eyes and his breathing grew shallow.

  “Please? You think I have an ounce of mercy in me for you? Bro, you got that cigar handy?”

  “Yep.” The sound of a lighter case opening broke the silence. A few seconds later a wisp of smoke curled around them. Shooter held out his hand and Moose rested the stogie in his palm.

  The smell of urine assaulted his nose.

  “Jesus, he pissed himself.” Shooter snorted and, bringing the cigar to his mouth, blew a cloud of smoke in Stant’s face.

  “The way I hear it, those who inflict pain on others weaker than themselves are the worst kind of bastards when the odds are evened,” Moose said.

  Disgusted, Shooter released Stant and stood. “I will tear your world apart piece by piece until I get what I want. Do you understand me?”

  Tears and resentment swam in Stant’s eyes.

  “I don’t think he does,” Moose said.

  “Let me make it clearer.” Shooter brought the lit end of the cigar down, moving to stab the desk at the last minute. Peter cried out like a child.

  “Bitch.” Walking to the bookshelf he began to throw picture frames, books and anything else he could get his hands on, to the floor. When the office was thoroughly trashed, he stopped.

  “You don’t want me to come back here, Peter. Forget about Juliette.” The man remained silent, but the anger simmering in his eyes and the tension in his body told Shooter he’d remain a problem. “Let’s go.” Not wanting to give Stant an opening to regain his abused manhood, Shooter backed out of the room after Moose.

  Leaving as quickly as they came, they held their tongues until they were a few miles away from the office.

  “I want to believe that was the end of Stant, but I’m too paranoid.” Shooter banged the back of his head against the headrest of his seat. “Fuck.”

  “I don’t know. The man pissed himself. He might steer clear.”

  “After five years?”

  “That was before she had a protector capable of fucking him up. I mean he pretty much just lay there and took it. Not much of a bad-ass. ”

  “I hope you’re right, Moose.”

  “True enough. You know whatever you need, we got your back.”

  “I know…let’s head back. I have the sudden urge to see my old lady in person.”

  Tension stiffened his muscles as he ran through different scenarios in his mind. He was in for the long run with Juliette. The woman turned him on and captivated him like no one had ever done before, even Angelina. The pain that used to explode in his chest every time he thought of her had become a dull ache thanks to Juliette. He wanted to tell her about all of his past to get to where he wanted to be. He’d seen the curiosity in her eyes when he hinted at what had happened. It was only a matter of time until she asked him. If he balked, he might lose the best thing to happen to him since Mayhem. Can I open up that rusty chest of memories without losing it?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Juliette couldn’t help but feel nervous as she placed books back on the shelves. Working in the back by herself had always been something she looked forward to—a break from the stillness the front desk offered toward the end of the night. With fewer people in the building, the front desk got boring, fast. Tonight it seemed like a prelude to a horror movie. She glanced back and forth as she pushed the cart. The creaky wheels stood the hair on the back of her neck on end. Her ears twitched and she paused.

  Nothing.

  Laughing at her paranoia, she continued on. The break-in still had her on edge. She moved toward the end of the aisle. A body appeared and she jumped back and screamed. A tall man in a black suit with a skinny tie, tan skin and a perfect dark haircut held out his hands.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

  “It’s okay.” She held a hand to her chest. “I thought I was alone back here. Is there something I can help you with?”

  “Actually…there is, Juliette.” The warmth left his voice. She stepped back, placing space between them.

  “There’s no need to run. I’m only here to deliver a message. The visit wasn’t appreciated. We can get to you anytime, anywhere. You’ll never be safe. If you want to play a game of whose dick is bigger, I assure you, we’ll win.
” Stumbling back into the bookshelf, she gripped the metal to keep herself up right. Her knees trembled. Terror took hold, paralyzing her.

  The man smirked. The smug expression triggered an explosive volcano. Gaining her feet, she stood tall.

  “You tell Peter he can go fuck himself. This is his final warning. Back off or what happens next will be on his head.” Hiding her fear, she hoped the show she put on would convince him.

  “Oh you have grown leaps and bounds out on your own. He’ll love breaking you in all over again. You cut out before he introduced you properly to the club.”

  Her stomach rolled. “Get the fuck out of my library.”

  “I’ll be seeing you real soon…and hopefully one of those pretty friends of yours. We’d like to add a little color to our collection, and we’re a perfect match—four of you, four of us.” He puckered his lips and gave a mock kiss. “Be seeing you real soon, sweetheart. Don’t play hard to get too long. I don’t think you’d like the casualties that’d bring. Best to lie down and take it like a good girl. You do remember how to do that, don’t you?”

  Shaking with rage, she growled.

  The walking cologne ad turned and disappeared. Abandoning the cart, she hurried to the front. She drifted through the rest of the night in a daze and called Shooter. Things had been strained since the incident at her house a day ago. But this was bigger than that.

  “Hey, everything okay?”

  “No, One of Peter’s friends paid me a visit. I don’t know what you did, but he’s pissed.”

  “Tell me everything.” His clipped tone left no room for argument. “Better yet, I’m coming to get you myself. You can tell me in person.”

  “My car—”

  “That’s what a prospect is for. I’ll be there in ten.”

  Ten? “Where were you?”

  “It’s a surprise.” He hung up and she shook her head. She’d be eating her weight in crow tonight.

  A motorcycle had never sounded so sweet. She ran down the steps of the building and threw herself into his arms.

  “Thank you for coming.”

  “I’ll always come for you, baby. Even if you’re being a giant pain in the ass.”