by Evelyn Glass
“You sound surprised,” she replied.
“No, not at all. I just didn’t know if you were a girly girl or not.”
“Does a bit of lipstick make me girly?” Sophie asked, flicking an eyebrow up playfully.
“Well... yes,” he said, sitting up straighter.
“And does playing with engines make me... manly?”
His mouth hung open for a few seconds. “You know what? You’re right. Neither thing should define you. Engines aren’t only for guys. And lipstick isn’t only for girls. Here, give me some.”
She laughed. Damn. He had a sense of humor. She was hoping he’d be dull to compensate for his hotness.
“You seem awfully relaxed for a guy who’s just...” she lowered her voice slightly and looked around the busy restaurant. “… found a bomb in his bike.”
“I didn’t find it. You did,” he retorted.
“You know what I mean.”
“Am I supposed to walk around worried all day and all night and let whoever did it succeed by ruining my life?”
She nodded in agreement. “Good point.”
“Of course I want to get to the bottom of it,” he said softly. “I just... The way it was put together doesn’t scream professional to me. Of course, they could try other things, and believe me, I’m looking over my shoulder at all times, but I think I can outsmart this person. I’m trained for all this. It doesn’t scare me. Putting other people at risk – that’s what scares me. I scoped this place out tonight before we came. The last thing I’d want is for you to come to harm because of me.”
She was a bit taken aback by his statement. “You really scoped this place out?”
“Yeah. The works. Like I would do for a client. And I examined the bike fully before picking you up. I might look at ease, but I’m always on standby. You’re safe. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”
“What if the madman walks in here right now and shoots us?”
“Jesus, Sophie, you know how to have a good time.”
“Sorry, I’m just... scared, I suppose.”
He examined her face closely for a few moments before saying gently, “You don’t have to worry. Trust me.”
“Do you have security outside?” she whispered.
“Let’s just say, in my line of work, there’s always someone willing to watch your back.”
She smiled. She’d never met anyone like him before. He was so self-assured, yet not intimidating in the slightest. She began to relax.
“So, tell me about yourself,” he said, sitting back in the leather booth and leaning one muscular arm along the backrest. Sophie couldn’t help but notice the end of a black tattoo poking out from underneath his T-shirt – black again, but with a faded skull wearing a rose crown printed on the front.
“About myself,” she said, stalling for time while she thought. “OK, here’s something I can tell you. I scored top marks in my body paintwork class last year, and one day I’d like to open my own business, pimping people’s rides.” She giggled.
“Wow. That’s great. You really know your stuff, don’t you?” he replied, stroking his jaw. “I’m actually looking for a business to invest in. I want out of security eventually – a few more years down the line – and I could see that being a real success... with you and your energy at the helm.”
She blushed.
“Do you have a business plan?”
Sophie swallowed. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. “I’m working on one at the moment. I’ve been getting some help from a business support agency, and I was going to apply for a loan next year.... but...”
“I’d love to see your business plan sometime,” he said, smiling. “Maybe it’s something we could work on together.”
“Maybe,” she said, just as the waiter arrived with some white wine and two glasses.
“I don’t remember us ordering,” Sophie said as Zeke poured her a glass.
“We didn’t,” he said with a mischievous grin.
She frowned and eyed him suspiciously.
“I asked for this when I booked the table,” he explained. “They know which one I like.”
“I thought you said this was a new place you wanted to try?”
He laughed. “I knew it was going to be difficult to get you to agree to come out. I made that bit up to entice you.”
She let out a laugh too. “Sneaky. So, is anything else made up?”
“No,” he said, holding up his glass ready to clink it with hers. “Here’s to a nice evening getting to know a new friend.”
She clinked her glass against his and took a sip, savoring the rich sweetness of the wine. “You have good taste.”
“Yes. I do,” he said, fixing her with another smile.
“Oh my god, you’re such a flirt. I bet you take loads of people – women – here don’t you? They bring you this wine every time and then...”
“No, not at all.” He leaned forward with his arms folded on the edge of the table. “I’m a bit of a lone wolf, to be honest. I can’t remember the last time I went on a date... not that this is a date, of course.”
She smiled. “OK. I believe you. I’m the same. I don’t do this sort of thing very often. So... thank you for lying and persuading me to come.”
He laughed. “It was a pleasure. Best lie I’ve ever told.”
“I’ve told you about my business plans. You tell me something about you,” she said, taking another sip of wine.
“OK... What can I tell you? I play a bit of guitar.”
“Cool.”
“Yeah, it’s how I relax. I hardly play in front of anyone, but I did have a few too many beers at a biker convention last year and end up serenading the whole FA Chapter with a Foo Fighters cover.”
Sophie threw back her head and giggled. “Now, that I would like to hear sometime.”
“Maybe you will.”
Their eyes locked and Sophie felt a rush of nerves. His stare was intense, like he could see her soul. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe there was a connection happening. But he was Zeke Draper. The lone wolf. The biker gang leader. The dangerous man. Was this even a good idea?
All Sophie knew was that she was having the best night she’d ever had in a long, long time. Her senses were awake as if they’d just been coaxed out of hibernation. The wine tasted amazing, the jokes were hilarious, the food smelled divine, and the vision in front of her... well he was just lust personified.
A steaming, rustic pizza with mushrooms, stringy mozzarella, juicy tomatoes and roasted garlic arrived, and they tucked into the beautiful food. They were silent for the first time all evening, but not awkwardly. It was a comfortable silence.
Her phone buzzed on the table, and she leaned forward to look. “Shit.”
“Is it him? The ex?” Zeke asked.
“Yeah.”
Zeke leaned over the answered the call. “Hey,” he said breezily.
Sophie gasped and covered her gaping mouth with her hand. Was he for real?
“No, Sophie can’t come to the phone right now, she’s just... putting her clothes back on.”
Sophie chuckled and shook her head in disbelief.
“But, hey, I’m glad you called,” he continued, “You must be one of Sophie’s friends. What’s your address so I can send you an invite?”
There was a pause.
“To the engagement party of course. We wanted to keep it low-key as there are a couple of jealous exes to consider – you know how crazy people can get right? – but I’m throwing this party as a surprise for her. She deserves it.” He winked at Sophie. “I’ll be intercepting all her texts and calls for the next few weeks to get as many friends on board as possible. If you ring, it’ll be me that answers,” he said with a forced cheeriness, which was somehow laden with a threat at the same time.
Zeke handed the phone back to Sophie. “I guess he didn’t want to come to the party. He hung up.”
She laughed. “Thanks. That was.... awesome.”
/> “If he still doesn’t quit, let me know. There’s so much more where that came from.”
They had another wine then Zeke offered her a ride home in a cab. They both had work in the morning.
“Better behave on a weeknight,” he said.
“Yeah, maybe we can do this again sometime... but on a weekend?” Sophie said, and then inwardly chastised herself for being so forward.
“I’d love that,” he replied, causing her to relax and let go of the breath she was holding.
They chatted more about bikes and travel and pretty much anything that popped into their excited, wine-fueled heads for the short ride.
Sophie hopped out of the cab and leaned in to offer Zeke some cash.
“Don’t,” he insisted. “I’ve had a great time.”
“Me too. Thank you. And as soon as I hear anything from Stephan or the wires supplier, I’ll call you.”
“OK. Thanks.” A small grin tugged at one corner of his mouth. “We’ll get this thing solved.”
Chapter Five
Zeke
Zeke responded to the radio call that everything was clear at his end. He stood, clutching his hands behind his back, acting like a human surveillance camera. Nothing could slip under his radar.
His task was the protection of a billionaire mine owner who was in town for a week. As much as he loved his job, Zeke couldn’t wait for the week to end. With fourteen-hour shifts and around the clock surveillance, he had little time to protect his own safety. It was exhausting acting as security for a big shot who was hated by so many in the community for the money he’d made from the natural land, and at the same time, keeping an eye out for any further attempts at his own life by the mystery bomber.
On top of all that, he couldn’t get Sophie out of his mind. It had been a week since their meal. He’d had no time to call her or drop into the shop. Obviously, she’d found no leads in the investigation, as she hadn’t called either. He couldn’t tell which he wanted more – news of the bomb, or just to hear her voice. He shook his head. Pathetic. There was no time in his life for this. One slip up in his job and someone could get killed. After the things he’d seen in the past, he never wanted to let anyone get hurt again.
The final day of his task came, and he breathed a huge sigh of relief to deposit Mr. Billionaire onto his private jet – which had been fully investigated beforehand, of course.
He nodded his approval to several of the team, signaling it was time to stand down and they all made their way to the black company vehicles to return to HQ. It was interesting to see their body language change instantly from robotic, upright, and fully aware to easy, floppy and relieved as they made small talk about their plans for their days off. Zeke kept a stiff lip. He was too focused on the other matters at hand to ease into off-duty mode.
He ran his usual checks over his Kawasaki before riding home, where he collapsed in a tired heap on the bed, still fully clothed. It was eight p.m. He was starving, but so tired he could barely move to cook something.
His phone buzzed in his jeans pocket, causing him to groan and roll on his side. He was too tired to speak to his mom or to accept another job. He was supposed to have five days off. His frown straightened out when he saw Sophie’s number on the screen, and he quickly picked up.
“Hey,” he said, a smile creeping across his lips.
“Hey,” she replied. She sounded shy.
“I’ve been meaning to call, but I’ve been on non-stop bodyguard duty all week,” he said. “I’ve literally just finished. Thank God that asshole’s out of state and off my hands now.” He laughed, hoping to break the tension.
Sophie laughed too. “Who were you protecting?”
“That would be telling.”
“Of course. I can’t compromise your professionalism, Mr. Draper. Anyway, I’ve been up to my neck in engines.” She let out a sigh. “Stephan’s had so many jobs come in this week, I could barely look up. But I’ve got a few days off now.”
“So do I,” Zeke said, his heart fluttering slightly as he considered asking her out again. But before he could, she snuck in there first.
“Stephan just called me and says he has some important news.”
He sat up straight on the bed. “Oh really?”
“Can you meet us tonight?”
“Tonight?” He looked down at his grubby clothes. He was sweaty, worn out and hungry - no fit state to be seeing Sophie. Shit. “Sure. Give me an hour,” he said, forming a quick mental plan to shower, eat and be out the door in that time. “Meet at the Midnight’s Hounds clubhouse?”
“Sure. I could use a beer,” she added.
He leaped up and showered at top speed, adding an extra splash of cologne afterward. He then hesitated. Was it too much? Would he smell of desperation, like he was trying to impress her? He reached for the towel and wiped some off. Better to be understated. Shit. He really liked this girl. He never considered minor details like this so much before. He laughed at how much thought he was putting into getting dressed just for a beer.
Chapter Six
Sophie
Sophie glanced at her watch just as Stephan’s pickup rolled to a stop on the street outside her apartment. She opened the door and bounced up and into the passenger seat.
Stephan looked her up and down with a frown. “Is that what you’re wearing to go for a beer?”
She looked down at the denim shirt dress and ankle boots. “Yes. What’s wrong with it?”
Stephan shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just… I’ve never seen you in a dress. Ever.” He leaned closer and sniffed “And is that perfume I smell?”
“Jeez,” she said, crossing her arms. “I don’t live in greasy coveralls, you know. I am allowed to wear girls’ clothing sometimes!”
He fixed her with a suspicious look for a while before nodding in agreement and then driving off.
They pulled up at the biker’s club and waited in the parking lot until they saw Zeke ride in on his bike. Sophie sat up straight and patted her hair, tucking it behind one ear, then changing her mind and untucking it. She looked over at Stephan in time to see him laugh and shake his head.
“You look fabulous,” he said in a mocking tone.
She shot him a scowl, and they both hopped out and went over to their meeting point at the club door.
Zeke’s eyes were fixed on her. “Hey. Good to see you.”
She smiled and looked at the ground. “Yeah, you too.”
Stephan cleared his throat, and Zeke turned towards him. “Oh, good to see you too,” he added.
Stephan nodded and laughed. “Let’s get that beer. It’s been a long day.”
As the three of them – Zeke, Stephan, and Sophie – walked through the bar area of the FA clubhouse, she was amazed to see people pat Zeke’s back and high-five him as he walked. He strode through the crowd like a king, with people parting ways to allow him, and his two guests through. She’d never seen anything like it.
The building had the feel of a log cabin with leather stools around little wooden tables, a large pool table in the center, a huge flat screen TV showing sports, and several noisy clusters of bikers playing cards at one end of the room.
At the bar, the barkeep placed three beers on the counter.
They found a cozy table in the corner, away from prying eyes and the groans and cries of the latest poker losers, and Stephan proceeded to take out prints of photographs on paper.
Zeke squinted his eyes to read the inscription that had been magnified on a metal filament from the inside of the bomb. He read aloud with a look of disbelief on his face: “4LBX.... my former combat unit.”
He placed the papers down on the table and stroked his hand down his jaw in thought. “It was our logo. In Afghanistan.” He sat upright. Sophie could tell there was more. There was something he was struggling to say.
“Do you still know anyone from that unit?” she asked, leaning forward.
He took a slow sip from his beer, swallowed hard and let out a l
ong slow breath. “I’m the only survivor.”
“Oh.” She shifted in her seat.
“An IED exploded and killed my whole unit. I was inside checking for commands from base camp at the time, so I didn’t get the full impact. But I was thrown against the wall by the blast and ended up in a coma. When I woke, months later, back on US soil, they told me the news. Worst day of my life. If I could have swapped with some of those boys, I would have. They were my responsibility.”
