I stared at my brother and could see he was deadly serious. “Oh, for the love of all that’s holy, Xander. I’ve caught you too many times to count, so stop acting all…whatever you are.”
“You’re my baby sister. The last thing I want to see, hear, or think about is you getting fucked. Now, let’s get inside, and I’ll have one of the guys unload your bike.”
I looked around for Kellen, figuring he might be around to talk some sense into Xan, but our fearless leader was nowhere to be seen. Choosing the safer route, I pulled the door open on the passenger side and climbed out ahead of Rowan, smirking over my shoulder at Xan.
Bodhi was at the door, looking as menacing as always. With his bleached-blond hair shaved at the sides and spiked on top, and his dark skin and tattoos, he looked exactly what he was. A total badass ready to kick ass now and take names later. He was also a total sweetheart when it came to the ladies. He flashed his pearly white smile and twin dimples. Since coming back from the desert with his smokejumper friend Slater, he’d been a little more protective of all the women in the club. I couldn’t wait to meet the men I’d heard about who had the ability to read minds, create fire, and do other cool shit. I figured we might need them in the future.
“Good evening, sweets. I hear you’ve been out causing trouble as always.” He pointed one thick finger at me. The rings he wore on his right hand had, on more than one occasion, caused a lot of damage to men too stupid to watch their mouths. “Kellen and your friends are in his office. He said to bring our new member along.” He looked Rowan up and down. “You need some ink.”
“Thanks, Bodhi. Did Syn and Nene seem okay?” I put my body between Rowan and the others. Bodhi had always enjoyedwatching me and the other girls dance. I hoped he would focus on me instead of Rowan. The tilt of his head let me know he saw right through my actions.
“Syn, of course, was worried. Nene, too.” The way he said Syn’s name had me taking a second look at his expression. He’d never let on that he was interested in any of us, other than that he appreciated beauty. Bodhi was a ladies’ man, which was why we all steered clear of him. He never had just one woman on his arm or in bed; it was always two or three. My friends and I did not share. Ever. If he had his sights set on Syn, I’d have to warn my best friend to watch herself.
Chapter Seven
Icould feel the stares of everyone as Lyric and I entered the bar. The Iron Wolf MC was more than just a motorcycle club. They clearly had their own bar, and from what I’d seen, they did custom bike and car work in another building. I’d have to do some investigating if I lived long enough.
The one named Bodhi was a big son of a bitch. His once-over assessment didn’t seem to miss anything. I’d not smelled any interest in Lyric coming off the man. How I’d been able to decipher that particular scent, I wasn’t sure, but it settled my wolf enough that I was able to look the other man in his shades-covered eyes. In the darkened atmosphere, with flashing lights and heavy pumping music, I wondered why Bodhi had the shades on in the first place. The black T-shirt with the club’s logo stretched tight across the man’s muscles. I assumed he was the bouncer, and since he had to top me, and his muscles seemed to have muscles, he was probably pretty effective. The huge stainless-steel rings on his hands probably hurt as much as the punch, if the man decided to throw down. I filed all the info away for future reference.
At the mention of me getting a tattoo, I balked. In the military, we never put anything on our bodies that the enemy could use to identify us. I was no longer on covert missions, but the training remained.
“Come on. Let’s go see what Kellen has to say.” Seeing Lyric hold her hand out to me, I took it and pulled her into my side. Bodhi may not have looked at her with lust in his eyes, but I sawseveral others staring at her like they’d like to eat her up. I liked that she was wearing my clothes, carrying my scent. She melted into me, making both man and beast relax.
“Lead the way, darlin’.” I released her hand to hug her, my arm going around her waist to rest possessively on her hip. I’d felt her pull away from me at my home, and I didn’t like it one little bit. I wouldn’t allow her to put space between us, figuratively or physically. If I had to chain her to my side, I would.
She sidestepped the crowded dance floor, which was as different from the other bar as night was from day. Here, the scantily clad bodies did more than just bump and grind. I was sure there might have been some actual fucking going on if I were to look closer. Possibly some threesomes. I heard more than a few moans and some fuck yeah, babies. A few other words and expletives prompted me to make a quick decision. Lyric wasn’t allowed to come here alone ever again. Not without me.
She took us down a long hall and stopped outside a huge door with a wolf carved into the wooden surface. Knocking three times, she entered without being told it was okay. Inside, Kellen sat on a black leather sofa, his arms stretched across the back, looking relaxed, one booted foot crossed over his knee. His eyes, however, held a different message.
“Have a seat, both of you.” He indicated the couch across from him.
I took in the room, filled with four black leather sofas and a leather coffee table in the middle. I wondered how many couples had been back here and then decided I really didn’t want to know. Off to the side, a big desk with a state-of-the-art computer sat, indicating the MC Pres was at least up to date on technology. His jeans had been swapped out for a pair of black leather pants that laced up the front, and a matching vest with a wolf’s head on the upper right corner. The club’s logo was above it withthe word President in block letters below, letting everyone know exactly who and what he was.
As soon as we entered, Lyric’s friends jumped up and pulled her from me. I wanted to protest, but with the intent look on Kellen’s face, I relented. She gave me a quick introduction, which I filed away.
“Now what?” I looked Kellen in the eye.
“Did you recognize the men who attacked you?” Kellen asked.
I shook my head. “No. Never seen them before. I’d gone to the bar for a drink and had just gotten there when I spotted Lyric being strong-armed out by four men.”
Kellen rested his elbows on his spread knees. “How did you know it wasn’t a lovers’ spat?”
I heard the other women gasp and chose to ignore them. “There was desperation in her body language. I’m trained to recognize these things. I decided I’d let them think I was no threat and continued on into the bar and let them take her outside. I figured I could easily take on four men. Of course, I had no clue they’d be turning into wolves ready to tear my guts out.” I copied Kellen’s relaxed posture, resting my arms across the back of the sofa.
“Kellen, it wasn’t Rowan they were after. I was the one they were specifically targeting in the bar.” Lyric spoke up, telling them about the incident on the dance floor. She sat next to me, close enough that her thigh pressed against mine. The one named Syn raised her hand.
“I got distracted because someone had drugged Magee. Luckily, our systems don’t react the way humans do, but she was violently ill. I assumed you were on the dance floor still. I’m soo sorry, Lyric. Had I thought you were in danger, I’d never have left you that long.”
“Where is Magee now?” Lyric tried to get up, but I held her to me with one arm around her shoulders. Kellen’s eyebrows rose at the display.
“She’s at home resting,” Kellen answered.
The door opened, and in walked Xan. He kicked the door shut, unfazed by the glower on Kellen’s face. “Please respect the door, brother.” Kellen waved his hand imperiously at him.
“Screw off,” Xan said, heading over to the opposite side where a small semi-circular bar sat. The chrome design worked with the black furniture.
The door opened again, and a gorgeous blonde with purple and pink curls walked in, singing the lyrics to “Sex Metal Barbie” by In The Moment, looking every bit the part. “Really, Breezy. Don’t you know how to knock? And, for the love of all, who let you out of the house in that?” I was sure I could hear Xan’s back molars grinding together.
