Page 12 of Cries of Cassie

So, here I stand at the Shadows’ gate, in a tiny pair of jean shorts, a lacy black crop top and a lightweight leather jacket thrown over it to cover up a bit. I drove my car because I'm not dumb enough to ride without proper gear. My lack of experience scares me enough to keep me safe at least.

Although I don't think this is the best idea. I'm dressed to turn heads, and I want, no, I need Maddox to feel the pressure.

This is the last thing I can do to make it completely obvious that I am not the weak woman he thinks I am. I can handle his world and thrive in his life. But, and this is a big but, I'm done being treated like I don't exist.

So I'm diving tits first into the Shadows MC.

"OPEN UP!" I scream, pounding my fist on the ridiculously tall gate. Honestly, it's double my height. Are they trying to keep giraffes out or something?! Or maybe they have a giraffe? Can giraffes survive in Michigan? Or⁠—

"Step back, lady!" a deep voice bellows, catching me off guard. "Get the hell out of here."

A very wide, very beastly-looking man stops in front of me on the other side of the gate, his arms crossed. He's even taller than Maddox, and the tattoos all the way up his arms and neck are cool as hell.

"Where'd you get those done?" I ask, staring at the intricate lines and subtle shading on his bicep.

The muscle flexes when he jerks. "What? Woman, you need to leave."

"I'm a tattoo artist. I work with Jamie. You must know him because the Shadows send some prospects to us for honest work, like Jake a few years ago. Did he do those?"

I know I'm getting sidetracked, but the design is exquisite. Stepping forward, I narrow my eyes and catch a slight sheen of red in the panther's mouth. "Nice," I murmur, tilting my head.

"I—What?" the man stammers, seemingly flustered and annoyed. "Get off our property before I drag you off. It's not safe here right now."

Right now? What does that mean? Peering up at him, I decide I'll act a bit more aloof to keep him talking. If he finds me too demanding and bitchy, he would probably drag me out of here. "Are you in danger? Is that code for something?"

Sputtering, his beard jiggles. "Look⁠—"

The sound of the gate creaking open shuts him up, and the voice that follows makes him stand at attention. "Get her car in the furthest garage, Tank. I'll handle her."

Shivers tickle down my spine before I even catch a peek of the man with an eerily smooth voice. Then he steps into view, and I'm at a loss. He's not Maddy, the man I love but really should hate at this point, yet he's looking at me like I'm...like I'm his.

"Hi, my name is⁠—"

Before I can finish my sentence, the tall newcomer pounces on me. His large hand slides across the side of my neck and into my hair while his thumb presses against my lips to shush me. Dark gray eyes hold me in place as I take in his features. His slightly tanned face has a smattering of scars, and his black hair grazes his shoulders with a slight curl.

In a low, warning voice tinged with a fondness that confuses me, he whispers, "If you want to be here so bad, Cassie, you won't say a word for the next ten minutes. Right now, you're just a slut wanting a cut, you understand? No, no. Put the claws away, Kitty. Now's not the time to fight me. Either shut up or I'll make you. Let's go."

My breath whooshes out of me when he yanks me forward and throws me over his shoulder. "HEY!" A hard slap on my right ass cheek startles me into slapping his in retaliation. "Don't fucking spank me! I need to see Maddox, you big oaf!"

As fast as I was tossed over his shoulder, he's flipping me back onto my feet. My belly swoops not because he steadies me with heavy hands on my hips, but because dizziness swamps me.

"Cassie, I need you to listen to me very carefully," he rumbles, face pinched with a seriousness that scares me enough to shut up. "I'm trying to protect you."

"From what? As far as I'm concerned, you're kidnapping me," I hiss. When I slam my hands down on my hips, I connect with his wrists. I gasp quietly at the heat that flares in his gaze.

His Adam's apple bobs before he shakes himself a bit. "I gave you what you wanted. You want to be here. Right now, you're in danger and need to wait to see Maddox. Let me get you to safety, Pet."

I can't help but glare up at him even if my tummy swoops at the nickname. How am I supposed to believe him? Maybe he's the one I should be running from. "Is that your way of asking? Because it sounded like a demand. I don't even know your name."

"You'll call me Ripper for now. Let's go," he growls, and snatches my wrist in a firm grip. It doesn't hurt, but there's no way I'll be able to break free.

For now? What the hell does that mean? A feminine scream from the big building we're heading toward stops my words from escaping. I go along with Ripper, fear keeping me from drawing attention to myself.

"We'll go through the back," he mutters, nudging a metal door open and ushering me down a dark hallway. "You'll stay in my guest room, and I'll let you out when I can."

Let me out? The sound of glass shattering and loud males shouting keeps me from questioning Ripper once again. My body reacts to the threat, flinching and cowering away from the aggressive sounds nearby.

"Hey," Ripper coos deeply, turning immediately. His warm, rough hands cup my cheeks, and he spins to press me against the wall. "Nobody will hurt you, okay? I need you to do as I say. Can you handle that, Kitty?"