Page 1 of Savage Bond

Chapter 1

Chopper

Four Years Ago

She steps out of the high school and I swear every eye is on her. She doesn’t realize just how beautiful she is. There’s a slight arch to her brow and her eyes are narrowed. She’s probably angry about something, but she won't tell me even if I ask her. Her attitude only adds to her appeal, though I'm sure a lot of people think her attitude is a problem.

Roxy tugs her sunglasses off the top of her head and places them over her eyes. She scans the parking lot, looking for someone.

I smirk as I push off my bike and close the distance between us. As soon as she spots me, she folds her arms over her chest and her brows furrow. If I could see her eyes, I know she’d be glaring at me.

“What are you doing here, Chopper?” She lets out a dramatic sigh and pops out her hip. Even at eighteen, Roxy has more attitude in her tiny body than most women do.

Yet I love it. I'm drawn to her like no one else. I crave the arguments and the banter we constantly have. Anything to know I'm on her mind and her focus is on me.

“Well, when you get detention and have to stay after school, someone needs to pick you up.” I stop in front of her and stare her down. “And Porter is away on business until tomorrow. You’re stuck with me and Storm tonight.”

“I can walk home.”

“Yeah, ok.” I chuckle and shake my head.

“What? You don’t think I can walk home by myself?” I can practically see her stubbornness take hold. She won't back down all because I told her she can’t do something. She’s itching for a fight and she’s always willing to go up against me.

Me? I couldn’t care less. Bring it on. She doesn’t scare me in the least. I know the real Roxy. The one she doesn’t show many people.

“Do I think you can physically walk home by yourself? Yes. Will you be uncomfortable? Probably. I mean, c’mon, those have to be six-inch heels. And leather pants? You’re going to sweat your sweet booty off. But more importantly, how would Porter react to you walking home alone?”

“Oh my gosh, Chopper! You all act like I'm a toddler!”

“Nah, baby. We just worry about you. You know I’d never let anything happen to you. C’mon, let’s get home.”

She lets out a huff, but she steps past me to make her way over to my bike. I place my hand on her lower back and happily walk in step with her. Any excuse to touch her.

“Roxy! Wait up!” A guy calls from behind us.

Roxy glances over her shoulder and a smirk spreads across her lips. I want to growl, I don’t need to look at this idiot to know I won't be happy with him talking to my girl. Her reaction is all I need. She knows this is going to irritate me.

“Hey, Darren,” Roxy practically purrs, making me want to punch this guy. He may be a nice, decent guy, but I don’t want Roxy looking at him or talking to him like she’s interested in more with him. She should be looking at me and talking to me and only me.

“What are you doing tonight? I was going-”

“She’s busy,” I growl, snaking an arm around Roxy’s waist. I try to tug her into my side, but she pushes me away.

“I'm not busy tonight,” she hisses, glaring at me as she takes a step closer to Darren. “What were you thinking?” Her voice turns sweet when she’s talking to him again.

“There’s a party…” Darren starts, glancing in my direction. He keeps eyeing me, clearly nervous about how I might respond.

“Don’t look at him. He’s not my dad and he has no say in what I do.” Roxy’s getting annoyed with him now, making me grin. She’d never go after a guy who can’t stand up to other people. She’ll view them as weak and Roxy Reeves doesn’t enjoy weakness. It’s why she doesn’t show any emotions other than anger. She views emotions as weakness.

“Right.” Darren clears his throat. “There’s a party…” His gaze flickers to mine and he swallows hard. He’s terrified right now.

“A party she isn’t going to,” I finish his sentence for him.

“Chopper!” She grinds out through clenched teeth.

“Not happening, sweetheart. Porter’s away this weekend and I'm your babysitter.” I fold my arms over my chest, staring her down. I know this will do nothing when it comes to Roxy, but it will let Darren know I'm not messing around.

“I don’t need a babysitter! I’m eighteen. In case you forgot, that makes me a legal adult. I don’t need to listen to what you say!”