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“How long have theybeen bullying you?” I asked, furious that these assholes were bothering Shadow because of his limp.
“Babe, this really isn’t the time.”
He was right, but I wanted to know anyway. That jerk with the loud mouth was stomping toward us, and he intended to hurt Shadow. The sneer on his face matched the vindictive look in his eyes. “Tell me.”
My tone must have been convincing because he grumbled the answer as he held out an arm, preventing me from darting forward.
“Two years off and on.”
“Since your accident?” I asked quietly.
He confirmed with a nod.
Infuriated, I tried to jump around Shadow, but he slung an arm around my waist and hauled me back against his chest. “Not now, Stef. Nothing harms you when I can prevent it.”
Blowing out a breath, I could feel the tension coiling tight inside my body. “I don’t like bullies.”
“That makes two of us,” he agreed, a hint of amusement in his tone. The bully stopped a few feet in front of Shadow as a couple of his friends closed in from behind. “Gonna give you one chance to walk away, Matt. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“You some badass now that you’re in that motorcycle club, huh? Think you can snag some chick and a bike, and it’ll make you any less worthless?”
Shadow didn’t say a word, but his grip tightened slightly as he twisted his body, keeping me out of harm as best he could.
“Too chicken shit to answer? You always were a pussy.”
Blinking, I stared at the guy and wondered where his hatred originated from. Why spend so much time and energy picking on someone and being cruel? What did that accomplish? It didn’t make sense. Was he looking to puff up his ego?
“You’re a real asshole. You know that?” I yelled, trying to move Shadow’s arm, but he held onto me like steel wrapped around a pole. There was no escape.
“Move on, Matt. Your days as a bully are over. Let these good people around us enjoy their meals.”
A few people spoke up, muttering about rudeness and out-of-control teenagers.
Matt ignored the crowd. He opened his mouth to speak when the rumble of several motorcycles closed in from all directions. A few Harleys rolled up and stopped, sitting idle as the riders stared our way. Royal Bastards MC logos were prominent on their backs as a few more joined the others. A semicircle of protection flanked our position, silently showing unwavering support. I knew enough about the club to know that messing with one member, or even a prospect, was equivalent to challenging them all.
Grim wasn’t the kind of man to let that go, and I suspected that someone must have called the auto shop and let him know what was happening. A lot of people in this town supported the club and all they did for the community. I didn’t believe for one minute that they weren’t outlaws, but I also knew they were good men. I’d seen how Grim protected my aunt Trish on numerous occasions.
Shadow fixed Matt with a coldness I didn’t know he was capable of. “This is your last chance to leave me alone. Mess with me, my girl, or anyone else in the club, and I won’t be able to stop the shit show that follows.”
Matt’s lips lifted into a smile that chilled me to the bone. “We’ll be seeing one another around, gimp.” He spun on his heel and headed back toward his table, but not before his ruthless gaze roamed over my body with a promise that I didn’t have the capacity to consider.
Shadow pulled me into his embrace as I turned my head and buried my face in his chest. My appetite was ruined. As my heart raced, I didn’t want to think about what Matt meant when he threatened this wasn’t over.
“Hey, it’s going to be fine, sweetheart. I promise. Let’s grab some food to go, and I’ll take you on a little adventure.”
Nodding, I let him lead the way into the diner. Unable to release my grip on his shirt, I stayed plastered against his side and tried to ignore the fear that kept surging beneath my skin. Something wasn’t right with Matt, and he didn’t seem the type to let it go when he felt he’d been humiliated. From what I understood, that happened twice now.
Shadow’s words were soft and sweet as we returned to the bike, noting that Matt and his friends had left. Motorcycles still parked around Shadow’s bike as we approached. He ticked his head toward the others, and they revved their engines, a show of loyalty for the young man who seemed fearless as he caressed the length of my spine.
The other motorcycles turned away only once we pulled from the curb and headed toward Hwy 95. Shadow lifted his fist in the air, and a few pumped their fists in return.
When he was certain no one followed us, he pulled over, and we ate our food, leaning back against his Harley. I didn’t have a lot to say and hoped he didn’t think I blamed him for that jerk Matt or anything else that happened.
“You okay, baby?”
The way he said the words, so soft and worried, endeared the young biker to me further than anything else he’d said in the last week.
“I didn’t like how he treated you. It was a bit scary.”
