I shake my head with a grin. “Or, maybe they just like me.”

“Maybe.” He grins.

I lean back, and close my eyes, taking a few moments to myself when I hear the distinct rumble of Harley-Davidsons pulling up outside. I feel my heart begin to hammer, but I know it’s just me being dramatic. Hundreds and thousands of people own Harleys. Stop being so paranoid.

“That’ll be your main man. He’s pissed, I hear,” Selena says to Colt, sliding an empty beer bottle across the bar.

Colt grunts. “Yeah, he’s always pissed.”

“Is that a friend of yours?” I ask, hoping for a little information.

“Yeah, actually. He’s the president of the club I’m with.”

“You’re a biker?” I say, shocked.

He grins at me. “Don’t look so shocked.”

“I thought bikers just hung around each other, and didn’t hold jobs.”

He shakes his head. “Well, this one wasn’t going to do that. I do what he needs, but this is my main job. Besides, the guys love it.”

“What’s your club’s name?” I ask, standing and picking up and towel and a glass to dry, making it look like I’m doing something productive instead of just prying.

“Angels In Leather.”

The glass slips from my hand, and smashes on the ground. My head spins, and I take a step back, putting a hand against my chest. This can’t be happening.

“You’re...you’re...one of Axel’s boys?”

Colt’s eyes widen. “You know Axel?”

Selena stares at me. “Oh, are you one of his fuck buddies?”

“No...not exactly. I...we don’t get along very well. It’s a long story.”

She nods, as if in understanding. “He is such an ass. I wanted to fuck him once, but he’s so broody and angry. He told me to fuck off, and didn’t even give me a second glance.”

Colt ignores her, and narrows his eyes. “Are you okay? You look like you’re about to pass out.”

“I just...thank you, Colt. For all this. But I can’t stay if you’re involved with him. Believe me, we don’t like each other. It’s not worth bringing into your life,” I lie.

“Meadow,” he says, firmly. “You don’t need to run. I don’t have to tell him you’re here if there are issues between you two.”

“You d-d-don’t?” I whisper.

He shakes his head. “Nah, just go on home, and I’ll make sure he’s not here for your next shift.”

I quickly untie my apron. “Thank you, Colt.”

Before I can turn and rush out back, the door swings open. I quickly drop to the floor behind the bar; it’s the only thing I can do. My heart leaps into my throat as I hear boots crunching across the wooden floor. I scoot backwards, pressing myself as close to the bar as I can.

“Colt,” Axel’s voice booms out. “Get me a beer.”

Colt peers down at me, and I give him a pleading look. He must take pity on me, because he shifts the bin under the counter, and points to the space. I crawl in, and tuck my knees up to my chest. Selena smiles at me, a knowing smile, and gets on with her work. Why the hell is Axel in San Diego? Does he live here? If Colt is based here, maybe he does. Only I could pick the one city and the one bar that he’s associated with.

“How’s it, boss?” Colt says, his voice gruff.

I hear the sound of Colt popping the top on a beer and sliding it across the bar. I hear a stool being pulled out, and I realize Axel is right there...just above me.

“It’s fuckin’ crap, that’s what it is.”

“Didn’t find what you were lookin’ for?”

Axel makes a growling sound. “Nah.”

“What is it you’re lookin’ for exactly, boss? You’ve been on it for months. I’m thinkin’ I could use a break. Might come with you.”

“I’m takin’ you on the next run. I need someone that can run fast.”

Run fast. To catch me. Oh, God.

“Run fast?” Colt questions, shifting closer to me and reaching for a glass.

“I’m after a girl. She’s got something I want, but she keeps fuckin’ out-smartin’ me. God help her if I get hold of her now. I’m fuckin’ mad.”

Colt’s hands slide into his pockets. “What’s a girl got to do with anything?”

“Open your fuckin’ ears, boy, I said she’s got somethin’ I want.”

“What’s she got?”

Axel shifts. “Nothin’ that’s of concern to you. I suspect she’s around this area, so keep a fuckin’ eye out.”

I don’t feel so good. My hands begin to tremble, and sweat trickles down my forehead.

“What’s her name?” Colt asks, cracking another beer. “I might have heard of her.”

“Meadow.”

I see the exact moment Colt stiffens, because his legs go rigid. Shit. Shit. Shit.

“Here’s what she looks like. You see her in here, you call me.”

Oh God.

Colt’s silent, and I suddenly don’t feel like being here is a smart idea. If he decides to tell Axel I’m here, I won’t be able to get out. I have to run, and I have to run now. I crawl quietly from my space, and as soon as I’m near the back door, I stand.

“What the fuck? Colt, were you gettin’ your fuckin’ dick sucked while I was talkin’ to ya?” Axel bellows, slamming his glass down onto the bar.

He doesn’t recognize me. Oh God, he doesn’t recognize me because I changed my hair. My heart pounds, and a moment of hope rushes through me. I reach for the door, ready to run, when Colt murmurs, “Meadow, pretty sure there’s somethin’ you haven’t told me.”

“Meadow?” Axel rasps.

I turn, and I meet his shocked expression. His eyes widen, and he skids his stool back. His powerful body launches up and over the bar, sending everything within reach flying. The shrill sound of glasses smashing fills my ears.

That’s when I run.

“Don’t you fuckin’ dare,” he bellows, but I’m already out the door.

I push through the offices out the back, slamming and locking as many doors as I can. My adrenaline spikes, and I duck through the back kitchen and out the back door. I hear Axel’s roar of frustration, and the sounds of smashing coming from inside. Shit. I run across the staff parking lot, and duck into the nearest alley.

“You fuckin’ stop, now,” Axel yells, rounding the corner and charging down the alley after me.

I pick up my speed, running as fast as I can. I reach the street and I skid to the left, shoving through the ocean of people as I try to escape the angry, determined man behind me.

“South of the city, she’s on foot, dark hair. Get moving!”

Axel is ordering his men in. I close my eyes, drop my head, and just run as hard as I can manage. I charge around another corner, and across the road. Cars beep and screech to a halt as I dodge my way past them. I stumble as I hit the gutter on the other side, and I go down with a pained cry. My knees scrape across the gravel and my hands go instinctively out in front of me to stop me from landing on my face.

It’s the moment Axel needs. It’s the moment he’s been waiting for.

He’s behind me before I can even get to my knees. People on the street don’t even stop to see if I’m okay, they just keep about their business. Axel’s hands go around my body, and he hurls me up, pressing me into his chest. He spins us both around, and begins pulling me toward the closest alley. I dig my heels in, not willing to accept defeat. Not willing to give in.

“Let me go,” I cry, squirming.

“Stop doing that,” he growls.

I decide to try pleading. He’s not listening to anything else. “Please, just let me go, Axel, you don’t have to do this. Just stop. Please. For whatever friendship we had all those years ago...”

He flinches, and his entire body stiffens. “I said fuckin’ stop squirming. If you keep it up, so help me God, I’ll put you on your knees and fuck you until you can’t breathe.”

I stiffen, and my entire body slackens. What did he just say? I blink rapidly, trying to process his words. Why would he say something like that? Why would he even think it? He drags my body into an alley, because I can no longer make my legs work. They’re weak, and I’m exhausted.

“You wouldn’t hurt me like that,” I rasp, quietly. “Would you?”

He stops, and spins me around, staring down at me. His eyes are hard, and I can see deep in their depths that he would hurt me like that. My entire body breaks out in fear. “I’m a fucked-up man,” he growls. “I’m not the person you remember. You don’t know me anymore. You don’t know the kind of shit that’s in my head now.”

I twist one more time, feeling panic rise in my chest. He’s right. He’s not the man I once knew, and I can’t risk staying with him. If he finds out I don’t have the USB, there could be a big problem. I put it in a bank yesterday, in a safe locker where no one could touch it. Axel is taking me, but he has no idea that it’s for nothing.

“I said stop fuckin’ squirming,” he roars. “Goddammit, stop!”

I stop, but not before I feel his cock brush against my ass. It’s hard against his jeans, and my body shivers. I’m not sure if it’s in response, or out of pure fear. My struggling arouses him, and that both scares and excites me. It sparks something inside my body that I don’t quite understand, and right now, I don’t want to understand it.

“No,” he whispers, his breath near my ear. “Not possible.”

What’s he talking about?

He shifts his hips, and tightens his hold on my body. “Don’t fuckin’ move.”

I whimper, and he growls deep in his throat. “Fuck,” he murmurs. “You like it.”

What?

No.

His fingers slide down my over my shirt, and his finger grazes over the swell of my breast. Fear courses through my veins. He wouldn’t rape me...would he? I swallow, unsure of the feelings running through my body right now. Beneath the pain, and the hesitation, there’s something else. A slight want that I can’t make sense of. I turn my head, and Axel’s eyes meet mine, and the cold, deadly depths devour me. I look away; I can’t face this. I can’t face this uncertainty that I’m feeling.