Rough Justice (Sinner's Tribe Motorcycle Club #1)(29)
She looked back at the string of motorcycle headlights and groaned. “I’m sure that’s Leo and the Jacks. Maybe you should pull over and let me out. He won’t hurt you, because it’s me he wants.”
Dawn gave an exasperated snort. “I saw what he did to you tonight. And I’ve seen you come back from the Black Jack clubhouse covered in bruises. I’m not leaving you to their mercy, because I know exactly what that means. You were so close to getting out this time. I’ll keep you hidden until you find Jeff and get your passport.”
Arianne checked the rearview mirror and her mouth went dry. “They’re almost on top of us. I thought at first there were only two, but a third one just came out of nowhere.”
One of the choppers accelerated and pulled up beside them. The driver motioned to the shoulder of the road, his face obscured by the glare of headlights.
“Oh damn.” Dawn’s shoulders sagged. “That’s it. I gotta pull over, honey. They’re gonna run me off the road.”
“And scratch their paint?” Arianne barked a laugh. “Not likely. But pull over. This is my fight. I shouldn’t have taken the ride.”
Dawn pulled the Fiesta onto the gravel, and the bikers parked around them, one on each side and one in back. All too soon, a leather-clad fist pounded on Arianne’s window.
“Bastard.” Dawn lowered her window. “We hear you. But I’m telling you now, you touch my girl, and it’ll be the last f*cking thing you ever do.”
“Dawn, no. I don’t want you to get involved. I’m going out.” Arianne reached for the handle, but before she had a firm grip, the door swung open, and she was yanked out of the car.
“Jagger.” His name came out with her breath as she hit his rock-hard chest.
He stared down at her, his body vibrating as if he might fly apart any moment, eyes blazing with sensual fire. She could almost feel the blood pounding through his veins and when she placed a hand on his chest, his heart hammered against her palm.
“Get on my bike.”
She stepped back, startled by his abrupt tone. “I’m going home with Dawn.”
“You gonna put her in danger?” He stroked his hand down her hair and bowed his head briefly, as if relieved. But why would he be? He’d just found out she was Viper’s daughter. More likely he and his men were going to imprison her again, this time for real.
“Leo doesn’t know where she lives.”
“And if you’re wrong about that?” He dropped his hand to her shoulder. “He gonna treat you to more of the same if you go to the Jacks’ clubhouse?”
“Actually, Viper’s the one who beats on her at the clubhouse.” Dawn stepped out of the vehicle with a can of pepper spray in her hand. “Leo just gets to shove her around outside.”
“Dawn. No.”
Dawn rounded the vehicle, holding the pepper spray aloft. “Y’all planning to kidnap my girl again? ’Cause I’m telling you now, it ain’t gonna happen.”
Almost immediately, two shadows emerged from the darkness: Cade, and the darkly sensual Zane, whom Arianne recognized from the clubhouse.
Dawn took a brazen step toward them and then faltered when she caught sight of Cade. “Got you covered, honey. Anyone tries anything, I’m taking them down. I don’t care how hot they are. Nothing’s hotter than pepper spray.”
“Save your pepper spray for the Black Jacks,” Arianne said. “I don’t think these guys are here to hurt us.” She gave Jagger a half-hearted smile. “Thanks for checking up on us, but we need to get going before Leo—”
With slow, deliberate steps, he backed her up to the vehicle, stopping only when her ass pressed tight against the cool metal. His gaze locked with hers, and he thudded one hand on the roof on either side of her head, caging her with his body. “Easy, sweetheart. I need you to listen.” His breath was warm against her ear, his body heat beating away the chill of the night. She gritted her teeth and tried to push him away, but he had her well and truly pinned.
“I can listen from a distance.” She looked around for Dawn and her handy canister of pepper spray, but her faithless friend was deep in conversation with Cade and Zane and unaware Arianne was having an inappropriate response to being trapped against her car by a sexy biker who smelled like heaven and looked like sin.
“Leo’s not the only one looking for you,” he said. “Axle blames you for his expulsion from the club, and wants his revenge. I can keep you safe.” He moved closer, his chest brushing against her breasts, his thick thigh sliding between her legs.
Her breath left her in a rush. Part of her wanted nothing more than to accept his offer, climb on the back of his bike, wrap her arms around him and race away into the night. But her survival instinct was too strong, her independence too hard fought, and she’d seen firsthand what happened to people who defied Viper in order to help her.
“Thanks, but I can take care of myself. And to be honest, I’m not feeling very safe with you right now. In fact, I’d have to say this position is mildly threatening and—” Her voice caught. “—a little too dominant alpha male.”
“Always with the lip.” Although his words came out in a husky rumble, his eyes were warm, amused.
“Always with the bossiness.” She wriggled against him, pleased when he edged away the tiniest bit.