Steel Temptation (Back Down Devil MC #6)(19)

“Relax,” Miller growled. “Where’s your cell?”

“My phone? My pocket.”

“Get it,” Miller said to Nate.

Nate crouched and slipped his hand into Mia’s pocket. He looked at her and watched her face turn red. The feel of her leg… through her jeans… thinking about her red panties….

Nate got the phone and handed it back to Miller.

“Here’s what you’re going to do,” Miller send. “Sent a text to your uncle. Tell them that you’re still following us. That we left Frelen. Make it worth my time.”

Mia nodded. “Of course.”

Miller put a hand to Nate’s shoulder. “This son of a bitch saved your life tonight. If we had a vote, you’d be dead by now. But Nate insisted on it. That he’d talk to you. You don’t want to be in this, do you?”

“No,” Mia said. “I just help with the poker games.”

“Right. Those too. We’ll need to address that when the time comes.” Miller crouched down. “What I’m saying to you, sweet thing, is that you’re not going anywhere. You may drive that car of yours, but you’re not free. You’ve never been free and you never will be free. The only thing you can get from us is protection. Which is damn good. Really damn good. Because the second you slip up, or piss me off, you’re dead. I don’t care if you’ve got tits and a *, I don’t wear this patch for no reason. Understand?”

“Yes,” Mia said.

Miller put the phone down in front of Mia, just out of her reach. He stood up and looked at Nate. “You let her keep her f*cking phone? She could have called…”

“Yeah, my f*ck up,” Nate said.

“What happened with those prospects?” Gaige asked.

“They tried doing stuff to her,” Nate said. “Instead of guarding.”

“Fair enough,” Miller said. He threw a fist at Nate’s shoulder. It felt like a rock hit him. “You’re staying here tonight then. You keep an eye on things.” Miller looked at Mia. “Cuddle up close.” He laughed and winked.

“I’ll bring you some beer,” Gaige said. “Hang tight, brother.”

“Maybe some food?” Nate asked.

“Yeah,” Gaige said. “Sure thing.”

“Make sure she sends that text,” Miller said.

They shut the door and Nate was alone with Mia again. He dropped to his ass and grabbed the cell. He turned it on and opened the messages.

“Who’s Chris?” Nate asked.

“My boss.”

“You f*ck him?”

“No.”

“Have you f*cked anyone?”

“No. I’m a virgin.”

“Oh?”

Mia smiled. “No, I’m not a virgin. I just haven’t f*cked my boss or my step uncle yet. Sorry.”

“No, that’s good,” Nate said. “Here, send the text. Let me read it before you send it.”

Mia typed at the screen and then showed it to Nate.

“Send it,” he said.

It was sent and Nate grabbed the phone from her hand. He slid it across the floor. Then he looked at her again. “You’re f*cking beautiful. How the hell did this happen to you?”

“What about you?” Mia asked Nate. “You could have had a different path.”

“I did. Darker than this. Miller saved my ass. Did a favor for him and the MC to get my cut and patches. So I know something about turning your back on other people. Ones you love. Family. It’s hard to do.”

“Yeah,” Mia said. “Well, I didn’t have family growing up. Uncle Jake controlled everything. My father was never part of my life. Uncle Jake forced my mother into so many rehabs she ended up just killing herself.”

“Thought he was your step uncle?”

“He is. My mother married a guy named Chet. If you want to know, Chet tried to f*ck me. Twice. I fought him off both times.”

“Fuck, babe. I’m, uh, sorry…”

Nate watched Mia look up and strain her eyes, trying not to cry.

“You don’t have to talk about this shit,” Nate said. “We’re good here. Like this. Get some sleep. You’re up in the morning and back on the road.”

Mia sucked in a breath. “Okay. I didn’t choose this shit, Nate. And if… if you really did stick up for me…”

Mia’s eyes were big and beautiful. Her eyes almost changed color, somehow, becoming darker, more seductive. She definitely had a wild side about her. That much Nate could sense. Fuck, he could smell it on her.

“I stuck up for you,” Nate said.

Mia leaned toward him. “Thank you.”

She kept coming. The chains rattled on the floor. Her hand reached out and touched his cheek. Her nails gently scratched at his cheek.

Nate had enough of this shit.

He moved in and kissed her.

Enemy or not, she was f*cking beautiful. Her lips were pouty and he wanted to taste them.

So he f*cking did.

He kissed her once, twice, then pulled back.

Her cheeks were flush again. “Shit…”

“Yeah,” Nate said.

He moved in again and kissed her, this time harder. He inched toward her and grabbed her hand off his face. He put his hand to her face, then to the back of her neck. Keeping her close, tight, he opened his mouth, needing to taste that tongue of hers.