Steel Temptation (Back Down Devil MC #6)(29)

Nate turned his head. So did Mia. She spotted Miller standing at the clubhouse door, arms folded. His eyes - even at a distance - made Mia shiver with intense fear.

With Nate’s hand spread across Mia’s lower back, they approached Miller. For every ounce of fear in Mia’s body there was a heat spreading from where Nate touched her. She hated to feel turned on right now. But when she looked at Nate, she felt safe. Comforted. Protected.

Then again, when she looked at Miller…

“What the f*ck were you thinking?” Miller growled.

Mia stood frozen again.

“He’s talking to me,” Nate said.

“Both of you, actually.”

“Look, this is getting out of control,” Nate said.

“I agree,” Miller said. “Maybe it’s time we just put a bullet in the back of her head and send her back.”

Mia felt her knees buckle.

“Her uncle wants her to investigate us,” Nate said. “We can play this thing…”

“He’s having another game,” Mia blurted out. “He told me. An underground game. Like he does. That’s why I usually come here.”

Miller stepped toward her. “He has no idea you were kept here last night?”

“No,” Mia said. “I told him I followed you out of town and you met with other guys.”

“He thinks we met with another charter,” Nate said. “So he thinks we’re gearing up.”

“Meaning he’s lead to believe maybe you remember everything about the attack?” Miller asked, staring at Nate.

“I guess.”

“That could work,” Miller said. “He thinks that. Talks to Jerry. The Coast Road bust today…” Miller looked at Mia again. “You’re sure about this game?”

“He said so.”

“When?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why the f*ck were you running?”

“I wasn’t…” Mia sucked in a breath.

“Miller, you have to cut her a break…”

“No,” Mia said. “He tried to touch me. And I’m pretty sure he killed Jacob.”

Miller raised an eyebrow. “The kid that Jace helped?”

“Yeah.”

“And your uncle tried…”

“He’s my step uncle, technically.”

“Even still,” Miller said. “Fuck.”

“Yeah,” Mia said. “Fuck.”

“She stopped and we brought her here,” Nate said. “I know tensions are high as hell, Miller, but we have to think straight.”

“Okay,” Miller said. “I’ll give her a pass again. But she’s back in the hole.”

The hole.

Mia shook her head.

“Come on,” Nate said. “Right now.”

Mia thought about running. Spinning, charging, and just running. Yeah, she’d get lit up, but at least this would all go away.

As she tried to make a move, she hesitated. Nate gripped her shirt and kept her from making the move.

“Don’t,” he whispered with a growl. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

Nate kept his hand tight around the back of her shirt, guiding her through the lot.

“This is bullshit!” Griffin bellowed. “This is not going to end well!”

“Why don’t they just kill me then?” Mia asked. “Everyone wants it…”

“Not me,” Nate said. “Just come with me. And stop this.”

Mia kept her mouth shut and walked down the ramp. The sight, smell, the darkness and dampness, the fear, it was all familiar. Like she never had a chance to leave the room. The chains and clamps were still on the floor.

When they were in the room, Nate quickly spun Mia around. His hands cupped her face. He pulled her close, just inches from kissing her.

“Listen to me,” he said. “I’m going to leave you like this. But I have to shut and lock the door. I’m going to a meeting. This trust thing… it has to work, babe. I’m at the end of my rope.”

“Okay. Nate, I don’t know what to do. When he touched me… held my throat… I freaked out, okay? I wanted to just run from everything. I wished you were there to beat him up.”

“I’m not going to beat him up. I’m going to f*cking slit his throat. I don’t care who he is. This is our town. I’m telling you this goes deep. I’ll explain more later.”

“What if Griffin comes down here and kills me?” Mia asked.

“Nobody is going to kill you. Not without Miller’s orders. I’ll be here to protect you. Do you have your cell?”

“Yeah.”

“I need it.”

“Christ, Nate…”

“Don’t f*cking argue with me.” Nate inched forward. One hand moved from Mia’s cheek to her lower back. He pulled her body tight to his. “Just don’t.”

Mia felt her heart pounding. The air in the room was now not the only thing damp.

“I would never try and hurt you,” Mia said.

“Babe, you don’t know me. I’m a bad guy. I kill people…”

“Other bad guys.”