Forceful Biker Daddy by Scott Wylder

CHAPTER FOUR

Blake

Annie curled up in bed, eating her chili. I just hoped the warm stew would be enough to help her regain some of her strength. When she didn't answer me in the shower I was terrified, positive she had hurt herself or passed out. She was too weak to even resist me when I held her, though she flinched at my touch.

I wished there were some way to make her trust me. I didn't want her to be scared of me. Something about her made me want to take care of her and hold her, but she thought I was little better than a Demon.

I would have to settle for making sure she was physically okay, which was a challenge by itself. The bullet graze was a mere flesh wound, but she had lost a lot of blood. Hopefully, some hearty food and a good night's rest was all she needed. Otherwise, we would be paying for a night at the hospital.

After she finished eating and drinking her tea, I tucked her into bed, pulling the covers up tight. "Get some sleep, kitten," I said.

She nodded, her eyes already drifting shut. I smiled as I watched her. She was so vulnerable and adorable, even if she pretended to be fierce. She was a cute little kitten.

My phone vibrated so I checked the caller I.D. It was Mac. "Hey," I whispered.

"Why are you whispering?" He asked.

"She's asleep. I don't want to wake her." Quietly, I slipped just outside so I could talk. "What's up?"

"Just checking in, boyo. Is she as innocent as her brother says she is, or is she leading you straight into a trap?" He inquired.

"Either she's a fantastic actor, or she's innocent. She didn't even know who the Hell's Renegades were when I found her. She also has a pretty nasty bullet graze on her arm and was hiding in the forest for hours before I found her. If she's lying, then I'm impressed with her dedication to method acting." I answered.

"I figured as much."

"Any signs of suspicion from Axle or his girl?" I asked.

"Nope. They're playing happy family in the safe house. He seems all right, but Hawk and Dante are going to need more convincing."

I snorted. "I can't blame them. He's a Demon after all."

"Yeah, but we have a plan. We'll test his loyalty tomorrow night. If he passes then he's a new Hell's Renegade member. If not, then we'll handle it club style."

I whistled. "Good luck with that."

"Where are you two holed up, by the way?" He asked.

"A little motel on the wrong side of Newbury. It might be a couple of days before we can come back." I said.

"How's she holding up?" He wondered.

"She's brave and handling it well, but she's exhausted and injured. I'm going to travel slowly with her to make sure she's all right."

"Sounds to me like you're starting to care for a Demon girl."

I bristled. "She's not a Demon," I said. "Her brother kept her away from the business, and don't let Dante hear you talk shit like that. I won't stop him from trying to kill you if you do." Dante's old lady used to be a girl in a Demon brothel. She escaped and ran to him for help. Dante hated the Demons more than anyone, but he was quick to punch anyone who talked shit about the girls they forced to work in their brothels.

"Easy, boyo. I'm pulling your leg, but stay sharp. It's easy to get careless when emotions get involved."

"I don't let emotions get involved." I declared.

"Sure, you don't." His amusement emphasized his Irish brogue.

"Was there anything else?"

"Just send a picture of Annie tomorrow when she wakes up. Her brother is going to want proof that she's safe, and watch your back." He demanded.

"I always do." I said.

I hung up and went back inside brushing away my irritation at my club president. Mac liked getting under people's skin, but he was right. Getting emotionally involved would make things complicated. I needed to protect Annie and return her safely to her brother. If I thought about anything else, I could be putting myself and her in danger.

However, I couldn't help but smile when I saw her sleeping peacefully in bed. Her thumb had found its way inside her mouth, and she was sucking it while she slept.

I crawled into bed next to Annie and wrapped my arms around her to pull her close to me. This was a very dangerous game, but I didn't care. I wanted her. I wanted her to be mine. I snorted and closed my eyes. Perhaps my emotions were getting involved.

The next morning, I woke with a start. I never slept well in a strange place. I couldn't help but sense that there was danger around every corner, especially when I had someone to protect. Even before joining the Hell's Renegades, I was in and out of trouble so there was plenty of danger lurking around corners.

Annie was still sleeping peacefully. There was a little more color to her cheeks, which I was relieved about. It looked like she was recovering.

I didn't want to wake her up, but it was already close to nine and I didn't want to spend that much time in one place. The Demons would still be looking for us and for all I knew, the receptionist was working with them and had tipped them off about a strange man getting a room for the night.

I laid a hand on Annie's shoulder and rubbed it gently. "Kitten," I murmured. "It's time to wake up."

She stirred, whimpering slightly before her eyes flickered open. She looked up at me, and gasped, pulling the blanket up to her chin.

I smirked. As if I hadn't held her beautiful, naked body all night. She was an odd one.

"Did you sleep in the bed with me?" She asked.

"Of course, kitten," I said. "What, you think I was going to sleep on the dirty floor?"

She blushed but didn't say anything.

"I didn't try anything if that's what you're worried about." I wouldn't blame her if she was worried about that. After all, she didn't know me. She didn't know I had more of a moral code than any of the Demons ever did. I was however, a little insulted she thought so little of me anyway.

She flushed. "I'm sorry. I'm being ridiculous. I know you didn't try anything. You had plenty of opportunities if you wanted to hurt me."

"I don't blame you for being worried, kitten. Especially after what you've been through, but I promise I only want to protect you." I brushed my annoyance aside and held out my hand. "Come on, it's time to get up. We need to take a picture together to let your brother know you're all right."

She nodded eagerly. "Does he still have his cell phone? Could I talk to him?"

My chest tightened at the hopeful look on her face. She was worried sick about her brother. I wished there was something I could do to help ease her worries a little. "I'm sorry, kitten. Mac took away his phone just in case he tried to get in touch with the Demons. Maybe tomorrow you can talk to him, but not today.

She glared at me. "Why can't I see him? He gets to see me."

"He's safe, kitten. You can talk to him tomorrow. You have my word on that." I tried to reassure her.

"Your word doesn't mean anything to me." She replied.

I clenched my jaw. "Look, the club presidents are going to put your brother through a little test tonight. They want to be able to trust him. After that, you can talk to him all you want."

"What kind of test? Is it dangerous?" She asked.

"Nothing more dangerous than what he did with the Demons." I tried to reassure her again.

Annie wasn't satisfied. "What are you going to make him do? Are you going to make him kill someone?"

"I don't know what the test is, but Mac wouldn't do that." I felt my annoyance rise up again, but I pushed it down. "We're not the Demons. We have morals. We don't go around killing people for fun or to prove something. I can promise you, whatever test they're putting him through, it's not cruel."

She slowly nodded but it didn't look like she believed me. "Fine," she said. "But I better be able to talk to him tomorrow."

"You will, kitten. I promise."

She smoothed out her hair and smiled for the picture with me. I sent it to Mac as proof she was safe and then saved the picture to my phone. I couldn't help it. I liked it, even if it wasn't under the best circumstances.

After the photo was sent, I turned to her. "We need to go, kitten. I don't want the Demons to catch up to us."

"Where are you taking me?" she asked.

"Eventually, we're going back to club headquarters, but we're taking the scenic route to keep the Demons off our tale. We'll be there in a few days."

"A few days?" She looked horrified.

"Yes, kitten, but we can stop whenever you need to, okay? I don't want you to strain yourself."

She turned away from me. "I'm fine. It's going to take a lot more than a bike ride to make me strain myself."

I clenched my jaw. I was just trying to reassure her. She knew as well as I did that she needed to rest. She didn't have to put on a brave face for me. I wanted to take her over my knee for even trying to bullshit me. Instead, I grabbed her backpack. "Let's go, then," I said.