Chapter 1
Brea
This can’t be right…no, there’s some mistake…has to be a mistake. I check the address on the GPS then the one listed in the e-mail from the realtor for what has to be the tenth time, but nope…there’s no mistake. I seriously did buy a house in the middle of a small town that seems to be overrun by bikers. I guess being surrounded by big burly men should be a nice change from being smothered by Evan, my ex. Even if they're like the bikers from those shows like Sons of Anarchy, at least their evil side should be easy to spot. With Evan, his evil was well masked by poorly feigned interest, veiled insults and backhanded compliments.
I should've seen the signs sooner, but apparently, I was so starved for human connection that I was blind…like really blind. I stuck it out for two years, all the emotional destruction being brushed under the rug until there was simply too much to hide. The night of the charity event for his mother’s latest community interest was the breaking point. Evan had, once again, left me alone in the room full of strangers, but for once I decided I was done waiting around. I went to find him so I could let him know I was leaving…and find him I did.
Evan was driving his sorry excuse for a dick into some stick thin blonde in the damn storage closet. Honestly, if they hadn’t been so reckless with the noise they were making, I may never have found out. The girl’s overdramatic moans reminded me of the most recent orgasm I faked for Evan's benefit and I shudder at the thought. I should really go get tested. I could have walked away, let him have his fun…but he did ditch me in a room full of strangers so he could cheat on me with a girl who isn’t even pretending to enjoy it…not really.
“I’ve heard better fake orgasms in B rated porn. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that she’s putting in so little effort since you’re screwing her in a storage closet like she’s some dirty little secret. Don’t worry, sweetie, you can have him.” I was proud of myself…shocked, but proud. I made my way toward the grand hall where the event was being held and fetched my clutch off the table then made my way toward the exit. It shouldn’t have surprised me that Evan found me before I could step out the door.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” I give him my best ‘are you fucking serious’ look. He doesn’t look guilty or regretful, only angry.
“I’m leaving, though that really should be obvious.” This is where everything goes to shit. I opened the door to step out then feel him fist my hair and jerk my entire body backwards. He slams me into the wall, but while his eyes are glaring daggers at me, my eyes are watching the rather large crowd gathering behind him.
“You’ll leave when I say you can leave and you’re not going to say a word about what you saw back there, got it?” Oh, this is priceless. He seriously has no clue that we have an audience, does he?!
“You mean that I caught you screwing Olivia Dawson in a supply closet?” I swear the entire crowd gasps in unison which makes him let go of me as if my skin is made of lava.
“Evan? Olivia? Care to tell me what the hell is going on?!” And that would be Olivia’s husband. I actually feel sorry for the poor guy, but I use this moment of distraction to escape, leaving Evan to sort out his mess while giving me time to swing by our apartment and pack my shit.
I shake off the memory and return my attention to the house in front of me. It’s small, only two bedrooms, but the only thing that matters is that it’s mine. After using the money I got from my grandma’s estate to purchase the house without even seeing it, I had just enough left to order a bed, dresser, couch, tv and dining table. The money in my savings account will be enough for me to scrape by for three or four months, which will hopefully be enough time to find a job, otherwise I'll be stuck dipping into the account my parents had set up for me and I'd really rather not touch their money if I don't absolutely have to.
After getting the key out of the coded lock box next to the door, I start the task of unloading my SUV that’s packed full of boxes and shopping bags with household necessities and cleaners. I’m on my third trip when I see a man walking over from across the street, everything about his look screaming ‘biker’.
“You must be the new neighbor! My name's Rex and I live across the way. Can I help you unload all that?” He gestures to the still packed car and his warm brown eyes paired with his easy smile make it impossible to refuse. He has to be in his forties, but his smile makes him look younger.
“Sure, that’d be great. My name is Brea.” I offer my hand and he happily grabs it and gives it a firm, but gentle shake.
“It’s nice to meet you, Brea. Give me one second.” He pulls out a cell phone, types something on the screen then slides it back into his pocket. “I called in reinforcements, just a few of my friends.”
When he said a few friends, I had thought two or three, so when six big ass bikers walk over from the house next door, I’m fairly certain my jaw hits the ground. I'm introduced to each one, Rex pointing to each as he says their names. First is Hammer, then Cain, Colt, Linc, Digger and finally the one that my eyes seem most drawn to, Gage. All of the men are large, but Gage is easily a foot taller than my five foot four frame with dark blonde hair, cold dark blue eyes, a muscular body and a sharp jaw lined in stubble that looks to be a few days’ worth of growth. He’s alarmingly gorgeous, but seems the most uninterested in being volunteered to help out.
“I really appreciate all of your help. Now I just have to unpack and wait for the furniture to arrive so I can get everything put together!” I address them all after we've finished carrying all my crap inside.
“Well, why don’t you come on by my place at six tonight. We’re having a barbeque and all the neighbors will be there. Good food and a chance to get to know everyone.” Rex wiggles his eyebrows and I can’t fight the smile his playful gesture brings.
“Okay. Should I bring anything?” He shakes his head and flashes me a million dollar smile.
“Nope, just you.” All of the guys say their goodbyes, all except Gage, then take off back to where they came from.
After heading back inside, I decide to dig through my boxes to find suitable clothes for a biker barbeque, but what style that requires, I haven’t a clue, then find a towel so I can shower. I end up settling on a pair of black jeans that hug my thick thighs and all my curves perfectly then pair them with a black cropped band tee. I’m not some skinny model and my tummy is soft, not toned, but I love my body…every single pound, even the thirty extra ones that the doctors insist I should work on losing. I throw my hair into a braid then settle on a black smokey eye that makes my silver grey eyes pop. With one final look in the mirror, I throw on my black converse and head out my door right at six.
Rex’s backyard is overcrowded and every person here looks exactly like you would expect a biker to look. I’ve never seen so much leather and denim in one small space. I spot Rex easily enough, but getting to him proves to be a challenge and I’m definitely drawing a lot of attention. I finally get close enough for him to spot me and, thankfully, he closes the distance rather than making me fight my way to him.
“I’m glad you decided to come! Come on, let me introduce you to my old lady.” He puts a hand between my shoulder blades and leads me through the crowd that parts for him like the red sea. He takes me over to a table where a bunch of women are sitting, most of them looking just as tough and intimidating as the men here.
“Who do you have here, Rex?” One of the girls wearing a leather vest, that almost matches the one the guys are wearing, asks with a quirked brow.
“Foxy, this is the new neighbor from across the street, Brea. Brea, this is my old lady, Foxy, and this is Lee, Tina, Trish, Nix, Penny and Quinn.” I say a polite ‘hello’ and tense up when he tells me he’ll be back shortly.
“So, you’re the one who moved into the house between Gage and Logan’s houses. How are you liking it here so far?” Foxy asks with a welcoming smile.
“Well, I’ve been here less than twelve hours, but I’m still alive and my house is still standing, so not too bad I suppose.” She throws her head back and laughs a full belly laugh that makes me automatically smile in response.
“Just so we’re clear, stay away from Gage. I saw you checking him out earlier when they were helping move your shit.” The woman, I think she’s Nix, speaks in a cold, possessive tone and it makes me instantly annoyed.
“Oh, stop. You know you have no claim on him, Nix. You just have your panties twisted because he shot you down…again.” Foxy responds in an irritated tone that matches my mood perfectly, but my mouth seems to have a mind of its own.
“Possessive and stalkerish, such charming qualities. It’s a wonder he isn’t pounding down your door and throwing himself at your feet.” All of the women burst out laughing…all but Nix.
“I won’t warn you again.” Her tone is now menacing, but I roll my eyes at her regardless.
“Sure, got it. Stay away from the guy who, apparently, isn’t interested in you and clearly isn't interested in me. Any other meaningless demands you’d like to make? It’d be nice to know just how many of your meaningless expectations I need to shatter.” Foxy covers her mouth as she snorts out a very unladylike laugh, but then her eyes widen and I already know why…he’s here…and he’s close enough to hear every word, but that won’t stop me.
“If you go near him, I swear I’ll make you regret it.” Clearly, she doesn’t know he’s there, or that a fair majority of the large group are now watching. Maybe I should introduce her to Evan?
“Sweetheart, there are few things I regret in my life, but meeting you is quickly becoming one of them. Tell me, is there a mute switch on you somewhere because you’re honestly boring me with your meaningless threats and empty promises.” Lee, Trish, Tina and Penny are now sporting the same shocked yet amused expression as Foxy, but I don’t care that he’s listening because this bitch started it!
“I swear to god…” The sound of my phone ringing in my pocket has me holding my hand up to shut the woman up and I’d be happy for the interruption…if I didn’t see Evan’s name on the screen. Knowing he’ll just keep calling if I don’t answer, I decide to deal with it now.
“What the fuck do you want?”
“Brea, is that anyway to talk to the man you’re going to marry?”
“Holy fuck, did you hit your head in that supply closet? First off, you never proposed. Second, you seem to have forgotten the not so little detail of you fucking that bitch in the supply closet while I was stuck entertaining your mother. Third, I warned you that if you ever put your hands on me, I’d drop you like a bad habit. In all of that, what part of it makes you think you’re anything more to me than a fucking mistake?” I get up and move away from the table, putting some distance between me and the people trying to enjoy the night.
“I get it, you’re mad, but we’ll get through this.”
“Oh Christ, you’re certifiable, you know that?”
“Brea, I forgive you for taking off, now come home so we can sort this out.”
“Um…that’s a hard pass. I would rather, stone cold sober, pull my fucking teeth then gargle battery acid than go back to you.”
“You’re being childish, Brea. Get your ass home now.”
“Please don’t tell me that you’re seriously trying to order me around after you cheated on me. Not even you can be that stupid, Evan.”
“You’re really starting to piss me off.”
“Well, welcome to the club, Evan. I’ve been more pissed off than ever and it’s your fucking fault!”
“You have three days, Brea. If you aren’t back in our house by then, I’m coming to get you and if it comes down to that, you’ll regret pissing me off.”
“Ugh, what’s with everyone threatening me? The only thing that scares me, Evan, is the thought of having to fake another orgasm with you. Now, take your threats and your small dick energy and fuck off!” I end the call and turn off my phone before he can call back. Before I can turn and face the crowd of bikers that have become much quieter than I realized, I feel a hand on my shoulder.
“Come on, let’s take a walk.” Rex’s voice is softer than I would have thought him capable of and there’s no way I’ll tell him no, especially with the tears now threatening to fall. He leads me further behind his house where the tree line of the forest starts and stops a safe distance from the crowd.
“Sorry if I…well, if I lost it back there. It’s just…Nix was spouting some shit and then…never mind. I’m just…sorry.” This is really not the first impression I was hoping to make.
“Where Nix is concerned, I’m proud of you for standing up to her. She needs to be put in her place…all the damn time. So, who was on the phone?” I have a feeling he’s pieced it together, but I appreciate that he’s giving me the opportunity to be the one to solidify any assumptions he’s made.
“My ex. The bastard guilted me into going to some stupid charity event for some random thing his mom decided she was interested in for the day and then he left me alone with all those strange, stuck-up assholes so he could go fuck some other guy’s wife in a supply closet.” I can’t really read his expression in the dark, but I can feel him watching me.
“Did he ever hurt you?” Now that’s a loaded question…
“Not physically, well, aside from that night. Usually, it was just emotional and mental warfare, but when I walked away after catching him that night, he grabbed a fistful of my hair to drag me back in then slammed me into the wall. He only let go after realizing we had an audience.” Before I realize what’s happening, he pulls me into a tight hug, something like a father would give their heartbroken child…only I’m not heart broken, just angry.
“Do you think he’ll come around here looking for you?” He pulls away to look at me, though I don’t think he can see me any better than I can see him.
“I don’t know…I don’t think so?” After that call, I’m not even sure I believe myself right now.
“You’re safe here, Brea. We protect our own and the minute you moved in across the street, you become one of us. You may not wear a cut, but everyone in this town is one of us in one way or another. Now, you want to come back and grab something to eat?” His words are touching, but the thought of going back and facing everyone makes the whole ‘pulling teeth’ idea seem more appealing.
“Honestly, not really. I kind of just want to go home. It’s been a long day and an emotional evening. I really appreciate you inviting me and everyone, well, most everyone, welcoming me. II think I just need some time to clear my head.” He wraps an arm around my shoulders and leads me the long way around his back yard then escorts me across the street to my door where he stands and waits until I lock my door with me safely inside before heading back across the street.
