His hand slides from my hip to tangle his fingers with mine, pulling me forward as he walks us to the clubhouse. There are several people milling around, even at this hour, and none of them look happy. Are they upset about having to deal with me? Etienne said it was okay, although it wouldn’t be the first time people resent my presence.
I try my best to resist his tugging on my hand, but it’s a futile effort. He doesn’t understand my problem with large groups of people, especially ones I don't know. However, the closer we get to the men standing around, I’m not as scared as I usually am. I don’t understand why because these bikers are all frowning at me. Maybe having Etienne help me wasn’t such a great idea after all.
“Brother,” the tallest grumpy one says as we join them. They fist bump and whatever else these guys do, I assume. I’m still cowering behind Hacker to avoid being the center of attention.
“Have any problems?” asks the one nearest me, and from what I can see from this angle, his name is Trick. I don’t want to know why he’s called that.
“No, but it’s been a long night.” He gently moves me from his back to his side and wraps a strong arm around my waist. “Larken, this is Roark, our President, Trick, and Eliot,” he introduces each of the men standing in front of us. Each of them looks me over as they tell me hello and for some reason being under their scrutiny doesn’t freak me out. How is this possible?
“Your apartment won’t be ready ‘til later this afternoon, so you’ll be staying here until then. We have a room ready so you can catch up on some sleep,” the large, scary man named Roark tells me. The side of my arm next to Hacker begins vibrating and I realize it’s coming from deep within him as his hold on me tightens.
“She’ll stay in my room with me,” he states, no room for argument in his words, regardless of who he’s speaking to. Even I know not to talk to the president of a motorcycle club that way.
“Trick will show you to your room,” the president says to me then glares at him.
“This way,” Trick opens the front door and ushers me inside ahead of him when one of the prospects from my cousin’s club drops my suitcase at my feet. The hold on my waist tightens when I move to follow, and I turn to see Hacker’s animal close to the surface by the color of his eyes. He doesn’t want me to go with his brother, and neither does his beast.
Picking up my suitcase, which Trick immediately takes from me, I look at their president and say, “Thank you. A bed sounds really nice.”
A different growl, louder and deeper than the first sends goosebumps over my skin as Hacker’s strong grip leaves my body. Apparently, I’ve missed out on a silent conversation between the president and my self-appointed bodyguard.
“You’re welcome,” Roark half-smiles. “You need something, just let someone know.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, releasing a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Following my guide across a huge room that contains a bar on one side and pool tables and large screen television on the other, I see remnants of a recent party.
“All rooms are down this hall,” I’m informed as we cross the room where random women are lying, scantily clad on various surfaces. Nice.
“This is your room and there’s a half bath through there,” he points out after unlocking the main door.
“Thanks,” I smile weakly, receiving a head jerk before he drops my suitcase just inside the room and leaves.
Rubbing my hands up and down my shoulders, I gaze at the room I’ve been given and take everything in, one obvious thing coming to mind.
“I’m finally on my own.”
348
Hacker
“You want to tell me what the fuck’s going on with you and the girl?” Roark growls, hands on his hips and a menacing scowl on his face.
“Mine,” I snarl. My leopard is fighting tooth and nail to run after her. My muscles are strung tight as I struggle to win control over my body.
“Shit,” he swears, as he closes his eyes and tilts his head to the sky. “You’re sure about this?”
My animal roars loudly in my mind as I lean forward to close the gap between us. “Mine.”
“She okay with that?”
“Haven’t exactly had time to chat, have we?” I snap back, unworried about the repercussions of disrespecting my president.
“I’ll let your attitude fly this time, asshole, but you’d better get your shit sorted before I do it for you,” he warns through gritted teeth. I’ve nearly pushed him over his limit but I'm too focused on getting to my little bird to be more cautious.
After a few moments of tense silence, he nods his head slightly, dismissing me to take care of business. Ignoring those calling out my name as I pass, I make my way to the hall to find my mate.
She is perfect. We must protect her. She is delicate.
We need to be careful with her.
“Why?” my alpha leopard hisses. “She is ours!”
She may not understand that yet. There she is. Play nice.
“Fine,” he huffs and withdraws from the front of my mind.
“Larken,” I say, coming to stand at her back. I love saying her name. My hands find their way to her hips and turn her around so that I can look at her. I tower over her, my tiny little bird, my lark, and I feel an overwhelming need to cradle her close and keep her safe.
“Oh,” she exclaims at my interruption. “I didn’t hear anyone coming.” The frown on her face bothers me and I reach up to smooth it away with my thumb.
“Sorry. I wanted to make sure you were alright.” That, and I want to sweep her into my room and claim her as mine
