The stranger’s face scrunches up in anger and he says, “You hoodlums aren’t going to survive what I’m going to do to you.” His eyes scan the men until they connect with mine, a slow, evil-filled smile spreading over his face causing me to duck my head and cling to my protector’s large, tense back. His grip tightens on my hip and I close my eyes.
“It’s a shame you’re tangled up with the wrong kind of people, little lady. I can treat you better than they ever will.” Haught’s ever-ready-to-fight body lurches forward, but I do my best to hold him back. He’s the only person I have here, and I couldn’t live with myself if he were to get hurt over some jerk’s taunting.
“What did you say?” he growls when the prospects move to keep him in place while X gets in the troublemaker’s face.
“Woah, there, brother,” they mutter. They’ve stopped his advance, but even I can tell he’d be free if he truly wanted to be.
“I suggest you be on your way, Dick,” X warns, looking down at the not-so-small man who might as well be a dwarf in comparison to these bikers.
Dick has the guts to stare X down before straightening his coat. “Tell Roark I’ll be in touch,” he smiles that same evil grin that makes my skin crawl then turns to where I’m looking around Haught’s arm. “If you need anything at all, Miss, I’ll be glad to help out a beautiful woman such as yourself.” By this comment, X is already tired of dealing with him, and ushers the guy away from the building.
“You alright?” I’m pulled to my mate’s chest as the other three men watch Dick walk merrily along the sidewalk to the fancy car parked at the corner of the street.
“Yeah,” I wrap my arms around him tightly and let his warmth soothe me. “I don’t know who he is, but we didn’t like him. He felt,” I pause to think of the appropriate word.
“What, babe?”
“He felt off.”
“Off, how?” X steps to our side, hands on his hips. I find myself cowering into Haught’s chest before I can control it, and he holds me tighter. “Sorry,” he apologizes. “He just pisses us off. What did you feel, Larken?”
I look to my mate and he nods in encouragement. He must have told them about my issues. Studying his friend’s face, I take a deep breath and try to explain. “He felt bad. Evil, somehow. I'm not used to feeling that.”
“Does he scare you?” he asks, his face softening as he leans down to my level. I can feel Haught’s leopard growling against my cheek as I cling to him. “Kind of,” I admit, causing Haught to squeeze me closer, nearly crushing me in the process. “But having you all here helped.”
I know there’s a lot going on that I have no clue about. I’m also smart enough to know that no matter how much being around a lot of people for long periods may overwhelm me, I certainly don’t want to be left alone now that I've gotten his attention. It’s clear he’ll try to hurt me to get what he wants from the MC.
X and Haught exchange looks, each nodding in silent agreement. X stands and turns to Trick and Eliot. “Hang around and keep an eye out.” They nod and he turns to me. “You need anything, just call out their names and they’ll be here. They’ll give you space and quiet. Understand?”
“Yes,” I nod, more than grateful. Finally having people that understand my 'gift' feels like I can actually breathe for once.
“Hack and I need to talk with Roark, but I’ll make sure he’s back soon, okay?”
“Real soon,” my mate assures me, wiping the hair from my face.
“Okay,” I agree. X and the other guys begin talking as they walk to his bike, and Haught exhales deeply.
“Not exactly how I wanted this day to go,” he lets out an irritated chuckle. “We're not happy about leaving you here alone.”
“I won’t be completely alone,” I nod my chin towards his brothers. “But, I’m used to it,” I run my cheek along his to try and ease his concern. As much as I hate to see him go, I really could use some downtime to regroup and return a few phone calls to family. That alone is nothing I want him to suffer through. It’s bad enough I have to.
"Regardless, you don't leave the apartment. You need anything, one of my boys will get it for you or call me. Got it?"
"Yeah. I'm exhausted anyway. Someone didn't let me get much sleep this morning so I might need a nap," I grin, rising on tiptoes to kiss his chin.
"Something I plan on repeating later," he growls in my ear then bites down on the lobe. Lust shoots straight to my core and his growl deepens. "Be prepared," he warns and leaves to speak with Trick & Eliot before riding off with X.
"We'll park in the back," Trick says. "Go on inside and lock the door before we go."
Doing as I'm told, too tired and worried to disagree, I lock myself inside my new place and head for the bathroom. This whole day has been a long one. I moved my life to a new town, found my mate, and was hit on by a creepy man. A good long, steamy bath and some rest are just what I need.
352
Hacker
“You had a little run-in with Billingsworth?” Roark begins after declaring church in session.
“What the hell he was doing near the apartments I have no fucking clue, but if that asshole goes after her, he will learn first hand how I got my name and I won’t think twice about it,” I slam my fist down on the meeting table. “No one will stop me,” I grind out, looking every member in the eye. They all nod and mumble their own ideas of ending him.
“Enough,” Roark demands
