Page 15 of Burning Ember

Dozer eyes meet mine. “Gift for Edge, huh? Not sure I’m on board with that. What if I wanna keep her all to myself?”

The hairs on my arms rise.

Goose chuckles. “Yeah, well, first we got to get Ricky Boy to agree to let her hang for a bit. I was hoping you’d go to bat for her.” Goose lowers his voice and leans in close to Dozer. “The transition’s been rough for Lil’. She needs this. A friend around until the old ladies stop givin’ her hell and let her in their little circle.” Goose rubs the back of his neck. “Consider this me callin’ in that favor you owe me.”

They stare at one another, and some type of silent communication flows between them. Dozer looks over at Lily.

“The old ladies still givin’ you shit?”

Lily says, “No,” but looks away, raises her hand and inspects her nails.

Dozer sighs and his gaze comes back to me, but this time it feels like I’m being examined for something. “This really where you want to be, pretty girl?”

I push a “Yes” past my lips.

His eyes travel up and down my body. He takes a few steps and walks around me. When he stands at my back, he sets his big hands on my shoulders.

My wall of muscle is now gone. I’m forced to see my new environment and the inhabitants of the room. The men I’ve been sent here to seduce and spy on. I look at all of the other women in the room. They appear happy. They seem to be enjoying themselves. Nobody’s being forced to do stuff against their will.

“Boys,” Dozer hollers. “Meet Pumpkin.”

Heads turn. I’ve instantly become the center of attention. Like a heat wave, their stares hit me and I feel hot all over. Uncomfortable in my skin. I wave weakly, and then scold myself for not showing more confidence.

Comments ring out, but they’re said so fast and coming from all directions that I’m not sure who’s saying them. At least not at first.

“Hot damn. Dozer’s got himself a ginger snack.”

“Fresh fuckin’ pussy.”

“Amen, brother.”

“You bring me cherry pie for dessert, Lil?”

“I call dibs.”

“Looks to me like dibs have already been called, asshat.”

“Mav’s going to go ballistic. She looks just like—ouffph.” This part is said by the handsome blond biker with the nice smile at the pool table. The blond snaps at the biker next to him, “Fuck, man! What the fuck was that for?”

His friend replies, “Because Mav hears you say her name, and he’s gonna rearrange your fuckin’ face, dipshit. That’s a no go. Don’t go gettin’ your heart set on tasting that treat. There’s no fuckin’ way he’s lettin’ her stick around.”

Blondie replies, “That bastard needs to get his fuckin’ head checked. That is sweet-ass tail right there. I don’t give a fuck what he says. We’re not turnin’ that shit out.”

I put on a mask of indifference, but inside the revulsion is churning in my gut. I’m nothing but a fresh piece of meat in a room full of carnivores.

Dozer leans down and breathes into my ear. “If you think this is bad, you’re not gonna be able to cope when it gets real wild. This ain’t shit.”

“It’s fine. I’m fine,” I say.

“You sure? Because these men aren’t good or patient or kind.” Dozer’s words tickle my neck. “They’re dirty, crude fuckers; and once you’re considered HOC property, they’ll demand everything from you. Your respect, your time, your body. Your sweat and blood.” His voice deepens and rumbles. “Doesn’t mean you won’t get back somethin’ in return, but we don’t make any promises. If you’re here, you’re here for us. No bullshit. No drama. You do what we say, when we say. Doesn’t matter what it is. You follow our rules or you’re out. Simple as that.”

He pulls my chin up, so I’m peering into his face. The nice Dozer I met a moment ago is gone. A terrifying mammoth in leather stares back at me. “You feel me?” His tone is deliberately harsh. His face stern and serious.

Message received loud and clear.

“Yes.”

“If you got any doubts, now’s the time to listen to them and leave. Because I’m not about to stick my neck out for you, to have you turn and run when shit gets crazy. Makes me look bad.”