Page 5 of Her Grumpy Biker (Savage Kings MC #1)

DIEGO

M y hand wraps around the back of this fucker’s neck, and I pull him backward only to slam his face into the metal wall of the shipping container.

He lets out a grunt and a whimper, and I spin him around so I can remember the face of the man I’m going to kill.

Not here, though. Not in front of Camden.

I sink my fist into Stitch’s face, pleased with myself when he crumples to the ground.

My brothers, Reaper and Savior, take care of the other two ex-pledges, while the Prez and our Sergeant at Arms join us in the shipping crate. I can’t concentrate on anyone except Camden.

Silent sobs shake her body, and tears flow in an endless river down her cheeks. Her eyes are squeezed shut, and she looks like she’s still bracing herself for death.

“Camden,” I choke out. “Look at me, sweetheart. You’re safe now.”

I’m vaguely aware of my brothers staring at me in shock, probably because I called this woman sweetheart. I don’t give a fuck about appearances right now, however. I just need to get Camden out of this wretched place.

A handful of Savage Kings staked out the old railroad tracks after Chip got a lead on where the next hand-off was going to be.

I was shocked to see Camden, but then quickly realized she had no idea what she had just walked into.

This woman was willing to give her Social Security Number to a complete stranger, so, of course, she would be an easy, vulnerable target to get roped into running sketchy errands.

My girl takes a shuddering breath and peeks one eye open.

I try to give her a reassuring smile, but I’m not sure I pull it off.

Can’t remember the last time I wanted to make someone feel comfortable, but I’m reminded of a few days ago at the bookstore when Camden spoke so softly and brought me back from the edge of a panic attack.

She deserves someone who can treat her with the same care and respect. Fuck if I know how to be that for her, but I’ll learn. No way in hell I’m letting someone else swoop in and take advantage of this precious woman.

Camden gasps and then chokes out another cough. I approach her with slow movements, not wanting to scare her. She opens both eyes, her green irises dimmed and framed by wet lashes. I hate seeing her cry. Despise it with every bone in my body.

Slowly, I push the coat off of her shoulders, noting the white substance leaking from the torn fabric. Powdered meth, if I had to guess. I toss the coat to Rock for disposal. He catches it, but his gaze remains fully focused on Camden and me.

“You know each other?” Rock asks.

I nod as I smooth my hands up and down Camden’s arms, hoping to comfort her somehow.

She sways forward, still trembling from head to toe.

My girl tries to speak, but no words come out.

Her pain and regret shine through her eyes, and it’s fucking killing me to see her like this.

I follow my instincts and wrap my arms around this sweet, sad, broken angel, protecting her from every damn thing that led her to this point.

“Are you going to expand on that?”

“Not right now,” I answer. “She needs rest.”

“She needs to come to the clubhouse for questioning,” the Prez argues.

“No.” I’ve never defied an order from Rock or from our previous President. When Camden buries her face into my chest and fists my jacket to try and get closer, I know I’ll do anything to keep her from feeling this way ever again.

“This isn’t a debate. She’s involved in drug trafficking, Deadeye.”

“Does she look like she wanted her night to end up like this?” I snap back. “She didn’t know what she was doing. I’m sure of it.” Camden nods in confirmation against my chest, and I squeeze her a little tighter.

“Whether she meant to or not, the woman has important information on who sent her and what the recruiting process is like.”

Rock crosses his arms over his chest and straightens his spine. I know he’s right. If it were anyone else, I’d drive them to The Black Crown myself. But Camden isn’t just anyone, she’s mine.

“Let me take her back to my place,” I offer as a compromise. “I’ll get her cleaned up and keep an eye on her while she rests. Then, I’ll bring her to the clubhouse tomorrow, and we can discuss everything.”

Rock narrows his eyes as he stares at me, then at Camden, then back to me. I hope he can see my desperation and determination. Finally, he nods once before turning on his heel. “Tomorrow,” he calls out over his shoulder.

I take a deep breath, gathering the strength I’ll need to get through the rest of the night. Camden and I have a lot to discuss, but first, I need to get her inside my house. Someone has to protect this woman, and it certainly isn’t going to be anyone but me.

We take slow steps out of the crate, and I’m practically carrying Camden by the time we reach my bike. I don’t mind. I’ll be anything she needs; all she has to do is ask.

I peel the terrified woman off of me, resting my hands on her shoulders to steady her. I’m not sure what comes over me, but I lean forward and press my lips to her forehead. God, it feels strange but also perfect.

After making sure Camden can stand on her own, I get on my motorcycle and instruct my girl to climb on behind me. She clings to me, her arms wrapping around my torso and squeezing as if she wants to dissolve into me.

Fuck, I get it. I’ve experienced countless horrors in my lifetime, but I’ve never known fear like when Stitch grabbed Camden and shoved her out of sight. Jesus, my chest aches at the thought of the recent memory.

I start up the motorcycle, revving the engine before getting the hell away from here. Camden rests her head against my back, and something clicks into place. While I hate the circumstances that brought us to this moment, I can’t deny how good it feels to have this woman on the back of my bike.

It takes less than ten minutes to get to my house.

I’ve never cared about anyone’s opinion of my home, but I find I want Camden’s approval.

I wish I had something better to offer the woman who has changed me in a way I still don’t understand.

She deserves so much more than a work in progress. That goes for me and my house.

I help Camden off the bike, steadying her with an arm around her hips. She’s still shaking from the adrenaline, and I know it’s only a matter of time before she crashes.

We make it inside, and I direct Camden to sit on the couch. We need to talk now that she’s out of harm’s way. I’d sit next to her, but I’m still buzzing with chaotic, frantic energy. I pace back and forth, going from one end of the living room to the other.

My worry and fear morph into something else, something deeper and more intense.

Guilt. I’m upset with her, but I’m devastated by my own inaction.

I should have been there. I should have somehow stopped her from ever being in this position in the first place.

Maybe if I asked her questions the same way she asked me, I’d know more about her and why she felt like this was her only option.

“What were you thinking?” I finally clip out.

I don’t mean for it to come across so harshly, but all of these emotions bubbling to the surface are suffocating me. It’s hard to breathe, let alone speak. I know why she did what she did. The same reason most drug mules have: money.

When she doesn’t answer, I try again. “Why did you need the money? You have a job.”

Still nothing. Radio silence from Camden. I can’t even look at her. I’m mad at myself, worried sick, unable to process, and losing control of my words.

“I don’t get it,” I say after a few moments of pacing. “How could you be so gullible?”

A soft cry pierces my heart. I turn my attention to Camden, who I notice for the first time is curled up into a ball in the corner of the couch. Her head is in her hands, and she’s shaking as silent sobs wrack her body.

My anger is crushed under the weight of shame. I made her cry. I did this to her. I don’t fucking deserve her, but I’ll be a better man. I’ll be everything she needs.

I collapse on the couch next to Camden, pulling her into my arms. She melts against me, tucking her face into the side of my neck. Her tears wet my skin, and I hold her closer, infusing my strength into her soul.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” I whisper. “I was so worried when I saw you. Fucking terrified. And then Stitch laid his hands on you, and I lost my shit. If something happened to you and I wasn’t there…

” I trail off and tilt my head up, searching for the right words as if they’re written on the ceiling.

“I shouldn’t have lashed out at you. It won’t happen again. Please, Camden, just talk to me.”

She straightens up a bit, creating some distance between us. Camden won’t meet my gaze, and while it stings, I understand. I was a dick to her after a traumatic evening, and she’s shutting down. I need to be more careful with my woman from now on.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. Camden twists her fingers together on her lap in a nervous gesture.

“You don’t have to apologize,” I murmur. “Just help me understand. How did you end up in this position?”

I wait for her response, though each passing second feels like a thousand years. Finally, Camden takes a deep breath and squeezes her hands into fists.

“I don’t trust anyone anymore,” she says, her voice so quiet I almost don’t hear it.

“I don’t trust myself. I can’t trust my family or anyone on the compound.

I can’t trust anyone on the outside. I was stupid to think I could make it on my own.

I’m naive and gullible, just like you said. You were right about everything.”

My heart falls right out of my chest and shatters on the floor. I want to punch myself in the goddamn face for saying those things to her. Yes, I think Camden could be more careful, but I never meant to crush her spirit.

“Camden,” I breathe out before kissing her temple. “I was careless with my words. You’re not stupid, and I never thought you were. Your innocence and curiosity are part of who you are, and they don’t make you weak.”

She shrugs and curls in on herself a little more. I’m fucking all this up.

“You can trust me,” I tell her, placing one of my hands over both of hers.

Camden lifts her head, looking at me for the first time in what feels like years. Her emerald eyes peer right down into the depths of who I am, and I pray to a god I don’t believe in that she finds whatever she’s looking for.

“Let me in, Camden. Please, let me be the one you can count on. I promise I won’t let you down.” I’ve never begged for anything in my life, but I’m ready to drop to my knees if it will convince this woman to put her faith in me.

My girl blinks a few times and then nods. I lift one of her hands to my lips and press a kiss on her palm. I’m not sure where the gesture came from, but it seems to clear the last of the doubt from Camden’s mind.

“I grew up in a cult.”