Page 9 of Link’s Property (Savage Knights MC: NW Chapter #3)

Link

A day turned into a week turned into a month turned into a year, and the pressure keeps compounding with every passing second.

It’s almost to the point I don’t recognize myself anymore.

We all took a hit after losing Rubble in the raid.

Then having Skully bound to that damn wheelchair reminds us on the daily of the shit that went down.

It’s been a rough fucking twelve months, and the morale in this place is low.

But amidst all the anger and pain, there’s a tiny flicker of light shining through.

Her smile is a guide to every man as he comes ashore from his anguished thoughts. Drifting in from his day job to get a drink. Shayna has become part of the family. She’s wormed her way into everyone’s hearts. And now, they all flock to her, hover around her like vultures, craving her attention.

She lets out a laugh and gives Dagger one of her beautiful smiles, and the jealousy sinks me in its quicksand.

My thoughts are a fucking minefield when I’m in her presence.

I can’t fucking take it anymore. I don’t even recognize myself.

The moment she walks into a room, the need explodes.

Every nerve tingling like an electrical current is running through my veins.

And the bitch of that torment is that there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.

“Thanks, babe. I needed this.” Dagger tips his glass at her then throws back its contents.

I know he has the hots for her, among some of the others of the club, but he’s the only one I’m worried about.

He’s always following her around, finding ways to put his hands on her.

Giving her looks from across the room. Winking at her like there’s some kind of secret between them.

And there she is eating it all up. Getting giggly and pink faced.

“Looks like you could use a drink.” Ripper sits down with his shrewd observation tampering the last remaining shred of my calm.

I want to punish the girl for putting me in such a tortured state.

For turning my thoughts dark. For twisting me up in her beautiful smile and her sultry voice.

What I really want is to bend her over my knee and spank her for giving Dagger her undivided attention. For gifting him her smiles.

She barely ever looks at me anymore. Lately, she’s been going out of her way to avoid me.

If I enter the room, she walks out. If I try to speak to her, she gets tense and short with me.

Our interactions are palpable to those who witness our angry exchanges.

Like King, I feel like a dad whose teenage daughter wants to have nothing to do with him.

She thinks I’m too strict, but my rules are only meant to keep her safe.

But like a rebellious girl, she refuses to abide by them.

“What would you do, Rip, if you caught one of the guys sniffing around Rory?” I’m only asking because he’s her bodyguard and the club’s enforcer.

The number one rule of this place is to keep your hands off the princess.

My number one rule is to keep away from Shayna, and yet Dagger is over there flirting with her and making it seem like he could give two shits about my rule.

Ripper’s entire frame locks up, his spine turning rigid in the chair as his eyes start scanning the room, looking for suspects.

It’s only a hypothetical question, but I already know his answer.

If anyone ever tried to touch Rory, no matter who they are, they better run and hide because they will not have a pulse if Ripper ever finds them.

He’s even more protective of the princess than her own father.

But given that he’s been charged to her care since she was two years old, his entire existence is centered around that girl.

I’m starting to feel the same about Shayna.

My gravitational pull is that little spitfire who’s always giving me attitude when I tell her her skirt’s too short, or that her shirt is too low cut.

My every thought is centered around her.

From the moment I wake up in the morning to the moment I go to bed.

My only problem is most of those thoughts stem from a place of darkness, which only feeds my anger.

It makes the tension strained between us tighter.

“You aware of something I’m not?” His narrowed glare turns back on me. “Because I will hurt any fucking one who tries to lay one finger on my princess.”

My princess? He better be careful. King may cut off his balls if he says shit like that in his presence.

“Nothing’s going on. I just wanted to know how you’d handle the problem.”

No one’s stupid enough to cross him or the Prez. Dagger on the other hand, he’s inching real close to the line I’ve drawn, and I’m not sure how to handle it. If he broke our code, that’s one thing, but all he’s done is flirt with the girl. It’s not quite a crime, but my jealousy begs to differ.

“Dagger’s a good kid.”

My eyes jerk to Rip’s, wondering what he’s getting at.

“You know he’d treat that girl right. He’d respect her and protect her with his life.”

“Do you know something I don’t?” The words are seethed between my pursed lips as the anger takes hold. My last shred of calm is obliterated, and now that darkness is in control.

“All I know is that Shayna has been here for over a year, and you haven’t made a move.” My entire frame jerks at his comment. “If you don’t plan on claiming the girl, you should step out of the way and let someone else step up to the plate. She’s not just solid, she’s old lady material.”

Don’t I fucking know it. The girl fits right in with the men and our lifestyle and knows how to stand her ground.

Whenever we have visitors from another chapter, some rowdy SOBs who think they can charge in and touch our property, she puts the fuckers in their place.

Showing just how fucking strong and confident she is.

Damn, it’s sexy as hell. And after Rumble died and Skully ended up in the hospital, she nurtured Skully’s girl through the pain.

She’s got a big heart and a bigger smile, and I know damn well what a fine old lady she’d be.

“I almost adopted that girl.” I say the words that burn like a nightmare in my thoughts. “The only claim I have on her is as a mentor. Someone to protect her, nothing more.”

“You want to live in denial, by all fucking means. But as soon as you come to terms with your truth, the better it will be for all our asses.”

“Doesn’t matter what my truth is. That girl doesn’t want me.” She wants the little fucker who is apparently a fucking comedian because all she’s been doing for the last five minutes is giggling at everything Dagger is telling her.

“If you believe that shit, then you need to open your eyes.” Rip rises from the table, taking his glass with him as he makes his way toward the bar.

He crowds right into Shayna’s space, leaning in to give her a kiss on the cheek as he holds my glare steady.

Don’t know why he’s trying to push my buttons; it’s not him I’m worried about.

It’s the one who she’s always flirting with.

Ripper gets the girl to pour him a refill and then joins King at the pool table, while I stew in his words, sipping my bourbon in hopes of numbing these feelings.

He thinks the girl is interested in me, but that’s not what I see.

All I see is the way she rolls her eyes every time I talk to her.

Or the way she grumbles when I crowd her space.

And how her face turns red with anger when she sees me watching her.

For Ripper to suggest I claim the girl is ludicrous.

Besides, I wonder how Mrs. Williams would feel about that.

One of the reasons the state wouldn’t let me adopt the girl was for fear I’d prey on her.

If I make her mine, it will prove them right.

Shayna may be a legal adult and capable of making responsible choices, but there’s still a wide span of years between us making it inappropriate.

But just look at her in that tight red tank top and that short denim skirt. Those toned legs are killing me with every step. She’s giving every man in the room an eyeful of her curves. Making every dick hard for her. It’s another act of defiance.

She tosses an empty bottle into the trash then turns and walks out of the room, likely heading to the stock room to get a refill.

I’m out of my seat, stalking down the hall, ten heavy paces behind her.

I follow her in and shut the door, bracing it with my wide frame so she’s forced to hear me out.

She won’t be running away from me this time. She and I need to have a chat.

“Is there a reason you insist on defying me at every turn?” Her shoulders bristle as soon as I speak.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Link.” She turns, folding her arms over her chest and holding that anger in her cocked jaw.

“I’m talking about my rule on not dressing in skimpy clothes.

” My eyes travel slowly, drinking in every inch, my cock trying to burn a hole through my pants with my need.

“I told you when you first came here that I didn’t want you dressing…

or acting like the other girls.” Yet, she’s indoctrinated herself as a sweetbutt, prances around here in those tiny skirts, making every man lust for the girl.

“Have you forgotten the fact that you’re not actually my dad?

I don’t understand what your problem is, Lincoln.

I’m twenty-three years old. I should be able to wear whatever I want.

And I’ve worked for this club for over a year now.

I’ve seen the way all the other girls dress.

I’m talking about girlfriends and old ladies.

There isn’t a problem with dressing cute.

And as much as I appreciate you getting me this job, I think I’ve done a fine job in proving that I’m worthy of it. The guys tell me so all the time.”