Page 8 of Pearl (Royal Harlots MC, Phoenix, Az. #1)

Carver

I n the distance, finally I see her coming around the curve.

A vision of hell-bent beauty, the helmet she wears not covering the strands of golden hair flying beneath it in the breeze.

She straddles the powerful ride and leans into the turn.

I could watch her all day, but something’s sure as shit not right.

She should have another rider on the back of that bike by now, but she doesn’t and Pearl’s riding like a bat out of hell.

Instinct alone tells me she’s running from something or someone but from this position I can’t see anyone on her tail.

I accelerate, heading down the hill and around the corner to come out at the bottom of the highway just in front of but still above her. The roar of thunder from close by tells me what I instinctively already knew, but it’s not one solo rider. It’s a whole fucking biker crew, of Desert Riders.

And of course she’s not the type to give up.

Pearl knows she’s alone and can’t outrun them all, so speeds up and takes refuge behind a tall, wide red rock that hides her completely.

The bikers appear, engines in the highest gear but the straight stretch of road is going to be her demise, because looking down that stretch it’s easy for them to see she’s no longer ahead and has turned off somewhere. They just don’t know where.

The leader slows his bike, circling his hand, a silent order for his men to spread out but from my vantage point above, I have the distinct advantage.

I get off my bike, putting the kickstand in place and grab my already loaded rifle.

My belly hits the pavement using a small flat rock to aim, once, twice, three times, and then again for four men dead.

The other two scramble, trying to figure out where the fire is coming from, zigging and zagging to stay out of harm’s way, but I’m already moving, back on my bike, kicking it into gear.

I’ll find them down below before they get to Pearl, because if they want to get to her, they’re going to have to go through me.

That little beauty is far from helpless.

Pearl gets a shot off with the gun in her hand once one of the fuckers is close enough and that bullet doesn’t miss.

An expert marksman, now that the playing field is level, she can handle herself, and she puts another bullet right between the eyes of the last biker heading her way.

But not before another roar of thunder can be heard coming in from over the hill.

“Stay behind that rock,” I yell. She gives me a thumbs up, already getting into position to take aim while I reload.

One shot, two shots, three shots and four.

Their bikes careen across the road scattering the bodies of the riders across the ravine.

We wait to see if more will show, but all’s quiet, at least for a while.

Pearl comes out from behind the safety of that rock sooner then I want her to.

These fuckers can be sneaky and if they have anything to do with taking the women in the first place, they’re answering to someone who sure as shit wants what they consider their product back.

Trafficking is a lucrative fucking business, and that’s reason alone, but my guess is there’s more to this than meets the eye. There always is.

No one is going to keep Pearl down though. I’m learning that very quickly. She strides toward me, her bare arms glowing like honey from beneath her white lace-edged tank top and leather cut, that bright sun-kissed blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes all fire and ice.

Her brow arches in a challenge after I’m caught drinking her in like a cold glass of water on a hot summer day.

I smirk. “Sorry baby, you’re just too fine not to look. You okay?”

Pearl’s eyes soften and she smiles, a perfect opening of those pale colored lips and beautiful white teeth.

“Thanks to you I am. I usually can handle myself, but I have to admit, there may not have been any coming back from that attack. Those assholes are working for someone, and that someone is going to be pissed as hell when he finds out he’s not only missing the girls but eight of his crew. ”

“You’re not wrong. Girls? Plural? Where are they?”

That look changes in a heartbeat, to one of icy suspicion.

“Fuck baby, I don’t want the girls. I was going to tell you to go stash yourself and your bike. I have something to pick up a couple miles into Vegas. I know some people who know some people. I’ll try to get a van, a bus, or something that will transport them.”

“How did you know I would be here?”

My eyes narrow. I’m no bullshitter and I don’t mean to start now, especially with her.

“I saw Hawg take you downstairs last night. Let’s say I wasn’t sure what his intentions were at first. I followed you two and listened at the door.

You sounded worried. I should have known you weren’t going to take no for an answer.

They found out you left fairly early this morning.

Would have been on the road sooner but they had to take care of one thing first. And someone had to watch your ladies.

Lucky stayed behind to help safeguard everyone. ”

Pearl’s eyes flinch, the bright blue twinkling in the sun. “Thank you for what you did. Now, if you want to be on your way to get help, I’ll make sure these ladies are safe, and on your way back you can text me to get them ready.”

Clearly, she hasn’t decided whether to trust me yet or not.

“No deal, baby. I came to make sure you’re safe.

The ladies are safe, wherever you put them, which means you’re either going to let me take you to them, or you’re going to stay on my hip and go with me for a little ride. It’ll take about an hour.”

I kick up the engine on my bike while her temper flares. “Fine, have it your own stubborn way. I’ll go with you, make sure these people that may help us are real, and then you get to find out where the ladies are. Not before.”

I shrug. “Have it your own way.” I’d much prefer having her at arm’s length so I can protect her than somewhere in the middle of the desert wondering the whole time I’m gone if she’ll be there when I get back.

Because this woman has a fucking hold on you like nothing ever has, Carver.

Fuck that. I’m just trying to do the right thing, make sure she and the women get to where they’re going safely.

But when she looks at me like she does with those intriguing blue eyes, I already know I’m fucked, because this is going to be the damn mess that I’ve run from all of my life. This woman is nothing but trouble with a capital T and I should stay the hell clear, and I know it.

And when she puckers up her lips and blows me a pretend kiss, I know it’s already too fucking late.