Page 7 of Savage (Lotus MC: San Antonio #1)

L ast night was all kinds of fucked up. I feel like Hayes and I have the same argument over and over again. Neither of us wants to admit we are wrong.

Maybe that’s the problem, though. Maybe neither of us is wrong.

I have to admit hearing him tell me that he would have come back had I only asked makes me feel like an idiot. How many times did I pen a letter or pick up the phone to call, only to put it back down?

I waited months for him to come back before I started moving on with my life. Those first months were really the worst. My father was pissed that some good-for-nothing kid broke his little girl’s heart, but I knew the truth.

I broke my own heart. I never truly told Hayes what he meant to me. When he left, he was my best friend. I wondered for years if it would have made a difference if I told him my feelings for him. I thought he knew.

I guess that’s the problem with making assumptions. You don’t know if they are actually true.

God, I wish my communications skills were better back then. I could have saved myself a ton of heartache.

Yet I acted like a kid again last night when I stormed out of there. I never fucking learn, but he just…he makes me so damn mad.

After going through my morning routine, I look in the mirror at myself. I still look like the same girl I once was only a little bit older. None the wiser though. I haven’t learned anything. Not if last night is the example being put forth.

I need to talk to him.

I get dressed quickly. Maybe if I’m quick, I can catch him before he leaves the clubhouse for the day. It’s still early. Only eight or so in the morning. The Hayes I used to know wouldn’t wake up before noon if he didn’t have to.

Grabbing my bag, I step out on the porch. Turning, I lock the door before walking down the porch to my car.

That’s when I notice it. The flat tire.

“Fuck,” I curse to myself.

I can change my tire, but it’s hot as hell already. I’m going to be a mess by the time I’m done.

Sighing, I kneel next to the tire to see what the problem is. I swallow hard when I see the slash in the rubber. My hair is standing up as I realize this was deliberate.

Standing, I startle when I find a younger-looking man standing at the back of my car.

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” he says with his southern drawl. “I noticed you kneeled down and thought I’d stop and see if you need any help.”

He is an attractive man. Any other woman would likely be falling over to have him standing here in his Wrangler jeans, button-up shirt with the sleeves folded to the elbow, and a black cowboy hat.

I’m not any other girl. I was raised by a PI and grew up with a best friend related to a MC. Not only that, but I’ve seen the documentaries on serial killers like Ted Bundy. The attractive ones find targets easier.

Not today, Satan, I think as I reach into my purse and internally curse when I realize I forgot to grab my taser off the kitchen counter.

Goddammit, Bailey, you know better.

My hand wraps around my phone, and a plan quickly forms. I pull my phone out and pretend to check the time while really dialing Hayes. I only hope he isn’t so mad he doesn’t answer.

“My boyfriend is already on the way, but thank you. That is kind of you. Did you drive by?” I ask, looking for the car I already know isn’t there.

“No, ma’am. I was walking by, is all. I can get it changed up for you quickly if you pop the trunk,” he says, taking a step forward.

My gut is screaming at me to run back inside and lock the guy out. I can’t do that, though. He is taller than me. Before I could reach the door, he would catch up to me. I can’t open the trunk either. He’s likely planning to stuff me in it, taking off in my car.

I can only stall and hope like hell Hayes is on the way or sending someone to help me.

“Such a southern gentleman. I appreciate it, but I really should wait. My boyfriend is the jealous type. I would hate for him to show up and find you here. He’s part of the Lotus MC. Have you heard of them?”

His eye twitches a moment before he smooths his face out once again.

“Oh, of course. I’m surprised a nice girl like you would be mixed up with one of them.” He looks at me from head to toe, making my skin crawl.

“Not just one of them. The president.”

He steps toward me, prompting me to take a step back. I don’t like that he thinks he can get closer to me.

“Oh darling. There are better options for you out there. You only need to open your eyes.” He looks around. “I don’t see your boyfriend here. Really, you don’t have to make up a lie. I will change the tire for you and leave. You will never see me again. Not unless you want to.” He winks at me.

Shit. Shit. Shit. What the fuck am I going to do?

I feel myself start to sweat, and my hands shake as panic sets in. I know I don’t necessarily live close to the clubhouse, but I had hoped someone would be closer than this. I don’t even know if Hayes figured out I needed help. What if he’s not coming? Hell, what if he’s so mad he didn’t even answer? It’s not like I’m going to look away from my potential kidnapper and make sure the call connected.

Even worse, what if he answered and decided I’m a spoiled brat who doesn’t deserve his rescuing anymore?

Tears prickle at my eyes as I take another step back. The man continues to step forward. I’m about to turn and make a run for it when I hear it.

The rumble of a motorcycle. No, not one. Multiple.

A weight lifts off of my chest.

Thank you, Baby Jesus.

I take a deep breath and smile. “That would be my boyfriend,” I tell the guy.

His facade drops a moment as he glares out at the road. Then he plasters his smile back in place as if it doesn’t bother him.

“Good. Have a good day, ma’am.” He tips his hat toward me before turning away.

I watch as he takes off at a brisk pace down the street. He turns the corner just as Hayes and two others round the corner, and they come to a stop in front of my driveway.

I don’t even pretend like I’m okay. I’m a shaking mess.

I stumble over to Hayes, glad when he catches me as he steps off his bike.

He holds me to him, kissing the top of my head. “Where is he?”

I point down the street. “He took off that way. Black cowboy hat.”

“Fang. Tiny. Bring him back for me. No one scares my girl like that.”

The words fall so easily from his lips that I almost believe him.

His girl.

He has called me that more times than I can count over the years, but this is the first time he has said it now that we are both adults. Even after the bullshit we spewed at each other last night, he still considers me his.

I wish he meant it.

I want to be his. I want his protection.

I want him.

When I got her call, I almost ignored it. I’m still unsure where things stand with us. I wasn’t ready to deal with her, but something made me answer it. Somehow I just knew that something was wrong and I was right.

I will never ignore her call again.

She was in trouble, and she called me.

That means something to me.

When I heard her say her boyfriend was on the way, I saw red. Why would she call me to tell me that? For a split second, I thought she was doing it to try and make me jealous, and in all honesty she succeeded.

Then I heard the male voice.

I realized what she did. She called me in distress, hoping I would come to her aid. Thankfully, I was somewhat close.

I told Fang and Tiny we were running an errand and to follow close behind me, ready for a fight.

That’s the true test of brotherhood. Will they follow you blindly? They did. Without a question. They didn’t care who we might have to fuck up or what they did. They came along because I asked them to.

It makes me feel better about this leadership thing. Maybe I can be great at this.

The rest of the ride over, I stewed about what was happening to Bailey. If the guy wanted to snatch her, it would be brave. It’s the middle of the day, and Bailey lives in a decent neighborhood. There’s no gates or anything, but if she screamed, her neighbors would be wondering what the hell is going on.

I can only hope and pray I get there in time. I hope that fucker is still there scaring her too. I would love to work out some aggression on him. I have plenty pent up.

We turn the corner onto her street, finding Bailey standing at the front of her car, her hand on her chest. Her phone is even still in her hand. I bet it’s still connected to me. I didn’t disconnect even though I couldn’t hear her while driving. I wanted her to know I answered and got the message.

She stumbles toward me, almost taking me and the bike down, her body shaking. I pull her into me, kissing the top of her head.

“Where is he?” I try to withhold the growl in my throat.

She points down the street, opposite of how we came in. “He took off that way. Black cowboy hat.”

“Fang. Tiny. Bring him back for me. No one scares my girl like that,” I bark out.

They start their bikes up, never having gotten off. I watch as they speed down the street and around the corner. With any luck, they will find the guy.

“What did you notice about him?” I ask her, moving her closer to her car.

“He was in his twenties, maybe. Dark hair. Dressed like a wannabe cowboy. He was wearing a Rolex. I don’t think I noticed that before, but now that I think about it, I think that’s why I felt it so odd he didn’t have a car. What guy with a Rolex walks around a random neighborhood? Or stops and asks if a girl needs help?”

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here.” I cup her cheeks, looking down into her eyes.

“I wasn’t sure you’d come.” Tears start to flow down her face. “I’m sorry, Hayes. I was so stuck on my pride that I didn’t see that maybe you were right too.”

“It doesn’t matter, Bails. None of that even matters. All that matters is that you are safe. I will always come. Always, ” I reassure her.

She hugs me closer, burying her face in my chest. I let her cry against me a moment before I feel herself pull it together. When she pulls away from me, I wipe the tears from her face.

“Feeling better now?”

She nods. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why it hit me like that. I do dangerous shit all the time, but one guy who may have been nice or not shows up outside my house, and I crumble. How stupid is that?”

“Not stupid at all. It’s your adrenaline. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” I pull at her pigtail braids. “You’re still the badass you always have been, Bails.”

“I don’t feel like it.”

We both look as Tiny and Fang come back empty-handed. They turn off their bikes, climbing off to come stand by us.

“Nowhere to be found. Must have had a car waiting,” Tiny tells me. “We looked everywhere. I am going to go talk to some neighbors and see if any of these doorbell cams caught him.”

His initiative catches me off guard. He’s usually pushing back against me, but right now he is one hundred percent on my side.

“I’d appreciate that,” I tell him.

He nods, looking toward Bailey. “Don’t worry, ma’am. We will figure this out.”

As he walks away, Bailey mumbles, “Ma’am? Seriously, did he just call me ma’am? I’m not that old.”

Fang snorts. “I think he’s sweet on you.”

Bailey laughs. “No way. I think we understand each other. Tiny is a lot like me in many ways.”

The jealousy inside me burns. I remember catching them talking. Did they really have that much time to talk?

“Calm down, hulk. He’s a good kid. He’s not sure where he belongs anymore. Maybe give him a bit more of your attention. You are in the role model position now. They need guidance even if they are grown men,” she says as she rubs her hand on my chest.

“Very wise,” Fang notes.

I shoot him a glare, and he holds up his hands.

“Hey, don’t shoot me. It’s true. Now how about we get this tire changed for Bailey?”

I grumble as he goes to the trunk, pulling out the tire.

“I’m not sure I’m ready for you to be alone yet. Want to come back to the clubhouse with me?” I ask Bailey.

“I think I’d like that.”

“Good. Sit tight, Bails. We will get this done for you.”

She does as I ask, watching as me and Fang change her tire. Fang does a good job chatting with her and getting her laughing while I stew in my feelings. By the time we are done, I am more than ready to get going.

“Fang, go get Tiny. Tell him to meet us back at the clubhouse.”

He nods, taking off to wherever Tiny disappeared to.

“I’ll meet you guys there?” Bailey asks, drawing my attention to her. She has her keys in her hand, ready to go.

I shake my head. “Nah, you’re with me.”

“On your bike?” she asks.

I nod. “Unless you don’t like riding anymore.”

She smiles up at me with the brightest smile. “I haven’t been since you. I’ve missed it.”

If that doesn’t have my heart thumping in my chest.

I’ll never admit it to her, but I missed it too. I missed having her on my bike. I haven’t had anyone since her.

I guess deep down I always knew that seat belonged to her.

“Climb on, spider monkey,” I tell her using her old nickname.

She squeezes me a little bit harder as she climbs on, wrapping herself around me.

For the first time in a long while, everything feels right.