Page 2 of Unruly Defender

I was released early from prison so no one is expecting me back.

I have to be on my toes, though. The way I was set up?

I’m pretty sure the one responsible wanted me gone for good.

Not to mention I have a pretty good idea who is responsible, except the motive and the evidence is lacking to tie it all together or if the asshole was acting on his own or had others to support him.

This being said, it wouldn’t surprise me if they tried again.

I decide to take the long road home and swing by a few stores to get some necessities. This includes a new squeaky toy for my dog, Finn. I have no clue how my little buddy is doing because I haven’t seen him in years.

He’s a tri merle Dachshund. I know, not typically a dog for a biker, but I don’t care.

I found him alongside the road, tied to a tree, a mere few months old.

I couldn’t leave him behind and took him home after the vet thought he was able to leave.

Though, that very day I became aware the little fucker had a dirty habit and it might have been the main reason they dumped him.

Thing is...Finn likes to hump everything he can sink his teeth in.

Yes, I’m aware I said teeth. The little fucker only has three legs and will wrap his one paw around something while he bites down to have a firm grip.

He lost his front leg the day I saved him since the one who left him alongside the road tied his leash to a tree and Finn might have been struggling, jumping, running crazy and ended up with his paw wrapped tight in the leash.

The vet couldn’t save it and it had to be amputated.

My mother and I share Finn when I’m needed out of town or have to work all day, whatever.

I’m just glad she was able to care for him when I was locked up.

I guide my bike up to the gate of the estate and enter in the security code.

I wait for the gate to open and guide my bike through as it closes behind me.

I make sure to hide my bike in the garden shed on the right. Only personnel use it, so I know it’s safe from MC prying eyes if for some reason they would accidentally swing by the estate. Something they haven’t done in the past, but I’m not taking any chances.

I grab the backpack I bought, filled with a few new changes of clothes and some other stuff.

As I stalk into the tiny office, I expect to find my mother but instead I’m staring at a nicely shaped, curvy ass leaning over a desk.

It’s wrapped in a tweed pencil skirt and I’m about to look away but my eye catches a lace strip. Holy shit, she’s wearing garters.

I take a step back and clear my throat. I don’t even know how old this woman is or what the hell she’s doing here, and I’m ogling her as if I just came out of prison and need to get my dick wet this instant.

Wait. That’s exactly what’s happening, though I’d also like to pin her between the desk and my body and slide that pencil skirt up. Mainly to check what kind of panties match those garters, or just to check if she is even wearing some.

The woman’s body goes rigid—becoming aware someone is here by the clearing of my throat indicating that she’s not alone—before she slowly rises and turns.

Her long black hair has a blue glow to it and it’s all pulled back in a long braid.

One solitary lock of white hair stands out and it makes me wonder if it’s due to missing pigmentation or if she intentionally made it white.

Her heart shaped face with almond shaped eyes is intriguing, but the color of her eyes is stunning. The word supernova comes to mind. They’re a bright blue with a ring of brown woven around it. I’m staring while my jaw hits the floor—with a major hard on—lacking any words to give her.

“Can I help you?” her voice is a snap of words and lacking kindness.

She might feel entitled to act this way because she caught me ogling her ass, but it’s not like I had a choice with her putting it on display.

“Where’s the owner?” I bark in reply.

I know I could have been nicer but she’s the one who had a snap in her voice.

Her eyes narrow and I’m sure she’s going to say something, but Finn rushes out from behind the desk and starts to vigorously hump my leg by curling one paw around it and digging his teeth in my jeans.

I can’t help but chuckle and scoop him up.

I’m about to cuddle the little fucker but he’s taken out of my hands by the woman standing before me.

“Finn, what did I tell you about humping?” she scolds and stalks around the desk.

She bends down and I step closer to see what she’s doing behind the desk as she rattles on, “This is your humping buddy,” she says and holds out a stuffed pig.

A. Stuffed. Pig. There’s something really wrong with this picture and it increases when Finn snatches the pig away from the woman and cheerfully starts to hump his buddy.

The woman bounces up and gives me a fake smile. “Sorry about that. Now, how can I help you?”

“By giving me my dog back for one. And then telling me why the hell you would give him a pig to hump.”

Her eyebrows scrunch up. “Your dog? He’s mine.”

Right. As if. My anger starts to flare but the sound of my mother’s voice makes my attention slide to the left as she rushes toward me and hugs me tight. I close my eyes for a brief moment and squeeze my arms to relish in the fact I’m standing here holding my Ma.

She’s been through a lot with losing Dad and then watching her son being thrown in jail, all while keeping this estate up and running. It shows how strong she is, but I can feel her shake against me and I know she’s trying to fight her tears.

“It’s okay, Ma,” I tell her and place a kiss on the top of her head.

My mother is a tiny woman but don’t mistake her shortness for lack of feistiness.

She pats my chest as she pulls away. “Well, now it is. Are you hungry? Have you eaten?”

“I can always eat if you’re making something,” I chuckle and rub my belly.

My Ma’s face lights up with a smile. My gaze slides to the woman behind the desk who is observing us with curious eyes.

“Oh, where are my manners? Gracy, meet Henley, my son,” Ma says as she draws the woman behind the desk into our discussion.

“Oh, he’s been released early?” Gracy says and instantly puts me on edge by the surprise in her voice and the knowledge she seems to have, knowing exactly who I am as she holds out her hand.

“I’m Gracelynn Lightners, but everyone calls me Gracy.

It’s nice to finally meet you since your mother is always raving about you. ”

“Yeah, right,” I snap and then the name enters my brain and something clicks.

“Lightners, as in Lightners Yacht Club, among other things? Any relation with the magnate? Because that name doesn’t come around often.

So, what the hell is a Lightners doing behind my fucking desk, working in my fucking estate, and telling me she owns my fucking dog? ”

“Henley Augustine Pierce,” my mother snaps in her ‘warning for hell to pay’ mom voice, and it makes me feel like I’m five years old again.

It doesn’t matter if I’ve spent the last few years dealing with the most dangerous convicts or the fact that I’m thirty-three years old; when your mother pulls out the Ma-voice, you damn well show respect and listen to what she has to say.

I hang my head and mutter, “Sorry, Ma.”

“It’s not me you should apologize to. I asked Gracy to come work for me almost nine months ago when I found her on the beach.

She’s been a real doll and works hard. Finn was taken with her right away.

She has helped me and Finn because you know how much he likes the beach and his long walks.

That’s why she offered to take care of him along with me, and it happened to be the best solution.

And really, Henley? Judgement coming from you?

I know you’re on your toes, as you should be, but Gracy isn’t just an employee.

I consider her a good friend of mine too. ”

Yeah, my Ma can really make you wish for a hole in the ground to jump in and hide. You know, because deep down everything makes sense and you know she’s right. And for fuck’s sake, why did she have to voice my full name in front of this chick?

A sigh rips from my throat and I glance up, catching the chick’s stunning eyes first. There’s a damn smirk painting those pretty cherry colored lips before she schools her features. I narrow my eyes but wince when my mother smacks my shoulder.

“Enough already. Gracy, sweetheart, excuse us, please,” Ma says as she grabs my arm and drags me off.

Can I just mention I’m glad she doesn’t snatch me by my ear to drag me out of the room? And why am I letting her drag me off without giving me a chance to take my dog with me? I want my fucking dog back.