Page 4 of Rough & Ruthless

He caresses my forearms, his rough hands trying to soothe my trembling. Then he pulls out his phone and barks sharp orders to someone. I don’t know much about the MC life, but I’m guessing he’s talking to someone from his club. He tells them to bring a truck, plywood, and tools to board up the shop and clean up the mess.

He hangs up and looks back at me. "That’s taken care of. What is your next excuse?"

I blink at him. "I don’t even know your name."

"Stryker."

"I’m Soraya."

A sudden shift alters his entire demeanor. His gaze darkens considerably. His jaw tightens into granite. I wonder for a second if I am imagining the intense, possessive flash in his eyes.

Stryker stands up to his full towering height, extending a large hand toward me.

I stare at his palm, feeling the immense, crushing weight of this exact moment. Taking his hand isn’t just about escaping tonight's danger. It’s a threshold. If I take it, the course of my entire life will change forever.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Soraya. I only want to be your shield.”

Swallowing hard, I stare into his deep, dark gaze and place my hand in his.

CHAPTER THREE

STRYKER

Isteer my bike through the dark streets of Port Royal. Soraya holds tight on the back, her arms wrapped securely around my waist. I have ridden this exact route to the Rebel Kings clubhouse thousands of times, but having her behind me changes everything.

I can’t help but focus on her soft curves pressed flush against my hard back. Her radiant warmth cuts straight through the biting night air. I feel a subtle, continuous trembling in her frame; a potent mix of shock from her shop being vandalized and the high-voltage adrenaline of the ride.

Pulling into the expansive clubhouse lot, I cut the engine. I reach back to help Soraya dismount. As soon as her boots hit the gravel, her legs buckle from the residual adrenaline. She stumbles directly into my chest, and I catch her, like I always will.

"Virgin?" I ask casually.

Her hazel eyes widen in pure embarrassment. "H-how did you know?"

"Because you're trembling. Was that your first ride?"

Realization dawns on her face. Her blush deepens into crimson in the dim yard lights. "Oh, right," she stammers quickly. "Yes. First motorcycle ride."

I freeze. She thought… she thought I was asking if she was a virgin? The sudden revelation triggers an overwhelming wave of dark possessiveness and pure lust. I envision taking her right here. I picture my rough, darkened hands trailing across her porcelain skin, gripping her full hips, plush thighs, and soft belly. I want to worship every single inch of her full, curvy figure.

Soraya clears her throat softly, snapping me out of the dangerous trance. I realize I still have her trapped against my body, her heartbeat racing against my chest. I force myself to step back, though I feel an undeniable shift deep in my chest. A piece of my tattered heart permanently breaks off. It belongs to her now.

I lead my woman inside the main clubhouse room. My MC brothers immediately call out from the bar and the pool tables. They greet me loudly, asking questions about the street brawl and the extent of the damage to local businesses.

"Phoenix is hunting down the bastards responsible," I bark over the noise. "He will get answers."

"Who are you hiding?" a brother asks from a nearby table.

I glance down beside me. Soraya is shrinking back. trying to make herself completely invisible against the loud, chaotic room. Seeing the sheer terror in her eyes hits me hard. I remember what little information she let slip about needing protection.

I realize how overwhelming and overstimulating this gritty environment is for her. A sharp spike of self-loathing hits me in the gut. I should have taken her through the private side entrance straight to my apartment.

We lock eyes. I give her a slow, reassuring nod before wrapping a protective arm tight around her waist. I tuck her flush against my side to shield her from the leering room. She must feel the weight of every eye in the room on us.

I pitch my voice into a dangerous growl, delivering a clear warning to the entire room. "She’s mine, and nobody touches her."

The announcement is met with absolute shock. Disbelief washes over the faces of my men. A few subtle snickers from a table in the back corner catch my attention, but I ignore them completely. Who gives a fuck about what they think? I have the most precious woman by my side. And I’m already fucking it up.

The crowd parts like the Red Sea. I lead her straight through the chaos to the back hallway.