Little Bunny (Sin & Steel #1)

Chapter One

“ Come on.” Percy shoved Elijah’s leg aside and sat on the couch next to him. “We’re going out, buddy.”

Elijah slid his gaze toward his friend then glanced back at the television. Nope. He wasn’t going out. His butt was parked on the couch, and he didn’t plan on getting up. “Go. Away.”

“You can’t keep moping around, Elijah.” Percy grabbed the remote and cut off the television.

“Hey!” Elijah tried to snatch the remote from him, but Percy held out his arm, preventing him from grabbing it—unless Elijah wanted to get up. Which was Percy’s whole point.

Elijah would rather stare at the wall. Just the thought of running into Trent made him nauseous. His ex loved hanging out around town. Loved being the center of attention. Elijah wanted to bang his head against a wall for putting up with the guy for six months before he’d seen Trent for who he truly was.

A cheating, self-centered, narcissistic asshole. Yet, it still hurt. Six months might not have been a long time for some, but Elijah had given their relationship his all.

Trent had given it the bare minimum.

Percy grabbed Elijah’s arm, trying to force him off the couch. If his best friend wasn’t a twig, he might’ve succeeded. Not that Elijah weighed much more than him.

“You are not going to weep into your tissue over that jerk. You’re going to get your stinky ass in the shower and come out with me, or I’m going to pester you for the rest of the night.”

And he would. They’d been best friends since grade school, and Elijah knew for certain Percy would not only pester him but also poke him relentlessly.

“Fine!” Percy was relentless, never letting him wallow in peace. “But if we see him , no argument, we’re out of… Where are we going anyway?”

Percy gave Elijah his sassy smile, complete with dimples. “Sin’s.”

Sin & Steel. A biker tavern.

Elijah’s brows shot upward as his lips parted. “Have you lost your freaking mind?” Granted, Elijah wanted to go somewhere Trent wouldn’t be, but… “No way, Percy. Does your mom know where you’re trying to drag me off to?”

“You have to admit your ex won’t be there.” Percy yanked at his arm again. “Now get into the shower and scrub the wallow off your body. You’re as ripe as a rainbow.” He wrinkled his nose.

What did that even mean? Admittedly, Elijah smelled a bit tart, but anyone would after being wrapped in the blanket his granny had knitted for him while it was a hundred degrees outside. He did feel yucky, but he’d been willing to stew in his own funk as he wasted away over the asshole who’d stomped all over his heart.

“You’re as annoying as a gnat.” Finally, Elijah tossed the blanket aside.

“Jesus.” Percy held his nose. “It smells like you’re sweating regret and ass crack from every pore.” He took a step back then opened the porch door to the apartment. The only thing he let in was even more oppressive heat to add to what already clung inside the living room.

Elijah was willing to get into the shower just to cool off. His shorts clung to his bits and pieces and his hair to his scalp. He was seconds away from drowning in his own sweat.

“Take a long shower, sweetie,” Percy called out as Elijah headed into his bathroom. He purposely avoided the mirror, not needing a visual of his misery. He already felt it clinging to every inch of his body.

Under the spray of the shower, Elijah sighed, the cool water washing away two days’ worth of self-pity. He scrubbed twice, washed his hair once, and felt like a gently used man. He would’ve said new, but his toes were still deeply immersed in the I-was-a-dumbass lake.

He was physically clean but emotionally wrecked.

“You saw the signs but chose to ignore them, you pathetic moron.” Trent had been overly protective of his phone while demanding to know who was texting Elijah. When someone did call Trent, the vague way he’d talked was a dead giveaway. Most of the time Elijah couldn’t get ahold of him, but Trent became enraged if Elijah took ten seconds to answer the guy’s text or call.

Most of their conversations revolved around Trent, his day, his interests, blah, blah.

The guy wanted to own Elijah, while all Elijah could do was rent him.

He hadn’t just ignored the signs. Elijah had plowed right through them.

“You look so much better,” Percy said as he walked into Elijah’s bedroom. “Smell better too. I thought I would have to declare you an environmental hazard.”

Elijah gaped at him, watching as his best friend picked up a shirt from the bed like it offended him and dropped it on the floor. “I did not smell that bad, bitch.”

He flopped onto the bed while Elijah got dressed, making sure to powder his nether region. With this heat, he didn’t want body parts sticking together.

“You need to get a window unit,” Percy grunted. “It’s cooler outside than in here.”

“Buy me one.” After Elijah dressed, he fussed with his hair until it was perfectly messy and matched his emotionally damaged mood.

Turning, he noticed Percy lying there staring at the ceiling. Unfortunately, Elijah knew what that look meant. Damn.

“Did he stop by?” he asked, his voice somber while praying it wasn’t bad.

Percy simply cut his eyes toward him, which told Elijah everything. “It’s one of the reasons I’m here.”

Crossing his small bedroom, Elijah sat next to him, the bed creaking under his slight weight. He rested his hand on Percy’s knee. “How bad, honey?”

“Santiago showed up before things got out of hand.” Percy sat up, and Elijah slid his arm around his friend’s shoulder, trying his best to give him comfort. “My dad took off shortly after. Then Santiago asked me to stop by Sin’s.”

Just because Percy’s neighbor had saved the day didn’t mean Elijah wanted to visit a tavern with a less-than-stellar reputation. He’d seen the men who hung out there and no thanks .

It would be like a gazelle voluntarily walking into a den of wolves. Elijah didn’t want his skinny butt to become prey.

“Why don’t we hang out at Ripples instead?” As hot as it was, an ice cream would hit the spot and would be a hell of a lot safer.

A slow smile formed on Percy’s cute face. Those dimples would make even the hardest of hearts cave. “Live a little, Elijah. You’re single now. Have some fun.”

That was not his definition of fun. While Santiago was a decent guy, Elijah wasn’t sure the rough-looking men who frequented Sin’s would appreciate a couple of twinks strolling into their establishment.

And Elijah highly doubted they would even know how to make a Cosmo. Now that he was off the couch, he was dying for one. The only glasses Sin’s probably served drinks in were mugs and bottles. A martini glass? Unheard of in a place like that.

This night was going to suck balls and not in a pleasurable way.

But Elijah knew he was going because he was a pushover where Percy was concerned. Especially knowing the guy’s dad had stopped by the house. His mom had divorced the loser a year ago for continually cheating on her, but Jacob still thought he could push his family around.

That was one of many reasons Percy still lived at home.

To protect his mom from the tyrannical asshole. Calling the cops was useless. Either they took an eternity to show up or Jacob took off right before they arrived.

Thank god Santiago had moved next door about a month ago. One night, when Jacob had stopped by, pissy drunk and loud enough to wake the dead, Santiago had knocked on the door to see what was going on.

A rarity in their neighborhood. People minded their own business. Noise, what noise? But not Santiago. Elijah had been there that night. Jacob had been raring for a fight and was yelling at Percy’s mom while Percy and Elijah stood between the two.

No lie. Elijah had been scared out of his mind. Jacob was a big guy but hell if Elijah was going to let him put his hands on Macey. She was the sweetest woman and didn’t deserve Jacob’s bullshit.

Santiago had stormed through the front door, shocking them all and hauled Jacob out of the house like a beefed-up bouncer at club, complete with tossing Jacob onto the front lawn.

It had been epic and fantastic. Elijah had to stop himself from whooping and high-fiving everyone.

Too bad that hadn’t stopped Percy’s father from returning, but Jacob had enough brain cells left to get back in his car whenever Santiago landed on the porch. The guy was intimidating with a capital T for terrifying. Only someone with brain damage and a death wish would try to get past Santiago.

So, to get Percy’s mind off his father’s visit, twenty minutes later, they stood in front of a brick building, the black-and-white Sin & Steel sign in script above them. They stared at the row of motorcycles parked diagonally at the curb in front of Sin’s, the late afternoon sun gleaming off chrome, casting sharp reflections across the pavement.

This was such a bad idea. The worst.

Leather-clad riders lingered nearby, cigarettes dangling from fingers, the occasional burst of laughter cutting through the steady hum of conversation.

Music bled from inside, a bass-heavy rhythm vibrating through the closed doors. The scent of beer and fried food hung thick in the air, mixing with the faint burn of gasoline and the rich musk of worn leather.

Percy stood beside Elijah, hands fidgeting with his skinny jeans, shifting his weight like he was already debating how much trouble this night would bring.

Please don’t let this night bring chaos. Or my death.

“I’m not so sure about this.” Elijah glanced at the men then back at the building, wondering if Percy could catch him if he took off running. No sooner had the thought settled than his phone buzzed. Digging it out of his back pocket, Elijah glanced at the screen and wished he hadn’t.

Left something at your place. Need to pick it up. Why aren’t you answering door? It’s Friday night. You should be under that damn blanket, watching your show. Stop playing childish games and open up, Elijah.

He debated on replying for all of five seconds then shoved his phone back into his pocket. “What are we waiting for?” Enraged Trent just nailed his pathetic routine perfectly, he grabbed Percy’s hand and yanked him inside.

Elijah would prove he was more than granny blankets and remotes. Bastard.

It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim interior, but his ears rebelled against the loud, bass-filled music threatening to make them bleed.

They just stood there like two dorks, inhaling the scents of leather, booze, and… Elijah sniffed. Was that fried chicken?

When men entered behind them, he and Percy had to move farther inside. Yet, all Elijah wanted to do was spin around and haul ass. Neon signs hung above an entire wall of liquor. The table to his right was covered in a collection of shot glasses.

Either someone had no liver left or there had been a drinking contest from hell. The sound of pool balls cracking caught his attention, along with what looked like a heated argument on the other side of the room.

Elijah’s ass did not belong in there.

He felt like he was surrounded by a wall of testosterone and barely holding his ground. Every man in the room was built like they ate people like Elijah for breakfast then washed the carcass down with a whiskey chaser. Thick with muscle and confidence that said they owned whatever space they occupied.

Oh boy.

Percy shifted beside him, his hand grazing Elijah’s arm in a silent question—Are we really doing this? But Elijah wasn’t about to let Trent’s text drag him back to that blanket, so he lifted his chin and took a cautious step forward.

Then took a quick step back.

Eyes flicked their way, some barely sparing them a glance, others lingering just long enough to send a fresh wave of fear crawling through Elijah.

These men weren’t just rough around the edges. They looked like they’d been sharpened by a lifetime of fights and hard living. Leather stretched over broad shoulders, tattoos on full display, and the sheer presence of them made Elijah’s pulse spike.

These were not weekend bikers. These were men who could kill you with a glance and wouldn’t even blink.

He and Percy were not going to survive this. Sweat trickled down Elijah’s back, causing his shirt to cling to him. Now he felt like he’d wasted a perfectly good shower.

The heavy scent of whiskey and sweat lingered in the air, mixing with something earthier, something that made Elijah’s instincts itch in a way he couldn’t explain. The lighting was dim, the neon casting a glow over the polished bar top, where a few guys sat nursing their drinks, voices low, murmuring in a way that felt private.

Percy leaned in, his breath warm against Elijah’s ear. “Why did you let me drag you here?”

Elijah whipped his head around and glared at his best friend. “I suggested Ripples. You suggested possible death and dismemberment. We’re here now, so let’s make the best of it.”

This was the equivalent of walking into an alley and realizing this was where his obituary would get written.

Oh, Elijah did not like the flare of sass in Percy’s eyes. They were definitely leaving in pieces. Percy snatched his hand and began to walk so fast Elijah’s head snapped back. They ended up at the counter, sliding onto stools.

“Hey, handsome,” Percy called out to the bartender as he smacked the countertop. “Two Cosmos, and do you know where Santiago is? We’re supposed to meet him here.” He turned toward Elijah. “If we’re about to get devoured, this bitch is going to enjoy the ride.”

This was not the moment for Percy to have a young-life crisis. He’d just ordered Cosmos in a whiskey-soaked murder tavern.

Elijah glanced at the bartender and was positive they would be devoured. The guy was downright gorgeous, if lethal could be considered sexy. All dark and dangerous looks, chiseled jawline, and a commanding presence that exuded confidence and demanded your immediate submission.

He strode their way, taking his time, his gaze sliding over them one at a time.

Why did Elijah have the feeling the guy was sizing them up to figure out if they would both fit in the trunk of his car at the same time?

Part of Elijah wanted to smack Percy for catching the man’s attention.

Dark, tousled hair fell stylishly over his forehead, emphasizing his chiseled cheekbones and piercing gaze. The intensity of his light brown eyes captivated Elijah, making it impossible to look away.

The bartender bit his bottom lip, somehow making the gesture sensual instead of annoying. The gas fumes outside must have killed brain cells because the guy drew out a flush of heat inside Elijah that spread all the way to his fingertips.

Elijah was freaking blushing at a man who looked like a straight-up killer. But god help him, when the man crooked his finger, Elijah’s dumbass rose from his stool and bent over the counter. The room felt smaller as the stranger leaned in, his lips hovering just shy of Elijah’s ear. His voice was a slow slide, sinking deep, sending fire racing through Elijah’s veins.

“Slap the bar again like I’m your dog to heal, and we’ll see who can’t sit for a week, conejito .”

“But it wasn’t—” Elijah gasped when the guy nipped his earlobe, a low, teasing growl rumbling in his throat.

When he spoke again, his voice curled low in Elijah’s stomach, setting off a slow burn he fought to control. “Now, ask me real pretty to make your drink, sweetheart.” Then added, “ Si fuera por mí, estarías en mi cama, conejito.” If it were up to me, you’d be in my bed, little bunny.

Elijah jerked back, affected by his voice, but refused to obey. Everyone in the room was looking his way, even Percy, and Elijah had a feeling they were waiting to see what he would do.

If his phone hadn’t buzzed in his pocket, would Elijah have given in? But it had, reminding him of the mind games Trent used to play with him.

And Elijah had hated it.

“I’ll have a bourbon neat.” He forced himself to look Mr. Dark and Dangerous straight in his gorgeous fucking eyes. Elijah no longer wanted to confess that it hadn’t been him who’d slapped the counter. Screw the prick. The bartender scared the crap out of him, but he’d touched a nerve.

“Sorry if that’s too basic for your delicate biker palate,” Elijah added, just to be a shit.

After how dirty Trent had played him, the jerk in front of Elijah could go to hell.