Emergency Date (Swift Angels MC #2)

Chapter One

Logan

The muggy, humid air hung heavy as I pushed my way through the oak doors of the bar. The din of conversation, the rhythmic clink of glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter washed over me like a wave. The air was thick with the scent of stale beer, sweat, and desperation, a cocktail that clung to the back of my throat.

I blinked, letting my eyes adjust to the dim, smoky interior. The bar was a labyrinth of wood and shadows, crammed with mismatched furniture and a motley crew of patrons. A middle-aged couple argued over a half-empty bottle of wine, their voices rising above the din. A group of young men, faces flushed and eyes glazed, cackled over a game of darts, their laughter laced with forced bravado. A lone man sat hunched over a glass of whiskey, his gaze fixed on the amber liquid swirling within.

My gaze drifted from face to face, searching for a familiar haven in this sea of strangers. Was I wasting my time? Akira had said she’d be working tonight. I still didn’t like the fact she’d chosen this place for employment, but I also knew her family hated it -- which was why she’d done it. There were times I liked that defiant side of her. Hell, if she didn’t act out, we probably wouldn’t be together.

I caught a glimpse of movement across the room. She was there, a vision of grace and confidence, expertly weaving through the throng of bodies with a tray of drinks balanced effortlessly on her palm. I could sit here and watch her forever. Well, maybe not. That might come off as creepy.

The way she moved was mesmerizing, each step fluid and purposeful. Her dark hair flowed around her face, bouncing with every step. I had yet to find anything about her I disliked. Okay, not entirely true. Her family left a bit to be desired, but she couldn’t control that. Besides, one of my club brothers had grown up with her in that same environment and he’d turned out just fine.

I found myself drawn to her like a moth to a flame, instinctively guiding my steps toward an empty table in her section. As I slid into the chair, she turned, our eyes meeting for a fleeting moment. In that instant, the world around us faded away. It was just her and me, locked in a silent dialogue that resonated deep within my soul. A spark ignited within me, a spark of curiosity, of desire, of something I couldn’t quite define.

“What can I get for you?” Her voice was a low, melodic murmur, a stark contrast to the raucous symphony of the bar.

I fought back a smile. Even in this place, we had to be careful. The last thing I needed was word getting back to the Dixie Reapers that a Swift Angel was sniffing around one of their girls.

“A beer, please,” I said.

“Coming right up,” she replied, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

As she turned to leave, I couldn’t help but watch her every move, memorizing the way her hips swayed with each step, the subtle rhythm speaking of a hidden sensuality. There was something about her, an aura of mystery and resilience that captivated me. There was something about her that set her apart from the rest.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a glass being placed before me. “Here you go,” she said, her voice soft yet assertive. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

“Thank you,” I replied, my gaze locked on hers. I saw a glimpse of the woman beneath the surface, a woman who was both strong and vulnerable, confident yet enigmatic.

She held my gaze for a moment, her eyes searching mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. In that one look, I could almost hear all the things she wanted to say, but didn’t dare. Not while we were in public. With a slight nod, she turned and walked away, leaving me with a head full of questions and my heart pounding with a newfound rhythm.

I took a long sip of my beer, the bitter liquid doing little to quench my thirst. Probably because I hadn’t really come here for the beer.

As I watched her work, I felt a pull, an inexplicable connection drawing me to her, a sense of destiny I couldn’t ignore. Which was why I’d come here looking for her. I couldn’t take her on an official date, so I’d content myself with drinking a beer and watching her work. Even if my club brother, Dawson, had warned me away from her.

Akira.

From the first moment I’d laid eyes on her, I’d been captivated. Not a day had gone by without me thinking of her. It had only taken a few conversations before we’d exchanged phone numbers. Now we talked pretty much every day and met when we could.

My nape prickled, as if some sixth sense was telling me something was about to go horribly wrong. My gaze swept the room and landed on a man at the bar. He wore his too-many-drinks like a badge, his movements jerky and voice too loud.

I watched Akira approach, her steps measured, her voice a low murmur lost in the rising tide of noise. The firmness in her stance spoke louder than words. His lips twisted into a snarl as he leaned closer to her.

I’d seen these situations turn on a dime, and I wouldn’t let her become collateral damage. I braced myself, ready to jump to her defense at any moment.

But Akira stood her ground, chin jutting out in defiance. Her voice, though quiet, held an edge. The man’s face twisted, hand rising like a hammer about to fall. I was already moving, my feet eating up the distance.

Then, the unexpected happened. His hand, a fleshy claw, clamped onto her backside, digging in like a tick. Better than him hitting her, but… a red haze flooded my vision, as fury I didn’t know I possessed boiling over.

I was there before I registered it, pure instinct propelling me forward. The need to protect, to shield, eclipsed everything else. My path through the crowd was a blur.

As I reached them, I saw the fire in her eyes, the tight set of her jaw as she turned, ready to unleash her own storm. In that moment, I knew she could handle this, but the primal urge to intervene was a tide I couldn’t hold back.

My hand clamped onto his wrist, my grip like iron. I’d promised to heal people, to help, but right now all I wanted to do was beat him senseless.

“Don’t. Touch. Her.” I narrowed my gaze at him.

He stumbled back, eyes widening. My face must have been a mirror reflecting the inferno inside. He opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come, my expression seeming to silence him.

“Get out,” I said. “Now.”

He hesitated a moment, then thought better of it. A muttered curse, a toss of bills onto the bar, then he turned and walked away.

I turned to Akira, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs. “Are you okay?”

Her eye held a spark I couldn’t decipher. “I had it under control.”

“I know,” I said, the adrenaline receding. “But I couldn’t just stand by.”

Something flickered across her face. She studied me, a long, searching look. “Thank you,” she whispered, the words barely audible over the bar’s murmur.

I nodded, the tension slowly draining from my limbs. “Anytime.”

The music and chatter resumed at its previous volume, but I blocked it all out. Akira turned back to her work, her movements jerky and tense. I could see the way she held her breath, the way her shoulders were hunched.

I wanted to just leave her be, but my feet moved toward her.

“Hey,” I said softly, leaning against the bar. “I’m sorry if I overstepped. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

She stopped, her hands still on the glasses she was collecting. She took a deep breath and looked at me. Close up, I could see the flecks of gold in her brown eyes, the way her eyebrows were like delicate arches.

“I appreciate your concern,” she said, her voice quiet. “But I’ve dealt with worse. It’s part of the job.”

Her words hit me hard. It wasn’t fair that she had to deal with this kind of crap.

“It shouldn’t be,” I said, my voice low. “You shouldn’t have to deal with that.”

She looked surprised, then smiled a little. “Welcome to the service industry, Doc.”

She knew how I felt about that damn name. Unlike her father’s club, we didn’t use road names. And yet, I’d somehow been saddled with the nickname Doc. I had no doubt Dawson had been the one to blab to her.

“I should let you get back to work,” I said, pushing myself away from the bar. “But if you ever need anything, I’m here.”

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

I walked back to my seat, feeling her eyes on me. I knew I should keep my distance, but I couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement for what the future might hold. Neither club would accept our relationship, and yet, I couldn’t walk away.

Leaving the bar felt like wading through molasses, each step a monumental effort. The night air felt heavy and oppressive. I caught a glimpse of Akira through the window as she leaned over a table, wiping it clean. The sight of her, even at a distance, ignited a spark within me.

“Get a grip, Logan,” I muttered under my breath, my voice a harsh rasp against the silence of the night. It wasn’t like I’d never see her again. I only wished we didn’t have to hide from everyone. Even when she came to the Swift Angels clubhouse with Nora, I still couldn’t acknowledge her the way I wanted. Still, I cherished the times I even caught a glimpse of her.

Then there were the meetings we had when we were alone. Out of sight of everyone we knew and loved. Simply because we were like a modern-day Romeo and Juliet. Our clubs didn’t mix well, seeing as how the Swift Angels followed the law, and the Dixie Reapers definitely didn’t.

I swung my leg over the seat of my bike and started her up. The rumble of my motorcycle engine vibrated beneath me, the familiar sensation doing little to soothe the turmoil within. The open road stretched before me, an invitation to escape, but my thoughts remained tethered to the fiery waitress who had captured my attention.

Revving the engine one last time, I sped off into the night. As I rode, I couldn’t help but think of a day when maybe I could be open about the fact Akira and I were dating. I didn’t like having to hide her like a dirty secret. I was damn proud to call her mine.

For now, I needed to stop thinking about her twenty-four seven. I had other things to focus on. The Swift Angels. Work. But as hard as I tried to push her out of my mind, the memory of her lingered. Whether she knew it or not, she’d already carved a place into my heart. Not once in my life had I ever desired a woman as much as I wanted her. Not only in a sexual way, but I wanted to know everything about her. The thought of watching a movie together, sharing a meal, or even having a bit of conversation made me want to smile. Yeah, I had it bad. And I’d been too big a damn coward to tell her.

I rounded the bend and passed the Swift Angels clubhouse. I should have stopped, but I felt like I needed a longer ride. My thoughts were chaotic, and I worried my brothers would take one look at me and know I was hiding something. If they thought I was seeing someone, they’d poke and prod until I gave them something. If they thought for one second it was a forbidden relationship, they’d do everything they could to talk me out of it. Just like Dawson had done when he’d warned me away from Akira. None of them knew I’d defied him.

But one way or another, I’d make Akira mine.