Chapter Lula
LULA
I was numb by the time I was dragged from the vehicle and moved inside a new location. I promised myself that my people would find me. I only had to stay strong. In my head, I imagined Pax saving me. Or my brother Rowdy. Or maybe Clint would be my hero.
Instead, I was freed by the Black Rainbow’s VP, Exile.
His black cowboy hat was a dead giveaway.
The scowl on his gorgeous face also matched the photo in his file back at my office.
Despite knowing who he was, I was flabbergasted by how handsome the man was in the flesh.
His eyes were smoky brown, like a good whiskey.
His dark beard was neatly trimmed against his strong jaw.
I shouldn’t notice such qualities about Exile. The situation demanded my most stony reaction. Cher and Stevie were likely dead. I had no idea if I was still in danger. My daughter was waiting for me. The last thing I should have been worried about was Exile’s muscled chest or thick arms.
Whenever flustered, I tended to become bossy. In a hurry to leave, I didn’t think to search the house for something to cover my battered feet. I ended up traipsing barefoot through the grassy yard and woods to the motorcycles. Each step felt like I was stepping on nails, but I didn’t dare complain.
Over the years, I had gained a reputation as an unyielding beast in court. Other lawyers called me the “Blair Witch” because the witch from the movie slowly wore down her victims until they could no longer fight back. I always took that label as a compliment.
Pulling tight within myself as I followed the men, I struggled to behave unflinchingly like my Blair Witch persona demanded.
Finally, my feet got a break when I climbed on behind Exile. His motorcycle rumbled between my legs. The noise allowed me to exhale deeply. I pressed my face against his back, using the heat and power of this handsome man to strengthen my battered heart.
The ride to Little Rock left me mentally replaying the painful day.
I heard Cher’s voice as she was tossed over the side of the garage wall, followed by the sickening sound of her body colliding with the concrete ground.
I recalled how claustrophobic I felt pinned on the floor of the SUV.
I remembered the men molesting my body as they carried me from the SUV to the room.
My hands gripped Exile’s shirt, craving comfort. I felt dependent on him. He had more than freed me. I discovered something trustworthy in his gaze. After hours under the control of evil men, I was rescued by a man with honor.
I also felt like Exile understood my pain. His sister had been targeted because of his membership in the Black Rainbow. Exile owned that guilt.
Much like I would always own the blame for what happened to Cher and Stevie. I wanted to believe they were alive. I nearly asked Exile or Zodiac, but I didn’t want to break down in front of strangers if they gave me bad news.
The night’s humidity attached itself to every bare part of my flesh. I clenched my eyes tightly and tried to think of returning home. Instead of happy thoughts, I imagined Dillon’s tears and my parents’ panic.
Before we left the ranch, I sent a group text to inform my family and the club that I was headed to the Little Rock hospital with the Black Rainbow.
I hadn’t waited to see their responses. I needed to stay calm until I was surrounded by my people.
In my heart, I wished they were the ones to come through the door and save me.
Instead, this biker saved me and said, “Well, holy hell, if you aren't a vision.”
Had I blushed when he spoke those words? For a moment, when his smoky eyes met mine and he voiced his feelings, I felt like nothing else mattered. We were alone in the world. The moment was fleeting, yet this stranger had reached into my heart and claimed a secret part of me.
My mind stopped replaying the awful memories from the parking garage and focused on Exile cutting me free of my binds. His words repeated in my head until they acted as armor for what awaited me at the hospital.
By the time we reached the emergency entrance, I wanted to see Exile’s eyes again. Would they be as inviting under the harsh hospital lighting?
I slid off the motorcycle and held on to ensure I didn’t end up on my ass. Exile gripped my arm, tender yet commanding. He glanced down at where I clung to the seat while my battered legs adapted to standing again.
Looking up at him, I instantly wished I hadn’t done so. The concern written across his handsome face made me want to cry. I couldn’t remain strong when he watched me with such warmth.
I ripped my gaze away from his and looked around at the bikers watching me. Zodiac was quickly off his motorcycle and on his way to take charge. I inhaled sharply and reminded myself who I was.
Lula Reed made people flinch. She didn’t break. I refused to show weakness, even if I wanted to crawl into a corner and cry until today felt like a faded memory.
Zodiac Bondi was a showy kind of handsome with pale blue eyes and dark blond windswept hair. His beard was thicker and a little wilder than Exile’s. I didn’t want to hold this man’s gaze as he sized me up. If I could choose, I’d send the other men away and keep Exile at my side.
“Need me to carry you inside?” Zodiac asked with utter sincerity.
“She’s fine,” Exile answered for me.
“No, I’m fine,” Zodiac responded immediately. “That’s why I’m standing straight and not ready to drop.”
Exile climbed off his bike and walked around to steady me. “She hurt her feet, is all.”
His words provided cover for my weakness, yet I felt the other men judging me. I stood straighter, reaching inside myself to find my usual icy armor.
Limping inside the hospital, I walked to the front desk and told the receptionist I was waiting for Jarred. Her gaze took in the sight of my bruised face and then the large, tatted men around me. I felt her piecing together the situation.
“We’ll remain until your people arrive,” Zodiac told me and gestured for his men to head outside. His gaze turned to Exile as he added, “While we set up a perimeter, you can play the lawyer’s personal bodyguard.”
Zodiac’s words sounded like teasing, yet he didn’t smile. Never reacting to his president’s taunt, Exile walked with me to a chair to wait for whatever happened next.
“I’m Exile,” he said as his palm roughly brushed across his jaw. “I probably should have said that back in the bedroom.”
“I know who you are,” I spat back, sounding overly bitchy. Exhaling, I tried to control my tone. “I heard about your sister. The Void did that, right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know what happened to my friends today?”
“Are you asking if they’re alive?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know the answer. Might be best to wait to hear that from your people.”
Nodding, I raised my right foot and checked the damage. I did the same with my left one. Finally, I lifted my gaze to meet Exile’s.
I wasn’t surprised to find him watching me. He didn’t hide his interest well. That was why Zodiac left Exile here and took the other men outside to create a protective wall against possible threats.
“How did you know I was in that house?” I asked in a soft tone to hide my suspicions.
“We have a snitch inside the Void. You were where he claimed you’d be.”
Noticing how Exile wasn’t very good at hiding his feelings, I chose to believe his explanation.
My ex-husband was completely different, hiding his feelings behind a cold demeanor. I’d never pushed him to open up. His new wife, Alani, refused to let him hide, and they were happy in a way Jarred and I never were.
Next to me, Exile could barely contain his emotions as we waited in the emergency room lobby. He wanted to demand service. Feeling him ready to speak to someone, I rested my hand on his arm.
His gaze became laser-focused on where I touched him. Exile’s eyes flashed to my face, searching for something.
“We need to make sure our local people handle this issue,” I explained when he couldn’t find his words.
“You need to be treated.”
“I will be. Jarred will be here soon. So will my uncle Devin. Just be patient.”
Exile literally grunted like a pissed ape. I smiled at his irritation. He reminded me of my dad reacting to an inconvenience. Pax wasn’t a man who hid his heart, even when his feelings upset others.
“How is your sister?” I asked, trying to distract Exile.
His expression concealed nothing. He didn’t trust my question, yet he wanted to answer me.
“She shouldn’t have suffered for my choices.”
“I know about guilt,” I replied and thought about Cher and Stevie. “Has she recovered?”
“She’s fine,” he spat out angrily, but I saw him working through old hurts. “She’s probably wondering where I ran off to.”
“Why not text her to say you’re okay?”
“Don’t you want to text your people?”
“They’ll be here soon.”
Exile looked around. “You were married to this Jarred guy.”
“Yes. We have a daughter. Jarred rides with the LM Jokers. But I’m sure you already know that.”
“Yeah, I’ve read your file.”
“And I’ve read yours.”
Exile offered a hint of a smile. “Are you always this calm?”
“Only when I’m in uncharted territory. I’ll fall apart later when I’m safe at home.”
His ruggedly handsome face revealed regret. Exile was already thinking about when we went our separate ways. I’d given that inevitability my own consideration. As much as I wanted to be surrounded by my family and friends, I was reluctant for Exile to walk away.
I spotted Jarred hurrying toward the emergency department’s double doors.
His dark brown hair was a mess, and I suspected he had been sleeping after a long shift when he got the message.
He was tall and lean. We’d made a handsome couple and created a lovely daughter, but there’d never been any spark between us.
Jarred and I stayed together for more than a decade because we were too busy with school and our new careers to realize how we deserved more.
Switching my focus to Exile, I admired his handsome face, even if his jaw remained clenched and his gaze wary.
“If you’re ever in Little Memphis, I’ll buy you a beer,” I said and stood. Exile frowned at my change in position. “I’ll buy you a steak, too. You know, as a thank you for saving me.”
“Does that offer extend to my entire club?”
I wasn’t sure what Exile wanted me to say. Did he expect me to show gratitude to the Black Rainbow, or was he hoping I had opened the door to his interest?
“No, just you,” I said and stepped away from him as Jarred came rushing toward me. “I’ll send the rest of them thank you baskets. Do they like fruit?”
Before Exile could reply, Jarred joined us. He offered Exile a curt head nod and rested his hand on my shoulder.
“I’ll get you in the back,” Jarred said before turning away and walking to the receptionist.
My gaze flashed to Exile, finding him glaring at my ex-husband.
I shouldn’t care if he felt possessive. Today wasn’t a fun, sexy story to tell our future kids.
I still didn’t know if Cher and Stevie were alive.
Nothing about this situation was pleasant.
Yet, I found myself offering Exile a little grin.
“You married him,” he said accusingly.
I chuckled at his anger as if I’d wronged him personally by having such bad taste.
“Geez, don’t I get any credit for divorcing him?”
Exile stopped glaring at Jarred long enough to notice my smiling face. His expression mellowed out, and he suddenly looked sad. We felt our time together ending.
These feelings were ridiculous. We had barely spoken. What we knew about each other was from opposition research. The feelings between us were based on absolutely nothing.
I was still disappointed when my uncle arrived through the double doors. My hand reached out for Exile’s tatted forearm. His gaze met mine, and a stubborn expression hardened his handsome face.
“I’m glad you were the one who came through the door,” I said and stepped back as Devin joined us. “Don’t forget the beer.”
Before Exile could say anything, Devin invaded the space between us and forced me into a hug.
“Your mom was losing her shit,” Devin whispered in my ear. “Bebe and Pax will be here soon. They took the chopper.”
Devin kept me wrapped against him as he reached out and shook Exile’s hand. “Will your crew remain here for much longer?”
“Are you asking us to leave?”
“No, I’m asking if your people will act as security while Lula gets fixed up?”
“We aren’t going anywhere until she does.”
Devin always looked like he had just rolled out of bed. He claimed working vice meant he didn’t need to brush his brown hair or shave his face. Despite looking like a slob, Devin was a sharp guy. He sensed immediately how possessive Exile was behaving right now.
“These fucks attacked in broad daylight in the heart of Little Memphis,” Devin told Exile. “Do you think they’ll come in here to start shit?”
Exile immediately got his back up and again scanned the glass windows facing out to the parking lot where his club was set up. With his mind on threats, the agitated biker didn’t complain about Devin guiding me toward where Jarred gestured for us to enter the treatment area.
Despite my better judgment, I glanced back at Exile as the doors closed behind me. His smoky eyes refused to look away, nearly daring me to leave his sight. I offered him a little smile and hoped we’d share that beer someday.