Chapter 4 Zara
I nod at Whip. “When I arrived at the hotel. I was about to get out of the taxi when I heard the motorcycles pull up. There were three of them, and I immediately recognized the kuttes. Menace was arguing with the valet about leaving the bikes where they were. Then the three of them strode into the hotel.”
“You didn’t see who was with him?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m sorry. I couldn’t take my eyes off Menace. I couldn’t believe he was here. His presence threw me.”
“I get it,” Whip says, brushing his hand over my hair. I remember him doing something similar the night he came to warn my father and me. A soothing gesture that made my young heart go pitter-patter. He’s just as hot today as he was then.
“We should call the hotel and see if they’re registered there. Do you know their real names?” Cicely asks.
Whip nods. “I do. I’ll have Mode search. He can check Zara’s hotel and others in the area. Plus, I’d like to know how they got into the country.” Whip stands, but puts a hand on my shoulder. “Finish your brandy. You’re safe here. No one will touch you, I promise. I’ll be right back.”
I watch him leave. When the door shuts behind him, I find Chrome and Cicely giving me matching smirks.
“What?” I ask, feeling my cheeks heat up.
“You have a crush on Bush,” Cicely says with a smile.
I frown at the name. “Bush? I know him as Whip.”
Chrome nods. “He still has the whip, but we gave him a new road name when he joined us. We call him Bush because he came from the Australian bush and because… oof,” Chrome jerks when Cicely jabs him with her elbow.
He gives her a questioning look. Cicely frowns at him before jerking her head toward me.
Chrome’s eyes widen before he mumbles something.
“I can figure out the double entendre,” I say with a laugh. “It’s okay. He’s hot. I’m sure there are plenty of women welcoming him to explore their bush.”
Chrome and Cicely chuckle.
“You had a crush on him back then?” Cicely asks.
“You got me. I was only fifteen the last time I saw him. But yeah, I had a crush. He wouldn’t have seen me as anything but a kid.”
“Which is why he told your father to get you out of town,” Chrome says. “He’s a good man.”
I nod enthusiastically. “I agree, he is a good man.”
“You talking about me?” Bush says as he re-enters the room.
“We were,” I tell him with a grin.
He blinks at me and then unleashes a filthy grin that has me squeezing my legs together. I’ve always thought the phrase about a guy’s smile melting panties was an exaggeration. However, I’m seriously reconsidering my take.
“Mode’s out. I’ll check in with him later. It would help if we knew who was with him. I could ride over to the hotel and see if I can spot them.”
I open my mouth to offer to go with him when my phone rings.
I answer it when I see the name on the display. “Tony?”
“Zara.” His voice came out in a dramatic whisper, breathless, as if he’d just sprinted up six flights of stairs or discovered a body in the conservatory. “Darling. Sweetheart. Light of my life. Where are you?”
That alone made my pulse kick. Tony didn’t whisper unless something was very wrong—or very juicy. “I’m visiting a friend,” I said carefully. “Why?”
“Oh, thank God.” He exhaled loudly, then immediately inhaled again. “Listen to me very closely. I am currently barricaded in my room with the chair wedged under the handle, and I do not do well under siege conditions.”
“You’re under siege? What’s wrong?”
“I was in the lobby,” he says, lowering his voice even further, which is impressive given how low it already is. “Enjoying a completely innocent moment of people-watching, when they walked in.”
“They?” I lock eyes with Bush, who is watching me.
“Three men,” he says. “Mean-looking men. They have on leather vests and boots. There are tattoos all over their arms, and those tattoos tell a story. These are not nice men.”
My heart slides down into my stomach. “What are they doing?”
“They asked for you,” he says, and the words landed like ice water. “By name, Zara. Full name. Not in a ‘sending flowers’ way. In a ‘we’re not leaving until we get answers’ way.”
I sink back onto the couch. “They were asking for me?”
“Yes,” Tony hisses. “They leaned over the check-in desk and loomed. One of them actually said, and I quote, ‘We know she’s staying here.’ The poor girl at reception looked like she was reconsidering every life choice she’s ever made.
The manager came out. He tried to play brave, but they threatened him too. ”
My chest tightens. “Threatened how?”
Tony huffs. “Nothing specific, which somehow makes it worse. Very ‘things happen’ energy. I nearly intervened, but I remembered I am delicate and uninsured.”
“Tony,” I say, forcing calm into my voice, “where are you right now?”
“In my room, hiding in the closet. I have the lights off, and I’ve drawn the curtains.”
“Okay.” I take a breath. “I’m not at the hotel. I’m safe.”
There is a pause. “You’re sure?” he asks, the theatrics stripped away, leaving genuine concern.
“Yes. I promise. I’m with people I trust.”
Another breath, shaky this time. “Good. Because, darling, these men were not here to borrow sugar.”
“I know,” I say quietly.
“They’re still downstairs,” Tony added. “I think they’re waiting for you. So wherever you are—stay there. Do not come back alone. And if you need me, I will absolutely scream.”
Despite everything, a weak smile tugs at my mouth. “Thank you, Tony.”
“Anytime,” he says fiercely. “We stick together. Call me when you’re back, and Zara?”
“Yeah?”
“Fashion Week better be worth nearly dying for.”
I hang up and turn to face three concerned people.
“Who was that?” Bush asks.
“My friend, Tony. We went to school together. He’s an American, but moved to New Zealand to attend AUT.
Auckland University of Technology,” I add.
“He was in the lobby when Menace and the others arrived. Tony overheard them asking the concierge about me. He said they’re still in the lobby. Waiting.”
Bush and Chrome share a look.
“Right. I think I’m going to gather up some guys and take a ride,” Chrome says. “You stay here and get Zara settled. I don’t think it’s safe for her to return to the hotel until we’ve dealt with the bad element that’s moved in.”
“I should go with you,” Bush argues.
“No.” Both Chrome and I say the word.
Chrome flicks his eyes to me, but returns his focus to Bush.
“We don’t know what they want. They may not know you’re here, so let’s keep it a surprise.
I don’t plan on letting on that I know you or anything about the Bushrangers.
I’m simply the President of the local club who heard we had guests.
I’ll take Piston, Arson, and Ice with me. ”
Bush shakes his head. “They’ll wonder why your SOA isn’t with you.”
“If it comes up, I’ll make sure they know we were just out riding when he heard we had guests,” Chrome says. “I’ll keep it casual.”
“Are you going to invite them here?” Bush asks.
Chrome rubs his chin as he considers the question. “I’ll play it by ear. If I don’t, they might get suspicious, but bringing them back here isn’t my plan. Let me see how it goes. We need to know if it is just the three of them or if there are more.”
Bush nods in agreement. “Good point.”
“I have a question,” Cicely chimes in. “You said they were all arrested and convicted in Australia. How did they get approval to come to the US? I thought CBP would refuse them entry.”
“Good question,” Chrome says. “How did they gain entry? You’re certain they were convicted?”
“Yes. I think. Well, shit. I don’t know. I left as soon as the cops arrested them. Did you follow the trials?” he asks me.
I nod. “Yes. Dad and I both did. Eight of them went to trial and received convictions.”
“Have Mode look into their records and see if he can find anything about their VISAs,” Chrome orders Bush.
“If they’re here illegally, maybe we can get them removed with some help from CBP.
Make them do their job. Okay, I’m grabbing the guys and taking off.
I’ll be back soon.” Chrome kisses Cicely before turning toward the door.
“Stay safe,” Bush says. “Don’t turn your back on them.”
Chrome chuckles. “I’m not new.”
Bush watches him go, and I can tell he wishes he were going with him. However, he shakes himself and offers me his hand. “Let me show you to your room, but first I’ll introduce you to our tech guy, Mode.”