Chapter Two
Shiloh watched until he disappeared around the corner.
Slowly, her heart calmed until she could suck in a lungful of air.
She looked back down the alley, bracing to see the lowlife scum either still knocked out or the girlfriend trying to revive him, but they were gone.
Resignation filled her. Jade had been right. Why had she even bothered?
The sound of motorcycles echoed between the buildings, telling her that Jade was gone.
Bringing up her map locator, she looked up a coffee house and saw there was a diner a few blocks over.
Not wanting to go back to the bar, she decided to head there.
She shot a quick text to Vette, telling her she was getting some coffee, hoping her friend would feel the vibration of her phone.
A few minutes later, she stepped into the diner. Inside was warm and cozy, with only two other people in a booth against the window. Shiloh slid onto a chair at the bar, and a beautiful brunette came over and gave a soft smile.
“Hi, what can I get you?”
“Um, just a coffee, please,” she replied.
“Coming right up.” The server walked over to a stand and poured her a mug of coffee. When she placed it in front of Shiloh, she also grabbed sugar and a bowl with those little creamer cups to place in front of her. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thanks.” She wrapped her hands around the warm porcelain.
The woman tilted her head. “You okay?”
Shiloh’s gaze flew up to her. “Oh, yeah. I just ... moved here, and my friend is dancing at the bar.”
She gave a mindless wave toward the door.
“Not feeling it?”
Shiloh winced. “Obvious, huh?”
“Only to someone who has sat on that side of the counter, once upon a time.” She held out her hand. “I’m Kira.”
Shiloh stared at it for a moment. She didn’t like touching people, but something told her this woman understood exactly what she was going through.
Kira had a look on her face that made her lungs tighten.
It was kindness. A thin layer of understanding.
This woman, this stranger, knew the same devastation that slowly consumed her from the inside out.
Hesitantly, she reached out and shook her hand. “I’m Shiloh.”
“Oh, that’s a beautiful name.”
“Thanks.”
Kira gave her hand a gentle squeeze and released it. “I’d ask what brought you to Cheyenne, but I see the weariness in your eyes.”
Shiloh immediately went on guard.
“Don’t worry, I only see it because I used to wear the same expression.”
The last thing she wanted to do was engage, but the desire to know she wasn’t alone was too much to ignore.
“What happened?”
“My ex-boyfriend happened,” she said, not looking away. Kira was direct, and completely unguarded. Opening up to what was clearly a horrible point in her life. “He wasn’t a very good man. Abusive, and allowed others to abuse me. I ended up in this very diner, in that very chair.”
Shiloh cast a quick glance down at said chair. “Why do men do that to us?”
“Good question. I’ve often wondered about that. Abused as a child. Watched the men in their life hit women. Stress. Being provoked. I’m sure my fiancé would be able to snap out a better answer. He loves self-help books.”
“Then why do we stay with them?”
“They can be master manipulators. Make it sound like they’re the best thing you’re ever going to get. That you should feel grateful.” She shrugged. “Maybe I’ve been reading the self-help books too. Whatever you’ve faced, Shiloh, you’re welcome here. Anytime.”
Kira had this gentle smile that made Shiloh’s heart ache. Unable to form words, she nodded her thanks and took a quick sip of the bitter coffee. The heat burned the roof of her mouth, but it was better than trying to say anything.
After that, a few more people came in, truckers by the look of them, stealing Kira’s attention and time.
About ten minutes later, Vette texted back asking if she wanted to leave, but Shiloh immediately told her not to rush.
She was enjoying her time in the diner. She came in to find a moment of solitude, but it turned into something more.
****
“What the fuck was that back there?” Warden asked.
“Truthfully? No idea.”
“The chick was pretty.”
Jade shot him a death glare. “Don’t even think it.”
“What?”
“And don’t act so innocent. Stay away from the girl.”
War’s eyebrows shot up. “Are you calling dibs?”
“What is this, middle school? I’m not calling dibs on a woman.” Jade straddled his bike and stuck on his helmet, not bothering to buckle the chin strap. “But I know you, so dibs.”
War chuckled as he got on his bike too. Both engines fired up, and Jade loved the rumble purring powerfully under his control. Wasn’t much he cared about in the world, but he’d die for his bike and his club.
They left the bar parking lot, headed home, and the entire ride he thought about the woman.
Shiloh. As romance movies always portrayed, the moment he saw her across the crowded room, the world went still.
He literally forgot he was playing pool as he stood there like an idiot and stared at the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
Long, straight dark hair. Eyes equally dark.
Heart-shaped face. Cupid bow lips that begged to be kissed.
He could very easily see those lips wrapped around his dick.
Damn it! Don’t get an erection when riding!
Biker safety 101.
They arrived back at the club and parked their bikes.
War gave him a wave and headed over to the others around the campfire, where the smell of weed drifted from.
For a brief moment, Jade considered joining them, but decided to he wanted a drink more than getting high.
Heading inside, a football game played on the large TV, and he stopped in confusion.
“Is it me or have I watched this game before?” he asked.
“This is last week’s game,” Nero confirmed as he ate a chip from the bowl on his lap.
“Why are we watching it again?”
“Because last week I was called to a possible emergency appendectomy, but it turned out the man had a bowling trophy stuck up his ass. The sharp points perforated his bowels.”
Jade grimaced. “Ouch.”
“I’m not knocking anyone’s sexual preferences, but at least be honest about what the cause of the life-threatening holes in your intestines could likely be from. Needless to say, I missed the game.”
“I’m so thankful I’m not a doctor,” Jade muttered, moving toward the bar. Wrong Way was behind the counter and greeted him with a head nod. “Bottle.”
“Beer?”
“You know I don’t drink the hard stuff.”
A moment later, one was placed down with a click.
“Hey, Jade.” Sinner, the club’s VP, sat down next to him.
“Hey.”
“We’re having church on some intel the Bone Breakers have given us.”
“Yeah?” Jade asked and took a drink. “About a run?”
“Not exactly. Seems like a new product has infiltrated our grid.”
“Seriously?” Jade asked. His eyebrows raised in surprise. “When’s the meeting?”
“Tuesday.”
“My calendar is free.”
Sinn stood. “Breakfast Sunday at the diner.”
“Do I gotta?”
His VP gripped his shoulder. “You gotta.”