Chapter 7 Noelle
I’m bored. There’s nothing interesting on TV, and I don’t want to watch a movie.
I hop up from the leather couch and make a cup of coffee.
It’s scorching hot, and the only creamer is the little individual cups flavored with vanilla.
It’s not my favorite. Still, I add a few to the black steaming liquid and a couple of sugars since there’s no artificial sweetener.
When I taste it, it burns my tongue. It also tastes terrible.
I sigh as I set it down, slapping a lid on top. I’m probably not going to drink any more of it.
When the door creaks and opens, I spin around with a smile. Finally. Torque is back.
Only... it isn’t Torque.
I don’t know who this guy is, but he’s not wearing a leather vest like Smoke, Zoo, or Torque, which seems suspicious. Didn’t my biker say that everyone had left for the night?
“Hi.” I pause, trying to stay relaxed. “Do you work here?”
He shakes his head but doesn’t answer. It’s odd.
“Well, I’m just waiting for Torque. He should be back any second.” Yeah, I say that detail on purpose because I want this stranger to know I’m not alone.
He’s wearing dark jeans, a black hoodie, and gloves. He doesn’t push the hood back, which means his face is partially concealed. I see the stubble on his jaw, crooked nose like he’s been in too many fights, and dark eyes. Not much else.
“You want some coffee?” I ask, hoping this weirdo won’t try anything.
He remains quiet. It’s disconcerting.
I pick up my coffee cup and hold it, noticing it’s still incredibly hot. It’s a weapon if I need it. Without another word, I sit on the couch, pick up the remote, and keep him in my peripheral vision. “If you want to watch something while you wait, there are lots of movie channels.”
He finally makes a noise, snorting at my comment.
I’m annoyed that he’s in here and uncomfortable. I don’t know what he’s going to do, but staying calm is my best bet. Torque can’t take much longer before he returns.
There’s a noise outside the door, and the guy rushes forward, ordering me to my feet. His gruff voice doesn’t leave room for refusal, along with the gun he suddenly pulls out from behind his back, ordering me to my feet. I grip my coffee cup and stand, moving into the center of the room.
The door opens, and Torque walks in. He takes about one second to notice the threat, and I see his expression change from calm to furious. It’s like a switch flips inside him. His eyes grow darker and his body tenses as he focuses on the gun in the stranger’s hand. “You must be Shark.”
Laughter erupts behind me, but there’s no humor in it. “Word travels fast.”
“If you didn’t want that to happen, you shouldn’t have shot your president.”
My eyes widen. This sounds bad.
“Hangman doesn’t deserve the president patch. He’s weak,” Shark snarls.
“He survived your pathetic attempt to take him out,” Torque points out.
It’s then that I realize I’m caught in the middle of a biker rivalry. It’s more than that, though. I can tell the man standing behind me is pissed. He’s also agitated, unable to remain still as he shifts from foot to foot, his boots squeaking with the movement on the floor.
Torque glances at me, and I notice he doesn’t have a reaction. There’s no acknowledgement or indication that I mean anything to him. Is that on purpose?
“What do you want?” Torque demands.
“Retribution. Your club took from me, so I’ll take from you.”
I don’t know what that means. My mind rapidly tries to figure out what’s happening when I’m yanked backward, and the gun presses against my temple.
“I’ll start with this bitch.”
Torque shrugs. “Go ahead. She’s old news. Club pussy. No hardship to us.”
“Right. That’s why she was waiting for you.”
“Yeah. I was gonna fuck her and kick her ass out. She doesn’t mean shit to me.”
I know it’s a lie, but the words still sting. I flinch, and the reaction tips off Shark.
“Nice try. She’s not a sweet butt.”
Torque relaxes. “Yeah? Take her. I’m not going to stop you. Don’t have a problem with your club either. Murder fucked with Bullseye, and he got what was coming to him. Had nothing to do with me.”
He’s stalling. I can tell. I’m just not sure what Torque is planning.
The grip on my neck tightens as Shark’s hand closes around my throat. “Then I’ll just fuck her, right here in front of you.”
That’s when Torque loses it. His upper lip curls as he lunges toward Shark.
I decide I have to act before this escalates further.
Shark can’t see what I’m doing, and I use his distraction with Torque to carefully pop off the lid from the coffee.
It’s steaming and still hot. I only have one chance at this, and I lift my arm, flinging the liquid over my shoulder where I believe Shark’s face is located.
There’s a horrible screech as the hot coffee splashes him, some of it landing on me, but not nearly as much.
The gun clatters to the ground as I see Torque dive toward Shark and tackle him.
They collide as the gun clatters to the floor.
I kick it out of the way and brush the coffee from my neck and hair, hoping it didn’t burn me.
I’m too wound up with adrenaline right now to notice.
Torque slams his fist into Shark’s face, and I hear the crunch of bone. Blood pours from his nose as my biker hauls Shark to his feet. He adds a few more punches until Shark begs him to stop.
“Pick up the gun and bring it to me, baby.”
I don’t want to touch it, but I obey Torque and pick it up by the handle. “Here.” I step back as Torque aims it at Shark.
“Reach into my cut. I’ve got zip ties inside the pocket on the left side.”
My fingers tremble as I stand in front of him, sliding into the pocket as I feel for the hard plastic. As soon as I take them out, he nods.
“Good girl.”
The praise is unexpected, but I feel warm and squishy when he tells me.
“I’m going to hand you the gun, and you’re going to aim at his head. If he tries to resist, shoot him.”
Shark snorts. “She won’t do it.”
“Try me,” I say with more bravado than I feel.
I manage to hold the gun steady as Torque shoves him into a chair and zip ties his wrists to the wood. He pulls out two more and secures Shark’s ankles. He’s not going anywhere.
“You did so good, beautiful. So fucking fierce.” Torque takes the gun and then possesses my mouth, dueling his tongue with mine with a vigor that makes my head spin. The kiss ends far too quickly.
“I think I need to sit down.” My legs feel like limp noodles.
Torque leads me to another chair, far from Shark. “Breathe. It’s okay. I’m here. Nothing will happen to you. I’m just going to make a quick call.”
I nod, but my head feels funny. Am I in shock?
As Torque calls Storm, I shut my eyes, willing myself to remain calm. My whole body itches, and I think I’m starting to realize how dangerous and serious the situation has gotten. I could have been hurt, shot, or even killed. I became the target of another biker because of a vendetta.
Can I handle this? What if it happens again?
I don’t notice how long it takes for Torque to finish the call. When he does, he crouches in front of me. “Shit. Noelle? You hear me, baby?”
I blink. “Yes.”
“Good. That’s good. Smoke and Heathen are here. They’re going to take Shark. We can leave now.”
I feel the sting of tears, and my chin wobbles. “Torque?”
“Baby, I got you. It’s okay.” He scoops under my knees and lifts me, leaving the office as I see Smoke and the biker named Heathen approaching us.
Storm and Torque exchange a look.
“Get her to the clubhouse. She needs rest and quiet. Take her to your room,” Smoke suggests.
“I plan on it.” Torque kisses my forehead. “That fucker scared her.”
“And he’ll pay for it,” Heathen growls.
I close my eyes. I can’t take any more. I’m on the verge of completely losing it.
Torque takes me outside, and the cold air actually helps. I let him buckle me inside the truck and watch him enter, feeling less disconnected and strange the farther we move away from the auto shop. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to go back there.
I rest my head against the seat and breathe.
Torque stays silent as we drive away, and I know he’s giving me a few minutes to sort through what just happened. I certainly need it.
I MUST HAVE DOZED OFF. I jerk awake as I feel Torque’s hand on my shoulder.
“Baby, we’re here. At the clubhouse,” he clarifies.
“Okay.” I click off my seatbelt.
He opens his door and walks around the truck, refusing to let me walk as he opens the door and lifts me from the seat. “I know you don’t need me to carry you, but I have to do this. I just want to take care of you. Okay?”
“Alright.”
I rest my head on his shoulder as we enter his clubhouse. It’s full of people, and it’s loud, but he doesn’t stop to talk to anyone. Instead, we move through a bar area and down a hall, taking a flight of stairs. He stops at a room on the right and sets me down.
“I need to use my key.”
I nod as he opens the door and walks inside.
It’s bigger than I expected, with two tall chests that have numerous drawers, a king-sized bed, two nightstands, and a table with two chairs.
The wood is stained dark, and the colors are masculine in shades of navy, gray, and deep green.
The comforter is thick and looks inviting as I sit down, sliding my fingers across the soft surface.
Torque calls to someone in the hallway and asks them to bring my suitcases to the room. He crouches in front of me and reaches for my hands. “Hey.”
I look up, staring into his chocolatey brown eyes that are full of concern. “I’m okay.”
He nods, but I’m not sure he’s convinced.
“Am I adjusting? Yes. Can I handle it? I believe so. I just need a little time.”
“Take all you need.” He clears his throat, and I can tell he’s trying not to smother me. “What do you need me from me, baby?”
“You’re warmth and assurances that you’re here for me, that I can count on you to protect me even if a rival biker shows up and tries to attack me.”
“Noelle, sweetheart, I’m here for you. You can count on me. I’ll always protect you, darlin’. That’s a fact. And the warmth part? Just say the word. All of me is yours.”
I pull my hand away and lift it to his cheek, placing my palm there. “And if I want you to help me forget what just happened? To clear my mind so I can move beyond it?”
“I have just the thing,” he announces, turning his head to place a kiss on my palm. “Come on.”
Torque leads me into the bathroom and turns on the shower.
He faces me, slowly removing his clothes as I do the same.
I don’t feel awkward or shy. It’s surprising, but I’m comfortable with him.
This feels like a natural conclusion, like all the excitement, attraction, and need are finally reaching their peak.
All we need is each other.
Once we’re both naked, Torque steps into the shower and holds out his palm.
I place my hand in his, and he draws me inside, flush against his body as the heat from the spray begins to warm my chilled skin. A week ago, I never would have imagined that I’d walk into a real-life romance novel. Well, maybe not one like this.
I’m not disappointed. Somehow, this is far superior to anything I could have conjured in my mind.
I guess I found the adventure I’m missing. If anything, it’s sure to help me come up with some interesting storylines for future novels.