Justice

by Piper Davenport

  Never… and I mean, never… had this happened to me. Not even when public speaking. I was a teacher and used to addressing crowds. People, no matter their age, didn’t scare me. I liked people. They fascinated me. It’s why I chose teaching. Impacting the lives of young people while watching them grow into useful members of society made me feel happy and fulfilled. It gave me purpose, and I believe it had given me a confidence no other job could have. I also had parents, not to mention siblings, who loved me. Nurtured me. Teased me mercilessly, but had my back and protected me always. Especially my brother, Brock.

  But in that moment, none of my training or love or confidence was of any use. In a matter of seconds, I’d turned into a blithering idiot because of a man. Gah! I couldn’t hate myself more if I’d stripped naked and offered myself to him in the middle of the store.

  Grabbing the wine, I hightailed it out of the store and into my car as fast as I could. I was comforted by the fact that since I didn’t live here, ergo didn’t typically shop at the Safeway in downtown Portland, it meant there was little to no chance of running into him again, and I was grateful for small mercies.

  Macey and I used to be roommates, but I moved out just before she married Dallas. Coincidentally, Dani and Booker lived in the same building, so we would all be going to the club together. I’d known Booker insomuch as we knew each other’s names and chatted while getting the mail, but until he’d met and married Dani, I’d never really had a conversation with him. All I knew was that he was the hot guy in 8C.

  After I’d moved out of the apartment, I moved back to Vancouver to live with my parents. It was supposed to be temporary, but I kind of liked coming home to my parents every night. Sometimes Mom even had dinner waiting. Sure as hell beat living in an apartment all by myself with no one but the walls to talk to, and as long as I followed the house rules (which were pretty nonexistent now that I was an adult) and texted regularly so Mom knew I wasn’t dead on the side of the road kind of thing, it was an ideal situation. Especially since they charged me a ridiculously low amount of rent and I essentially had the basement to myself, provided I save. So I did. A lot. Who knew having no overhead meant I could save over a grand a month?

  Arriving at my old building, I used Macey’s code to the parking garage and slid into her extra space. Dallas was an FBI agent, along with my brother, and they were on an all-nighter, so we were going to the party and then I was going to stay at her place.

  Grabbing the wine, I rode the elevator to the lobby and checked in with the guard before being given clearance to head on up to my old place. One of the best things about the building is the safety… and the million dollar view of the water. Oh, how I missed that view.

  I had a key to the apartment but it was for emergencies, so I rang the doorbell and waited for Macey to answer. My phone buzzed and I glanced down to see a text from her.

  *Use your key*

  I rolled my eyes and dug my keys out and let myself in. “Hey,” I called.

  “Bedroom,” Macey called back.

  I locked up, set everything on the sofa, and headed to the master bedroom where I found Macey standing in front of the mirror wearing jeans and a bra and holding a shirt to her chest. “What do you think?”

  “What are you going for?” I asked.

  She turned to me and shrugged. “I’m married to a badass law man, so I’m taken and you better not mess with me or my man will fuck you up?”

  Macey could only be described as stunning. Long auburn hair, light blue eyes, and a body to die for, she was sweet and caring as well as beautiful. Her career as a nurse provided a flexible schedule for the most part, which is why she was able to join me tonight.

  I laughed. “I take it Dallas said something similar before he left?”

  Macey sighed. “Pretty much.”

  “I think you should wear your Jason Maxx T-shirt. Then no one will bug you.”

  She giggled. “Bikers don’t listen to country?”

  “I have no freakin’ clue, but I’d venture a guess if they did, they sure as hell wouldn’t listen to him.”

  “I don’t know why I’m even making an effort. I’m happy to stay home with wine and a movie.”

  “But I need my wingman tonight.” I grinned. “What did Dallas say on the subject?”

  “A lot,” she said. “But he likes Booker and I guess they had a conversation about making sure everyone knew I was off-limits.”

  “He didn’t!”

  “Ohmigod, he so did.” Macey opened a dresser drawer and pulled out her Jason Maxx T-shirt, pulling it over her head. “He also said something about me texting him every thirty minutes with an update of how I was.”

  “He’s ridiculous.”

  “Unbelievably,” she agreed with a grin. “Which is why—” Before she could finish her thought her phone pealed and she glanced at the screen. “Speak of the devil. Hi, baby.” She smiled at me. “Yep, she’s here. We’re meeting Dani in twenty minutes. Uh… yeah. Sure. Dallas, no. You’re an idiot. I love you, but you’re an idiot.” Macey gave me her ‘I might kill him’ look and took a deep breath. “Honey, I’ll be with Payton, Dani, and Booker. I’ll be fine. No. No, baby. Every thirty minutes is unrealistic. Well, then you text me every thirty minutes and let me know you’re okay, and I’ll respond,” she snapped. “Why yes you are kind of pissing me off, Mr. Stone.” She turned away from me, but not before I caught her blush.

  I left her to her conversation and headed to the kitchen. Opening the fridge I grabbed a pop and sipped, my thoughts turning to the hottie in the store. Silly, but for whatever reason, I couldn’t get him off my mind.

  “Sorry, Pay.” Macey dragged me from my thoughts as she strolled into the kitchen.

  I smiled. “No worries. All good with Dallas?”

  “Yes.” She giggled. “But he’s still ridiculous. I see you grabbed wine. Did you stop at Freddie’s?”

  I shook my head. “No, I went to Safeway down here.”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  Macey grinned. “I feel like you’re holding back.”

  I sighed. “I just kind of met the hottest guy on the planet.”

  “Shut up.” She sat at one of the bar stools. “Tell me… details, missy. None of your vague, two-word answers.”

  “Don’t get too excited, Mace. He’s obviously married. His little girl got lost in the store and I helped her find him.” I groaned. “Why are all the good ones taken?”

  Macey wrinkled her nose. “Oooh, sorry, buddy. That sucks.”

  “Totally sucks.”

  “Well, maybe you’ll meet someone better tonight.”

  “I’m not sure skuzzy biker guy’s my thing, Mace. But maybe I can find someone to get a little freaky with.”

  “Ohmigod, Payton. Don’t say that out loud tonight!”

  I grinned. “Why can’t I just have fun once? One time, Mace.”

  She raised her hands in surrender. “Honey, if you want to make a quick change on who you are and have a one night stand, go for it. I will even hold you while you cry because you’re not a whore and your attempt to be one, just once, didn’t work out.”

  I let out a dramatic sigh. “I wish I had absolutely no morals whatsoever.”

  “Says the woman who made Brendon wait six months just to cop a feel.”

  She had me there. “Well, one day maybe I’ll find a guy that believes the same things I do, but I highly doubt it’ll be at a motorcycle club get-together.”

  Macey smiled. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  The doorbell rang and Macey checked the peephole before pulling open the door to Dani who looked adorable in her classy biker look. She wore dark jeans, knee-high motorcycle boots and a tight T-shirt with a Harley and their logo across the bust.

  “Hey,” Macey said. “I thought we were meeting you.”

  Dani nodded and hugged her. “Austin got stuck at the club and I’m hoping I can grab a ride with you so he doesn’t have to drive all the way bac
k to get me.”

  I grinned as Macey closed the door. “The more the merrier,” I said. “I’ll drive.”

  “Awesome. Thanks,” Dani said, and pulled out her phone. She sent a quick text and then slipped her phone back in her pocket.

  “We’re ready,” Macey said. “Should we go now or wait and be fashionably late?”

  Dani chuckled. “Now works. People arrive at all hours, but I’m pretty sure most of the crew is already there.”

  I grabbed my keys and purse and we headed down to the garage and, with the stereo blasting, made our way to the compound.

  Payton

  UNDER DANI’S DIRECTION, I pulled into the hidden entrance of Big Ernie’s Body Shop at the back, up to the sky high double gates, where she leaned out of the backseat window and entered a code into a keypad before the gates allowed us entry.

  “This is only the third or fourth time I’ve come this way,” Dani admitted.

  “Oh?” I asked. “How do you normally get in?”

  “The front, like normal people.” She giggled. “But Austin won’t let me go that way without him anymore. Says it’s safer to come this way for whatever reason.”

  “I can’t imagine many folks know this way even exists,” I said, and pulled into a parking lot filled with trucks and bikes.

  “Probably not. It’s only for the super secret members,” Dani said, and laughed again. “I’m just waiting to see if they have a handshake I’m going to have to learn.”

  “Maybe we should make our own up and make them learn it,” Macey retorted.

  “Chest bump included?” I asked.

  “And risk every man in the place getting a hard-on,” Dani said. “Probably want to skip the chest bump.”

  We dissolved into giggles as I parked my car and we piled out. Dani led us toward the large brick building, but before we reached it, the back door opened and Booker strolled out, reaching us and pulling Dani in for an intimate and passionate kiss. I had to look away or I was sure I’d combust… or need a few minutes alone with my battery operated boyfriend.

  “Hey baby,” he said.

  She chuckled. “Hey yourself. I take it you’ve been watching the monitors?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “That would border on stalking, baby. I would never do that.”

  “Hmm-mm, sure.” She grinned up at him. “Have you told everyone to be on their best behavior?”

  Booker smiled at me and Macey. “You ladies are safe in our presence. The bathroom has even been scrubbed by a particularly eager club who—”

  “Austin,” Dani warned.

  “Sorry,” he said. “Young woman.”

  I laughed. “Wow, the red carpet treatment. I like it.”

  “Come on in and get out of the cold.”

  Booker hung back so we could walk in ahead of him and I followed Dani and Macey inside. We walked through a professional kitchen that was well-equipped with the biggest appliances I’d ever seen… the fridge alone could probably hold enough food to feed a hundred people for a month. We dropped off the wine with a few of the women inside and, after quick introductions, Dani started the tour.

  We entered a large common room already packed with biker men and women. The space was filled with sofas, overstuffed chairs, a pool table, large flat-screen television, several smaller tables that children gathered around for board games, and three outdoor picnic tables, where people were already sitting down and eating.

  “Dani, Dani, Dani!” a little girl squealed and ran to Dani who scooped her up and gave her a hug. The little girl wrapped her arms around her neck and squeezed.

  I was momentarily stunned as I recognized the little girl, but it wasn’t until I saw the man walking towards us that my breath left my body. I blindly reached for Macey who was standing slightly behind me.

  “You okay, Pay?” She grasped my hand, even as I continued to stare at the man from the supermarket.

  The man’s slow smile as he reached us had me squeezing my legs together. “Hey.”

  He wore jeans that were obviously made for him, a long-sleeved black thermal shirt and a leather vest with several patches on it. He was delicious.

  I swallowed, nodded, and forced a smile. “Hi,” I squeaked.

  “You know Hawk?” Dani asked as she set Lily back on her feet.

  I shook my head. “Uh… no, not really.”

  “Lily found her in the store,” he explained as he continued to study me. “And she kindly found me.”

  Dani giggled. “You might want to consider a leash.”

  “A fuckin’ short one,” Hawk retorted.

  I held my hand out. “I’m Payton.”

  He took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “Hawk.”

  Lily patted my leg and I glanced down at her as I pulled my hand from Hawk’s.

  “You were in the stowa,” she said.

  I smiled and hunkered down in front of her. “I was at the store.”

  “You’re so pwetty.”

  I giggled. “Thank you, sweetie. So are you.”

  “Daddy thinks you pwetty too.”

  “Lily,” he said with a groan.

  I smiled. “I’m sure he thinks your mom is too.”

  She frowned. “I don’t have a mommy.”

  “Okay, trouble, it’s time you go play with your friends,” Hawk said, and picked her up, heading toward the kitchen.

  “For the record,” Dani said after he was out of earshot. “Hawk’s totally single. And his real name’s Alex James.”

  Alex. Sexy. It suited him. For whatever reason, I had a hard time wrapping my mind around ‘Hawk.’ Alex seemed more fitting somehow.

  “Babe,” Booker warned. “Don’t.”

  “You are not the boss of me, Austin Carver,” she said, and patted his cheek with her hand.

  “Fuck me,” he said.

  “Later,” she promised, and focused back on me. “You let me know if you want me to set anything up.”

  “Um, no,” I stressed. “No interference from anyone, thank you very much.”

  “Got it, babe?” Booker asked.

  “I got it, honey,” Dani said, and then smiled back at me. “But you let me know if you change your mind.”

  “I won’t.”

  She winked. “We’ll see.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I could do with some wine. Anyone else?” Macey squeezed my hand and I released my hold on her. “Sorry.”

  “I didn’t need that hand, hon. It’s all good.” She giggled and pulled me to a stop. “So that’s the guy?”

  I nodded.

  “He’s apparently single.”

  I nodded again.

  “And super, super hot.”

  I bit my lip and nodded. Macey grinned. “I’m all about Payton… remember that.”

  I let out the breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Thank you.”

  * * *

  Hawk

  I settled Lily in the playroom and nodded to Ellie who was watching the kids along with another young club whore… I didn’t know her name. Didn’t really care to. All I knew was she was good with kids. I stepped out and almost ran into Booker. “What?”

  “She’s not a whore.”

  I scowled. “I know she’s not a whore.”

  Booker crossed his arms. “Probably isn’t into your warped kind of sex either.”

  “Fuck off, Booker.”

  “Her brother’s FBI, her best friend’s husband is FBI.” He raised an eyebrow. “She’s protected.”

  “Fuck. Off.”

  Booker smirked. “Just so we’re clear.”

  I scowled again. “Fuck you.”

  Booker nodded. “We’re clear.”

  He walked away, and I stood in the hallway for a few minutes in an effort to stamp down my irritation. The truth was, Booker had picked up on something I wasn’t ready to admit just yet. This woman… Payton… fuck, gorgeous name to go right along with the gorgeous woman… she was under my skin. Two encounters and the woman was already under my fucki
n’ skin.

  Fuck!

  I dragged my hands through my hair and walked back toward the common room. As I passed through the kitchen, one of the newer hangers on, Laurel I believed, gave me an open smile. “Hey, Hawk.”

  “Hey, babe,” I said.

  “You wanna have a little fun?” she purred, laying her hand on my arm.

  I forced my irritation down again. For the first time in years, I wasn’t interested in a little fun. At least, in a little fun with anyone but Payton. Fuck!

  I smiled and pulled my arm away. “Not tonight, babe, yeah?”

  Laurel appeared crestfallen. “You let me know if you change your mind.”

  I nodded and joined the rest of the group.

  * * *

  Payton

  I stood with Macey, Dani, and a couple of other women, and surreptitiously watched Alex out of the corner of my eye. Good lord, the man was pretty… and popular. A particularly skanky woman was draped all over him and it was all I could do not to punch her in the throat. I bit my lip. What the hell was wrong with me? I didn’t know this man. Didn’t have any rights to him.

  “Pay?” Macey squeezed my arm. “You okay?”

  “Hmm?”

  “You okay?”

  “Oh… ah, yep.” I nodded. “I’m good.”

  She studied me before giving me her ‘we’ll talk later’ look. I formed what I hoped was a sincere smile and focused back on the conversation at hand. I couldn’t focus for long, as Alex walked toward us, his face impassive, but his eyes alit with something I couldn’t pinpoint. But it was sexy as hell, possessive beyond comprehension, and I felt it all the way through me.

  I licked my lips and Alex gave me a slow smile.

  Damn it! I must look away. I must look away.

  I didn’t look away.

  As he walked past us, he gently took my arm and, like a rat to the Pied Piper, I followed him. Macey watched us leave, but thankfully, she didn’t object.

  Alex led me outside, his hand still grasping my arm, before pushing me up against the brick of the building and covering my mouth with his. I was so unprepared for the gentleness of the assault, I dropped my wine in an effort to grab his waist to stay upright.