by Siobhan Muir
“Yeah, Haley Michaels. She’s a reporter from the Fort Collin’s Bugle and I believe she’s gotten tangled in one of Backlog’s schemes.” I tried to keep my voice even, betraying none of the emotion underlying my interest in her.
“So, you’re providing her with a safe haven because of Backlog only?” Those heterochromatic eyes bored into mine as he settled behind the desk in his office. A half smile curled his lips and I started to sweat.
What could I say? If told him the truth that Haley was my one and only, there’d be a contract in the offing. But if I lied to him, he’d make my life a living hell for a few months, and more than likely drag Haley down with me.
“Yes, and no. There’s something about Ms. Michaels that I need to explore. It’s not something I’m familiar with, but I’m unable to walk away.” I rubbed the back of my neck, playing up the uncertainty aspect. “The problem is she’s human and a reporter. I’m aware of the dangers of having an overly curious human amongst the Elder Races, but she’s too addictive to me to ignore.”
He narrowed his eyes, studying me down to the minute detail. I forced myself to stand still and relaxed, hoping my body language would hide my nervousness.
“This is unusual for you, Michael, ja? I expect this kind of distraction from Scott or Viper, but not an angel. Why is this human woman so important?”
And here’s where we enter the mine field.
I shrugged with a grimace. “I don’t know yet, but I need more time to find out. And I can’t do that if Backlog hunts her down. I’d hoped to give her sanctuary here in the meantime, allowing me to ferret out why she’s been put in my path by the Goddess.”
That sounded plausible, didn’t it? It also gave me more time to tell Haley who I was and impress upon her why we were connected. Because no matter what, I was connected to her irrevocably. She just didn’t know it yet.
“Also, her cousin thinks we’ve kidnapped her and should be arriving any minute to storm our gates.” I rolled my eyes as his russet eyebrows climbed to his hairline. “I’ve asked Luke to let Flint and Quan-Yin know to let him in so we can sort out his misunderstandings.”
“Perhaps we should let him stew and worry outside for just a bit. It might be more entertaining.”
I repressed my grimace. Only Loki would find drama entertaining.
I shrugged again. “Better to let him in and deal with his own insecurity in the face of our members. We are a fearsome lot.”
“Ach, you’re no fun, Michael.” Loki rolled his eyes but he nodded. “Okay, let the fool in to deal with us. We’ll see how he does. In the meantime, you must determine why this woman is so important, ja? It’s most unusual.”
He had no idea.
But before I could anything more, Gopher, one of our newest members crashed into the doorjamb of Loki’s office, out of breath and red-faced.
“Like, there’s this dude out front who says we have to let him in, but Flint’s got him all trussed up like a turkey at Thanksgiving and Luke is just grinning like a fool.”
“Bloody hell!” I shoved past Gopher and strode for the front doors. “I’m gonna kill him.”
Loki’s laughter followed me out into the yard.
****
Haley
Raised voices and swearing filtered through the window and door of Michael’s cabin as I poured myself some tea. I set the mug down and peered out the window, wondering what was going on.
At first, I couldn’t see anything through the mass of bikers all wearing their leather cuts with the gargoyle against a flaming wheel emblem. But they finally parted and my gut froze so hard I could barely breathe.
A tall black man stood between the woman with Asian features and the bald white man with tattoos all the way down one arm. They held him steady despite his struggles and shouting. It took me a moment to realize the man in the middle was Jeff and he looked ready to tear someone apart.
Sweet glory!
I didn’t want to get Michael in trouble, but I couldn’t have the members of the Concrete Angels kick Jeff’s ass on my watch. I threw my coat over my shoulders and headed back out into the yard.
“Let him go!” Normally I didn’t roar at people, even when I needed their immediate attention. But this was my family they were manhandling and I didn’t want Jeff to retreat back into his protective shell. “Let him go. He’s here for me.”
“Haley!” Jeff’s struggles renewed and he actually dragged the two guards ahead a few steps before they subdued him again.
“Who the hell are you?” A curvy elegant woman with skin almost the same color as Jeff’s rounded on me and measured me with her deep brown eyes. “Someone bring in a honey who thinks she’s more than just a good romp?”
“I’m not your honey and I don’t require nicknames, but he is here for me so let him go.” I raised my chin and met her gaze without flinching.
A collective gasp and a few surprised chuckles went through the crowd of bikers as I stared the woman down, but some of my initial courage failed. I couldn’t tell if they were impressed or excited to see an ass-whoopin’, but I held my ground even though my heart stuttered.
“Haley!”
Another, deeper, more-commanding voice made me want to run into his arms, but I stiffened my spine and planted my feet. I couldn’t depend on Michael rescuing me for every little thing. Respect was earned not handed out like a booby prize.
The woman’s gaze lifted to look over my shoulder and she tipped her head. “This honey belong to you, Michael?”
I ground my teeth and shifted my body so I could see both the woman and Michael as I tilted my head to look at him from under my brows. I didn’t know what a “honey” was, but I could tell it wasn’t anything good. Apparently I needed to work on my Death Stare because he didn’t even flinch. He wore calm serenity with a steel core like nothing could shake him. I wished I could feel the same as anger coursed through my chest, raising my heartbeat.
“This is Haley Michaels, investigative reporter with the Fort Collins Bugle. She’s come to do a piece on the Concrete Angels MC in light of how law enforcement sees us and the rumors of our involvement with the death of a US Marshal.”
Michael’s voice was unruffled and matter-of-fact while my eyes widened and my jaw damn near dropped. We’d never discussed me doing a piece on the club. He’d specifically told me to drop the issue and I’d promised to leave them mostly out of it. What the hell was he trying to pull now?
The woman’s gaze returned to mine. “You’re a reporter?”
Time to reach for the job I wanted. “Yup, and the guy you’re holding is my assistant, so could you kindly let him go?”
She stared me down and I resisted the urge to blink, look away, or swallow. I figured any sign of unease wouldn’t go well for me or Jeff. I had no illusions about what the Concrete Angels would do to either of us, but Michael had made it clear what I did for a living, and they seemed okay with that.
Yeah, well, I don’t do it yet, but he might have given me my big break.
At the last moment, she nodded and Jeff damn near fell out of the guards’ hands. He staggered to his feet and gave them all the evil eye before he jerked his clothes straight and scuttled to my side.
“Thanks. Next time I’ll have him come with me so you’ll know to expect us both.”
“You’re really investigatin’ the Concrete Angels?” A tall, white man with a dark beard and a cowboy hat sauntered over to stand in front of me. So close I could smell his aftershave.
I was tempted to take a step back, but I’d played the intimidation game enough times to know this was one where either I had to move away like his crowding didn’t matter or hold my ground. Snarky, hardboiled reporter wouldn’t help.
I looked up at him and let the silence last just long enough for him to lose some of his bravado. “Yup. You wanna be my first interview?”
He shot a look over my shoulder and blanched whiter than his normal skin tone.
“No, ma’am. I don’t know nothi
n’ of importance. I, uh, reckon you’ll get all you need from Michael.” He nervously tipped his hat to me and backed away, never turning his back. I almost looked over my shoulder to see the expression on Michael’s face, but I didn’t want to let my guard down.
“Right, so anyone else want to be my first interview?” I pulled out my little notebook that I used for show and looked around expectantly.
Immediately, the club members dispersed like smoke in the wind until just Jeff, Michael, me and Luke were left in the yard. Luke grinned and winked at Michael before he hightailed it out of there as well.
Jeff let out his breath in a sigh. “Holy shit, Haley. Those people could’ve killed someone. I’ve only seen one time when the notebook trick worked and that was it.” He shook his head and fixed me with a sharp gaze. “What the hell have you gotten yourself into?”
My own heartbeat was finally getting down to normal but anger flared in its absence. “Let me make something clear, Jeff. You’re family and I love you, but you don’t get to ignore my warnings. These people aren’t swayed by charm and good looks. And most of them didn’t know I was here. You put us both in danger and my story in jeopardy. Don’t ever do that again.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but I shot him a narrow look, daring him to dig himself deeper, and he paused to think his response through.
“I’m sorry, Haley. I didn’t realize this was for your job.” He bit his lip. “Are you really an investigative reporter for the Bugle now?”
Now wasn’t the time to gainsay Michael. Not when there were hundreds of listening ears around us. “Yeah, it’s one of the reasons I’m here. Now come on. I’ll fill you in somewhere less public, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, okay.” Jeff turned to follow me but stopped when Michael planted himself in front of him. “Whoa. Who the f—I mean, hi, I’m Jeff and you are?”
“Wondering why you’re really here, Jeff.” Michael crossed his arms over his burly chest and I swallowed hard, from both attraction and unease.
Jeff’s chin came up. “I’m here to protect my cousin and to make sure she’s okay.”
“Oh yes, I see how you protected her. You’ve endangered her person and her project. Well done.”
Jeff’s expression flattened and anger bloomed across his cheeks. “Look, buddy—”
“Guys, now is not the time to get into a pissing contest. You want to do that, let’s take this inside. I feel really exposed out here.” I gestured back to Michael’s room. “I’ll explain what’s going on and why you’re both being jackasses there.”
Jeff grimaced as Michael shot me a look of surprise. I didn’t know how long I had until he refused to listen to me, so catching him off guard seemed to be the best policy until we got inside. I started walking back to his place and the men couldn’t help but follow me. Maybe that’s the reason I have a sexy ass. Though I doubted Jeff noticed. But he followed along.
Once we got inside the cabin and the door shut tight, I rounded on both of them.
“Okay, listen up. I don’t need stupid from either of you. I’m perfectly capable of making dangerous mistakes on my own. I don’t need help.” I pointed at Jeff. “You’re here because you wouldn’t listen to me, but that’s as far as it goes. You’ll behave yourself and pay attention because we could both end up worse than dead. And you.” I rounded on Michael who stood up straighter as he blinked at my pointed finger. “This behavior smacks of ridiculous jealousy and considering he’s my first cousin, you don’t have to worry about that. Also: ew.”
I strode into the kitchenette to pick up my discarded tea. “You wanted me here, Michael. You said I wasn’t safe at home so your brought me here. Fine. You were right, but this isn’t the only place I can go. I can stay with Jeff. But if not, you have to allow me access to my family. He’s all I have and he actually is a really good assistant when I need one, so keep that in mind.”
Michael growled but nodded. “Fine.”
I grunted with my own dubious belief.
“You said you’re in danger and you can’t go home. In danger from whom and was he part of it?” Jeff pointed at Michael.
I sipped my tea before I threw the cup at Jeff. “There’s a big story I’m working on and it requires me to learn more about the Concrete Angels, spend time here, and keep my head down a little. When I went home today, there were guys looking for me and some of my stuff had been stolen.”
Jeff gaped. “Like what?”
“My laptop, my external hard drive, and my Kindle.”
He frowned. “Your Kindle? Where you read all those romance novels? Why would they want that?”
I debated arguing why anyone would want to get their hands on a Kindle full of romance, but in this case, his surprise was warranted. I couldn’t imagine the thugs coming after me to be all that interested in hot sexy intimacies, at least not on pixels. Who knows? Maybe they’re looking for ways of being better boyfriends. Glory knew most men could use the practice.
“I don’t know. Maybe they thought I’d kept files on it. It’s still a tablet that connects to the internet.”
“Maybe they thought it was your tablet and didn’t recognize it for an ereader until they took it.” Michael shrugged. “I doubt they stayed long enough to investigate, the tossers.”
“Yeah, well, they might have gotten my external, but they didn’t get my notes on this story. I hope they enjoy my notes on the latest celebrity dog wedding, the botanical gardens upcoming spring show, and the Valentine’s Day special at Elitch Gardens.”
Jeff choked a laugh. “Celebrity dog wedding, seriously?”
“Oh yeah. They did a New Year’s 2020 theme, but the animals hated the fireworks. The dogs, too.” I winked and he laughed. “But the notes on this story I’ve kept on the Cloud server and this tablet.” I held up my work tablet. “Nobody’s getting this baby.”
“Tell me what’s really going on, Haley.” Jeff set his hands on his hips. “Why is this so important to these people? And who are they?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know and that’s the problem. I thought this story was just about the Concrete Angels MC and the missing FBI agents, but I think it has more to do with law enforcement than the motorcycle club.” I paused as I considered how much to tell him. If he knew very little, he might be safer. “I said you were my assistant outside so you’d be allowed through the gates without trouble, but do you really want to assist me or just get the flock outta here?”
He rolled his eyes. “If you need help, just ask, Haley.”
“Fine. I need two things. I need you to run down a list of names I’m going to give you. I want as much public and background information on them that you can find. If anyone asks you why you’re looking into these people, tell them you’re doing an exposé on law enforcement to show how the city has improved after the recent scandals.”
“The list is of law enforcement people?”
“Yup, and a couple of lawyers high up in the judicial system.”
“Glory.” Jeff swallowed hard. “What’s the second thing?”
“I need a ride.”
Michael’s head snapped up. “I can give you a ride.”
“No, you’re too visible and the corrupt officials looking for me would recognize you in a heartbeat. I mean, you’re VP of the Concrete Angels, and if I’m right about who’s looking for me, they’ll know you.”
“You’re the VP? Holy shit, Haley, you couldn’t just pick a regular biker for a boyfriend?” Jeff gaped at Michael.
“He’s not my boyfriend.” I rolled my eyes, but Michael had stilled with an uneasy look etched on his face. “What? You’re not. Having sex doesn’t mean we’re bound for life.”
If anything he looked even more uncomfortable and my gut tingled. He wasn’t telling me something important, I could read it in the stillness of his body and the unease in his face. What the hell isn’t he telling me? But now wasn’t the time to get into it.
“You had sex with him?” Jeff gaped.
“
Isn’t that what you do when you’re with someone you’re attracted to?”
“Yeah, but, you’re…”
“I’m what? A woman? We do have sexual urges and can enjoy sex. Who do you think a lot of men have one-night-stands with? Antelope?”
Jeff had the grace to blush in chagrin, caught in exactly what he’d thought. “I was gonna say you’re so reserved.”
“Sure you were. Look, I need to get some unrecognizable wheels and you need to get started on my list.”
“Do I have a say in what happens here?” Michael raised an eyebrow as his arms settled over his chest.
“No.” I shook my head. “This is my job. You can take me from my home to protect me, but this is a story I have to write.”
“I told you it was dangerous and you should let it go.” His brows lowered.
“Yup, I remember.” I turned my attention to Jeff. “You ready to go?”
He shot an uneasy look at Michael. “Maybe you should listen to him, Haley.”
“Listen close because I’m only gonna say this once and I want it real clear.” Taking a deep breath, I lifted my chin and stared them both down. “Either give me your keys while you stay here and do research, or give me a ride because, and this is important so pay attention: I rescued your ass and protected you long before you thought to do the same for me, so don’t tell me what I can and can’t do. I’m an adult and I’m doing this story.” I held out my hand for his keys.
“Haley—”
I nodded sharply and grabbed my purse. “Fine. I’ll ask Luke for a ride.”
“Haley, wait!”
But I was out the door before either of them could move, hurt and angry that both the men currently in my life didn’t have enough faith to believe I knew what I was doing.
Chapter Twelve
Haley
I held back the tears of frustration as I scanned the yard outside. Most of the bikers had disbursed but I figured they were either in the clubhouse or the Barn where they kept their bikes. I headed for the Barn because I wasn’t confident enough in my welcome to enter the clubhouse without Michael’s approval.