My Forever Cocky Biker Encounter

by Siobhan Muir

  Holy fuck, he’s here.

  In all the time since I’d left the FBI, I never thought I’d see Dirk Hopkins again. He’d been the monster of my nightmares, but I figured he’d forgotten me. He won, after all. I’d been chased out of the FBI and he’d gotten away with his crimes. But to see him here, in the courtyard of the Concrete Angels’ compound, felt like the biggest betrayal of all. This was my place, my sanctuary as dubious as it might be, and his presence was an insult.

  “Are you fuckin’ serious?” Dirk waved the warrant at the AIC. “Who’s the sonuvaprick who authorized such a half-ass warrant? You’re not gonna find shit if you can’t search the residences.”

  He can’t search the residences.

  I had to repeat the thought a few times to get my legs to work. If he couldn’t search the cabins, I’d be able to hide inside mine until the FBI had gone. I rolled to my feet, or rather staggered like a panicky teenager caught after curfew, and ducked into my cabin.

  I heard raised voices and knew the Feds had caught my escape, but I wasn’t sticking around to be recognized. I let the door lock behind me as I scrambled into my bedroom, digging out the Glock. I hadn’t had the opportunity to defend myself when Hopkins raped me, but I’d be damned before I let him get the jump on me now. I didn’t know why he was here. He hadn’t been a field agent when I’d worked for him, but I’d shoot him before I let him touch me again.

  I settled onto the floor of my bedroom, facing the door. I kept the Glock pointed at the ceiling, but I’d shoot anyone who came through the door. If it was one of the Concrete Angels, I’d apologize later.

  ****

  Scott

  When the belligerent guy started yelling about a half-assed warrant, I watched Oriana’s face go white as newly fallen snow. I didn’t know who he was, but I could guess when she hurtled herself out of her chair and scrambled through the door of her cabin. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who noticed her departure because the Feds started yelling and pointed as the door slammed shut behind her.

  “Get her back here!”

  Belligerent guy waved at the door, but before the Feds could take more than a couple of steps, I’d stationed myself in front of her door while Abigail repeated the statement about the warrant not covering personal residences. I didn’t think Belligerent Guy cared much about the warrant’s allowances, but he sure as hell cared about me standing in front of him.

  “Get out of the way.” His lips peeled back from his teeth in a nasty snarl and I could smell the ham and mustard sandwich he’d eaten earlier that day.

  “You know, I’m not real knowledgable about warrants and stuff, but I’m pretty sure it says you can’t go in.” I tilted my head with a half smile while he seethed. “And I’m sure the woman who lives in this cabin doesn’t really want to talk to you.”

  He tried to gather himself into his official capacity as an agent. “Everyone must be present when we search the premises.”

  I snorted. “That’s bullshit and you know it, Hopkins.”

  He took a step back and regarded me with narrowed eyes. “How do you know my name?”

  I shrugged. “It seemed pretty obvious given Ms. Hunter’s reaction to hearing your voice. I figured if she didn’t want to be anywhere near someone in the FBI, it’d be you. Given your previous relations and all.”

  His face crumpled into fury. “Get her ass out here or she’ll be arrested.”

  “For what? Avoiding you?”

  “For aiding and abetting criminals in a criminal enterprise.” He raised his chin to meet my gaze. We were the same height, but I had a good twenty pounds on him. “If she’s here, she’s committed a crime by helping you.”

  “That’s not true, Agent Hopkins. Ms. Hunter was hired for her skills as a forensic accountant, and paid fairly for her services. You can check the contract if you like, ja?” Loki’s voice slithered between us like thin blade.

  Hopkins threw his angry gaze at Loki while I set my laundry basket down on Oriana’s chair. I crossed my arms over my chest and braced my feet shoulder-width apart. Sometimes the easiest way to intimidate some belligerent asshole was to stand there, using my size as a roadblock.

  “So now she’s a whore? That doesn’t surprise me. She led me on for months.” Hopkins sneered as he waved to the AIC. “Start the search in their barn.”

  The AIC narrowed his eyes but waved his troops onward. Attila, Calhoun, and the Friar opened the doors where we kept our bikes and waved them in. Calhoun gave them a little bow, a smirk twisting her lips. I idly wondered if they’d seen Roy there near his bike when his buddies came in.

  Hopkins turned back to me. “Get out of the way and open that door.”

  I shrugged and spread my hands. “Can’t. Don’t have the key.”

  He narrowed his eyes and looked me up and down as his lip curled. “You’re her lastest john, aren’t you? What’s the matter? Haven’t gotten your turn so you won’t let anyone in until you blow your wad?”

  My anger kindled but I shot him a frown of confusion. “You know, I’d heard women complaining that men only think with their dicks, but I’d never really noticed it until now. But thanks for worrying about my wad.”

  He must’ve sensed my anger because he gave me a conspiratorial half-smile. “I’ve had her, you know. Her pussy was so tight, my dick almost didn’t fit. Have you had it yet? It’s the sweetest pussy you’ll ever fuck.”

  Fury surged past my carefully held temper and I barely resisted the urge to slam my hand around his throat and squeeze until he stopped breathing. My hand tightened into a fist and I’d settle for a solid punch to his nose. A little blood always changed perspective.

  “Who I have sex with is really none of your concern. What are you doing here, Hopkins?”

  Oriana’s voice hit me the same time her hand curled around my bicep and I checked my forward motion. It was probably a good thing in the long run. I didn’t need to get arrested for assault on an officer by this jackass. But he definitely made me want to kick the shit out of him.

  “So the bitch comes out of her hidey hole.” Hopkins reached for her and she stepped back. “I’m here to arrest the members of the Concrete Angels for possession and trafficking of drugs and arms.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Here? On what evidence?”

  “Anonymous tip. It’s too bad you have to get caught in the middle of it. You used to be a good agent.”

  Hopkins’s tone had gone so patronizing even I wanted to kick him in the balls.

  “Yes, I was.” She nodded. “I also used to give a shit about what you thought before you raped me, but now your opinion doesn’t matter. Your sexual assault killed my respect for you.”

  I felt more than saw the other agents perk up at her words as they retreated from the barn after having found nothing. Oh-ho, they didn’t know he raped her? It had been at least two years and she hadn’t been a field agent. More than likely the news didn’t get around. Or if it did, it was ignored as rumor and hearsay.

  Hopkins scowled as he shot a look around at the other men. “I suppose you’ll spread your legs for a dirty dog who rides a hog like this guy here, but you said no to me and tried to ruin my career? I always knew you were a slut, but I didn’t think you’d go so low as to fuck a biker.”

  Oriana laughed, a strangled sound boiling with fury. “What is it with men and sex? You think I came to the Concrete Angels to fuck someone?” She snorted and shook her head. “Glory, you’re sad. Loki told the truth. He hired me to look into his finances. Sorry you got the wrong intel.”

  Despite her casual words, I could see her shaking and her shoulders remained as tight as bow strings. She’s got more courage than half the guys in the club. Facing her rapist had to be the hardest thing ever and I couldn’t imagine what it cost her to do it. Hopkins infuriated me with every low-brow insult, but she let it slide off her like shit off a shingle.

  “What’s going on, Hopkins?” The AIC closed in on him. “What’s she talking about?”

>   “Nothing. Did you find anything?”

  “Negative. The barn and all outbuildings are clear.” The AIC looked at me before his gaze shifted to Oriana then back to Hopkins. “Move on to the clubhouse and let’s get this over with. You sure the tip that said this place was full of weapons and drugs was good?”

  “Hell yeah, it was good. Check the clubhouse.” Hopkins strode off toward the front doors in an angry huff and some of my tension left.

  “Are you okay?” I brushed Oriana’s shoulder with my fingers.

  She nodded as she took a shaky breath. “Yeah, well, I’m rather sick to my stomach but I’m okay.”

  “You were amazing.” I gave her a smile. “I’ll go make sure he doesn’t get into anything he shouldn’t.”

  “Okay.” She nodded, her gaze following her rapist as he stormed into the clubhouse. “Is it wrong that I really want to shoot him?”

  I laughed. “No, ma’am. I think that’s a valid desire. Glory knows I wanted to hit him several times, and not just because of what he did to you.” Michael caught my eye and nodded toward the clubhouse. “I gotta go. You gonna be all right?”

  “I will when they leave. I’m going to make some tea.”

  I nodded and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back. Go ahead and set the laundry on the ground. I’ll get it when I get back.”

  She nodded and ducked back inside her cabin. I waited until the door shut before I trotted for the clubhouse, catching up with Michael.

  “She gonna be okay?” He nodded back toward Oriana.

  “Yeah, I think so. She’s done being social, though. Getting some tea.” I held open the clubhouse door for him to precede me through. “I just wanted to make sure the FBI didn’t pull some fast shit. When did Abigail get here?”

  Michael snorted. “The Shark arrived yesterday evening and spent the whole time holed up in Loki’s office prepping for this. I don’t know how they knew the FBI would do the raid today, but Loki wanted to be ready.”

  I shot a look at Loki and Abigail as they stood beside the bar, their attention on the FBI swarming through the room. The people in uniform weren’t doing anything too stupid, but I wanted to make sure nothing would happen to Neo’s lair. That’s where Hopkins and the AIC had gone first.

  By the time I got there, Hopkins was snarling something about stupid bikers and half-assed warrants. He brushed past me with a sneer as I looked in the doors of the lair. Neo sat in his chair munching on chips with a video game paused on the monitor behind him. Four other monitors showed security feeds from the barn, the offices in the clubhouse, and the front gate. All the rest of the monitors sat dark. I met Neo’s gaze and caught his wink before his expression settled into bored disinterest.

  I resisted the urge to laugh as I took in Hopkins’s thunderous face. The bastard might have a coronary right here in the compound. Not that I’d mourn him. I doubt Oriana would lose sleep either. Glory knew she’d already lost enough sleep with nightmares from that asshole.

  Just the thought of it made the anger surge and I tightened my hands into fists. There had to be a way to take Hopkins down without bringing more heat onto Oriana. And we still hadn’t figured out who’d been watching her place, though I’d lay odds on Hopkins.

  I scanned the clubhouse, but he was nowhere to be found despite all the bodies wearing FBI jackets.

  “Where the fuck is Hopkins?” My feet were already carrying me toward the door before I knew what I was doing. “Michael, he’s out there and I bet he’s trying to get to her.”

  My gut sank but my heart blazed with fury as I spotted Hopkins beating on Oriana’s door, demanding she come out and face him. I wanted to tackle him to the ground, but so far we hadn’t done anything to get us thrown in lockup for the night.

  I was still headed for the irate agent when the first bullet ripped through the upper left-hand corner of the door. I skidded to a halt as Hopkins yelped and ducked, scrambling away from the door.

  “Shots fired! Shots fired!” The clubhouse emptied like someone had torched the main room, blue windbreakers boiling out into the yard.

  “She shot at me!” Hopkins yelled as he got to his feet a few strides from the door. “Arrest her!”

  The agents who hadn’t seen the shot looked at each other and Schnoz and I played along. We shared a surprised look before returning our gazes to him.

  “What are you talking about?” I frowned and shook my head. “Who shot at you?”

  “That bitch, Hunter!” He pointed at the door just as it opened and Oriana stepped out. “Arrest her.”

  “What’s going on?” She held a steaming mug in her hands.

  “You’re under arrest, you slut!” Hopkins reversed his direction and came for Oriana. I tried to intercept, but it turned out I didn’t have to.

  In a move straight out of a spy movie, Oriana set down her mug on the window planter, swung her arm behind her, and came up with a subcompact Glock 43, cupping the butt of the gun with her left hand. She held it in front of her steadily, her focus on Hopkins, who skidded to a halt no more than ten feet from her.

  “Stop.” Her voice could’ve frozen boiling water. Hell, my testicles tried to climb back up into my body cavity at the coldness in it. “That’s close enough. One more step and I’ll blow a hole through you.”

  “You just threatened an FBI agent.” Hopkins sneered.

  “No, I just threatened the man who was beating on the door of my residence, harassing me after raping me two years ago. So, back the fuck off, Dirk. You remember my gun range scores, don’t you?” Her eyes narrowed. “You used to tease me about a number-cruncher not needing to keep up her markswomanship. I recall you being amazed at how many times I hit center mass. Wanna test me now? I got a damn good target and you’re not as far away as the paper ones at the range.”

  “What’s she talking about, Hopkins?” The AIC had his hands out to placate someone, but I didn’t think he knew which person to placate.

  “Nothing, she’s crazy. Arrest her.”

  “He’s a rapist and if he gets closer to me, it’ll be self-defense. And I don’t shoot to wound.” She never looked away from Hopkins and the muzzle of the Glock never wavered. “He raped me. I was an FBI agent, one of you in Denver, and he raped me in a broom closet. I was one of you and none of you stood up for me. He was too upstanding. Look how upstanding he is now.”

  “Arrest her, for god’s sake. What are you waiting for?”

  I moved to flank Oriana, careful not to get in her line of sight. Michael and Dollhouse stood beside me as the Friar, Attila, Karma, and Calhoun filled in on Oriana’s other side. From what I could see, their expressions held no humor, just determination and disdain.

  “You can’t arrest her. She hasn’t done anything wrong.” Abigail came up behind Loki and tilted her head.

  “She threatened an officer of the law.”

  “No, technically you broke the law, Agent Hopkins.” Loki waved at the door behind Oriana. “Your warrant said you could search our public buildings, but not the residences. And you where trying to break into one of our homes. As I understand it, Ms. Hunter has the right to defend her residence from unlawful entrance. Plus, I do believe she filed a police report after she was raped and they ran the rape kit. That means all they’d need to convict you is a DNA sample, right? A cheek swab would probably do the trick, but blood would work, too.”

  I didn’t know there’d been a rape kit run, but Loki had his ways and I didn’t really want to know how he got the information.

  “Is this true, Hopkins?” The AIC had shifted his attention to the jackass practically frothing at the mouth. I was tempted to get a rabies shot just looking at him. “Did you rape this woman?”

  “Of course not. She’s trying to ruin my career.” Hopkins scoffed and gestured to Oriana. “It’s just the ranting of a biker’s slut.”

  Man, I was getting really tired of him insulting her. Part of me hoped she squeezed the trigger and shot his balls off.

  “As far a
s I can tell, Dirk, I didn’t ruin your career in the Old Boys’ club. You seem like you’re doin’ fine.” She kept her focus on him and I kinda hoped he’d push her far enough to shoot him.

  “A simple DNA test will prove it, Agent Cisneros.”

  Loki sounded so damn reasonable, but I didn’t trust him when he wore his amused half-smile. That sent up all sorts of warning flags for me.

  Apparently, Cisneros wasn’t stupid either because he shook his head and waved at Hopkins. “Let’s go, Hopkins. We’ve served the warrant and searched the place. It’s time to go. Leave the woman alone.”

  Hopkins snarled and pointed at Oriana. “This isn’t over.”

  “Let it go, Hopkins. Get him out of here.” Cisneros waved at one of the other agents to collect Hopkins. “Everybody out.”

  “Thanks for dropping by, agents.” Loki waved with a genial smile. “Come back again when you can’t stay as long, ja?”

  Hopkins scowled and yanked his arm out of reach of the escorting agents, but he stomped out of the compound. Cisneros nodded to Loki and waved at the rest to leave. Oriana didn’t lower her weapon until Hopkins had cleared the gate.

  “Fuck.” Her whispered epithet carried to my ears as her shoulders bowed and her head dropped.

  “Hey, I got you.” I touched her shoulder. “Do you want some more tea?”

  “Yes, thanks.”

  I nodded and headed for the clubhouse. Michael filled in to my space as the FBI started to clear out, and I knew she’d be safe while I stepped away. She’d been so strong it made my heart swell. Hopkins thought he could threaten her and the Concrete Angels stepped in as backup. I couldn’t have been more proud of my crew.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Oriana

  The gates closed behind the FBI and I tried to get my body to relax.

  He’s gone.

  Relief made my knees turn to mush and I damn near crumpled onto the lawn chair I’d set under the Ponderosa pine outside my cabin. He’s gone, and I’m home. It seemed like an odd thing to say given the short time I’d been with the Concrete Angels, but each and every member had stood up with me and faced down Agent Hopkins and his frustrated fury. I had a family, now, though a very unconventional one.