Biting Back: A Motorcycle Club, Shifter, Romance (Shifting Steel Book 1)

by Stephanie West

  Iris didn’t strike Cain as some sort of religious fanatic spouting rhetoric about heaven and hell. He liked how she described it as “something more.” If she only knew how right she was. Few humans realized that there was something more living all around them, he was proof of that.

  Cain wondered if it was Iris’ faith in the great beyond that held her together when lesser men would’ve crumbled. She seemed so small and delicate, and yet he could feel her inner strength. It awed him.

  “I was visiting with Hank’s mother when he discovered me. He must have overheard me telling his mother about his sister.” Iris paused. “I didn’t think much of it and went on about my life. One night I had this dream, and I knew he killed his sister. I awoke and he was there in my apartment. I must’ve made him nervous enough for him to hunt me down.” Iris grimaced. “I talk in my sleep. I’m sure I said something incriminating because I awoke to him strangling me.”

  Cain had heard her mumbling and making small cries in her sleep. It had torn at his heart. He���d felt compelled to stay in the chair at the foot of his bed, when there were several other beds he could sleep in.

  Cain couldn���t imagine what she’d said to piss off the fucking cop. Of course if he’d heard someone whispering his sins in their sleep he’d probably freak out too, but nothing excused what had been done to her. The thought of the bastard strangling Iris had him clenching his fists, his nails biting into his palms. Why did she affect him like this?

  “I awoke in his trunk. Instead of trying to kill me again, he thought he’d use me to guess the outcome of the fights. He called me his Lucky Charm. And well you know the rest.” Iris gave him a wane smile her eyes reflecting the pain and sadness that she’d suffered.

  Cain had seen Iris’ injuries first hand but listening as she recounted what had happened to her was nearly his undoing, and she’d glossed over the sickening details. His beast wanted to rip into something. Unfortunately the punching bag in the basement was already shredded.

  “I don’t have any control over it, not really.” Iris continued looking lost as to how to explain herself. “Sometimes it’s like pieces of a puzzle partially assembled, and sometimes it’s so crystal clear I’d be a fool to not understand.” Iris shrugged unsure of how else to describe her quirky nature.

  Cain sat for a moment to calm himself as he considered Iris’ admission. She didn’t have to tell him any of it yet she did. That made him smile. Iris had no clue he’d overheard part of her interaction with Hank at the fight. Everything she told him was true, which was unfathomable. How could someone have such a skill?

  “You know Sweetheart that’s an awful lot to wrap my head around.” Cain admitted.

  “I know.” Iris looked somewhat deflated at his statement, but nodded in understanding.

  Cain wondered how many times she’d received a similar rejection and felt like an ass. If he hadn’t heard and seen the fight transpire just as she’d predicted the night before, he would have thought she was bat shit crazy, cute but crazy. It was a lot to take in and yet he believed her.

  Cain could tell though that Iris held back something about her odd nature. What it was he didn’t know. His kind could scent when people were lying or speaking half truths. Iris had freely admitted an awful lot. What about it could she possibly still be hiding? He’d give her time to get comfortable with him. It was asking a lot for her to fully trust him so quickly. Maybe it was just the details of her abuse she withheld. As long as what she hid from him didn’t hurt the Reapers, then she was allowed to have a private life. Although a part of Cain wanted to know Iris inside and out, he couldn’t push her too hard.

  Iris

  Cain sat considering her. Iris had admitted enough to him, laying more than she should on the line. She needn’t tell him everything. If he was anything like Hank, he’d figure out he could twist her to his own devices.

  Iris didn’t admit that, as the pain of Hank’s abuse ripped through her, as she was weakened by hunger, as she found herself riveted by sorrow and despair, things became infinitely clearer. In those horrific moments it was like the “something more” was jacked directly into her brain.

  This particular information Iris would hold close to her chest. Even with the tidbit she’d admitted, Cain could abuse her trust if he wanted to. He’d been decent so far, and the inner voice had told Iris to take a leap of faith and trust. But she just couldn’t give Cain the whole dark truth, the key that unlocked her gift, with disturbing intensity.

  “With Hank back out on the streets now, it’s not safe for you.” Cain told her.

  She also understood the unspoken fact that she’d witnessed too much for him to let her go. She didn’t like the fact that Cain had killed the gang member, but the hardened part of her understood why.

  Maybe in time he’d trust that she wouldn’t go to the cops. Iris no longer trusted the police, not with Hank out there, and who knew how many dirty friends he had on the force.

  “My sister brought some clothes over but I’ll go to your house and get some of your things. While I’m gone you should go back to sleep you need it. I���m actually surprised you���re up so early.” Cain said.

  Iris nodded and gave Cain her address hoping she wouldn’t come to regret it. He left and she flopped back into the bed, soaking up the sounds and cozy crisp sheets.

  Cain

  Cain pulled up to Iris’ apartment in his cage, a beater of a truck. He much preferred riding his bike, but it couldn’t haul what he needed to grab. It was obvious Iris’ patio door had been jimmied open as he approached. Cain looked around. The apartment was in shambles. The place had been looted after the cop abducted Iris.

  Cain rummaged around throwing clothes and toiletries into a bag. He felt like a pervert as he picked through her underwear drawer selecting several bras and panties. Iris’ alluring scent had him riveted and he had to force himself to move on.

  Cain looked down to find a little black cat weaving in and out between his legs.

  “Well hello!” Cain said to the kitten. The cat looked like she’d missed a meal or two. “Don’t you look at home.” He said as the cat snuggled into the bed to watch him pack.

  It then hopped down and started to scamper out of the room, stopped, looked pointedly at him and meowed. The little feline went several more steps then she did it again.

  “Alright I can plainly see I’m supposed to follow.” Cain walked behind her.

  She trotted over to the kitchen and stared into an empty bowl, then back at him.

  “I see kitten, but that will have to wait till we get back to the clubhouse. I think I know someone who’ll be happy to see you.”

  The feline’s tail swished in annoyance when he didn’t comply and feed her.

  “So my girl’s into cats, that’s good.” Cain thought with a grin. What the hell was he thinking, “my girl”!

  Cain huffed as he quickly scooped the little piece of fluff up much to her clawed consternation. He looked her in the eyes and let his beast rise to the surface

  “Behave little one. Between the two of us I have the bigger claws.” Cain informed her.

  Of course just like a cat she settled onto the seat of his truck, and with a giant “fuck you”, presented Cain her back.

  Iris

  The bed sure beat hard concrete and a threadbare musty sleeping bag. God she was so easy. All it took was a soft mattress and Iris was putty in Cain’s hands. She still couldn’t believe she’d basically spilled her guts to him.

  “I just hope I was right and kindred spirits look out for each other, or at least don’t screw them over.” Iris hoped that she hadn���t placed too much faith in the theory that Cain���s animalistic nature and her gift leveled the playing field between them.

  Iris didn’t know what the dangerous Reapers were all about, and wasn’t sure she really wanted to. The fights she’d witnessed were brutal but Iris got the feeling she was the only one there against their will. Those fighters knew what th
ey were getting into. Men could be such mindless brutes. What was done was done, no sense regretting her moment of faith now.

  The sheets smelled clean, like fabric softener, but the pillow held an earthy scent that spoke of the delicious man. Such were her turbulent thoughts about the club and the compelling man, Cain, as Iris drifted in and out of sleep.

  Iris came to again as she felt the bed dip. She smelled whiskey and a wandering palm on her thigh as she roused.

  “Come on Cain play with me.” Said the husky female voice.

  “What the fuck!” Iris squeaked as she bolted upright, knocking the other girl to the floor. “Not the redheaded again!”

  “What the hell are you doing in Cain’s room?” Red said haughtily as she picked herself up from the floor, and brushed herself off. “Well it’s time you got up and helped the other groupies clean up downstairs. Cain’s not gonna want to find some club whore lazing in his bed!” Red bitched.

  ���Wow this one is a real gem.��� Iris thought as Red continued issuing commands like she owned the place, waving her hands the entire time.

  “Just cause Cain took pity on you and took you to his bed for the night, don’t get any bright ideas. You’re just the flavor of the month. I’m Cain’s steady girl, his old lady. I was here before you and I’ll be here after he kicks you to the curb.” Red, no her name was Samantha, said with her hands on her anorexic hips as she looked at Iris with disdain.

  Iris said nothing as she tried to gain her bearings.

  “Really you need to get the fuck out of our bed.” Samantha smiled viciously as Iris pulled herself out of the bed.

  Although Iris was rather sure Cain meant for her to stay put she wasn’t about to get into a hair pulling brawl. Besides how would she act if she’d found someone else in her boyfriend’s bed. Despite the fact Red had been sucking someone else’s dick last night, Cain and Red could’ve had some kind of open relationship. Iris had no clue what the score was, so it was better not to make waves.

  ���Cain has really great taste in women, NOT.���

  Ugh. To think she’d been having wayward thoughts about the man. Iris shook her head at how foolish she’d been. Just because the man had been kind and tended her injuries, didn’t mean he was interested in her. She was basically a captive here after all.

  Iris was hungry and thirsty so she wandered down to the bar in the rec room. There were girls milling about, but only a few of them were doing anything productive. Most just looked hungover.

  A man Iris was sure she’d seen before, one of the Reapers, smacked a blonde chick on the ass as he grabbed a piece of bacon off the plate on the bar. It was piled high with the yummy fatty crispy goodness.

  “Oh sweet bacon.”

  The aforementioned woman mixed up a huge pitcher of OJ and Iris’ mouth watered. She hoped she wasn’t drooling.

  The big man whispered something in the woman’s ear. The blonde gave Iris an assessing look then smiled as she held the plate of bacon out. Iris wondered exactly what was said, though she knew it had something to do with her. At least the woman looked kind as Iris took a piece. It had been too long since she been treated kindly, it made her uncomfortable.

  “Thanks” Iris said.

  “No problem honey. Take as much as you want.” The blonde said.

  Iris almost wilted to the floor as the juicy goodness ran down her throat. The blonde’s face took on a pitying smile as she pushed the entire plate closer to her.

  “So it’s true. Cain took pity on me.” Iris thought.

  She’d seen her own reflection in the mirror. She did look fucked up but she’d heal. It might take time to not cringe but Iris wasn’t nearly broken! She wouldn’t let all this shatter her purpose in the world. Iris turned as she heard a woman cuss angrily.

  “Piece of shit! I just emptied you. WORK!”

  Iris watched as the woman in the middle of the room banged the head of a vacuum against the floor. It was the dark haired girl, Penny, Cain’s sister. She wore a vest that looked similar to the Reapers but said “Property of Eric” If Iris had never heard about bikers she’d think it was more than a tad misogynistic. Iris highly doubted Cain would allow someone to treat his sister like that. He didn’t seem the type. Iris wandered over to Penny.

  “Do you mind if I take a look?” Iris asked. Penny looked at her and nodded.

  “It’s the only thing in this room that won’t suck a goddamn thing!” Penny replied in frustration.

  Iris suppressed a laugh, the smile making her face hurt. Iris noticed the offended looks on several of the hungover girls faces around the room.

  “I don’t know why these assholes refuse to use a fucking ashtray or trashcan!” Penny huffed and peered around the room. Some of the men chuckled then quieted as Penny pointed an accusing finger at them.

  “Oh I like this girl.” Iris thought as she grinned despite the discomfort.

  Penny didn’t take shit, and apparently she got the respect she deserved. Iris looked over the bagless sweeper. Penny had emptied it but the filter still had a lot of crap in it. She also noted all the hair bound up in the beater bar.

  “Can we take it outside?” Iris asked. She didn’t know if she was allowed to leave the building. Penny nodded as they moved to the side door.

  “You’re Iris right.” Penny asked and Iris nodded. “I’m Penny.”

  “Nice to meet you. Thank you for loaning me the clothes.”

  “I’m sorry they’re a bit big.” Penny said as she gave Iris the once over.

  “They are perfect.” Iris wanted to change the subject so she pointed out all the hair stuck in the vacuum head. “The hair keeps the spinning head from doing its job.” She said as she picked it out.

  “That makes sense. Maybe I should shave those lazy bitches bald.” Iris snickered at Penny’s threat.

  Penny helped pull out the long bound up hair, seeing that Iris’ broken finger kept her from getting a really good grip. Then Iris showed Penny the filter.

  “Even though you emptied it, all the junk stuck in the folds keeps it from having really good suction. This filter’s reusable and durable. The best way to clean it out is to spike it on the ground. It’s real satisfying too.” Iris watched as Penny raised her arm and whipped the thing to the ground. “Stand clear!” Iris yelled a bit too late then laughed as a giant cloud of dust and debris filled the air.

  The wind blew part of the debris at the two woman making Iris swat at the air to clear the haze. It felt so damn good to laugh, even though it hurt like hell.

  “That WAS satisfying.” Was Penny’s giddy reply.

  Iris liked that Penny didn’t mind getting her hands dirty. She could never understand prissy girls.

  “Do it again. It’s amazing how much crap gets trapped in there.” Iris said.

  This time Penny chucked the filter further away from them.

  Cain

  Cain took longer than he planned but he had to stop to pick up cat food and such. He pulled through the clubhouse gate in time to see Iris and Penny giggling and abusing the vacuum. Cain sat and admired the scene.

  “Such a beautiful smile.”

  It transformed Iris’ entire expression making her eyes twinkle. It was nice to see Iris with a look other than fear and sorrow on her face.

  Both of them patted off the dust that settled on them, till Iris grimaced and remembered her injuries.

  “Dammit what is she doing up?” Cain groused as he slid out of his truck with one wiggly black bundle of fur.

  The ladies were so caught up in their antics they hadn’t even noticed him. Cain smiled as he approached, glad his sister was making Iris feel welcome. Penny tended to be hard on some of the Sweet Butts that frequented the clubhouse. Then again Iris wasn’t one of those groupies just looking to party or get off.

  Cain didn’t want Iris’ time here to be miserable. She was an innocent caught in the middle of something awful. The sweet woman didn’t deserve any of the things that had happened to her.<
br />
  He sauntered their way, Iris’ little panther tucked under one arm and one of her bags in the other. Cain got close and thrust the cat out.

  “Did you lose this?” He asked Iris feeling awfully pleased with himself.

  “SHAZ” Iris’ squeal was deafening as the little black thing was scooped from his grasp. The cat started to butt its head against her face and purr. “Thank you.” Iris choked out.

  “Brownie points for me.” Cain thought, a rumbling purr started in his own chest, until Penny gave him a sharp look. Oops. He almost forgot himself. Not wise.

  Cain found himself preoccupied with watching Iris nuzzle and stroke the black cat, Shaz, feeling jealous till Iris shifted and winced in pain.

  “So tell me young lady why exactly are you up and about?” Cain demanded.

  “Well your girlfriend, old lady, or whatever wanted her bed back. And I was starting to get hungry.” Iris said as she snuggled her contented black bundle.

  Cain turned bright red. There was only one bitch that was bold enough to pull this shit.

  “She’s not my old lady!” He gritted out and stormed inside.

  There was Samantha sitting on her ass, looking like she ruled the roost. Cain got right in her face and growled

  “Never step foot into my room uninvited, and if you presume to dish out orders here again I’ll toss you out on your ass so fast your head will spin. Get out of here.”

  Sam failed to move fast enough so he rumbled baring his teeth.

  “Go home!”

  Iris

  She could’ve kissed Cain when she saw him holding her little kitten. Iris couldn’t believe Shaz was at her apartment after all this time. She looked so skinny.

  On top of that Iris was shocked and amused that Cain had ripped Red a new one. So maybe they weren’t in some weird relationship after all. Iris wanted to smile but stopped herself. He’d said she wasn’t his old lady, not that she wasn’t his girlfriend or at least a friend with benefits.

  Ugh why was she even thinking this way?

  “I really don’t need to have warm fuzzy feelings about Cain, even if he is soak my panties sexy.” Iris whispered to Shaz.