Max (Ride Series Second Generation Book 6)

by Megan O'Brien

  “Ready?” she asked with a raised brow.

  “Ready.” I nodded.

  I linked my arm through hers as our boots hit the wet pavement in a rhythmic splash that had become a soundtrack of sorts since we’d moved here.

  Once we posted up at our favorite bar, we relaxed over a few drinks and some good music. It was one of those nights where nothing specular was happening, and that was part of the joy of it—special in its simplicity.

  “Holy shit. Is that Jared Waters? From high school?” Liv’s eyes were squinted across the dimly lit bar.

  I swiveled to follow her line of sight. “Looks like it,” I replied, spotting him by the entrance. “I didn’t realize he went to school here.”

  “He probably followed you since he’s so in loooove with you,” she teased, making a kissy face.

  I rolled my eyes. “Right. And he’s coming over.” I sighed. I so wasn’t in the mood for small talk.

  “Hey, Wren, Olivia,” he greeted, looking surprised to see us. “I didn’t realize you guys went to school here.”

  “We were just saying the same thing.” I nodded, delivering what I hoped was a friendly smile. Just because I’d never returned his feelings didn’t mean I should be a dick.

  “I transferred in this year,” he explained. “Can I get you girls a drink?” he offered with a raised brow toward the bar.

  “Su—” Liv was about to agree as I cut her off abruptly.

  “No, thanks. We’re good.” I didn’t want to lead him on, and frankly, I wanted to spend the evening with Liv, not some guy from high school I barely knew.

  He shrugged easily enough. “All right, well I’m sure I’ll see you around. Have a good night.”

  “You too,” I said in parting before turning back to a glaring Liv.

  “What the hell, Wren?” she growled, or tried to. That was the thing about Liv, she couldn’t pull off angry very well. She always just ended up looking like an adorable little bunny rabbit when she scrunched up her nose. “He’s cute and nice and has always been into you. Don’t you think it’s time you gave another guy a shot and stopped holding out for Max?”

  “I’m not holding out for Max,” I protested. “I was just never interested in Jared.”

  She raised a brow. “Or any of the other guys who have asked you out.”

  I shrugged. “Or them either,” I agreed.

  She sighed in consternation and took a swig of her drink. I knew I drove her crazy, but at least she loved me and would ultimately support me no matter how much she might want to challenge me.

  After all, that was what friends were for, right?

  Chapter 2

  WREN

  It was a particularly rainy evening when I made my way to my car after my last final three days later. Summer was upon us, but you’d never know it based on the weather. Despite the gloomy evening, I felt as though a weight had been lifted off my shoulders with finishing finals. No more studying—at least until the fall.

  My boots clomped noisily on the ground as I spotted my car, one of the few left in the parking lot. I had my keys out ready to unlock it when I was slammed into from behind. The force of it sent my head crashing into the side of my car, my backpack flying off my shoulder as my knees gave out beneath me.

  I sat dazed for a second before my assailant yanked me to my feet by my hair. It was then I got my first real look at him. He was a huge, bald-headed man with beady eyes and a grim smile that sent a chill racing down my spine. “Damn, you’re cute. Looks like I’ll have to take another type of reward,” he leered.

  I recoiled from him. “You’re disgusting,” I spat, bringing a knee up and missing my goal by a few crucial inches, hitting his upper thigh instead.

  His expression darkened with fury before an even more unsettling look resembling glee had a smile ghosting across his lips. “You want to play rough, little mama? Fine, we’ll play rough.” He growled as he pulled my head back even farther.

  His fist flew to my face, its force delivering a painful blow that nearly knocked me unconscious. He released his grip, and I staggered, trying to keep my balance.

  “Just take my wallet.” I panted, feeling like I might faint or pass out.

  “Wren!” The vaguely familiar voice calling from across the lot sent a shot of relief through me.

  My assailant grumbled to himself before hesitantly letting me go and loping off in the opposite direction.

  “Wren, oh my God! Are you okay?”

  I looked up through one eye, the other having swelled shut, to find Jared peering over me with concern.

  “I think so.” I reached out to grasp his arm for balance.

  “I’m going to call the cops,” he said, pulling out his phone as he wrapped an arm around me to steady me.

  “Can you also call Liv? Ask her to come?” I asked in a small voice.

  “Sure,” he agreed gently.

  The next hour was chaotic as the police arrived almost at the same time as a frantic Olivia who rushed to my side, grasping my hand in hers where it stayed the entire time I gave my statement.

  Even after the police excused him, Jared stayed, saying he wanted to make sure I was okay. Even in my foggy state of mind, I thought that was considerate of him.

  “You’d never seen him before?” the police officer asked. I’d already answered that question, and after an hour of describing my ordeal, I was more than ready to be done.

  I shook my head in frustration. “No. Like I said, I thought maybe he wanted to steal my wallet, but he didn’t even take it. He said something about taking another type of reward, like another one had been offered to him, but I have no idea what that meant,” I explained, feeling exhausted.

  “Are we all done?” Olivia spoke up assertively. “We’ve been over all the details. I’d like to get my friend home.”

  The officer looked me over and nodded, slapping his notebook shut. “We’ll be in touch if we have any more questions.”

  Liv put an arm around me, guiding me toward her car.

  “I can drive you girls home,” Jared offered.

  She looked over her shoulder at him. “That’s okay, I’ve got it. Thanks so much, Jared. I’m so grateful you were here.”

  “Me too,” he replied, his gaze trained on me. “Maybe she should go get checked out. That eye looks bad.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Liv replied firmly, obviously eager to get me out of there. She guided me into the passenger side of her car before running around to the other side.

  Jared was still standing there watching us worriedly as we drove out of the lot.

  “I don’t need a hospital,” I told her. I just wanted to get home, put some ice on my eye, and curl up in a protective ball.

  “I’ll take you home, and then I’ll call Laurie, see what she recommends,” she told me, referring to the head nurse at Hawthorne Community Hospital and wife of Tag, who’d been a member of the Knights for as long as I’d been alive.

  “Okay,” I agreed as I sat with my eyes closed, pain radiating through me.

  “We need to call home, Wren.” Her voice was quiet but firm. “I know you’ve put it off, but between the weird packages at the house and now this, I think we need help.”

  I hadn’t thought about the two things being related, but even still, the last thing I wanted was to put my friend in danger, and it was with that thought that I agreed. “I’ll do it,” I mumbled.

  She sighed in obvious relief as we neared home, pulling to the curb. She helped me inside and onto my bed as she rushed about getting ice.

  After she had me situated, she left the room to call Laurie while I lifted my phone to my ear. I didn’t even think as I hit his name. Ruled by instinct and vulnerability, I just did what came as naturally as breathing.

  “Wren.” Max’s voice washed over me when he answered, surprise clear in his tone. His voice alone had the tears I’d fought all evening filling my eyes and clogging my throat. “Wren?” he demanded, worried now.

 
“I…” I had to clear my throat and swallow hard to continue. “I’m okay,” I managed. “But this man… he attacked me when I was walking to my car,” I shared.

  “What?” Max’s reply was a thunderous bellow. “Where are you now?”

  “Liv drove me home.”

  “Are you hurt?” he demanded as I heard other male voices in the background.

  “I’m banged up but nothing serious. Liv is going to call Laurie.” My voice wobbled as I tried to control the desire to sob openly.

  He must have caught on since his tone was much softer when he spoke again. “All right, Wren, listen to me. The minute we hang up, I’m on my bike headed for you. In the meantime, there’s a club we trust nearby, the Blue Devils. I’m gonna ask them to ride out to you and stay until I can get there. Wren, you get me?” he pressed when I’d remained silent.

  “Okay,” I agreed hoarsely.

  “It’s gonna be okay. I’m gonna take care of this.”

  I believed him. “Okay,” I repeated. “Drive safe.”

  “See you soon.” His tone was clipped as he disconnected.

  I sighed in exhaustion, sitting on the edge of my bed holding my phone in my hand. I couldn’t believe I’d called him. Why had I called him?

  Olivia poked her head in, eyeing me with concern.

  “Max is coming,” I mumbled.

  To her credit, she didn’t even look surprised. “Sounds about right,” she agreed instead.

  Whatever the hell that meant.

  Chapter 3

  WREN

  True to Max’s word, the Blue Devils had arrived within what felt like minutes after I’d hung up with him. Three hulking men in leather vests now took up residence in our small home. They’d instructed us to hole up in my room, which was where we could be found hours later, cuddled on my bed together.

  Laurie had helped Liv to confirm I didn’t have a concussion and didn’t require a hospital visit. Instead, she suggested pain killers and ice to relieve the swelling.

  I had just fallen into a deep sleep, after a night of startling awake anytime I dozed off, when a commanding knock sounded on my bedroom door.

  It swung open, and a hulking figure blocked the light from the hallway.

  It had been years since I’d set eyes on Max, having expertly avoided him in my visits back home. I wasn’t surprised that I was no less affected by him. If anything, the strength of my reaction had increased with time and distance.

  The sheer power and masculinity he excluded was eclipsed only by the beauty of his face as he stared at me with unapologetic intensity. His dark eyes assessed me intently.

  “Wren.”

  My name had never sounded so beautiful than when spoken with his deep, gravelly voice.

  “You okay, sweetheart?” he demanded gently as he crouched beside the bed, his size dwarfing everything around him.

  “Never better,” I replied with a forced smile as I sat up with a slight wince. I was suddenly very aware that I was only dressed in a thin tank top as his gaze roved my frame as though assuring himself I was whole.

  His gaze softened at my attempt at levity. “Somehow, I doubt that.” A sad smile quirked the edges of his full lips. “You girls get dressed,” he directed, rising back to his full height. “Come out when you’re done.” With that gentle command, he strode from the room.

  “Damn, he’s intense,” Livie muttered. “He didn’t even look at me, by the way,” she pointed out, not sounding perturbed in the least.

  I ignored her comment as I stood up, rifling through my clothes and pulling out a pair of jeans and my coziest sweater. Liv slipped down the hall to get dressed herself before we both headed out to the living room where Gunner stood talking to Max. Best friends since grade school, where one man went, the other was usually close behind. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Max, his hair shaved close to his skull, black and gray tattoos decorating both arms, and wearing the ever-present Knights cut.

  “Hey, Gunner,” Livie greeted softly.

  He turned a worried gaze to both of us, his formidable countenance softening. “Hey, Livie. Wren, damn.” He winced when he got a look at me.

  I simply stared at the five huge men in our living room, completely overwhelmed and exhausted. It all felt surreal, like someone else’s nightmare—well, if I hadn’t been attacked, maybe it would be a fantasy given the amount of male beauty that was currently filling my living room.

  “Do you need anything?” Olivia asked the unfamiliar bikers. “Sorry we didn’t offer….” She trailed off, ever the hostess.

  “No, girl,” one of the Blue Devils grunted. We hadn’t bothered with introductions.

  Max spoke to both of us, though his gaze was locked on me. “I need you to pack any shit you need over the next few days, gotta be small enough to fit in a backpack since we’re takin the bike. We’re bringing you home,” he stated. “Both of you,” he added, his gaze swinging from me to Liv.

  I counted to five in my head, trying to control my reaction. “I am not coming home with you, Max. I have a job lined up for the summer, and why does Liv have to go too? That makes no sense!” I protested.

  “Christ.” Max looked to the ceiling, as though searching for patience before his eyes met mine. “You’ve been getting packages for months now, which by the way we’re gonna have words as to why the fuck you kept that from us.” He glowered. “Some sick fuck is probably stalking you. And now you get attacked? We’re not leaving you or Liv here unprotected. So, I’m going to tell you again. You are comin' home with me.”

  The idea of being on the back of his bike had my insides liquefying despite his surliness.

  I eyed him intently, cocking my head. “People still always do what you say?”

  He stared back at me. “The smart ones do.”

  “Maybe your measure of intelligence is skewed,” I replied dryly.

  His lips quirked into a semblance of a smile. “Glad to see you haven’t lost that quick wit.”

  Despite his compliment causing my belly to flip, I wasn’t done. I’d never been one to take orders from anyone, not even a hot-as-hell, occasionally scary Max Jackson. “The cops have my statement. Maybe they’ll catch the guy,” I put in, knowing I was grasping at this point.

  His nostrils flared. “Cops can chase their tails all they want. We’ll do our own brand of hunting.” There was a dark intent to his words that I didn’t want to explore just then. “We’re dealing with this, our way. I know it means leaving your life here, but if it means you get to keep livin’ that life, well then, you’re just gonna have to be okay with that.”

  I stared at him, stunned into rare silence.

  “It also means you get to see the fucking sun once in a while,” Gunner muttered.

  He had a point there.

  “Okay,” I agreed quietly. What else could I really say?

  Max nodded. “Okay. Both of you get the shit you need for the next day or so. We’ve got prospects in route to box up the rest. One of us will deal with your landlord.”

  My head was spinning as the Knights MC effectively took over my life, again.

  “Liv, you’re with Gun. I’ll take Wren.”

  The thought of being pressed against him for hours on end was both daunting and thrilling as my scrambled brain attempted to process everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.

  As though reading my mind, Liv took my hand, leading me back to my room. She seemed completely steady while I felt like I was completely unraveling.

  I looked at her, meeting the quiet determination in her eyes. She didn’t want this either, but she was accepting it. I was suddenly determined to do the same.

  “I’m sorry, Liv,” I murmured regretfully.

  She offered a small smile. “You know what? It’s okay. We’re done with school for the summer, and I was already on the fence about what to do. I don’t mind going home for a while, especially if you’ll be there.”

  “You’re such a good friend. I don’t deserve you.
” I sighed as she busied herself helping me pack up. “Make sure you pack my anti-frizz serum, you know how this hair situation can get.” I gestured to my mass of black waves.

  “First thing I packed.” She winked with a grin.

  It was with that simple, seemingly trivial detail between friends in the midst of a nightmare that had me returning her smile.

  Chapter 4

  WREN

  Four hours later, my ass and thighs were numb after years of not being on a bike as Max pulled off the highway.

  “What are we doing?” I asked in confusion when we pulled into a motel parking lot and he cut the engine.

  “You need a break from the bike,” he stated swinging off the bike.

  I remained seated, my stubborn streak roaring to life. I didn’t want to slow us down. “I’m fine. I can keep going.”

  “Yeah, maybe you can,” he allowed. “But I can’t.” It was then that I noticed the circles under his eyes, the five o’ clock shadow at his jaw. “I need to catch a few hours of sleep. Going on almost a day without any,” he explained. “Not gonna risk it. Especially not when you’re on the back of my bike.” He shook his head. “We’ll meet Liv and Gunner in Hawthorne.”

  A lot of men I’d known would never admit they were tired; they’d see it as a sign of weakness. But that had never been Max. Everything he did, he owned with a confidence he’d exuded since he was a kid. If possible, it made him even more attractive.

  He unclipped his helmet, quirking a brow at me. “You gonna get off the bike sometime today?”

  I wrinkled my nose. “I’m afraid that if I do, my torso will move independently from the rest of my body. I think my ass might be permanently imprinted on the seat.”

  He barked out a laugh as he reached under my chin to unclip my helmet. “Come on, I’ll help you.” His large hand completely dwarfed mine as he gently guided me off the bike. “Those muscles have a short memory. It’s been a few years, huh?”

  I nodded begrudgingly as I stood up, awkwardly trying not to look like a bow-legged geek.

  “I just need to catch a couple of hours, and we’ll get back on the road,” he explained as he strode toward the front office. “I want to make it back to Hawthorne by late afternoon.”