Fighting Mac (Charon MC)

by Khloe Wren

  “Where am I? What happened?”

  She started to pace nervously, chewing her thumb nail as she moved.

  “You’re safe, Zara. Everything’s okay. You’re in the office at the gym.”

  Dropping her hand away from her mouth, she turned to look me in the eye. The uncertainty and fear in her gaze had me twitching to pull her back onto my lap. I was so screwed. I’d barely spoken to this girl and she had me in knots.

  “How did I get here from my car? I was in my car...”

  Pushing aside all my shit, I focused back on the issue at hand. “You were passed out in your car and some bastard was trying to break into it. We stopped him, then I brought you in here because I thought you might be hurt. Are you injured in some way? Maybe hit your head earlier? Do you know why you passed out?”

  My temper flared as she lifted a palm to wave off my questions as though they were nothing, then she came and sat beside me. “I have narcolepsy, so I often fall asleep without much warning. I wasn’t hurt.”

  I jerked a little in shock. Holy shit! That was the last thing I expected her to say.

  “I’ve never dealt with someone who has that condition, so I’ve got no idea what you need. You have to tell me what I should do for you. Medicine? Hospital?”

  She shook her head with a small chuckle. “No hospital, and if I take meds now I’ll be wide awake for the next eight hours. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I could use a drink of water though, if you have it? And where’s my handbag?”

  “Water and your bag. Right. I’ll go round those up for you.” I gave her knee a quick squeeze as I rose and headed out of the office to grab her a bottle from the fridge in the front. As I moved, I focused on calming my heart rate down. Zara was fine. Nothing had happened to her. She’d just had a narcolepsy episode, or was it called, an attack? Who the fuck cared. All that mattered was that she was okay now.

  I was nearly back to the office when Taz came out through the door with a frown on his face and his phone to his ear. I went to brush past, but Taz grabbed my arm and shook his head.

  “Just let me give Zara this. I’ll be right back.”

  Wondering what the fuck was going on, I quickly handed Zara the bottle. She was already looking better, getting a little color back in her cheeks. She was nursing her handbag, which I’d forgotten she’d asked for. Good thing Taz had guessed she’d want it.

  “I just need to have a quick chat with Taz. I won’t be long.”

  With a nod and a quiet thank you, she took the water and I left her alone again. Taz pocketed his phone as I approached.

  “That little punk was chasing a bounty from the Iron Hammers. Don’t suppose you ever got your girl to fill out that paperwork, huh?”

  With my hands on my hips I frowned at one of my best friends. “Well, no. I didn’t. Not yet. But what the fuck has that got to do with this?”

  Taz took a few steps away from the office, indicating I follow. Of course I did. I wanted to know what the hell was going, and Zara was as safe as she could be inside that office. No one would dare go in there without checking with either Chip or me first.

  “Zara is her middle name, mate. Wanna guess what her first and last ones are?”

  I sucked in a breath, everything suddenly making sense. Why she wouldn’t go near a biker, why she wouldn’t fill out paperwork for me. I ran a palm over my freshly shaven skull.

  “Fuck me. She’s that witness, isn’t she? Claire Flynn.”

  CHAPTER 6

  Zara

  I winced as I overheard Taz speak to Mac about my would-be attacker. I’d been right, the Iron Hammers had found me. I gave myself only a few minutes to feel more like myself, more stable on my feet. Then, when Mac still hadn’t returned, I took that as a bad sign for my future. Was he out there planning with someone to hand me over and get the money?

  Tears burned my eyes. I’d come here to talk to him about helping me, but now I couldn’t be sure what he’d do. Not with a bounty now up for grabs. How much had those bastards put on my head? Would it be enough to tempt Mac to hand me over?

  I had to leave. Get out of here and run. I’d been saving for a rental deposit, so I had money stashed back in my motel room. I’d go grab that, then just drive. I had no idea where, but maybe if I got out of Texas, I’d be okay.

  With a deep breath, I grabbed the keys out of my bag before I slung it over my shoulder. I crept over to the door and slowly opened it enough to look out. Mac’s back was toward me and Taz was facing him, but fortunately, Mac’s body was large enough to block the other man’s line of sight to me.

  As quietly as I could, I slipped out of the office, then through the side door. Once I was outside, I sprinted to my car and got in. Jamming the key into the ignition, I was all set to go. Except the damn thing wouldn’t start. Fuck! I tried turning the key again and again, but it refused to even turn over. My eyes burned as I let my head fall forward against the top of the steering wheel. What the fuck was I supposed to do now?

  I rolled my face to the side when I heard the building’s door open, wincing when Mac stepped out into the sun. My heart sped up at how good he looked as he walked with powerful steps toward me. He was in jeans and a black wife-beater with his leather vest over it, and looked good enough to lick. I was so screwed.

  He opened the door before he leaned his arms against the car roof to put his face down closer to mine. My gaze was stuck on the way the ink on his arms looked as his muscles flexed and moved.

  “You shouldn’t be out here on your own, Zara. Or do you prefer Claire?”

  Forcing myself to stop ogling the man, I winced as I spoke. “Zara. I prefer Zara.”

  What else could I say? I couldn’t tell him I was afraid he’d sell me out, or that I was so fucking confused and scared I didn’t know what to do anymore.

  Taz came up and stood next to Mac. “Scout said to take her to the clubhouse. Safest place for her at this point.”

  “You going to be a good girl and follow me? Or do I need to drive us there?”

  “I can’t follow you. It won’t start.”

  “Yeah, that was me. Pop the hood and I’ll fix it.”

  Mac chuckled at Taz admitting he’d disabled my car somehow. I was both pissed off that he’d done it, and impressed he’d anticipated me running. Although, I guess that wouldn’t so hard to figure out. The one thing they knew about me for sure was that when I’d been put in a corner in Galveston, I ran.

  “I’ll follow.”

  I nearly groaned. Even I could hear the defeat in my voice.

  “If you change your mind and take off, I will find you.”

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Yeah, I figured that out already.”

  With a nod he strode off, leaving me with Taz. Before he could say anything, I popped the hood and he lifted it up but didn’t do anything. I was about to ask why when the loud rumble of a Harley starting up filled the air. I rolled my eyes when Taz leaned down and fiddled with something in the engine. Of course he’d waited for Mac to be ready before he fixed my car.

  My heart sank. I had no way of escaping these two, and once I was at the clubhouse I wouldn’t be escaping there, either. Not until someone permitted me to leave. I blinked back tears as I shut my door and turned the key to start my car. Taz dropped the hood and I slowly backed out before I followed Mac down the road.

  I tried to stay positive, to remember what Marie had said about the club being protective, especially of women. But I couldn’t be sure if they would be swayed by the bounty now on my head. How much had the Iron Hammers decided I was worth?

  After following Mac through a set of huge, open gates, I jerked to a stop as my heart started to race for an entirely different reason than earlier. Of course, I should have expected the dozen or so Harleys parked in a neat row in front of an older, but well-maintained, multi-story brick building.

  “Please don’t let this be a mistake.”

  I had no clue where to leave my car, so I stayed where I was u
ntil Mac parked his bike and pointed me over to the opposite side of the yard. When I saw two other vehicles already parked, I lined my car up with them before I got out. I still wasn’t sold on this being a good idea. By now I was sure everyone in that building knew I had a bounty on my head. They probably knew how much, too, which was more than I did. I moved to the back of my car and leaned against the familiar metal and folded my arms over my chest.

  There was a young guy, barely legal, just outside the front door, who gave me a smirk but didn’t move or say anything. Not that I’d have heard him from where I was. The land this place was on was huge, probably double the size of the small park that had been opposite the house where I grew up.

  Mac, making his way over, caught my attention. No doubt about it, the man knew how to swagger just right. I wiped my hand over my mouth to make sure I hadn’t drooled as he got closer.

  “No one will hurt you, bunny. You’re safe here.”

  I frowned. He’d never called me anything other than my name before. Was bunny some kind of pet name or a joke? What was he playing at? Suddenly it was all too much to process and I figured I’d just be honest with the man.

  “I don’t understand any of this. And I’m scared.”

  His expression softened as he moved in closer, near enough I could feel the heat from his body against mine. He cupped my face in his large palms. His hands were warm and rough, and they felt so good I struggled to contain my moan.

  “I know you’re scared. You’ve got good reason to be. But not of what’s in there. When you ran, you came here to Bridgewater. Why?”

  I nuzzled a little against his skin. I couldn’t help it. “Because my neighbor told me the Charon MC hates the Iron Hammer MC, and that the Iron Hammers don’t come near Bridgewater.”

  “Exactly. So, why are you scared now?”

  I squeezed my eyes closed. “Because money changes people. I didn’t realize until I overheard you talking before how badly they wanted me.”

  “Look at me, Zara.” He stayed silent, just gently holding my face, until with a sigh, I relented and opened my eyes. His ice-blue gaze was hard and intense and I couldn’t look away. “No amount of money is worth a human life. Especially yours. I promise I’ll protect you. The whole club will.”

  I opened my mouth to argue that he couldn’t make that promise but he cut me off by covering mine with his. Instantly, my world turned upside down. I moaned as his lips caressed mine, gently testing his welcome. Needing more of his heat, I ran my fingers up his chest, over every bulge of muscle. When I wrapped my arms around his neck, he broke the kiss to lift me away from the car and up against him. My legs went around his waist automatically, which put his very healthy erection right between my thighs.

  “Fuck, baby. I need more of you.”

  I couldn’t remember a time when I’d felt as protected and content as I did with him holding me with one hand under my ass, and the other around my upper back. I leaned in, face upturned, to meet his next kiss. When he ran the tip of his tongue over my lower lip, I answered by opening my mouth.

  Apparently that was like waving a red flag in front of him. With a growl, he crushed me tighter against him as he deepened the kiss. Thoughts swirled together and I could do nothing but enjoy the ride as he devoured my mouth. Arousal spiraled through me, growing hotter until I started to grind myself against his erection.

  “Get a room!”

  Those three words were like a bucket of ice water. What was I doing? Heat rushed over my face and I shoved against Mac.

  “Oh, shit. Mac, put me down. I can’t believe we just did that.”

  With a chuckle, he loosened his grip enough I could put my feet back on the ground, but he didn’t let me go.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, bunny. I guarantee you things a lot more heated than our kiss have happened in this parking lot.”

  I shook my head. “I’m not that sorta girl.”

  “Yeah, I caught that when it took me over a week to get you to say more than hi to me.”

  A fresh flush of heat rushed over my cheeks and I turned my face away from him, hoping he wouldn’t see it. He ran his knuckles gently down my cheek and along my jaw before he trailed his fingers down until he had my hand in his.

  “C’mon, let’s get inside. We’ll chat with Scout, then I’ll get you settled for the night.”

  I wanted to ask where he thought I was going to be sleeping, but before I worked up the nerve, he had me across the yard and was opening the door. Deep male voices and laugher filtered out into the night, making me nervous all over again. Please let this not be a mistake.

  Mac

  Fuck, but Zara was adorable when she was flustered. And kissing her had been sexy as sin. I couldn’t wait till I had her all to myself later tonight. Because if that woman was staying at the clubhouse, she was going to be sleeping with me in my fucking bed.

  I pulled her through the door behind me, then tucked her in against my side so I could wrap my arm around her. Being just after dinner time on a Thursday, the place wasn’t too busy yet, but considering how on edge Zara was, I didn’t want to risk her trying to bolt out the door.

  “Good, you’re here. Follow me.”

  Scout’s gruff voice had her stiffening against me, so I ran my palm up and down her arm as I guided her over to the hallway and down to Scout’s office. He waited for us to pass him before he followed us in and shut the door. I sat on the couch and pulled Zara down next to me as Scout settled behind his desk.

  “So, ah, I’m not sure what the fuck to call you. Zara? Claire?”

  I’d called Zara bunny earlier because she’d been so shy and hard to corner, and she was really living up to that right now. She looked down and licked her lips before taking a deep breath and answering Scout’s simple, harmless question as though he’d asked her for some kind of national secret she was guarding.

  “Um, I think I’m going to stick with Zara for now.”

  “Right. So, Zara, clearly you’re the little waitress the Iron Hammers have such a hard-on for. Care to fill me in on why?”

  I did my best not to grin with pride as her shoulders straightened before she lifted her chin and stared the club president square in the eyes. Arrow had been right about her having some serious inner strength, when she wasn’t hiding it away. I needed to help her use it more often. As cute as she was all meek and shy, it wasn’t the real her.

  “I’m quite sure you know precisely why they want me.”

  Scout frowned at her, clearly not impressed with her answer.

  “I’ve only heard whispers, darlin’. How about you give me the facts?”

  With a huff, she stood in a rush and started pacing, chewing her thumbnail for a moment, like she had back at the gym, before she dropped her hand and started talking.

  “Two and half weeks ago, I was at work, waiting tables, when the Iron Hammers shot the place up. I’d been coming back inside from delivering an order when a big biker came at me. I think he must have been running from the Iron Hammers already. Anyhow, when the bullets started flying, he got shot and that pushed him into me. I went down with him covering me.”

  Scout held up a palm. “Why did you stay down and not try to get out from under him?”

  When she started clenching then stretching out her fingers, I wanted to pull her into my lap so badly. I ground my jaw to keep myself from reaching for her. I knew if I did that Scout would kick me out the room. And she’d be pissed at me for the move, too.

  “Well, the guy was fucking huge and weighed a ton. But that didn’t really matter. I have cataplexy. When I experience intense situations, or emotions, my muscles fail and I go down. Strangely enough, being shot at was enough to trigger an attack.”

  Fucking hell, the poor girl. So not only did she suffer narcolepsy, she had this cataplexy illness on top of it? I rubbed a hand over my shaven scalp, kind of wishing I had some hair to tug on to vent some of my frustration as she continued to speak.

  “When I have one of these
attacks, I can’t move at all. Can’t even blink. But I can hear and I can feel. When the shooters came into the cafe they rolled the guy off me, and since I was covered in blood and didn’t move when they kicked me, they assumed I was dead. They talked–”

  “Who? What names did you hear?”

  Scout was now sitting forward in his seat, completely focused on what Zara was saying. I was listening too, but for the most part I was trying to resist the urge to grab her and run. She was still pacing and looking so heartbreakingly fragile. Clearly the burst of sass she’d given Scout before had been all she had in her for now.

  “Um, Sledge spoke with Chuck and Tic. They mentioned the name Frank, that he wouldn’t be happy. I couldn’t figure out why until I saw him later. Frank turned out to be a cop.”

  “About that–why’d you talk to the cops? I assume you grew up in Galveston, so you know not to do that shit.”

  I winced when she slapped herself on the thigh. Hard.

  “It’s the cataplexy. I was still coming out of it and my mind was hazy. A young cop decided to take advantage and started questioning me. Trust me, if I’d been in my right mind, I never would have said a word.”

  Now she was pinching herself as she paced. Every few seconds she’d either pinch or slap her thigh. And she wasn’t messing around. I was sure she was leaving bruises.

  “Zara? What the fuck are you doing? That’s gotta be painful.”

  She glanced over at me with wide eyes. “Ah, I’m keeping myself awake. I’ve had a stressful afternoon and I didn’t get enough sleep earlier in the car.”

  Scout stood and came around the desk toward her. “Is that part of that cataplexy thing?”

  She shook her head, “No, this is a narcolepsy thing.”

  “Fuck me. Mac, get her out of here. Come back once you get her settled.”

  Zara stumbled as Scout growled his words and I jumped to get to her before she went down. She leaned heavily against me when I wrapped an arm around her, so I scooped her up against my chest before she tried to hurt herself again.