“I’m working, Vinny. Let me go,” she said, a hint of panic edging her sweet voice.
“C’mon, doll face. I promise to treat you real good. Can’t say the same about any of the other fuckers panting after your virgin pussy.”
I shot from my seat, having heard more than enough. “Back off,” I growled as I used the flat of my hand to push him away, then moved Erin behind me.
“The fuck, man?” Vinny whined. “You got no right. She’s my old lady.”
Erin snorted from behind me, and I almost smiled but continued to glare at Vinny. “Don’t see a property patch. Until I do, stay the fuck away from her.”
Vinny glared at me, but there was no strength behind it. Probably because he was high as a fucking kite. He spit on the floor at my feet and grumbled, “Her pussy ain't worth fighting for anyway.”
I tensed, but a small hand on my arm kept me from going after him. Turning, I stared down at the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life.
“Thank you,” she said softly. There was sincere gratitude in her eyes, but there was also a deep distrust that made me frown. It bothered me that she was wary of me. I wanted her to lean on me, to feel protected and safe with me.
I swallowed hard to keep from saying those things and simply nodded. It took a ton of control to let her walk away, but my eyes stayed glued to her as I made my way back to my seat.
The boys were quiet when I sat back down. They remained that way through our meal, not that I noticed much since I spent the entire time watching over my woman.
Suddenly, Nova spoke up. “If you’re thinking what I think you are...especially publicly, you’ll be starting a war.”
I dragged my gaze away from Erin to stare daggers at my brother. “You wouldn't have done it for Rylee?” I asked, referring to his old lady.
Nova’s expression turned murderous. “You know I’d kill for her,” he growled.
“You sayin’ you won’t have my back?”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it, Patriot,” Rider broke in. “You fuckin’ know we got your back.” He was right, but I was too fired up to admit it.
“My point was just that you better be sure she’s worth it,” Nova said.
My gaze strayed to Erin once again. “She is.”
“How does this shit keep happening?” Breaker grumbled. “Motorcycle club, not matchmaker club.”
A woman who looked somewhat similar to Erin, but a little older and a whole lot harder, came stomping over to the bar where Erin was picking up a food order. She started speaking animatedly, her expression making it clear she was given my girl a tongue lashing. A tall, muscular biker with scars and tattoos all over his body walked up behind the angry woman. When he directed a dark, furious scowl at Erin, I’d had enough.
I jumped to my feet and plowed my way through the crowd. My brothers flooded from every corner of the room to be at my back. A fight was brewing, and we all knew it.
Rider stepped to my side and cracked his knuckles, then grinned. “Let’s do this shit and get on the fuckin’ road.”
3
Erin
The moment I spotted Alice and Razor walking into the bar, I knew my time was up. There was no missing how angry my sister was as she hurried over to me. I set the tray of food I’d just picked up back down, worried that I’d drop it while we argued. A quick glance at Vinny told me exactly why she was so angry—the jerk had tattled on me. My only saving grace was that Razor had stopped to talk to a couple of his club brothers instead of following Alice, so I’d only have to deal with her for now.
At least I was only going to have to endure a telling-off from Alice in front of the packed bar. I’d already been embarrassed enough by what Vinny had said, especially since the hot guy who’d stepped in hadn’t missed a single word. Including the fact that I was a virgin.
Not that what he thought about me mattered, anyway. He’d been wearing a cut from another club, the Silver Saints. I didn’t remember ever hearing about them before, which meant Patriot—his club name along with his position as Captain had been sewn onto his vest—wasn’t from around here. Razor mouthed off about the rival clubs a lot, so I’d heard way more than I’d ever wanted to know about the other MCs in the area.
I’d probably never see this tall, muscular man with buzzed, light blond hair, clear blue eyes, and tattoos on most of his visible skin again after he paid his tab and walked out of Hell’s Kitchen, which bothered me a whole lot more than it should. I already had enough to deal with after the bombshell Alice had dropped on me before my shift. The last thing I needed was more trouble.