1. Ginger’s Passion

ONE

Ginger’s Passion

HAWK

T he minute that asshole grabbed the woman’s arm, I was ready to wade in. Not because she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life, but because no one has the right to lay a hand on a woman without her consent, and she definitely didn’t want the guy touching her. She tears her arm out of his hold, and the emerald shade of her eyes turns a turbulent dark green as she stares this Robert guy down. The adage “if looks could kill” suits the situation perfectly.

“Lower your voice, Etain. Does the whole world need to know our business?” Robert grits out through clenched teeth, looking around the room to see who is watching them. Well, we’re all watching, dickhead, I’m thinking. The guy is a complete moron if he cheated on this girl. Have the balls to end it with her before dipping your dick in another woman. Personally, I can’t imagine fucking around on this beauty.

“You have qualms about letting strangers know our business, but none whatsoever about screaming for everyone to hear in our apartment building, ‘Yeah, baby, slap Daddy’s ass harder,’” she exclaims, slapping her own ass. Then she gets right in his face, nose to nose. “I loved you, and you turned my love to hate. I never thought I’d hate anyone, but you managed to accomplish that.” Then she jabs a finger in his chest and says, “Leave me alone.”

“We had a good thing.” Robert softens his tone, but she won’t have it.

“Had. Past tense, correct. Now we have nothing.”

Robert’s expression turns ugly. “Well then, I’ll take the keys to the car. It’s in my name.” He puts his hand out.

“I paid for the car,” she exclaims. “You went and picked out the one you wanted, and I paid for it. Every last monthly payment, you dick.”

“It’s in my name so by law, it’s rightfully mine.”

“You barely passed the bar exam, you idiot. I know more about law than you do. Take me to court. I have all the payments documented. You’d only make a fool of yourself,” she throws back at him.

“You’re fired,” he shouts back.

“No shit, Sherlock!” She plants her hands on her hips, leaning forward. “Why do you think I drove to another state?”

“You don’t have a job or money. What are you going to do, sleep in your car?” he mocks. “It’s not like you finished college. What? Are you going to wait on tables?”

“You condescending jerk! I paid for your education by waiting on tables. And I went to night school. I made it through then, I’ll make it through now, and without a two-hundred-pound weight dragging me down,” she retorts, looking him up and down, then crossing her arms over her chest.

She’s fucking fabulous! I catch myself smiling and, what’s more, I feel a fire I haven’t felt for a long, long time. I’m no saint and have had plenty of women warm my bed, but none have had staying power. I’m not conceited; I’m a good-looking guy with a bad-boy attitude that women love. The difference is that my motto is “Live free and live hard.” That doesn’t mean we treat others badly. It simply means that when we want something, we go for it with all we have.

“This is your last chance,” the guy warns, motioning for her to go outside.

“Oh please!” she drawls, rolling her eyes. “Go home.”

“My mother?—”

“That’s going to be an interesting conversation. What are you going to tell Mommy, I wonder?” She taps a finger on her cheek. “You see, Mom, Etain left me because I’m a cheating scumbag. Yeah, I had a good woman who saw me through my worst, but I decided I’d earned the right to fuck a bitch in our bed. She didn’t agree and left me.” Then she bats her eyes, feigning innocence.

I burst out laughing so hard and so long that both Robert and Etain turn to look at me. Guard is doing his best to keep it inside, but I can feel his body shaking with laughter.

“Look at what you’re doing. You’re causing a scene,” Robert hisses. But Etain, she stares right at me like she’s trying to see into my soul. Her eyes lock with mine, and I swear, I can feel her heart racing, much like my own. “Etain, let’s take this home,” Robert says, trying another tactic, lowering his voice into a sickeningly sweet tone.

Etain veers back in his direction. “I have to find a place to live and a new job. I don’t have time for you,” she declares. She stomps off to sit on a stool, completely ignoring Robert. Then she looks to old Harry Duggan and asks, “Sir, could I borrow the want ads section of your paper?”

Old Harry doesn’t delay in giving it to her and asks Liana to bring Etain a cup of coffee, his treat. That’s the reason I love this town. People treat their neighbors with kindness and respect. A bunch of bikers came into town, and instead of causing a fuss, they gave us a shot. They love us even more now that we’re starting up new businesses and providing jobs for the locals.

Her ex, Robert, is astonished when Etain doesn’t even glance back at him. His pride is taking a beating, and when he notices that he’s left looking like a fool, he turns on his heel and storms out of the restaurant.

“How long are you going to let her sit there before making your move?” Guard asks. I guess I haven’t hidden my interest in the firebrand who took my breath away.

“She’s on the rebound?” I murmur. “Not a good way to start off.”

“You’d rather she finds another guy to fuck for a month or two while you wait for your shot?” he says with a smirk.

That doesn’t sound good at all. I don’t even like the idea of Harry buying her a cup of coffee. Yet, there she sits, shooting the shit with a sixty-year-old trucker who hasn’t once laughed as loud as he is right now at whatever witty thing Etain is saying.

Liana comes back to the table with Guard’s order for War. He moves out of the booth, and I get up with him. He gives me a manly hug, slapping my back and telling me he’ll be in touch. “Gotta hit the road. Ava’s probably losing her mind with Gavin and Ryder. Those two can be a handful. Don’t wait too long, brother. A woman like that isn’t going to be alone for long,” he says, jerking his head to the counter.

I scan the room, and every man, young and old, has his eyes set on Etain. I move closer to the edge of the counter. Liana is refilling Harry’s thermos with coffee before he hits the road.

“Nice meeting ya, Etain. Don’t let that jerk back into your life,” Harry tells her.

“Your parting words of wisdom, huh, Harry?” Liana says with a laugh. Then she turns to Etain. “He’s right, you know.”

“Oh, no worries. Robert is D-O-N-E, done!” Etain replies with oomph. “Do you know of a decent motel or hotel until I decide where I’m going next?” she asks Liana.

“What? You’re not leaving, are you?” Liana replies.

“I need to find a job. I’m not sure there would be much call for a bookkeeper or office manager around here.” Etain sighs. “Besides, I pretty much made a spectacle of myself. I’m sure the gossip will spread like wildfire about the crazy redhead who was played for a fool by her boyfriend. Now, there’s no recommendation for a job,” she says sadly.

I don’t want her to leave town. I don’t want her out of my sight. I guess Guard’s right. It’s time to go for what I want. I saunter up to the counter.

“You need your bill, Hawk?” Liana asks. Etain looks sideways at me.

“Yeah, thanks,” I reply, never taking my eyes off Etain. “I got an office manager position to fill. It’s more of an everything job. Some bookkeeping, some reception, ordering parts. That is, if you’re interested.”

“Are you serious?” Etain whispers, looking hopeful.

“Dead serious.”

“But you don’t know anything about me.”

“Tell you what, come by the garage tomorrow. I’ll show you around, and we’ll talk.” I try to sound casual, not wanting to scare her off. I hand her the card for RR Mechanics. We named our shop after our club, the Redemption Riders.

Etain looks at the card. “You don’t even know my name.”

“Etain, right. Couldn’t help overhearing. Cool name,” I say.

“It’s Irish. It’s spelled E-T-A-I-N, but pronounced Ay-teen. I hated it when I was a kid, but I love how unique it is now,” she says with a smile. Damn! She’s even more gorgeous when she smiles. “Sorry about the scene, but he wasn’t getting it.” Her smile turns into a frown.

“Think he got it this time,” I say.

“Nope. He doesn’t like to lose. He’ll be back.” She sighs, then takes another sip of her coffee.

I don’t like that idea at all. “Well, if you decide to work at the garage, I promise you that Robert won’t get anywhere near you.”

Etain puts an elbow on the table, resting her cheek in her palm. “I can’t figure out if you’re a good guy or a bad guy.” She’s not only beautiful, but she’s also savvy.

“I’m both. Treat me right, I give it back. Fuck with me, I’ll make sure you won’t do it again.” I’ve never been anyone but who I am. I don’t hide that I’m a biker or live by my own code. It’s taken me some time to learn how to temper my emotions and control my impulses with the help of my mentor, Guard.

The bell dings over the door. I turn to see if Robert has returned, but instead see Drifter standing there. Drifter’s my VP and my best friend. We met years ago in Texas at a honky-tonk. I had just turned eighteen and had finally saved enough for my bike. It was old, and it took six months to get it running, but it was my baby. I still have her, and when I get the urge, I take her out for a spin, usually when I need to clear my head. Drifter worked at The Hound as a bartender. His father owned the place. He was a good man and loved his son fiercely.

We’ve been friends ever since one fateful evening when our lives changed forever. I’d trust Drifter with my life, and he’s proven to have my back over and over. Where I have dark hair, his is light brown, and where I have blue eyes, his are chocolate brown. His strong jawline and permanently fixed scowl would scare many men, and he’s built like a heavyweight prizefighter.

Drifter looks from me to Etain, then back to me. An elusive smile crosses his face. “You ready?” he asks, giving me a nod.

“See you tomorrow, Ginger,” I tell her.

Her eyes flash a deeper green. “Don’t call me that. I hate that name,” she grumbles.

“Nine o’clock,” I reply with a sly grin. I follow Drifter out, forcing myself not to look back. “Yo, get Winger to keep an eye on her and keep her safe,” I order.

“Someone special?” he asks.

“We’ll see,” I answer, but I already know I’m into her. I’m also itching to see my Ginger’s passion. I climb onto my bike and ride off together with Drifter.