Chapter 8

Rachel gripped the handle of her new little red hatchback. The Green Devils’ compound loomed before her, with flickering neon signs and heavy metal music thumping from within.

Her heart raced as she walked up to the entrance. What was she doing here? She didn’t belong in a place like this. But curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she had to see Jaxon again.

When she entered, the assault on her senses was immediate. The reek of alcohol, sweat, and cigarettes filled her nostrils. Strobe lights flashed across the crowded room, silhouetting dozens of leather-clad bikers. Their raucous laughter and shouts nearly drowned out the pounding music.

Rachel stood frozen in place, clutching her purse to her chest like a shield. Jaxon was in there somewhere, she was sure of it. She wanted to run, to escape back to the safety and order of her normal life. But she couldn’t make herself turn away. Not yet.

She took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. You’re stronger than this. She wasn’t going to let a little apprehension scare her off. Rachel squared her shoulders and made her way into the fray, searching the crowd for a glimpse of Jaxon’s tattooed arms and blue eyes.

She didn’t know what she was getting herself into here, but after the perfect night with Jaxon, she had to find out. Rachel was tired of playing it safe. For once in her life, she was going to throw caution to the wind and see where the road might lead.Straight to hell, most likely, but if Jaxon was waiting for her there, she would gladly walk through the fire.

Rachel’s heart thudded. What was she doing here? These were dangerous people. But a small, insistent voice in her mind whispered that she was tired of playing it safe.

She edged further into the party, watching and listening.

Two men stood nearby, smoking cigarettes and talking in low, gruff voices. “Did ya hear we’re expanding our territory again?” the taller man said. “Gonna be more work for us, keeping those bastards out.”

The other man grunted. “More work means more money. And if we don’t do it, they’ll move in on our customers.”

Rachel’s stomach twisted as she realized they were talking about protecting drug dealing and other illegal territory. She glanced around again, noticing the openly carried guns and knives for the first time.

Panic rose in her chest. What had she gotten herself into? She turned to leave—but a loud burst of laughter made her jump. A heavily tattooed man had appeared out of nowhere, grasping her arm. “Well hey there, darlin’. You look a little lost.” His gaze raked over her in a way that made her skin crawl. “How ‘bout I show you around?”

Rachel’s heart pounded. She was in over her head—and now she was trapped.

Rachel forced a smile, trying to stay calm. “That’s very kind of you, but I was just leaving.”

He leaned closer, squeezing her arm. “The party’s just getting started. Stay awhile.” His breath smelled of alcohol and something sharper.

Rachel tried to pull away, but his grip tightened painfully. Panic rose in her chest like bile. She opened her mouth to scream —

“Hey.” A deep, gravelly voice interrupted. “She said she’s leaving.”

Rachel turned to see Jaxon standing there, arms crossed over his massive chest. His gaze was hard as stone, but when he looked at her, his expression softened.

“She’s not going anywhere,” the tattooed man said. But he released her arm, eying Jaxon warily.

Jaxon stepped forward until he towered over the other man. “Yeah, she is.”

The man glared, but backed away, disappearing into the crowd.

Jaxon turned to her, concern etched into his face. “You okay?”

Rachel let out a shaky breath, her heart still pounding. “Yeah. Thank you.” She rubbed her arm where the man had grabbed her; she could already feel a bruise forming.

“Looks like this isn’t your scene after all,” Jaxon said. “C’mon, let’s get out of here.”

Rachel didn’t need any convincing. She let Jaxon guide her away from the party, back into the quiet night.

Jaxon led her out of the garage and across the compound, his strides purposeful. No one paid them any heed, too caught up in their revelry.

He brought her to a small cabin at the edge of the property, isolated from the rest. Rachel’s heart raced as Jaxon opened the door. The interior was spartan but cozy, lit by a few lamps that cast a warm glow over the space.

Jaxon closed the door behind them with a soft click. He turned to Rachel, his eyes smoldering. She stood frozen in place, her breaths coming fast and shallow.

With slow, measured steps, Jaxon approached her. He stopped mere inches away, his body radiating heat. Rachel lifted her gaze to his, transfixed by the raw desire she saw reflected in his eyes.

“Tell me you want this,” Jaxon said, his voice a low rumble. He brought one hand up to cup her cheek, his touch searing her skin. “Tell me, and I’m yours.”

Rachel trembled, torn between longing and fear. But under the intensity of Jaxon’s gaze, her resistance crumbled into dust.

“I want this,” she whispered. “I want you.”

A growl escaped Jaxon as he closed the distance between them, claiming her mouth in a searing kiss. Rachel melted against him with a soft moan, all thoughts fleeing her mind except for Jaxon.

Jaxon’s hands roamed her body, stroking the curves of her hips and waist. He tugged at her, breaking the kiss long enough to pull it over her head before devouring her mouth once more.

Rachel fumbled with the buttons of his vest, desire clouding her senses. She pushed the leather off his shoulders, her fingertips exploring the solid muscle underneath. Jaxon made a low sound of approval, kicking off his boots and shrugging out of his jeans.

Then they were tumbling onto the bed, a tangle of bare limbs and racing hearts. Jaxon hovered above her, his eyes dark with lust. “Last chance to back out,” he said, his voice rough.

Rachel gazed up at him, seeing the vulnerability beneath the passion. She lifted her hand to his cheek, her touch gentle. “I’m here because I want to be. I choose you.”

Something flickered in Jaxon’s eyes. He turned his head to press a kiss to her palm. “And I choose you,” he said.

Then he was kissing her again, deep and slow and thorough. Rachel wrapped her arms around him, pulling him closer as a bone-deep ache built within her.

Tonight, she would find solace in Jaxon’s embrace. Tomorrow could wait.

A loud bang suddenly echoed through the night, followed by shouts in the distance.

Jaxon tensed, pulling back from the kiss. His eyes narrowed as he peered into the shadows.

“What was that?” Rachel asked, breathless. Her heart pounded for an entirely different reason now.

“Trouble.” Jaxon grabbed her hand, pulling her along as he strode toward the source of the commotion. “Come on.”

Rachel hurried after him, nerves twisting in her stomach.

As they rounded the corner, Rachel caught sight of several bikers confronting a man she didn’t recognize. He was outnumbered, but held a gun in a white-knuckled grip, shouting threats.

Jaxon stepped forward, hands raised. “Easy now,” he said, voice hard with authority. “No need for this to get ugly.”

The man whipped toward him, gun swinging in Jaxon’s direction. “Stay back!” he shouted. His eyes were wild, pupils dilated. Rachel’s heart leaped into her throat, cold fear gripping her. This was not going to end well.

Jaxon froze, gaze locked on the gunman. His hand tightened around Rachel’s, a subtle warning.

The man’s finger twitched on the trigger. Rachel sucked in a sharp breath, bracing herself for the crack of gunfire.

But a second later, the gunman crumpled to the ground. A trickle of blood ran from his temple - he’d been knocked unconscious and the property was in a blaze.

Rachel stared at the scene in shock, heart pounding. Before she could ask what had happened, Jaxon pulled her into his arms.

“It’s alright,” he murmured, one hand cradling the back of her head. “You’re safe now.”

She clutched at his shirt, the adrenaline rush leaving her trembling. “What was that about?” she whispered.

“Just troublemakers looking to cause trouble.” His embrace tightened. “Doesn’t matter. You’re with me now.”

With me now. The words echoed in Rachel’s mind as her racing pulse began to slow. She breathed in the scent of leather and spice, felt the solid warmth of Jaxon’s body against hers.

“Rachel,” he said. “There’s no going back from this. If you’re gonna be mine, it means being part of this life. The danger, the violence...it’s all part of the package.”

His words resonated inside her, sparking a mix of fear and thrill. She knew, in that moment, she couldn’t walk away from him. From any of this.

Rachel lifted her chin, heart pounding as she whispered, “I’m yours.”

A slow, dangerous smile curved Jaxon’s mouth. He dipped his head, lips brushing hers, and sealed her fate with a searing kiss.