“We need to keep moving, I don’t have time to explain this over and over to you. I can’t penetrate your naive little brain any more than I have.” His Adam’s apple bobs, and he grips my cuffs, pulling me after him.

“Why do you have to be such an asshole!?” I yank back on the cuffs to get his attention.

Looking over his shoulder, he jabs, “I guess you just bring it out in me, Rookie.”

That stung.

We walk for what seems like forever, and not one car drives by. The moon is high in the sky, and the wind is beginning to blow with a chill that has me shrinking into myself to keep warm.

My emotions are a mess. I don’t know what to accept as truth, and what is a lie. I’m always so sure of everything, until Zeek walked in my life. Now, I know nothing about nothing.

A shiver trembles from my lips causing my teeth to clatter. Zeek looks over his shoulder and stops.

“You cold?”

“I’m fine.”

Ignoring me, he shimmies his leather cut off.

“Here, this will help.”

I shake my head and hold my cuffed hands up.

“No, really I’m fine.” The last thing I want is to wear the insignia of the club that just offed one of my family members.

His face hardens, his eyes narrowing in on me.

He grips my upper arm turning me forcefully, and places the warm leather on my back. The smell of cologne, worn leather, and a hint of mint cocoon me in a blanket of danger. I find it comforting, the lingering scent a warning of adventure and risk. It’s no surprise I crave an adrenaline rush, and Zeek is a non-stop high.

Peering up under my lashes I catch Zeek looking me over hungrily, the look in his eyes anything but earnest. They’re hooded and trailing up and down my body unforgivingly.