Hook (Brutal Chains MC #1)

Chapter 5

Five

Hook

The little wildcat is trying to hide from me.

It's hard to keep my face expressionless as I wait for Bea to stop hiding behind the chain-link fence and come inside. She probably thinks because it's dark that I can't see her. That's not the case at all. It's not like I have better eyesight than the average man, but being locked up for so long has forced me to be way more vigilant when it comes to my surroundings. I saw her the minute she tried to tiptoe near the gate.

The only thing stopping me from going over to where she's kneeling is the fact that I know I scared her the last time she was here, and also I can't say I completely hate her ogling me. If she wants something to look at, I can put on a little show.

I know how most women see me. I've never had a problem getting someone to fuck me; the problems usually come when they want someone to play the bad boy in their story.

I may not be a hero, but I damn sure am not going to do anything that's going to make me go back to prison. I'll keep my nose clean as long as I can.

A small smirk begins to crawl up my face when I watch her stand, and her hand comes up as if she's reaching for the latch. The sound of a footstep snaps my focus away from her. The footstep came from behind me.

You've got to be kidding me... With a sigh, I drop the chain in my hand to the ground.

"Good evening," the voice says, and I slowly turn to face whoever it is. I can't stand it when the public doesn't think working hours apply to them. I'm open until seven at night. Anything after that, they have to come back the next day.

"I'm closed."

"Yes, I see that." The man tilts his head and talks to me like I'm a dog.

"Then you know you're trespassing." I cross my arms over my chest and glare at him.

I don't care how much money he has; I'm not going to let him intimidate me. He follows my motion and crosses his arms over his chest. When he does, I see the gun he's got tucked in the waist of his pants. Shit just went from annoying to fucked up. If this one has a gun, then I know for sure that his friend has to be strapped too. If they thought a little danger was going to make me go running for the hills, it's not going to happen.

"Oh, come on, I'm not looking for any trouble. Just want to ask you a question."

"You can ask me tomorrow." I answer quickly, but I don't turn my back to the two of them.

"Maybe you should stop being so damn rude," the other man speaks up and takes a step forward. That's a threat if I ever saw one. I match his aggression and take a step of my own.

"Easy, easy, we don't mean any harm," the first one says, a slick smile on his face. "We just want to know if anyone has come for that car over there." He points behind me to the dark blue sedan I towed yesterday—the same car Bea hopped out of.

Realization dawns in my mind. These have to be the guys that she was talking about last night, the ones she was hiding from.

"No, and I'm not at liberty to give out any more information." He reaches in his pocket, and I take a step back, falling into my fighting stance.

"Damn, you don't take any chances, do you?" The intruder chuckles as he pulls a pack of matches from his pocket and flicks it in my direction. I push up the flap to see what I assume is his number. "We'd really appreciate it if you give us a call if the owner shows up."

My body stiffens, and I pray that Bea doesn't make a move behind me. If they want her, they are going to have to go through me to get her, but I'd prefer they don't even know she's here.

"Like I told you, I'm not at liberty to tell you anything about an individual's private matters." The words come out of my mouth clipped.

The one that's been doing all the talking stares at me, and I see the moment his eyes harden. He's much more dangerous than he's letting on. I've seen sociopaths like him before. He's met his match with me. I can be just as brutal as him.

"Don't make this hard for yourself. This?—"

I cut him off before he has a chance to spew any more nonsense in my direction. I don't care what he's about to say or offer me; there's no way I'm going to tell him any information about Bea.

"Here's what's going to happen. Either you're going to leave my place of business of your own power, or I'm going to make you use that nine you've got tucked in your pants. I'm not scared of a bullet, and I promise if I go down, you're going to have a whole shitstorm of trouble come your way. Still, you won't get any information about the owner of that car." I take a few more steps in his direction. If tonight is the night I'm meant to die, then so be it.

I stare the guy down. He's breathing hard. Yet another bit of evidence to let me know this man is no real killer. He's a poser. Thinks he's a big man because he's got a weapon on hand. It takes more than a gun to make someone a stone-cold killer.

We stare each other down for a few more seconds, neither one of us flinching, until finally the guy steps away from me, a fake smile plastered on his face.

"Like I said, we don't want any trouble." He puts his hands up, and I get a look at the small part of skin near his wrists that are exposed. I see prison ink.

What the hell is this girl mixed up in?

"We'll be on our way." He taps his friend on the shoulder, and they turn and walk out as if the entire interaction never happened.

I wait until I see them leave the property and get into a car before I walk swiftly to the part of the fence I know Bea is hiding behind.

"Wait!" She tries to speak, but I put a finger over her mouth and glare down at her.

When I know she's not going to make another sound, I grab hold of her hand, and skirting the backside of the lot, I go into the small building where my office and some of my supplies are kept.

Quickly shutting the door behind us, I push Bea into one of the chairs and clasp my hands on the armrests on either side of her.

"Now, sweetheart, I'm going to ask you some questions, and you're going to tell me the truth. My life was just threatened for you. Now I want to know who exactly I'm protecting. You hold no cards here. I'm in control. So lie to me if you want to. I dare you."

I snarl at her, but instead of her being scared or upset, she simply raises her chin, her eyes staying steady on mine.

"Or what?" she snaps back.

Oh... yes... I love my women with a little bite.

This is going to be fun.