Hook (Brutal Chains MC #1)

Chapter 7

Seven

Hook

Fuck, she's gorgeous.

I know I shouldn't be spying on Bea, but my curiosity gets the better of me. The club members all have businesses in the small strip mall attached to the clubhouse compound, and Brick, ever the cautious one, insisted on installing surveillance cameras in each one. Right now, I'm peering at the screen that shows a live feed from the camera in my office at the tow yard.

Bea is following my instructions perfectly. She's made herself comfortable on the couch and looks like she's ready for bed. I can see her settling in for the night, and I feel a slight twinge of disappointment when she doesn't take advantage of the shower. But I quickly scold myself for even thinking about watching her undress. Though I have to admit, the thought of seeing a stunning woman walking around in revealing clothing has its temptations.

"What the hell are you staring at?" Brick's voice pierces the tense silence of the surveillance room like a gunshot, causing me to physically jump in my seat. My heart races as I whirl around to face him, my hands trembling with the fear of getting caught. Desperately, I try to block his line of sight from the screen that reveals my damning secret, but he stalks towards me with a predatory glint in his eyes. His question rings out like an accusation, making me shrink under his intimidating presence.

"Nothing," I lie, even as he walks over to where I'm sitting and shoves me out of the way.

"Who the fuck is that?" He points at the screen.

"Her name is Bea," I answer while I rub the back of my neck. I'm not sure why I'm so ashamed of what I've done. Anyone else would have done the same in my shoes.

Brick's entire body stiffens as he takes a step back from me.

This isn't protocol. As the VP of Brutal Chains, I know better than anyone that we're not supposed to have guests without letting the rest of the club know. Too much could happen. It's a breach of security. I have to get ahead of this before Brick starts to think the worst.

"Listen man, I know I fucked up bringing her here without permission, but I couldn't leave her out there alone." Taking a deep breath, I launch into the story of how I met her. "I was towing a car on Lempock Street and didn't notice her hiding under a blanket until we were back here. It was insane." I scoff in frustration. "I kicked her out, thinking that would be the end of it, but she showed back up tonight. And two guys came looking for her, total scumbags with prison tats all over their arms. They're after this woman for God knows what reasons. She tells me she's running from her ex who just got out of jail for assault. She's terrified and I unknowingly took away her only means of escape. I had no idea what else to do."

"There's shelters all over the place. The cops? Hell, she could go back home to family." Brick quickly interjects. I can see the anger all over his face. He's not heartless, but we all know that something like this could cause problems for the whole club.

"I told her the same thing. Apparently, she's tried to go to the cops, but they can't help her. She looked like she was running for her life when she showed up tonight. I've already locked her in my office so she can't get at anything. I just didn't feel right putting her out again."

"Hook, you know I trust your judgment. But this shit is reckless as fuck. You don't know what the hell she's into. I'll let this slide for tonight, but come tomorrow, you're going to have to get her a different option. I can't have strangers running around here, not when I know she's got trouble chomping at her heels." Brick gives me one final look before he directs his eyes back to the screen where she's sleeping.

"Why are you spying on her anyway? I never knew you were a creeper."

"I'm not a fucking creeper. I was just making sure she didn't steal anything."

"Yeah, sure, she's going to steal all your nonexistent paperwork and the old ass furniture you got in that death trap. I doubt it." He smirks. "Be honest; you were getting your rocks off."

"Fuck you, I was not." I reach over and press the mouse to change the image from my office so it's no longer focused on her.

Brick shakes his head and walks to the door. "Don't lie. Shit, she's the prettiest thing you've ever brought up here. I'd think something was wrong with you if you weren't creeping on her a little."

Silence fills the room as Brick exits, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I slowly pivot back to the desk and click on the screen, revealing a serene image of Bea, fast asleep on the couch in my office. He was right; she truly is the most beautiful thing I've ever brought up here. Her delicate features and peaceful expression make her seem almost otherworldly. She lies there, vulnerable and inviting, just waiting for me to join her in dreamland. The soft glow of the monitor casts a warm light on her features, highlighting every curve and contour of her face. I can't help but feel drawn to her, like a moth to a flame.

It's stupid of me to think I’d even have a chance at someone like her, but she can’t stop me from fantasizing, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. She’ll be mine tonight, even if it’s only in my dreams.

I take the morning off so I can find somewhere safe to bring Bea. When I told her my plan this morning, she fought me every step of the way. She tells me that she’s already tried all the options I’m proposing, but Brick already gave me the order. I have to get her out of my office.

My skin itches as I walk around my truck and open the door for her.

"I already told you, Hook. They're not going to do anything to help me. The cops are useless."

"I'm not saying I don't agree with you, but this is the best option for the mess you’re in. I mean, hell, did you expect to live in your car for the rest of your life?" I snap at her, annoyed not only that she's going against what I want her to do, but also because I'm standing in front of a police station. My relationship with the boys in blue hasn’t always been the best.

"Not forever, just until Lance stops looking for me." She shrugs and slides out of the truck in front of me. When I look into her eyes, I know she’s telling the truth. She thinks that her crazy ex is just going to stop.

"I don't mean to be the one to burst your bubble, sweetheart, but people like your ex don't give up. If he went through his whole bid with a grudge, he's not going to let it go just because he's on the outside now. In fact, it'll only get worse."

As I watch her, her eyes begin to glisten with tears, making them appear watery and glassy. Her lashes flutter, trying to hold back the tears that are threatening to fall.

It seems like she’s going to cry. I hope not; I’m not good with emotions. I never know what to do with myself when someone gets all in their feelings. Thankfully, she takes a deep breath and swallows hard and her eyes clear.

She takes a step around me, but before she can clear my body, she jerks backward, her eyes focused on something over my shoulder.

Quickly, I glance in the direction she’s looking and realize that the two men who came searching for her last night are walking out of the police station with two officers in tow. Shit, they’ve already come here for her. She’s not lying when she said she’s really being hunted by this man.

"Get back in the truck," I urge her.

"What?" she hisses.

"Get in the fucking truck," I say a little more aggressively.

Without wasting another second, I skirt the front of the car, staying out of the sight of the cops or the two goons that came for her last night, and get into the driver’s side of the truck. They’re going to see us. Without a doubt. I just have to make it uncomfortable for them to keep their eyes on us.

Leaning over the center console, I grab the back of Bea’s head and pull her in my direction, dipping my head, so I’m close to her face.

"What the hell are you doing? No!" She tries to push away. She rummages for something in her pocket, and suddenly I feel the very sharp edge of something poking into my side. I don’t need to look down. It’s a blade. I’ve felt the cold metal against my body before.

"Hmm, the wildcat has claws. Easy sweetheart." I whisper as I press closer to her. Our noses just a hair's breadth away from each other.

"What are you doing?" She whispers. Her words tremble and I feel her free hand squeeze against my arm. It's only then that I notice she's not pushing me away anymore, she's pulling me closer.

"I'm just making sure they don't see you. That's the plan isn't it?" I question but her eyes don't leave mine.

Instead she licks her lips slowly and her gaze dances between my own and my lips. She wants me to kiss her. My cock gets hard at the thought. Slowly, I lean forward a bit more and our noses skim each other. She tips her head back, those moist lips waiting for me to lick and bite on. It would be so easy and I bet she'd taste better than any five course meal.

I know I should be paying attention to the men outside that we're trying to get away from but for the life of me I can't stop looking at her. She's everything I've always known I'd never have but yet here she is basically begging me to take her with her eyes.

"Easy." I growl when her hand absentmindedly pushes the knife harder against my skin.

"Sorry." She squeaks before she lets the knife fall to the floor of my truck.

"Don't apologize, Bea. I'd just rather not have to get any stitches today." I smirk at her and she dazzles me with a soft grin in return.

The tension between us crackled like electricity. I find myself studying the curve of Bea's neck, the way her pulse flutters just beneath her skin. I force my gaze back to her eyes, surprised by the intensity I found there.

"You're good at this," She says softly, a hint of admiration in her tone.

I chuckle low in my throat. "You have no idea," I replied, the double meaning hanging in the air between us.

As we sat in silence, our bodies pressed close, my mind raced. I'd known Bea for such a short time, yet I felt an overwhelming urge to protect her, to keep her safe. It wasn't just physical attraction – though that was undeniably present. There was something about her spirit, her resilience, that called to me on a deeper level.

"Hook," Bea breathed, her eyes searching my face. "I?—"

"Shh," I interrupted gently, spotting movement outside. "They're leaving. Just a little longer."

As we waited, I realized with startling clarity that I was in too deep. This woman, with her fierce determination and vulnerable heart, had somehow wormed her way past my defenses. The thought both thrilled and terrified me.

I need to put some space between us both physically and emotionally before I make a fool out of myself.

"Okay, let me check it out." Slowly, I move back from her and I swear I hear her whimper as I do. Fuck, I could throw her in the back seat right now and have my way with her. I want to. More than I've wanted most things recently.

Unfortunately, I know I have to watch for any threats, the same ones that she's running away from. I look over her shoulder out the passenger side window and don't see the two men in front of the police station any longer. Moving away from Bea even more I look out the front window and see the two of them walking down the block stopping every so often to tack a sheet of paper onto a wall or telephone pole.

"Stay here. I'll be right back." I order Bea as I hop out the car and walk to the nearest telephone pole to see exactly what they are putting up around town. My heart drops to my gut as I get a good look at what it is. It's a missing person's flyer. On it are several pictures of Bea and a large warning on the bottom that she's mentally unstable and dangerous. I may not know Bea very well but there's one thing I know about the woman is that she's not crazy.

This Lance asshole is pulling out all the stops to get her back. Talk about determination.

Of course, this puts a real kink in my plan to just drop her off at the police station to let them deal with this mess. If Lance's goons have already gotten to the boys in blue first and told them that she was crazy there's every chance that they won't believe her if she tries to go in there and tell them that people are after her. She was telling the truth when she said that no one would believe her.

All of the so-called options Brick suggested earlier disappeared right in front of my eyes as I continue to look over the flyer. There was nothing left for me to do but protect her myself. With a deep sigh I walk back to the driver's side door of my truck and get in.

"What was it?" Bea asks the second my ass touches the seat.

I don't answer her. She's already panicked just from seeing the two men. If I tell her they are going around telling people she's crazy she just might lose it. I squeeze the steering wheel and look up through the front windshield and watch as the two men disappear around the corner. The immediate danger is gone but who knows when it'll pop back up. Who else does Lance have searching for Bea.

The weight of the situation weighs heavy on me but I know I have to keep it together for Bea. I didn't ask for this job but she's depending on me.

She stares at me, those big eyes mixed with apprehension and uncertainty.

"We need to figure out our next move."

"What do you mean our next move? I thought this was our next move. What was on the flyer?" Her questions flying faster than a buckshot from a shotgun.

"They're making it seem like you're crazy. A danger to yourself and others."

"What the hell!" She shrieks, "I'm not fucking crazy. That man hurt me and now he won't stop until he finishes the job." Her body shudders and she drops her head forward, squeezing her eyes shut to keep from crying.

"Hey, none of that. I'm here. I know you're not crazy. We'll figure this out." I reach over and squeeze her thigh. I'm not used to comforting people. It's never been in my makeup before but with Bea it comes easy. I don't want her to hurt or be upset.

"How? What other options do we have? I'm not seeing the light at the end of this tunnel, Hook."

"I don't know about a light at the end of the tunnel but I have a few warriors I know will go to battle for you if I ask." I nod my head and use my finger to lift her chin. I need her to believe me. For some reason, getting her to trust me is the only thing I care about right now.

"Who?" She asks.

"My MC. The Brutal Chains. We all try to stay out of drama because we all know what it's like to be on the other side of the law but if it calls for it I know not one of them will hesitate to help me if I ask." It's the first time I've alluded to the fact that I'm an ex-con to her. I wait for the judgement to pass over her expression but I don't see any.

How surprising.

"You'd do that?" Bea's voice was barely above a whisper, tinged with both hope and disbelief.

"It's risky," Hook admitted, his gaze meeting hers. "For both of us. But leaving you to handle this alone... it's not an option I'm willing to consider."

"First things first," I say, my voice steady despite the adrenaline pumping through my veins. "We need to get back to my clubhouse and plan our next move."

"You're clubhouse? You mean the tow yard?" Bea's eyebrow raises and I can't help but chuckle at her reaction.

It's amazing how things can stay hidden in plain sight.

The small strip mall where I have the tow yard is lined with several businesses, all of them owned and operated by members of Brutal Chains MC. Behind the buildings though is one large building fenced in and connected to the back entrances of the business, our compound. To the outsider it might look like a warehouse or a rundown factory but inside is where I call home.

Only approved members either patched or public can walk through the doors. That's going to be my next problem, trying to convince Brick that Bea is worth opening the gates for.

"Hook," Bea's voice is soft, hesitant. "Why are you doing this? You barely know me."

I pause, considering my words carefully. "Because it's the right thing to do. And because... there's something about you, Bea. I can't explain it, but I know I can't walk away from this – from you."

I've never been one to let my feelings get the better of me but this is deeper than just some feelings. This is pure intuition. I've barely got a soul left in my body and I know if I let her walk out into this hell alone I'll never be able to live with myself.

Sleeping doesn't come easy for me and I'd rather not add yet another regret for me to mull over when the darkness settles over me.