Hook (Brutal Chains MC #1)

Chapter 8

Eight

Bea

I feel like I'm jumping straight from the boiling water into the flame.

I should've known Hook wasn't an upstanding member of society. Not the way he looks at me. Not the way he reacted when I pulled my pocket knife out on him.

I didn't react when he told me that he was an ex-con or when he told me that he was in a gang. I know better than that.

The ride back to this mysterious compound isn't very long but with every street we drive down I can't help but wonder what the hell I'm getting myself into. How can this help me?

"What's the matter?" Hook questions without looking from the road.

"Hmm?" I startle and turn in his direction. Lost in my own thoughts, I didn't even think he was paying any attention to me.

"You're sitting there like I'm taking you to the fucking firing squad or something. The tension in your body is almost painful to look at.

"Nothing." I answer quickly.

"You're a liar. I don't have time for liars. Fix your answer." He snaps at me.

With a sigh, I adjust myself in the seat and will some of the tension to leave my body. "You're not a good man."

"No, I never said I was."

"How do I know you're any better than Lance? I can't deal with having to run from anyone else." I shake my head and wait for his response. Doing my best I study his profile. Lance was so good at lying to me. At making me feel like things would change or that he was truly sorry for all the pain he'd caused me. By the end I'd been able to tell he was lying just from the way he blinked his eyes. Right now I'm hoping those same skills will help me with Hook.

"I'm probably not any better than Lance. But I'm a man of my word. You don't have anything to fear from me. As long as you're honest and you're not out to fuck up what I've got going in my life, you've got an ally with me."

He glances at me for only a second but that second is all I need. He may not have the best track record but I can see he's telling the truth. I've gotten exactly what I wished for back when I was running for my life in the park. I've got my own monster.

"Deal." I hear myself say. I hope I didn't just sign away my soul to the devil.

After that, we fall back into silence as he continues to drive back to the tow lot. For some reason, I feel safe here. Safer than I've felt in a long time.

Getting out the truck I inhale deeply and feel myself relax just a little more.

The scent of oil and rubber hung heavy in the air. The dirt swirled up with every step I took towards the building where Hook's office is.

"Wait a minute, we need to talk." Hook calls from behind me and I turn to look at him. He's standing against his truck, his arms crossed over his chest and his feet crossed at the ankles.

"About what? I'd like to get inside, if it's all the same to you." I gesture to the building in front of me.

"Nah, sweetheart. I'm not getting any deeper into this mess until I know exactly what's going on. You need to tell me what happened between you and your ex. Don't leave anything out." He tilts his head to the side but he doesn't take his gaze away from me. This is a test.

I could risk it and try to tell him a lie but then that would mean if he found out he'd send me back out on my way. Neither option is something I want to do.

"I did this." I start and that weight that was lifted moments before comes slamming back down on me. "I knew what he was when I met him or at least I thought I did." Walking over, I stand by him so I can lean on the truck as well. Just reliving my past with Lance is enough to break me down.

"Growing up I was always what everyone called a miss goodie two shoes. I did everything by the book. Never in trouble, never skipped class, nothing. I wanted to shake that persona badly. So I thought I'd do the only thing I could do that wouldn't end up with me in prison. I went after the bad boy. Lance wasn't from my town, and he was charming but you could tell there was something off about him. He was bad. He fought at a whim. He had loads of cash even though I never knew what he did. And to add to that he was super charming to boot. I should've known better. I pursued him. Then when I looked up he claimed me as his. At first I loved it. I wanted to do everything he asked simply to make him happy. I didn't notice until it was too late that making him happy was getting harder and harder. Two years into the relationship, I'd completely lost myself. I was nothing but a shell of what I used to be. He was so controlling. So intense. When I started talking about maybe leaving or ending the relationship he let me know under no circumstance would he have that. He beat me. Told me not to call my family. Moved me all the way up here. I had no way out. Finally, he beat up the wrong person and he was taken to jail. I thought it was over after that, but Lance still had a hold on me. He sent me letters and postcards. I tried to keep from talking to him, tried to keep from letting him get under my skin but I couldn't. He's never going to let me go. He'll kill me before he does."

When everything was out, I sighed a big breath and let my head drop. It was as if telling that story was enough to take all the strength out of me. A few seconds passed before I looked back up at Hook. I expected to see some judgement, but instead he looks contemplative.

"What?" I ask, just wanting him to stop the charade and call me stupid or something like that.

"Nothing. I'm still trying to figure out where this is your fault. To me it sounds like he's the asshole who can't take no for an answer."

"Well if I hadn't-"

"If you hadn't what? Wanted to experience something different? The only thing your story told me is you wanted a taste of the wild side. You got it. It just wasn't what you were expecting." He shrugs.

"Definitely not. I've learned my lesson. Bad boys aren't for me."

"Don't sell us short. The bad boys can show you things you've never imagined. Not all of us are like Lance's lunatic ass."

My eyes widened at that. What exactly was he offering me? "Are you saying you're different?"

"I'm saying if you wanted a taste of the wrong side of the tracks, I'd be more than happy to give it to you." His voice is low, barely more than a growl.

"What makes you think I want that?"

"Let's just say I'm very intuitive." He smirks at me "I understand your hesitation but not everyone is like your ex."

"Yeah right. In my experience everyone has an angle. What's yours?"

"My angle? Who knows, maybe I just have a thing for damsels in distress."

"I'm no one's damsel, Hook."

"So you say." He shrugs a shoulder. The fact that he's making this so much less than what it is irritates me. I should just drop it but I can't.

"And what does that make you? My knight in shining leather?"

He chuckles and turns in my direction, "I'm whatever you need me to be, Bea."

The intensity of his gaze makes my breath catch. I'm playing with fire and I know it but I can't resist pushing further. Leaning in my voice barely a whisper, "And what if what I need is for you to leave me alone?"

Hook's eyes darkened as he stepped closer, erasing what little space remained between us. My breath hitched and my heart hammered against my ribs. Every instinct inside of me screamed to push him away . But my body betrayed me, I can feel myself leaning closer to him.

"Is that really what you want Bea?" His voice is a low rumble. It sends shivers down my spine.

"I don't know." I answer honestly. My eyes not moving from his. I feel hypnotized.

In one fluid motion, Hook's hand shoots out and presses against the wall beside me. I didn't even realize I was so close to the wall of the building. He leans in caging my body with his. The heat radiating off him is palpable and his scent, leather mixed with car oil, completely envelops me. I sway on my feet slightly but I don't fall. I can't not again.

"Tell me to stop." Hook murmurs, his face merely inches from mine. My heart stops completely as he raises his hand and trails his finger down my jawline. "Tell me you don't feel this tension between us."

"This is a bad idea." I reply.

His devilish grin nearly takes my knees out, "the best ones usually are, sweetheart."

He leans forward, pressing me harder against the wall. His body pressed against mine. When he dips his head I move my face to the side to give him better access. I don't know why I'm going along with this but for the life of me I can't stop. Hook's lips brush against my ear and I shiver at the connection. His warm breath sending waves of pleasure down my spine. "You're right though. We should stop this is a bad idea. If I was any worse of a man I'd be telling you something completely different."

"What would you be telling me?" I question fighting against the urge to grab hold of his leather vest and pull him closer to me.

"I'd tell you that you are mine now. Whether you like it or not."

My stomach clenched and alarm bells screamed in my head. I can't let this happen. Softly I try to push Hook back but it's like moving the wall behind me. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into."

"I know exactly what I'm getting myself into. The real question is do you?"

I feel my eyes flutter close. I'm so close to just giving in. To letting Hook show me exactly how good he can take care of me. I'm right on the edge of surrender when a booming voice shatters the moment.

"What the fuck is this?"

My eyes snapped open and reality comes crashing down on me like ice water. I jerk away from Hook only to look up and see a menacing man coming in our direction.

"Who is that?" I question.

"Easy, it's just my president. Brick."

Brick? That was his name? It made sense looking at him. The man was massive. It looked like he could rip trees down with his bare hands. His dark eyes roamed over me for a second before he stared daggers at Hook.

"Brick, I can explain." Hook starts but Brick puts his hand up to stop him.

"You better do a whole lot more than just give me some half ass excuse Hook. I thought we talked about this. Are you going against a direct order?"

I feel Hook tense right next to me. Since I've met him I have yet to see anything that really rattles him but for some reason Brick has a level of power over him. It's interesting.

"I'm not trying to but everywhere I turn to do as you ask it's like I'm running into dead end after dead end. She's my responsibility Brick. I can't just leave her alone to deal with this on her own."

My eyes jerk to Hook but he's not paying me any attention. I'm stuck on the fact that he thinks I'm his responsibility. I'm my own woman. I will admit that I do need someone's help but I don't want to be in anyone's debt. I don't want to be anyone else's responsibility but my own.

"What are you talking about? What happened at the police station?" Brick asks and I'm confused as to how he knows about that. Was this the plan all along? Suddenly I'm feeling like the third wheel in this conversation.

"They were already there waiting for her." Hook says and crosses his arms over his chest.

I watch as Brick's face falls and he groans in annoyance.

"Why do I have a feeling this is going to get a lot more complicated before it's all over?" He asks.

"Because if it has anything to do with Lance, it definitely will. He's not afraid of a fight." I answer, speaking up for myself.

"You think we are?" Brick tilts his head at me.

I know I shouldn't poke the bear but I can't help myself. "So far all it looks like to me is you trying to find a way to run away."

Both of them gasp before Brick narrows his eyes at me. Did I just call them pussies? It feels like I did.

"Bring her." Brick orders before he turns on his heel and walks back down the walkway on the side of Hook's building.

Hook grabs my hand and leads me along the side of the building. What I see as I follow behind them takes my breath away.