When he was with me, I didn’t get a chance to do it. He took them out himself. Well, actually, he didn’t take them out as such - he just removed the spikes. They are these little spikey ends that slide over the ends of the barbells. Still, he enjoys making a woman pull them off...with her mouth...so I’ve heard.

I snort. “No, that did not happen. I care about myself far more. He dropped me off, and left. It was fine,” I lie.

“Well, now I know you’re lying because I can hear you’ve been crying.”

“Damn you, Addi.”

She chuckles again. “Well, I rang to give you a heads up. Another angry, over-protective biker is about to pull up in your driveway.”

“What? Who?”

“Cade.”

“Aw, Addi, did you send Cade over?” I groan.

“He’s angry at you, but mostly he’s worried because you left with Spike. I couldn’t stop him, you know what he’s like. He’s known you as long as Spike has, he cares about you.”

I grumble under my breath, “Damn bikers.”

Addi snorts. “Yeah, you got that right. I’m going to bed now, my head’s beginning to hurt...stupid shots. I’ll call you tomorrow, ok?”

“Yeah, thanks babe.”

I hang up the phone and sigh. Cade, great, just what I need. Another big, bad, biker lecture. I’m grateful it’s going to come from Cade, though. He’s always been the nicest towards me, Jackson coming in at a close second. Addi is very lucky to have them both in her life. They’d die a million times over for her. She had a rough life, and is only just coming good after a very recent kidnapping that nearly ended badly for her. Since then, her and Cade have been inseparable, and I can understand why. It scared the life out of him when she was taken. Jackson too. I am glad to have found a friend in Addi, over the past weeks we have gotten closer. It’s nice to have someone.

I hear the rumble of the Harley-Davidson long before it pulls into my drive. Sighing, I quickly pull on some pajama bottoms and slip on an old, baggy shirt. Cade really doesn’t need to see me in my tiniest skirt. I hear the sound of his boots crunching up the path, and then I hear his fist banging on the door. Bikers; they never do anything quietly. I stand there for a moment, contemplating whether to let him in or pretend I’m asleep. Mean, I know, but Cade always overreacts. I don’t know if I can deal with anymore flaw pointing tonight.

“Open up, Tom Cat. Know you’re in there.”

Well, at least he’s calling me Tom Cat. That has to mean something, right?

I walk over, and open the front door. Cade is standing there, dark jeans, leather jacket, looking like the biker version of a model. He’s beautiful. Inky black hair, light eyes, olive skin, tatts everywhere. Cade is what most women dream about.

I can’t help but smile when I see his serious expression. Cade and I have always been close, so it doesn’t scare me when he tries that one on.

“Don’t smirk at me girl, you know you’re in deep shit.”

I raise my eyebrows and block the doorway as he goes to step in.

“How come I’m the one getting yelled at, and Addi is home sleeping? Is it because I can’t offer make-up sex?”

His lips twitch, but he doesn’t crack a smile. “Addi got her ass slapped for what she did, don’t you fuckin’ worry about that. Now, it’s your turn, minus the ass slapping. You gonna let me in?”

“If I say no...”

He leans forward, grips my shoulders and lifts, moving me out of the way—then he steps through the door. I roll my eyes, and turn, walking into the kitchen. I hear Cade following, and I can’t wait for the lecture I’m about to get...really...I can’t wait.

“What’s goin’ on with you, Tom Cat?”

Here we go.

“Nothing,” I say, opening the fridge and pulling out a bottle of water.

“Don’t fuckin’ bullshit me. You came to town after your sister died, we let you lean on us until you found a job, then you got a job, found a place and things were goin’ well for you...until Spike came into town. Then you went off the rails. You snuck my woman to his compound...”

“Hey!” I snap, cutting him off and spinning around to face him. “She wanted to go there, not me!”

“Either way, it ain’t like you. Then tonight...what the fuck was goin’ down in your head?”

“I was having fun, Cade.”

“No, you were bein’ a shit stirrer.”

I cross my arms, and he does too, giving me a hard expression.

“What’s it to you, anyway?”

He raises his brows. “Are you fuckin’ stupid? I’ve been friends with you for a long time, Ciara, and you matter. Anyone who matters to me, I protect. You went out tonight lookin’ for a brawl.”

“No, I was having a few drinks with Addi, and it got out of hand.”

“You don’t do that shit. You are the one who walks away...”

“Yeah,” I bark. “Well maybe I’m sick of being who I am. Look where it got me...”

He uncrosses his arms and steps forward. I step back. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”

“Look, Cade, you know I respect you, but I’m not going to discuss this any further. I don’t owe anybody an explanation for what I’m doing. If you want to be angry at Addi, go right ahead, but it has nothing to do with me.”

“Do you think that shit speech is actually going to stop me from protectin’ you?”