Burnout_ A Legal Heat Novella - Sarah Castille Page 0,30

for her sake but for Jason’s.

“Sorry.” She turned away as he stood. “I made a mistake coming here. I’ll see myself out.”

* * *

Fuck.

He’d hurt her.

And it had been so fucking obvious that the normally easygoing and affable Kickstand decided to show his disapproval with a series of ill-placed punches directed at Ace’s head. Or maybe Kickstand had a death wish. Fighting wasn’t allowed in the clubhouse. Junior patch didn’t disrespect senior patch. Sensible bikers did not attack the sergeant-at-arms when he was reeling from the sudden appearance of the only woman who had captured his interest in years. And no one got in the way of a man who needed to go after his girl who was now under the misapprehension that he wanted someone other than her.

“Enough.” Ace swept Kickstand’s leg, and the junior patch went down hard.

Damn Kickstand and his soft spot for women. His protective streak was going to get him in trouble one day. Hell, it already had. Kickstand had risked his life to save Ice’s old lady, Lana, when she’d been taken by the Wolverines. And now he risked Ace’s wrath to defend a woman who wasn’t even connected to the club.

And never would be.

Ace thudded his fist against the wall. What the fuck had Mop been thinking? Why hadn’t he warned Ace? And why hadn’t Jackie explained to her about the sweet butts, and how they were all just friends—albeit friends who were happy to spend the night with a biker looking for a bit of fun?

“She came here for help, you fucking bastard,” Kickstand muttered as Jackie and Mop helped him to his feet. “She likes you, needed you. She risked her career to come to the club and you’re chilling with a coupla fucking sweet butts on your lap. You hurt her. Means she cared. And since she cared, that makes you an ass.”

“Not your fucking business.” If he’d been a lesser man, he might have tried to explain himself. Sophie had made it clear she wasn’t looking for anything serious. He’d shared a piece of his life with her that he hadn’t shared with anyone else, and that had left him feeling raw and exposed. So yeah, he’d gotten pissed when she’d casually dismissed his concerns about involving the police. Her rejection of the club was a rejection of him. She didn’t trust him, didn’t need him, and didn’t want him. Who could blame him for taking comfort where it was offered? But that was all he’d wanted. He had no intention of sleeping with them. Despite their differences, Sophie was the only woman for him, and he couldn’t stand the thought that she’d been hurt.

Needing to relieve some tension before he went to smooth things out with Sophie, he grabbed Kickstand and hauled him outside for a little lesson in respect. Still agitated after Mop dragged a half-conscious Kickstand to the club’s first aid room, he lifted some weights in the clubhouse gym, tested the security system, and walked the perimeter of the clubhouse grounds to check the fence. Unable to shake a growing sense of unease, he headed over to the parking lot to detail his bike in the moonlight. At least that was the plan. But a few moments later, he was on his bike and racing out of the parking lot at full throttle.

Fuck it. He had to see her now and that was all there was to it.

Despite the light traffic, the ride seemed to take forever. He parked on a side street and walked up to Sophie’s apartment building. His gut twisted when he saw the darkened windows and the empty parking stall. Maybe she had a late shift. Undeterred, he pulled out a file, jimmied the lock, and slipped inside.

He could only hope she wouldn’t have her gun when she got home.

* * *

“Come on in, Gary.”

Sophie unlocked the front door and turned on the lights. Gary followed behind her and frowned as he looked over the spotless apartment.

“I thought you said the movers just dumped your stuff.”

Sophie shrugged. “Yeah, well, they sort of came back and finished the job. Can I fix you a snack?”

“Sure.” Gary settled himself at the kitchen bar. “High metabolism means I’m always hungry.”

“High metabolism also means you’ll be able to run fast when I pull out my gun.” Ace’s deep voice rumbled through the room, startling them both. Sophie gasped and threw herself back against the counter. Gary leaped off his stool and reached for the weapon