Jackal (Heartlands Motorcycle Club #12)- Frankie Love Page 0,3

why he's got to jump on his bike and ride off.

But he's not running away right now.

In fact, he's looking at me like he has something to say.

"What are you doing here?" he asks me. Then he turns, looking at Grant. "Did you need something?”

The tenor in Jackal’s voice is firm in a way that has Grant mumbling. "I'll see you around, Lydia. I’ve got to go.”

“What are you doing here, Lydia?” Jackal asks.

I look around. “Well, everyone's here. It's a party. It's kind of a tradition to come to Hollow Oak at the end of summer.” Even I understand why people came out to the lake tonight. To let loose, to have some fun.

The older members of the club aren't here and it feels like we can get away with anything. That's why I came. Of course, my sister would be furious with me if she knew — and Ranger too, probably. He thinks coming out to the lake tonight is a terrible idea but I'm a grownup. I graduated high school and I'm a legal adult and I can do whatever I want within reason.

I look at Jackal now that Grant has walked away. "Why were you scaring him off like that?" I ask.

"Didn't you want me to?" Jackal asks.

I swallow hard. It's like he can read my mind. How? We've hardly ever said anything to one another. Mostly because Jackal always finds a reason to get away from me as soon as possible.

"You shouldn't be here," he tells me.

"You're not the boss of me," I say.

"Yeah? You think Ranger would like you being here?"

I’m surprised that he's talking to me, looking at me as if he knows me. “Please don't tell Ranger I'm here. He and Ruby would be so disappointed."

"They don't like you to come out to parties?"

I shake my head. "They don't want me to get into any trouble." I take a slow breath in and let it out, waiting for him to say more.

"I'll keep your secret," he tells me.

"You will?" My shoulders falling, relief flooding me. "I still live with them," I say, "and don't want to mess that up."

"I understand," Jackal tells me, "but I'm taking you home."

"Now?" I say. "I just got here."

"I mean it, Lydia. I'll keep your secret but you're leaving."

I look around the lake. So many people are having a good time. Dancing, someone has music on a speaker, a bonfire's lit. Bikini-clad and beers in hand, everyone's soaking up the sun. Enjoying the luxury of having a day off from work and just relaxing. In my backpack is the new digital camera Ruby and Ranger got me for graduation. I was planning on taking photos tonight, practicing with my new lens. I wanted to capture this moment, a moment that feels like freedom. When I mention it to Jackal, he isn't having any of it.

"No, you're not taking pictures. You're going home now. How did you even get here?"

"I got a ride with Peaches."

"Of course you did," he says. "Come on, get your stuff. We got to go."

"You're not the boss of me," I repeat, but inside I'm smiling.

Being alone with Jackal is definitely not the worst way this night could have gone. It's not like I was planning on drinking anyways or hooking up with any of the guys here, like Grant.

No, I came here today because I wanted to have some fun, but being alone with Jackal is way more than fun. It's like a miracle, like a dream. If I'm being perfectly honest, it's a fantasy. My only fantasy because when I go to bed at night and I close my eyes, I think of him. This mysterious man who will hardly meet my eyes, let alone talk to me.

But what is happening right now — this is no dream. This is real life, my real life. Jackal is here and he's telling me he'll keep my secrets. That he'll take me home on his bike. My whole belly flip-flops and my core tightens, needy for things I've never had.

Him.

"Okay," I say, "my backpack's over by that picnic table. Let me grab it.”

"All right," he says, “then let's get the hell out of here."

Now I can't hide the smile. It spreads broadly across my face. This is the perfect way to end the summer because it doesn't feel like an ending at all. It feels like a beginning.

Jackal

Once she has her backpack, she turns to face me, looking so damn sweet in her white