few civilians, most likely off-duty law enforcement from their posture, fatigues, and disregard for the danger of the situation, watched with interest as Viper’s bodyguards fell into position behind him.
“How many brothers we got outside?”
“Five,” Jagger said. “And Tank didn’t see any other Jacks outside, so we’re evenly matched. Your choice, brother. If you want to fight, we got your back, but put the gun away.”
“You aren’t fighting in my bar.” A short, stocky man in a Riverside Bar T-shirt strode into the center of the bar as Zane tucked his gun into his holster. “I’ve already called the cops. Last time we had bikers here, I was shut down for three months. You want to have a shoot-out, take it outside.”
“Not here to fight,” Viper said. “Just here enjoying the music with my girl.”
Mine. In that moment the choice became no choice. Zane couldn’t stand by and watch Evie be manhandled by any man, much less Viper. He closed the distance between them in three quick strides and ripped Viper’s hand away.
Although braced for the intervention of Viper’s bodyguards, he wasn’t prepared when the biggest and ugliest brute lifted him as if he weighed nothing and tossed him across the bar.
“Fuck.” Jagger yanked open the door and yelled for Sinners who had accompanied them to the Riverside Bar. “We got a fight.”
“Evie. Come.” Zane pushed himself to his feet, keeping some distance between him and the monolith in front of him as he held out one hand and drew his weapon with the other.
If he thought she’d throw herself sobbing into his arms with gratitude like she’d done when he saved her from Derek, her livid expression quickly dissuaded him of that notion.
“I’ve got this, Zane. Thanks. This isn’t high school. I don’t need you running to my rescue.”
“You gotta respect a woman with her own mind, Sinner. She wants to be with me.” Viper nuzzled her neck. “Let’s go, kitten. Your new chariot awaits.”
“I’m not going with you either.” She twisted out of Viper’s grasp. “I’m not a damn chew toy to be fought over. Give me my keys. I’m going home.”
Zane saw the flash of a blade, felt the slight disturbance in the air. Adrenaline surged through his body and he mentally kicked himself for not seeing the danger. While Viper kept him distracted, he’d left Jagger unprotected and at the mercy of the bodyguards who had taken the advantage of the cleared-out bar. Viper had baited a trap and Zane had fallen right in.
With a shout of warning, he flung himself to the side. The blade sliced through the sleeve of his shirt, cutting his arm, before it deflected and hit the wall only inches from where Jagger stood.
Jagger drew his weapon just as the door slammed open and Sinners poured into the bar. T-Rex fired a warning shot at the ceiling, covering Jagger while Gunner and Sparky pulled him to safety, despite his growled protests. The club was nothing without their president, and for all Jagger wanted to have his back, Zane would do anything to protect him.
“Zane!” Evie ran toward him, her face twisted in anguish. She threw her arms around his waist, her momentum carrying him back toward the door.
Zane put one arm around her and caught Viper’s hard gaze.
Mine. He mouthed the word at Viper, clenching his fist against Evie’s back in triumph.
Viper’s mouth tightened and he met Zane’s silent challenge with a derisive snort. Then his bodyguards closed in around him, and Zane pulled Evie away.
* * *
Evie handed Zane a beer and sat beside him on her front steps. Moonlight glinted off the chrome on his bike, parked in her driveway where her car should have been. She pulled the key fob Viper had given her from her pocket, and ran her thumb over the smooth, black surface. On their third date, Viper had asked her about her dream car, and they’d had a fun evening checking out pictures of luxury vehicles on her phone. She’d never thought he would buy the Mazda for her, nor had she ever considered that he’d take her car.
Damn Viper and his stupid gift. She wanted her car, rusty and worn as it was. She’d bought it with the last of her savings from Stanton the morning after Mark pushed her down the stairs in a drunken rage. Only quick thinking and years of daredevil stunts with Zane had saved her, and she managed to grab the railing on her way down. Although Mark