Free Hard Roads by Lily White Page B

matter.”
    “It’s my life. It matters to me.”
    As soon as the words left my mouth, he froze. He didn’t look up at me, just stopped shoving things in the bag for a few moments before suddenly coming to life again and continuing packing up. “You’re going to Diablo’s. Gunner will pick you up from there.”
    “Gunner? So you are with Hell’s Rebellion. Why the fuck would Big John send Gunner? This isn’t a job for a VP. Who the fuck is Diablo?”
    “You don’t know when to shut up, do you?” He finally looked up at me, pain hidden behind the amber color of his eyes. After placing his bag down on the chair, he took a step towards me. Reaching out, he grabbed the rope tied around my wrists and pulled me into him. The heat of his body rolled over my breasts and I sucked in a breath, suddenly remembering how this man could make me feel. I still hated him, but I was cursed with a body that didn’t care what my mind thought. If he could make me feel good, I wanted him.
    A long sigh escaped his lips before he said, “I’m going to tell you this because it might save your life. The men you are going to see have it out for your daddy…”
    I looked up at him instantly, my eyes wide with shock. What the fuck had my father done that would make Hell’s Rebellion want me? They used to be friends, partners even, before Torch died. Even after Big John took over, the two clubs had always been on somewhat friendly terms.
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Ever since the Saint died, your daddy’s been doing some crazy shit. He’s been making deals that he couldn’t pay and having people killed that didn’t deserve to die.” His hand reached up and smoothed the hair away from my face. “I’m afraid there’s a bounty on your head, beautiful. So, I’m kind of glad it was me that got to you first. Two cartels and another club are looking for you as well.”
    I was completely silent as I attempted to process what he was telling me. “So what are they going to do with me?” I looked down at his chest, my eyes focused on his tan skin as I attempted to hide the tears that started to fall.
    He sighed again, letting go of me and walking back towards his bag. “Use you as bait. Their issue isn’t with you. It’s with the Joker. Most likely, he’ll have to pick you up personally if he wants you back.”
    Tears fell harder. Normally I wasn’t the type to cry, but his words were a punch to the chest. I didn’t know what hurt worse: the thoughts of how I was going to be tortured and killed or the fact that, regardless of what they did to me, my father wouldn’t care enough to show up. My father didn’t give a shit about me. I was the worst choice for bait.
    “So what will they do with me if he doesn’t show?” My words were spoken so low that even I could barely hear what I’d said. I didn’t think I’d said them loud enough for him to hear and I decided not to repeat my question. It hurt too much to ask.
    Seconds passed, thick silence wrapping around us and filling the room. I watched him zip up the bag and throw it on the bed. He looked at me, long and hard, a grimace spreading over his lips. “That isn’t up to me. But I doubt the Joker is going to let his little girl get killed.”
    And there was the stab to the stomach.
    “Why are you telling me this?”
    “’Cause you asked and because you might live through this if you learn to keep your fucking mouth shut.” His feet hit heavily against the floor as he marched up to me and tilted my face up with his hand. “You know the life and the players, Munch. I’ve been a hell of a lot nicer than most of the brothers in the club. You can’t expect them to be as nice as me.”
    I laughed, a tiny burst of sound that escaped my throat before I could stop it. “You’ve hit me, you’ve left me trapped in a hot car, you’ve ripped off my clothes and you’ve fucked me…”
    “Exactly.” The corner of his mouth quirked. “I was being nice.”
    Letting go of