It dawned on Dana with trepidation that by “lay low,” he meant hiding in the garage.

  Cross seemed to sense her hesitation, and he reached for one of her hands. Her fingers were stained with grime and fuel marks under the dim office lights.

  His touch, though rough, felt surprisingly warm.

  “Dana, I understand that what I’m asking is a lot,” Cross said softly, locking his eyes with hers. “But it would only be for a little while.”Dana was going to regret this. “Fine. You can rest up here and use the landline. Meanwhile, I’ll head back downstairs and hide your Harley. It’s not exactly subtle.”

  “Thank you, Dana,” Cross told her.

  The grateful look in his eyes made her heart flutter a little. What was this man doing to her? The sooner Cross exited her life, the better, she decided, as she headed back to the front of the shop.

  Chapter Three

  Dana moved to the Harley, draping a ragged piece of cloth over it to protect it from prying eyes. She couldn’t help but admire the care and attention that Cross had given to the motorcycle.

  Dana’s thoughts drifted to the injured and sleeping biker currently holed up in her office. She wondered what had possessed her to help a stranger in this way. Perhaps it was her own form of rebellion against her father, who had made their lives miserable by associating with the Crows ever since she her mother died.

  Hearing the rumble of motorcycle engines outside, Dana’s heart skipped a beat, and she froze in her tracks.

  She jumped when someone started knocking hard on the garage door. She must’ve hesitated too long because it was followed by a pissed-off voice. “Open up, old man. We need to talk.”

  Dana recognized that voice all too well. It was Panther, one of Smoke’s ruthless enforcers, and she had never been fond of the side-eyed looks he gave her. As she heard his demanding tone, panic settled in, leaving her in a tight spot. Taking a deep breath, Dana steeled herself before reluctantly opening the garage door. She tried her best to keep any traces of fear from showing as she came face to face with Panther, who was accompanied by three of his cronies.

  Panther certainly had the audacity to eyeball her up and down, probably thinking thoughts Dana had no interest in knowing.

  “My dad’s not here yet,” she said in an even voice. “I’ll let him know you guys were looking for him.”

  Panther raised an eyebrow, a lecherous grin playing on his lips as he continued to size her up.

  “You opened the garage, huh? So, you probably heard all the commotion earlier?” he asked.

  Dana forced herself to meet his gaze, unwilling to let her unease show.

  “Commotion? I was on the phone with a customer,” she replied. “You can ask Mr. Graham. Did something happen?”

  Panther leaned in, a sly smile on his face.

  “A prey got away from us,” Panther said. “You’re certain you haven’t heard or seen anything?”

  Dana met his gaze with a shrug, feigning ignorance. “No, like I said, I was in the office, taking care of business.”

  Panther’s grin didn’t waver as he decided to push further. “Well then, you wouldn’t mind if we have a little look around, would you?”

  Without waiting for her response, he unceremoniously pushed past her and made his way into the garage, trailed closely by his cronies.

  Frustration surged within Dana, but there was little she could do. The Crimson Crows acted as if they owned the town, and anyone who dared to defy them often ended up in the hospital or worse. She had no choice but to play along, yet her mind raced with concern. What if Panther saw Cross? The thought sent shivers down her spine. It wasn’t just what these bikers would do to Cross that worried her, but also the danger she herself might face.

  Dana did her best to appear nonchalant as she pretended to be engrossed in her phone.

  One of Panther’s cronies had sidled up to peer over her shoulder, but a sigh of relief escaped her lips when the guy, probably uninterested in cat videos, quickly lost interest and moved on.

  Meanwhile, inside the garage, the bikers systematically searched the area. They pushed aside boxes, poked around under cars, and even delved into the trunks, making Dana’s heart race with anxiety. She could feel sweat trickling down her brow as Panther approached the nearby blue Cadillac, and she held her breath. Fate, it seemed, was on her side for the moment.

  Panther cast only a cursory glance at the vehicle before moving on, completely missing the concealed Harley she had tucked away beside a heap of grimy machinery.

  Just when Dana thought she might be getting out of the frying pan, Panther said, “Let’s check the office.”

  One of Panther’s buddies let out a groan, but a fierce glare from Panther made the guy zip it. Dana couldn’t help but discreetly follow the trio as they made their way toward the office. As they headed in that direction, sweat continued to trickle down her brow, and Dana couldn’t help but curse under her breath.

  She was sure Cross must have heard all the commotion by now and would either be preparing to act or maybe even just sleeping through the whole mess. Either way, the situation looked grim. They were stuck in a tight spot, and Dana couldn’t help but worry about what would happen next.

  Panther swung open the office door, and to Dana’s relief, the room was empty. She couldn’t recall leaving her computer running, which added a touch of confusion to her anxiety.

  She briefly fretted about Panther and his crew spotting any bloodstains on the floor or chair, but to her surprise, Panther only spared the room a brief, casual glance. It seemed luck was still on her side for the time being.

  Panther made a decisive call.

  “Let’s move out,” he instructed to his men. “Check the neighborhood again. He couldn’t have gotten far.”

  The two bikers obediently headed out in front of him, but then Panther remained behind, and Dana’s heart sank. She took a step backward, and her retreat was halted by the solid wall. Panther loomed closer, his hand resting against the wall, caging her in. Over Panther’s shoulder, she caught a glimpse of Cross emerging from his hiding spot beneath her desk. His gaze turned steely upon seeing Panther, and Dana silently urged him with a warning look to stay put and let her handle the situation.

  “You’re hiding something, Dana. I can tell,” Panther said, sounding suspicious.

  Dana didn’t want to show any sign of weakness She crossed her arms, trying to appear defiant.

  “What could I possibly be hiding? I have nothing to do with your line of work,” she retorted, despite the nervous flutter in her chest.

  “You know how to keep your head down and mind your business, just like your useless excuse of a father,” Panther remarked. “I always liked that about you, Dana.”

  Then, unexpectedly, he leaned in close, seemingly about to kiss her, but Dana’s instincts kicked in, and she shoved him away.

  Panther’s expression shifted, revealing his annoyance, but thankfully, one of his buddies called from outside, interrupting the tense moment.

  “Panther, I think we might have a lead!” the voice called.

  Panther shot Dana a disdainful look.

  “Always so high and mighty, aren’t you? Someday, you’re going to regret that,” Panther said.

  “You got what you wanted, now leave. I have a business to run,” Dana pointed.

  Panther clenched his fists, and for a moment, Dana worried he might do something utterly reckless. Cross, even though he was injured, continued to glare at Panther, ready for action.

  Dana had a hunch that if a fight broke out, Cross would come out on top, even in his weakened state. But what good would that do?

  Dana weighed the options. If Cross won the fight, he’d likely be on his way back to his MC, leaving Dana to deal with the fallout. The Crimson Crows would undoubtedly retaliate, sending more of their goons after her and her father, turning their lives into a never-ending nightmare. It was a lose-lose situation.

  Fortunately, both bikers decided to keep their tempers in check, much to Dana’s relief. Panther finally peeled himself away from her, a sly grin playing on his lips.

  “I’ll see you again soon, Dana,” he said, then added, “Perhaps you’ll be in a better mood next time.”

  With that, Panther turned and swaggered away.

  Dana remained rooted to the spot, watching them until the growl of motorcycle engines grew fainter and finally faded away into the distance.

  “I really thought I was going to have to gut that bastard. Hell, I was looking forward to doing it,” Cross said.

  Dana glanced at him, her frustration clear. He didn’t look any better at all, still pale and with some of his bandages reopened.

  She couldn’t help but shoot back, “What do you expect me to say to that?”

  Cross blinked, looking genuinely perplexed. “Did I do something wrong?”

  Dana rolled her eyes at his apparent cluelessness. “Arrogant man. In a few hours, your buddy will probably come to get you out of this mess, but now Panther has his eye on me. Have you ever thought about the mess you bikers leave behind, or what happens to the locals caught up in your problems?”

  She paused, realizing her own anger was somewhat misplaced.

  Taking a deep breath, she grumbled, “I don’t even know why I’m so worked up. I should just let you rest and mind my own business. After all, I made the decision to help you, so I’ll have to deal with the consequences.”

  Cross, in an unexpected move, gently cupped her cheek and locked his gaze with hers. Dana couldn’t help but recall the recent encounter with Panther, where the situation had been far less pleasant. However, this time, she didn’t mind Cross kissing her. He owed her that at least, for all the trouble she’d gone through for him.

  Cross seemed to watch her reaction for a few moments, then he leaned in and brushed his lips against her. He kissed exactly the way she pictured men like him kissed.

  Cross wasn’t just satisfied with a single taste. He gripped her shoulder with his good hand and plundered her mouth. Closing her eyes, Dana responded with equal passion. Her nipples tightened to points and found herself a little moist between her legs. How could one simple act from Cross make her body react this way?

  “You taste sweet, Dana. Exactly how I imagined,” Cross murmured. He didn’t release her right away. Cross thumbed her cheek and continued gazing down at her, as if memorizing her features.

  “I won’t ever forget what you’ve done for me, sweetheart,” Cross said, his words causing her heart to skip a beat.

  It was strange, Dana thought, how she’d never been particularly fond of pet names before. In fact, she’d usually found them quite irritating, especially from some of her less impressive dates. Yet with Cross, everything seemed different.

  Cross continued, “Let’s trade numbers. Call me anytime if you or your dad get in trouble with Panther or the other Crows, and I’ll come running.”

  Dana let out a scoff, and suddenly, all thoughts of romance seemed to evaporate.

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” she said, not caring he heard the skepticism in her voice.

  Dana had been disappointed far too many times by the men in her life—her father, who kept letting her down, and all those guys she had dated who had a knack for disappearing at the first sign of trouble or commitment.

  Dana half-expected Cross to rebuke her, but instead, he fixed his gaze on her with those intense, dark sea eyes that seemed capable of piercing the very core of her soul. A shiver ran down her spine as he gently brushed her cheek with the back of his inked knuckles. What terrified her more was the sudden urge to lean in close to his touch like some needy kitten.

  Dana didn’t know what the hell was wrong with her. It must just be the weirdness of the day, because she sure didn’t act this way with other strangers, and she was known for her levelheadedness. Cross wasn’t just a stranger anymore, she decided.

  They had shared a dangerous situation and somehow formed a bond in the process. It didn’t seem to make much sense, but the undeniable chemistry between them was impossible to ignore.

  “Dana, I don’t ever break my promises,” Cross told her.

  Why did Dana have a feeling Cross meant every word, and why was she so relieved by his answer?

  Chapter Four

  Cross watched as Dana bustled around the office, determined to ensure he was as comfortable as possible while he waited for his MC brother Priest to arrive.

  He overheard her speaking to her dad on her cellphone earlier, telling her old man she had everything covered in the garage. Cross didn’t know what Dana’s relationship with her father was like. Judging from the snippets he heard from Dana and the Crimson Crow she called Panther, things weren’t peachy between them.

  God, but Cross would like to know this woman so much better. Not just in bed, but everything else about her. How she thought, her favorite books and movies. What she was like, when she wasn’t harboring an injured biker in her garage. Later, Cross decided. He could think about that once he was out of his mess.

  She returned to him, bringing fresh bandages and antiseptic.

  “You should get a medical professional to look at your wounds when you can.” Dana’s tone remained brusque, but underneath that straightforward exterior, Cross could sense her genuine concern.

  She didn’t know how much he appreciated everything she’d done for him. Her actions spoke volumes, and he was well aware that not just anyone would have gone out of their way to help a stranger in the same manner she had. Her concern for his well-being touched him, even if she didn’t show it in the most overt way.

  “You’re probably right,” Cross said.

  A honk from outside drew their attention. Cross began to rise, but before he could make it to the window, Dana was already there, peering out.

  “Does your friend drive a black Ford?” she asked, then read the license plates aloud to Cross.

  “That’s Priest,” Cross confirmed with a nod.

  Dana couldn’t help but comment, “Interesting name.”

  Cross gave her a half-smile. “I’ll tell you how he got his MC name and mine, the next time we meet,” he told her.

  Dana sounded somewhat pessimistic as she replied, “If there is a next time.”

  Cross refrained from correcting her. It was true that Dana believed she’d never see him again, but after everything they had been through, he had no intention of letting her slip out of his life that easily.

  Cross couldn’t help but grunt in pain as Dana assisted him out of the office. Despite the discomfort, he leaned on her for support, appreciating the help. Outside the garage, they were met by Priest, who was waiting nearby.

  “My Harley. It’s still in there,” Cross said.

  Dana had already wheeled his motorcycle close to the garage doors, ensuring it was ready to be loaded.

  With Dana’s help, Cross carefully settled into the backseat, wincing as he did so. Meanwhile, Priest took charge of rolling Cross’s motorcycle toward the rear of the trunk. When that was done, Priest walked over to Dana. Cross rolled down the truck window, just enough to overhear Priest and Dana talking.

  “For your trouble,” Priest said, pulling out a couple of bills from his wallet, and extended them toward Dana.

  Her expression turned affronted, and Cross couldn’t help but chuckle at the exchange.

  “I don’t need your money,” Dana said curtly.

  Priest regarded her for a moment before tucking the bills back into his wallet. “I appreciate you looking out for my friend, but—” Priest began.

  Dana interrupted him, her voice firm, “If I tell someone, you guys will come after me. I get it.”

  Priest raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.

  “The Crows have been around since I was born,” Dana explained. “So I understand how you bikers operate.”

  “I see. That explains some things,” Cross said.

  “Do me a favor and make sure Cross sees an actual medical professional when you get home,” she requested. “I can’t have him dying after all the effort I put into keeping him alive.”

  Priest nodded in agreement, his respect for Dana evident in his voice as he replied, “Will do.”

  Priest climbed behind the wheel, securing the door as he settled into the driver’s seat. He couldn’t help but comment, “That’s some woman you found, Cross.”

  “It was my lucky day,” Cross replied.

  He glanced over at Dana, who had already retreated to her shop without saying her goodbyes.

  “Let’s go,” Cross said, not wanting to involve Dana in any further trouble.

  With that, Priest started the truck’s engine, and soon, after a few turns and a glimpse of Elmwood in the rearview mirror, they left the town behind.

  Cross had half-expected to run into more Crows on their way out, but they continued down the road without any additional unwelcome company.

  He began to believe they were safe, at least for the time being. One would think he should be feeling relief, considering he had managed to escape with his life intact. After all, his plans upon returning home included having his injuries properly looked at and ensuring Jimmy was rounded up for his betrayal. However, the uneasiness in his gut remained, and it wasn’t about himself—it was about Dana.

  As the miles passed by, Cross’s worry for the woman who had risked so much to help him continued to grow. He couldn’t shake the concern that she might face repercussions from the Crows for her assistance. What if someone had witnessed Priest loading him into the truck? The Crows likely had eyes and ears all over the town, and the mere idea of Dana facing potential consequences gnawed at him.

  “Get some sleep,” Priest suggested. “It’s at least an hour’s drive back home, maybe two if there’s morning traffic.”

  Cross shifted uncomfortably in the truck’s seat, his injuries still throbbing with pain.

  “I don’t think I could get any sleep,” he admitted.

  “You worried about that woman?” Priest asked, as if reading his mind.

 

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