Havoc (Tattoos and Ties 1)

“I’m Alec Pierce.” He moved the phone and extended his hand, giving no clue how he felt about Keyes’s offer. With the knowledge that touching this man in any way was terrible idea, Keyes paused before extending his own hand. Every nerve ending in his body ignited at the simple touch. The eagerness in his pants grew past epic proportions. Keyes’s skin warmed and his breathing became harder to control as he tightened his grip and looked deeper into the most beautiful green eyes he’d ever seen. Eyes that seemed to hold curiosity with no hint of judgment lurking in their depths.

The voice, along with the name Alec Pierce, sounded familiar. Maybe a local celebrity? No. He’d have definitely remembered seeing this guy before. Based on the car and the clothes, he had to be someone, like maybe an international celebrity of some kind. He held an air of distinction, even in such an odd situation. Alec wasn’t rattled, and if he had any qualms about shaking hands with an obvious biker, he hid it well. Hell, he’d been the one to offer his hand first. That action alone said more about the man than any words ever could.

Oh hell, the handshake continued. It was like neither one was willing to be the first to release the other.

“You know I’m here, right?” The passenger sounded irritated as hell, and Alec seemed not to care, not looking away when Keyes pulled his hand free, releasing the extended handshake. The car door slammed shut. Keyes heard the crunching of grass underfoot as the passenger stalked toward them. “Seriously? We almost died, and you’re hitting on the biker responsible for this mess?” And there was the anger he’d been expecting. Keyes’s brows snapped together as he stared at the smaller, but obviously not frailer, spitfire now standing between them, facing off with Keyes, his hands perched dramatically on his hips, giving off waves of intense aggravation.

“I didn’t put those boards in the road,” Keyes countered just as angrily.

“If you weren’t showboating—”

Alec cut off the guy’s words by covering his mouth with the palm of his hand. “Blaine. He’s offered a way to help us faster than waiting for roadside assistance.” Alec used that same calm, authoritative tone while his gaze lingered on Keyes—intense light-colored eyes that almost made him forget about the little shit who’d interrupted them. This Blaine acted exactly like the kind of douchebag who usually owned these flashy cars. Luckily, it broke the spell tethering Keyes to Alec. His frustration spiked. Instead of sticking around to hear anything more, Keyes took a step back while unzipping his jacket and reaching for his cell phone.

“Dammit,” he muttered, remembering the feds still had his phone. Besides, most of his staff had been detained by ICE—who was he going to call to send help? “It’ll be faster if I go to the shop and get the truck. I can bring a second spare.”

“Well, seems he’s solved our problem,” Alec said, covering Blaine’s mouth again before the man could respond.

“You two okay out here alone?” Keyes asked. He started for the bike, took a couple of steps and slowed before turning back. It absolutely wasn’t the best part of town. Actually, they were on a side road, not well traveled except by just about every drug dealer he’d ever known… Hell, he shouldn’t leave them out there.

“It’s pretty deserted.” Alec’s gaze followed Keyes, lingering. The guy’s attention stayed so focused that Keyes got confused. The brief thought of Alec possibly liking what he saw switched to another even more likely thought. Maybe it was more recognition than invitation. Keyes had been all over the evening news, even making national news as the night wore on. “And late. I suspect we’ll be fine.”

“I’m not at all sure we’ll be fine, Alec,” Blaine said, sounding uncertain as he turned his incredulous stare on Alec.

Alec lifted his hand, and this time, Blaine moved away, giving a very clear disgusted sigh, tromping his way through the uncut grass, back to the car. Keyes agreed, but he saw no other real option, so he nodded. He needed to make this fifteen-minute trip in ten and get his ass back out there as quick as humanly possible. Keyes gathered the wayward strands of his long hair, preparing to shove the helmet over his head when he heard the Ferrari’s car door slam shut with a force that was hard to believe came from that smaller guy. Keyes looked over to see Alec still watching him, maybe even a few steps closer to him and his bike.

“He’s a friend. A little high-strung for his own good, but what can you do? We’ll wait. Please hurry.”

Keyes nodded. He hiked a leg over the seat, getting the weight of the bike under his thighs as he added his helmet. With a kick of his boot knocking the kickstand back in place and a twist of his wrist, he was off, speeding down the isolated road. He took one last look in the mirror and realized Alec was still standing there in the same position, watching him. For some reason, Keyes liked having those eyes on him. He shifted gears and tucked himself against the tank as he sped off toward the shop.