Command (Storm MC 6)

“Yes. And not one I want to discuss.”

We drove the rest of the way in silence, but I stewed on her question the whole way. By the time we arrived at our destination, I was tense with irritation and sick with my cold. Not a great combination.

And definitely not a mood to be in to deal with Rogue.

* * *

I waited outside the rundown old Queenslander Scarlett directed me to. The heat of the day and the lack of air conditioning in my car caused me to wait on the footpath. And this gave Rogue ample opportunity to harass me some more.

He lit a cigarette and sauntered my way, his eyes trailing down my body.

Asshole.

“I’ve known Scott Cole a long time and never once seen him this hung up on a chick. Gotta say, though, I’m hedging my bets as to how long this will last. My best guess is it won’t take him long to get tired of you and he’ll move on to new tits and ass soon.”

I stared at him in disgust knowing full well all he wanted was for me to take his bait and argue with him. It took all my willpower to remain silent, but I did. That only managed to make him try harder to elicit a response out of me.

Taking a step closer to me, he sneered, “You know I’m right so you’ve got no comeback, have you?”

Rogue was a good-looking man, but ugly was all I saw, and I wondered how many women had fallen for him and lived to regret it. I imagined that number to be high.

I took a step away from him, but his hand curled around my arm and held me in place. “Where do you think you’re going? I’m talking to you,” he barked, his dislike of me, clear in his tone.

Holding his gaze, I pried his fingers from my arm and shoved him away. Not an easy thing to do because he packed some muscle on his body and I wasn’t at my strongest while being sick. But I’d be damned if I didn’t at least try. “Scott asked you to watch me, not talk to me, so I suggest you back off and leave me alone.”

He stumbled backwards as I struggled to catch my breath. Anger sat heavy in my chest as my mind worked fast to figure out his next move. I was quickly learning that Rogue was the kind of man you had to be two steps ahead of at all times.

Darkness glinted in his eyes and his shoulders tensed as he steadied himself. “You fuckin’ bitch,” he spat and began moving closer again, however at that moment, Scarlett joined us and halted his progress.

“I don’t know much about bikers, dude, but I’m guessing it’s not a smart move to call another biker’s woman a fucking bitch.” She stared at Rogue, challenging him to argue with her. I had to give her credit – the woman had balls.

He turned his scowl her way. “Why don’t you shut the fuck up and stay out of business that doesn’t concern you?”

Before I could intercept – because, I really did think it was time to end this conversation with Rogue – she advanced on him. “Aren’t you the big man, asshole? I bet if Harlow’s man were here, you wouldn’t even dream of saying this shit to her. Does it make your dick feel bigger by picking on a woman?”

Rogue’s eyes bulged and the vein in his neck strained against his skin while his fists clenched.

Oh, shit.

I actually feared for Scarlett’s life in that m

oment.

And then my phone rang, and I was almost certain it saved us both.

“Hi, baby,” I answered the phone after checking caller ID and seeing it was Scott.

“What’s wrong?” he demanded, and I could hear the alarm in his voice. “You sound off.”

I swallowed back my fear as my heart pounded in my chest. Meeting Rogue’s enraged glare, I replied, “I’m with Rogue and we’re okay.” I tried to put his mind at ease while also reminding Rogue that Scott knew who I was with today, and that if anything happened to me, Scott would be chasing him down first.

Rogue threw me one last filthy glare before turning and stalking back to his bike.

Thank you, God.

“Why do you sound so strange?” Scott asked. Although he was still questioning me, I could hear less concern in his voice than before.

“I’m with that woman who came to the clubhouse the other day. It’s probably just that.” This didn’t even sound plausible to me; I doubted Scott would buy it, but my mind couldn’t come up with anything else fast enough.