Out of the Ashes (Sons of Templar MC 3)

Lexie merely patted my arm and shook her head, walking slightly away from me to make her call.

I shook my own head. “Never thought I’d see the day when a boy came before fashion,” I muttered to myself.

My attention was diverted when four huge bikers sauntered down the street in my direction. I glanced at the bikes, which were parked in front of me. I deduced they were why the bikers were walking toward me, not so they could rob me. They got closer and I knew for sure they weren’t anyone in the Sons. Not that I knew them all, but I was pretty sure their cuts were different, and on closer inspection these guys looked slightly rougher than the bikers I had come into contact with. And nowhere near as hot. I stepped back instinctively, going closer to Lexie, who was smiling into the phone. Unfortunately, I felt their eyes on me as they approached.

“Hey, darlin,’” one drawled, looking me up and down in a decidedly skeevy way.

I gave a quick glance behind me Lexie had her back to me and the bikers, for now.

“Um hey,” I greeted back, unsure of what to do when half surrounded by mean-looking bikers. I guessed the smartest thing to do would have been run a mile. But I couldn’t exactly do that in broad daylight. That would look pretty stupid. Plus, I couldn’t run in these heels. I had to believe these guys meant no harm. Not in the middle of a reasonably busy street, in the middle of the day, anyway.

He continued to give me a look; this time there was something more working behind it, as if he recognized me. He wasn’t exactly bad-looking. His shaggy hair touched his shoulders and was in need of a wash. His beard definitely needed trimming, but his face was handsome, in a mean kind of way. He was tall, and he seemed to be using his height and considerable muscles to intimidate me. His friends were a mixture. Some older and decidedly not attractive, others younger and not bad. It was the way they were looking at me that made them unattractive. In a way that made my skin crawl.

The guy’s face lit up like he had placed me. “I know you,” he declared with a smile. One that I did not like. “You’re my buddy Bull’s woman, right?” he asked, folding his arms.

I did not know how to answer this. I didn’t exactly know if I was Zane’s “woman” considering we only recently had the “you are mine” conversation. I didn’t exactly want to discuss this with these men. I’m sure they wouldn’t offer any helpful insight. I also found it hard to believe this guy was Zane’s buddy. From what little I knew the men at the club were the only friends Zane had. They weren’t buddies; they were brothers. But who was I to say? I knew precious little about the man that shared my bed. But in this situation, my instincts were screaming at me to be careful.

“Um, yeah,” I said slowly. “I’m his,” I said more firmly.

The men all smiled at me. My skin definitely crawled this time.

Before they had the time to answer, I felt someone at my side.

“Mom?” Lexie asked quietly in my ear.

I jolted when all sets of eyes focused on my daughter in a way that made me want to scratch their eyes out.

“Heya, sweetie,” the bearded guy drawled. “Shit, you’re almost as pretty as your momma,” he said, eyes darting between us.

Lexie gave me a look before meeting his eyes, no fear evident. I tried to position myself slightly in front of her, while looking around the street for a friendly policeman to be wandering by. None could be seen, and the few pedestrians that were around seemed to be crossing the street to avoid the bikers. Great.

“Thanks,” Lexie said firmly.

I was about to grab her hand and make our escape when the biker spoke again.

“You need to let Bull know he shouldn’t be letting his woman and her pretty little daughter walk the streets alone,” he said slowly. “It’s not safe for girls like you.” His voice seemed to hold a threat beneath the fake concern. “Let him know you ran into Logan and we’re happy to keep an eye on you both. More than happy.” He stared at us a moment longer before tipping an imaginary hat and getting on his bike, along with his buddies and leaving. I stayed rooted to the spot the entire time, refusing to scuttle off like I wanted to.

“Ew. Totally need a shower after that,” I declared, going for airy. I didn’t need to broadcast to my kid that little meeting had scared me slightly.

Lexie grabbed my hand. “Yeah, they were creeps,” she agreed. “Shopping is definitely needed to wipe such an event out of our minds,” she said, directing us into the store.

Half an hour later, Lexie seemed to have forgotten about the incident entirely, while it still niggled at the edge of my mind. I did my best to shop it out of my system, although it did taint the experience slightly. I was angry at them for that alone. I decided to let Lexie do the shopping from then on, sitting myself on the sofa outside the changing rooms, playing the stylist. Lexie had just gone back in after showing me a sequined mini dress she just had to get, and my phone rang.

“You have reached the Queen of All Things Known and Unknown, currently stylist for rock star Miss Lexie Spencer,” I answered professionally.

“Mia?” The deep voice at the end of the phone sounded pissed and slightly panicked.

“I do also answer to that name. What service may I perform for you, kind sir?” I continued, whispering the last part slightly.

There was a pause. I grinned. Totally got him. “Where the fuck are you?” he clipped. Okay maybe not.

“Currently, I’m in a kick ass vintage store, saving beautiful clothes from being subjected to the horror of being unworn,” I said, patting the pile we had amassed.