The whole thing was dark and fucking depressing.
He stepped carefully over the unlit, damaged pavement, making sure he didn’t step into one of those holes and break something. Because at six-foot-three and two-forty—give or take a few pounds—when he fell, he fell hard.
As he approached the rear of the SUV, he glanced into the driver’s side mirror, trying to get a bead on what she was doing. The interior was dark, but it looked like her face was tipped down and hidden by her hair.
Was she talking to someone on the phone? Was she talking to her husband?
He crept closer, his brow furrowed as her hands came up and covered her face. And he could now see she was shaking a bit.
His heart began to pound.
She tipped her head back, slammed it into the headrest and screamed so loudly, ice shot down his spine.
He rushed to the driver’s door, yanked it open and she screamed again, this time with her eyes wide open and looking straight at him.
Her hand went to her heart and her chest rose and fell quickly as she stared at him. Her voice held a shake when she pleaded, “Please... don’t hurt me... I have a daughter...”
“Ain’t gonna hurt you. Jesus fuck. It’s Judge.”
Her mouth dropped open and when she snapped it shut, it turned into a deep frown. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“Should always lock your fuckin’ doors.”
She pursed her lips and when she reached for the open door, he blocked it. “Get out of the way and I’ll lock them.”
“Too late. Anyone coulda snagged your ass, dragged you outta your cage and...” He let that drop. So many things could’ve happened to her. Too many things.
“Why are you here?” she asked, her eyes narrowed and now sounding more annoyed than scared.
“Why the fuck are you here?”
“Are you following me?”
Fuck.
She glanced in the rearview mirror. “Where’s your motorcycle?”
“Too fuckin’ cold for that.”
“Then where’s your car?”
Shit.
“You can’t be simply strolling through town this late at night.”
Shit.
“Is this normal in this town, for people to be all up in your business?”
Shit.
Now she was getting pissed.
“Can’t I ever get a fucking moment alone?” she yelled, her voice breaking, and her fists now clenched around the steering wheel.
“That why you’re here?”
“What business is it of yours?” she snapped.
Oh yeah, she was fucking pissed.
“Just a weird spot where you’re parked.”
“Are you a meter maid?” she yelled, but her voice broke a little.
Judge frowned and yanked on his beard. “This used to be club property.”
She shook her head. “What club?”
“My club. My father’s club.”
“Your motorcycle gang?”
His jaw shifted. The Fury might have been an outlaw MC once, but no longer.
“Then I’ll just go somewhere else if I’m trespassing.”
“Don’t gotta go nowhere.”
“Then leave me the hell alone. Let me have my meltdown in peace.”
A meltdown? “Why you havin’ a meltdown?”
Her loud inhale was broken by a soft sob. “N-no reason.”
“Bullshit.”
She reached for the ignition and started the car. “I have to go.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do. I don’t know you. You don’t know me. I’m apparently trespassing. I’ll go.”
“You ain’t trespassin’. If you need to have a meltdown, then fuckin’ have it. Ain’t gonna stop you.”
She blinked at him. “Well, I’m not going to do it while you’re standing there inside my car door. Why are you here?”
“Saw your cage and got worried.”
“Cage?”
“Your Honda.”
Her brow furrowed. “Why do you call it a cage?”
“Because it ain’t a bike.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Not for you to get.”
“Why are you worried about me?”
“Because it’s late, you’re alone and upset.”
“Right. The only one of those you should know about is the first one. You shouldn’t be aware I’m alone or upset. That’s none of your damn business.”
“Here to meet someone?”
“Again, none of your business.”
He was making her his business. “Why you havin’ a meltdown?”
“Again, none of your business.”
Jesus fuck. She could go suck her fucking husband’s dick and choke on it for all he cared.
“You’re fuckin’ right, woman. Ain’t none of my business. I’ll go fuck off.” He slammed the door shut and spun on his heel. He strode quickly through the dark.
Fuck that bitch.
That was what he got for giving a fucking shit. Kicked in the fucking nuts.
Judge had to jump out of the way when she put it in reverse so fast, she fishtailed and almost hit him.
“What the fuck!” he shouted at her.
She slammed on the brakes and powered down the driver’s window. “I’m sorry.”
“Ain’t done nothin’ to you and... Just... Fuck you.” He kept moving, a muscle popping in his jaw as he clenched his teeth.
He heard the driver’s door open. “Hey!”
Without turning around, without stopping, he yelled, “Get the fuck in your car, lock your goddamn doors and get the fuck outta here.”
“I’m sorry!” she screamed. “I’m... I’m...”
Then he heard it. A loud sob.
Another one.
And then a third.
His pace stuttered.
Fuckin’ keep going, asshole. Don’t let her get to you. She ain’t nothin’ but trouble. She’s fuckin’ married to your target. She’s gettin’ his dick, she don’t want yours, you big dumb fuck.