Hunter (The Untouchables MC 6)

Seeing her framed in the arched doorway with the hanging cafe lights and a fountain just beyond, it made me do something I would never do under normal circumstances.

I stepped away from the wall.

I felt a strong tug forward.

I followed her.

She slowed her pace, walking toward the fountain and lifting her face to the sky. My breath caught as she closed her eyes and relaxed. She was taking a moment of privacy for herself. I felt like a lust filled monster for even thinking about interrupting her. It was obvious the girl was running herself ragged trying to see this wedding through and run the hotel, and she was doing an amazing job.

But I couldn’t walk away. I couldn’t look away. Nothing on earth could have made me move my eyes or my feet. I was transfixed.

A second later, I was so glad I was standing there drooling.

“What do we have here?” a drunken voice slurred. I took a step forward as a couple of the Raisers crowded around her. A fiercely protective wave came over me.

No way in hell would I let one of those buffoons lay a hand on her. It was a particularly disreputable lot. The worst of the worst. I knew them well from my times at the Jar. I almost cursed Cain for appointing Hunter the head of the Raisers. There were consequences for everything, including the action I was about to take.

The action I had to take.

But I wasn’t thinking about repercussions. I was thinking about the small, beautiful girl standing there utterly helpless as one of the Raisers reached for her . . .

I stopped short as she grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back and shoving him to his knees. My eyes got as big as dinner plates. The girl had barely broken a sweat. But the other two guys were not impressed. They looked furious.

“What the fuck?”

“Get her,” hissed the biker on his knees.

“You’re going to pay for that, missy.”

Her eyes darted between them. She was outnumbered and she knew it. There was no way she could fight them off and keep the incapacitated biker where he was.

She released him and turned to run. One of them grabbed her long hair and yanked her backward. With a roar, I raced toward them, grabbing his wrist and squeezing while I stomped down on his boot hard. I knew those steel-toed boots would protect his feet, but not his balance. I felt him release her hair and shoved my body weight into him, knocking his ass to the ground.

Unfortunately for him, his foot stayed where it was. He yowled in pain, grabbing his shin as the other two looked at each other, clearly not sure what to do now.

“You don’t want to mess with us, man.”

“What the fuck is this shit?” a voice growled from behind us. We all turned to see Hunter glaring at the two pieces of shit still standing. “You fucking dare to do this shit at my wedding?”

Their faces paled. I glanced at the beautiful young girl standing there. She was breathing hard, looking at all of us like we were a fucking threat. Our eyes met, and I gave her a curt nod. I saw some of the tension leave her shoulders. There was no way in hell these asshats were making a move with Hunter standing there looking like he was ready to start breathing fire.

I stepped between her and the rabble just in case.

“Out. Now. And don’t bother coming to the clubhouse unless you want to take a beating,” Hunter growled. “When we are ready to deal with your asses, we will call you.”

“It’s okay now,” I said as they shuffled off, carrying the injured biker between them. I almost smiled. That fucker was going to have a hell of a time riding until his leg healed. I hoped it took a good, long time.

She tossed her head and looked at me. She looked annoyed, but not like a bitchy woman who knew she was gorgeous. More like a little girl who didn’t want you to know she was scared. There was a vulnerability in her face that I hadn’t seen before. I could tell I was seeing a glimpse of the real her.

It went right through me like a hot knife.

“I can see that,” she said tartly. I couldn’t help it. I broke into a smile. Hunter was already walking away after a short apology.

“They weren’t invited. Hunter didn’t tell them to come.”

She nodded and exhaled. I watched as the momentary lapse of poise was put away, carefully concealed under a professional demeanor. As sorry as I was to see the little girl inside her go, I knew she needed that armor.

It was crazy how much I understood about her.

“What are you, a superhero?”

“No,” I said with a half-smile. “I’m a bartender.”