The Biker's Plaything (Straight to Hell MC 1)

“I’m ready.” She stood in front of him now, trying to put on a brave face. He saw right through her. Ally was hanging on by a thread.

He held the door open and followed her out.

Tarmac approached them from the opposite end of the hallway, Righteous close behind him. “Boss, we need to talk.”

“We will. Tonight, in church. Unless it’s life or death, I don’t want to hear about it before then. Understand?”

Tarmac nodded, but Lord knew something was brewing with the Skull Nation. He was eager to deal with those motherfuckers himself, but Ally was going to come first. There was always a rival banging on their doors, but only one of her. He had to start doing things right and make amends if he wanted a future with the busty little blonde.

Ally stared at the ground until the brothers walked past them. One day, she’d walk these halls like a queen, her head held high. Just the thought of it made his world feel whole, so he knew claiming her had to be a good decision. His intuition always steered him in the right direction.

After entering his bedroom and closing the door, Ally turned to face him. “You can’t protect me, Lord. You can’t be by my side every minute of every day. This will only happen again,” she said. “So, your end of the deal is already null and void.”

He combed both his hands into her hair, gently securing her head so she couldn’t look away. “Today was never supposed to happen. I plan to make sure every single member of my club knows my intentions. No one will ever lay a finger on you again. I promise you that.”

Her eyes were flooded with unshed tears. The girl was stubborn. But he’d been an asshole, and he knew it.

“You can’t make that promise.”

“Do you know who I am, Ally?”

She swallowed hard, unable to look away.

“Say it,” he said.

“The president of the Straight to Hell MC.”

Lord nodded. “That’s right. And once everyone knows how important you are, they’ll treat you like gold. No one here will hurt you. I’ll never hurt you.”

****

Ally wasn’t sure what to think or say. This was like a fucked-up fairy tale, and she didn’t know what to make of it. She expected to wake up to her alarm clock, and this entire ordeal was all a nightmare.

But then she’d never have met Lord.

Would that be a good or bad thing?

Her heart kept tugging, insisting there was something worth exploring between them. But then he’d turn into an asshole and make her question everything.

“I’m not important,” she said.

“You are.”

She scoffed. He’d made it clear he was only keeping her alive because he wanted her virginity. She was a toy, his plaything of the week. And she had no doubt he could get any woman he wanted. Not only was he the prez, but he had an irresistible dark masculinity that held her captive. His scars, his flaws, his rough personality—it all added to his appeal.

“You don’t believe me?” he asked.

“You have a short memory. I thought … I thought things were going in a different direction last night, then this morning you were like a different person. I don’t know who you are, and you don’t know who I am. We’re strangers.”

“I know.”

“And then your own people attacked me. Humiliated me. I’ve never felt confident about myself, but today was the lowest I’ve ever felt.” Her traitorous tears slipped down her cheeks. She wanted desperately to be strong, to overcome her insecurities, to appear unaffected. It was impossible.

He kept silent, holding her head in place with his big, strong hands. Did he think she was weak? She was nothing like the women in his club, and she never would be.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered.

The sincerity in his gruff voice pushed her over the edge, deep waves of sorrow rocking her body. He pulled her against his hard body, holding her as she cried against him. It hurt her ribs a bit, but she didn’t care. She desperately needed his comfort and affection. Without him, she’d be alone in the world. At the mercy of the club.

“This morning, I was trying to push you away. Trying to be an asshole.”

“Why?”

“It’s what I do,” he said. “I’m not used to caring about a woman. Emotions are dangerous in a place like this.”

She believed him. The men in the club were like sharks. Ally had no doubt they’d tear apart anyone showing a weakness. What she couldn’t believe was that his feelings for her had changed so quickly.

“You said this was a deal. A temporary thing.”

“And that’s what I wanted it to be. Until I didn’t.”

She bit her lower lip, wondering, hoping.

He kept talking in riddles, and she wondered if he was just as insecure as her. He’d had a brutal childhood and a rough life in the MC. Trust wouldn’t come easy for him. Hell, it didn’t come easy for her.