Read Online Know Me (DEFIANT Motorcycle Club) by Cora Brent - Free Book Online Page A

likely a small cemetery.  He looked at me expectantly and I sat down next to him.  A few hundred yards away a pair of carrion birds circled overhead, evidently tracking a meal. 
    “It’s quiet out here,” I said. 
    “Yes,” he agreed. 
    “Orion?  Is Ruger alive?”
    He was a long time answering.  “Yes.” 
    I thought about the man who had murdered my father.  I’d seen him in the flesh only once.  He was a big brute with hair so blonde it was almost white and dark, almost black, eyes which were at odds with his light hair.  My freshman year I’d taken an Ancient Civilizations class.  Part of the required reading was a lengthy tome on the Vikings.  I’d shuddered over the brutal descriptions of their exploits, and at the time thought that if I were to draw a picture of a marauding Viking raider I would depict Ruger of the SF Outlaws. 
    “Do you know, ” I asked, “What brought it all on?  I remember the look in Crest’s eyes that last night.  He knew something bad was boiling but I’m sure he didn’t think death was so close.  He never in a million years would have let me stay nearby if he had a clue.”
    Orion removed a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit up.  His face was thoughtful.  “A deal gone bad.  Someone dicked out of a lot of money.  That’s the gossip anyway.”  He took a drag.  “Who the fuck knows?  Any man who would tell the truth about it is dead.” 
    I nodded, feeling vaguely queasy.  “Will he come after me?”
    He took so long to answer I wondered if he would.  “Not right now,” he finally said.  “He’s all holed up like a rat and there’s a long list of characters would love a crack at his fucking scalp.”  Orion passed the cigarette to me and I played with it between my fingers as he watched me intently.  “But eventually, when he gets his boys back and has some time on his hands.  Yeah,” Orion nodded slowly. “Then he might.” 
    I must have looked fairly alarmed because Orion leaned over and quickly kissed my forehead before taking his cigarette back.  “No one is gonna touch you,” he said fiercely. 
    I smiled.  “Except you.” 
    I figured he would laugh but he didn’t.  He drew his knees up and ran a hand through his dark hair.  “The night you came to me for help, Kira, I shouldn’t have treated you how I did.”
    My head lowered.  “You didn’t owe me shit, Orion.  I know that.” 
    He sighed thickly.  “I owed your daddy a few things, though.”  He paused, tipping my head up with his big hand, wanting me to look him in the face and understand.  “Look, I was rattled as hell when you showed up.  I’m not gonna lie.  I wanted to fuck you three ways to Sunday when I got a good look at you.  But more than that I couldn’t stand to send you out in the world as this virginal little lamb without a friend in sight.  You wouldn’t have lasted too damn long.”  He squeezed my chin.  “So I made you an offer.” 
    It was his way of apologizing.  I covered his hand with mine.  “I’m tougher than you think.  And you didn’t make me do anything.  I wanted it.  I wanted you.” 
    He traced my lower lip with his thumb.  “And now, Kira?” he said gruffly.  “What do you want?”
    Slowly I stood.  I pulled my shirt over my head.  I rolled down the tight jeans I’d worn for the ride.  My skin was instantly warmed by the sun beating overhead.  And it grew hotter as Orion’s eyes traveled over my body. 
    “Same thing,” I whispered , unhooking my bra. 
    He was rough this time, almost as if he wanted to see how far he could push me.  I gritted my teeth and took it as he bent me over the seat of his bike and hammered without mercy. 
    And I loved it. 
    ***
    Orion seemed almost cheerful as we left the deep seclusion of the desert.  It was as if something crucial had been settled between us.  In spite of all his tough talk he’d felt some guilt over who I was, who my father had