Chapter 27
Xena’s
“For the sake of maintaining peace between Logan and the packs, we need to get along. And protecting you is part of the job.” His words stung like a slap across my face.
“Protecting? Job?” I challenged, my voice sharp as a blade.
“Yes,” Ryder replied, his expression unreadable.
“Protecting me from what, exactly?” I could feel my pulse quickening, anger spreading through my veins like wildfire.
“Any potential threats.”
“Like being ambushed in the women’s restroom?” I knew it was a low blow, but he’d pissed me off first. My insides churned with indignation and rage, hating the feeling of being treated like some helpless damsel.
His green eyes narrowed. “Yeah.”
Thankfully, my last client of the day walked in just then. The guy was human, so we couldn’t continue our wolf pack discussion. Ryder left the shop with clear displeasure written across his face, choosing to wait outside.
My final customer was Dorian, freshly eighteen, who wanted a cross with a sunset background painted on his bike to commemorate his sister who’d died in a car accident. The paint job was already done from our previous session; today was for the final polish.
“This should be our last meeting,” I smiled at him as he walked his Honda CB650R into the modification area.
“Great,” he replied, his voice tinged with poorly disguised excitement.
Because of my work, I had to deal with this human jock who thought he was God’s gift to women. I hated the feeling of being forced to be near a man with an inflated ego.
“Are you going to accept my date invitation now?” He ran his fingers through his golden hair, flashing what he clearly thought was a charming bad–boy smile.
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“No, I won’t,” I answered coldly, sighing as I prepared myself for what would be a long two hours. I sprayed water on the side cover and fender, also wetting the sandpaper.
To my surprise, Ryder walked back in. From his stance, something seemed off. We couldn’t communicate through mind link, so I couldn’t ask what was wrong.
–
Soon the first stage – wet sanding – was complete, and I grabbed the polisher from my tool cart to begin rough polishing.
“Come on, it’s just dinner!” Dorian leaned in closer.
“Dorian, I said no.” My patience was wearing dangerously thin as I struggled not to lose my temper. In my mind, I was calculating the fastest way to get this jerk to shut his mouth.
“Careful, woman!” Dorian’s sudden shout snapped me back to reality. The polisher in my hand had created sparks, and I quickly pulled it away, checking if I’d damaged the side cover. Thankfully, there was no harm done. I couldn’t imagine continuing with Dorian chattering in my ear.
“I suggest you sit down, shut up, and let me finish my work, or you’ll be leaving with an unfinished bike.” I continued polishing without looking at him, my tone deadly serious.
He was clearly unhappy but managed to limit himself to grumbling under his breath, which I chose to ignore. Internally, I was restless, wanting to finish this quickly and return to my own space, away from these men and their arrogance.
I worked rapidly, and soon the job was done. “I’ll take a photo, and then you can go.”
“Looks good,” Dorian said, examining my work carefully.
“Thanks.” After taking the photo, I turned to leave, but Dorian grabbed my hand.
“I’m taking you out. Let’s go.”
“I believe I said no. Now leave.” I yanked my hand away and started walking.
Dorian clearly wasn’t one to give up easily. “I’m not giving you a choice.” He grabbed my arm again, his grip too tight. I saw Ryder heading toward us from inside the shop.
I’d given him a chance–I thought I’d been merciful enough–but now he needed a lesson.
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I turned and punched him square in the face. Pain tore through my hand, intense enough to momentarily blacken my vision. I fumbled for the counter to steady myself. I heard Ryder throw Dorian out and lock the door. Dorian pounded on the glass a few times, cursed, and eventually left.
When I opened my eyes, Ryder had pulled down the blinds and turned off my neon “Open”
sign.
“Are you okay?” He gently touched me, taking my hand in his. His tenderness surprised me. My heart skipped a beat, unsure how to respond to this unexpected gentleness.
“Fine.” I withdrew my hand and walked to a chair, sitting down. I felt conflicted and
confused.
“Do you get guys like that often?” he asked.
“Not many. My reputation usually keeps men away.” I thought of the men who backed off after hearing about my temper.
“I see.”
Standing up, I walked to my counter and began working on my accounts. Ryder moved toward the door, taking out his phone while watching me.
“I’m almost done. I’ll drive you home,” I said.
“No rush.”
“Eager to finish your job?” I couldn’t help the bitterness in my voice.
“Job?”
“Didn’t you just tell me I’m only a job to you?”
Ryder frowned. “You want more? Maybe an arrangement with me?”
I felt anger explode within me, uncontrollable like a volcano. I felt insulted to my core. “Fuck you.” I slammed my account book shut and threw it into the drawer, slamming it closed with force.
“How many men have you had these ‘arrangements‘ with?”
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“Are you fucking jealous? Don’t pretend you care about me.” I grabbed my purse and keys, rushing out of the shop and locking up, not caring if Ryder followed. I quickly walked toward the parking lot. Unfortunately, he was fast and jumped into my car before I could
start it.
Neither of us spoke as I drove recklessly back home. Entering the main hall, I saw most of the pack was there.
“What’s wrong, X?” Logan approached me, noting my dark expression before glancing at Ryder.
“Nothing.” I avoided all of them and headed straight for my bedroom. I slammed the door behind me and managed to make it to my bed before collapsing.
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