After nearly crashing while speeding around a corner on the way to Whiskey’s Kirk, I pulled into a grocery store parking lot and settled my nerves. I knew running into Kirk’s place and babbling about a strange man would make me look nuts. The Reapers would lose respect for me and I’d embarrass my dad. If the Memphis guys were around, I’d feel even worse. No way would I humiliate Cooper or myself.
Five minutes passed before I started the engine. Another five flew by while I imagined what to say to Cooper.
Arriving at the bar, I spotted Cooper’s Harley parked next to Tucker’s. Inside, the big, blond brothers shared a beer.
“I was attacked by a guy in the woods,” I announced, walking up to them.
“Why were you in the woods?”
Ignoring Tucker, I focused on Cooper. “I’d never seen him before and he didn’t move like any college student.”
“Describe him,” Cooper said, crossing his arms.
“Dark hair and eyes. Dark skin too. Big guy.”
“Did he look like him?” Cooper asked, gesturing behind me.
The guy from the woods stood at the doorway. Despite being surrounded by allies, I backed away in fear and bumped into Cooper. I stared into the eyes of the smirking stranger.
“I forgot to mention,” he said, looking over me to see Cooper. “I went for an innocent run today, only to be assaulted by this woman in the woods. You sure grow them crazy around these parts.”
The guys around me laughed. Even the waitress snickered. The laughter pissed me off and I stepped closer to the stranger.
“I didn’t attack you.”
He grinned down at me. “I startled you, causing all those womanly feelings to get riled up in your pretty head. You reacted by attacking me.”
Glaring hard at him, I wanted another chance at landing a punch. “Womanly feelings?”
“You missed the part where I called you pretty,” he said, nearly laughing.
My hands were in fists when Cooper stepped behind me and leaned next to my ear.
“Harlow, this is Saint.”
I stared at the smirking assassin for what felt like an eternity before speaking. “I know I should be afraid, but I still want to kick your ass.”
“Don’t worry,” he said, strutting past me. “I hear that a lot.”
Chapter Two ~ Saint
Paintball games in Ellsberg, Kentucky weren't my idea of a vacation. I was paid to shoot people with bullets. While this job wasn’t my normal deal, the bosses in Memphis wanted me around. My presence had more to do with the other guys in the games than testing Cooper Johansson. No matter the reason, the job was an easy paycheck.
The college town was what I expected. Old time flavor mixed with new builds. The population consisted of bikers and college kids. The cops never made eye contact, proving they were owned by the club. When passing me on the street, the college girls giggled as if I was a frat boy looking to party.
Smelling another predator in the mix, the dangerous men in town gave me more respect. The college guys bumped into me though, too busy checking out the barely clad coeds to know I’d killed people for less than an inconvenience.
The only appealing part of Ellsberg was the woods. Bored, I trained harder by running through the dense brush and over fallen trees. My mind was on leaving Ellsberg when I ran into a girl who refused to giggle at me.
I could have ended our little fight in the woods by explaining who I was and how I knew who she was. A lot of guys might have taken the easy way out, but I wanted to fight with a cute wannabe badass. Realizing she was whipped, Harlow looked at me as if I was a monster. I didn’t enjoy her fear as much as the tussle. Yet, I got a little hard when she refused to back down at the bar. Harlow Todds might be unstable, but I couldn’t look away.
I laughed at Harlow’s glare, causing her to bolt out of the door. Any normal man would let her sulk and I considered heading back to the apartment complex for a shower. Chasing a pissed woman was a pathetic move. I followed her anyway.
What I knew about Harlow was sketchy. She was tied up with the Devils in Arizona before Vaughn Majors brought her to Ellsberg. A year earlier, I was sent to Phoenix to eliminate most of the club while Vaughn killed the members who showed up in town. Harlow was nineteen, fought at the Thunderdome, and lived with a member of the Reapers. Before I arrived in Ellsberg, I didn’t need to know more about her. She wasn’t a threat whether in or out of the paintball matches. Now I was curious.
“You’re welcome,” I said, following her out the door.
Harlow spun around, nearly losing her footing on the gravel covered parking lot. Her eyes were green or blue. Maybe both. All I knew was they were glaring at me. Her expression would likely make a lesser man squirm. I nearly laughed at the thought of some poor sap wetting his pants over that glare.
“Thank you for what?” she finally growled.
“You know who I am now and what I could have done to you in the woods. I showed mercy for a misguided youngster. I think I deserve a hint of gratitude for my patience and self control.”
Harlow’s glare darkened and I swore she wanted to punch me.
“You made me look stupid in there,” she said, changing the subject.