Page 3 of Grim's Gem

“Oh, Halles Ol’ Man is a part of the club. Loki, the crazy fucker who's actually kind of a marshmallow!” she giggles.

“How do you know Loki and Halle?” I ask her, and she grins.

“I sometimes do Rae and Rome's hair when my mom isn’t available.”

“Oh, you and your mom are the ones that taught them. Rae tried to teach me to braid, but I couldn't get my huge fingers to make them small enough,” I admit, turning back to the road. I see a car coming down the road behind us, and I'm not sure if it's the fucker who dropped her out here, but I know I need to get her to safety. I kick up the bike and turn back to her, realizing I've been using a pet name and never asked for hers.

“What's your name, baby?”

“Jade! What's yours?” she yells over the sound of the engine.

“Grim.. but you call me Gray, only ever Gray.”

Chapter Two

Jade

I run down the deserted road as fast as I can, not knowing where to go or who to call. If I call my momma, she’ll be pissed I even went on the stupid date, which she has every right to be. I didn’t want to go on a date at all. I had no interest in Robby, but he was persistent, and I was worried about what he might do if I turned him down again. I couldn’t let my mom lose her shop, though. She worked so hard for that place, especially after Daddy died. Plus, I love it as much as she does. I was born and raised to do hair, and having my own chair in my mother's salon is a dream come true.

Then Robby came sniffing around. He works for the bank and told me he had business with my mother. They stayed in the office for about thirty minutes before he walked out. The shop was empty, and my mother was still in the back when he approached me. At first, he was charming and sweet, but I still wasn’t feeling it, so I turned him down when he asked me out. Then he started coming by more. He was more forceful until he finally told me that if I didn’t date him, he wouldn’t approve my mother's second loan she was trying to take out on the place.

I didn’t even know she was taking out a loan, but that was who my mother was. Strong, independent, and prideful to a damnfault. Even if I asked, she wouldn’t tell me if she needed a loan, but I thought the shop had been booming lately. I knew even more that she would refuse any money from me. I’ve saved up quite a bit, still living at home. Yes, I still live at home with her. I had my own apartment, but I knew my mom needed me home when Daddy died. Or at least I needed her.

Either way, the threat had me agreeing before I even realized it. That brings us back to tonight, back to my horrible date, where Robby turned into a complete ass. He told me I needed a salad and not the burger I ordered at the restaurant. Then he ordered for me while telling me all about his life and accomplishments. I couldn’t get one word in. After an hour, I was done. I asked him to take me home. He tried to get me back to his place, but I refused, so he pulled the car onto a dead-end street and tried to take what I refused to give willingly.

All he got for his trouble was a broken nose, a black eye, and probably a busted dick. I fought with my whole might until I could get out of the car and run to the woods. Unfortunately, he also got in a few licks and shredded my shirt, dammit. And I’ve lost one shoe. I know for a fact there will be a bruise marring my dark skin tomorrow, and Mama is going to shit a brick.

I come out of the woods onto what looks like an old country road. I have no clue where I’m going, but I know I can't stop now. I make a quick decision and head left. I only get about half a mile before I hear the roar of an engine approaching behind me. No, he couldn’t have found me this fast. I don’t turn to look. I don’t stop. I run as fast as possible because if he catches me now, I won't be as lucky the second time.

The vehicle that stops by me, though, isn't Robby's. It's a motorcycle. Thank hell for small favors. It's dark out here, and of course, I make a fool out of tripping on a root. The mosthandsome guy I've ever seen just has to pick me up and carry me to his bike, which is no small feat in and of itself. I’m not the smallest of women. I have curves, and I love every inch of them. Thank you very much. Now he’s taking me god knows where. The only reason I'm not freaking out right now is that I’ve never felt safer than when this man had his arms around me.

Plus, he knows Loki and Halle. That probably shouldn't be comforting since they’re both batshit crazy, but they’re good people. Well, they’re good people to other good people. I've heard stories about what kind of shit they do to bad people, and I don't want any part of that.

“What's your name, baby?” he asks me.

“Jade! What's yours?”

“Grim.. but you call me Gray, only ever Gray.” The way he growls that out, I’ll call him whatever the hell he wants. I shake my head at that. I just got away from one crazy asshole. I don't need to start thinking about another. The only difference is Robby made my stomach turn; Gray makes my stomach flip around with butterflies.

“Hold on tight,” he tells me, and I do just that.

Hell, I might as well end this night on a good note, wrapped around a hot, muscular biker. I lean my head against his back as he takes off, and I can't help but laugh at the adrenaline rush as he speeds down the road.

Wow, I was always a bit too skeptical about motorcycles. There is no protection; once it goes down, that's it… but now I get it. This is one of the best feelings I’ve ever had. All too soon, we pull up to a gate and are waved through immediately. I rub my hands on my pants as Gray pulls the bike into a spot and helps me off. Heremoves the helmet for me, and I shake my hair out, hoping it doesn't look too crazy.

“Fuck, you can't go in like that,” Gray says, looking at me from head to toe.

Well, that hero worship shit didn’t last long. I narrow my eyes at him. It's not the first time a guy has been embarrassed to be seen with the big fat girl, but I won't sit here and let me feel bad about my body.

“And what the hell is that supposed to mean?” I'm ten seconds from kicking him in the dick and calling an Uber.

“If you go in there like that, I’m liable to kill every single one of my brothers. Your shirt is ripped, and your bra is showing. Damn, baby, you look sexy as fuck. Yeah, I’ll have to remove every single one of their eyes.” He sighs, taking one last look at me before pulling his vest thingy off, followed closely by his white t-shirt.

He hands the shirt to me, and I smile, holding it out, then look down at my shirt. Damn, he wasn't kidding. I'm basically exposed, and my Double D’s are barely contained inside my bra. My nipple is seconds away from popping out and saying hello. Quickly, I pull his shirt on over my head. It's a bit tighter, but it at least covers me up.

“Holy hell, that might be worse,” Gray groans before turning around. He fiddles with something below his waist, and I realize he’s probably adjusting his cock.

“Don't be shy. You got to see most of me. I won't judge you for making yourself more comfortable. A ride and a show, yum.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him.