Page 8 of Zane

Kara laughed softly. “You don’t agree but you will not say so. I love what I do and have no intention of giving it up for anyone. You continued working even when you had me. I recall nights when you would come home late. I would be waiting up for you, and you weren’t there.”

Katherine’s face went stiff. “Are you implying that I haven’t been a good mother?”

“No. I’m simply pointing out that it’s hypocritical for you to agree to William’s archaic views of marriage and the home when you think differently.”

“He’s a good man,” she insisted. “How many of them are out there? Especially black men. As a mother, I want what’s best for you. I know you might not think I have your best interest at heart, but I do. You’re my only child and I want to see you settle down and start a family.” She flicked a glance at her daughter. “You’re not getting any younger.”

“I’m not over the hill yet and I’ve been thinking that I don’t need to settle.” Picking up the snowy white napkin, she dabbed at her lips carefully.

“The meal is not ended.”

“It is for me. I’ll see myself out.”

Even though her heart was racing, Kara made it to the door without her knees buckling. When she got out to her car, she considered it a very big deal that she was shaking and not breaking out in a cold sweat! She had walked out on her mother for the first time in her life.

Chapter 3

Even before she took the turnoff, she could feel the shiver of apprehension running up and down her spine. Instinct was warning her to turn back, but it was too late. The engine check light came on just as she drove past a sad-looking and very deserted gas station and what looked like an old, abandoned warehouse building with spooky broken windows and a door gaping open.

“All right, girl,” she muttered. “Get it together. This is not some horror movie where a screaming madman wearing a grisly smile is going to come dashing out in front of the vehicle.” As soon as she said it, she saw the check engine light and wondered if it was a sign. Her GPS told her that she had thirty minutes to go, and then she started praying.

“I’m a woman of faith and God will—” She was not yet finished with the sentence when the car sputtered and then died. Right in front of— Leaning forward, she peered out at the dingy sign on the building announcing the ‘Biker’s Retreat.’

With her heart already pounding inside her chest, she pushed the start button, and the usually faithful car, not even a year old at that, just stayed silent. She was going to die right here in this deserted part of town with a broken streetlight and — oh God! Her hands gripped the steering wheel as she witnessed two rough-looking men swaggering towards the vehicle. They were going to rape and murder her. She was a virgin who was going to be raped right here in this seedy part of town.

“Hey there, little lady—” One of them peered into the vehicle, a wide smile showing yellowed teeth and a grisly-looking scar on his left cheek. “Seems you have trouble.”

“No. I’m—” She could make a run for it. She had on sensible pumps and could make a run for it. And she had mace and a taser. In her bag — if she could only inch towards it without them noticing. She bit off a scream as the other man leaned against the passenger door and peered in. “You’re a pretty little thing, aren’t you? What is the problem?”

Just as she was deciding whether to make a run for it or dive for her briefcase to get her mace, another voice entered the mix. This one was deep and cultured and slightly amused.

“All right, boys, you’ve had your fun and you’re scaring the lady. Why don’t we show her some biker’s hospitality by trying to be of assistance?” Zane had been taking a breather from all the smoke and sweat inside the bar and was enjoying a cigarette when he saw the car and witnessed the entire interaction from his vantage point. He could all but see the nerves quaking along the woman’s face.

The two men hesitated briefly, looking at her longingly, before easing away from the vehicle. The resentment was there, but it would not do to rile up Zane Stanhope. Not while he was tight with their leader, ‘Big Thunder.’ It would be a death wish to do so. And Zane was as mean as a snake and certainly no pushover, something he had proven time and again.

Shrugging their shoulders, they slunk away and made room.

Not certain if she had been granted a reprieve, Kara stayed where she was, fingers gripping the steering wheel. At least this one looked less murderous and — Good God! Whereas the other two were creepy-looking and not the least bit attractive, this one was drop dead gorgeous. Black hair, messy, streamed past his shoulders. His tanned face could have been carved by angels, and he had the most intense and beautiful tawny eyes she had ever seen, like a predatory panther. And the tattoo — what she realized was a lightning bolt — snaked up the left side of his neck.

While she was busy taking him in, he was also doing the same.

Zane made his measure in one sweeping glance.

“Lost?” he murmured, leaning in. Her perfume — subtle and floral — assailed his nostrils.

“No. I— My car — it just died.” She bit down on her bottom lip and had his gaze shifting. Her face was narrow, chin pointed, and her black hair was cut in a very chic style, short on the sides and longer at the front with a heavy lock curling over her forehead and hiding one tapered brow.

“Died?” Forcing himself to look away from what was a very appealing face, he met her mahogany brown eyes.

“The check engine light came on.”

“Pop the hood.” Easing off the door, he rounded the hood and waited until she did just that.

“It’s smoking,” he called out.

“What?”

“The engine’s smoking. I think you’re going to need some coolant, and your gas cap is loose. Yo, Red!” His shout had her jolting.