Page 6 of Devil Within

She didn’t know what came over her, but she answered his question. “My name is Shiloh.”

“Interesting name. Suits you.”

“It means peace, and I can assure you, I’m anything but peaceful.”

He grinned, showing surprisingly white teeth. Bikers had dental insurance? “You’re very grumpy, do you know that?”

He reached up with his other hand to push a wisp of hair behind her ear, and she flinched. Fear spiked in her chest whenever a hand came close to her head. Fuck, she even felt a little lightheaded as a hit of fear coursed through her.

His eyes narrowed as he studied her. “My name is Jade.”

She glanced at the patch on his cut. Sons of Sin MC was in bright white stitching. Under that was his name stitched into the leather with a one percent sign next to it.

“Well, Jade, thanks for your help,” she said.

He gave her that strange look again, as if she was some rare creature he’d just discovered. Just as he went to respond, the other biker from the bar joined them. Immediately, her biker dropped her hand and took a half step back, and she felt the disconnection like a kick in her gut.

“Anything wrong?” his friend asked in a low, gruff voice.

“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” Jade replied, although his gaze didn’t leave her. “Do me a favor and try not to beat up every asshole around. Otherwise, you’ll be trying to kick my ass.”

One of her eyebrows arched up. “Are you that bad?”

His mouth twisted into a devilish grin, and the pale overhead lighting helped make him look like a fallen angel. Suddenly a demon stood before her. “I’m worse.”

Then he strolled past, heading toward the alley entrance with his biker buddy next to him. Shiloh couldn’t help but turn to watch him go, mainly to admire the way his jeans showed his ass to perfection. She wondered if she’d ever see him again and then had to give a derisive laugh at the thought. They were from two different worlds. Chances were, probably not.

Chapter Two

Shiloh watched until he disappeared around the corner. Slowly, her heart calmed until she could suck in a lungful of air. She looked back down the alley, bracing to see the lowlife scum either still knocked out or the girlfriend trying to revive him, but they were gone. Resignation filled her. Jade had been right. Why had she even bothered?

The sound of motorcycles echoed between the buildings, telling her that Jade was gone. Bringing up her map locator, she looked up a coffee house and saw there was a diner a few blocks over. Not wanting to go back to the bar, she decided to head there. She shot a quick text to Vette, telling her she was getting some coffee, hoping her friend would feel the vibration of her phone.

A few minutes later, she stepped into the diner. Inside was warm and cozy, with only two other people in a booth against the window. Shiloh slid onto a chair at the bar, and a beautiful brunette came over and gave a soft smile.

“Hi, what can I get you?”

“Um, just a coffee, please,” she replied.

“Coming right up.” The server walked over to a stand and poured her a mug of coffee. When she placed it in front of Shiloh, she also grabbed sugar and a bowl with those little creamer cups to place in front of her. “Can I get you anything else?”

“No, thanks.” She wrapped her hands around the warm porcelain.

The woman tilted her head. “You okay?”

Shiloh’s gaze flew up to her. “Oh, yeah. I just ... moved here, and my friend is dancing at the bar.”

She gave a mindless wave toward the door.

“Not feeling it?”

Shiloh winced. “Obvious, huh?”

“Only to someone who has sat on that side of the counter, once upon a time.” She held out her hand. “I’m Kira.”

Shiloh stared at it for a moment. She didn’t like touching people, but something told her this woman understood exactly what she was going through. Kira had a look on her face that made her lungs tighten. It was kindness. A thin layer of understanding. This woman, this stranger, knew the same devastation that slowly consumed her from the inside out.

Hesitantly, she reached out and shook her hand. “I’m Shiloh.”