years ago. Except her hair is no longer that sweet shade of blonde, and she seems thinner, harder somehow. Jackson can't help but feel angry.
What is Sadie doing with Zack? The guy is flirting on the wrong side of crazy, and has been causing trouble for Rampage MC. Jackson has been dangerously close to stripping Zack of his cut or just killing him. Seeing him with Sadie, might be the last nail in his coffin. Even after six years without seeing her, he still feels protective of her. Maybe it's how they met.
Six years ago, after completing two military tours he was back home, wandering around the state aimlessly, trying to figure out his next move. When he met Sadie, he'd been camping out next to a lake. Getting ready to leave, he heard a frantic scream for help. He'd rushed to help.
Jackson had lost it, and ended up killing the fucker that was trying to rape her.
She'd been a mess, crying and shaking, but she'd snapped him into action, insisting they do something about the body. Together they'd hidden it and any evidence, then they'd ditched town in his old pickup. A twenty-six year old military vet, and a sixteen year old girl who had no one to care for her.
Those first weeks she'd given him a mission, direction in his fucked up life. Jackson had done everything to take care of her, until he ruined it by falling for her. Disgusted with himself, he'd thought himself little better than scum. Without a word, he'd left her. Knowing he'd done it to protect her didn't keep him from being haunted by her. By the time he tried to check on her, she'd been long gone. Now, here she is, grown up, no sign of recognition in her electric blue eyes. To make matters worse, she's about to become another man's old lady. Well, that would have to be over his dead body.
“ So, Sadie, are you ready to become Zack's property?” he immediately gets a reaction; she becomes furious.
“ Oh my god! You are so fucking delusional! I don't even like you!” she screams and tries to leave, but Zack grabs her arm roughly.
Sadie glares up at him, reminding Jackson of an angry kitten.
Zack of course acts like the asshole he is, “Not so fast. I made shit clear for you already. You're mine, or your whore of a friend is dead!” he yells into her face, trying to intimidate her with his size.
Sadie doesn't back down, “I don't give a fuck about anyone but myself. Over petty shit, I'll play your game, but not this!” she screams back.
Zack raises his hand to smack her.
That fucker is so dead. Furious, Jackson stands and freezes when she dodges his hand, and lightning quick, punches him. Right in his junk. Ouch, even he flinches. Zack drops into the fetal position, a high-pitched squeal coming from him.
Jackson laughs when she kicks him. All around his brothers are laughing. The dumb bastard rocks back and forth moaning and cupping his balls.
When Sadie moves to leave, after kicking him again, his brothers even clear a path for her.
She looks frighteningly beautiful as she walks away from him.
Jackson catches up to her outside the house. Sadie is looking around, obviously for a way to leave.
“ Need a ride?” he asks.
Looking up at him, she asks, “Are you offering?”
“Come on,” he says and nods towards his bike.
Hesitantly, she follows and stops next to his bike.
“I'll call a cab,” she says.
“No,” he says.
“I don't know you,” Sadie says, then backs up.
She knocks into his motorcycle, which knocks down the next one, causing a fucking domino effect.
“Shit,” she says with a flinch.
She looks mortified, so he takes advantage.
“Listen, I'm the club president, but even I can't keep everyone in there,” he points inside the house, “from lynching you for this. Now, do you want a ride or not?”
She nods.
He rights his motorcycle and gets on it. A second later, she hops on behind him.
“Where to?” he says as he settles on the bike.
Turning, he sees she's as far away from him as