Protected (Divided Loyalties) Read Free Page A

standing next to him. "We'll take as long as we want," he replied.
    "Enough!" Nick demanded. "Come on, we need to get going."
    Lou lunged forward and slammed Nick hard against the back wall of the alley. "You better watch your mouth," he hissed right into his face.
    Alexa shook her head and did her best to sidestep the violence. She was just about to head for the door when she noticed the jackets the men were wearing. Each one had the death adder snake on the back.
    Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of the men. They weren't just some lonely drunks hanging out at the bar, they were members of one of the most ruthless motorcycle gangs ever formed.
    Alexa felt her breath leave her lungs as she watched Lou hand Nick his jacket.
    "Now put it on, and act like a man," he demanded.
    Nick rolled his eyes and pulled on the leather jacket.
    Alexa could barely believe the mistake she had just made. Not only had she placed herself into some serious danger, but she had almost let a member of the Death Adders have his way with her in a dark alley. How would that look on the police report?
     
    Even though she was more than a little terrified, she was also rather elated. She had the opportunity to see some of the most elusive gang members first hand. Lou was one of the most famed enforcers, responsible for countless deaths. She guessed that the two other men with him were the infamous Dern Brothers, who used very persuasive torture techniques to get the information or payments they were seeking.
    “Oh, hey, I'm a big fan,” she smirked as she looked over their jackets. “I didn't mean to offend you or anything, really,” she jutted her hip slightly outward, which she knew was an alluring gesture to most men. If she could get them to trust her, she might be able to learn more about their gang. Of course, there was only so far she was willing to go. She was walking a thin line between getting good information and getting into a situation that she could not get out of.
    “A fan, eh?” Lou chuckled. “Well, that makes things even more interesting.”
    “Don't,” Nick warned as he met her eyes. She barely paid any attention to him, she had already made one foolish choice because of his intoxicating looks.
    “Sure, of course,” she said, acting as if she was some sort of motorcycle gang groupie. “My friends and I all watch for your bikes to roll by. We love the sound.”
    “Friends?” one of the Dern brothers perked up.
    “Just leave her alone. We've got to go, right?” Nick reminded Lou, only in a more respectful tone. He had been a little too caught up in his passionate experience with Alexa to remember his place.
    “Shh,” the Dern brother said. “She's got friends!”
    “No, Nick is right,” Lou said firmly. “We have to go. We're already late.”
    Alexa felt a mixture of disappointment and relief. She wanted to know more about them, but she had been a little afraid they might decide to take her with them.
    “So, we'll just come over later,” Lou suggested out of the blue, and reached for her purse. “What's your address honey?” he tugged lightly at her purse.
    Alexa began to panic as she knew that her badge was inside. She knew if they found it, they would likely kill her right then and there.
    “Oh, I'll just tell you,” she said swiftly and tried to pull her purse back. In the slight struggle that ensued the well worn fabric of the purse tore, and the contents spilled out on the alley floor. She lunged downward, reaching for her badge, hoping to disguise it before anyone saw, and at the same time she reached for the slender weapon she always kept strapped to her ankle. It was hidden by her calf-high boot.
    “What's this?” Lou asked, when the badge skidded across the ground and struck the side of his steel toed boot.
    Alexa had her gun in her hand as she stood back up, in the same moment that Lou was picking up her badge.
    “Oh, shit,” he muttered as he lifted his eyes swiftly to Alexa. “Grab her,