Betrayed By Beauty - Ashley Lane Page 0,2

rarely did before Holly and the boys came along. He opens his mouth to continue but is cut off by the sound of my cell ringing in my pocket. I hold up a finger, silently asking him to hang on for just a minute, but when I get a look at the caller, I groan.

Bullet, having not missed Jax’s name, raises a brow. “Trouble in paradicks—I mean, paradise? I was just going to ask why he isn’t here.”

Jesus Christ. These bikers are nosier than their women. I feel like my life has become a fuckin’ soap opera and they’re all wondering where their favorite character is.

I flip him off for his comment and accept the call with words on the tip of my tongue to end the call quick.

“Jax, listen, now’s not a goo—”

“Maddox.”

The tone of Jax’s voice immediately puts me on edge. I don’t think he’s scared, but he’s definitely in a situation that has him on guard, which means I need to be as well.

“Talk,” I grunt, and the short command gains not only Bullet’s attention, but all of my brothers.

There are some low murmurs and rustling on the other end of the line before Jax starts to speak. “Since the shop is closed today, I figured I’d head over to corrupt to see if they needed any help. I know that place basically runs itself now, but I wanted to check in. A woman came in looking for a job—guess she saw the flyers on the doors. At the bar she asked Malcolm who she needed to speak with, and that’s when everything went south. Girl had a hood pulled over her head so I couldn’t see her at the time, but Malcolm’s reaction was enough. Told her since dancers didn’t wear masks there was no way she could work there. Implied she needed to wear a damn bag over her head. Ran outta here like her tail was on fire.”

Fuck. That bastard and his high and mighty bullshit. “They’re not worth it if they’re fuckin’ ugly, man.” His words grate on me, sending my thoughts back to a time and place I don’t want to think about. Not today. Not ever.

“Jesus Christ, get to the fuckin’ point, Jax.” Today is about celebrating with my brothers, not dealing with shit Jax should be able to handle himself.

Jax blows out an unsteady breath. “Right, right. Sorry. Anyway, I don’t know why, Maddox—I can’t fuckin’ explain it, but I went to find her. It was like I needed to find her.” His voice seems to shake, but that can’t be right. Why is he going to so much trouble for this girl?

“Okay, and? Did you find her?”

Silence comes from the other line lasting several seconds before he clears his throat and speaks, “I found her.”

I repeat my earlier comment. “Okay, and?”

“And I think you need to get down here… maybe bring Demon too.”

My brows hit my hairline. No one ever suggests bringing Demon. Demon is a fuckin’ loose cannon, and lately, a borderline possible liability. “Why do I need to bring Demon?”

At the sound of his name, Demon turns to look at me and I hold his narrowed eyes.

Jax’s voice comes back but this time it’s quieter, barely above a mumble. “Listen, I could be way off base here, but this girl—something’s wrong Madd. She’s fucking terrified of her own shadow, but it’s not just the way she’s looking over her shoulder with every move she makes.”

“Then what is it?”

“I have a feeling the reason she’s so scared is because someone hurt her… bad Maddox.”

I pause. “Why do you think that?”

Jax pulls in a shaky breath before releasing it. “Because the scars are written all over her face.”

CHAPTER 1

JAX

30 years old

Thirty minutes before

What the fuck am I doing here?

The neon signs in the windows of Corrupt are dimmed out by the Colorado sun, but still, like a moth drawn to a flame, I was lured by them as I drove by. There are a thousand reasons I should have ignored their pull but like a siren, they sang to me and like always, I was too weak to deny their call.

I’ve been sitting in my truck for ten minutes staring at the tinted windows, my eyes straining uselessly to see within. Looking, searching.

I don’t know why. Don’t lie to yourself, you know exactly why you’re here, and who you’re looking for.

Him. Always him.

Even though I know he’s not here, I climb out of my truck and relish the feel