Eagle

By Marteeka Karland

Nyla -- Held captive by a monster, I’ve been forced to service my owner’s colleagues while I spied for him. Being really good at my job got me some perks, and Milo treated me better than some -- until the day he caught me in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then my nightmares really began. First chance I get, I run. Straight into the big biker they call Eagle. I don’t want to, but I’m falling hard. He swears he’ll protect me with his life, and that’s just what I’m afraid of. No one runs from Milo… and lives.

Eagle -- I have issues. The kind that make me a good person to avoid. Even the club whores stay away from me. My brothers keep a close eye on me, and they shield innocent people from me as much as they can -- until a slip of a woman comes crashing into my life. Beaten and broken, scared out of her mind, she calls to me, soothes the savage beast. She makes me want to believe in love. But when Milo comes after Nyla and threatens my club, I know I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her. And I’ll claim her, even if she can never accept my darker side.

WARNING: Graphic violence, adult situations, and references to human trafficking and domestic abuse that may be triggers for some readers. Features a protective hero and a determined heroine. Eventual happy ending and NO cheating, as always.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Aug 4, 2023

Marteeka Karland

Erotic romance author by night, emergency room tech/clerk by day, Marteeka Karland works really hard to drive everyone in her life completely and totally nuts. She has been creating stories from her warped imagination since she was in the third grade. Her love of writing blossomed throughout her teenage years until it developed into the totally unorthodox and irreverent style her English teachers tried so hard to rid her of. Want to see what's up with Marteeka? Website www.marteekakarland.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/735869533214213/ Facebook Page: facebook.com/experiencethemagicmk/ E-mail at [e-mail] Blog: marteekasdreams.com BookBub: bookbub.com/profile/marteeka-karland Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Marteeka-Karland/e/B004FZT1IS

Book preview

Chapter One

Eagle

Guard duty. Fuck. When there was a raging party going on with naked club whores all over the Goddamned place. Normally, I’d pass, but I just came back from helping a service buddy clean up a sex trafficking warehouse, and I needed to get the filthy taste outta my mouth. We fucked our girls hard, but they were all ready and willing. They chose to be here and always had the power to say no. Guard duty was the very last thing I wanted to be doing.

Don’t even think about wandering off, Eagle. You’re stuck here for a reason. Blaze pushed off from where he leaned against the gate. We’d grown up together and the man could almost read my mind at times. He also knew I had a temper on me.

Never said I was gonna, I grumbled, knowing that was exactly what I intended on doing the first chance I got.

Yep. I’m here with you because everyone knows you were on edge when you came back from Grim Road’s little foray. Everyone knows how you are after a situation like that. You need to let off steam before you’re fit for decent company.

This is not lettin’ off steam, you motherfucker. My growl had no heat in it. Mainly because I knew he was right.

Nope. Since Walker wasn’t available to take you huntin’ for a couple weeks, it’s become my job to find another way for you to loosen up.

I scowled at Blaze. I don’t need no Goddamned babysitter!

No. You need a couple weeks in the woods. Or a night or two in the fights. Otherwise, you end up gettin’ too rough with the girls, and they’re used to rough. As much as they usually love your brand of fuckin’, I guaran-damn-tee you ain’t a one of ‘em willin’ to take you on tonight.

I got it. I could be a handful when I was this wound up. Still don’t need no fuckin’ babysitter.

Ain’t babysittin’ ya. Just watchin’ out for my brother. Blaze gripped my shoulder once before lighting his pipe. Man smoked homegrown tobacco. Smelled good but was strong as shit. The scent was soothing, though. Still not as good as beating the shit outta someone. Or hunting in the woods. I’d go to the woods by myself but the last time I did I was gone over a month. When Walker finally found me, I was damned near a wild man. Lost in my own mind, the violence in my past completely overtaking me. It was why I didn’t normally go on runs like the one I had with Grim Road. Only reason I had gone on this job was that I owed Rocket a whole hell of a lot from our time in the service.

I was about to walk around the front part of the compound when I heard a strangled sob and the soft patting of bare feet on pavement. Female? Whoever it was, she was running like the hounds of hell were after her.

Get back here, bitch!

Blaze and I glanced at each other, both of us moving to the gate entrance. I could see a small figure now. The moon was bright. The second that figure cleared the cover of the trees lining the narrow road, I realized not only was the figure indeed a woman, but she was naked. And terrified.

Help! she sobbed and gasped as she approached us. Just as she neared the gate, she stumbled. I lunged for her, catching her slight form in my arms. Please, she panted, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Oh, God! Please help me!

Where’d she go?

Ain’t nothin’ out here but that MC. They won’t let her in. They don’t let nobody in.

Two men emerged from the shadows, following the same path the woman had come from. They trotted more sedately. Like they expected she’d stop here and that we’d refuse her entry but might keep her talking long enough for them to catch her.

Girl, I murmured, looking down into her upturned, terrified face. They comin’ for you?

She nodded, either unable to or afraid to speak. In my arms, she trembled uncontrollably. The summer air was warm and humid so even though she was naked I didn’t think she was cold.

Her hair was a tangled mess, and dirt streaked her face. A long scratch marred one cheek and I thought I saw a bruise darkening the other side of her face. Though she had lush curves, she was short and light in my arms. I thought her hair was either dark blonde or light brown, but it was so matted and dirty it was hard to tell. Even though she didn’t wince where my arms were around her, I’d bet my last dollar she was covered in even more bruises.

You want to go with them? This from Blaze. I shot him an irritated look, tightening my arms around her. I wasn’t protective over women, but something primitive and frightening rose up inside me. There was no way I was letting this woman get hurt on my watch.

I think it’s pretty fuckin’ obvious she don’t, Blaze.

The other man raised an eyebrow but said nothing else. A few seconds later, the two men chasing her slowed to a walk. One of them raised a hand in greeting.

Hey there! Thanks for catchin’ her.

Neither me nor Blaze said anything. Blaze stepped slightly in front of me and the young woman while I pulled off my cut and shirt, then shoved the tee over her head before urging her to sit just inside the gate in the grass next to the fence. Wasn’t much, but hopefully it made her a little more comfortable.

Wait here, I said softly. She looked at the men with sheer terror and whimpered. Nope. I pressed my hand to her face and turned her to look at me. You focus on me. Again, she let out a little whimper before meeting my gaze. Now. Wait here. We’ll get rid of this riffraff, then figure out what’s next.

They’ll kill me if you give me back to them. Her voice was barely above a whisper, and she tried to shift her gaze back to the men. Blaze was currently backing them out of the driveway.

No one said you had to go with them. I kept my tone gentle. She was heartbreakingly lovely, even dirty and terrified as she was. The longer I was in her presence, the more I wanted to wrap her up in a layer of protection and keep her safe from the whole fucking world. And that wasn’t me. Just stay here. We’ll take care of this.

She stared at me with the most unusual coppery eyes I’d ever seen. They shone through her tears like new pennies in the silvery moonlight. Then she nodded ever so slightly, and I helped her sit back in the grass before joining Blaze.

Of course, she wants to come with us, one of the guys was telling Blaze. She only ran because she thinks she’ll make more money with you guys. Little whore’s only out for one thing. Right, Mick?

Hell, just ten minutes ago she was beggin’ me to come down her throat. Both men laughed.

Blaze glanced at me when I stopped beside him. I shook my head.

She doesn’t want to go with them. I said softly.

Sorry, guys. Lady doesn’t want to leave with you. Blaze’s smile wasn’t congenial. He looked more like he was looking forward to them trying to force the issue.

Now wait just a Goddamned minute! This time, Mick answered. She’s our property. Bought and paid for.

That so? Blaze glanced at me before growling at the man. Who the fuck sold her to you?

Mr. Noyb. The other guy said with a smirk. None Of Your Business.

Joke’s on you, pal. ‘Cause I’m makin’ it my business. Blaze’s hand shot out, snagging him by the throat and squeezed.

What the fuck? Mick stumbled backward. I lunged for the smaller man and held him in a similar hold with my fist around his neck.

Who sold you that girl? Blaze repeated. Name. Contact info. Or I strangle the fuckin’ life outta you.

We stole her off the streets, man! Mick said, his eyes bulging. His hand clawed at mine, but I just squeezed harder. Watched her daddy leave while she was in a gas station restroom! I swear!

Blaze took his radio off his belt. Brick. Roman. Gonna need the barn. Got two pissants at the gate who need a little education.

There was a silence before I heard Brick’s voice over the radio. Copy. Be at the gate in five.

She ain’t no toddler, I snapped. You didn’t just take her from her daddy. How’d you get your fuckin’ hands on her?

Dude, shut up! Mick hissed at his companion.

I ain’t dyin’ for that bastard. It was all great when he promised no one would miss her. He might not turn her in missin’, but these guys sure the fuck will.

He’s wrong, you know, I commented. We ain’t filin’ a missin’ person’s report. You’re gonna die because of what you’ve already done.

The guy’s bladder let go and he whimpered. Please, mister! It wasn’t my idea!

Shut! Up! They’re gonna kill us no matter what we do, Caleb!

Yep. Blaze grinned at Mick, tilting his head sideways and getting right in the guy’s face. His voice was