Page 31 of Property of Zombie

15

LUCY

“Say yes.”

I press the unlock button on my key fob as I walk across the parking lot to my truck, Michael hot on my heels. He showed up at the zoo minutes before I was done for the day, and despite my protests, he insisted on walking me out.

Stopping to face him, I force a smile. “I’m sorry, Michael. I really am,” I lie. “But I just don’t have the time for dating.”

His jaw tics, but that’s the only indication that he’s upset about being turned down. “I understand.” I turn back around, knowing my truck is mere feet away, but he grabs my arm, forcing me to remain in place. “Maybe when your schedule opens up, we can⁠—”

“Maybe,” I say, anger surfacing at his nerve.

“Babydoll?”

I whip my head to the side at the pet name Zombie seems intent on saddling me with. He’s standing next to my truck, hands shoved into his pockets, and a scowl on his face. Where he came from, I have no idea, but at the moment, I don’t give a damn.

Michael’s grip on my arm tightens. “Him?” he sneers.

“No, not him,” I reply, exasperated. “Now, let me go.”

After a moment’s hesitation, he releases me with a little shove. I stumble backward, and large hands settle on my waist to steady me. Heat immediately skitters through my body, and I have to close my eyes to regain my composure.

Zombie’s hands disappear, and he steps around me, placing himself between me and Michael.

“Touch her again,” the biker snarls. “I fucking dare ya.”

Michael bristles. “Or what?”

“Or nothing,” I snap, moving to stand next to Zombie. “Both of you need to leave me alone.”

With that, I stomp to my truck and open the door. Climbing in, I breathe a sigh of relief when I’m able to shut the door without interference from either of them. I start the engine and pull out of the lot, wanting to get home and put the last few minutes behind me.

Unfortunately, as I’m walking from the vehicle to the front door of my condo, the unmistakable rumble of a motorcycle taunts me. I’m putting my key into the lock when Zombie parks at the curb, and he’s so fast that he stops me from closing the door after I step inside.

“I’m coming in whether you like it or not,” he says, his tone harsh. “But I’d prefer you like it.”

Recognizing that there’s no point in arguing, I turn away from him to walk through the living room to the kitchen. “You coming?” I ask when I don’t hear him enter behind me.

“Not yet.”

Gasping, I spin around and punch Zombie in the chest with both hands. “Jesus, you scared me.”

He gently wraps his fingers around my wrists to stop my assault. “Didn’t mean to, babydoll.” Using the pads of his thumbs, he rubs my flesh, and I can’t contain the shiver that races through me. “Mmm, so responsive.”

I manage to extricate myself from his hold and take a step back. “What do you want?”

As if he hadn’t just lit my body on fire, he says, “You’re time’s up.”

When I woke up this morning, I knew I was nearing my deadline to give him and the club a decision about my cooperation, but I was so busy at work that I managed to forget about it.

“So, what’s it gonna be?” he asks.

“I’m in,” I blurt, surprising even myself.

Carolyn uncovered numerous files that detailed Dr. Binks’ interactions with the club. Fortunately, they were cryptic enough that all she did was flag them for me to decipher and upload into the database. I also spoke with my mentor, and he assured me that, while the club works on the wrong side of the law, they would make sure that I didn’t get swept up in anything unsavory. Even with his reassurances, I was fully prepared to say no.

Then Zombie touched me, and all of my good sense fled like a thief in the night.