Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Everyone knew the Shadowridge Guardians. Sapphire had seen them from a distance as she’d driven around town and from the windows of her shop. She’d noticed they gathered out at The Hangout some evenings, but she had never checked out the bar and grill. Going to a bar alone didn’t sound like fun, and her besties from high school were married with babies. They didn’t have the energy to dance the night away anymore.
Most evenings when the shop was closed and even when it was a slow night, Sapphire dreamed up designs for her jewelry. She loved matching clever settings with gems to make the final piece both a work of art and something people would treasure. Her shop was thriving and gaining a reputation for unique jewelry. That satisfied her creative side, but Sapphire often felt alone. She’d had boyfriends in the past but nothing serious.
As she negotiated the streets filled with rush hour traffic, Sapphire wondered what the inside of the motorcycle shop would look like. Would it be gritty and grimy from the oil and grease? Or would it be shiny chrome and windows?
The parking lot was partially filled with a number of cars. She wondered if this was the time when customers dropped off bikes or picked them up. Sapphire knew jewelry but absolutely nothing about motorcycles. She pulled into a space and gathered up the designs she’d worked on.
“Silver. You stay here. I don’t want you to get dirty in the shop,” Sapphire told her new best friend and then rolled her eyes at herself. She’d caught herself talking to the teddy bear repeatedly today.
She opened her door, stepped out, and turned to the building. She hesitated for a breath to gather her courage. It was safe in there, wasn’t it? Scanning the area, she noted everyone was male without a woman in sight.
“I need someone with big biceps to pull the brake pad box down from the top shelf,” a female voice called.
Instantly, Sapphire felt more at ease to walk in. Of course, it was silly, but knowing there was another woman inside made the shop less threatening. Squaring her shoulders, she headed for the door.
“Hey. Hold on a minute for me, please,” the woman called.
Sapphire traced the sound to see a woman supporting a box precariously perched on the edge of an upper shelf. Without thinking, she slammed her purse and the folder on the counter before rushing to the woman’s side. “Here, let me help.”
Steadying one corner of the box, she looked at the employee and guessed. “I think this weighs more than both of us.”
“Probably. Would you mind going into the shop to shout for one of the guys to help me?”
“I can’t let go of this. It will crush you. Do you think if we yell together, someone will hear?” Sapphire asked.
“Let’s try it.” Under her breath, the woman mumbled, “My butt is going to be so red.”
“What?” Sapphire asked.
“Sorry. Just thinking out loud. On the count of three, call help. One, two, three.”
“HELP!”
Pounding footsteps sounded behind them. Sapphire glanced over her shoulders to see three large men entering.
“Fuck, Addie. Your ass is going to be on fire,” a bald man with a scowl told her as he ran forward to push the box back on the shelf.
“Really, Faust? I was trying to get it down.”
“Addie’s going to take a short break,” a stern-looking bearded biker said calmly and held out his hand. “And then she’s going to practice asking for assistance ahead of time.”
“Are you a new employee here?” The man Sapphire now knew as Faust asked her, distracting Sapphire from trying to figure out what was going on.
“No. I own a jewelry store downtown.”
When the man’s expression didn’t change and he stood staring at her, Sapphire quickly added, “I just came to talk to Blade and heard her cry out.” Faust just stared at her. Refusing to be intimidated by the large man, Sapphire squared her shoulders. “I’d do it again too. Girl code. We support each other.”
“It’s okay, Faust. That’s Sapphire. She’s mine.”
Sapphire turned to see Blade standing in the doorway. Oh, thank God. She pivoted back to look at Faust and couldn’t believe the change in his expression. He no longer regarded her as an interloper. His slight smile was almost gentle.
“Sorry, Sapphire.” Without another word, he left.
Staring at his broad back as he disappeared, Sapphire didn’t even have time to respond. Her gaze flew to meet Blade’s. “Yours?” She squelched the thrill she felt at that idea. Surely, she should be offended.
“Yes. Do you mind if I finish cleaning up my area before we look at your designs? I’ve almost gotten everything put away. You might enjoy seeing the inside of the shop.”
Distracted by that idea, she nodded. “I’d like that.” Sapphire had grabbed her things from the counter before her brain computed that he’d said yes. By the time she’d whirled back around, he disappeared through the doorway. Walking quickly, she followed him.