Chapter 1

Lily

"The number you are trying to call is not reachable at the moment, please try again later."

"You must be fucking with me, Harry." I cursed as I dropped the phone on the couch and raked my hands through my hair in frustration. I returned home to find it all messed up and empty. First, the spoiled brat brother of mine made all the mess. Secondly, he was nowhere to be found. At the late hours of the night. I work my ass off to bring food to the table but all Harry does is use his allowance on video games and betting with his friends. No one frustrates my life pass Harry.

No matter how much I scold and kick him, it doesn't stop him from messing around. Tell me why I won't get agitated at every little thing. Including the messed up situation at work today.

After a series of job hunting, I finally landed a job at a jewelry store as a jewelry consultant at Luke Crown Jewelers, one of the popular and best jewelry stores in New York. Despite it being the best store in the city, the pay doesn't help much with my bills. Taking care of my needs and then my brother. Life hasn't been good since the death of my parents.

They died in a car accident. I remembered the day. When I was 18, I had just been admitted into college newly. One phone call from an unknown number changed everything. The news of my parents' sudden death had done a lot of damage to my life. First, we weren't that rich. My father was a security guard at the city hospital whereas my mother worked as a hairstylist in a beauty salon. We were barely coping with life. And after that accident happened, I was left with a big responsibility. I was barely concentrating in school because I had to go from one part-time job to another. To raise money for my fees and my 11-year-old brother's school fees. I skipped classes sometimes just so I could go to work and earn money.

Fast forward to now, I was going to clock 25 soon while my brother had clocked 18 I would say I had come far. I got to finish college despite having poor grades and my brother is in his finals at high school. I had worked like a crazy hustler for seven years just to get to where I am now. I have been working as a jewelry consultant in the jewelry store for a year and a half now. Roughly two years. All I can say is, it had helped a lot but still not good enough.

Putting on a smile whether I was in a good mood or not had been my everyday routine the moment I stood in my position. But that doesn't stop me from saying my mind whenever a customer tries to look down on me. To sum it up, I don't tolerate nonsense.

Sparing my employee card a look, memories of the event that transpired earlier flashed. "Go and apologize to the young man." were the words of my boss the moment I stepped inside her office after I had lashed out at a customer who tried to sexually harass me.

"I'm sorry Ma'am but I can't do that."

She was supposed to be used to my attitude by now. She knows the kind of a person I am. Forcing me to do what isn't right would never happen. "Lily I said go and apologize to that young man. Do you know who he is?"

I was still set on my decision. "I'm sorry Ma'am. I can't apologize for something I didn't do wrong. He tried to harass me. And I tried my best to make sure I explained the rules to him. We don't accept returns after payment."

The rules were clearly stated by Mrs. Florence. No refunds after payment. But he came back with a ring he bought three days ago and wanted a refund. I was only doing my job. But he went overboard and I ended up slapping him. To protect myself.

"That's my problem with you, Lily! You always act as if you are the only righteous woman alive. Don't forget I took pity on you and gave you the job despite having poor qualifications."

A bitter bile rose in my throat. I had never imagined a day would come when I would be downgraded because of my poor qualifications. What was my fault for being independent at a young age? I knew I was not very smart but I was still able to complete college. "That same man you slapped is the key to getting the investors we need for our store."

Right. It's all about the money. Mrs. Florence has always been a woman who doesn't care about how her employees work. Over time or work out of work days and even the fact that we tolerate flirts from customers. She only cares about her bank account which gets filled up with money every day. I wasn't going to argue more but the next thing she said hurt my pride and I allowed my pride to take control of my only source of income.

"A little flirt wouldn't hurt. That's part of good standing."

"I'm sorry to say Ma'am but that's not how I am. My pride and dignity are more important."

"So you want to tell me that you won't apologize?" she questioned intertwining her hands together and fixing her eyes on me. "I would rather quit than apologize for an injustice."

And that was how I lost my job. My only source of income. Mrs. Florence showed me that her store is better than her employees' pride. So I left, but after giving her a piece of my mind. And now I was back to square one. Jobless and have bills piling up.

"I will kill Harry today!" I exclaimed picking up my phone to try his number for the third time. No matter how tall or how much he had aged, he would still be my baby brother. The one I took care of for seven years. I was about to dial his number when a call came through from an unknown number. My mind thought it was Harry because he had used his friend's phone to call me countless times. Whenever he gets into trouble.

"I hope this boy didn't get into trouble again," I muttered before picking up the call and placing it to my ears.

Nothing was hitting my chest but pure anger—no rage should be the right word to describe what I was feeling. I know for a fact that I would kill Harry. I don't know how but I will make sure I break one of his bones today. Despite the anger hitting me, I was a bit nervous about what I was going to meet. After getting the call, the only words I heard were. "You might want to save your brother's little ass." And then the line went dead with a text that followed with an address.

A little shiver ran down my spine when the car stopped at a dark alley. "Is this the place you are supposed to drop me off?" I asked the man wanting to be sure it was the address I gave not the wrong one.

"Yes." His answer came short and sharp. I paid him his f*e and slowly got out of the car. I hadn't gotten to move away from the car when he took off. "What a crazy man!" I hissed throwing a glare at his faraway car.

I glanced around at the unfamiliar surroundings. The place was rough around the edges—gravel crunching under the tires, the air thick with the smell of gasoline and leather. Rows of motorcycles lined up like soldiers, their metal frames glinting in the sunlight.

People in worn leather jackets and faded jeans stood around, talking in low voices or laughing loudly. Some leaned against their bikes, others sat at old wooden tables under a makeshift tent, sipping on beer or coffee.

Confusion gnawed at me at the strange and dangerous surroundings. Why would Harry come here? There was no doubt, I stumbled into the world of bikers. I've heard about some gangs of motorcyclists. I can't make out the name. I saw a picture on I*******m the other day about a race event going on between two gangs. I don't really have any interest in bikers so I don't pay much attention. However, finding myself in such environments gave me chills.

My phone rang in my hand from the same unknown number. I placed it to my ears and awaited the deep voice from the other end. "I assumed you have arrived at the location.

"Did you see the dirt road to your right?" I turned around and saw a long road. "Yes," I answered.

"Good. Follow the road until you hit gravel. Walk straight towards the tent. Someone will meet you there."

"Why-" Before I could complete my statement, the line went dead. What the hell was going on? Who knows maybe it was a trap, Lily. You shouldn't have come. A voice in my head rang. But who would trap me? I have no enemies.

Your brother always gets in trouble. It might affect you. The thought of my brother messing up with the biker gangs triggered my anger more. I stormed towards the directions given to me and found myself in a tent. I was met with a big man whose body physique was enough to scare the living shit out of my body. The man looks dangerous just from his body frame. Broad shoulders, arms like tree trunks, and a face that looked like it had seen one too many fights.

"The boss is waiting for you. Follow me." He said not giving me the chance to ask whether I was at the right place. You are in a dangerous territory, Lily. Another voice in my head rang.

More reason why I needed to break Harry's bone if he dared put me in trouble.

We reached a large metal door at the back of a weathered building. The big man knocked once—three sharp raps—and the door creaked open. He motioned for me to go first.

Inside, the air was cooler, dimly lit by a few hanging lights. The smell of smoke and stale beer hit me immediately. My heart pounded in my chest as I moved deeper into the den. It felt like stepping into a lion's cage—dark, suffocating, and full of danger.

I walked down a narrow hallway, and then into an even darker room. That's when I saw someone. He was sitting in a worn leather chair, the kind that looked like it belonged in an old detective's office. His presence filled the room, larger than life. He was tall, with a muscular build that was obvious even under his black t-shirt. His arms were covered in tattoos.

His face was rugged, with a strong jawline, a scar that ran from his eyebrow to his cheek, and eyes that seemed to pierce right through me—cold, calculating, and more than a little dangerous.

He looked up at me slowly, his eyes narrowing as he took me in. I felt a shiver run down my spine, every instinct screaming at me to turn around and leave. But I was rooted to the spot

"You are finally here," he said, his voice low and gravelly. It was the kind of voice that commanded attention, and I felt the tension coil tighter in my stomach.

"Excuse me but who are you?" The question left my mouth faster. A smile curved up his lips the one that made more shivers down my spine. "I assumed you're here to save your brother's little ass."

The dots clicked in my head so fast and I found myself walking forward to his desk. "Where is my brother?"

"Good question. Mark!" He yelled and a door was opened with the appearance of my brother. Hands tied and mouth covered with a cloth. My blood instantly quickened up. As I proceeded to rush to him, the man's deep voice halted me. "Stop right there."

"Are you crazy? Why is my brother here? Why is he tied up and-"

"Because he stepped into my territory. Your brother touched what belonged to me. And to save his ass, you have to bear the consequences."

I was confused for a short while and didn't even have time to process his words when he dropped a bomb. Right then and there, I realized that I might be in a dreamland. "Be my wife."