Beyond the Horizon (The Sons of Templar MC Book 4) by Anne Malcom Page A

leaving,” I said quickly, my eyes darting anywhere but his.
    I watched him look me up and down, and then his features turned stormy. I cringed that I was the reason his carefree face was contorted in such a way.
    “Lily, you came out of Asher’s room,” Lucky observed in a hard voice.
    My already wide eyes gaped. He knew me? Of course he knew me, he was at Gwen’s last night, but I hadn’t realized he’d remember me, though. But he did. And he saw me in Asher’s tee, clutching my shoes and trying to gather my dignity. I inwardly cringed and felt my face flame.
    I tried to step around him. “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go,” I whispered brokenly and desperately.
    His body stepped in my path.
    I looked at him through my lashes, trying not to cry.
    Be strong, Lily.
    “Stupid fuck,” he bit out, his humor still absent.
    “Wha-what?” I stuttered, unsure of how to handle the anger directed at me.
    His eyes softened slightly as if he realized the effect his tone was having. “Asher. He’s a stupid fuck. Did he hurt you?” he clipped, looking at my state of undress in distaste.
    I self-consciously tugged the tee down. I furrowed my brows. Lucky seemed to be concerned for me. His apparent concern didn’t dampen the panic crawling up the edges of my throat. I’d kept it at bay, but I realized I couldn’t fight it for much longer. I didn’t need to lay any more parts of myself lying around this place, an anxiety attack would shatter me in this moment.
    Be strong.
    “Lil?” a sharp voice penetrated my confusion and caused relief to ripple through my body.
    Lucky stepped aside, his head turning to where Bex stood in the doorway. Her arms were crossed and eyes narrowed on him.
    Even though I guessed she’d just gotten out of bed, she looked good. Her black hair was messed in the bed head look, thanks to her choppy layers that dusted her shoulders. There was a bright blue streak along the front of her head. The color changed routinely. I guessed she was still wearing last night’s eyeliner, but it still looked good. Her white ripped jeans and cropped tee showed off her body.
    I watched in amazement as Lucky’s eyes took her in with hunger in his gaze. Well, not amazement really, she was hot, and he was a renowned ladies’ man.
    She was having none of that.
    She pushed off the doorway, glaring at him. Taking my hand, she gave me a worried glance before directing her anger at Lucky, stepping in front of me and right in his grill. That girl had no fear. It would be the death of her one day.
    “You keep your biker mitts off her. I don’t know what you fuckers have done to her already, but if it’s anything bad, I’ll be coming back here with Molotov cocktails. Capice ?” she hissed, not intimidated by his hard stare, his size, his muscles, or the general air of danger around him.
    She didn’t wait for his response before she dragged me out the door as gently as she could. Before we reached the gravel forecourt, she turned to me, thrusting flip flops I hadn’t noticed she was holding. She took my wedges.
    “Put these on, babe,” she said softly, her eyes darting around as if she was expecting a surprise attack.
    I did as instructed. “How did you know I’d need these?” I asked in amazement.
    She raised an eyebrow. “This is far from my first rodeo, girlfriend. Though, I know it’s yours.” Her brows furrowed and she resumed dragging me to the beat up hatchback we shared. Funds didn’t allow for us to both have a car.
    “Fucking bikers,” she muttered under her breath.
    Once we were safely in the car and had the compound in her rear view, worried eyes darted to me.
    “Want to talk about it?”
    I looked out the window. “Not really.”
    I saw her nod in my peripheral. “Just need to know, did the fucker hurt you?” Her voice was ice.
    I didn’t move my gaze. “No,” I whispered, “that’s the problem.”

Chapter Six
     

    Two Days Later
     
    “Cancer?” I repeated in a tortured voice.
    My