in between

Tiana POV

The second my eyes landed on that photo my whole body locked up.

Knox.

The same man from the other night?

He had the same dark hair, same sharp jaw and same blue eyes that had looked at me like he wanted to own every broken piece of me the night before.

Only that now he wasn’t between my legs, he was staring past the camera with that hard, focused look that said he was already hunting something.

It's like he knew…someone would look at this picture. For one crazy moment, I thought he was looking at me…the woman who screamed under him for the night and walked away when light came.

My fingers went cold around the phone and even almost dropped it.

Roman didn’t miss a thing…his hawk like eyes never did.

He leaned forward on my couch with his elbows on his knees and that slow smile crawling across his face.

“Well. That’s not the reaction of a woman looking at a stranger.” he pointed out, looking between so sure if himself and doubting.

I forced my face blank and tossed the phone back at him.

“ What nonsense? You shoved a phone in my face and expected me to smile at some random man?” I fired back.

“Don’t play with me.” He said and his voice stayed soft while at it.

For some reason, that was always worse. “I saw it, Tiana.

That little freeze and the way your breath caught. You’ve seen him before.” he insisted.

I turned to glare at him.

“I haven’t seen no man like that. Don't try to convict me with your doubtful dirty mind.” I snapped angrily.

“Bullshit.” He cursed then stood up slowly.

“I can forgive you fucking some foolish boy to get over me. Hell, I might even laugh about it later but hiding an enemy from me?” He stepped closer until I could smell the old cologne he still wore. “I’d make you wish you died instead.”

Something ugly twisted in my stomach from that threat but I didn’t back up. I knew better than to back off when facing a man like Roman.

Instead, I lifted my chin and looked him straight in the eye.

“You break into my place, throw threats around like you’re still the big man, and now you’re accusing me of protecting some random biker? Get over yourself, Roman. I’m not the same girl who used to shake when you raised your voice.” I fired back.

I wasn't that girl from before. He intimidated me, but not to the extent of cowering at his little pathetic threats he loved to throw around.

His hand came up fast and wrapped around my throat.

The grip was not tight enough to cut air but it was enough to remind me he could. I didn’t flinch. I stared at him until the corner of my mouth twitched into something mean and careless. I was passing the message…message that I wasn't fucking scared of him.

“There she is,” he murmured. “Ice still has teeth.”

I shoved his wrist off me hard. “Touch me again and the next thing you hunt will be a hospital bed.” I snapped.

I was tired of his bullshit.

Roman laughed like the whole thing entertained him.

“ You are still dramatic. Fine. We’ll do this clean.” He nodded at the old laptop stashed on my working table.

“You’re going to track him for me. Every move and you’re going to tell me exactly what you find. If I even think you’re covering for him…” He trailed off, his gaze pinned on me.

I scoffed, then rolled my eyes at him.

“You’ll kill me. You’ve been saying that for years and I’m still here.” I walked past him, grabbed my laptop and nearly slammed it on the table harder than I needed to. “Sit down and shut up so I can work. The faster I give you something, the faster you leave.”

Roman watched me for a long second, then sat back down like he owned the place. “There’s my good girl.”

I ignored him and opened the laptop. The old machine woke up with that familiar low hum that made my skin crawl.

For years, I had abandoned it, choosing a desktop over it.

My fingers moved on their own as I typed old codes…venturing into old pathways and things I swore I’d never touch again. I layered the photo, ran the searches, dug through the dark places I used to live in.

While the system worked, my mind wouldn’t shut up.

I had let that man take me apart last night. I had asked him to ruin me and he had. And now Roman wanted me to hand him over like a gift.

I didn't know what was going on between them, why Knox was hunting Roman and vice versa.

But I knew one thing, handing him? It was not happening.

I would feed Roman just enough to keep myself breathing and then I would find a way to stay ahead of both of them.

It would be better if they never saw each other.

The first results about the guy came fast.

Knox Vale. President of the Royal Riders MC. He was last pinged in the same coastal town I’d just left. Then the highlights of being caught in security cameras started lighting up.

He was finally moving after last night.

Heading this way?

My stomach dropped so hard I almost tasted blood.

I kept my face flat while I typed out a short report and turned the screen toward Roman.

“He’s on the move with his club, coming this direction. Window’s tight.”

Roman smiled slowly and satisfied. “Good girl. See how easy this can be when you listen?”

I didn't wait to hear more of his sick praise.

I stood up and walked to the kitchen like I needed water. My pulse was slamming so hard I could feel it in my teeth.

Knox was riding straight toward the man who wanted him dead…and toward me.

I opened the fridge, stared at the empty shelves and made the decision right there.

I would not be the reason that man died.

Even if it meant Roman finally followed through on every threat he’d ever made.

I closed the fridge, turned and looked at him across the room.

“I need better access and peace.

If you want him delivered without noise, stop breathing down my neck and let me work.”

Roman’s smile sharpened.

“As you wish… Ice.” he declare then moved towards the door.

“ I'll come for that information. You better not try something funny.” He warned before stepping out.

Outside the window the city lights flickered like they already knew something was coming.

Inside the house, I was stuck in my mind, wondering if fate was mocking me or what.

Why did I have to sleep with the man whom my crazy ex was hunting?

Why did I have to be caught in between?