002 Surprise Package.

~KELSIE~

I was thankful for Kendra's call, which arrived in the nick of time, putting an end to my zoned-out state.

"Dad wants you in the Red Room right away. What's still holding you?" 

That was enough to kick me onto my bike and get me riding down the red room, still reeling from the encounter with that annoying stranger, and my near-death experience.

As I pulled over at the parking space in the Red Room, my mind wrestled with the last words of the stranger. 

Who was he? And what did he mean by, "see you in a few hours?" 

I knew every member of the Vipers, so that meant he wasn't one of us. 

"And we don't have any new intakes recently." I reckoned as I removed my helmet before getting off the bike

And don't get me started about his sketchy attitude and complete disregard for personal space. 

I snorted as I strutted towards the entrance. The ride wasn't as smooth as it started to be. And from the cheering from other bikers, hailing Norah, I'd missed the race I intended to join immediately I got here.

"Fucking psycho," I growled, nodding slightly at the other members of the Vipers who assembled around Norah at the finishing line.

The air still smelled of dust and gasoline, and tire marks adorned the asphalt, evidence of the just-concluded race. I bit furiously on my lower lip as my eyes met Norah. 

She arched her brow proudly. "Hi, Elsie!" She waved, sporting an annoying smile that got me rolling my eyes before disappearing into the Red Room.

Kendra was the first person I saw. She hopped on top of the long stool by the deck, helping herself to a glass of something that looked like whiskey.

I snorted when I hopped next to her. "Isn't it too early for alcohol reinforcement, huh, biker princess?"

A laugh tore through her lips as she held my gaze. But something about her smile was unsettling. It didn't quite reach her eyes. Something was wrong.

"Hey, sis. It's good to see you too." 

I sneered at her wit before my eyes darted around, taking in the rest of the vipers who lounged around the booths, all clad in leather outfits and cradling their helmets and bike keys. These were my people. 

"Vipers" were boldly embroidered on the leather jacket. And trust me, not everyone would earn that spot. Especially not that psycho from earlier.

My Dad had a strict, strenuous process for those who were interested in joining. Because this wasn't your regular biker gang, known for crimes, money laundering and whatnot.

And I was actively involved in those processes. So I would know if he were a part of us.

I dismissed his statement and turned towards Kendra.

"You said Dad was looking for me?" 

"I was." Dad's large-as-life voice boomed at the door that led to his study, and in a few seconds, he was standing beside me with a quizzical gaze that sent chills down my spine.

"You missed the race, Elsie." He said emphatically, and I looked down, fixing a longing gaze at Kendra's whiskey. "Why?" 

I pressed my lips together and willed myself to look up. Last I checked, I was almost run over.

"I nearly collided with some asshole that—" 

"You mean you nearly ran me over because of your zoned-out state in the middle of the road, huh?" 

Blood drained from my face as the cocky, deep voice registered in my head. It was him. With balled fists, I swiveled around to meet his gaze. He hopped on the next stool beside me, that smirk still dancing around his face. My hand itched to wipe them off with a punch, but I reminded myself that my Dad was here. 

"That's not what happened, psycho. And you know it." I growled through gritted teeth, my body already vibrating. "And what the hell are you doing here?" 

"Kelsie!" My Dad called slightly in an upbeat tone, and my gaze immediately slid up to meet his. "You'll treat our guest with respect. And I won't have you missing any race. Norah won because of you." 

Yeah, the race was between me and other bikers including Norah. I had always been the winner, with Norah following behind and then Rowan. But today, she got the crown...and the entire Red Room wouldn't hear the last of it.

"Anyway. That's not why I summoned you." He said dismissively. But my interest was already piqued at the reason why he would want to see me. Especially with this psycho sitting beside me like he had every right to be here.

"I thought this was a private meeting." 

Kendra who suddenly blended in with the nearest wall immediately Dad entered cleared her throat.

"It is." 

"Then what's this d-bag doing here?" I asked, tipping my head towards him while holding Kendra's gaze.

"Kelsie!!" Dad called out again, eliciting a near-flinch out of me.

 My eyes begged to roll. He always had that effect on people.

"Because he's the principal part of this meeting." Kendra finally replied.

"Principal?" I echoed, my gaze reflexively resting on him. He threw a wink that should have angered me, but instead it made my heart flutter. But I didn't hesitate to throw him a murderous gaze.

"Kendra will be taking my place at the company in a few weeks. So she wouldn't be available much at the Red Room." Dad started, causing my attention to span to him.

"In other words, the biker princess title will now be resting on your shoulders," Kendra added softly, reaching out to squeeze my shoulder slightly.

That wasn't something I could do. In fact, it was good news. But I still had one problem.

"And what has that got to do with him, huh?" I asked, pointing at him, not caring a bit about his towering height, impressive broad physique, or how my heart fluttered whenever he stared at me. 

Dad let out a tight-lipped smile and I knew instantly he was about to say something that wouldn't go down well with me.

"Since we wouldn't be here often because of the sudden progress in clientele and all that at the company , you'll fully take over the Red Room." 

My quizzical gaze intensified. "Yeah, I know. But that still doesn't answer me." I tossed my red hair to the back, straightening my leather jacket. 

"Where does he come in?" 

My Dad waited a bit before saying the next words. "Because he's going to be your bodyguard from now on.." 

My hands halted on the jacket fly as I looked up sharply, eyes widening in extreme alarm.

"Wait, What!!”