Grasping For Freedom Read Online Free Page A

to worry about. And she definitely didn't have time to waste thinking about the opposite sex. She tapped the back of her head against the wood, trying to knock some sense into her overstressed head. He might be an asshole, but he'd protected her when it mattered. She had to admit, right or wrong, she needed all the protection she could get.

Chapter Three
    After three days of drizzle, the clouds finally parted and the sun warmed the air. Torque grabbed his leather coat off the chair in the lobby of Shift's Garage and pushed his way through the door. Once he arrived at Cactus Cove, he'd have a wet ass from the spray coming off the back tire of his Harley. That and the fact that Brandy would be at the bar soured his mood.
    He'd almost succeeded at pushing Brandy out of his head, until last night when he tied on one too many with Remmy and heard the talk about the bets between some of the other Bantorus men who were waiting around for Rain to give his okay for them to make their move on the new manager. Then shit got real.
    He used the sleeve of his jacket to swipe the wetness off the seat of his Harley. Water ran in droplets over the edge of the leather. He was ready for sunshine and the calm he found hanging around the bar. This time of year was tough for a biker in the Pacific Northwest. The rain meant less days straddling the bike, and more days inside.
    He steeled himself for the onslaught of moisture that remained and sat his bike. Without waiting, he started the engine and pulled out onto the street. Rain would be in the office, and he had to discuss what he planned to do about Brandy and the guys who planned to use her for their own personal challenge.
    Bantorus rules forbid anyone, biker, employee, acquaintance, from messing around with Gladys. The rule shouldn't change because Brandy was young, available, and asking for attention.
    Five minutes later, he parked his motorcycle in the lot of Cactus Cove and hopped off. He ignored the uncomfortable dampness on his ass and the obvious strip of wetness on his lower back from the road spray, and strode through the backdoor of the bar.
    He knocked on the closed office door. He stared at the wood and not down the hallway where Brandy would be.
    "Yeah, it's open," Rain said from inside the room.
    Torque opened the door and shut it behind him. Not one to waste time, he said, "We've got a problem. The guys are throwing down bets on who can get Brandy first."
    Rain let the paper in his hand fall to the desk and leaned back, placing his boots on the corner of the furniture. "It's bullshit talk. They're allowed to let off steam without bothering her."
    "Are the rules changing? Gladys was protected, just like any other daughter, sister, mother, old lady is protected." He stepped forward and remained standing. "Brandy's an employee of Bantorus MC."
    Rain grinned. "Gladys became an old lady a week after I bought the bar. She remained a Bantorus after Willy was killed. If you haven't noticed, she's in her sixties. Love her to death, but she already played her wild times out and let everyone know she was through spreading her legs. If the same rules apply, then Brandy's free to—"
    "You know what I mean. Brandy's, what...twenty-eight—"
    "Twenty four," Rain said.
    Shit. Twenty four? She had no idea what she was doing at that young of an age.
    "I'll talk with her, but I doubt she'll want to throw in with the bitches." Rain put his feet on the floor. "If the men step out of line, I'll deal with it. What's your real problem with Brandy, besides the talk of you sticking your tongue down her throat...which I take isn't going to happen again."
    He could give a rat's ass if Rain knew what he did. "She doesn't belong here. Anyone can see she isn't used to being around bikers. How well did you check her out?"
    Rain stood. "Are you questioning my decision? Because the last time I looked, I owned the fucking bar."
    "Right." Torque scoffed.
    Rain rounded the desk and sat on the top in front of