Chapter 88 88
DAISY POV
The man let out a deep breath and pulled his hand away from my mouth, stepping back just enough so I could breathe again.
“Damn, girl… you almost got me killed,” he said, voice light and easy, like we were old friends chatting over coffee.
I shoved him hard in the chest and tried to run past him.
But He caught my arm gently but firmly, stopping me without hurting me.
“Whoa, whoa, easy! I was only joking,” he said with a big grin, raising both hands like he was surrendering. “Relax, bounty girl. I’m not here to hurt you.”
I glared at him, heart still pounding. He looked completely harmless now — He had a warm, playful energy that felt completely out of place in this clubhouse full of dangerous men.
He chuckled softly. “Look, Diesel has already given every brother in the club one clear order: anyone who tries to come after you or betray him for that bounty… dies. No second chances. And trust me, I like breathing. I care about my life way too much to test Diesel on this.”
I didn’t laugh. I didn’t find any of this funny. My hands were still shaking from the fear.
He stretched out his hand toward me, still smiling. “I’m Jax, by the way. Nice to officially meet you.”
Can’t believe his casually introducing himself after putting me in so much fear, I slapped his hand away hard. “I didn’t give a fuck to know you.”
I turned and started walking away fast, heading back toward the main area where there were more people.
But he just smiled wider and fell into step right beside me, hands in his pockets like we were taking a casual stroll.
“Actually… Diesel assigned me to watch you,” he said cheerfully. “So I’m sorry, my lady, but you have no choice but to know me. I’m your new shadow for today…”
“New shadow.. bodyguard” I said, stopped walking and turned to glare at him again. “I don’t request for a babysitter and I don’t need one.”
Jax only shrugged, still grinning. “Tell that to the D. He said ‘Keep her safe and keep her from doing anything stupid.’ His exact words. And between you and me, I’ve seen what happens when people ignore Diesel’s orders. Not pretty.”
I kept walking, trying to ignore him, but he stayed right beside me, matching my pace easily.
“You know,” he continued, voice light and teasing, “most girls would be happy to have a charming guy like me as their bodyguard. I tell great jokes. I can even do card tricks.”
I shot him a cold look. “I’m not most girls, and I don’t find you funny.”
Jax laughed softly, not offended at all. “Fair enough. But I’m still sticking to you like glue. Boss’s orders. So… where are we going? Kitchen? Back to the room? Or are you planning something?”
He kept talking but I didn’t answer him. My mind was still spinning and my body refuse to welcome his present—
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.
He was still smiling, but there was something sharp and watchful in his gaze. He might act jovial and harmless, but he was clearly one of Diesel’s men.
I let out a frustrated breath and kept walking.
Jax kept walking beside me with that easy, jovial smile, like we were old friends taking a stroll.
“Hey,” he said brightly, “how about I give you a tour around the place? The clubhouse is bigger than it looks.”
I didn’t even slow down. “What can be special about a biker clubhouse?”
Jax chuckled, not bothered at all by my cold tone. “Well, even a den has beautiful sides. I can show you some interesting spots… and secretly point out the people you should avoid.”
I wanted to say yes. Even if it wasn’t necessary, it would kill the boredom of staying locked in that room all day. But I didn’t like this guy. He was too friendly, too quick with the jokes, and I still remembered how scared I had been when he first grabbed me.
I swallowed the words and kept walking.
Then I saw her.
Raven was in the courtyard, cleaning a bike with rough, angry movements. Her red hair was tied back, and even from here she looked pissed off at the world.
Jax followed my gaze and saw exactly who I was staring at. He leaned in a little and said quietly, “That should be one of the people you should avoid.”
I didn’t listen.
I walked straight toward Raven.
Jax sighed behind me but didn’t try to stop me. He just muttered, “This should be fun…”
Raven looked up as I got closer. Her eyes narrowed the second she saw me. She wiped her hands on a rag and stood up straight, arms crossed over her chest.
“What do you want, pipsqueak?” she snapped.
I stopped a few feet away. My heart was beating fast, but I forced myself to stand tall.
“I just wanted to say… thank you for the clothes,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “Even if they were ugly.”
Raven’s eyebrows shot up. For a second she looked surprised, then her face hardened again.
“Don’t thank me..”
I nodded. “Still… thank you.”
She stared at me for a long moment, like she was trying to figure me out. Then she snorted and turned back to the bike.
“Whatever. Just stay out of my way.”
I didn’t move. “I’m not trying to cause trouble for anyone here.”
Raven laughed bitterly without looking at me. “Too late for that, sweetheart. Trouble follows you everywhere.”
Jax finally caught up and stood a little behind me, watching the whole thing with amusement.
Raven glanced at him, then back at me. “And if you’re smart, you’ll tell your new shadow to lay you right.”
I looked at Jax. He just shrugged and grinned, that gold tooth flashing again.
“See?” he said cheerfully. “Told you she was one to avoid.”
I ignored him and turned back to Raven.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I said quietly. “So we might as well get used to each other.”
Raven stopped cleaning the bike. She slowly turned to face me, eyes cold.
“You think you’re tough now because Diesel’s keeping you?” she asked, voice low and sharp. “Enjoy it while it lasts. Girls like you don’t last long around here.”
The words stung, but I didn’t flinch.
I took one step closer.
“Maybe I’m not like the other girls,” I said.
Raven stared at me for a long second. Then she gave a small, mocking smile.
“We’ll see about that.”
She picked up her rag and went back to cleaning the bike, dismissing me completely.