Claimed By the Bad Boy

Chapter 2: Into the Wolves’ Den

The hum of the motorcycle’s engine was the only sound breaking the silence of the deserted streets as Jax and Emma sped through the city. Emma clung to the front of the seat, her body pressed back against Jax’s solid chest. Every bump in the road sent a fresh wave of pain through her ribs, but she gritted her teeth and held on, focusing on the warmth of his body against hers. There was a strange comfort in it, a reassurance she hadn’t felt in years.

After what felt like an eternity, the bike finally began to slow, the engine’s growl softening to a purr. Emma opened her eyes and found herself in front of a large, weathered building at the edge of the city. It was a sprawling structure, part warehouse, part makeshift fortress, with high walls and barred windows. The faint glow of neon lights flickered above the entrance, casting long shadows across the gravel lot.

Jax cut the engine and swung his leg over the bike, steadying Emma as she dismounted. She winced as her feet hit the ground, a sharp pain flaring up in her side. He noticed her discomfort and kept a firm hand on her arm, guiding her toward the entrance.

“Just take it easy,” he said quietly, his voice a low rumble. “We’ll get you patched up.”

Emma nodded, her eyes darting around as she took in her surroundings. She could hear the muffled thump of music coming from inside, mixed with the sound of laughter and raised voices. Her stomach churned with a mix of anxiety and curiosity. She had heard stories about places like this, but she had never imagined she’d find herself inside one.

Jax pushed open the heavy metal door, and they stepped inside. The interior of the clubhouse was dimly lit, with low-hanging lights casting a warm, amber glow over the space. The smell of smoke, leather, and alcohol filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of motor oil. The main room was large, with a long bar along one wall, a pool table in the center, and several leather couches scattered around. Men in leather vests milled about, some talking in low voices, others laughing and drinking.

But what caught Emma’s attention most were the women. There were several of them, all dressed in tight jeans or short skirts, their tops low-cut and revealing. They moved around the room with a casual familiarity, laughing and flirting with the men. Some sat on laps, others leaned against the bar, their hands trailing over tattooed arms and broad shoulders. They were beautiful, confident, and clearly comfortable in their roles.

Emma felt a flush creep up her neck as she realized what they were there for. She had heard about “club girls”—women who hung around MCs, offering companionship and more in exchange for the thrill of the lifestyle and the protection of the club. The realization sent a jolt through her, a mix of shock, curiosity, and something she couldn’t quite place. She was a stranger in a world she didn’t understand, and she wasn’t sure if she wanted to.

As they stepped further into the room, a hush fell over the crowd. Conversations paused, and all eyes turned to them—more specifically, to Emma. She could feel the weight of their stares, a mixture of curiosity, suspicion, and interest. She instinctively moved closer to Jax, her hand tightening on his arm.

“Who’s the girl, Jax?” a voice called out from the back of the room. Emma turned to see a man with a thick beard and a commanding presence approaching them. He was tall and broad, his eyes sharp and calculating. His leather vest bore the emblem of the Steel Wolves and several patches that indicated his rank—President.

“Found her in an alley,” Jax replied, his tone even. “She was being attacked. Figured I’d bring her here to get cleaned up.”

The President studied Emma for a moment, his gaze intense. She met his eyes, refusing to look away, even though her heart was pounding in her chest. She wasn’t going to let him see her fear.

After a moment, he nodded. “Alright,” he said gruffly. “Take her to Doc. But Jax…” He paused, his eyes narrowing. “Make sure this doesn’t bring any heat down on us.”

“It won’t,” Jax assured him, his tone firm. “She’s not involved in anything.”

The President seemed satisfied with this and stepped aside, allowing Jax to guide Emma through the room. As they moved, she caught snippets of conversation—murmured comments about her appearance, guesses about who she was and why Jax had brought her here. She tried to ignore them, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other.

Jax led her down a narrow hallway to a small room at the back of the clubhouse. Inside, a man in his fifties with a kind face and a pair of glasses perched on his nose was sorting through a cabinet of medical supplies. He looked up as they entered, his eyes widening slightly when he saw Emma.

“Doc,” Jax called out as he closed the door behind them. “Need your help.”

Doc turned, taking in Emma’s bruised face and the way she was holding her side. “What happened?” he asked, moving quickly to her side. “She looks like she’s been through hell.”

“Attacked,” Jax replied shortly. “She’s got some cuts and bruises, maybe a cracked rib.”

Doc nodded, his expression professional as he guided Emma to a small cot in the corner. “Alright, let’s have a look,” he said gently. “Sit down and lift your shirt, sweetheart. I need to see the damage.”

Emma hesitated, glancing at Jax. He gave her a reassuring nod, his eyes softening slightly. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “Doc’s good at what he does.”

Taking a deep breath, Emma lifted her shirt just enough to reveal the bruises forming along her ribcage. Doc winced at the sight, his hands moving carefully as he examined the area.

“You’re lucky,” he said after a moment. “Doesn’t feel like anything’s broken, but you’re gonna be sore for a while. I’ll clean up those cuts and get you something for the pain.”

Emma nodded, her eyes darting nervously around the room. She felt vulnerable, exposed. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention, especially not from strangers.

As Doc worked, Jax stood nearby, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes never leaving her. She could feel his gaze, intense and unreadable. There was something about him—something that made her feel both safe and on edge at the same time.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. “For helping me.”

Jax nodded, his expression serious. “Don’t mention it,” he replied. “Nobody should have to go through that.”

There was a moment of silence between them, filled only by the sounds of Doc cleaning her wounds. Emma found herself stealing glances at Jax, trying to make sense of the man who had saved her. He was rugged, stoic, with a presence that seemed to fill the room. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of life he led, what kind of world she had stumbled into.

As Doc finished up, a knock sounded on the door, and a woman with bright red lipstick and a revealing tank top peeked her head in. “Hey, Jax,” she purred, her eyes flicking to Emma before settling back on him. “Need anything?”

Emma’s stomach tightened as she saw the familiarity between them, the way the woman’s eyes lingered on Jax with a mix of desire and possessiveness. She suddenly felt out of place, a sense of unease creeping over her. This was a world she didn’t understand, a world where women like her were either ignored or used.

Jax glanced at the woman, his expression unreadable. “Not now, Cherry,” he said, his tone firm but not unkind. “Got my hands full.”

Cherry pouted but didn’t push. She gave Emma a once-over, her eyes filled with thinly veiled curiosity and maybe a hint of jealousy, before she turned and left, the door clicking shut behind her.

“Who was that?” Emma asked, unable to keep the question from slipping out.

Jax shrugged, his expression indifferent. “Club girl,” he said simply. “She hangs around. Likes the lifestyle.”

Emma nodded, though she wasn’t sure she fully understood. She had seen enough to know that the club wasn’t just about motorcycles and camaraderie. There was an edge to it, a darkness that both fascinated and frightened her.

Doc finished bandaging her up and handed her a small bottle of pills. “Take one of these every few hours,” he instructed. “And try to get some rest. You’ve been through a lot.”

Emma thanked him quietly and stood, feeling a bit steadier on her feet. Jax was at her side in an instant, his hand hovering near her arm as if ready to catch her if she stumbled.

“You can stay here tonight,” he said, his voice low. “There’s a room down the hall you can use. It’s safe.”

Emma hesitated, her eyes searching his. “Why are you doing this?” she asked softly. “Why are you helping me?”

Jax’s expression darkened slightly, his jaw tightening. “I don’t like seeing people get hurt,” he said simply. “Especially not someone like you.”

Emma wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but she didn’t push. Instead, she nodded, grateful for his help, even if she didn’t fully understand his motives.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath.

Jax nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he turned to lead her out of the room. As they walked down the dimly lit hallway, Emma couldn’t shake the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn’t yet comprehend. She had no idea what lay ahead, but for now, she was willing to take a chance on the man who had saved her.