I couldn't be reckless around people I didn't know because for all I knew, this downright drool-worthy guy, standing on my porch, was working for one of the MCs that I had no intentions to get caught and killed by. "You're just gonna stare at me or what?" I leaned my right shoulder on the doorway, making it easier for me to reach behind and grab the knife if needed. Shaking his head, he squeezed his eyes a bit, making his facial expression change to a bitter, annoyed one. I raised an eyebrow, waiting for his response. "Turn the fucking music down and leave your little DIY projects for the afternoon, when people ain't sleeping no more," he said in a calm voice, yet I could sense the anger out of it. "It's 11 a.m., meaning I can be as loud as I want to." I relaxed a bit as I realized that he was just one of my neighbors and not one of those crazy bikers, even though he did have a rough look, with a piercing above his right thick dark eyebrow, a nose stud, and a few tattoos that could be seen on his arms since he was only wearing a tank top. It seemed to be a snake, that was strangled by roses. I took a step back inside, wanting to close the door, when he pushed it back, spinning us around so that my back was pressed against the now, closed door. Damn, he was fast. I could feel the cold morning breeze, which made chills go up my spine ... or was it him that was giving me the chills? "Seem like you don't know who I am, that you dare disrespect me like that," he whispered into my ear, his left hand squeezing my hip. I chuckled under my breath. I was smaller than him but since he was leaning down, my nose was perfectly aligned with the column of his neck. I ran my nose up and down his neck with a smirk on my lips. His muscles started to tense and I could see that he didn't expect me to do that. His grip on my hip tightened and I could hear the wood of the doorway crack. It was time to up the game even more. "So ... I haven't done this in a long time," I whispered into his ear in a sweet, seductive voice. "Oh yeah, well you don't know what you're missing." He ran his hand down my tight, squeezing it before he pushed himself away and walked back to his house. I was left standing behind, looking as confused as ever. I bit the inside of my cheek, folding my arms across my chest while giving him a death stare as he was opening his front door. As if he could feel my eyes on him, he faced me with a cocky smirk, before he disappeared into his house. There was only one thing I could say for sure about him; he could make my blood boil, and I had yet to discover whether it was in a good or a bad way.

PROLOGUE Landon ... "And you won again..." I said, leaning back in my seat. "Guess I'm on a lucky streak." the man in front of me -my soon to be new business partner smiled, looking down at the chips in the pod, grabbing them and pushing them to his side of the table. "I challenge you then," I said, leaning forward, putting my hands on the table, with a smirk on my face. "Tell me more." The man replied quickly, looking straight into my eyes. He was overly confident and I just knew how to use that in my advantage. "Let's play for more than just money." I raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for his answer as he looked at me with wide eyes. "Like what?" he replied a bit confused, but you could hear in his voice that he was interested in my idea. "How about Flame?" I leaned back again, rolling my tongue over my teeth because I knew he won't refuse the offer. He couldn't, because his existence was in my hands. He was in deep thoughts. He knew, that if he didn't follow all of my wishes, and accept all of my offers, I would back out of our deal and his company would go bankrupt. I was his only chance at survival. I knew he loved his daughter, but he loved his company too. The only question was, which did he love more? But I already knew the answer to that, and I already knew the answer to the offer a gave him. He would do anything to save his ass, pushing anyone and anything in front of a bus to do so. Even his daughter. "Let's do it." he smiled at me, this time with less confidence than before.