“Are you hanging in there?” Tempe nudges my shoulder.
“I’m fine, just feeling a little inexperienced at the moment,” I admit, glancing around. “And I get the impression my husband is far from it.”
The slight downturn of her lips tells me I’m right. “Soul likes you just how you are.”
“I know,” I assure her. “And I didn’t mean for that to come out so negative. But sometimes I wish I’d have experienced something—anything—growing up.”
“It’s never too late.” Tempe smiles. “It’s better to experience new things like this anyway. Around people you trust. People who will take care of you. Before coming here, I felt like I’d seen it all, and that wasn’t a good thing.”
“Hayes mentioned your father was in the club.”
Her smile tightens as she nods. “We weren’t close because of that. I didn’t have a great view of the club. But that’s the thing about experiences. They’re different depending on who you share them with. Jameson changed my perspective on the Twisted Kings. He showed me that a biker wasn’t predestined to be just one thing. It’s not about what you’ve done, it’s about who is with you. Nothing compares to what Jameson has given me.”
“What’s that?”
“Freedom to be myself.” Her smile widens as Steel meets her stare, and I find Hayes through the crowd.
All night, he’s given me space to spend time with the girls, while staying within my line of sight. Even now, as he stands at the other side of the room, his back is to the wall so he’s facing me.
His eyes lift, meeting mine, and I’m pulled back to the night we met. Hayes sees my spirit. He doesn’t try to dull me; he sets me free.
So why would I give that up?
My uncle had me dragged out of here to crush my confidence. He knew I’d been given too much rope, so he found a way to rein me in. To stoke my fears and manipulate me like he’s good at. But what he didn’t realize is that while I’ve been here, I’ve been changing, discovering who I am. I don’t need to be the quiet girl who obeys or feels like she owes him something for raising her.
I’m someone more.
Someone stronger.
What if I didn’t just bow down to his demands? What if I fought to get Charlie and me out of his grasp instead?
Hayes breaks my gaze as Venom leans in and says something that makes him laugh. I’m tempted to walk up to him right now and tell him what’s going on, but he’s done so much for me already. It’s unfair to burden him further. I’m the one who handed him more problems. I need to try and figure this out for myself.
Tomorrow.
I'll figure this out tomorrow.
Aimee pops out of the kitchen, waving for Tempe from across the room. She holds up what appears to be a burnt grilled cheese, and Tempe laughs.
“I’ll be right back. It seems I’m needed before the girls sacrifice any more bread and cheese.” Tempe shakes her head.
The crowd parts as she moves through it, careful to keep their distance. The level of respect these men show the ranked members’ old ladies is surprising given all the debauchery happening around us.
Tempe disappears into the kitchen, and I’m left alone at the bar for the first time since arriving. Hayes is deep in a conversation with Venom, so I sit back with my drink, looking around the room.
In one corner is a group of beautiful women all gathered together. A blonde and a redhead watch me intently, whispering to each other. I’ve noticed there’s this invisible line when I’m around the other wives. The clubhouse girls avoid me like I’m an old lady.
Am I?
My gaze drops to the ring on my finger.
Whatever Hayes and I are is more than us simply dating. This ring claims me as his. When all is said and done, could he actually love me? If I found a way to help him with my uncle instead of letting my uncle destroy us, could we explore this for real?
The blonde stands, not taking her eyes off me as she crosses the room. Her cherry-red dress is practically painted on, showing off every curve as she slips into the empty spot at the bar beside me.
“Vodka soda.” She smiles sweetly at the prospect behind the bar, who hasn’t stopped staring at her chest.
He makes her drink, and I wait for her to leave once he passes it to her, but she doesn’t. She spins, standing so close that our arms brush. Her gaze stops on Hayes as she takes a sip.
