Page 38 of Playboy’s Purgatory

At this point, I’ll take it. I’m kind of desperate and not at all ashamed about it.

I stand in the parking lot of Dolly’s Place until her taillights are gone. Only then do I walk to my bike and head back to the clubhouse. I’m just about to pull through the gate when I realize I left my cake on the table at Dolly’s and stop in the middle of the entrance.

Do I go back?

Bolt looks confused when he steps out of the booth and calls out, “You good, Playboy?”

Damn it.

“Just fucking forgot my cake,” I call out to him.

That does not clear up his confusion. I don’t explain and just head the rest of the way through the gate. I’ll stop by tomorrow. Maybe I can pick up a whole one if I call ahead then. Then I can horde it and eat it all.

I’m chuckling to myself as I walk into the clubhouse. A few brothers are at the bar including Whiskey and Diesel. Before I can reach them, a blonde, who is on my shit list with no hope of being removed, steps into my path.

My face is a stoic mask as I stare Lola down.

“You’re finally back,” Lola’s face is both bright and sultry as she acts like nothing happened.

It’s ridiculous. And fucking insulting.

I cross my arms, unmoving. When she reaches toward me, I snap, “Don’t touch me.”

Her hand freezes in midair and she stops breathing for a long moment. I watch in real time as she pulls her composure back together. How had I never seen it before?

Now that I’m aware of where the seams are, they’re all I can see.

Wild how that happens.

And fuck me; I’m a damn idiot.

I almost smile at the realization.

When I look around, I meet the knowing glances of more than a few brothers. Others are just curious and eagerly anticipating some sort of show.

I’m not really in the mood to give them one, but I’m not swallowing her lies any longer either.

Unwilling to indulge her, I cut in before she gets her full mental footing back, “I’ve been very clear. I don’t want you. I never wanted you and I never touched you.”

Her mouth falls open but no sound comes out.

“You don’t need to act like I’m returning home from war every time you see me,” my voice is hard. “I’m done putting on whatever play you think is happening here. This is the last time I warn you about approaching me.”

I walk away and don’t look back. She knows what is at stake.

I’m just not sure she cares; I’m not sure she ever did.

CHAPTER 9

LARA

I’m working on a birthday cake order in the kitchen when a basket is set down on the floor at my feet. I look down at it before my gaze moves up the person in front of me. Seeing the baby belly is a pretty big clue as I smile at Graycie.

“What’s this?” I ask as I put down the icing I was using for piping on the cake.

“It’s a gift for you and Vanessa.” She says it like her words clear up my confusion; they don’t. I’m instantly suspicious.

With a humming sound on my lips, I pick up the basket and carry it across the room to a counter we don’t use for food. It’s heavier than I thought it would be.