Page 108 of Road to Redemption

We seemed to have shaken the drones, and aside from any foot soldiers Zeus tried to send, Valemont was a deadzone. And even those were often met with cool hostility. As it had been described to me, the Rubyfruit wasn’t the kind of place that took kindly to nosey fucks.

But we couldn’t be too careful. There was far too much on the line to play fast and loose now.

As Dom led the way into the bar, I looped my arm through Leo’s, glad for something to brace against. The adrenaline made my knees shake, and as we stepped inside, a wave of noise nearly blew me off my feet.

The inside of the bar was so much darker than the outside that I had to blink for my eyes to adjust. Classic rock blasted from a speaker right over the door, making most of the chatter in the bar inaudible to a new guest.

Despite how run-down it seemed from the outside, the Rubyfruit was far from deserted: a fact owed more to the fully stocked bar and heavy-pouring bartender than the ambiance, if I had to guess. The rugged wood paneling and rough leather benches looked like they hadn’t been updated in decades. But based on the number of patrons, I guessed that they served their purpose well enough.

As we passed by the bar counter, a group of four stood from their stools, beelining straight for Dom.

“Keys?” The tallest among them asked. And as Dom passed over her set, I did the same, watching in awe as they walked out the front door and rode out bikes straight out of town.

It was the plan, of course. But that didn’t make it any less awe-inspiring to see what a well-oiled machine my lovers had built with Violence.

Without a word, Dom assumed the empty spot at the bar, waiting patiently while a bartender with a sword-and-wings tattoo fetched four plastic bags from behind the counter.

“Get changed,” Dom grumbled, pressing one of the bags into my arms. “We’ve got a few hours to kill.”

“I can just wear⁠—”

But Spencer cut me off with a shake of her head. “New clothes will make you harder to track when we leave here.”

“Oh,” I nodded, my helmet clanking with the movement. “Can I…?”

“Once you get changed, yeah,” Leo brushed a hand over the back of my helmet.

But while my angels were busy doting on me, Dom’s attention was still with the bartender, grabbing a set of car keys from her open palm. “All gassed up?”

The bartender laughed. “What do you think I am, a newbie?”

An escape vehicle.

They really had planned out everything. Yet it didn’t stop the pounding of my heart.

I knew that there was no way Zeus could have prepared for all of that. Valemont was safe, we were safe. But I couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on me. The drones, the SUVs, my mother’s piercing glare: all of it was a tangible reminder of Zeus’ dedication to their search.

They wouldn’t quit until they found me, and there was nothing they wouldn’t do to draw me out into the light. The chase might be over for tonight, but the hunt had only just started.

57

DOM

Throwing open the bathroom door, I straightened out the black t-shirt I’d thrown on. The dark jeans felt loose compared to the tight armored riding clothes we’d worn for the whole mission.

Outside the bathroom, a biker held out her hands and took my riding outfit. She headed into the bar bathroom and changed into them. Three others in matching outfits waited to head back outside.

They’d hop on the bikes we’d ridden and drive them off somewhere far away, to some chop shop where Zeus would turn up empty-handed.

It was a solid plan, but it didn’t stop me from being annoyed about having to change in a sticky bar bathroom.

Nodding to the bartender, I headed over to my table where Leo, Spencer, and Kiera were sitting around.

“Oh, come on!” Spencer slammed her hand on the table as she watched the TV overhead. The NCAA championship women’s hockey game was on. The Reapers had made it to the final match but they were looking rough. Exhausted and overwhelmed by shitty calls from the refs.

Not that I gave a shit.

Kiera’s eyes were glued on the game, reaching her hand into the pile of french fries the three of them had ordered as I slid into the booth. My shoulders bumped into Leo’s, both of us struggling to fit in the small bar booth.