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Lucky places his hands on my shoulders, and I hate that all I feel is instant relief, but I do so I go with it. His hazel eyes bore into mine. “You’ll be fine, Aria, I promise. You’re not in high school anymore. You’re a grown woman. Act like one. I’ll protect you.”
“Thank you.” Even when I was at my bitchiest, which for me is pretty fucking bitchy, Lucky has protected me, even when he probably wanted to wring my neck. He even saved me from Chase, which I’m pretty sure falls far outside his job description. “I guess I’m just nervous. Scared.”
He laughs and presses a kiss against my forehead. “I didn’t think you would admit that. Come on.”
He scoops up Coco and stuffs him into his backpack to keep him from running off. He pops his head out to lick Lucky’s chin.
Lucky pulls away and growls, “None of that,” but I think, secretly, he likes it.
Coco lets out a cheerful bark, and I smile.
“You’ll be fine, Aria. I’ll be there with you.” Lucky smiles and guides me outside to the bike, places a helmet on my head and fastens the chin strap.
I nod, even though he’s no longer watching. My heart races, and it has nothing to do with my hands around his waist. It’s not romantic, not at all. How could it be when Coco balances between us like a four-legged cock-blocker? No, my nerves are all about the fact that someone just tried to kill me.
The wind roars in my ears, magnified by my helmet, while I’m trying to silence my racing thoughts. But it’s not enough. My mind is in a thousand different places right now.
As we pull up to the clubhouse, the atmosphere shifts dramatically. It’s clear we’ve stumbled upon a full-blown party, the lively sounds and vibrant energy doing nothing to slow down my thoughts. As we walk into the clubhouse, the smell of cigarette and weed smoke fills the air, laughter echoing nearly as loud as the music, and everyone is laughing and smiling.
It feels like a slap in the face, which I know is ridiculous. They don’t know anything that happened to me tonight. Instinctively, I reach out and grab Lucky’s forearm.
He turns to me with a scowl that turns up into a smile. “You’re all right, Princess.”
I nod. It’s not like this is my first time at the clubhouse, but everything feels wrong tonight. I’m vulnerable and scared, and that feeling only worsens when everyone starts to notice our presence.
I see Kenna with her head leaning on Ace’s shoulder, and I step closer to Lucky. It’s clear I don’t belong here.
“Relax,” he whispers.
“You relax. Someone tried to kill me tonight.”
“Yeah, tried and failed. You’re welcome,” he says in a voice etched with annoyance.
“Thank you,” I manage to grit out between clenched teeth. Sometimes Lucky can be an asshole. Like now.
Ace stops a few feet away, furrowing his brow. “Lucky, what’s up, brother?” They fist bump and do a half-bro hug kind of thing.
Lucky blows out a long breath and runs one hand over his head. “Someone broke into the mansion tonight and tried to kill Aria.”
Kenna gasps, and Ace’s eyes widen in surprise. “Any idea who?”
I watch as Lucky nods, his gaze sliding to mine quickly before refocusing on Ace. “Yeah. He was wearing a mask, but I snatched it off, and you won’t fucking believe who it was.”
“So who was it?” Wild Man strolls up with Maven on his arm, and next comes Banger and Willow and then Letty.
“That fucking Jack Birmingham.”
“No fucking way.” Ace grunts, shaking his head in disbelief. His gaze stops on my face before I can process the name. “Why does Birmingham want you dead?”
I shrug. “How should I know? I don’t even know the guy.” Then again, I barely know who the fuck I am, so maybe this guy has a damn good reason to want me dead.
“I’m not sure that’s true.” Gia steps forward with a tablet in her hand, a frown marring her face.
“I’m not lying,” I snap, feeling as if all my worst fears are rising to the surface.
“I’m not saying that. Calm down, girlfriend.” She comes to stand beside me, shoving herself between me and Lucky. “Look at these photos. I managed to dig them up from your father’s files. They go back a few years. Anything come to mind?”
I let out a frustrated sigh and shake my head. “He doesn’t look familiar to me at all. I’m sorry. Daddy never really had friends over to visit, and he didn’t introduce me to many of his business associates. Sorry.”
