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A knot forms in my stomach. I nod, signaling him to lead the way. As we walk back to the clubhouse, I steal a glance at the windows, catching a glimpse of Emma. Her silhouette framed against the light, still working on her notes.
The weight of the moment hits me. Whatever this development is, it’s bound to complicate things further, not just for the club, but for Emma and me. I feel a protective urge rise within me, a desire to shield her from the darker aspects of our world.
We step inside, the clubhouse doors close behind us with a definitive thud. I take a deep breath, readying myself for what’s to come. This could change everything, and I can’t help but wonder if Emma and I are ready for the storm that’s about to hit.
4
EMMA
The morning sun peeks through my curtains, and I'm tangled in a web of sheets and thoughts replaying last night's scene – the rumble of bikes in the darkness, the silhouette of unknown riders pulling into the compound.
The heart-thumping moment Liam caught me, the risk and thrill of it electrifying my skin even now. It's like reliving a moment from a movie, except I'm the star in this dangerously exciting scene.
Regret mingles with anticipation as I recall our encounter. The way Liam looked at me, it was more than just suspicion. There was something deeper, a magnetic pull that was both exciting and terrifying. And then there was Jake, his rugged charm and surprising depth, pulling me in a different direction.
I sit up, pushing my hair back, trying to clear the fog of confusion clouding my thoughts. I felt like I was caught in a weird love triangle in the middle of a biker club mystery. Not exactly what I had signed up for, but who am I kidding? Part of me was loving the drama.
I frown, gazing out the window at the spot where the bikes roared in last night. Their arrival is a puzzle. What secrets are they carrying? How do their mysterious faces fit into my story?
I need to get moving, unravel the threads of this story, and figure out my own tangled emotions.
After a quick shower and a change of clothes, I head towards the main hall, my steps hesitant but determined. The memory of last night's hookup with Liam still lingers on my lips, a mixture of thrill and confusion.
The clubhouse is already buzzing with activity, the morning routines of the club in full swing. I spot Liam near the bar, talking with a couple of the members. He looks up, his gaze catching mine.
Taking a deep breath, I stride over. "Can we talk?" I ask, trying to sound more confident than I feel.
He nods, excusing himself from the conversation. We find a quiet corner, the noise of the clubhouse fading into the background. "About last night..." I start, but the words tangle up.
Liam leans against the wall, his arms crossed. "Emma, about that," he interrupts, his voice low. "It shouldn't have happened."
I feel a sting at his words. "I get it. It's complicated." I try to keep my voice steady, but there's an undercurrent of disappointment I can't fully mask.
He runs a hand through his hair, a sign of frustration. "It's not just that. It's dangerous – for both of us. You're here for a story, and I'm... Well, I'm part of what you're writing about."
I nod, biting my lip. "I know. I just..." My voice trails off, the unspoken words hanging in the air. How do you explain a connection that defies logic?
Liam steps closer, his presence overwhelming. "Emma, you need to be careful. There are things happening in the club, things you might not understand."
His warning sends a shiver down my spine.
"Is this about the bikers who arrived last night?" I ask.
He hesitates, then nods slowly. "It's club business. Just... be careful with your snooping. You might not like what you find."
I take a step back, processing his words.
"Thanks for the heads up," I manage to say, before turning to leave. As I walk away, I can feel his eyes on me, and I'm torn between the desire to unravel the mystery and the fear of what I might uncover.
As the day progresses, I throw myself into my work, interviewing other members and taking notes. But my mind keeps drifting back to Liam and his lips on mine. I need to focus, but it's hard when my heart's tangled up in something I can't quite understand.
In the midst of this, I notice Jake watching me from across the room. His intense green eyes are hard to read. Since our shopping trip for the orphanage, there's been a shift between us, something unspoken but palpable.
I decide to approach him, needing to clear the air. "Hey, Jake," I try to sound casual. "About the other day..."
He cuts me off with a slight shake of his head. "No need to explain, Emma. Things happen." But his voice is tight, and I can tell there's more under the surface.
I bite my lip, sensing the complexity of my own feelings. Being around Jake is different, it's comfortable and charged with a different kind of intensity compared to how it feels with Liam. "I just want you to know, I appreciate your trust in me, showing me the club's charitable side."
