“Don’t be.” She returns her focus to me with a smile. “We’ve all got issues. I was lucky enough to find something that helps.” Vanessa gestures to the salad. “Don’t stop eating on my account. I just wanted to stop by and say hi. I know it can be hard settling in somewhere new, but I’m picking it’s worse when you come back to something familiar.”
She isn’t wrong there. “Thanks. It means a lot that you’d think to talk to me.” I fuss with the pieces on the end of my fork. “Actually.”
She laces her fingers on the table before her.
“Do you find it hard dating Chaos?”
Her head tilts a little. “How so?”
“With everyone’s opinion of them in Temperance,” I clarify. “Does it bother you much?”
She turns her mouth down, shaking her head once. “Not really. Their opinion is their own, and they’re entitled to it. I won’t miss out on being with somebody amazing purely because of what some busybody who’d be the last person I’d call in an emergency thinks.”
“You explained that well,” I tease.
“I’ve had time to think about these things.” She smiles briefly before growing serious. “Are you worried about what people say about Jinx?”
My cheeks heat. “We’re not really a thing. At least, I don’t think we are. I just…” Where the hell am I going with this? “We’re trying it out, I suppose.”
“And I guess it’s extra hard ignoring the gossip when your father’s the Sheriff.”
“Ridiculously hard.” I sigh, setting my fork down. “I thought I was over all this. But I suppose it was more that I didn’t have his influence after I left. It never stopped being a thing—I just got far enough away that I didn’t notice it anymore.”
She glances at a customer who approaches the counter, ensuring Theresa has it covered before she speaks. “My stepfather controlled my life for a long, long time,” she softly reveals. “Even when I was out of reach. If you ever need to talk—” She stalls at the surprised look on my face before uttering with a shy smile, “Anyway.”
“I’m sorry.” I shake my head clear. “I’m not used to people offering help so freely. I appreciate it. I really do.”
She lights up. “Well, I’d love to have you join us on a girls’ day out if you’re keen. Let me know.”
Us…“You’re friends with Mariana, right?”
Vanessa frowns, slowing her movements halfway out of her seat. “Yeah.”
“We don’t get along too well, so maybe we could have just a one-on-one?”
“Oh.” She sets the chair back beneath the table. “Of course. Offer still stands.”
I open my mouth to thank her again, yet the growing roar of motorbikes steals her attention away. Fuck—it stealsmyfocus away. I’m familiar with the sound of the club when they ride in a group—a regular enough sight while growing up—but damn. These bikes aren’t slowing down for anything.
“The hell?” Vanessa darts to the window as the first riders come into view.
“What are those boys up to now?” Theresa calls from the counter, her irritation obvious.
Several patrons stop their conversation to look toward the street.
“I don’t kn—” Vanessa stops herself, eyes widening.
Acid swirls the smidge of food floating in my gut.Oh, this can’t be good.The patches become clear as the first row of the procession passes by. No leering skull. No crooked crown.
These patches have three-headed dogs, snarling with blood dripping from their mouths.
“Devil’s Breed,” I whisper, moving to stand beside Vanessa.
She tugs her phone out of the pocket of her serving apron, thumbs flying over the tiny keyboard. “Chaos said I shouldn’t work today. Told me to stay home, but I said it couldn’t be that bad,” she rambles. “Oh, shit. He’s going to be livid.” She hits send with finality.
“What do you think they want?” I’d heard their name murmured plenty when I was a kid. Only saw them once or twice before I left. Everyone knows they’re the kind of trouble that makes the Kings of Anarchy look like puppies. But get the two together… “I should tell Dad.”
“I’d say he already knows,” Theresa mutters, appearing over my shoulder. “Should we be worried?” She directs the question to Vanessa in such a way that it’s clear she only needs a yes/no answer—no explanation required that would violate club code.
