When I hear the rubber band snap into place around the end of my braid, I turn around.
“Mom, I’m a big girl now.Time for you to let me sort this out myself.I don’t want Piers coming after you again.You’ve got your new life with Ben.So… stay in your lane.”
Her eyes get wide.
“Aila!You’re not thinking about reaching some sort of agreement with that maniac, are you?”
We’re on an island full of hulking, bloody minded vampire bikers, and my mom is worried about Piers Jordan.
“He’s a thorn in my side, Mom, but Piers is my responsibility.Landslide seems like the perfect place for the two of us to… negotiate how to move forward.”
Ben’s truck is coming.Kissing my mom on each cheek, I head out.
“Ben will give me a lift back to the inn, Mom.Thanks for the hairstyle.I guess I’ll be serving you drinks when you come to the bar tomorrow.”
She opens her mouth to object, but I get in my clapback first.
“Stay in your lane, Mom!”
The cool evening air soothes my heated skin as I step on the patio and walk down the porch steps.There isn’t a skip in my step—yet—but I believe there will be.For the first time ever, I feel the odds stacked against Piers.
This isn’t his island or his domain.And I am not obliged to be anything other than vaguely polite to him.
“One more stop, if that’s okay, Ben.I’m going back to the inn.”
It’s kinda funny that I’m the only person on this island who knows that the Motorcycle Club is really a Motorcycle Coven.For the first time since college, I think I will be meeting my ex-boyfriend with a few aces up my sleeve!
Ben’s shaking his head when I hop into the passenger seat.
“I hope you know what you’re doing, Aila.Although, to be frank, he seems like a nice guy.Maybe what the two of you needed was to grow up and put some distance between you.”
Yes, Ben, by all means keep telling yourself that.That’s what stalkers like Piers Jordan rely on.
Besides making a joke about him turning the truck into a cab service, Ben seems relieved that I am facing facts instead of running away from them.Parking in the lot at the front of the inn’s entrance, he hauls my case off the back of the truck and leaves it on the ground.
Getting behind the steering wheel, I can see that Ben is itching to get back home and leave all this drama far behind him.
“I doubt if you’ll still be in that nice bedroom with the two single beds anymore, Aila.It’s usually reserved for kids because it’s connected to the bedroom with the double bed.Best you ask Luna for a room.Or find a free bunk bed in one of the dormitories.Good night.”
The truck rattles away, spraying pebbles and kicking up dust.
Leaving my case where it sits, I walk with a confident step to the clubhouse—and freeze.
The ATV is parked next to the obsidian line of Harleys.I have not been this close to something belonging to Piers for a good couple of years.
I hear the hum of deep voices coming from the clubhouse.Luna will be in the bar serving welcome cocktails and mocktails to the new guests.
Hell, this feels the same as standing outside the principal’s door after doing something naughty at school!
Here I am, taking a deep breath and knocking on hell’s door.Rapping my knuckles too hard on the wood stings my fingers.
The door cracks open and I start talking.
“Hi, sorry to bother you, but please can I speak to?—”
The crack widens as Theron shoulders his way to the door and opens it.He stands with one arm lifted up on the frame, staring down at me from his superior height.
He looks tussled, preoccupied.And I think I’m the reason for that.Theron could have the weight of the world on his shoulders, but he will always be insanely good looking.Call me crazy, but a frown suits him.
