And yeah, maybe part of me is hoping a certain moody biker happens to be at Perdition tonight. Not that I care. But it wouldn’t kill him to look at me like heseesme. Not just as Bella’s little sister. But as a woman who knows exactly what she’s doing. Even when she’s playing with fire.
Thirty minutes later we turn onto the gravel road leading up to the Iron Reapers compound, the tires crunching as we wind toward the gates. The music from Perdition is already thumping faintly through the air, familiar and loud, like a pulse dragging us in.
Ansley’s leaning back in the passenger seat, one leg crossed over the other, totally relaxed. “Place is already hoppin’. Bet the bar’s packed.”
I smirk. “Always is on a Saturday.”
We’ve been to Perdition more times than I can count, birthdays, post-breakup nights, random Tuesdays that needed a shot of tequila and poor decisions. It’s kind of our thing. Half the club probably assumes we live there on weekends.
As we pull up to the gate, one of the probies stands from his little chair, stretching like he’s been there all day. He squints at the windshield, sees me behind the wheel, and gives a small shake of his head likethis one again.
He steps closer and leans into my open window, eyes doing a quick once-over before locking onto my top. His brows shoot up.
“Evenin’, Bri,” he says, tone somewhere between amused and exasperated. “That shirt’s gonna give someone a heart attack.”
I roll my eyes. “Tell them to get in line.”
He huffs a laugh and pulls the gate open. “Be safe, alright?”
“Yeah, yeah.” I flash a grin. “You too, gatekeeper.”
As we roll through, Ansley grins over at me. “It’s the way they all look at you like you’re made of glass and dynamite.”
“It’s the little sister complex,” I mutter. “I’ve been around so long, they forget I’m an adult with boots and attitude.”
“They’re not forgetting,” she says, cocking her head. “They’re just pretending. Probably easier than admitting they’re all a little scared of what you’ll do when someone pisses you off.”
I laugh as we pull into a spot near the bar, my pulse picking up just a little as I spot Blade’s bike parked out front.
“Let’s make it a good night,” I say, stepping out and smoothing my hands down my jeans.
Ansley grins. “Oh, we always do.”
And tonight? Yeah, it’s definitely got that kind of energy.
NINE
BLADE
Rev and Iare posted up at our usual table in the back of Perdition, a couple beers in, watching the crowd roll in like always. The place is packed tonight, loud music, low lighting, and that buzz in the air that says someone’s gonna do something stupid before last call. Happens every damn Saturday.
I lean back in my chair, toothpick tucked in the corner of my mouth, one arm slung over the backrest as I watch the bar from beneath the brim of my hat. It’s second nature now, scanning exits, reading body language, clocking potential problems before they pop off. Habit. Life. Club.
Rev kicks his boot up on the edge of the table and tips his bottle toward the door. “I swear to God, you’ve been staring at that door all night like it owes you money. What the hell are you waitin’ on?”
I ignore him. Sip my beer. I’m not gonna give him the satisfaction of answering. Mainly because I’m not entirely sure myself.
I’m on edge tonight. That kind of edge that creeps in under your skin and doesn’t have a name. I chalked it up to a long week, too much work at the shop, and not enough sleep. But the longer I sit here, the more it feels like something’s coming.
And then, like the universe is laughing in my face, the front door swings open.
Fuck.
Bri walks in like she owns the damn place. Like Perdition is hers and we’re all just lucky to breathe the same air. She’s in skin-tight black jeans, tall boots, and a red top that should be illegal. Her hair’s curled, lips glossy, confidence cranked up to eleven. And right behind her is Ansley, matching her energy like they’re about to start a fire just for the hell of it.
I don’t move, but everything in me tenses.
She knows exactly what she’s doing.
