Chapter 8
Lydia paced the farwall in the Royalla clubhouse, arms wrapped tight around herself.The place had filled up fast as more members burst through the door and women began to show up.Voices raised, and theclinkof bottles echoed around her.The air smelled like beer, body odor, and cigarette smoke.Music thumped from somewhere in the back, but she hadn't spotted the speakers or who controlled the playlist.
The women hanging all over the bikers ignored her completely, walking past her like she wasn't even there.The men didn't ignore her.Their eyes slid over her like she was something to pick up and pass around.She refused to sit down.Sitting meant accepting her reasons for being here.Being still meant she was giving someone a chance to touch her.
She wasn't givinganyonethat chance.
Her stomach twisted as she glanced at the clock again.
Baddy had been gone for almost six hours.
When he dropped her off at the clubhouse, he told her he'd be gone for five hours at most.Two hours to reach Sonny's apartment, an hour to gather her belongings and secure his motorcycle, and two more hours to return to Vancouver.
Something must've gone wrong.
Her hand drifted to her back pocket, and she brushed her fingers against the handle of the knife she'd tucked there.The handle stuck out too far.Anyone could grab it if they got close to her.She shifted her body, trying to hide it better, but there was no good way to conceal it.It was too warm in here to wear the used leather jacket that Sonny had made her wear when she rode the motorcycle.
She wanted to ask someone if they'd heard from Baddy.But she didn't know who he trusted within his club.
She kept pacing.
An older man approached her, gray hair pulled back in a low ponytail with a shaggy beard that hit his chest.His eyes smiled at her, even though his expression hadn't changed.He carried two mugs, steam curling up from both.
He held them out."Coffee or hot chocolate?"
She hesitated, then took the coffee."Thank you."
Before she sipped, she lifted it to her nose.The smell was strong, bitter, and normal, but she still hesitated.
The old man chuckled."No one's gonna drug you, honey.Not here."
She wasn't sure if she believed him, but she nodded anyway.When around Cusclan members, Sonny had always told her not to drink anything offered to her.But it seemed different around Royalla members.For one, it looked like everyone respected Baddy.None of them tried to talk to or touch her after he ordered everyone to watch her while he was gone.
The man walked off, weaving through the crowd.A minute later, he came back, leaning in just enough for her to hear him over the noise.
"If you're more comfortable in the kitchen, you can hang out with me there," he said."Less chaos."
