“Ready.”
Inside, I pause at the door taking in the surroundings. There’s no denying it’s a biker club. The posters, the leathers, the bar. And well… the bikers.
It’s not him.They aren’t like them.
The constant need to keep reminding myself is exhausting.
Tequila waits for me, standing patiently. “Would you like to sit at the bar? I’ll grab us some glasses.”
I nod and she scurries behind the counter with a smile on her face that she can’t seem to mask.
Throttle walks over just as I sit down at one of the stools. “Danika, right?” He joins me in the empty seat to my right being sure to give me space which I appreciate.
“I guess I’m a bit famous around here,” I stiffly greet. There’s still an unsureness when I talk to men, but he’s not like them, I remind myself.
His expression is a mix between pity and unease. “You survived. You made it out.”
I did. Thanks to him and his MC. “I want to thank you for what you and your club did for me.”
He locks eyes with mine. “It’s nothing but a thing.” He leans back with a nod. “It’s what we do. Me and my girl are just glad you’re doing okay.”
Tequila glances at us with a proud smile then continues pouring the wine into our glasses.
“I’m doing… better.” Which isn’t a lie.
Tequila sets down my wine first. “Have I said how excited I am that you’re here? I feel like I did. But just in case, I amso freakin’ glad. And please, visit as much as you’d like. Oh! Angel does self-defense classes at the gym next door. We can go together if you’d like and—”
“My rose, you know I find your nervous chatter cute as hell but don’t overwhelm the poor girl.” Throttle sneaks up beside her and plants a tender loving kiss to her temple.
I blush but can’t look away.
“Sorry. He’s right. I do tend to ramble on. But it’s only because I’m really excited to have you here.”
I let out a small laugh, my mind shifting to the self-defense classes she had mentioned. I perk up at the thought of being able to defend myself. “I would love to try that actually.” My posture straightens with a little more confidence.
“What’s that?”
“The classes. Learning to kick ass might help me.”
Her grin widens and she looks almost proud. “Good. We can go together. But that’s for another time. Today…” She holds up her glass, and we clink them together. “Today we celebrate. Cheers to a new day and rekindling a friendship.”
Emotions come swirling back, but I swallow them away. “Cheers,” I say with more positivity than I’ve had in a while.
She talked. I listened.Italked andshelistened. There’s a deep connection between us. Probably because I don’t know anyone else who’d gone through what I did. Sure, she was lucky enough to not have to experience a man raping her repeatedly in more ways than I’d ever want to remember, but she was still there. It was calming. And to be honest, I was glad it was me and not her. Her world is too good—too positive and the thought of her being brought down in such a horrific way, makes me sick. So, for that, I’d gladly take the pain.
Tequila gives me the grand tour of the clubhouse. Behind it sits the pit, an older building that looks more like a basement above ground but apparently it’s where they hold their underground fights. She mentions how good Charger is at the MMA style and invites me to watch one day. Maybe, but witnessing two guys violently beating the crap out of each for fun doesn’t sit right with me.
Not yet anyway.
Then she shows me the gym. A more modern, newer building that sits directly next to their clubhouse. I must admit, it can win for best looking gym around town. You’d never know these guys come from a hardcore biker club.
“It’s great, isn’t it? Tank owns it but I’d say Angel is here the most. She’s like a badass barbie who wears leather.” We both chuckle. It is crazy awesome, her being patched in and everything, because from what Tequila tells me, that’s not ever allowed. “She holds her classes here. Like I said, you’re more than welcome to attend. She’s awesome at teaching and it might help you feel better.” Learning how to protect myselfwouldmake me feel better. I’ll give her that. She then leads me up the small pathway to another building. “This is the shop. All the guys put their time in here. But mostly, my man, Tank, and Hush are the regulars. When Tank isn’t managing the gym that is.” She waves for me to follow. “Want to see inside? If it’s too much—”
“No. I’ll be okay.”
She’s including me in her world and for a moment, my chest warms in gratitude for her giving me this. A piece of her. It’s a comfort, a way to get to know her and I’ll take all I can get.
As Tequila goes to reach for the door, someone on the other side holds it open for her, but they must not have seen me because when it’s my turn to enter, I collide into their hard body. To keep myself from falling back onto my ass, I fist both hands into their sweatshirt and pull myself forward, directly into their stone like chest.
