Sin’s Old Lady.
The First Lady of Las Vegas Defiance.
“You must be Marley,” she calls out, her smile genuine and warm as she walks toward us. “I’m Victoria. I’ve heard so much about you.”
My stomach flips. “All good things, I hope?”
“Nitro barely talks about anyone,” she says, stopping in front of us. Her eyes flick to where Nitro’s hands are still on my waist, and her smile turns upward. “So, the fact that he’s mentioned you at all says volumes.”
Nitro finally releases me, but his hand finds the small of my back instead. “Don’t scare her off before she even gets inside, Vicks.”
“Who, me?” Victoria’s laugh is bright and genuine. “Come on. Everyone’s dying to meet you.”
I follow them through the doors that look oddly the same as the main doors of a casino, and the clubhouse swallows me whole.
This is sooonotwhat I expected.
The main room is massive with high ceilings. There’s a long bar along one wall, pool tables in the corner, and comfortable-looking sofas scattered around. And I smirk as I realize this building, their clubhouse, was once an old casino. Rock music plays from speakers I can’t see, something classic that I vaguely recognize but can’t name.
And everywhere, there are people.
Big, intimidating men in leather cuts with Las Vegas Defiance patches. Women who look as if they belong in a magazine spread. The energy is electric, alive, and I suddenly feel tiny.
“Nitro!” A woman with wild hair and more chains around her neck than I can count bounds over like an overexcited puppy. “Is this her?Pleasetell me this is her!”
“Ro, breathe,” Nitro says, but there’s affection in his tone.
Ro ignores him completely, focusing on me with an intensity that’s both flattering and slightly terrifying. “You’re even prettier than he described. I mean, he said you were gorgeous, but damn, girl. Those curves? That hair? I’m in love.”
“I…” Heat floods my face. “Thank you?”
“Ro is our head club girl,” Victoria explains, shooting Ro a look that clearly says‘behave.’“And she has no filter.”
“Filters are for coffee and Instagram,” Ro says cheerfully. “I’m just honest. Speaking of which, Nitro, when are you going to admit you’re completely gone for this woman?”
“Ro,” Nitro growls, but there’s no real heat behind it.
A massive man with kind eyes appears at Ro’s elbow, grabbing her by the back of her shirt like she’s a misbehaving kitten. “All right, that’s enough terrorizing the new girl. Give her a chance to breathe. I’m Bear,” he says to me, his voice a low rumble that matches his name. He extends a hand, and when I shake it, his grip is gentle despite his size. He gives me a single nod, and somehow, that simple gesture feels like approval.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I manage, my voice steadier than I feel.
A man materializes beside Bear, so quietly that I actually jump. He’s just as hot as the others, but he has a toothpick between his teeth, and there’s something almost ethereal about the way he moves.
“Ghost,” he says, offering a slight smile. “If you ever need anything tech-related, I’m your guy. Computers, phones, security systems. Anything.”
“Thank you,” I say, charmed by the unexpected offer.
Another man approaches, and my breath catches. He’s enormous with traditional Polynesian tattoos covering his arms, and there’s an intensity to him that’s different from the others. More protective. More assessing.
“Koa,” Nitro says. “Ease up, brother. You’re making her nervous.”
“Good,” Koa replies, but his expression softens slightly as he looks at me. Then he glances at Nitro, and something passes between them. Some unspoken conversation ends with Koa extending his hand, then he breaks into a wide, glowing smile. “‘So what can I say except you’re welcome.’”
I shake his hand, a slow smile crossing my face. “Did you just quote Maui fromMoana?”
He bursts out laughing, a big belly laugh that makes all that intimidation from before wash off him. He points at me, smiling as if he were the Hawaiian demigod himself. “I like you!” He slaps my shoulder so hard I almost fall over, Nitro steadying me as I feel as though I just passed some test I didn’t know I was taking.
Everyone else chuckles, and I can’t help but smile up at this big goofball of a man, who was clearly messing with me.
