Page 72

“I’m going to go to the bathroom.” Elsie pops out of her seat, not looking back as she walks away.

Aiden doesn’t try to hide the fact that he watches her go, only glancing back at me when she disappears around the corner.

“Lawson said you were out tonight. I was wondering where you went,” he says, leaning against the bar beside me.

“I went in search of drinks that were not whiskey.” I tip my martini glass at him. “You grabbing dinner?”

“Unless you’re cooking.”

“Sorry, can’t. Girls’ night.”

“Ah. Well, Shane needs to hurry his ass back to town because I’m missing all that real food you were making.”

The mention of Shane makes my chest tight. “You could always cook something yourself.”

“But you make everything so much better.”

“All four of you are hopeless.” I shake my head, and Aiden laughs. “How about I cook tomorrow? I’ll put you out of your misery.”

“Fuck yeah. Thanks, Harloe. You’re the best.” Aiden wraps an arm around my shoulders in a half hug, dropping his voice for only me to hear. “Too bad you’re not dating our brother for real. I like the idea of you hanging around a little longer.”

I force a smile, but it does nothing to stop the gnawing in my chest. My teeth clench at the reminder that this is all a show.

It shouldn’t bother me. Shane is everything I don’t need in a boyfriend. So why do I want him anyway?

22

SHANE

It’s been a year since I’ve taken a trip to the Santa Fe clubhouse, and I forgot how wild shit gets around here.

An explosion goes off in the middle of the desert, and I quickly duck behind a truck before shrapnel lodges in my face.

“That’s one way to move this along.” East chuckles beside me as the Road Rebels run in all directions.

We used to be on good terms with the Road Rebels. They helped the Twisted Kings move goods across the West Coast. Until the club we were friendly with took new leadership, and they decided they weren’t just done helping us out but wanted our territory in New Mexico for themselves.

The Santa Fe chapter president, Grim, has been handling the problem. But when the Road Rebels brought in reinforcements from other chapters, Steel asked me to assist. It’s the least we could do, given everything Grim did to help us deal with the Iron Sinners back in Vegas.

“This dry desert is killing us. The fire is almost at the trucks. We need to get out of here before this whole place goes up in flames.” Grim’s teeth grit as he assesses the situation.

“We can’t leave until this is done, or they’ll rally other chapters.” I shake my head. “We end this tonight, or they’ll come back when you aren’t ready next time.”

“I hate that you’re right.” Grim pulls out his phone and calls his enforcer, who is at the other end of the property, telling him to have the guys spread out.

Grim has men staked out at a few points across the area. We’re going to take them down like dominoes, which means we can’t let any get away or they might compromise our setup at another location.

“We need to move now,” I say, spotting a few Road Rebels nearing a truck, planning to bolt.

Grim’s jaw works as he follows my gaze, making note of the situation. After a short pause, he nods once, and I don’t hesitate.

There’s a reason the guys get on me about my heroic streak. I don’t worry about danger until I’ve already run into it. Like now, when fire licks at my side as I weave between burning vehicles, I realize maybe I should have come up with a better plan.

Too late now.

I don’t turn back, even after another fire catches from Grim’s VP setting off a secondary explosion.

Adrenaline courses through my veins.