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“I know you can,” I say. “But you shouldn’t have to. Let us protect you, Ava. Letmeprotect you. You need to move into the clubhouse for a while.”
“No,” she says softly, more to herself than to me. “I can’t. I won’t live in fear.”
“You won’t be living in fear, Ava. You’ll be safe. With me.”
Her eyes swim with confusion and fear. “I... I need to think about it,” she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nod. “I’ll wait here for your decision.”
She gives me a long, hard look before turning around and walking back into her apartment building. The door closes behind her with a soft click that echoes in the empty street.
I’m left standing in the parking lot, the streetlamp casting long, eerie shadows. The rumble of my Harley is the only sound, a low drone that does little to fill the silence. The Iron Serpents’ threat is real, and now Ava is caught in the middle of it all. I’ve dragged her into this mess, and the weight of that guilt sits heavy in my chest.
As the hours tick by, my mind wanders to Ace. He wanted Ava safe, wanted her kept away from the dangers of the club. But he also didn’t want her left unprotected, left to fend for herself in a world that’s proven it can be cruel and unforgiving. Would he think I’m making the right decision now? Or would he see it as a betrayal, as me dragging his sister deeper into the world he wanted her to escape?
The thought gnaws at me as the night deepens, as the hours slip by with no sign of Ava. I’m left alone with my thoughts, my doubts, and the ever-present worry for her safety.
Finally, as the first rays of dawn begin to streak across the sky, the apartment door opens. Ava steps out, a duffle bag slung over her shoulder. Her face is pale, her eyes red-rimmed, but there’s a determined set to her shoulders that wasn’t there before.
“I’ll go,” she says, her voice steady. “But under one condition.”
“Name it,” I respond immediately, relief and anticipation flooding through me.
She takes a deep breath, her gaze meeting mine with unflinching resolve. “I want to help out around there. I know Ace never wanted me anywhere near it, but I’m not going to be shut away like some Victorian orphan. If I’m going to be there, I want tobethere. Okay?”
Her words hang in the air between us, a promise and a challenge all at once. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. I don’t see any point in arguing with her, and I just want to get her to the clubhouse, where I know she’ll be safe.
“All right. We’ll find a way for you to help out.” With that, I offer her a hand and she takes it, a silent agreement sealed in the cool light of dawn. I pass her my helmet and attach her bag to the back of the bike, and we ride off toward the uncertain future that awaits us.
CHAPTER4
Ava
The rumbleof Brick’s bike is a surprisingly comforting constant as we ride toward the Cascade Reapers’ clubhouse. The run-in with the Iron Serpent has me more on edge than I’ll admit to Brick, and the tension in my body slowly begins to ease as the compound comes into view, a sprawling fortress of buildings surrounded by a tall fence.
There’s an energy in the air, a kind of barely contained tension that buzzes beneath the surface of everything, like a raw nerve.
Brick helps me off the bike, his hand lingering on my waist for a moment longer than necessary before he leads me to my room. “This is where you’ll stay,” he says, his voice gruff but not unkind. “If you need anything, just ask.”
The room is simple but comfortable, a far cry from the sterile white walls of my apartment, which I still haven’t managed to decorate in the year I’ve owned it. There’s a bed, a small desk, a closet, and a door connecting to a shared bathroom. The walls are adorned with old band posters, adding a touch of color to the otherwise muted palette.
“I’ll let you get some rest,” Brick says, breaking me from my reverie. “You’ve had a long day.” There’s an unspoken promise in his eyes, a reassurance that despite the drastic change in my surroundings, I’m not alone.
Alone in the room, I sit on the edge of the bed, my mind struggling to process everything that’s happened. I touch the rough wooden desk, the cool metal of the lamp, and the soft fabric of the bed sheets. It all feels unreal, like I’ve been dropped into the middle of someone else’s life.
I strip out of my clothes and slip under the covers, the exhaustion of the day hitting me all at once. The bed is surprisingly comfortable, and as I close my eyes, I let myself drift off to the low hum of the clubhouse around me, the muffled laughter and the distant rumble of engines.
In this alien world, with danger lurking just beyond the tall fences and the uncertain future weighing heavily on my chest, sleep comes surprisingly easy. Perhaps it’s the lingering presence of Brick in the room, a scent that’s a mix of leather, motor oil, and something distinctly him, a subtle reminder that despite the chaos, I’m not alone in this. With that comforting thought, I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.
* * *
A hard knock jolts me awake, and I sit up groggily, the room spinning slightly. As I try to orient myself, the door creaks open and Brick steps in. “You ready for that tour?” he asks, his voice a low rumble that reverberates through the room.
“Sure,” I answer, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. There’s a strange mix of curiosity and apprehension churning in my stomach, but I nod, standing up to follow him.
Brick leads me through the labyrinthine clubhouse, each room filled with character and history. He points out the common areas, the bar, the pool table that’s seen better days. As we walk, he shares tales from the club’s past, stories of brawls and brotherhood, of wild nights and close calls. He talks about the club’s inception and its place in the biker world, painting a vivid picture of camaraderie that’s hard to ignore.
Throughout the tour, I notice the club members lounging about, their leather vests adorned with a motley assortment of patches. They’re symbols, Brick explains, a language of ranks and roles known only to the brotherhood. There’s an odd sense of order beneath the chaos, a structure that’s both fascinating and intimidating.
