Page 2 of Ripper's Redemption

I follow the same path that Bama took me down earlier, weaving my way through the crowded party.

Heading over to the bar, I get a beer and chat with a couple of the girls for a few minutes. But, not too far behind me, I overhear my name being mentioned.

“Let’s be honest, we all know the only reason she’s even here is because Gears made that deal with Zane.” An older man comments.

I turn my head and spot a group of three men chatting amongst each other.

They’re older, probably ranging from mid-fifties to mid-sixties. The one who was talking has dark features and the name on his cut reads ‘Dracus’.

He licks his lips for a second and continues, “I can’t believe she’s even comin’ around the club.”

Glancing over at Poison and Stiletto, I start to go over to the group of men.

Poison grabs me by the forearm, “Don’t. It’s not worth it.”

I get that as a prospect in the club she isn’t allowed to question the full patch members, but I’m not in the club. Seeing as my name is being brought up, I feel like I’m allowed to pry.

I break my arm free from her hand and walk over to the men, and as I walk up, another one mentions how Zane was keeping an eye on me.

“Keeping an eye on me, huh?” My voice rises, breaking through their conversation like a hot knife. “I wonder why he would be keeping an eye on me, don’t you?”

The one who initially started talking speaks up, “Look, kid,” he leans forward, his gaze unwavering. “You weren’t supposed to hear any of that, so act like you didn’t.”

I cross my arms over my chest, “That’s rich. I’m supposed to ignore the fact you were talking about me? I don’t think so. I already heard the part about the deal Zane made with my father, so what’s up with that?”

Dracus swallows hard and looks at the other two men who are around him, Tex, and Bolt. “He was only tryin’ to keep you safe.”

I blink a couple of times, “That’s still not telling me what I need to know.”

Bolt sighs, and looks at the other two men. “We have to tell her now. There’s no way we’re getting out of this.”

Good, I’m glad someone’s finally going to tell me what I want to know.

Bolt continues, “Your father, he has enemies, so he made a deal with Zane to get you close to the club and keep an eye on you.”

“Safe from what? From who exactly?” If they know this much, they have to know who the threat is.

Tex is the one who speaks up, his voice tender and calming. “Your father’s old club. Your father was afraid they’d retaliate and hurt you, which is why you were brought here to Billings.”

But, that’s the thing—I wasn’t brought here. I was given a job. A job where I just received a promotion.

I shake my head and storm off, heading straight for the clubhouse doors. God, I need to get out of here. I need to get some fresh air.

Outside, the night air cools my heated skin, but it does nothing to quell the fire within me.

The realization hits hard and fast—they never really wanted me here.

I was just a means to an end, a way to keep my father happy. But, why wouldn’t he tell me that? I don’t understand.

I kick the side of the building, “What in the actual fuck, Dad?!” I hiss under my breath, frustrated beyond belief.

I thought they wanted me to be out here—that they picked me to work at Tart because I was special. Only, now I’m discovering that wasn’t the case at all.

“Hey, you all right?” Ripper’s, one of the prospects, voice cuts through my thoughts.

He’s leaning against his bike, concern etched across his rugged features.

“Do I look all right?” I snap, then immediately regret it.

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