Page 8 of Valley

So, I didn’t end it. Instead, I became a coward, cheating on her with women from the clubhouse, hiding behind the lies and secrets, and secretly dreaming of Madeline being mine.

I kept hoping—no, praying—that Kezia would be the one to end it, to see that there was no real chemistry between us. We kissed, sure, but we never went further. I always told her we should wait, and she never questioned it. She was fine with that and never asking me for more.

The noise in the clubhouse seemed to grow louder, pressing in on me from all sides as I dove deeper into my thoughts. The scent of cherry-flavored lip gloss and musky perfume suddenly invaded my senses, pulling me back to the present. A moment later, I felt the familiar weight of a pair of arms encircling my neck from behind, the unmistakable husky voice of Bunny breaking through my brooding silence.

“Let me cheer you up, Valley,” she purred into my ear, her breath warm against my skin. Her hand moved down my chest, fingers tracing the leather patch on my vest that bore our club’s insignia. To her, it was more than just a patch—it was a symbol of power, a ticket to becoming an ol’ lady, a status she coveted.

She leaned closer, pressing her body against mine, her voice dropping to a whisper. “How about we go to my room and have some fun?” The words were a seductive invitation, filled with promises that once might have tempted me.

For a brief moment, I actually considered it. A little physical distraction to get Madeline off my mind, to escape the thoughts that were driving me insane. But then, as if on cue, Madeline’s face flashed in front of me again, her eyes piercing through the fog in my head. And just like that, Bunny’s allure faded into nothing.

I let out a low, resigned sigh and, with a quick, almost mechanical motion, shrugged Bunny’s hands off my shoulders. I met her gaze in the mirror above the bar, my reflection cold and unyielding in her sparkling green eyes.

“Bunny, not tonight,” I said, my voice firm, leaving no room for negotiation. Her playful grin faltered for a second, but she quickly masked it with a forced smile, her fingers giving me one last lingering touch before she nodded in understanding and slipped away into the crowd.

I took a long pull from my beer and looked around the room. Standing, I decided there was no point in staying any longer. The noise, the crowd, the thoughts of Kezia and Madeline—it was all too much. I might as well go to bed, where at least I could be alone with my thoughts.

In my room, I stripped off my clothes, the soft fabric of the sheets cool against my skin as I slid into bed. Staring at the ceiling, I willed the thoughts of Madeline to go away, to leave me in peace. But it was a futile effort. She was there, waiting for me in my dreams, just like old times, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.

CHAPTER SIX

Chapter Five

“WELL, DAMMIT,” CASIMIRcursed as he stumbled over my feetfor what had to be the hundredth time. His frustration was almost something I could touch, like a man trying to tango with two left feet. “I swear the Lord doesn’t want me dancing. It’s like I’m cursed to flail forever.”

“The Lord isn’t your problem, Cas,” I chuckled, unable to hide the amusement in my voice as I watched his latest attempt to conquer the dance floor. “You’re just not paying attention. And you’re definitely not listening to my feet when they scream for mercy.”

He shot me an exasperated look, but I caught the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth, a sign that his frustration was giving way to something lighter. With a dramatic sigh, he plopped down on the floor, scooping Ellie out of the playpen like she was the answer to all his troubles. “Maybe you’re the one with the wayward feet,” he shot back, a sly grin finally breaking through. “Either way, I have to learn this dance before Daphne’s wedding next month. If I don’t, I’ll be the fool stepping on her toes and a complete embarrassment.”

I rolled my eyes, settling beside him on the studio floor. “I think you just come here to spend time with Ellie because you miss Toby,” I teased, nudging his shoulder playfully. “Admit it, Cas, you’re using my daughter as a substitute cuddle buddy.”

His expression softened, a wistful look crossing his face that tugged at my heart. “I do miss the little guy,” he admitted, his voice quieting as if the weight of those words was too much to bear. “Home is way too quiet now, like there’s something missing. Or someone, rather.” He paused, then turned to me with a look that was half-serious, half-worried. “He hasn’t been back, has he?”

“No, Cas,” I replied, my tone firm yet gentle. “Hillbilly hasn’t been back to the club, and if he does, he’ll have more than me to answer to.”

He let out a breath, a mix of relief and something else. “Good. I know he loves Daphne, but men can be fickle. But you know, you’re not spying—you’re just keeping the world safe from deceitful men. Think of yourself as a superhero in stilettos.”

I laughed, the sound more genuine than I expected, though there was a trace of bitterness there too. “Funny, isn’t it? Most people would think those bikers are the cheaters, but they’re not. The ones who have someone special stop coming in, and when they do, it’s clear their women are their world. The real cheaters?They’re the ones with the white-picket fences and the family portraits on the wall. It’s sad, really.”

Casimir’s gaze sharpened, his usual humor giving way to concern as he studied my face. “What’s really bothering you, Madeline? I can see it in your eyes. You’re carrying something heavy. Spill it.”

I hesitated, then reached out to brush Ellie’s hair with my fingers, drawing strength from her innocence. “Sometimes I feel so guilty about working at the club. And embarrassed, too. It’s not how I pictured my life would turn out. That money is meant for their families, and here I am, taking it...” My voice trailed off as I shrugged, the words pouring out in a rush. Admitting it out loud made the burden feel lighter, if only slightly.

“Madeline Wolfe!” Casimir’s tone was a mix of stern and kind, like a father scolding a child who didn’t know any better. “Those men are going to throw that money away no matter what you do, because they’re garbage. Pure and simple.”

“I know,” I replied, a small smile tugging at my lips. “You’re right, as usual.”

He didn’t let up, his gaze boring into mine, demanding the truth. “There’s more to this. I can tell. What else has you in this mood?”

I sighed, feeling exposed under his scrutiny. “They replaced Midnight with Valley—who just so happens to be Jarrod Warner. In high school, we had this thing, this connection. I even thought I might be in love... and now he’s back. And he saw me, Cas. He saw me dancing.”

Casimir’s brow arched, his expression turning mischievous. “So that’s what this is about. You’re embarrassed that he saw you dancing? Girl, if I were him, I’d be foaming at the mouth right now, trying to figure out how to win you over. You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. I’ve seen you dance, Madeline, and it’s a workof art. Trust me, Jarrod Warner is probably losing his mind thinking about you.”

A warmth spread through me at his words, and I couldn’t help but smile as I hugged him tightly. “You’re a good friend, Cas.”

“Of course I am!” he declared, standing up with a flourish as if he’d just won an award for Best Friend Ever. He placed Ellie back in the playpen, then turned to me with renewed determination. “Now come on, we’ve got twenty minutes left, and this time, I swear I’ll get it right.”

“I hope so,” I laughed, standing up and restarting the music. “My feet can’t take much more of your dancing disaster.”

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