Page 16 of Love Gamble

But realization hits me that he’smybiker.

I open my mouth, then close it. “There’ve been other MCs around before. Why is this one so different?”

River considers my question. “They’re a wild card. We know nothing about them. And with the 1%, you never know what to expect.”

“What is 1%?” I’ve been around bikers my whole life, but they’ve never really explained anything to me. Matthew used to hide the dealings of the club from me, but River is very honest. He treats me like an adult, something I don’t take for granted.

“The 1% are motorcycle clubs who operate outside the law. The Devils were not necessarily 1%, but we weren’t law-abiding. But the Angels became more law-abiding over the years. And now that we’ve merged, we’re definitely farther from the 1%.”

“Wait, I’m confused. What does ‘operate outside the law’ mean? Like you do illegal stuff?”

River just gives me a look. And I internally smack myself on the forehead. Duh, Corey.

“Dumb question. Got it. Anything else I should know?”

“Be extra safe. Don’t make new friends,” he says, leading me back inside the clubhouse. “But we’re not in lockdown or anything. We’re just going to watch and wait and make a plan on getting them the fuck out of here. We don’t trust them yet, so I want you to be on guard if you meet anyone new.”

I nod, grateful that River is including me.

Damon is in the thick of this new mess, and I have to wonder if that’s why he’s keeping his distance.

Although he still had time for fucking Melinda, so there’s that.

But pissing off River right now wouldn’t be in his best interest, not when he’s working his way up the MC ladder.

The timing isn’t right, but I suppose it never has been.

Maybe it never will be.

Chapter Seven

Damon

I never thought I could be turned on by watching a woman paint. Yet here I am, unable to look away from Corey in her cute-as-fuck denim overalls as she starts to create a masterpiece on the back wall of the new clubhouse.

I pretend to continue fixing the back fence, which got damaged in the storm the other day, but I’m getting a little distracted. Especially when she bends over to dip the brush in the paint can.

I don’t know why I torture myself like this. But I know I’m doing the right thing. Keeping her safe is a priority and I know something is brewing with the Lions. We’ve been getting reports around town, and they are getting a little too comfortable for my liking—hanging out at the local bars, getting drunk and causing scenes. They don’t feel like they are just passing through, but this is Vegas.

Julianna walks out with a soda for Corey, and then walks over to me with a beer, and a smug expression on her face. “Wow, Damon. I’ve never seen you be so slow to fix something.”

I tighten my lips, and she laughs. I’m the one they go to when they want something fixed, because I happen to be good with my hands. “You brought her here on purpose, didn’t you?”

She grins and hands me the beer. “What do you mean? This is her home too, you know. And this mural is going to look epic when we have our first party at the new clubhouse next month. It isn’t always about you, Damon.” But her amused expression contradicts her words.

“I never said it was about me, but we did just have that conversation about her the other day—”

“Coincidence. I want the wall done, she’s a talented artist, and...” She looks over at Corey as she trails off. “I think it will be good for her.”

I nod, agreeing with her on that front. She’s been through a lot for someone so young. Between her brother being killed in front of her, to moving into a motorcycle clubhouse, to dropping out of school.

“Now stop checking her out and hurry up with the fence. Romeo wants you at the Devils clubhouse in an hour. He’s taking a few men for a ride out to deal with some business,” she says, raising her eyebrows. “And River will be going too, of course.”

Wonderful.

“I’ll be there.”

She touches my arm, smiles, and then heads back inside. I finish the fence and my beer, knowing exactly what business we’re handling today.

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