Page 16 of Jolt's Vengeance

My phone buzzes, startling me out of my thoughts.

Uber's here.

"Right then," I mutter, grabbing my keys and heading for the door. "Time to face the music."

The ride to the clubhouse is a blur of neon lights and late-night traffic, until there’s hardly any street lights.

Las Vegas never sleeps, and even though it's been months since I moved here for college, I'm still not used to the constant buzz of energy that radiates through the city.

As we pull up to the gates of the clubhouse, I feel a familiar tightening in my chest.

The sound of motorcycles and music drifts through the chain link fence surrounding the perimeter of the property, a siren song calling me back to a life I thought I'd left behind.

"Thanks," I tell the driver, my voice steadier than I feel as I climb out of the car.

The gate looms before me, a barrier between two worlds—the normal, civilian life I've been trying to build, and the wild, dangerous world of the MC.

For a moment, I consider turning back, telling the Uber driver to take me back to the sorority house.

But then I see a familiar face behind the gate, and the decision is made for me.

"Well, I'll be damned," Shiver calls out, his gravelly voice carrying easily over the din. "I still find it hard to believe you, little shitstain, are all grown up."

I can't help but smile at the old nickname. "That's what happens when time passes, Shiver," I call back, approaching the gate.

He looks me up and down, a mix of pride and something like concern in his eyes. "You look good, kid. College life treating ya well?"

I nod, falling easily into the familiar pattern of conversation. "Can't complain. How's things been around here?"

Shiver shrugs, a noncommittal gesture that speaks volumes. "Same old, same old. You know how it is."

And I do know.

That's the problem.

Shiver asks, his hand hovering over the gate controls, "Here for the party?"

"Aye," I say finally. "Thought I'd stop by, see some familiar faces. Mum might’ve pressured me into it too."

Shiver nods, pressing the button to open the gate. "Well, you'll certainly see plenty of those," he says with a chuckle. "Go on in. I’ll catch ya later, Aggie."

As the gate swings open, I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what's to come.

"Good to see ye too, Shiver," I say, stepping through.

The path to the main building is lined with bikes, their chrome gleaming in the dim light.

The rumble of engines and the thump of music grows louder with each step, and I can feel the bass vibrating in my chest.

I pause at the door, my hand on the handle.

This is it.

Once I step inside, there's no going back.

Back to being Grim’s eldest daughter, not just Aggie the college student.

"Ye can do this," I mutter to myself, squaring my shoulders. "It's just one night."

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