Page 19 of My Darling Mayhem

"This way, you can get to work and not have to stay here with me," I said, looking up at Archer's stoic expression.

He gave a dreamy smile to Lydia and stuck his hands in his pockets.

"Fine by me. Have a good one, neighbor."

Before I could say anything else, he was already walking away. I felt strange, like I'd repeated my previous offense or something. I didn't like it, but I also didn't like being at the mercy of a man I didn't know.

Lydia gripped my arm in a vise-like hold, making me wish she'd hurt a finger on each hand instead of just the one. "Wren, do you know who that man is?"

I focused on the tablet in my hand, trying to push through the pain radiating in my ankle.

"He's my neighbor."

Lydia made some sort of squealing sound. "No, babes. He's much more than that…I can't believe he lives next to you. I need to call my sister."

My stare flitted to where Lydia was pulling out her phone.

"Wait, why would you need to tell your sister?"

With the phone up to her ear, she waved me off. "No reason."

The call must have connected because she suddenly dipped her head with a broad smile stretching across her lips.

"Cece, you will never guess who just walked in here."

I tried to act like I wasn't eavesdropping by selecting any known illnesses on the tablet.

Lydia laughed and then lowered her voice. "Didn't you date a guy from that dangerous motorcycle club in New York City last year, Mayhem something, right?"

Dangerous motorcycle club?

Lydia continued, "You said you wanted to marry the president. He was blonde with that great jaw…Archer, right?"

President?

My stomach churned as her voice escalated. "I finally saw him in person. You are so dumb to let that man walk out of your life. No, I know he was never in your life, but you had a rare glimmer of opportunity to try and seduce him. I just called to tell you it's my turn, bitch. He's my friend's new neighbor."

Lydia continued talking, but my mind kept returning to what she'd said about it being dangerous. No matter how good-looking he was, I didn't need someone dangerous around my son. He'd been nice to me last night and today, but I wasn't risking any more encounters with him. I couldn't.

A fearful thought crept into my head, reminding me how he'd noticed my tattoo.

I blinked and shut out the reminder.

He was ten times more dangerous if he knew anything about that tattoo or who it was linked to.

I asked Lydia a few more questions while we waited for the doctor to see me. What I gathered so far was that Archer led a club that identified as a one percenter club, which meant they lived outside of the laws that made up society and lived by a set of their own. Things like trafficking drugs or weapons wouldn’t be too far off the list of things for them to do, or organizing illegal street fights, races, whatever could bring the club money and help them beyond just the dues from the club members.

It set them apart from other clubs because of their notoriety.

I learned that Mayhem Riot was a big club, big enough that it made no sense that its president lived in a suburban neighborhood an hour outside of the city.

My mind pulled up the image of his younger brother, Kane, and I realized that had to do with why he’d suddenly landed in suburbia.

I needed to do more research before I knew exactly what I would do about his presence next to me. Once the doctor arrived, Lydia returned to her phone, texting and swiping away while the doctor gently examined my foot. I had a mild sprain; he wanted my ankle elevated and for me to stay off of it for at least twenty-four hours. An ACE bandage was provided, and an order was made to pick up crutches and painkillers.

Once Lydia swung by the pharmacy, she helped me inside and dashed off to see her sister.

I let Denise know that I’d be working from home the rest of the day. I’d called to arrange for Cruz to take the bus so I could meet him down the street at the drop-off point. It wasn’t the best option, but I was limited until I could move a bit easier on my foot.

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