Page 6 of Falling for Her

He clears his throat, and I just notice his discomfort before he says, “Actually, she's going on the back of your bike, and that is an order.”

I tense and glare at him because fucker clearly is on something if he believes I’d allow a woman I don’t see as my future on the back of my fucking bike.

He opens his mouth, but I quickly cut him off and snap quietly, “Please tell me you are not ordering me to allow your daughter on the back of my bike? A space that is only meant to be for my future old lady?”

“Damian,” he says quietly, “you've been together for a year, this is the next step.”

I step closer to him, getting in his face not caring who sees, and I growl, “Only because you have threatened my patch, my livelihood, my fucking family, basically bullying me into this relationship, and like fuck am I having her on the back of my bike. That is the privilege for my old lady, not your daughter, who only wants me for my patch while telling everyone we're madly in love!”

He looks to the left, and I know he is looking at his daughter, who most likely begged him to talk to me about this.

I shake my head with disappointment because, yet again, I'm last in everyone's thoughts.

He looks back at me and says, “She either rides with you or you don't ride at all and go on gate duty for the rest of the day.”

He says it firmly, but I see the guilt, guilt that I don’t give a shit about. He can shove his guilt up his ass for all I care. This man is a worthless, spineless piece of shit and he is not my family.

I nod and he sighs in relief, believing the fun run is that important to me, but it isn't. I may be a prospect, but I still ride even to school, which is my way to rebel against the shit they're forcing me to do meaning this ride today is nothing to me.

He sighs and begins, “Alright, I'll get her to grab her–”

I cut him off and say loudly, “Hey Slick,” and my friend looks my way before he goes out the front door with a furrowed brow, and I say, “Change of plans. I'm going on gate duty, so you'll ride next to Bullet.”

Everyone around us freezes, and I look at Butcher, whose mouth drops open in shock and I sneer, “Who knew a man I saw as an uncle, as family, was really just a spineless bully?” and I turn and walk away not missing his flinch.

I pat Slick’s back on my way past but avoid Bethany, whose eyes are wide open, and head out the door.

The brothers are all lined up waiting while my spot next to Bullet, who is already on his bike talking shit with Acid, is still empty. Both look my way and grin, but instead of going to my bike or even stopping to talk to them, letting them know the new plan, I salute them, making them furrow their brows, and I walk over to where Devin is sitting at the gate.

“Alright,” I say when I'm close, and he gives me a nod and looks back down the street, making me smirk and state, “You're off gate duty and going on the fun run in the truck with Bethany, I'm taking over.”

He looks my way with a furrowed brow, but I ignore it, climb into the booth, and take a seat before he finally gets the hint and leaves, and I look towards the bikes.

I lock eyes with my dad, and he looks down, making me scoff and fist my hands. Of course, he knew.

So much for him putting his son first. Ha, putting his son first. He hasn’t done that in years.

I shake my head and look down the street, watching for any activity, when Bullet demands, “Why in the fuck are you here and not on your bike next to me?”

I look his way, not shocked that he followed me and lie, “The battery has been fucking up, so I spoke to your dad, and it was decided I be put on gate duty, so at least then I don't have to do it tonight.”

He frowns and opens his mouth, but before he can say anything, his dad booms, “Alright, brothers, let's ride!”

Bullet's jaw moves like he is trying his hardest not to snap, and he nods before walking away. I sigh, watching with jealousy and frustration as every brother starts his bike, while Bethany looks my way for a moment then climbs into the club's truck, making me scoff.

They rev their bikes and slowly move to the gate one by one. I press the button, and electronically, they open as Butcher leads the pack with Louise on his back. Before he rides out, he looks my way, and I glare at him, making him look away and ride out while his wife looks confused. My mama looks at me with concern while my father doesn't look at me as they follow, and I look away as every brother leaves the gate, especially when the club's truck goes by.

If I lock eyes with Bethany, she'll see my hate for her. She wants what she wants, and because Butcher wants a quiet life, he's ensuring she gets it while letting his old lady get away with trying to plan a wedding between Victoria and Bullet.

As soon as the last vehicle leaves, I press the button, and the gate closes and everything in me deflates. My mind races over everything, and I wonder if I even want to be a part of this club after my prospecting phase.

Why would I want to be involved and respect people like this?

Chapter 2

Esmerelda – Sixteen Years Old

Inarrowmyeyesat the pastry rising in the cooker's window, silently threatening it so it doesn’t burn because, yeah, that is completely normal.

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