Page 25 of Aftershock's Fury

“Where to?” She smirks and cocks a hip.

I want to pull her down into my lap and ravish her when she looks at me with those flirty eyes.

“The bar and clubhouse. The guys wanted another chance to have drinks with you.”

She looks down at her jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt. She took off her sweatshirt earlier. “I could wear this…unless you want me in that outfit again?”

“Nope, I’m good with what you’re wearing.” I shake my head.

We clean up together like we’ve done this a hundred times before. Then we head out to the bar. I decide to take my truck, knowing she’ll be having a few drinks.

CHAPTER

EIGHT

HARLOWE

We pull up to the bar. I haven’t been back here since the night I arrived. Crue comes around to let me out, and we walk in hand in hand. People stop and stare at us. So many women are watching me, causing a wave of self-consciousness to hit me. I now wish I had said to take me home so I could change.

Crue leads me to a table tucked along the far side of the bar. Several of the officers are sitting there, along with his dad and a couple of older patched members.

“Hey, gorgeous.” Gunny stands and kisses my cheek, drawing a rumble from Crue.

The other guys from last night get up and hug me too. My brother is sitting at the head of the table with Fezzik lying at his feet. As soon as Fezzik hears my voice, he comes over to me, and I’m happy to have him close right now.

Crue sits next to my brother and pulls me down onto his lap. The guys order me a drink, and before long, I’m laughing and having fun, just like I did last night before all hell broke loose.

Throughout the night, several women approach the table, trying to distract the guys’ attention from me. Each one is turned down. But when one walks over, sliding her hand along Crue’s shoulders before moving on to my brother, I stand up. I’ve had enough of this. These women are pushing the limit touching Crue while I’m sitting in his lap, then turning their attention to my brother like it means nothing.

Rylan isn’t fazed, though. He calmly takes her hand off him.

“Precious, I’m not interested. Haven’t been in a long time, and you know that. Back off,” Rylan tells her.

“Fucking bear bait is on point tonight,” one of the guys says.

“I’ll be back. I need to use the restroom,” I say.

“Let me lead you to the one in the club section,” Crue says and stands.

He takes my hand, and we weave through the crowds to the back of the house. I enter the restroom and immediately want to leave. The girl my brother just rebuffed is standing at the mirror. Ignoring her, I walk into a stall and proceed about my business.

When I’m done, she’s still standing there.

“You know, I’ve had Kodiak and Shock, along with all the others. You aren’t special. You’ll be one of us soon enough. Just another girl they’ll call bear bait.” Her tone is bitter, and her lips are pinched. I wash my hands, never taking my eyes off her.

I dry my hands and turn to her. “The good thing is, I’m not interested in Kodiak. He’s my brother. As for Shock, I’m here now, and you’re not. I’ll never be you because I’m the princess.”

It’s the first time I’ve used that title. I’ve never really thought of myself that way, but right now, I’m glad I have it. It sets us apart. I don’t want to be bear bait to Crue. I want to be his everything. I doubt he tells the girls what he tells me, but it still stings knowing he slept with this woman.

I step out, and she follows behind me.

“Fucking, Precious, you know you aren’t supposed to come back here. How did you get past the prospect?” Crue barks at her.

“I’m on my way to his room for the night,” she coos as she walks past us, shaking her butt in her tiny skirt.

“What did she say to you?” Crue looks at me, and I shake my head. I don’t want to appear needy or clingy.

“Nothing I didn’t already know.” I move past him, but Crue pushes me against the wall and cages in my body.

---