Page 20 of Cold Hard Truth

Reed’s car disappears down the road, a bloom of dust following her. And I watch until she’s out of view. Until all that surrounds me is wind and silence.

I don’t realize how long I stand frozen on the front porch until the hum of motorcycles fills the distance. The club’s making its way up the road in perfect formation, returning from a week-long run.

And I really wish I didn’t breathe a sigh of relief when Sage’s bike comes into view, and I know he’s safe. Because I don’t know how to leave him, even if he can’t give me a reason to stay.

7

Lyla

Music thunders through theclubhouse. Kane’s off on a run or at one of his strip clubs partying. I don’t know exactly where he is, and I don’t care because at least he’s not here.

In his absence, I’m free to roam without the guys looking at me like they’ll be crucified if they stare too long. As much as my father worries, the members of the club have always been respectful and kept a comfortable distance.

Sometimes they’ll strike up a conversation or flirt, but it’s playful. They don’t try for more. They have my back, and I know they care about my safety. So I appreciate moments like this—when I can spend time around them, acting like friends and not my father’s soldiers.

Taking a sip of my drink, I bury my smile when I catch Sage staring at me from across the bar.

The other perk of spending the night like this is watching Sage get annoyed each time someone innocently hitson me. He’s usually more subtle, but tonight he’s purposefully positioned himself so he won’t miss anything.

If he wants to keep his distance, that’s fine. He can pretend we aren’t friends, and I’ll enjoy every grimace he makes as he watches me enjoy myself without him.

Sometimes I wish he’d be jealous and storm over to me. I wish he’d finally stop resisting the tension that brews between us. But as he sits across the room and stares, he buries any hint he cares beyond the fact that he’s clearly incapable of not looking out for me.

Viper walks up to me and slides onto the stool at my side. The moment he does, Sage shakes his head, not breaking my stare as he takes a sip of his beer.

“You owe me one dance.” Viper grins over the top of his glass.

He became a prospect around the same time Sage did. He’s young and cocky.

Viper’s my age and solid muscle. Obviously attractive and he knows it. He could have any of the girls in here without having to say much more than inviting them back to his room, but I’m off-limits, and that’s got his attention more than butts and boobs.

“I owe you?”

“Yep.” He grins wide. “Walking around here day in and day out breaking my heart. It’s the least you can do.”

“Nice try, Viper.” I spin on my barstool so I’m facing out at the room, leaning my back against the bar. “If you’re so brokenhearted, why don’t you ask Tiffany if you can screw her on the pool table in the middle of a party again.”

“Fuck.” He dips his chin, trying to hide his grin when I call him out. “I’d give her up for you, baby.”

“I’m sure you would.” I roll my eyes, taking another sip of my beer.

It doesn’t matter if I’m not of legal drinking age; no one here cares.

“I would, promise. You and I could have all sorts of fun.” Viper winks at me. “I’d make it worth your while.”

The guy has confidence, I’ll give him that. Even if he also clearly has a death wish.

It’s one thing for a member to be openly bold, but a prospect doesn’t get that much grace from the club president.

“I’m sure.” I set down my beer and slide off my barstool. “But I think Roxy would rather have your attention if you’re feeling lonely.”

He follows my gaze to the other end of the room where Roxy hasn’t taken her eyes off Viper all night. He winks at her, and her cheeks turn bright red.

“On that note, I’m getting some air.”

“Want company?” Viper asks, not giving up.

I glance over his shoulder at Sage, only to find him still watching. A few of the girls have been circling him, but he hasn’t left that spot at the bar, in my direct line of sight.

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