Page 53 of Ghost

“Fine. So what if I am?” I turn back to the mirror, smoothing my fingers down my shirt. “Wish me luck.”

“Like you need it.” Wren slips her dress on. “That man can’t take his eyes off you. Tonight won’t be any different.”

I’m counting on it.

Tightening my ponytail a final time, I spin to face Wren. “See you out there.”

I leave her to finish up as I step out of our room. The entire clubhouse is thundering with music. Twisted Kings from a number of different chapters are here tonight, so there’s barely any room to move around.

The club from Seattle was first to arrive, followed by a group from LA. More must have filtered in since I disappeared to get ready because I can barely move through the clubhouse with all the bodies crammed into it.

The back doors to the clubhouse are open, and Twisted Kings fill every corner, spilling out onto the back patio.

No locals or outsiders are welcome tonight, so the guys are relaxed, cutting loose completely. Some are already wasted, while others talk and catch up.

Patch bunnies from all different chapters circle the room while prospects serve drinks.

The few old ladies who came with their men have their jackets on, showing off their property patches and making it clear they’re taken.

Steel is sitting on his usual barstool, with Tempe standing between his legs.

While some old ladies avoid these kinds of parties because they don’t want to witness what their men will do in the name of celebration, others show up proudly. Not many of the guys are known for being loyal, but the few who are want to show off their women. Steel is one of them, holding Tempe at his side. I get the impression he would never do anything to break her trust, and neither would she.

Beside Steel, Chaos is downing shots with Reaper, the president of the Reno chapter. I’ve met him a few times as he’s taken trips through Vegas, and his antics make Soul seem tame. When he spots me walking up, he winks. He’s got the whole tall-dark-and-handsome thing going for him, but he’ll flirt with anything in a skirt, so I’ve never bothered taking him up on his many offers to celebrate one-on-one.

When I finally get to Tempe, she reaches out to squeeze my hand. Steel isn’t going to let her go with everything going on around us, so I don’t bother going in for a hug.

“Luna, you’re here.” Tempe smiles; her voice is pitchy because she’s clearly buzzed. “I was just telling Lyla about you.”

Tempe motions to a girl standing in front of her, who has the most purple eyes I’ve ever seen. Her dark hair makes them stand out even more, and they’re as bright as her smile. A biker from the LA chapter has his tattooed arm wrapped around her shoulders.

“I like your hair.” Lyla smiles, pointing at my purple ponytail.

“Thanks. I like your eyes.”

“Purple hair, purple eyes.” Tempe laughs. “What a coincidence, right? Lyla, Luna. You guys are practically twins.”

We’re not even close, but I smile, appreciating seeing Tempe letting loose for once.

“You guys are from LA?”

“Yep.” Lyla nods. “Steel’s done so much to help the club rebuild after everything that went down there. Blaze wanted to be here himself, but with Candy nine months pregnant, he couldn’t risk it. So Sage and I made sure we came to represent.”

I’m guessing Blaze is the president, but I’ve never met him.

Lyla tucks herself closer to Sage’s side, and he kisses the top of her head.

I’ve never wanted to be anyone’s old lady because I don’t need validation from a man, but as I watch Sage with Lyla and Steel with Tempe, there’s a pang of jealousy in my chest.

What’s it like to have that kind of companionship?

Someone who cares about you enough to want to tell the world you belong to them—that they’d do anything to keep you.

Sage tips Lyla’s chin up, pulling her attention. “I promised Chaos we’d do shots. Ready, butterfly?”

“Of course.” She smiles before turning back to me and Tempe. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

Sage and Lyla disappear, and I slip onto an empty stool as I watch them walk over to Chaos, who is taking another shot.

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