Page 29 of Legacy

The clubhouse matches the rough desert surrounding it.

Trim a shade of sagebrush.

Wood stained the color of sand.

It practically blends into the scenery from the main gate, and I wonder if that was the point.

The hum of motorcycles fills the silence of the desert with men either coming or going, and I’m so out of placeI have to clutch my purse and not think about it as I hurry to the clubhouse door.

I’m almost to it when it swings open, and two women step out, nearly running into me on the porch. Their laughs die on their lips as they pause, skimming me head to toe with smiles that hold more venom than sweetness.

“Hi.” I smile, sounding way too chipper, given the glare the blonde is shooting at me.

Livie always said I was too friendly to people who didn’t deserve it. Too trusting. Too appropriate. Too appeasing.

Too soft.

Nothing like these girls standing in front of me. One is blonde, while the other has fire-red hair that is pulled into a high ponytail. They’re both ridiculously beautiful and curvy, dressed in black and leather.

They’re edgy. Confident.

Everything I’m not.

The blonde takes a step forward, not bothering to fake a friendly smile or school the venom in her tone. “Can we help you?”

She lowers her sunglasses to the bridge of her nose, scanning her narrowed eyes over me. There’s not one hint of the friendliness I experienced with Tempe.

“I’m just grabbing something. If you can point me to Je—Legacy’s office, I’d really appreciate it.”

I’m still getting used to calling Jesse by his club name when I’m not at the house. As strange as it feels on my tongue, I get the impression that’s how they know him here.

The redhead opens her mouth like she’s going to help, but the blonde cuts her off. “The club’s closed right now. Besides, you’re a little too sweet for these guys’ tastes.”

The smile that crawls her lips is pure wickedness as she looks me over again.

“I’m not… that’s not—” I shake my head. “I’m not here for the guys.”

“Sure thing, babe. Either way, you’re going to have to try again another day.”

She refuses to budge, blocking the door, and the constant hum of motorcycles grinds at my nerves. If it weren’t for Bea, I’d turn around and take Jesse’s advice to stay away from here from now on. But I refuse to let this woman bully me when I have just as much of a right to be here as she does. A better one, probably. I’m here for Jesse’s daughter.

“Is Luna or Tempe here?” I think of anyone who might be able to help when these girls clearly won’t. “Or Ghost?”

The blonde’s face falters, and I guess knowing Ghost’s name must have made something sink in.

She opens her bright-red lips to answer, but as she does, her attention moves past me. She pulls her sunglasses off her face, and I realize she’s even prettier than I thought. Especially now that her smile is genuine and not half-scowl.

“I told her no guests right now.” The blonde bats her lashes, talking to someone behind me. “She was just leaving.”

I start to turn when heat envelops me with warmth hotter than the Vegas sun beating down on the desert.A hand plants itself on the center of my back, and the contact steals my breath.

“She’s not a guest. She’s with me.” Jesse’s tone is downright lethal.

I look up as he stops at my side, his hand not leaving my back. But his attention isn’t on me. He’s glaring at the blonde with the kind of irritation that proves I was wrong every time I thought he was angry with me because I’ve never seen his expression quite like this.

“She’s with you?” The blonde’s back stiffens. “I didn’t realize—”

“Move, Reina.” There’s no kindness in his voice.

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