Page 22 of Diablo

I signaled to Judge and Ratchet who were following behind me.

Keep going. I’ll catch up.

Then I veered off the highway, taking the turn for Merry Field. In my side mirror, Judge and Ratchet stiffened, their postures alert as they tried to figure out this unexpected change. They didn’t have enough time to alter course though and sailed past the turn.

I really hope this isn’t a big mistake, I thought.

My stomach flip-flopped as I pulled into the parking lot of the Alpha Riders clubhouse. The realization that Diablo was probably inside made me nervous for some reason I couldn’t explain. Something about seeing him again in-person had me fighting to catch my breath, anxious with anticipation.

Don’t be ridiculous, I scolded myself.

It didn’t matter if my body had craved more of that same animalistic sex we’d had only a few days ago. I was here on business, representing my club and Tarzan.

Squaring my shoulders, I parked my bike and approached the clubhouse, wrapping my fingers around the door handle. Before I could talk myself out of it, I stepped inside.

For a split second, no one noticed me. I counted five men total—not the full club, but the President was there. If I could convince him to pitch in, there was a better chance the rest of the Alpha Riders would follow suit.

My gaze fell on Diablo and stuttered to a stop. He was seated at the bar, leaning back on his elbows propped against the counter. My whole body lit up with a low, humming throb of arousal.

“Didn’t I tell you to get the hell out of here?”

Brewer’s voice—thunderous with intent. He was ready to throw me out by force if it came to that. I wrenched my gaze away from Diablo, but I was still aware of him. And I could see him from the corner of my eye when he turned his head to look at me.

The clubhouse went still. I cleared my throat.

“I came on behalf of a brother. He’s in trouble.”

“Not our problem,” Brewer replied. He sat in a booth in the corner, his lady tucked between him and the wall. His arm was braced across her lap and his body was angled toward me, positioning himself like a shield.

“We’re hosting a rally in Aerondale this weekend,” I said.

The air in the room seemed to have dipped by a chilly ten degrees, despite the cloying, endless desert heat. I soldiered on, unwilling to back down without a fight. For Tarzan’s sake. And for my own reputation.

“Tarzan was robbed. Every red cent he owned was wiped out. And now, he’s faced with losing even more if he can’t pay his bills. The rally will raise funds to cover expenses and get him back on his feet.”

No one said a word. I didn’t dare look at Diablo even though the urge to glance his way consumed me. I plowed on, hoping that the Alpha Riders’ silence meant they were listening.

“I know things have been rough between our clubs,” I added.

“To say the least,” Brewer replied.

I stifled a grimace. “I thought I would extend the invitation as a gesture of good faith. The rally will be neutral territory. I was hoping we might set aside our feud for a few hours and support Tarzan.”

Brewer studied me for a moment. Diablo shoved away from the bar and disappeared through a door at the back of the room. I wasn’t surprised that he would just get up and leave. Tarzan and Diablo hadn’t exactly hit it off when they first met. I couldn’t imagine Diablo was happy at the possibility that his club would help someone he hated.

“We’ll vote on it,” Brewer finally said.

I nodded. That was the most I could hope for and I knew it. Pulling the last folded-up flier from the inside pocket of my kut, I smoothed it out and stepped forward. Brewer’s gaze followed me as I approached. I placed the flier on the table in front of him.

“Thank you for hearing me out,” I said.

With one final glance toward the door where Diablo had made his escape, I turned to leave. The anticipation and arousal I’d felt earlier were gone now—dampened by disappointment and no small amount of frustration that he’d simply…walked away.

Turning to leave, I shouldered the door open.

And I found Diablo in the parking lot, swinging his leg over his bike. My eyes narrowed as he picked up his helmet.

“Didn’t expect you to slip out the back door like a coward,” I said.

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