Page 7 of Obliterate

Instead… nothing!

Everyone is going about their usual shit.

My brows tighten at the reality check.

Not one person turns their head. They continue like my life isn’t completely being altered by this moment.

Right! So this moment is only big for me.

NOLA Defiance is their home. They’re used to being here, so new arrivals obviously aren’t a big deal. But for me, I can assure you, it feels like a big. Fucking. Deal.

No special treatment. Got it.

Glancing down, I spot my bags on the floor by the front door, so I reach down and take a deep breath. “Get your shit together, South,” I mumble under my breath.

I make my way to the bar, where Jaz casually wipes the countertop down. She spots me and smiles brightly in her usual way. “Hey. You’re here!”

Weakly smiling, I shrug. “Looks like it. So, ahh… where do I go from here?”

She ducks out from behind the bar and starts walking for the hall. “Follow me. I’ll take you to your room.”

“Thanks. Where is everyone today?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.

“The guys are around doing their own thing. Some of the old ladies are at their day jobs. Just general day-to-day life… you’ll get used to it. You’ll find your place here. I know you will.” We reach a bedroom at the end of the hall, and she pushes the door open, gesturing for me to enter.

With a nod, I walk into my room. “Thanks, Jaz, appreciate it.”

The layout is smaller than my room in LA, but it will do just fine. I don’t need material shit. I never have. I prefer the company of good people because good people are hard to find.

“If you need anything, Storm is the head club girl. So, she’s your go-to for any club-related questions. But I’m here if you need anyotherclub girl services or anything at all… I’m your girl.” She winks suggestively, making me chuckle at her obvious innuendo as she turns and walks out the door.

I drop my bags on my bed with a giant smirk. “Club girls,” I murmur to myself, knowing precisely what Jaz was offering.

You never know—a guy has needs.

Just not right now.

Now, I need to find my new club president. Let him know I’m here and ready for him to integrate me into the club as he needs.

After I sort my bags into a state that will get me by, I head out into the clubroom to find Hurricane. I wander through the expanse, checking around for him, when my eyes widen, taking in the strawberry-blonde locks of the woman who took my breath away the last time I was here.

Ingrid Ladet.

Sure, she’s Hurricane and Bayou’s stepmother.

Yeah, she’s Novah and Nash’s mother too.

Absolutely, she is old enough to be my mother, but something about this woman ignites a fire inside me.

The second I saw her at Hurricane’s wedding, I knew. I just knew we shared a connection. She may not know it yet, and it might come off a little creepy, but Ihaveto get to know her better.

She’s the kind of woman who requires yourfullattention.

To be shown that she’s worth so much more than what the world has dealt her.

I’ve seen her the last couple of times I’ve been to the clubhouse. The woman is damn fine! And a bit of an age difference will not stop me from showing her what she’s worth.

With a grin on my goofy face, I make my way over, ensuring I add a little pep to my strut.

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