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prologue

MEADOW

The First Time We Met

As we pull up to the Grim Sinners’ clubhouse, the rich aroma of sizzling meat and the sound of raucous laughter hit me like a wave.

My stomach does a little flip, a mixture of nerves and excitement bubbling up inside me. I scan the parking lot, taking in the rows of gleaming bikes, their chrome catching the afternoon sun and nearly blinding me.

“Come on, sweetheart,” Dad says, his voice softer than usual as he opens my door. “Time to socialize.”

I step out, my hands automatically smoothing down my sundress. The fabric feels too thin, too flimsy against my skin. I take a breath, trying to calm my racing heart as we make our way toward the crowd.

That’s when I see him.

He stands out like a beacon in the sea of leather and denim. Tall, impossibly broad-shouldered, with eyes so blue they make the sky look dull in comparison. Those eyes lock on to mine, and suddenly I can’t breathe. It’s like all the air has been sucked out of the world, leaving only him and me.

“Who’s that?” I manage to whisper to my brother, my voice barely audible over the thumping of my heart.

I feel rather than see my brother’s frown as he follows my gaze. “That’s Mason, the Grim Sinners’ VP’s son,” he says, his voice low and warning. “Stay away from him, Meadow.”

But I can’t look away. Mason’s eyes are still on me, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. It’s not a friendly smile, not really. It’s more… predatory. Like he’s spotted something he wants and is figuring out how to get it.

I should be scared. I should listen to my brother and keep my distance. But there’s something about Mason that pulls at me, like a magnet drawing me in. My brother’s warning echoes in my head, but instead of fear, I feel a thrill of excitement.

“Dangerous, huh?” I murmur, more to myself than anyone else. I straighten my shoulders, meeting Mason’s gaze head-on. Two can play at this game.

As we get closer to the crowd, the noise grows louder. The smell of barbecue intensifies, making my mouth water despite my nerves. But all I can focus on is Mason, still watching me with those intense blue eyes.

Mia, a princess in the club, walks up to me and Tiana, who’s a princess to both clubs, since her grandfather and uncle are members and her mom is an OG princess.

Rose, who’s technically my aunt, even though we are almost the same age, is beside my grandparents, Kayla and Torch, the VP in the club.

My uncle Trenton is off doing missions for the military; he’s a navy seal and I miss him dearly. It weighs not only on my grandma, but his ole lady is dying for him to come home so he can be with her and Matthew. They’re both dating Morgan, and Matthew is the son of another Devil Souls MC member.

Kayla sees me and walks over to hug me. “Hi, sweet angel, you look beautiful in your dress.”

I smile and hug her back tight. She’s the best grandmother and I hope to God that I look like her when I’m older.

I pull back from Kayla’s embrace, my eyes darting back to Mason. He’s still watching, his gaze burning into me. I force myself to focus on my grandmother once more.

“Thanks, Grandma,” I say, my voice a little shaky. “You look amazing too.”

Kayla’s eyes narrow slightly. She follows where my gaze was a moment ago, her lips tightening when she spots Mason. “Be careful, sweetie,” she murmurs, her voice low. “That one’s got trouble written all over him.”

I nod, but my heart’s not in it. Trouble. Dangerous. Warnings from all sides, but they only make him more intriguing.

Mia grabs my arm, pulling me toward a table laden with food. “Come on, Meadow. Let’s get something to eat.”

I let her lead me away, but I can feel Mason’s eyes on my back. The hairs on my neck stand up.

“So,” Tiana starts, leaning in close. “You’ve noticed our resident bad boy, huh?”

I try to play it cool. “Who?”

Tiana rolls her eyes. “Please. We all saw you eye-fucking Mason.”

Heat floods my cheeks. “I wasn’t?—”

I grab a plate, piling it with food I know I won’t eat. My stomach’s too knotted with anticipation.

A shadow falls over our table. I look up, my breath hitching.

Mason. Up close, he’s even more devastating.

“Ladies,” he says, his voice rough. “Mind if I join you?” It should be a crime for someone to look like that and sound the way he does.

Why is he a bad boy when technically every guy in the MCs are bad boys. What makes him different?

He doesn’t wait for an answer and sits down directly beside me. I try to keep my breathing calm so he doesn’t hear how nervous I am.

I peek up to my dad to see if he notices who’s sitting next to me and boy does he notice, along with my grandpa standing beside him.

I wince internally and Tiana looks like she’s trying to fight back laughter.

Carter makes his way over to us and sits down beside Mia. His family was close to our MC and he just became a prospect with the other guys.

“How have you been, Mason?” Carter asks the unfairly attractive guy sitting right beside me.

I note I’m bland compared to him. Mason is huge, muscled, and looks like he totally escaped the awkward stage of puberty, while I happen to still be in that stage.

I’ve always been the nerd, the quiet one with her nose in a book, and that just made everyone feel like they needed to protect me all the more.

Mason’s arm brushes mine as he leans back, stretching out his long legs. “Can’t complain,” he drawls, his eyes never leaving my face. “Things are now looking up.”

I duck my head, pretending to be fascinated by my untouched plate. The heat from his body radiates against my side, making it hard to breathe.

“Meadow, right?” His voice is low, meant only for me. “I’ve heard about you.”

I look up, startled. “You have?”

He nods, a slow smile spreading across his face. It transforms his features, softening the hard edges. “The club princess. Smart as hell. Going to be a doctor.”

“OB-GYN,” I correct automatically.

His eyebrows shoot up. “Ambitious. I like that.”

Carter clears his throat loudly. “So, Mason, how’s the bike running?”

Mason’s eyes linger on me for a moment longer before he turns to Carter. “Like a dream. You should come by the shop sometime, check it out.”

As they fall into bike talk, I chance a glance at my dad and grandpa. They’re both watching our table. Dad takes a step forward, but Grandpa puts a hand on his arm, shaking his head slightly.

I look away quickly, my heart pounding. What am I doing? This is madness. I should get up, walk away. But then Mason shifts, his thigh pressing against mine under the table, and all thoughts of leaving vanish.

“So, Meadow,” he says, his voice dropping even lower. “Want to go for a ride later?”

I open my mouth, not sure if I’m going to say yes or no. But before I can speak, a commotion erupts near the clubhouse door. Everyone’s heads swivel toward the noise.

Three men in leather cuts and patches I don’t recognize are squaring off against some of our guys. Tension crackles in the air like electricity.

Mason is on his feet in an instant, his easy demeanor replaced by something harder, more dangerous. “Stay here,” he tells me, then strides toward the conflict.

I watch him go, my breath catching in my throat. This is who he really is, I realize. Not the charming guy at the table, but this—a man walking into danger without hesitation.

And God help me, it only makes me want him more.