Page 87 of Renascence

“Yes.”

He stares me down, practically willing me to ask the question on the tip of my tongue. “The Dealers?”

“It’s complicated.”

“What does that mean?”

He takes a deep breath, occupying the spot next to me. “I told you about the businesses we own, but that’s not all we do.”

“What else?” I wait with bated breath.

“That’s club business. Can’t tell you, darlin’.”

“But it’s not legal?”

“Not exactly.”

“Do you kill people?”

“I fought in a war, Emily. Killed lots of people.”

“I mean your club.”

“Let’s go or we’re gonna be late.”

“Venom—”

“Emily, look. Even if you were my old lady, there are things I wouldn’t be able to tell you. Anything to do with the club is off-limits.”

“I see.”

I drop the argument because I’ve been effectively put in my place. I’m not his old lady. Our agreement does not extend beyond the bedroom. I don’t know why I have to keep reminding myself. Besides, in a way, hedidanswer my question. These men do way more than “ride together, talk about bikes and stuff.” The stuff they’re into makes them leave their cuts behind to avoid attention from police.

Christ. I’m sleeping with a criminal.

“You ready?”

“Um… yeah.”

He lets me lead the way, opening my door so I can climb into the Jeep. We’re meeting the others at the clubhouse, then taking one vehicle to the venue, so I use the travel time to gather my thoughts. Does this newfound knowledge affect the way I see Venom? My feelings toward him? I don’t think so. We’re not in a relationship. I’m just the woman he’s currently fucking. It’s not like we’re getting married. Soon, we’ll both move on and all this won’t even matter.

Move on.

Why does the thought fill me with dread? Criminal or not, I’ve only been treated like a queen by this man, and that is how he’ll be judged, not by what I think he’s done.

“You have any questions about me, you can ask them, Em. I just can’t tell you anything confidential about the MC.”

“Okay.”

Despite his offer, I don’t speak for the rest of the drive. When we join the others, the girls sense my mood and keep conversation with me to a minimum. I’m grateful because I don’t know where to go from here.

The fight is being staged in Atlanta, and when we arrive, I realize it’s not too far from my parents’ house. Maybe I should spend the night there instead of the hotel we’re supposed to stay in. A night at home and a talk with my mother—minus the criminal part—should help me make a decision.

When we enter the venue, they separate the men from the women, forming two lines. A man searches the males while a woman does the same to us. Venom has his gun, so I watch carefully to see what will happen. Gage leads his brothers, shaking the guard’s hand when it’s his turn to be searched. The man shoves his hand in his pocket, pats Gage’s body a few times, then lets him pass. He does the same to the other Dealers.

He was paid off.

Wow.