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CHAPTER TWENTY

LUCY SAT ACROSS from me at one of the round tables in the bar area, her laugh slicing through the noise of clinking glasses and rowdy voices like a whisper meant just for me, impossible to ignore. It wasn’t just a sound—it was a force, pulling me in, making the rest of the room blur. She had that effortless magnetism, the kind that turned heads without trying.

Whenever I was with Lucy, my spinner stayed in my pocket. No restless hands, no need to ground myself. She was the anchor.

“I’m serious,” she said, still catching her breath between bursts of laughter, her cheeks flushed from either whiskey or the pure energy she radiated. “You cannot tell me you haven’t built a woman out of Legos. Come on, Spinner.”

I leaned back in my chair, arms crossing, lips twitching. “What if I have?”

Her eyes widened, a wicked gleam flashing across them. “Oh, you have!”

“Maybe.” I shrugged, doing my best to play it serious, but her laughter made it impossible to keep a straight face.

“You’re ridiculous.” She shook her head, still grinning, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip just enough to make my thoughts go to dangerous places.

“You’re the one that brought it up.” My smirk widened. “Pretty sure that makes you the ridiculous one.”

She leaned forward, her elbow on the table, chin resting on her hand as she studied me with that mischievous glint—the one that had me on edge in all the best ways. Like she was always one second away from starting trouble, and I’d happily be the bastard to chase her into it.

“You know what I think?”

I lifted a brow. “What’s that?”

“I bet underneath all that leather and ink, you’re nothing but a closet romantic.” Her voice was teasing, but there was something softer beneath it, something that made my chest go tight.

I snorted, shaking my head. “Yeah? And what’s got you thinkin’ that?”

She smirked, tilting her head like she had me all figured out. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the way you’re looking at me like I’m the best damn thing to ever walk into your life.”

I huffed out a laugh. “Maybe you’re just seein’ what you want to see.”

“Am I?” she asked, raising a brow, eyes full of mischief.

I leaned in just enough to watch her breath catch. “You keep talkin’, and you’re gonna find out exactly what’s under all this leather.”

Her grin deepened, and she held up a hand, mock-serious. “Alright, alright. No need to prove a point. Your secret’s safe with me.”

Everything about her was effortless, natural—like she’d always been meant to be here, across from me, wrapped up in this club life that should’ve sent her running. I hadn’t planned on this pull between us, hadn’t known for sure if I wanted it, but every damn day it got stronger.

“You know what I’d like to do?” I asked, leaning in, watching her expression shift.

Her brow arched. “What?”

I stood, holding out a hand. “Dance with me.”

Her eyes widened, flickering with surprise. “You dance?”

“Pick your jaw up off the floor,” I said with a smirk. “This southern boy has a few tricks tucked under these boots.”

She paused just a beat before slipping her hand into mine. That touch lit me up, heat shooting up my spine like a shot of whiskey burning its way down. Felt right, like I’d been waiting on it longer than I cared to admit. Without a word, I pulled her toward the small dance floor by the bar, where a few couples were already swaying.

The song was slow, the kind with a steady rhythm that dug under your skin and made it impossible not to move. Lucy’s arms looped around my neck, fluid, unguarded. My hands found her hips, fitting there like they belonged.

“This is... unexpected,” she murmured, her voice softer now, teasing but threaded with something else.

“You complainin’?” My lips curled into a slow grin.

“Not yet.” The warmth in her smile softened just enough to make my grip on her tighten.

The space between us shrank with every slow step, her body pressing into mine, her scent wrapping around me, floral with a hint of something uniquely her. The clubhouse noise faded. The music, the voices, the laughter, they were just background static now.

There was only her.

“Spinner,” she said, barely above a whisper.

“Yeah?” My voice came out rough, thick with what I was feeling.

“You’re staring.” Her cheeks flushed deep pink.

“Can’t help it.” The honesty slipped out before I could reel it back.

Her breath hitched, just faintly, and that was it. I tilted my head, brushing my lips over hers.

The kiss started slow, tentative, but didn’t stay that way. Her fingers slid into my hair, and something in me snapped. I pulled her closer, my hands gripping her hips, dragging her against me like I needed her warmth to burn away the rest of the world.

When we finally broke apart, her eyes searched mine, something deeper than surprise flickering in them.

“Well,” she breathed, “that was equally unexpected.”

“Complainin’ again?” I asked, though I was already fighting the urge to pull her into a corner for more.

Her smile turned sly, knowing. “Not even a little.”

The heat between us hadn’t cooled, not even close. But then, movement in my peripheral caught my attention.

Ashlynn.

She was dancing with one of the other brothers, her arms draped over his shoulders, her body moving in sync with his. But her eyes weren’t on him.

They were locked on me.

Her stare was focused, possessive, and entirely unwelcome. The flicker of frustration, the edge of something darker hit me. I felt my own irritation rise, heat twisting in my gut. I hadn’t meant to lead her on—hadn’t expected my attempts to help would be taken for something more.

But that glare? That was a problem.

One I’d have to deal with before she stirred up trouble.

Lucy’s fingers still rested lightly against my chest, her rare smile just for me. Whatever this was, it was real.

And I wasn’t about to let it slip away—not for Ashlynn, not for anyone.

I NEED TO run to the bathroom, be right back,” Lucy said with a quick smile, touching my arm before heading toward the staircase.

Her laughter still lingered in the air when I turned back toward the bar, already scanning the room out of habit. I hadn’t even made it halfway when a voice sliced through the noise, freezing me mid-step.

“Spinner.”

It wasn’t playful. Wasn’t soft. It was laced with venom, a slow-acting poison that coiled around my gut like a steel trap.

Slowly, I turned.

Ashlynn stood near the corner, arms locked tight over her chest, her nails digging into her skin like she was holding herself together by sheer will. Her eyes burned into me—anger, possession, something unhinged lurking just beneath the surface.

Shit. Here we go.

“Ashlynn,” I said carefully, keeping my voice neutral. I’d been waiting for this blow-up, but I’d hoped it’d be behind closed doors.

She didn’t wait for me to come to her. She stormed forward, boots cracking against the floor like gunfire.

“What the hell was that?” she demanded, her voice low but jagged enough to cut.

I knew what she meant, but I wasn’t about to play this game.

I sighed, rubbing a hand over my jaw. “Ashlynn, I don’t have to—”

“Really?” She stepped into my space, head tilted, eyes wild. “You don’t owe me an explanation? You don’t care how I feel?”

My patience snapped like a frayed wire. “You better watch what you’re sayin’.” My voice was steady, but the threat was there. Around us, a few curious glances flicked our way. I didn’t need an audience, and I sure as hell didn’t need Lucy walking back into this mess.

Ashlynn let out a bitter laugh, her breath coming fast, almost shaking. “That’s all you’ve got?”

I stepped in close, my voice dropping to an angry whisper. “Ashlynn, you’re my friend. That’s all this ever was. And I’m fuckin’ done repeatin’ myself just because you refuse to hear me.”

Her lips parted, her breath shaky. She looked away, her jaw clenched so hard I swore I heard her teeth grind. “I thought…” Her voice broke, barely a whisper now, but still full of heat.

My own jaw tightened. “You thought what?”

Her eyes snapped back to mine, shimmering with unshed tears. “I thought maybe you felt somethin’ but were holding back.”

I exhaled hard, pushing down the frustration clawing up my throat. “Ashlynn, I don’t play fuckin’ games. I say what I mean.”

Her hands curled into fists at her sides, her whole body trembling with something I couldn’t name. “But you did. Whether you meant to or not, you did.”

She was delusional. That much was clear. And I wasn’t about to let this get uglier than it already was.

I set my shoulders, forcing steel into my voice. “I don’t want this to turn into a scene. Either accept what I’m sayin’, or you need to walk away and right out of this clubhouse.”

She shook her head, laughing without humor, the sound sharp and cracked. “A scene? Spinner, this isn’t a scene. This is a joke. You and her?” Her lip curled. “Look at her, Spinner! She doesn’t belong here. Not like I do.”

That was it. The final fucking straw.

I straightened, my hands flexing at my sides. When I spoke, my voice was low, calm, and lethal. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”

She flinched.

“I advise you to stay the hell away from me,” I continued, every word razor-edged. “And you better pray I don’t take this to Devil. You don’t get to tell me who I should want. You sure as fuck don’t get to talk about Lucy like that. For the last time—back the fuck off.”

Ashlynn’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Her face twisted in something raw—anger, pain, disbelief—but I didn’t give a shit anymore.

She spun on her heel and stormed off, her boots slamming against the floor as she disappeared into the crowd.

I stood there, breathing deep, trying to shake off the tension crawling over my skin. I’d ignored the warnings. Chain and Bolt had both told me Ashlynn was trouble, but I’d brushed it off.

Lesson learned—the road to hell was paved with favors for the wrong people.

Brenda’s gaze caught mine across the room, her expression troubled as she followed after Ashlynn. Maybe she’d talk some sense into her because if not she had to go.

The bar suddenly felt too loud, music, laughter, voices pressing in like a vise. I shook my head and made my way back to my seat, my body still tight with frustration.

Lucy was already there, watching me, her eyes curious.

“You good?” she asked, tilting her head, her voice calm but edged enough to tell me she wasn’t fooled.

I forced a smile, though my hands still itched to hit something. “Yeah. Just had to clear somethin’ up.”

Her lips pressed together like she wanted to push, but she let it go.

That was Lucy. She could read a room better than most, knew when to press and when to leave it be.

The rest of the night, I let her pull me out of my own damn head. Every laugh, every touch, every glance, she was my steady ground, keeping me balanced and making the chaos fade.

And that scared the hell out of me.

Because if I lost her…

I wasn’t sure I’d come back from it.