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CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

THE CLUBHOUSE HADN’T changed. Same noise, same energy, same heavy air thick with leather, cologne, and testosterone. But stepping through the doors again felt like walking straight into enemy territory.

They’d made their positions clear—I wasn’t part of their circle.

Still, even if I wouldn’t admit it out loud, this was the safest place for me right now. Fang had almost caught me tonight, and that thought alone was enough to chill my blood.

The room quieted as heads turned, the sudden silence suffocating. I ignored the stares, brushing past them like I didn’t feel the weight of their eyes.

Then Brenda appeared from behind the bar, her gaze scanning me from head to toe. “Thank heaven they found you,” she said, her voice filled with relief.

I didn’t respond, just shrugged off Spinner’s leather jacket—the one I’d borrowed for the ride—and tossed it onto a nearby chair. “I’m here for Zeynep,” I said, keeping my tone flat. But I still gave Brenda a small smile. It wasn’t her fault men were shit.

Brenda nodded toward one of the back rooms. “She’s restin’, but she’ll want to see you.”

I turned toward the hallway, ready to disappear before anyone else got in my way. But Spinner wasn’t having it.

His fingers wrapped around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. “Lucy—”

I yanked my arm free, turning to glare at him. “I meant what I said, Spinner. Don’t.”

His jaw tightened, but he stepped back, letting me go.

Smart choice.

The moment I stepped into Zeynep’s room, her face lit up, and the guilt hit me like a damn hammer. I hadn’t told her I was leaving. I hadn’t checked in. And still, here she was, smiling at me like I hadn’t let her down.

She looked better, the worst of her injuries fading, but her voice was still a whisper when she spoke.

“Lucy,” she rasped, sitting up in bed.

“Hey,” I said, forcing a smile as I sat beside her, grateful just to hear her talk again. “You look… less terrible.”

She gave a weak laugh, her eyes glistening. “You came back.”

“Yeah,” I said softly, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “I couldn’t stay away. Someone’s gotta keep an eye on you.”

Her smile faltered, and she tilted her head, studying me. “You’re not okay.”

“I’m fine,” I lied, shaking my head. “Just… tired.”

She saw straight through me, but she let it slide. “Did they find you?”

I let out a heavy sigh. There was no point in sugarcoating it. “Yeah. Fang almost caught me tonight. But I got away.”

Her whole body tensed, the worry in her eyes turning heavy. “Lucy, you can’t keep messing with them,” she warned. “I’ve seen what they’re capable of. And so have you.”

“I just have to be more careful,” I said, my voice firm. “I can’t stop, and you know that.”

She watched me, searching my face, but in the end, she didn’t argue. Instead, she hit me where it hurt the most— my heart .

“Spinner?” she asked, barely above a whisper.

I hesitated, my gaze flicking toward the door. “Spinner’s not my business anymore, and I really want to keep it that way.”

She didn’t look convinced, but at least she didn’t push. “I missed you,” she said instead.

“I missed you too.” And I meant it.

Before I could say anything else, the door opened.

Mystic walked in, his eyes immediately locking onto Zeynep’s, something unspoken passing between them. I wasn’t blind. I knew when I was intruding.

I stood, brushing my hands against my jeans. “I’ll come back later. You need to rest your voice.”

Zeynep looked at me with something close to worry. “Just don’t run off again.”

I didn’t respond. I just slipped out the door, leaving the past and the present tangled behind me.

“Back so soon?”

Ashlynn’s voice sliced through my thoughts, sweet as syrup but thick with poison.

I turned, already annoyed, and found her sprawled across a chair in the hallway, legs draped over the armrest like she owned the damn clubhouse. Her painted nails tapped lazily against her thigh, a smirk curling her lips.

“Thought you ran off for good,” she added, her smile not reaching her eyes.

“Disappointed I didn’t?” I shot back, crossing my arms over my chest.

Her smirk widened, but there was no warmth in it. “Just surprised. Figured you finally realized you don’t belong here. Especially after Spinner chose me.”

Jesus, she never stopped.

I sucked in air through my nose, counting to three and wondering if patience was just another word for bullshit. Spinner deserved whatever hell this monster he created would drag him through.

I closed in, words dropping like a threat. “Speak up or step off, Ashlynn, I don’t have the energy for your reality-show bullshit.”

She stood in one smooth motion, closing the distance between us until we were face-to-face. Too close. Her perfume was thick, suffocating, like she was trying too damn hard to stake her claim.

“Spinner made his choice,” she said, her voice softer now, but dripping with malice. “So keep your distance.”

I smiled, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “Did he?”

I leaned in just enough that only she could hear me, my voice dropping to a whisper. “Because I’m getting a whole different vibe. But if he did choose you, then shut the hell up and leave me alone. Stop following me around, stop bugging me. It’s annoying as shit.”

Her expression cracked just for a second, her nails digging into her arms so hard I thought she might draw blood. But she didn’t say a damn word.

Good.

I turned on my heel and walked away without looking back.

These patch chasers were a whole other level of territorial. They never knew when to back the fuck off.