“I’ll be right back,” Declan mutters through clenched teeth.
“Wait—” I say, reaching for his arm.
“Let him go,” Dani hisses from behind the bar.
I heed her warning and watch Declan stalk across the room, nearly bowling Lorenzo over as he marches outside. The remaining eight brothers fall to murmured conversation as the door swings shut. But even in hushed tones, their outrage is loud and clear. As one, they move through the back door, into the back room. The regular hangers-on make quick tracks for the side exit, leaving just us ladies alone at the bar. I look to Dani and the other girls, hoping that someone will shed some light on what the hell is going on.
“Don’t look so scared,” drawls Courtney, the thin brunette, “You being spooked isn’t going to do him any good.”
“Sorry, I didn’t see anything in the biker girlfriend handbook about what to do when mysterious men come calling on your guy,” I shoot back.
“Whatever they’re talking about out there is none of your business,” says Wendy, the buxom blonde, “Trust me, you don’t want to know whatever it is those two have going on between them.”
“Why not?” I ask, “How am I supposed to be of any help to Declan if I don’t know what’s going on in his life?”
“Flat on your back, that’s how,” Sherry smiles.
“I like to think there’s a bit more to our relationship than sex,” I say, crossing my arms, “I want to be there for him.”
“And you can be,” Dani shrugs, “You can listen to as much as he’ll tell you, keep him warm at night, pour him a drink or two if he needs it. But beyond that, darlin’, there’s not much more you can expect to do for that man.”
“That sounds like bullshit to me,” I say, crossing my arms.
“It’s not bullshit. It’s the way things work around here,” Wendy snaps, “You don’t know the first thing about life in an MC, do you?”
“Or a woman’s place inside one,” Courtney adds.
“There are two things a woman can be to a man like Declan,” Dani says, “A piece of ass, or an old lady. There’s no in-between. Either you keep him company for a spell and learn to not ask any questions, or you’re all-in. For life. Now, I’m guessing that a girl like you isn’t looking to become a lifer. You’ve got too much else going for you. I’m sure that what you and Declan have feels special, but that doesn’t mean it can last. Enjoy it while it lasts, and get out while you still can. That’s all you can do.”
“You’re wrong,” I tell her, jumping to my feet, “You all may be willing to accept those rules, but I’m not. I’m not one of you.”
“No,” Courtney says coolly, “That much is clear.”
“Why do you let this MC shit run your lives?” I ask.
“It ain’t shit,” Wendy says heatedly, “And it doesn’t run our lives. It is our lives. And you know what? It’s your guy’s life, too.”
“Declan is more than just some MC puppet,” I tell her, “He has a life outside of this club. He’s a businessman. An athlete. A veteran—”
“If you think that all of those things don’t lead right back to this club,” Dani says evenly, “You are sorely mistaken, girl.”
“I don’t have to listen to this,” I say, shaking my head, “I’m out of here.”
“Don’t you go out that door,” Sherry says, the color draining from her cheeks, “They’re in the middle of something out there.”
“Too bad,” I say, making tracks across the room.
“Kassie, stop!” Dani calls, swinging around the bar and grabbing my arm.
“Let go of me!” I shout, wrenching out of her grasp, “I can’t do this, Dani. I can’t be a part of this world.”
“If that’s the case, then hit the road,” Dani tells me, “But don’t try to drag Declan along behind you. Either stick it out or beat it. Those are your only options.”
“We’ll see what Declan has to say about that,” I tell her.
And despite the protestations ringing out behind me, I rush across the room and out into the night. Raised voices ring out from around the corner. I ease the door shut and creep toward the sound, my back pressed up against the wall.
“I’m telling you, it’s over,” I hear Declan snarl, “I want out, Lorenzo.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Lorenzo snaps back, “Do you have any idea how much money I have riding on your last match? One hundred million. Your cut alone is ten—”
“I don’t give a shit about that anymore,” Declan says, “Put someone else in the ring. I don’t want your blood money.”
“There is no one else,” Lorenzo says, “It has to be you. They want to see Dante’s Son. I’m not going to make anything off some knockoff replacement. You agreed to four fights. You gave me your word. Are you really going to go back on that?”
“My circumstances...have changed,” Declan says, with quiet ferocity.
“Don’t tell me this is about that little girl you’ve been carting around?” Lorenzo asks.
“It’s none of your concern—” Declan begins, but Lorenzo cuts him off with a round of uproarious laughter.
“You can’t be serious!” Lorenzo cackles, “You’re going to throw away ten million dollars, and our entire relationship, for that bitch?”
“Watch it, Lorenzo,” Declan growls.
“Oh, but it’s just so rich,” Lorenzo replies, “Big bad Declan Tiberi, pussy whipped into submission by a fucking child.”
“You need to leave now,” Declan says, his voice dripping with venom, “Or I can’t be held responsible for what I do to you.”
“Your threats don’t carry too much weight with me at the moment,” Lorenzo sighs, “Clearly, your word means nothing. Let me tell you what we’re going to do, here. I’m going to give you a couple of weeks to think this mistake through and change your mind. You come back to me and confirm that I can count on you for the final match, or else I can’t be held responsible for what I do to you. Or her.”
“You stay the fuck away from her,” Declan says, “From both of us—”
“Of course. Just as long as you don’t welch on our agreement,” Lorenzo says. I can hear the sneer in his voice. “You have a nice night with your lady friend, Declan. Enjoy that tight little pussy while you can.”