Chapter Two
TWO MONTHS LATER:
In the shadowed corner of the clubhouse, Valley grumbled disapprovingly, “You used to be a real riot, man.” We were holed up in the wilder side room, watching the usual shit unfold. I’d ducked out of the main room to avoid Leather and Player, who had been eyeing me like a target since I rolled back in a few months ago. Leather’s possessive jealousy over Aislynn was a ticking time bomb, and I knew better than to get caught in the crossfire.
Even a mere glance in Aislynn’s direction would ignite trouble. It didn’t matter that I no longer harbored any romantic interest in her. Leather was one jealous son of a bitch, always ready to ignite like a fuse, so I kept my distance. What really sucked was I still cared about her and wanted her to be happy and well, but I couldn’t even ask her how she was doing without getting my ass kicked.
“Yeah, babe, he’s got a point,” Bunny chimed in, encircling me with her arms from behind and planting kisses on my neck.
I shrugged her off more forcefully than intended. “Cut it out, Bunny. Not in the mood. Go bother someone else.” Ever since Haddie left, nothing felt right. She had left an indescribable void that no one else could fill, and here I was, snapping at everyone because bitterness consumed me and that wasn’t like me at all.
She hadn’t even said goodbye. Why should her ghost continue to hold me down? But here I sat doing exactly that, letting the memory of her chain me.
Stung by my reaction, Bunny retreated. Valley leaned closer, concern crossing his rugged face. “Hey, brother, we’ve been inseparable for as long as I can remember, and I’ve never seen you like this. Are you still hung up on that chick from South Carolina?”
“Drop it,” I muttered, my gaze drifting over the room, forcing myself to watch the two sweet butts dancing naked on the pole in the middle of the room. Feel something dammit! I demanded of my cock, but nothing, not even a fucking twitch of interest. Haddie held a hold over me that I couldn’t shake no matter how hard I tried. My dick only wanted her and what she could make me feel.
“This chick must have been something else to cock block without even being around,” he chuckled, having been watching me. “You’re really starting to worry me; you know that, right?”
“I’m fine. All I need is some time to get over it.”
Valley smirked, mischief glimmering in his eyes. “You know what they say, don’t you? The best way to get over old pussy is to dive into some new pussy.”
“Nah, I’m swearing off women for a while. It seems like I always end up on the losing end,” I replied, rising from my seat. “I’m outta here.”
Valley simply shook his head, taking a long pull from his beer as he watched me leave. He didn’t push further; he knew me better than that. We had been tight since childhood. He was the reason I found myself in the club instead of chasing bounties like my brothers. His old man had paved the way for both of us.
I stomped past the row of bikes parked outside; each one gleaming under the faint moonlight like silent beasts waiting for a wild ride. The night air slapped my face, sobering up some of the frustration simmering inside me. I fired up my Harley; the roar slicing through the quiet like a scream in an empty church.
As I peeled out of the parking lot, the cool wind cut through my jacket, but it couldn’t chill the heat raging in my chest. The road stretched ahead, dark and inviting. Right now, it was the only thing that made sense.
I didn’t head towards any particular destination. It was just me, the bike, and the endless night. Every mile I put between me and the clubhouse should have shed the heavy cloak it felt like I was wearing, yet the weight of Haddie’s memory clung stubbornly.
A part of me wished I could just ride until the road ran out. Maybe somewhere along this endless black ribbon, I’d find a way to leave behind the woman haunting me. Maybe I’d come back differently, or maybe I wouldn’t come back at all.
I STARED AT the man I was being forced to marry, my gaze filled with an indescribable mix of disgust and resentment. Samuel Flavio, with his icy demeanor that could rival the fiercest arctic storm, seemed completely unfazed by my emotions. All that mattered to him was the damnable contract that bound our families together.
After enduring another grueling dinner—one of many since our engagement was announced—we stepped out onto the patio, where my grandfather proposed a walk. “Samuel, why don’t you accompany Hadleigh for a walk in the garden? She has a remarkable talent for plants and such,” my grandfather suggested with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
“I would love to,” Samuel’s response was a lie impeccably disguised beneath a straight face. Taking my arm, he guided me down the stairs, his grip firm as I kept my hands clasped in front of me. But as soon as we were out of sight from the prying eyes on the patio, I jerked away from him, unable to suppress my mounting frustration any longer.
“I can’t believe you won’t put an end to this madness!” I snapped, my voice tinged with anger. “You don’t even like me, and after what I confessed to you the other night...” My words trailed off. I had confessed my love for someone else, and the possible consequences of that love, hoping he would see reason, taking pity on me and end this marriage, but he refused to care because he was just a cold block of ice.
“For once, could you cease this incessant whining?” Samuel retorted, running his hand through his dark locks in exasperation.
“Whining?” I seethed, my voice dripping with disdain. “I’m being forced into a loveless marriage with someone who is harboring another woman in his penthouse, hidden away from the world.”
His eyes hardened as he demanded, “How do you know about her?”
“I know many things, dear Samuel,” I replied icily, feeling a surge of defiance within me. “And if you don’t extricate us from this charade, I will make sure you and that woman suffer just as much as I do.” It was a hollow threat, born out of my desperation and loneliness without Kaven, the man I loved so much, and missed with my very being. A dangerous move indeed, because Samuel was a powerful Mafia Boss, and I was walking on thin ice mouthing off like this.
In a swift motion, Samuel grabbed me by the arm, his grip tightening like a vise. “Listen to me, little girl,” he snarled, his voice laced with a chilling intensity. “Never threaten me, ever. And never mention or attempt to approach Hope. You will regret it.”
“How splendid,” I retorted, yanking myself free from his grasp. “You’re more protective of your mistress than your own fiancée. But let me assure you, Samuel, your threats hold no power over me. My grandfather would never allow you to harm me physically. So, keep your empty words. I am not afraid.” With those defiant words, I pushed past him and fled into the garden, seeking solace in my sanctuary — the greenhouse.
I settled onto the swing nestled amidst my beloved plants, allowing myself a moment to regain composure. With each swing, my heartbeat gradually slowed, and my mind cleared. I desperately hoped that I could somehow convince Samuel to release me from this suffocating contract. He was the only one with the power to do so, yet my previous attempts had failed miserably. In this world, where women held no sway or influence, I should have known better.
Running away seemed to be my only option left, but the question loomed: where would I go and who could I turn to? I didn’t know Kaven’s last name or his place of residence; all I knew was that he belonged to some club, as he wore a vest bearing its emblem. However, he never left it on long enough for me to decipher any meaningful details. Furthermore, without help, I would never get far. But who could I trust enough to risk their neck for me? The danger was too great.
My hand instinctively drifted to my stomach, a silent confirmation of the truth I already knew. I was pregnant, carrying the child of a man I would likely never see again, except through the reflection in our child’s eyes. The weight of that realization bore down on me, tears streaming down my face in an overwhelming wave of sorrow.
What was I going to do?