Chapter Fifteen
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAIN WAS TALKING , but my mind kept drifting away and I was only catching parts of the tale. He was telling us some story about meeting a ‘real bonified witch’, as he put it. “I was scared shitless. Hell, I was only ten, and she just looked at me with those dead eyes...”
And there it goes.
My mind took a walk, leaving the table.
Bolt did a one-eighty on me and had been ghosting me since that day at the beach. I’m beginning to think I dreamed the whole thing. That none of it was real, a mirage, a figment of my imagination, whatever you want to call it.
Me, Dad, Chain, Rune, Gearhead, Brenda, Amy—who was here under Brenda’s protection—sat at a table. We’d spent the last hour chatting about everything and nothing, just club stuff, harmless stories, things that had nothing to do with the mess in my head.
“You should’ve seen my face,” Chain said, finishing his story with a grin. “Swore, I’d never step foot in that place again.”
Amy laughed, shaking her lavender dyed hair. “The smart thing would have been to run when you first saw her.”
Rune gave her a playful nudge, his green eyes sparkling with amusement. “Smart? We’re talking about Chain here.”
“Fuck off,” Chain laughed, flipping Rune off.
I smiled, feeling like there was something there between the younger woman and Rune. You could just see it. I glanced over Rune’s shoulder, and someone caught my eye. Bolt. He was standing by the bar, beer in hand, his eyes fixed on me and then going to Gearhead, who was sitting beside me. There was something dark in his expression—he was angry.
Before I could say anything, Bolt slammed his bottle down on the bar with a loud thud, his jaw tight as he turned and stormed out of the clubhouse. The door swung shut behind him with a sharp bang, leaving an awkward silence in his wake.
That’s the first time I’d even caught a glimpse of Bolt in days; he hadn’t been around the clubhouse much. My stomach twisted until I almost felt sick. I hadn’t done anything wrong, but the look on Bolt’s face... something was bothering him, and it had to do with me.
Dad raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the door. “What’s his problem?”
“Fucker’s pissed off about somethin’,” Chain said, his eyes going to me. Did he know about me and Bolt?
I stood, trying to keep my tone light. “I’ll be right back.”
Before he or Brenda could say anything, I pushed my chair back and followed Bolt outside, the night breeze hitting me as soon as I stepped out, the dark enveloping me. The sound of the party faded as I spotted him standing a few feet away, his back to me, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
“Bolt.”
He didn’t turn around at first, just kept staring off into the distance like he was trying to keep himself in check. But I wasn’t about to let him shut me out. I needed to know what the heck was going on.
I walked up to him, crossing my arms over my chest. “What the hell was that?”
Finally, he turned to face me, his eyes flashing with so many emotions. Anger? Jealousy? Hurt?
“What’s your deal with Gearhead?” he asked, his voice cold, almost biting.
I blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in his tone. “Gearhead? We were just talking.”
“Yeah, you seemed real cozy,” Bolt shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Laughin’, smilin’. You two seemed real into each other.”
I felt my jaw tighten, my own irritation rising at his tone. “Are you serious right now?”
He didn’t answer, just glared at me, his chest rising and falling like he was barely holding back the anger simmering hot beneath the surface. What right did he have to be angry at me?
“I don’t have to explain anything to you,” I snapped, feeling frustrated. “You think you can just waltz in here, and pull this jealous bullshit? What, do you think I’m just gonna wait around for you while you figure out what the hell you want? We’ve hardly talked in a week. You’ve been a ghost. I figured you changed your mind.”
Bolt’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might walk away. But then he took a step closer, his voice deceptively calm. “I’ve been out on club business, Fiona. You got a thing for him? ‘Cause if you do, tell me now.”
I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. “You’re unbelievable, Bolt. You’ve got no right to ask me that.”
I turned to walk away, my heart pounding in my chest, but before I could take more than a few steps, I felt his hand wrap around my wrist, stopping me. His grip was firm but not harsh, and for a second, the tension between us was thick. You think I’d be afraid of Bolt right now, but I wasn’t. I knew no matter how angry he was that he would never hurt me.
“Wait,” he said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. “Don’t walk away.”
I paused, my back still to him, my heart racing. Part of me wanted to keep going, to let him stew in whatever twisted mess of jealousy he was dealing with. But another part of me—the part that couldn’t help but care about him—made me stop.
I turned back to face him, my eyes locking onto his. “What’s really going on, Bolt?”
He let go of my wrist, running a hand down his beard, the frustration clear on his face. “I don’t know, okay? I just—seein’ you with him, laughin’ like that — it got to me. It fucking pissed me off because I know he’s into you.”
“Why?” I asked, my voice quieter now, but still challenging him to be honest with me. “Why do you care? You made me think you wanted something with me and then you just ignored me all week. For all I know you’ve been running with some other woman, not meaning a word you said about wanting more with me.”
He hesitated, his gaze flicking away for a moment before coming back to mine. “I do want more with you. But I couldn’t afford any distractions and you’re one hell of a distraction. You’re all I think about, and that will get me killed out there.”
His words hit me deep, the raw honesty in them catching me off guard. I stared at him, my mind racing, trying to process what he’d just said.
“You could have just told me,” I muttered, my voice softer now but still holding a trace of bitterness. “You push me away, and now you’re acting like I’m doing something wrong by talking to someone else?”
“Yes, I should have just been upfront,” Bolt admitted, his shoulders sagging slightly. “I know I made a mess of this, alright? I don’t know how to handle this... us . You’re the first woman I’ve ever been serious about.”
I looked at him for a long moment, the anger and frustration starting to ebb away, replaced by something else. Something softer, more vulnerable.
“I’m not asking you to figure it all out right now,” I said, my voice steady. “But if you’re going to be in this, be in it. Don’t do this half-in, half-out stuff. I’m not playing games, Bolt. My heart can’t handle it. I’m dealing with too much right now.”
He nodded, his gaze steady on mine. “I’m in, Fiona. I just need to figure out how to stop screwin’ it up and juggle club business at the same time.”
I smiled, the tension between us finally breaking, if only a little. “Well, just being honest would be a start. Silence isn’t the way.”
For a moment, we just stood there, the warm night breeze whispering around us, the sounds of the clubhouse in the background. Bolt pulled me into his arms and murmured, “You sure you don’t have a thing for Gearhead?”
Bolt didn’t wait for my answer, but leaned down to take my mouth in a hungry kiss, pulling me closer. I let out a soft sigh, forgetting about all the worries that had been circling in my mind for days now.
“No,” I finally managed as we parted, breathless. “Gearhead’s nice, but it’s you I want.”
He let out a chuckle, the warmth of it radiating through me. Our connection was more than just physical; it was a bond that had been forged over not only attraction but an intimacy that was more about the soul, two people who were meant to meet.
It was a fanciful thought, but I felt it.
“Damn straight better stay that way,” he whispered into my ear before his fingers traced along my cheekbone, brushing back a strand of hair. “You’re sure you’re ready for this? A relationship so soon after...”
I answered with another kiss, pressing myself closer to him. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”
Bolt smirked then, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight as he held me closer. The sounds of the club faded into nothingness as we lost ourselves in each other. We moved together in the moonlight; everything about Bolt — his scent, his touch — was intoxicating.
“Promise me,” he murmured into my ear. “Promise me you’ll stick around, even when things get rough.”
“I promise,” I whispered back, my fingers tracing the rough outline of his jaw. The moon’s silvery glow reflected in his eyes, making them almost appear ethereal.
His nod was barely perceptible in the darkness. “Good,” he breathed, his voice thick and rough. He pulled me even closer, his strong arms encircling me in a tight embrace, his mouth coming down on mine again. God, he was one hell of a good kisser, the way his tongue stroked mine as his hands moved down to cup my...
“Fiona get inside.”
We broke apart at the sound of dad’s voice, a voice that was entirely too close. Oh God, how much did Dad see? I didn’t tell him about Bolt since he ignored me all week; I figured what was the point.
“Go inside Fiona,” Bolt said, giving me a gentle push. “I need to talk to Horse.”
“Bolt?” I asked, concerned for his safety, because my dad looked really angry.
“Come with me, honey,” Brenda called from somewhere behind Dad. Just how much of an audience did we have?
I looked at Bolt one last time and headed inside with Brenda, saying a silent prayer that Bolt would be okay.
“I AUGHT TO tear you limb from limb right this second and feed you to the alligators,” Horse snarled, stepping toward me. “But I’m gonna give you one minute to tell me what the fuck you’re doin’ with my girl?”
“I care about Fiona,” I said, my voice calm even though I knew he meant every word of the threat he just made.
“I know exactly how you fucking care , Bolt, with a few pumps of your dick and a see ya later.”
“Fiona is different, Horse. She’s not like all the faceless bitches that strut through here.”
“I’m gonna be upfront with you and tell you I don’t think you deserve Fiona and I’m only gonna warn you once, you better not be playin’ with her, because she’s dealing with a ton of shit right now, gettin’ her life back. She don’t need nothin’ else to deal with and you won’t be using those legs if you hurt her. You got me?”
“Yeah, I got you, Horse, but you don’t have to worry.”
“That’s to be seen ain’t it?” Horse said, turning on his heel and heading back toward the clubhouse.
Sighing heavily, I jammed my hands into my pockets and followed him back inside. I knew I had to prove myself to Horse, and I would. He’d see that Fiona wasn’t just some quick fuck to me, it was more than that, but I got where he was coming from.
Shit, I wouldn’t trust me either.
My ears perked up, thinking I heard someone muttering in the distance, but it was too fucking dark to see anything. I listened but only the sound of the night creatures could be heard, probably just one of Chain’s ghosts he swears he’s always seeing. Giving a shrug, I headed into the clubhouse, forgetting about it.
The door creaked shut behind me as I stepped back into the clubhouse and glared at that fucking Gearhead.
When I walked in earlier tonight, finally having some free time to spend with Fiona and saw that fucker leaning close to her, I about blew like a lit fuse. Maybe I hadn’t yet claimed Fiona in the laws of our club, but he knew it just the same. Horse may not have noticed, but Gearhead damn sure did.
I need a drink.
“Fiona needed to go check on somethin’ in the kitchen. She had some bread ‘ rising ’ said she’d meet you out here in a few,” Brenda said when I walked by her. I could tell she wanted to say something, but for some reason kept silent.
“Thanks,” I mumbled as I made my way to the bar, stopping and talking along the way, before grabbing a half-full bottle of whiskey. I poured myself a shot, knocking it back without a second thought. The burn felt good, grounding me and calming my remaining anger.
It didn’t last long.
“Bolt.”
I rolled my eyes at her voice, thinking what kind of fucking night this was turning out to be.
Jenny slid up beside me, her eyes sharp and calculating, a half-smile on her lips that I’d seen too many times before. She wasn’t here to chat. The bitch was here to start some shit.
“What do you want, Jenny?” I muttered, pouring another shot and moving out of her reach.
“You really have to ask?” she purred, her hand brushing lightly against my arm. “I’ve seen the way you’ve been lookin’ at her. That little thing you’ve got going on with Fiona... what? You think that’s gonna last?”
I set the glass down a little harder than I meant to, turning to face her, my voice low but dangerous. “That’s none of your business, and I’d advise you to stop approachin’ me.”
She gave a bitter laugh, stepping closer, her voice dropping to a hushed tone so no one else could hear. “You think she’s one of us? You think she’s cut out for this life? She’s too soft, Bolt. You’ll get tired of her real quick. You men always do.”
I felt the anger rising in my chest, but I kept it in check, my jaw tight as I stared her down. “Back off, Jenny. Nothin’ about me involves you. Got it?”
Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw the flash of pure jealousy in them. She wasn’t used to being pushed aside, and she damn sure wasn’t used to losing. That’s the problem with our clubhouse. They’re no ol’ ladies to keep them in check like most of our chapters. When Bullet was chapter president, he’d kept the rule that banned ol’ ladies from the clubhouse, running them off. Things didn’t change until Devil, six years ago.
“You can tell yourself that all you want, but you’ll come crawlin’ back. You men love the way women like me make you feel,” she hissed, her hand gripping my arm now, her nails digging in just enough to get a reaction.
I pulled away, stepping back. “Fuck off, Sweet Butt. You give yourself entirely too much credit for bein’ community pussy.”
Jenny’s eyes flickered with something cold, but before she could say anything else, Gearhead appeared at the edge of the bar. His eyes darted between me and Jenny, his face darkening as he stepped closer.
“Everything alright over here?” Gearhead asked, his voice casual, but there was a warning in it, aimed right at me.
I shrugged, not wanting to make a scene. “Yep, just brushin’ off some old shit.”
Jenny shot Gearhead a glance, her lips curling into a smirk before she turned and walked off, her hips swaying as she disappeared into the crowd. But I could feel her eyes on me, even after she was gone.
Gearhead didn’t move, his eyes still locked on me, that easy smile of his replaced with something hard. “You need to stay the hell away from Fiona, Bolt.”
I looked at him, my pulse quickening with anger at his words. “What the fuck did you say?”
Gearhead crossed his arms, his gold eyes narrowing. “It means what it sounds like. I’ve seen the way you bounce from one bitch to the next, not even taking the time to put your cock away before walkin’ off. Fiona doesn’t need that shit.”
“What I have with Fiona is none of your fucking concern,” I shot back, my voice filled with warning. “I don’t want a beef with you, Gearhead, so back off.”
He let out a short, humorless laugh. “It is my fucking business and I’ve seen this show before, Bolt, maybe not with you, but it’s all the same scene. You might think you’re different with her, but you’re not. Not really, or you wouldn’t be entertaining Jenny by talkin’ to her, a woman you fucked, how many times?”
I felt the heat rising in my chest, my fists clenching at my sides. Gearhead had always been cool. We worked together in the garage, and I didn’t want to start shit with a fellow brother, but this was pushing it.
“Jenny was pushin’ herself on me . Big fucking difference from what you’re insinuating. I care about Fiona,” I said, my voice rising with my anger. “I don’t have to prove shit to you, brother, only her .”
Gearhead’s expression didn’t change, but I could see the flash of something in his eyes—something like surprise, or jealousy maybe. “Yeah, well, maybe you do. But carin’ about someone isn’t enough, not in this life. She’s been through hell, Bolt. You hurt her; you’ll answer to me.”
The challenge in his voice was clear, and for a second, I almost stepped toward him, almost let the tension between us explode. But I held back, biting down on the anger.
“I’m not gonna hurt her,” I said quietly, my eyes locked on his. “You don’t need to worry about that.”
He didn’t look convinced, but after a long moment, he gave a curt nod. “Good. Make sure it stays that way.”
With that, he turned and walked off, leaving me standing there, the weight of the conversation hanging heavy between us.
I poured myself another drink, downing it in one go. Gearhead’s words echoed in my head, but they didn’t make the anger go away. If anything, they made it worse.
Fiona wasn’t just another woman, and if Gearhead, Jenny, or anyone else thought I was gonna screw this up, they didn’t know a damn thing about me.
But I’d prove it.
I had just downed another shot, the burn barely hitting my throat, when the door to the clubhouse slammed open. The sound echoed through the room, cutting through the low murmur of conversation like a gunshot. Devil stormed in, his face a mask of pure fury, red eyes burning as he scanned the room. Every man in the clubhouse went silent, the atmosphere shifting in an instant.