Chapter 18
Hank
Iwas already out the door, heading to my bike when I felt eyes on me. Not just any. Hers.
Vee was coming tonight to the Christmas celebration at the clubhouse, and I had only one plan in mind.
Get the fuck out of here before she arrives.
No one told me she was coming but I knew she was.
There was no way Ash wasn’t going to invite her.
And as stubborn as that woman is, I knew Vee wouldn't be able to talk her way out of it. The two of them are thick as thieves.
Still, seeing her in the parking lot has me stopping dead in my tracks. She’s sitting in her car, the lights still on, her eyes locked on me. I can’t see her clearly, the light blinding me slightly. She doesn’t make a move to get out, and I don’t head in her direction. I can’t.
Fuck she’s gorgeous. And she’s the only person I want.
But I guess I’m not the only one she wants.
Vee wants something that I can’t give. Yeah, I can talk a big game, but when it comes down to it, sharing my woman with someone else isn’t it.
A whore, yeah. But it isn’t happening with the woman I want to be my ol’ lady.
It pisses me off that I’m not enough for her.
That what we have—no, had—isn’t as rock solid as I thought it was.
My heart jumped when she announced I was coming home from the hospital with her so she could take care of me.
Over the months it took for me to heal, we formed more than a friendship.
It grew into love. At least it had for me.
I didn’t know she was still talking to Luke. I thought they were over. Especially since she was with me. And fucking Doc. When did that shit happen?
How stupid am I that I missed everything happening around me?
The revelation claws at me, making my jaw tighten as I turn my gaze away from her and get on my bike.
Putting on my helmet, I turn my bike on and rev the engine before taking off out of the parking lot.
I only stop long enough for the Prospects to open the damn gate.
Bash asking me to work tonight is a blessing. Being in the same place as Vee would’ve been too hard. It’s going to be bad enough when she starts back at Hell’s Desire. Maybe I can get on different shifts than her, or work at one of the other businesses the club owns.
If not, the only option I have is my current buffer. The club girls. I’ll let them hang on me just enough to make Vee think I’ve moved on. I don’t want them. Vee is the only woman for me, but if she thinks she’s lost me, just maybe she’ll come to her senses and finally make a decision.
Me.
The ride to Hell’s Desire passes in a blur. Lights flashing, cars honking and the static background noise. I couldn’t tell you what it was. There was just something there, buzzing in my ears.
Pulling into the parking lot, I pull right to the front of the building to the parking spots marked just for the Hellions.
Heading inside, I pass the line waiting at the door to get in. Nothing but a bunch of pretty boy college kids and businessmen who no doubt have lied to their wives about where they are. As long as they tip well and keep their hands off the dancers, who the fuck cares what they do.
The bass from the speakers vibrates from the floor through my boots.
The air gets thicker with smoke from the machines used on stage, cigars, and the alcohol.
Tank has the door handled, so I head further inside the building and straight to the bar.
There’s a new girl behind the bar, and she smiles as I step up.
She's hot. Curves in the right places and tits that are practically spilling out of her top. Not my type, though. She’s too eager, but she may prove valuable when Vee starts working.
I give her a wink, and she reaches into the cooler and pulls out a bottle of beer, sliding it over to me.
“Here you go,” she gazes at the name on my cut, “Hank. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Sure thing, babe.” Just calling her that makes my heart hurt.
I take a seat on a stool at the end of the bar. It gives me a perfect view of the stages and the door. I sip on my beer, not wanting to get wasted yet, as I watch the crowd. I need to be ready for any one of these idiots who want to make a stupid mistake and act up.
Over the next few hours, I move around the club, sticking to the wall, my focus on the crowd as they get more alcohol in them. I’ve already kicked a group of college pricks out who thought they had the right to touch the dancers. Not on my watch.
As I make my way back toward the bar, I see him. Luke.
He’s at the bar, seated on a stool, eyes lasered on me.
Tension sparks immediately in me and my jaw clenches.
My teeth grind together and I swear it’s so loud it overpowers the music.
I think for a moment about changing directions, but we’re going to come face to face at some point.
It's inevitable. I continue heading toward the bar with the same confidence and control I always have.
The kind that has people scurrying to get out of my way.
“Didn’t think I’d see you here.” I lean against the bar beside him, and the bartender quickly hands me another beer and a shot. I can’t remember what she said her name was, but she’s made it very clear she’s down to go home with me tonight.
Luke snorts. “Funny. I was thinking the same. Thought you had the night off. Figured you’d be at the clubhouse.”
We just sit there in silence for a moment. Neither of us saying a word to each other as the dancing continues behind us.
“I didn’t know,” Luke finally says. “About how deep your feelings for Vee are. That you didn’t know we were still seeing each other. I swear.”
I lift the shot to my mouth and take a slow drink of the cool liquid. The liquor burns, but not enough.
“Doesn’t change anything,” I tell him as I set the glass down on the bartop.
“I’m not here to fight,” Luke says. “I’m here to fix what I can.” He picks at the paper label on his beer bottle.
I let out a grunting laugh. “There’s nothing left to fix.”
“What do you mean? She loves you, man. There has to be a way to make this work.”
He doesn’t get it.
“Yeah, and she loves you and fuckin’ Doc. Tell me how that can be fixed?”
Luke swallows, his eyes dropping down to his beer. “You still love her?”
I don’t answer right away. The truth sits heavy in my chest, impossible to deny. I could lie and say I don’t. But he would know it’s bullshit.
“Yeah.” I exhale the word. “That’s the problem.”
“But what if it isn’t a problem?”
I frown, my eyebrows pulling together as I look at him questioningly. Lifting the beer to my mouth, I take a swallow, waiting for him to elaborate.
“You love her. I love her. And Doc, well, he wants to be with her. Why don’t we give her what she wants? What if we don’t make her choose and all be with her?”
I feel my blood starting to boil. I know he’s not fucking suggesting that.
“It works for the guys and Ash, and with Arizona too. They all seem happy.” He clears his throat.
I grip the bottle in my hand so tightly, I’m afraid it’s going to bust. “No,” comes out through gritted teeth.
“Come on man. How do we know it won’t work if we don’t try?” Luke tries to convince me.
“No,” I growl.
Luke should’ve stopped there, but he doesn’t.
“Come on Hank. I love Vee. I have for a long time. And now I’m losing her. Why can’t you fuckin’ man up and just give it a try? You claim you love her, but you’re not willing to fight for her?”
“No,” I growl, as I turn towards him. “I do love her.” I slam my fists down on the bartop, the vibrations sloshing my beer. The group of men, sitting a few stools down leave heading toward the stage.
“Then fight for her. Say yes. Give this thing with all of us a try.”
I take a breath, needing to calm the hell down. Luke’s my brother and I don’t want to start a fight with him, but if he doesn’t back up, I’m going to fucking punch him in the face.
“I can’t share her. What don’t you understand? If you and Josh can, then go for it. But I won’t. Either she wants me alone or not at all.” With that, I turn and walk away.