6. Addison
CHAPTER 6
ADDISON
Don’t all Texans feel naked without a weapon?
C’mon in and enjoy the party.
Crow’s words bang around in my brain like little silver balls in a pinball machine. When he introduced himself, I recognized him immediately. But he must not remember me, or I wouldn’t currently be sitting at the bar inside the clubhouse.
In the middle of the lion’s den.
“Can I get you another beer?”
I turn away from watching Mona dance with Blain and smile at the bartender. “Sure.”
Less than a minute later, a second bottle is set in front of me.
“Not gonna dance with your friend?”
“Maybe in a bit,” I say. “She seems to be having fun without me right now.”
“That she does.” The bartender chuckles. “I’m Kenny.”
“Addison.”
“I know,” Kenny says matter-of-factly. When I glare at him, he shrugs. “You're the chick who tried to get a gun in here. News travels fast through the clubhouse.”
My blood boils at the reminder that Crow relieved me of my weapon the second we crossed the threshold. I couldn’t exactly continue to put up a fight without raising suspicion, so I let him have it.
“So, Blain invited you and your friend tonight?” Kenny asks.
“Yeah.”
“You’re not very talkative, are you?”
Not when I’m trying to observe every detail around me.
“Sorry,” I say. “Just tired I guess.”
“Then drink up, buttercup,” he encourages. “Nothing wakes you up quite like a good buzz.”
“If that’s the case, where’d the term ‘whiskey dick’ come from?” I counter.
Kenny snorts with laughter. “I like you, Addison.”
“Thanks.”
I don’t know how I feel about that. Maybe I could use it to my advantage and get him to talk, but something tells me Kenny is tight-lipped.
“Addi!”
I lift my hand to wave at Mona, but she shakes her head and runs toward me.
“You’re dancing… now,” she demands as she drags me into the crowd.
“Mona, I’m not nearly drunk enough for this,” I protest.
“That’s no excuse.” She pouts, knowing full well that’s how to get me to cave. “C’mon, have a little fun.”
I’m not here for fun. I’m here for work.
But I keep that thought to myself. After chugging half the bottle in my hand, I begin to let the music guide my actions. I sway to the beat and do my best to blend in.
“Looks like you’ve got a fan,” Mona says after a few minutes.
I follow her gaze and spot Crow sitting in a recliner, his eyes focused on me. He lifts his glass in salute, and I plaster a smile on my face. Apparently, smiling is some sort of invitation because he stands and stalks toward me.
The man is insanely hot, and my insides twist as I take in the sight of him. Fucking hell, if he weren’t such a horrible person, I’d really let loose tonight.
“Enjoying yourself?” he asks, leaning close to my ear to be heard over the music.
His breath skates across my cheek, and I shiver.
Stop it, Addi!
“I’d be having more fun if I had my gun,” I snap, annoyed at the effect he seems to have on me.
Crow leans back to look me in the eyes. “Why do you want it so bad?”
“I’m from Texas. Don’t all Texans feel naked without a weapon?”
He grins, and his gray eyes flash with mischief. “You feel naked?” His voice is deep, gravelly… sexy.
“If I took your weapons, wouldn’t you?” I counter, trying like hell to not let him see what he’s doing to me.
“Touché.”
Arms wrap around me from behind, and Mona’s perfume fills my senses.
“I’m gonna go sit for a minute,” she says. “You good?”
I don’t take my eyes off Crow as I nod.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she instructs cheerfully.
Crow arches a brow. “And what wouldn’t she do?”
“There isn’t much,” I admit. “She’s on the rebound.”
“And you?”
“And me what?”
“Are you spoken for?”
My brain screams at me to tell him I am, to give him the name of some fake boyfriend, but my mouth doesn’t cooperate.
“No.”
Dammit.
“Interesting,” he drawls.
Before he can take the conversation any further, one of his buddies steps up next to him and whispers something in his ear. Crow listens intently, his stare never leaving me, and then he nods.
“Addison, I’ve got something to take care of,” he says when his friend walks away. “Enjoy the rest of the party.”
With that, he disappears into the sea of people. I glance around and realize that it’s now or never. If I’m going to find any dirt on the Soulless Kings, I need to act.
“Excuse me,” I say as I tap a woman’s shoulder.
“What?” she snaps.
“Where’s the bathroom?”
She points to the other side of the room. “Down that hall, second door on the right.”
“Thanks.”
I make my way toward the hall, paying close attention to if anyone is watching me. When I reach the second door on the right, it’s closed.
“Gimme a fuckin’ minute,” a man snaps when I knock.
A woman’s giggle follows his voice, and I roll my eyes. I guess I should be grateful that they’re behind a closed door.
While I wait, I lean against the wall and cross my arms over my chest. Several bikers walk past me, but none of them say a word or even seem to realize I’m standing there. And I’m okay with that. Makes it easier to do my job.
Five minutes later, the bathroom door bangs open and the man who pinned me against the wall strolls out. Two almost naked women follow him. The smell of booze and marijuana fills the air as they walk by me, and I wrinkle my nose against it.
I duck inside and lock the door behind me. A quick glance in the mirror reveals flushed cheeks, but I don’t stop to analyze why.
A certain biker, perhaps?
After pouring my beer out in the sink, I take the time to search the medicine cabinet and drawers in the vanity. Nothing stands out that I could use to make a case against the club. I didn’t exactly expect to find anything in here, but it never hurts to look.
Frustrated, I return to the party and look for Mona. She’s dancing with a guy I don’t recognize, and she seems to be having fun, so I leave her to it.
I walk to the bar to get another beer. As soon as Kenny hands one to me, I start to mingle with the party guests, making small talk with anyone I can.
How else am I going to find dirt on the club?