Chapter 5
FIVE
CHLOE
I wake up slowly, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the room. For a moment, I don’t recognize where I am, but then it hits me—I’m in his bed. I’m in Dagger’s bed.
Holy shit.
A flood of emotions rushes through me. I’ve been half in love with this man for months, and last night… last night it finally happened. After all the stolen glances, the tension that neither of us ever acknowledged, something shifted, and I couldn’t be happier that it did.
I smile to myself, warmth blooming in my chest. He has no idea how much last night meant to me. It wasn’t just another hookup, not for me. It was the first time I gave my body to a man willingly. The first time I let someone touch me, see me, and it didn’t feel like a loss of control—it felt like freedom.
And pleasure—God, pleasure. For the first time, I felt it, really felt it, and it was because of him.
I roll over, excitement bubbling in me as I reach out, ready to see him, maybe start the day with another round. But my hand lands on cold sheets. His side of the bed is empty.
What the hell?
I sit up, the blanket clutched around me, and listen for any sound—footsteps, the low hum of his voice, something. But all I hear is silence.
Maybe he went to the bathroom? Or downstairs for coffee?
But as the minutes tick by, the excitement in my chest starts to fade, replaced by a sinking feeling. The longer I wait, the more certain I become. He’s not coming back.
My throat tightens, and my stomach churns. What did I expect? A man like Dagger doesn’t settle down, doesn’t do mornings-after, and I knew that. Hell, everyone knows that. But still… after last night, I thought maybe, just maybe, this time would be different.
I bite my lip, the weight of disappointment pressing down on me as I stare at the empty space where he should be. I can still feel his hands on me, his lips, the way he looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.
But now? Now it feels like I’m the only one who thought last night meant something.
I roll out of bed, my body still sore in the best way, and grab my clothes from where they’re scattered across the floor. I don’t have time to sit here and wallow. Dagger may be gone, but I’ve got a life to live, and I refuse to let this ruin my morning.
Stepping into my dress for last night, I take a deep breath and grab my things. Slinging my purse over my shoulder, I glance around the room one last time before stepping out into the quiet clubhouse. The air feels still, like the place is holding its breath.
I close Dagger’s door behind me as quietly as I can, but the sound of heavy footsteps makes me freeze. I turn just as Hawk comes stumbling down the hallway, looking half-awake and a little hungover.
“Oh, shit, sorry,” he mutters, almost bumping into me. Then he stops, his eyes going wide as they flick between me and the door I just walked out of.
He raises an eyebrow, clearly putting the pieces together, and I feel my face flush.
I lift a finger to my lips, shaking my head. “Not a word,” I whisper, giving him a look.
He blinks for a second, then smirks, assessing the situation like only Hawk can. “Got it,” he says with a small nod, his expression almost amused.
I roll my eyes but can’t help smiling a little as I brush past him. I’m not going to let the best night of my life turn into a bad morning. Whatever happens next with Dagger, that’s a problem for another day.
I make my way to the parking lot, the morning air crisp against my skin as I climb into my little beater car. It rattles to life, and I take a moment to breathe before pulling out.
I drive back home, determined to carry last night with me as a good memory—something that’s mine and mine alone. Whatever comes next, I’ll face it. But for now, I focus on the road ahead.
Weeks later, I’m sitting around the bonfire outside the clubhouse with the women who have become my world. Carlie, Mason’s wife, is leaning back in her chair, sipping on a beer. Jenny, Piston’s wife, is sitting cross-legged, laughing at something Sophie just said. Sophie, now Tank’s wife, looks so happy and settled, her eyes glowing with contentment. These women have been my lifeline, and I feel more like myself when I’m with them.
The club is hosting a members-only event tonight. I don’t have a patch, but I’m always included, and that means everything to me. They’ve made me feel like I belong in a way I never expected.
Mason walks by, his usual commanding presence shadowed by something darker. He leans down to kiss Carlie on the top of her head before stalking off toward the clubhouse, his jaw tight and his fists clenched like he’s ready to take on the world.
“Everything okay?” Jenny asks, her gaze following him.
Carlie smiles slightly and shrugs. “Something’s going on with Dagger,” she says, her voice low. “He’s refusing to come home, and Mason’s pissed.”
Jenny frowns, sitting up straighter. “What happened?” she asks. “That’s Mason’s VP, and they’re more like brothers than anything else. He relies on Dagger for so much.”
Carlie shakes her head. “I don’t know the details. Mason won’t say much, but Dagger told him he wants to step down as VP and go nomad for a while. Said he needs to get things sorted out.”
Jenny’s eyes widen. “Step down? Dagger? That doesn’t sound like him at all.”
“I know,” Carlie says with a sigh. “Mason’s losing it over this. He’s not just mad—he’s hurt. He doesn’t understand why Dagger’s walking away.”
I stay quiet, staring into the fire as their words sink in. My stomach twists as a thought creeps into my mind, one I’ve been trying to push away since Dagger disappeared.
Is he gone because of me?
I called him once. Texted him once. When he didn’t respond, I let it go, telling myself it wasn’t worth chasing after someone who clearly didn’t want to talk. But now I wonder. Did I do something wrong? Did I make him leave?
I bite my lip, staring into the flames as the conversation continues around me. I want to ask, to say something, but I don’t. Instead, I stay quiet, hoping I’m not the reason Mason’s best friend—and the man who turned my world upside down—is gone.
I stand up, brushing off my jeans. “Anyone want anything?” I ask, keeping my tone light.
Carlie and Jenny shake their heads, but Sophie hops up immediately. “I’ll come with you,” she says, falling into step beside me as we head toward the clubhouse.
Once we’re far enough away from the others, she nudges me with her elbow. “You okay?” she asks, her eyes scanning my face with concern.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” I reply, a little too quickly.
She stops walking and gives me a pointed look, one that says she’s not buying it. “You know why,” she growls, crossing her arms.
I glare at her, my jaw tightening. “We are not having this conversation here. But yes, I’m fine.”
“You are so far from fine,” she says, rolling her eyes. Her tone softens as she continues. “But I love you, and I respect you. We’ll talk about this later.”
I sigh, knowing she’s right, but also knowing I’m not ready for whatever lecture—or truth—she’s planning to drop on me. “Later,” I agree, trying to focus on the path ahead instead of the growing ache in my chest.
She hooks her arm through mine, giving it a squeeze. “Good. Now let’s go grab those beers before anyone else notices we’re gone too long.”
Her lighthearted tone makes me smile despite myself, but deep down, I know this conversation isn’t over. Sophie knows me too well, and sooner or later, I’ll have to face whatever it is I’ve been trying to ignore.
The next morning, I wake up with a knot in my stomach. I know what I have to do—tell Sophie what happened between Dagger and me at her wedding. She’s going to be pissed I waited this long to say anything, but there’s no good way to bring something like this up.
I pull on a hoodie and some leggings, then head across the backyard to her sliding glass door. It’s after eight, so I know she’s awake by now, probably working on her school stuff. She’s been busting her ass to become a doctor, and honestly, I can’t wait to see her make it.
I tap on the glass, and sure enough, she looks up from where she’s sitting at the kitchen island, her face lighting up. She waves me in, smiling.
“Hey, you got some coffee?” I grumble, still half-asleep as I walk over to hug her.
“For you? Always,” she says with a grin.
“Awesome.” I shuffle to the fridge, grab my favorite creamer, and pour myself a cup of coffee. Sitting down beside her, I take a long sip, letting the caffeine work its magic.
I stare straight ahead, avoiding her curious gaze. My heart’s pounding, but I know there’s no point beating around the bush. “Dagger and I had sex at your wedding,” I say flatly.
“What?” she gasps, her eyes going wide.
I nod, still not looking at her. “Yeah.”
“And you’re just telling me about this now... because?” she asks, her tone incredulous.
I shrug, not really sure how to explain myself. “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t know how to bring it up.” My brows knit together, and I see the shift in her expression as she pieces things together. “Do you think he left because of me? Like, am I the reason he’s not coming home?”
She shakes her head immediately, but then tilts it to the side and makes a face. “Shit, Chlo. He did leave right after the wedding. What happened between you two? Did you fight or something?”
I smirk despite myself. “There was definitely no fighting.”
She smacks my arm with the back of her hand. “Then what? Spill!”
I let out a long breath, trying to put it into words. “I don’t know. It was... amazing. The best night of my life. I thought things were going to be different, you know? I woke up ready to go at it again, rolled over, and he was gone. No note, nothing. I figured maybe he went to the bathroom or got called away for club business or something. But then... nothing. I haven’t seen or heard from him since.”
Sophie stares at me for a long moment, her lips pressing into a thin line. “So, let me get this straight,” she says slowly. “You and Dagger had the best night of your life at my wedding, and then he just... vanished? Like, poof, gone?”
“Exactly,” I say, staring into my coffee.
She leans back in her chair, shaking her head. “Goddamn it, Dagger,” she mutters under her breath, and I can’t help but wonder what she’s thinking—and what the hell Dagger is running from.
"I don't know Dagger super well," Sophie says, her voice thoughtful, "but I can’t imagine he stays gone forever."
“True,” I nod, stirring my coffee absently.
She leans forward, resting her chin in her hand. “Whenever he comes back, you can talk to him. But in the meantime, live your life, Chlo. You’re young, and you’ve got your whole damn life ahead of you.” She pauses, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Have you thought anymore about going to school? You got your GED now.”
I shift uncomfortably, looking away. The idea of college feels... distant, like it belongs to someone else’s life. “Before they took me, that was my dream,” I admit quietly. “I was going to go off to college, get some fancy degree, and have a good job so I could take care of myself better than my mom ever did.”
Sophie stays quiet, letting me get the words out.
“Now? I have no idea what I want,” I continue, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s like... everything I thought I wanted doesn’t make sense anymore.”
She reaches over placing a hand over mine. “Honey, it’s okay. If you’re happy waitressing and bartending, keep doing that. There’s no rule that says you have to have everything figured out right now. You’ll figure it out when the time’s right.”
I smile at her, feeling the familiar warmth of her presence. She’s more than my best friend—she’s my family, the big sister I never had but always needed. “I love you, Soph.”
She squeezes my hand, her smile just as warm. “I love you too, Chlo.”
Maybe she’s right. Maybe it’s okay not to have all the answers just yet.