Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
CHASSIS
I should have never come here. I should have stayed at home. That’s what I’ve been doing, and though it’s been lonely, it’s been working out well enough… I don’t even know what possessed me to change my plans.
Tugging the label off my water bottle, I wonder how long I have to sit here before I can slip out of the clubhouse and go home. Home. I can’t believe I’m already thinking of it as my home.
When my father first told me where I was going and who I would be going here with, I thought for sure I would be packing my bags and heading back to Prescott or maybe even Vegas sooner rather than later.
But it’s been months, and I’m still here. Boulder City is starting to feel like home. And Dare’s house feels like home. My home. Pressing my lips together, I gather my things, ready to get the hell out of here, when a woman appears in front of me, stopping me from my move.
“Hey,” she calls out in an almost singsong voice.
Turning my head, I look over to see a clubwhore standing a few feet away from me. I’m not sure why she’s looking at me, why she’s standing so close to me, or why she’s even talking to me.
The clubwhores at my dad’s club don’t even look at me.
I don’t exist to them, and they sure as shit do not attempt to talk to me.
They aren’t my friends, and I’m not theirs.
But this woman clearly has something she thinks she needs to say to me.
Though I can’t imagine what I’d want to hear from her.
“I just wanted to check out my competition.”
“Competition?” When I speak, I blurt the word out, and immediately wish I hadn’t said a damn word.
She hums, her eyes sparkling as she looks at me. Her gaze dances as she watches me. I think about telling her to go fuck herself but decide against it. I’m pregnant, and I’m trying to manifest only good and positive things here, not deal with catty bitches.
“Since I’m going to be the one who ends up with Dare, I just wanted to see what it takes to get there.”
My lips press together, and I roll them a few times as I take in her words. I cannot fathom why she would think this conversation was appropriate. But what an absolute fucking bitch. If I weren’t pregnant, I would grab her by her hair and show her just who the fuck I am.
I’m not a fighter, but—with my dad being who he is, having three brothers, and everything else that goes with that—I’ve had my fair share of tussles.
I can definitely take care of myself if need be.
But then I wonder if I really would, because I don’t think I want to fight some random woman over a man.
If Dare wants that nasty skank, then he doesn’t deserve me. Not that he even wants me, and not that it matters. I don’t know if it matters, if she’s anyone or anything, if he even gives a shit about me, but at the same time, I’m not going to let this little bitch think she has anything over me.
Fuck her.
My next words are simple. They are straight to the point. And they are the fucking truth.
“If he wanted you, he’d have you, babe.”
Her nose wrinkles, but I decide that I’m done with her ass. I stand and turn toward the door, ready to get the hell out of here, just as it opens.
The bright light from outside spills into the room, and I watch as a hulking man walks through.
It’s him.
My breath hitches at the sight of him, just as it always does.
Since the moment I first laid eyes on him.
He’s so beautiful. I know he’s closer to my own father’s age than mine, but it doesn’t take away from his absolute out-of-this-world hotness.
His gaze flicks to mine, and without another word, he moves toward me.
I feel like his prey, and my heart starts to slam against my chest, anticipating his pounce. He won’t pounce, but I really wish he would.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he demands.
My heart slams against my chest for another reason, and then I hear that bitch behind me giggle. I don’t turn around to look at her. I can’t. If I do, I’ll punch her in the face, and then I’ve got a whole new problem on my hands.
I can’t believe he’s pissed off at me for coming here. He’s never raised his voice to me, and he’s never been mad at me that I know of. Then again, I’ve never come down here to his place, never asked him for much, never even bothered him with anything.
“I, umm…” I begin, hesitating to say why I’m really here. Because now I’m thinking that I shouldn’t have come here.
This was a mistake.
A big one.
I open my mouth to tell him that I’m pretty sure I fucked up by even thinking about coming here, let alone actually showing up, when he takes another step toward me.
Someone clears their throat behind him, and I flick my gaze over Dare’s shoulder to see Wrath, one of the only guys I actually know here, smirking as his gaze focuses on mine.
Dare reaches out, curling his fingers around my bicep, and then he turns and walks away, tugging me behind him. His stride is long and quick, which means I have to jog to keep up. He doesn’t stop until we’re inside an office.
He gently throws me into the center of the room, releasing my arm before he slams the door closed behind him, then faces me, his attention locked in on me.
My breath hitches.
My heart squeezes.
And not for the first time this afternoon, I wish I were at home.