Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
NOVA
My stomach rolls with anxiety as Spider leads me down a hall inside the club. He stops in front of a room, and as he opens the door, he lets it swing open. Holding out his hand, he gestures for me to enter. I smile and walk in.
“Bed, draws, bathroom,” he says, pointing them out before he turns to walk away.
“Er, Spider,” I call after him. He turns around to face me, and his green eyes feel like they pierce my soul. “Um, are you close with my brother?” I ask.
He glares at me as he crosses his arms. I shift uncomfortably. “Yeah,” he answers sharply.
I open my mouth to ask him some more questions, but he turns and walks off, leaving me stood there alone in the room.
I perch on the bed, wondering what I should do now. I can’t just walk out there. There’s a wedding going on and that would be rude, and a little weird that Nash’s sister that no one knows just randomly joins in the celebrations. I sigh and flop back on the bed. Maybe it was a mistake to come here. I should go, especially because he isn’t even here. I stand and grab my suitcase, pausing at the door. If I leave, where will I go? I don’t exactly have much money on me. I may last a week, if that. I rub my face and turn back around, running my fingers through my hair.
“You coming or what?” a voice says from behind me.
I spin around and see the woman from earlier. I smile. “Hi, um?” I pause.
“Star,” she answers. “You coming to get some food and drink?” she offers.
I shake my head. “I don’t think the bride and groom would want me crashing their big day.”
Star walks in the room, hooks her arm around mine, and practically drags me out of the room. “Don’t talk shit. We are a family, and you are Acid’s sister, and therefore that makes you a part of this family,” she states.
“Okay, but only if you think it won’t be a problem,” I relent. The thought of proper food has my mouth salivating. I’ve been living off vending machine snacks and crappy coffee for the past 2 days.
As we walk outside and to the wedding party, I notice a few of the men looking over. I tuck my hair back behind my ear, feeling uncomfortable.
“Pay them no attention. You’re hot and new,” Star states. I give her a look, and she just rolls her eyes. “Please, you’ve got this boho-chic thing going on. You have blonde wavy hair, you’re curvy, and you have a beautiful face,” she compliments.
I’m not sure how to respond to that. Apart from my ex saying I had great tits, I’ve never really had compliments. I know I’m not ugly, but I’m just average. I don’t really wear make-up or do anything special with my hair. I look up and see Spider stood with a beer in his hand, glaring at me.
“I don’t think everyone is okay with me being here,” I state.
Star follows my gaze. “Ignore him. He and your brother are close. He’s probably wondering why he doesn’t know anything about you. I’m sure he will chew Acid out about it when he speaks to him next,” she assures me.
We stop at a table, where she hands me a beer and another woman places down a plate full of food. “Uh, thank you,” I say, surprised.
“Oh, are you a vegetarian? You look like a vegetarian,” the woman says, ready to take the plate of food away.
“Queenie, let the girl answer before you rip the food from her hands,” another woman says.
“I’m not,” I answer.
Queenie smiles and nods. I tuck in, forgetting for a moment that I’m in company. I pause, wiping my face with a napkin. “Sorry,” I mutter, embarrassed.
Star frowns. “Are you homeless?” she presses.
I shake my head. “No, not exactly. It just took me a couple of days to travel here, and this is the first proper meal I’ve had,” I explain.
“What do you mean by not exactly?” Star presses.
“Star, leave her be. Let her eat,” a woman says, a smile on her lips. “I’m Maggie, by the way,” she introduces herself.
“Nova,” I greet back.
“Okay, let’s introduce you. So, you’ve met Maggie and Queenie. Over there is Josie and Dixie.” Star points to a blonde woman holding a baby and a petite dark haired woman. “And the bride, that is Belle. She and Beast, who I believe you’ve already met, it’s their wedding day,” Star explains.
“Belle and Beast?” I ask, thinking that they are playing a joke on me.
“Yep, it’s ironic. I will introduce you to the rest of the brothers later on, but you’ll probably need more alcohol to handle that,” she states.
I nod, a little bewildered. That was a lot of names to remember, and I haven’t even met half of the club yet. All of which look as scary and intimidating as the next.
I keep myself to myself, not wanting to overstep on their celebrations. Also, I’m finding it hard to remember everyone’s name.
“You know what? You don’t look much like Acid,” a deep voice states from behind me. I turn around and look up to see one of the brothers standing there with two beers in his hands. He holds one out to me and I take it as he takes a seat next to me.
“Uh, thanks, um?” I pause, waiting to hear his name.
“Scar,” he introduces, holding out his hand. I smile and place my hand in his, expecting him to shake it, but instead he lifts it to his mouth and places a kiss on the back of my hand. He smiles, and it’s then that I notice a scar on his face. He keeps hold of my hand, stroking his thumb across it as he turns his head to the side. “It adds character.” He winks.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. It just took me by surprise. It’s not that it’s shocking or takes anything away from your good looks. I mean, not that I think you’re good looking,” I ramble. “Oh shit, I mean not that I think you’re ugly either.” I sigh as I cover my hands with my face.
He laughs before he reaches over and pries my hands away from my face. “Baby girl, it’s all good. Clearly you think I’m something to be getting yourself all flustered.” He winks.
I laugh and shake my head. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re a good looking guy, and you are right. The scar just adds character.”
He places his hands on his chest. “Damn woman, don’t play with my heart,” he mocks.
I elbow him, laughing.
“So Nova, tell me. What brings you here?” he asks.
My smile fades slightly. I look down at the beer bottle in my hands and begin to pick at the label. “Just here to reconnect with my brother,” I admit with a shrug.
“Yeah, I call bullshit, darlin’,” he counters.
I look at him. “It’s personal,” I add.
He nods. “None of my business.” He pauses to take a pull of his beer. “So, how come you ended up so fucking beautiful and Acid looks like a piece of shit?”
I raise my brow at him. “That’s your line?” I ask.
He shrugs. “No line. Just calling it like I see it. I’ve known your brother a long time now, and not once did his smile brighten my day or his tits or ass make me hard.”
I scrunch up my face. “Oh god, really?” I laugh as I shove him.
He shrugs. “Hey, I was always told honesty was the best policy. You can’t hate me for telling the truth.” He winks.
I laugh and shake my head. “If that was anyone else, I would have poured this beer over their head by now.”
“It’s the biker charm, baby. Ain’t nothing like it.” He shrugs.
I shake my head, a smile on my face as I look around. As my gaze lands on Spider, I see that his eyes are pinned on me. I shift uncomfortably. “I don’t think all of you have the biker charm,” I state.
Scar follows my line of sight. “Don’t worry about Spider. He’s a pussy underneath the hard shell. He can just be a cranky asshole.”
I give him a tight smile. “I think I’m just going to turn in for the night,” I say. Standing, I place my beer down on the table.
“Let me walk you back,” Scar says as he stands.
“I think I’m safe.” I sigh.
He places his arm over my shoulders. “Can’t be too careful, darlin’. There are outlaw bikers about,” he teases.
We walk back to my room and as I step inside, Scar leans against the doorway with his hands stuffed in his pockets. “Thanks for walking me back safely,” I say sarcastically.
He shrugs. “Sure thing, sweetheart. You need anything—food, drink, sexual favours—you just holler.” He winks.
I laugh and shake my head. “I will,” I assure him.
He nods and gives me a little salute before walking away. As I close the door, a sigh escapes me. I’m feeling a little better about being here now.