Chapter 2 - Dice
I can feel her eyes burning into my back as I walk away. Maddie Brooks. Fucking hell. James talked about her like she was some kind of force of nature, but he didn't mention she'd look like sin in a leather jacket.
"Everything cool here, gentlemen?" I step between two hang-arounds who clearly don't understand club hierarchy.
"This asshole scratched the felt," one growls, pool cue still gripped like a weapon.
I flash my most disarming grin. "Well, let's add it to his tab along with a round for the table, right?" I turn to the hang-around. "Unless you'd rather discuss it with a member? Blade's in a particularly shitty mood today."
The guy glances over at Blade, who's sharpening his knife at a corner table, and suddenly becomes very agreeable.
Crisis averted, I make my way behind the bar, relieving Knight from his shift. But my eyes keep drifting back to the brunette bombshell now chatting with Kelly, Blade's girlfriend.
"Did I hear that right? That’s the girl your brother mentioned in his letters?" Knight asks, following my gaze.
"Yep. Maddie Brooks in the flesh."
Knight chuckles. "God help Pine Haven. Your brother's getting out, and his partner in crime is already here. Add you to the mix..."
"It'll be fine," I say, not believing it for a second.
"Right." Knight claps my shoulder. "Just remember what Ghost told you—"
"Think before I act. I know." I roll my eyes. It's practically the club motto when it comes to me.
Knight leaves me to my bartending, and I settle into the routine of pouring drinks.
But every few minutes, my eyes find her again.
There's something magnetic about the way she moves, confident and completely at ease in a room full of outlaws.
Most women who walk in here are either trying too hard or scared shitless. Maddie looks like she owns the place.
When she laughs at something Kelly says, throwing her head back, I nearly overpour a shot of Jack. Fuck.
She's James's friend. Practically part of the family. Off-limits.
But I've never been good with limits.
I'm so busy watching her that I don't notice Ghost approaching until he's right in front of me.
"Earth to Dice." He snaps his fingers. "You planning to serve drinks or just stare at that girl all night?"
"I wasn't—"
"Save it." Ghost's stern expression cracks into a knowing smirk. "Just be careful. That one looks like trouble."
"I can handle trouble."
Ghost barks out a laugh. "You are trouble. That's the problem." He leans in closer. "Look, you're doing good as a prospect. Don't fuck it up for a piece of—"
"Don't finish that sentence." My voice comes out sharper than intended. "She's my brother’s best friend."
Ghost studies me for a moment, then nods. "Fair enough. Just keep your head on straight. None of us have met your brother yet, but if she's anything like the stories you've told..."
He walks away, and I return to mixing drinks, aware that my reaction was stronger than it should have been. I barely know Maddie, but something about the way Ghost talked about her rubbed me the wrong way.
Half an hour later, she appears at the bar, sliding onto a stool directly in front of me.
"Jack and Coke," she says. "And don't water it down."
I raise an eyebrow. "Would I do that?"
"James says you'd cheat your own grandmother at cards."
"Only because she cheated first." I pour her drink, making it stronger than standard. "Besides, we never had a grandmother. Or any family except each other."
Something in her eyes softens. "Yeah, James told me about the orphanage."
I hate talking about that shit, so I change the subject. "Speaking of my brother, what's the craziest thing you two ever pulled?"
Her smile turns wicked. "Which category? Theft, fraud, or general mayhem?"
"Dealer's choice."
She takes a sip of her drink, watching me over the rim. "There was the time we 'borrowed' a police cruiser in Miami."
"Bullshit."
"God's honest truth. James was driving, I was working the siren." Her eyes sparkle with the memory. "We gave it back... eventually."
"How are you not in prison?" I laugh, genuinely impressed.
"Because unlike your brother, I don't get caught." She leans forward, and I catch a hint of her perfume. Something spicy and sweet that makes my mouth water. "James is brilliant, but he lacks... finesse."
"And you've got finesse?"
"In spades." She runs a finger around the rim of her glass. "James is a sledgehammer. I'm a scalpel."
I'm about to ask her to elaborate when Reaper, our President, walks in. The club falls into a respectful hush as he makes his way to his usual table. Evelyn, his old lady, follows close behind, nodding hello to the regulars.
"Your President?" Maddie asks quietly.
"Reaper." I straighten up instinctively. "Man's a legend."
"Hmm." She glances at him with interest. "Doesn't look that scary."
I nearly choke. "That's because you've never seen him in action. Trust me, there's a reason they call him Reaper."
"And the woman?"
"Evelyn. His old lady." I lower my voice. "He rescued her from human traffickers about six months ago."
"Good for him."
Before I can ask what's behind that look, I notice Reaper's gaze has settled on Maddie. Fuck. He's already clocked her as a newcomer, and he doesn't look pleased about it.
"Heads up," I murmur. "Reaper's noticed you, and he's got that look."
"What look?" she asks, not bothering to turn around.
"The 'who the fuck is that and why are they in my clubhouse' look."
She smirks. "Should I be worried?"
"Nah. Just... when he comes over, let me do the talking, okay?"
"Because I'm so well-known for keeping my mouth shut?"
Before I can respond, Blade signals for me from across the room. Shit. When a member calls, you don't delay.
"Gotta go. Club business. Don't leave without saying goodbye." I don't know why it matters to me, but it does.
"Wouldn't dream of it," she says, but there's a playfulness in her tone that makes me think she's absolutely capable of disappearing just to mess with me.
I join Blade near the back office. "What's up?"
"Need you to make a run." He hands me a small package. "Take it to Knight at the garage. He's working late."
"Now?"
"Yes, now." His eyes narrow. "Problem?"
I glance back at Maddie, who I now see is being approached by Reaper. Shit. "No. No problem."
"Good. Because your brother's friend will still be here when you get back." Blade's tone is knowing. "Unless you plan on disobeying a direct order?"
"I'm going." I pocket the package. "Just didn't want to be rude."
Blade's laugh follows me as I head for the door. "Since when do you care about being rude?"
Good fucking question.
I stop by Maddie on my way out, very aware of Reaper standing nearby. "Club business. I'll be back in thirty."
She smirks up at me. "I'll try to contain my heartbreak until then."
"You do that." I lean in closer, unable to help myself. "And maybe when I get back, you can tell me about the bank in Seattle James mentioned."
Her eyes widen slightly. "He told you about that?"
"Enough to make me very curious."
"We'll see." She takes another sip of her drink, but I catch the slight smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
I nod respectfully to Reaper as I pass. "Be back soon, Prez."
His eyes flick between me and Maddie. "Make it quick."
Outside, I swing my leg over my bike, a customized Harley Dyna that's seen better days but runs like a dream. The night air is cool against my face as I kick the engine to life.
As I pull away from the clubhouse, my mind keeps circling back to Maddie. There's something about her, beyond the curves and that sassy mouth, that gets under my skin. A kindred spirit, maybe. Someone who understands what it means to make your own rules, your own family.
Knight is waiting at the garage when I arrive, leaning against a partially dismantled Chevy.
"That was quick," he says, taking the package from me.
"Didn't want to keep you waiting." I try to sound casual, but Knight sees right through me.
"Nothing to do with getting back to the clubhouse, I'm sure."
"Fuck off."
He laughs. "Just remember, brother. You hardly know this chick. All you've got are stories from your brother's letters."
"I'm not sniffing around," I protest, even as I check the time on my phone. "Just being friendly."
"Sure." Knight tucks the package into the safe. "And I'm just Princess Diana in disguise."
I flip him off as I head back to my bike. "I'll tell the Queen you said hello."
The ride back to the clubhouse takes exactly twelve minutes, not that I'm counting. When I walk back in, my eyes immediately scan for Maddie.
She's not at the bar. Not with Kelly either. Shit.
I check the pool tables, the dartboard, even peek toward the bathrooms. Nothing.
"Looking for someone?" Ghost's voice startles me.
"James's friend. Maddie. You seen her?"
Ghost points toward the door that leads to the back patio. "Outside with Reaper."
That stops me cold. "With Reaper? Why?"
"Don't know. They were talking, looked serious." Ghost studies my expression. "Problem?"
"No." I try to sound casual. "Just curious."
I head for the patio, wondering what the hell Maddie could be discussing with our President. When I push open the door, I find them sitting at one of the picnic tables, heads bent close in conversation. They both look up when I approach.
"Dice," Reaper nods. "Just having a chat with your brother's friend here."
Maddie's expression gives nothing away, but there's a tension on her shoulders that wasn't there before.
"All good?" I ask, looking between them.
"All good," Reaper confirms, standing. "Just making sure she's not here to cause any problems." He looks at Maddie again. "The Outlaw Order takes care of its own. That includes family of prospects."
As he walks past me, he gives me a warning look I can't quite decipher. Once he's gone, I slide onto the bench across from Maddie.
"Want to tell me what that was about?"
She shrugs, but it's too casual. "Your President was just making sure I'm not some undercover cop or rival club spy."
"And are you?" I ask it jokingly, but part of me is genuinely curious.
She lights a cigarette, the flame briefly illuminating her face. "If I was, would I tell you?"
"Probably not."
"Exactly." She blows smoke rings toward the night sky. "But no, I'm just here for James. Your President seems... protective."
"He is." I study her face in the dim patio lights. "The club's been through some shit. Reaper doesn't take chances with strangers."
"Smart man." She taps ash off her cigarette. "He asked a lot of questions about James too."
"Well, none of them have met him yet. Just heard my stories."
"Oh? And what have you told them?" There's amusement in her voice.
"The truth. That he's my brother. That he's done time. That he's..." I search for the right words.
"A one-man crime wave?" she offers.
I laugh. "Something like that."
"Did you tell them he's the reason you're not in prison too?" Her question catches me off guard.
"What do you mean?"
"James told me. About the night you almost got caught boosting cars. How he took the fall for you."
I feel my jaw tighten. That was three years ago. "That was his choice."
"It was." She nods. "He'd do anything for you, you know."
"I know." The familiar guilt gnaws at me. "Why do you think I visit him every week? Why I worked my contacts to get him transferred closer?"
"He appreciates it, even if he doesn't say it." She stands suddenly, crushing her cigarette under her boot. "But he worries about you."
"He shouldn't." I stand too, oddly defensive. "I've got the club now. I'm not that kid anymore."
"So I see." She steps closer, close enough that I can smell that intoxicating perfume again. "The question is, does the club have you, or is this just another game you're playing until something more exciting comes along?"
Her words hit too close to home, and I feel my jaw tighten. "You don't know me."
"No," she agrees, "but I know your type."
"And what type is that?"
"The type that thinks they're invincible." Her eyes search mine. "The type that confuses luck with skill."
"You got all that from one conversation?" I try to sound dismissive, but her assessment stings with its accuracy.
"I'm a good judge of character." She steps back. "It's how I've stayed alive this long."
Before I can respond, she turns and heads for the door. "It's getting late. I should find my motel."
"Wait." I catch up to her in two strides. "Where are you staying?"
"The Pine Haven Inn. Why?"
"That place is a shithole." I run a hand through my hair, making a split-second decision that Ghost would definitely call reckless. "I've got a spare room. You should stay with me."
She raises an eyebrow. "Moving a little fast, aren't we?"
"Not like that." Though the thought had definitely crossed my mind. "You're James's family. That makes you mine too. I'm not letting you stay in that roach motel."
I can almost see the calculations running behind those sharp eyes.
"Alright," she finally says. "But if you try anything—"
"You'll castrate me in my sleep. I get it."
"I was going to say I'd steal your bike and sell it for parts," she counters with a sweet smile. "But castration works too."
As I lead her back inside to grab my keys, I catch Ghost watching us with a warning expression. I know exactly what he's thinking: I'm making a mistake. Bringing James's wild friend home is exactly the kind of impulsive decision he's always telling me to avoid.
But as Maddie walks beside me, her arm occasionally brushing against mine, I can't bring myself to care. Some gambles are worth taking, even when the odds are stacked against you.
And something tells me Maddie Brooks might be the biggest gamble of my life.