Chapter 28
Avery
The clubhouse felt different without Noah in it.
Not empty, the place was always buzzing with noise, laughter, music, and the constant shuffle of boots on concrete, but different. Like the air had shifted. Like something important was missing.
Avery sat on the edge of Noah’s bed, knees pulled to her chest, staring at the door he’d walked through an hour ago.
He’d kissed her like he was afraid he wouldn’t get another chance. He’d told her to stay put. He’d promised he’d come back.
She believed him.
But believing didn’t stop the fear.
A soft knock sounded on the door.
Avery tensed. “Who is it?”
“It’s just me,” a woman’s voice called, light, warm and familiar. “You decent?” Avery hesitated, then opened the door.
A petite blonde with a warm smile, sparkling blue eyes, and a Saints cropped tank top leaned against the frame. She looked early-twenties, confident, and comfortable in the clubhouse like she’d grown up in it.
“I’m Lacey,” she said.
Avery blinked. “Oh. Hi.”
Lacey smiled. “Come on. You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
Avery followed her down the hall into the main room, and froze.
There were women everywhere.
Some sitting on laps. Some perched on barstools. Some laughing loudly with each other. Some giving Avery curious looks.
Lacey leaned in with a bubbly whisper, “Don’t worry. They’re harmless.”
Avery swallowed. “Who… are they?”
Lacey shrugged. “Sweetbutts. Club girls. We hang around, have fun, keep the guys company. Help them relieve some stress. You know.”
Avery’s stomach twisted. “Oh.”
Lacey smirked. “Relax. They’re not after your man.”
Avery’s cheeks burned. “He’s not… I mean… we’re not…”
Lacey raised a brow. “Sugar. You walked out of Rook’s room wearing his blanket. You might as well have worn a neon sign.”
Avery groaned. “Oh God.”
Lacey laughed. “It’s cute. And trust me, the sweetbutts know better than to go near a man who’s claimed.”
Avery’s heart skipped. “Claimed?”
Lacey gave her a knowing look. “Rook’s been off the market since the second he brought you into this place the other night.”
Before she could respond, two women approached — one brunette, one redhead — both wearing Saints shirts and denim shorts.
The brunette smiled. “You’re Avery, right?”
Avery nodded. “Yeah.”
“I’m Katie,” she said. “This is Tessa.”
Tessa waved. “We brought snacks. Waiting sucks.”
Avery blinked as they handed her a plate of cookies and chips. “Thank you.”
Katie sat beside her on the couch. “So… you and Rook?”
Avery opened her mouth, but Lacey cut in.
“They’re together,” she said firmly.
Avery’s eyes widened. “Lacey…”
Lacey winked. “Trust me. It’s better if they know.”
Tessa nodded. “Yeah, girl. If you don’t say it, they’ll assume he’s fair game.”
Avery stiffened. “He’s not.”
The women exchanged satisfied looks.
Katie grinned. “There it is.”
Avery flushed. “I didn’t mean…”
“You meant it,” Lacey said gently. “And that’s okay.”
Avery looked down at her hands. “I just… I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”
Lacey snorted. “Honey, the only toes you’re stepping on are the ones who thought they had a chance with Rook.”
Avery blinked. “Did they?”
Katie laughed. “Oh, yes. Every woman in this room has looked at him at least once.”
Avery’s stomach twisted.
Lacey leaned in. “But he’s never looked back. Not once.”
Avery’s breath caught.
Lacey continued, voice softening. “He’s been waiting for you. We all knew it. Even if he didn’t.”
Avery swallowed hard. “I’m scared.”
Tessa nodded. “Of the Reapers?”
Avery shook her head. “Of losing him.”
The women went quiet.
Then Katie squeezed her hand. “You’re not losing him. That man would walk through fire for you.”
Lacey added, “And if the Reapers try anything? They’ll have to go through all of us.”
Avery blinked. “You’d help?”
Lacey smiled. “You’re with Rook. That makes you family.”
Avery’s chest tightened.
Family.
She hadn’t felt like she belonged anywhere in a long time.
Before she could respond, the front door opened, and every woman in the room turned.
Stone walked in first, expression unreadable.
Then Grim. Then Havoc. Then Ledger. Then Fish.
But not Rook.
Avery’s heart stopped.
Lacey grabbed her hand. “Wait.”
Stone scanned the room, then nodded toward the hallway.
Avery turned.
Rook stood there.
Alive. Whole. Eyes locked on her like she was the only thing in the room.
Avery didn’t think. She didn’t breathe. She just ran.
Rook caught her mid-stride, arms wrapping around her, lifting her off the ground. She buried her face in his neck, inhaling the scent of leather, smoke, and him.
“You’re okay,” she whispered, voice shaking.
He held her tighter. “I told you I’d come back.”
She pulled back just enough to look at him. “Don’t scare me like that.”
His thumb brushed her cheek. “I won’t.”
Behind them, the sweetbutts exchanged looks: impressed, amused, satisfied.
Tessa smirked. “Well. That settles that.”
Avery didn’t care.
She kissed Rook, soft, desperate, relieved, and he kissed her back like he’d been waiting all night.
When they finally broke apart, Noah rested his forehead against hers.
“You’re mine,” he whispered.
Avery smiled. “And you’re off the market.”
Rook blinked, then grinned, slow and dangerous. “Good.”