“You have been cranking them out like a machine,” Joey said.
“I just wanted to establish myself and build a fan base. In the process I kind of sacrificed my life,” Ariel said.
“What matters now is you’re on the road to getting it back,” Juliette said.
Ariel smiled. “You’re right.”
“I feel like we should toast. Let’s go grab a drink,” Juliette said.
“Funny, wine has turned into beer,” Ariel said.
“Quiet, Red,” Evonne said, tossing a wink toward Ariel.
They walked over to the bar and settled in for a few drinks and some conversation, huddled together at the end to be heard above the music.
“So I hear you’re the one I need to talk to.” The deep voice was unfamiliar and slightly slurred. Ariel glanced up and froze. Rayen stood a few inches away, a mini, watered-down version of his big brother, Hawk.
“Excuse me?” Ariel said.
“He couldn’t wait to leave and crawl between those legs. Not that I can blame him, they are sexy as hell.”
She wanted to cuss him out and make him feel two inches tall. Opening her mouth she clamped it shut. Do I have the right?
“I think you’ve had too much to drink and you need to go chat up one of the biker bunnies,” Joey said narrowing her eyes.
“Did I ask you?” Rayen said.
“No, I told you,” Joey said.
“Joey, you should calm down,” Juliette said.
“Yeah, Joey. You should calm down. Bitches don’t get into brothers’ business,” Rayen said.
“I think you need to watch who you’re talking to like that. I’m more than just some Mayhem bitch,” Joey growled.
“I think this is getting out of control,” Ariel said. “Whatever you think is going on, you’re wrong. You want to talk to Hawk, then do it. I’m no gateway.”
“That’s not what it looked like when he scooped you up and carried you off from the big bad wolf.” He leaned closer. Whiskey scented his hot breath, and she turned away from him. “One thing I know about a house mouse is she’s Mayhem property. That means you’ll be spending the night in my bed. It’s been a long time since I had a nice piece of trim. You ready to be ridden hard?”
“No,” Ariel said.
“Shut up, bitch.” He wrapped his massive hand around her wrist. “Get on your feet.” He tugged her off her stool. “Your man wants to hide like a bitch that’s fine. I have plenty of other ways to send my message. He always thought he was better than me.” Rayen paused and for a moment Ariel saw a universe of hurt that ran so deep it stole the breath from her lungs. “Let’s see him ignore me now.” He moved away from the bar and the scrape of wood on concrete filled her ears as her girls scrambled to their feet.
* * * * *
“Just go and talk to him. It’s time you two buried this hatchet,” Feather said. Hawk scowled at his mother.
“Mom, I’m not the one with the problem.”
“Aren’t you? We did wrong, pushing you two together so much. We saw that too late to change the habits. But this is a chance for a new start. You want to throw that away?” Feather said.
“No, I want to approach with caution. Look, Mom, you’ve been in touch with him. For me, he’s a stranger. One I have a lot of bad history with. Just let it lie for a minute. Give me a chance to observe him. Regardless, he’s Mayhem. I’ll give him the same respect and rights everyone else has.” Hawk shrugged. “It’s the best I can do.”
“Always so fucking stubborn. Just like your old man.”
“I think I got some of that from you to, Ma.”
“Go on with you. I’m due a drink, something potent.” His mother waved him off and turned to make a beeline for his dad. Hawk shook his head. All this time and they were just as rowdy and deep in crazy love. The kind that led his mom to whoop a biker bunny’s ass when necessary. He laughed as his mind recalled the numerous occasions some new girl had slunk in and tried to replace her.