Ace (Reckless Souls MC 2)
“I’m not trying to get back in,” she assures him. “But I really need to use the restroom before I drive home.”
The dressed-up bouncer stares at her with amusement until his gaze lands on me, and I hand him a fifty. He nods her in. “You got ten minutes.”
“Thanks,” she growls and marches inside, unaware that I’m right behind her. She slips inside the bathroom, and I wait outside.
At first.
Chapter Fifteen
McKenna
I can’t believe Mark bought the bathroom lie. I smile at my reflection in the mirror, grateful that like most men, he’s totally squeamish when it comes to women doing women things. Amateur.
I shake my head and wash my hands before reapplying my makeup because no matter if Mark is still outside in the parking lot, I know he hasn’t left me behind. I apply a light coat of gloss, touching up my lips, and adding some shimmering powder to my face, neck, and throat.
Okay, a small part of me is doing this because, holy fuck nuts, does Mark look scrumptious in those jeans hanging low on his hips, that t-shirt that shows off giant biceps that gives me a glimpse of a tattoo that’s new to me.
His dark hair is damp and almost black, and the moment he growled at me, I got turned the fuck on. Really turned on. Entirely too turned on, considering I know he’s going to lecture me about clubbing when there’s a murderer on the loose.
Oh well, I’ll deal with it. Then I’m going to fuck him. Hard and dirty.
The bathroom door smacks open, and I gasp, wishing I’d asked Mark to come along and be my bodyguard. I risk a look, and my shoulders instantly relax, despite the dark scowl on Mark’s face.
“What are you doing in the ladies’ bathroom?”
His lips twist into a mischievous grin. “I didn’t hear you pee, so it confirms something I suspected.”
I lift my chin in the air and fold my arms. “Yeah, and what’s that?”
“That you’re a liar. You didn’t need to pee, did you?”
“No,” I admit, still defiant because who in the hell does this guy think he is? “Not that my bathroom habits are any of your business.”
He nods and scans the small bathroom, checking under all five stalls to make sure we’re alone. “Not your bathroom habits specifically, sure.”
Mark leans against the wall facing the mirror, one leg crossed at the ankle, arms bulging over his broad chest. “But what if I’d taken you at your word and stayed outside, and instead of me bursting inside, it was one of the Iron Kings?”
My heart plummets at his words. “Is that one of your rival biker gangs?”
My tone is derisive, but I can’t help it. I’m feeling defensive.
He nods and pushes off the wall. In three short strides we are face to face, so close I can see threads of gold and caramel in his brown eyes.
“Worse than that, sweetheart. These guys are your worst fucking nightmare. Everything you think my club is, that’s what these guys are on a good day.”
I gasp. “You’re lying. You’re trying to scare me, and it’s not going to work.”
“Yeah, I am trying to scare you because I’m hoping that a healthy dose of fear will stop you from doing stupid shit like going out clubbing, drinking too much and putting you and your friends in danger.”
I grind my teeth together and let out a low growl full of frustration and hopelessness. “Don’t call me stupid.”
“I didn’t. I said you were doing stupid shit. There’s a difference, something I figured a college girl like you would know.”
His lips form a smirk that’s as handsome as it is condescending.
“I need to be able to live my life. I’m scared, yeah, but I’m also conscious of the dangers. Did you notice that I parked under a light? Armed the car alarm? I even have pepper spray on my keyring. That’s all I can do to stay safe.”
“You could have called me. Or your sister. Or you could have gone out with your friends to someplace Hector’s men wouldn’t find you.”
“Who is Hector?”
“You don’t even know? He’s the guy responsible for Grace’s murder.”
I suck in a breath. “He killed her?”
“No. But he ordered it.”
I blink and let his words sink in. This guy, this biker? He’s the one responsible for Grace’s death. “So, Nico had nothing to do with it?”
His brows dip as his face slowly fades to a scowl. “Who the fuck is Nico?”
I blink. “That’s the name of Grace’s boyfriend,” I admit sheepishly.
“You have a name, and you never said a word? What the hell, McKenna?”
I shrug off his tone as my own anger surges. “I went to Angel Harbor Choppers earlier today to tell you what I found, and what did you do? You humiliated me in front of your friend and treated me like shit. So pardon me if I forgot to tell you before you patted my ass and kicked me out!”