The Biker's Lucky Charm (Royal Bastards MC: Charleston, WV 5)

I keep quiet tucked into my husband’s side as Vince stomps off.

“Let’s go watch Viking decimate this guy.” Link takes my hand in his tugging me toward the pit and my girls. Link stands on the outside to my left. Jules, Alexa, then Wylla Mae, and Andi are in a row to my right.

I lean against my man and ignor

e the heat of Vince staring at me. Is he trying to set Link off? I snuggle closer to my husband. The volume of the music blasting lowers and Hound steps into the center of the pit. Everyone stops talking, giving him their attention and respect.

“The rules are simple. Place your bets with Banks. No weapons. Bare knuckles only. Want to step in the pit and prove yourself, see the Sandman. No one enters this circle but me and the fighters. The match ends when there is only one man left standing.”

The first fight of the night is between Prodigy and a member of Birds of Hell. A guy called Blue. They start out dancing around each other earning them a few boos.

“Do something ya pussies,” a deep voice yells.

Blue lands a few weak taps. He’s definitely not fit for this but it’s entertaining watching him try.

Prodigy seems to be taunting the poor guy.

Halfway through the match Nav taps Link on his shoulder and whispers something in his ear. An irritated rumble sounds from the back of his throat. “Be back in a second.” He dips his head to kiss my forehead. “Don’t wander off too far.” He grins but it doesn’t reach his eyes leaving me to wonder what the prospect wants with him.

I watch Link storm toward the clubhouse and watch for anyone to follow him. Like Vince. I scan where I last saw him, and he’s still rooted in the same spot but at least he seems focused on the fight and not me. I look back to the clubhouse and see Danika slipping through the back door.

That cunt. “I’m gonna get a beer. Be right back,” I tell my sister, numbly.

“You okay? You look a little pale.”

“Just need a drink,” I lie.

I slink through the crowd quietly, going toward the Devil’s Playground in search of my husband and that whore. I crack the back door open and glance down the hall. I start to throw the door open and march toward them, but I stop to observe. Their conversation is low enough I can’t hear what’s being said. Her hand goes to his waist and his hand wraps around her throat like it has mine a million times. I choke on my tears and touch my neck. Fuck him.

I don’t make a scene. I close the door, careful not to disturb the lovebirds.

Regret runs through my veins.

I trusted him.

He won’t make a fool of me again.

I dig my keys out of my pocket and dash around the side of the building to the front where I parked. I get in the driver’s seat and grip the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turn white. “God. Fuck,” I scream and slap the wheel with my palms.

Tears wet my cheeks, plopping onto the thighs of my blue jeans. How dare he. After everything we talked about. After the way he made love to me and swore there would only ever be me. I can’t do this. A sob shudders in my chest.

The passenger door opens, and I jump nearly banging my head on the roof of the SUV. “Jesus. You scared me,” I tell Vince. “What do you want?” I swipe under my eyes to wipe away my tears, but it’s no use, I know he sees me clearly under the glow of the interior lights.

“To talk.”

“Get in.”

He slides into the passenger seat, and I don’t say anything more. I put my seatbelt on and start the ignition. The front gate opens. I don’t even pay attention to who is working it. All I know is I need far away from here.

“What happened back there?” he finally asks when we get on the main road.

“I don’t want to talk about it right now. You said you wanted to talk so talk.” I suck in a breath and hiccup on a final sob.

Vince reaches out and brushes away the last tear rolling down the right side of my face. “Pretty even when she cries,” he whispers.

“What do you want, Vince?”

“You. I never should’ve let you go. Biggest regret of my life.”