The night air was sharp and cool, the kind of cold that bit into Riley’s cheeks as she walked out of the Vipers’ garage. The rumble of bikes was fading behind her, but the noise in her head was louder than ever. She had heard her father’s threats, Caleb’s warnings, and Sam’s worried questions. All of them told her the same thing and ended it with Ethan before it was too late.
But her heart wouldn’t listen.
When she reached the edge of town, Ethan was waiting. He leaned against his truck parked by the dim glow of the streetlamp, his hands buried in his jacket pockets. His shoulders looked heavy, like he carried the weight of everyone’s expectations, but his eyes lit up when they found hers.
“You came,” he said quietly.
“I had to,” Riley answered, her voice trembling just enough to betra
