Ride Me Into Ruin: Iron Reapers MC

Hands and Flashbacks

LEXIE

The evening crowd came in fast. By seven o’clock the bar was packed with people laughing, talking loud, and clinking glasses. Music played low in the background, mixing with the sound of pool balls cracking and chairs scraping on the wooden floor. I had planned to stay upstairs and read, but Mia looked tired and short-staffed, so I came down to help a little.

I was wiping down a table near the back when Mia hurried over, carrying a tray with drinks and a basket of fries. “Sara, honey, can you take this order to table seven for me?” she asked, looking grateful. “The guy in the blue shirt. My hands are full with the bar.”

I took the tray and gave her a small smile. “Sure. One delivery coming up. Try not to drown in beer while I’m gone.”

Mia laughed. “You’re a lifesaver.”

I balanced the tray carefully and walked through the crowded room. The air felt thick with smoke, cologne, and the smell of fried food. Table seven was near the side wall. A man in a blue button-up shirt sat there alone, looking like he didn’t belong among the bikers and locals. He had slicked-back hair and a watch that probably cost more than my old apartment rent.

“Here you go,” I said, setting the drinks and fries down in front of him. “Enjoy.”

He looked up at me and smiled too wide. “Well, hello. You’re new here, aren’t you?”

“Very new,” I replied, keeping my tone polite but distant. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

I turned to leave, but his hand shot out and grabbed my wrist, his fingers wrapped tight around it.

“Wait a second, sweetheart,” he said, his voice oily. “Why don’t you sit down and keep me company for a minute? A pretty thing like you shouldn’t be working so hard.”

I pulled my arm back firmly. “Let go. Now.”

He didn’t. Instead, his grip tightened and his other hand moved to my waist, sliding down toward my hip. “Come on, don’t be like that. I’m just being friendly.”

My stomach twisted, the room suddenly felt too loud. His touch burned against my skin like fire.

*Drake’s hand. Drake’s voice. The way he used to grab me when he was angry, the way he smiled right before he hit me.*

My breathing started to speed up. Short, shallow breaths that didn’t fill my lungs. My chest felt tight, like someone was squeezing it. The tray shook in my hands.

“I said let go,” I repeated, my voice shaking now. “Get your hands off me.”

The man laughed like I was joking. “Feisty. I like that.”

Black spots danced in front of my eyes. My legs felt weak. I was back in that apartment again, Drake’s face inches from mine, his breath hot and angry, telling me I belonged to him.

I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, couldn’t breathe.

Then a large shadow fell over the table. Chaos appeared beside me like he had stepped out of nowhere, his jaw was clenched tight, his storm-gray eyes dark with anger. He didn’t raise his voice, he didn’t need to.

“Take your f*****g hands off her,” he said, low and deadly calm. “Right now.”

The man froze. He looked up at Chaos, saw the President patch on his cut, and the color drained from his face. He let go of me instantly, raising both hands.

“Hey, man, I was just...”

Chaos stepped closer, towering over him. His body was tense, shoulders squared, fists clenched at his sides. “You don’t touch her. Ever. Get the hell out of my bar.”

The man scrambled up from his chair so fast he nearly knocked it over. He grabbed his jacket and hurried toward the door without another word, disappearing into the night.

Mia rushed over immediately. She put an arm around my shoulders and guided me away from the table toward the back hallway.

“Oh God, Sara, I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice full of worry. “I shouldn’t have asked you to take that order. This is my fault. I saw him drinking too much and I still sent you over there. I’m really sorry.”

I leaned against the wall, trying to slow my breathing. My hands were still shaking. “It’s okay, Mia,” I said softly. “Really. You didn’t know. It’s not your fault.”

She looked at me with guilty eyes. “But I should have. I’ve been doing this long enough to spot trouble. I never should have put you in that position.”

I managed a small, weak smile. “Stop blaming yourself. I’m the one who came down to help, and honestly… I’ve dealt with worse. Much worse. This was nothing.”

Mia hugged me gently. “You sure you’re okay? You look pale.”

“I’ll be fine,” I said, even though my heart was still racing. “Just need a minute to catch my breath.”

Chaos appeared at the end of the hallway. He didn’t come too close, but his eyes were full of concern. He stayed back, giving me space, his big body tense like he was still ready to fight. “You alright?” he asked quietly.

I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah. Thanks for stepping in.”

He gave one short nod, but his jaw stayed tight. “He won’t come back. I’ll make sure of it.”

Mia squeezed my arm one more time. “Take the rest of the night off, okay? I’ve got the bar.”

I didn’t argue. I let her lead me upstairs to my room. Once inside, I sat on the edge of the bed and put my head in my hands.

The flashbacks kept coming, Drake’s face, his hands, the way he used to make me feel small and trapped. I took slow, deep breaths, trying to push the memories away.

A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. “Come in,” I said.

Chaos opened the door but stayed in the doorway, like he always did. He looked at me carefully, his broad shoulders filling the frame.

“You sure you’re okay?” he asked again, voice low.

I gave him a tired but real smile. “I will be. Just… old memories decided to visit at a bad time. Thanks for handling that guy.”

He nodded slowly, his hands flexed at his sides, like he wanted to do more but was holding himself back. “Nobody touches you here, not while I’m around.”

I looked at him for a long moment. He was dangerous and powerful, but right now, he felt safe in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time. “I believe you,” I said softly.

Chaos stayed in the doorway a little longer, making sure I was really alright. Then he gave me one last nod and closed the door gently behind him.

I lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling, letting out a long breath, today had been a lot.