Wild ridge

Chapter 3

~death~

I couldn’t f*****g believe what I was seeing and hearing.

The pretty redhead was the prez’s sister.

I watched as she continued staring at me until I finally forced myself to look away.

I heard the prez talking to her.

“Okay, Vick. I’ll see you later. The guys will make sure you’re straight.”

He then turned back toward us.

“Okay, you bunch of dipshits, I don’t want to see any of you messing around with my sister. If I see it happen, consider your life forfeited.”

At his words, all I could say was, “f**k,” as I stared at her.

With that, the prez left and headed back toward his office. The rest of the guys began to disperse.

I quickly got up, ready to head out, but before I could make it to the door, I felt a pair of eyes on me.

Glancing behind me, I noticed her watching as I walked toward the exit.

Just as I reached for the door handle, I felt a pair of slim hands grab my wrist.

“Um, excuse me, Death, was it?”

I turned around, facing her again.

Her eyes searched mine, filled with a mix of curiosity and determination.

“Yeah, that’s me,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

She bit her lip for a moment before speaking again.

“I… I know this might sound weird, but can you tell me more about the club?”

I glanced around, noticing some of the guys watching us with interest.

“Look, you’ll figure it out,” I said curtly. “Just stick close to your brother and stay out of trouble.”

She looked taken aback by my dismissive tone but quickly recovered.

“I understand, but I thought—”

“Listen,” I cut her off, my voice firm. “I’ve got things to do. You want a tour, ask someone else.”

I turned to leave, feeling the weight of her eyes on my back.

The rest of the guys were watching, knowing exactly what I was capable of and why I kept my distance. I wasn’t about to get involved in something that could complicate things, especially not with the prez’s sister.

Just as I was about to open the door, I heard her voice again, softer this time.

“Thanks anyway, Death.”

I nodded without turning around and walked out, leaving her standing there.

I hopped onto my old girl, Devil Raiser. She might be an old Triumph, but she could still raise hell.

As I listened to her engine purr, I took off, the roar of the bike becoming a temporary escape from my thoughts.

But my mind was a f*****g mess.

I couldn’t stop thinking about the prez’s sister. And I knew it would be my death if Nick found out I was thinking about her in the first place.

“f**k, f**k,” I cursed out loud. “What the hell am I going to do?”

She was staying around the club, which meant I’d be seeing her more often.

Her presence was already stirring up feelings I didn’t want to deal with.

It wasn’t just the danger of getting involved with the prez’s sister.

It was me.

I was too damaged for someone like her.

Even if, by some miracle, something happened between us, it wouldn’t work. I had too much blood on my hands. Too many demons I carried around.

She was fresh. A breath of something good in a place filled with darkness.

I couldn’t drag her down with me.

As I sped down the road, the wind whipping against me, I tried to push the thoughts away. But they clung to me, refusing to disappear.

I needed to focus. I needed to keep my distance.

For her sake and mine.

But deep down, I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

She was already under my skin, and that scared the hell out of me.

I pulled up to my favorite diner, a little ways from Westbrook but close enough for whenever the club needed me.

Devil Raiser’s engine quieted as I parked, the familiar neon sign flickering in the evening light.

This place had always been my sanctuary. A spot where I could clear my head.

As I walked inside, the familiar smell of greasy food and coffee greeted me. I took my usual booth, nodding to the waitress who already knew my order by heart.

I needed this time to think.

Being away from the clubhouse, away from her, gave me a moment to breathe.

But even here, my thoughts were a tangled mess.

I knew what I needed to do.

Keep my distance. Stay focused on the job.

But the image of her red hair and those piercing eyes kept invading my mind.

She was a dangerous distraction, one I couldn’t afford.

If Nick ever found out, it wouldn’t just be my ass on the line. It could jeopardize everything.

As the waitress set a cup of coffee in front of me, I sighed, wrapping my hands around the warm mug.

“Get a grip, Death,” I muttered to myself.

I had to find a way to shut these feelings down.

No matter how much she intrigued me, I couldn’t let my guard down.

Not now.

Not ever.