Ruthless Vows: property of the viper king

It smelled like smoke, sin, and danger. Ivy Pierce had no business being here not in a bar that reeked of motor oil, testosterone, and trouble. Not in a place where one wrong glance could get her dragged out back and turned into a cautionary tale. But here she was. Nineteen, broke, shaking, and desperate. The Viper Kings MC bar had no mark, it had no signs, no neon lights, like a usually bar Just a warehouse-like building on the edge of a forgotten highway, tucked between woods that looked like they hadn’t seen sunlight in years. She would have missed it entirely if not for the rows of Harleys lined out front and the rumble of bass vibrating the ground beneath her boots. Ivy stepped inside, her heart pounding in her chest like a warning bell. The heat hit first, sticky, with smoky air that clung to her skin. Then the music, loud and dirty, Rock. The kind of song that made women grind on men and men forget their morals. Her boots clicked against the concrete floor as she walked past tables littered with empty bottles and ashtrays, past a pool table where two men glared at each other with knives already drawn. No one noticed her at first. Good. She needed that. Her eyes scanned the bar like she was a soldier on recon. Somewhere in this hellhole, her sister was being kept. Maybe not inside, maybe in one of the cabins out back or one of those blacked-out rooms upstairs. But Ivy had followed the trail here, and she wasn’t leaving without answers. Or her. That’s when she saw him. He stood at the far end of the bar, back to her. Tall. Broad. Leather coat stretching over his wide shoulders like it was sewn to his flesh. With Black ink crawled down his arms, peeking beneath the sleeves. A silver skull ring glinted on his hand as he lifted a cigarette to his lips. He exhaled slowly, turning his head just enough that the overhead lights caught his face. Ivy’s breath hitched. He was beautiful, in the most terrifying way. Rugged jawline. Scar above one brow. Eyes like storms. He looked carved from war and fire, with a mouth made to ruin women and a gaze that could command armies. “Jax,” someone said behind her. “Prez wants a word.” He didn’t answer. Just nodded once, barely moving, then crushed the cigarette under his boot before turning and locking eyes with her. Fuck. His gaze landed on her like a slap, it was slow, Heavy and undressing. Ivy froze. He took one step. Then another. Then the space between them disappeared and suddenly, he was in front of her, towering over her with the scent of smoke, leather, and power rolling off his body like a wave. “Lost, little girl?” His voice was low, rough, like gravel dragged across bare skin. She swallowed. Her voice came out more defiant than she felt. “I’m looking for someone.” His brows lifted. “Most girls who come in here are looking to get f****d. Not play detective.” “I’m not like most girls.” “No,” he said, his voice dipping. “You’re not.” His eyes trailed down her body, not with lust, but with calculation. She wore ripped jeans, an oversized hoodie, and combat boots. Her long dark hair was tied in a messy ponytail, no makeup, nothing sexy or inviting. She came dressed for war. But this man… this beast in leather… he wasn’t going to be easy to out maneuver. “What’s your name?” he asked. “Ivy.”she replied shortly. He smirked like she just whispered a dirty secret into his ear. “Pretty name. Doesn’t suit a place like this.” “I’m not staying.” He tilted his head. “Then why are you here?” She clenched her fists. “I’m looking for my sister. Her name’s Mia Pierce. She went missing three weeks ago. Last seen with a guy wearing your club sign.” His jaw ticked. All the noise around them seemed to fade. “And you think someone in my club took your sister?” “I know it.” He moved so fast she didn’t see it coming. One second, he was standing in front of her. The next, her back was against the bar and his hand was pressed to the wall beside her head, caging her in. He didn’t touch her. Not yet. But the threat was there, hot and heavy in the air between them. “Careful,” he murmured, his mouth close enough that she could taste the smoke on his breath. “You’re throwing around big accusations in a place full of killers.” “I’m not scared of you.” He chuckled, low and dangerous. “You should be.” She met his stare with fire of her own. “If you did anything to her” “What if I did?” he cut her off, eyes narrowing. “What if I dragged your little sister in here, tied her to my bed, and made her scream my name until her voice broke?” Ivy’s pulse twitched “You’re disgusting.” “I’m a lot of things, Ivy. But honest is one of them.” Her breath came faster. “Did you hurt her?” “No,” he said simply. “I haven’t laid a finger on your sister. But if one of my men did… you just walked into the devil’s den looking to pick a fight with the devil.” Then, he stepped back. Just enough to let her breathe. But not enough to make her feel safe. “I’ll help you,” he said casually, like it cost him nothing. “I’ll find your sister.” Ivy blinked. “Why?” His smile sent chills down her spine. “Because i find you interesting.” “And what’s the price?” she asked bitterly. “Men like you always want something in return.” He leaned in again, brushing his knuckles along her cheek like a whisper. “You ivy, For as long as I want you to belong to me now, Ivy Pierce. Welcome to the Viper Kings.”