The probie and his biker chick (Iron vipers book 3)

Ready to help

*Dylan*

As soon as I step into the clubhouse, an electrifying buzz surrounds me, a familiar warmth that wraps around my heart like a snug blanket. This place feels like home, even though I’ve been away for what feels like an eternity. My eyes scan the room, landing on Tom first, and I can’t help but grin.

"Tom!" I exclaim, rushing toward him, ignoring the curious glances from a couple of unfamiliar faces. He’s always been like an older brother to me, and nothing can change that.

“Hey, kid!” His arms engulf me in a bear hug that lifts me off the ground for a moment. “Look at you! All grown up.”

I laugh as he sets me down, ruffling my hair like I’m still that little girl he used to tease. “Tom, you saw me at the wedding, your knucklehead… But, well, I've been trying to act like an adult.”

“Good luck with that!” he chuckles, stepping back to take a good look at me. “You’ve got some catching up to do. How’s life treating you?”

“Complicated, but hey school is over and I am home, at least for now” I admit, glancing around to see Isabella standing beside him, her hand resting protectively on her baby bump. I walk over, feeling a rush of warmth for her. “Hey, Isabella! How’s the pregnancy going?”

Her face lights up at my question, and she beams at me. “Oh, it’s a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Just a lot of cravings and mood swings,” she laughs, her eyes twinkling with joy. “But I’m surviving… it’s harder for Tom.”

“Anyone craving pickles and ice cream at 3 AM yet?” I tease, and she rolls her eyes, a smile still plastered on her face.

I move closer, searching out the next familiar face in the room. When I finally lock eyes with Tommy, a mix of emotions washes over me. So we shared something special the last time I was home, a brief whirlwind of a fling that feels like a distant memory… or maybe not so distant to be honest.

Now, standing in front of him, the air shifts, becoming thick with unspoken words. I mean we have been in touch a bit, but I am not really sure where we stand.

“Hey, Tommy,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, as I give him a clumsy hug, enjoying the brief feeling of his body pressed against mine.

“Hey, Dylan,” he replies, his tone neutral but his gaze intense. There's an awkwardness between us, an unsaid history hanging in the air, thick as smoke.

“What were you guys talking about?” I ask, eager to shift the focus away from the tension.

Isabella glances at Tommy, clearly weighing her words. “We’re discussing the case against Caleb Sinclair,” she says, her voice turning serious. “He’s a rapist and a predator, and I have been trying to take him down for a long time, but it’s complicated.”

I can feel my brows furrowing, “Why is it complicated? I mean if he is that bad there must be victims, right?"

“I wish that Was always enough,” Isabella says, her tone frustrated. “The guy is rich and powerful, even more so after his father, a local corrupt preacher dissapeared.”

Tom and Tommy exchange quick glances, their expressions darkening, and I make a metal note that I have to ask Tommy about it when I can get him alone.

Isabella continues, “As I said, very powerful, and he’s using that power to manipulate the situation. We just found out he’s claiming that the girl who accused him this time wanted it rough.”

A surge of anger ignites within me. “What? That’s disgusting!” I exclaim, my heart racing. “How can he even say that? That has to be a blatant lie!”

Tommy’s gaze is fierce as he speaks, “LZ and I found that girl. She was beaten up and traumatized. Now his defense is trying to twist the narrative, making it sound like she asked for it… Just because she agreed to s*x, before he turned violent.”

I feel my fists clench at my sides, fury boiling over. I can’t stand men like Sinclair, men who think they can play with people’s lives like they’re mere toys. “He deserves to rot in hell,” I spit out, my voice trembling with emotion. “How can anyone defend that?”

Tommy’s eyes soften, a flicker of admiration sparking in his gaze. “That’s what we’re trying to do. We want to protect women like her, to make sure this doesn’t happen again. We where trying to figure out how to make sure he goes down.”

I nod, feeling a swell of respect for him. It’s rare to find someone who genuinely cares about the well-being of others, especially in this world filled with predators. “I want to help,” I say, my voice steady. “I can’t just stand by while this guy gets away with it.”

“Dylan, I am sure everyone appreciate that,” Tommy replies, his tone serious. “But this isn’t just a matter of wanting to help. It’s dangerous. Sinclair has connections, and we’re already walking a fine line here.”

“Which is why we need to be smart,” Isabella interjects, her eyes darting between us. “If we’re going to gather evidence, we have to do it carefully. I don’t want anyone getting hurt… I also do not want to lose my licence to practice law.”

I take a deep breath, trying to quell the fire inside me. “I understand that, but we can’t just sit around and do nothing. We need to find a way to expose him, to make the truth known.”

Tommy looks at me, and for a moment, the awkwardness between us dissipates. “Let’s talk about it later,” he says, his voice softer now. “We want to make sure both of you are safe, and Willow too.”

“Willow?” I ask, remembering Zac sweet young wife.

Tom makes a face. “Willow grew up in the Sinclair house, Caleb is her step brother.”

“Yikes, poor her,” I mutter. Oh I have an idea now what happened to daddy Sinclair if he hurt Willow. “But that makes it even more important to take him down, right?”

They all nod, and Tommy gives me a small smile. I definately need to get him alone… we have a lot to talk about.