Page 3 of Bandit's Bounty

“Hey, Sloane,” Harmony says, her smile open and welcoming. “Did you have any trouble finding us?”

I shake my head because literally everyone knows where the Iron Howlers MC clubhouse is located. “Not at all. I wish y’all had let me bring something since it’s a barbecue.”

“Nope, you’re a guest,” Harmony replies.

“Not for long,” Bandit murmurs, his voice low so only I can hear.

What on earth does he mean by that? I turn to stare up at him and see a look in his eyes I’ve never seen before. It almost looks like he’s interested… in me!

“Scat, Bandit, you’re gonna scare her,” Karsyn admonishes, making Harmony giggle.

“Let me get you something to drink,” Bandit says to me, ignoring the other two women. “What would you like?”

“Water, please.”

I’m not much of a drinker, and since I’m in a strange place and only really know two people, I want to keep my wits about me.

“Coming right up.”

He leaves and I stare at the other two women with a puzzled look on my face, while they just grin at me. “What was that?”

Karsyn takes my hand in hers and I watch as her eyes go nearly opaque. Scared, I glance at Harmony, to see her looking unconcerned. Before I can say anything, an unopened bottle of water is placed in front of me, then I hear footsteps walking away.

“I’m sorry for what happened in your past, but there’s better for you. Everything that happened did so for a reason, just be patient,” Karsyn murmurs, withdrawing her hand from mine.

“What do you mean?” I don’t know these women very well, just the interactions we’ve had at my store.

“You’ll see,” Karsyn replies, her eyes now back to normal. “All will be revealed to she who waits.”

“Syn, you gotta stop that shit, you’ll freak her out,” Harmony teases. “It’s nothing bad, honey, I promise. You’re safe here.”

Chapter Two

Bandit

Never in the history of ever did I expect to find my fated mate. And I sure as fuck didn’t think if I was so fortunate that she’d be a damn human. As I walk away from the women, I’m surrounded by Sloane’s delectable scent; fresh pine trees and that earthy smell the air gets after a good, soaking rain. She smells positively edible, and I find myself adjusting my hardening cock in my pants as I make my way to the bar.

“Better not be for my woman,” Cyrus growls out, motioning to my crotch.

“Shut it, fucker, she’s like a sister to me,” I retort, sliding my ass onto a stool. I motion the prospect for a beer, which he places in front of me, along with a shot. “What’s with the shot?” I ask Cyrus.

He smirks, waving his own that I didn’t notice. “Celebrating, Brother.”

“We’re always celebrating something around here,” I reply. “What’s today’s occasion?”

“The girls are passing so far despite what happened earlier in the year,” he states. “Karsyn’s pregnancy is going well. The businesses are all profitable. Take your pick.”

I chuckle before picking my own shot glass up and tap it against his. “Well, then, here’s to good things on the horizon, Brother,” I say before taking my shot.

The burn of the whiskey as it slides down my throat warms me from the inside, but it’s nothing compared to the heat that’s been thrumming inside of me since meeting Sloane and realizing who she is to me. Now to get her on the same page, of course. I chase my shot with my beer as I gaze around the room.

Seeing all the Spiked Raiders in attendance, as well as my own club has me smirking at Cyrus. “Who’d have ever thought our two clubs would be like this?” I muse.

“Right? Hell, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear Big Daddy had a hand in it somehow,” he grouses, causing me to chuckle out loud.

“I like it, though, Cyrus,” I admit. “We may run differently as far as our businesses go, but at the end of the day, we know that they have our backs just like we have theirs. And that right there is a good thing because it means that together, we’ll ensure Redwich remains safe for everyone.”

“True, true. So, who’s the woman with my old lady?” he asks.